Example of Sweethearts

Entered into what some might call a ‘Hall of Fame’, but what believer’s call the ‘Hall of Faith’.

Matthew 1:5-6  And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
Matthew 1:16  And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

I.  The Decisions – led to discouragement   Ruth 1:1-22

  A.  The Consequences of the move to Moab – death of husband and sons

  B.  The Conditions of the return to Bethlehem – Ruth insisted on staying with Naomi

  C.  The Curiosity of the people

Ruth 1:19  So they two went until they came to Beth-lehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Beth-lehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?

  D.  The Cry of Naomi

Ruth 1:20-21  And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?

Every family has a past and many families have faced great discouragement from time to time.

We learn that we must leave the past in the past.  Now, in your present – you are creating your past.  Learn from it and leave it behind. Concentrate on building your future as the Lord directs.

II. The dedication.  Ruth 2:1-23 

     Ruth trusted in God and she submitted to His Word! She became part of His people!

  A.  She worked the field that was at hand.  2:1-3

  B.  She worked with diligence that gained notice.  2:4-16

    1.  Boaz noticed her presence.  2:4,5

    2.  Boaz noticed her perseverance.  2:6-9

    3.  Boaz noticed her purpose.  2:10-13 To care for Naomi

         Note verse 13: Boaz was a respecter of righteousness, not of persons!

    4.  Boaz noticed her value through her virtue and invested in her.  2:14-17  He went much futher than the law required!

  C.  She worked and shared with Naomi.  2:18-23

III.  The desire.  Ruth 3:1-18

1.  The advice from Naomi.  3:1-5  To be in the place of blessing – to meet a righteous man

  B.  The approach of Ruth.  3:6,7

        Ruth, still yet a stranger (not a Hebrew, but a proselyte Jew) living among the people,              trusted in truth, righteousness, and virtue, and that her actions would not be                               misinterpreted –

Titus 1:15  Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

  C.  The approval of Boaz.  3:8-18

    1.  The proposal.  3:8,9  (From Ruth)

    2.  The privilege.  3:10-13  (belongs to another) 

          Deuteronomy 25:6,7

    3.  The propriety.  3:14-18

      a.  The discreet departure.  3:14

      b.  The disclosure of events.  3:15-18

IV.  The dividends.  Ruth 4:1-22

  A.  Redemption of the land.  4:1-8

  B.  Ruth taken in marriage.  4:9-12

They both had good testimonies and good intentions!   Let us learn from the Lord’s description of their characters

Boaz

Successful

Shy

Shrewd

Sympathetic

• Helped her to provide

Sincere – would accept proposal, but –

Submitted to God’s Word, preferring God’s Word over his own personal desire!

Ruth

Dedicated – to Naomi – accompany and care for her

Diligent – in her work

Docile – means easily taught, accepted God’s Word and His will

Determined – she had faith in God and obeyed Naomi’s counsel and Boaz’s counsel.

Results:  Godly Character leads to the blessings of God and His leadership in the family.  Sweethearts in the Lord bring glory to Him!