The Glory of Ruth
A. THE STORY OF RUTH IS A LOVE STORY.
1. A romance, but not merely a romance.
2. Hers is a story defined by love – love she had and demonstrated for others.
3. It is the kind of love Jesus commanded (Matt. 22:39).
4. And Paul commended (1 Cor. 13:1-3).
B. LOVE’S IMPORTANCE IS SEEN IN ITS COMMAND (1 John 4:21).
C. LOVE MUST BE TRANSLATED INTO DEEDS (1 John 3:18).
D. GODLY LOVE IS THE GLORY OF RUTH.
A. THE CIRCUMSTANCE OF RUTH’S LIFE (vs. 1-5).
1. Famine drives Elimelech and Naomi to Moab.
2. The death of Elimilech (vs. 3), and the marriage of his sons (vs. 4).
3. The death of the sons (vs. 5).
B. NAOMI’S DECISION TO RETURN TO JUDAH (vs. 6-13).
1. She tells her daughters-in-law to return to their mothers and marry again.
2. Her advice was out of compassion for them, not beneficial to her.
3. Orpah returns to her family (vs. 14).
C. RUTH’S REFUSAL TO LEAVE SHOWED HER DEVOTION TO NAOMI.
1. Naomi tells her to return with Orpah, (vs. 15).
2. Ruth responds with these word (vs. 16-17).
3. Ruth was stedfastly mindid (vs. 18). A demonstration of true love.
D. 1 Cor. 13:4-8.
1. Love does not seek its own (vs. 5: Phil. 2:3-4).
2. Love never fails (vs. 8; 1 John 3:18).
A. NAOMI, BELIEVING HERSELF TOO OLD TO REMARRY, AND SO SHE WOULD
BE RESPONSIBLE FOR HER OWN PROVISION.
1. Would she have to provide for Ruth, too? Ruth’s love wouldn’t permit that.
2. She went out to provide, and did so with diligence (vs. 7).
B. DILIGENCE IS EXPECTED IN CARING FOR OTHERS.
1. For ourselves and our families. (Eph. 4:28; 1 Tim. 5:8).
2. For our brethren and for all (Gal. 6:10).
C. DILIGENCE IN THE LORD’S WORK (Heb. 6:11-12).
A. BOAZ OBSERVED RUTH’S GOODNESS AND FAVORED HER(2:11-12).
1. He told her not to go to another field (2:8-9).
2. His invitation to eat (vs. 14).
3. He made sure extra was left for her to glean (vs. 15-16).
B. LOVE, LIKE RUTH’S, DOES NOT SEEK ITS OWN (1 Cor. 13:5).
1. This is what is expected of us as Christians (Phil. 2:3-4).
2. A prominent feature of the early church (Heb. 10:32-34).
3. Action speaks louder than words (1 John 3:17-18).
4. Best exemplified by Jesus (1 John 3:16; Phil. 2:5; John 15:13).
A. GLEANING WAS AN ACTIVITY OF THE POOR (Lev. 19:9, 10).
1. She admitted her poverty in her request.
2. Counting on the mercy of others for sustenance is a humbling experience.
B. HUMILITY AS A FRUIT OF LOVE (Eph. 4:1-2; 1 Cor. 13:4).
C. HUMILITY AN ESSENTIAL TO BEING IN THE KINGDOM (Matt. 18:1-4).
D. HUMILITY LEADS TO SERVICE (Matt. 20:26-28).
JESUS AS THE EXAMPLE.
A. WHAT SHE DID WAS NOT TO BE SEEN OF MEN (Matt. 6:1).
B. HER REWARD WAS A RESULT OF WHAT BOAZ AND GOD OBSERVED (2:10-11).
1. Her marriage to Boaz and Children (4:13).
2. Praise from God’s people (4:15).
3. A special place in their hisory (4:16-17).
C. WHAT THEN SHALL WE HAVE?
1. God’s special people (1 Pet. 2:9). As Ruth, a part of the family (Heb. 3:5-6).
2. Justification from sin (1 Pet. 2:10).
3. We will be glorified with his Son (Col. 3:4).
4. Heaven with God and Jesus (Phil. 3:20-21).
A. LOVE, LIKE RUTH’S, IS TO BE THE CENTER POST OF OUR LIVES (Col. 3:14).
1. By our love the world will know we are His (John 13:35).
2. Our demonstration might work to someone else’s salvation (Matt. 5:16).
3. Everything we do should be done in love (1 Cor. 16:14).
4. Because God first loved us (1 John 4:11, 19).
B. IS YOU LIFE ONE DEFINED BY LOVE?
1. Of others?
2. Of the Lord?