Amen okay so we continue to go through the book of Ruth we're up to chapter
three now of our Sunday evening Bible study on Ruth as a quick summary so in
chapter one Elimelech if you remember this is a guy that he left Israel during
a famine with his wife Naomi and two sons he died the sons then married two
Moabites women and then ten years later they both died as well didn't they this
then left Naomi and her two daughters-in-law one of those Ruth swears
to stay by Naomi's side and they returned to Bethlehem together then in
chapter two we saw that Ruth starts going out to basically make use of God's
benefit system during we talked about how that kind of gleaning and being able
to go and gather off the corners which were the edges of the fields and the
gleaning the stuff that was left behind was a way of the poor the the widows of
the fatherless the stranger were able to then still be able to feed themselves
that way so we had a look at that and and Ruth ended up in this guy Boaz's
field didn't she and he ended up being very kind to her and and basically
rewarding her for all the good that she had done towards Naomi her mother-in-law
and in the end of the chapter so back in chapter 2 verse 23 it says so she kept
fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean until the end of barley harvest and of
wheat harvest and dwelt with her mother-in-law and then we go straight
into verse 1 so remember she's she's kept fast kept close to them to glean
until the end of harvest she dwelt with her mother-in-law then verse 1 so this
is after that time that Naomi her mother-in-law said unto her my daughter
shall I not seek rest for thee that it may be well with thee let's go to the
Lord and a word of prayer before we get going father I thank you I thank you for
your word I thank you for this church I pray now that you just help everyone to
you know stay attentive and stay alert on this Sunday evening just help help me
to preach accurately and boldly to preach the message clearly what you want
them to hear fill me with your spirit please Lord fill me with with boldness
and and just help everyone to be able to apply what they hear today as well in
Jesus name we pray all of this amen okay so again like I said this seems to be
half the harvest period if you look at that now Ruth has been gleaning for a
while now hasn't she I don't know how long that period is but probably a good
few weeks or so maybe longer she's been gleaning so this is a bit of a this is
further down the line now because she's turned up at barley harvest and barley
harvest is the first crop to harvest and she carries on it said in verse 23 of
chapter 2 until the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest so she's
obviously been there for a little bit of time now now said here then Naomi a
mother-in-law said unto my daughter shall I not seek rest for thee that it
may be well with thee and remember in chapter 1 when we looked at this in
verse 9 when Naomi said the Lord grant you that you may find rest each of you
in the house of her husband and she kissed him and they lifted up their
voice and wept and and we were talking about that rest from getting married and
remember I was saying it without our modern benefit system marriage is rest
isn't it okay marriage should have been it should still be should still be rest
for for a young lady or you know whether she's young or not and look some of you
with multiple children you know teaching them at home especially cooking three
meals a day maybe more you might question that doesn't seem like rest and
look it's only really though because of the apparent alternative of the free
childcare of the free schooling which is free isn't it and and should it be well
it's not really free yeah we pay for it in our taxes don't we but it's like an
alternative so well well because you're looking at the world and going this
isn't easy this isn't rest but but you know that's quite school the school
itself and that's got that schooling where where basically you've got the
whole nation going to school is actually a very new thing in history okay and
and really before that was homeschooling and maybe the very rich would be able to
pay for them to go off so the alternative to that for a lady to have
kids and then to have to go to work and everything else is tough when who's
gonna look after the kids so how does that work like that's tough isn't it so
really it's only because we've been given now really and really like it's a
recent thing isn't it this alternative that we look at as if that's normal to
just send your child off to be looked after by by strangers and by God haters
a lot of the time and the rest of it now look again I'm not getting on anyone
here because everyone has their own situation stuff but for me it's for me
it's clear as day that God's ideal would be that we that we train our own children
where possible now Ruth's alternative doesn't look so great does it okay so
Ruth's alternative to getting married is what is basically her working she's
gleaning in the field she's gonna have to basically work hard and break her
back to provide for herself and and her mother-in-law okay not so good remember
she made a vow didn't she to look after her mother-in-law as well so for her
this is looking pretty tough but it's talking about a rest here and I don't
know if people have noticed this before when you've read this but Boaz is a
picture of Jesus Christ the Redeemer okay Boaz is a picture of Christ and
look in the Old Testament there are many pictures of Jesus Christ there's
much symbolism of Jesus Christ and what people get a bit hung up on sometimes
they see a symbol or a picture and well it's not exact or it's not well what did
that person get well no it's a picture it's a picture it's a symbolism of now
one of those symbolisms of Jesus Christ is Boaz in the book of Ruth and there
are many throughout I think our pastor right now is going through Genesis and
been showing them many many pictures of Joseph being a pictures of Jesus Christ
and just I mean wow like the amount the amount in there in those last chapters
of Genesis but turn to Hebrews 4 here the symbolism is that rest in Christ and
it's going to be that rest in Boaz now in the same way that the Sabbath was
pointing towards the rest in Christ as well we're seeing this with Boaz in
Hebrews chapter 4 and look at verse 1 says Hebrews 4 1 let us therefore fear
lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest any of you should
seem to come short of it for unto us was the gospel preached as well as unto them
but the word preached did not profit them not being mixed with faith in them
that heard it so this is talking about the unbelieving ones of the children of
Israel why did the word preach not profit them why not was it because Moses
and Aaron didn't play enough modern music to get them to come to the worship
it was maybe it they didn't you know it wasn't quite attractive enough wherever
they were worshiping was it that the sole winners weren't using you know a
modern enough version of God's Word and change it into a moment no no they they
didn't have faith yeah they didn't have faith and that's what it comes down to
isn't it the word preached them did not profit them not being mixed with faith
in them that heard it and that's what it is isn't it they didn't have the faith
that's what it's all about the faith isn't it it's all about the faith verse
three for we which have believed who enter into rest as he said as I've
sworn in my wrath if they shall enter into my rest although the works were
finished from the foundation of the world so us believers enter into God's
rest and that's through Christ who where it says the works are finished from the
foundation of the world you don't have to end at first Peter 1 20 says who
verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world but was
manifest in these last times for you talking about Jesus Christ there verse
4 in Hebrews 4 for he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this
wise that's that Sabbath day and God did rest the seventh day from all his works
the first Sabbath a picture of rest in Christ right and in this place again if
they shall enter into my rest seeing therefore it remaineth that some must
enter therein and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of
unbelief not because they didn't repent of all their sins was it that's not why
they didn't enter into the rest of Christ not because they carried on the
sinning afterwards it was because of unbelief because of unbelief verse 7
again he limited for certain day saying in David today after so long a time as
it is said today if you will hear his voice harden not your hearts now this is
referring to Psalm 95 and he's saying that when someone hears the Word of God
they've got to not harden their hearts because many do don't know we you get
that many times I'm sure people got that this afternoon when they're out so
when you get people that just harden their hearts they start to get it and
then you see just that hard that hardening happen don't you you see them
just suddenly just almost sometimes you almost see like the back straight and up
don't you and it's just like right not having it anymore they just don't want
it they don't want to put their faith in Christ said in verse 8 for if Jesus had
given them rest then would he not after it has spoken of another day so they
were given their chances they rejected God there remaineth therefore a rest to
the people of God and I'm into that praise God that there is that rest and
and it is a rest isn't it and obviously we're seeing just time time again it
being referred to as that rest in Christ we've seen that picture of the Sabbath
or the Sabbath day being a picture of that for he that is entered into his
rest here he also has ceased from his own works as God did from his so the
Sabbath was a picture of salvation resting from our own works our own
attempts you'd have to know Isaiah and of course because Isaiah 6 4 6 says but
we are all as an unclean thing and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags
and we all do fades a leaf and our iniquities like the wind have taken us
away we've got no way of working our way to heaven and we've got no hope of
trying to work our way to heaven but how many people still think they do how many
people we had that today we had a fairly elderly lady and and that could always
be sad because you kind of feel like how many more chance you're gonna get and
and when when they answer the door and the first thing they say is is yeah I'm
good enough I know I'm good enough you know already you're gonna have a hard
time aren't you and and we got that and part you think it does she get it no
she got it and she's got the boy when she's got it but they don't for them no
you still have to be good they might because they hedged their bets on that
for 80 odd years of life haven't they well there's no chance of that is there
verse 11 let us labor therefore to enter into that rest lest any man fall after
the same example of unbelief so he's saying you better make sure you get saved
and obviously it's an ironic use of the word labor there isn't it he's just been
saying you can't work your way to heaven we just need to make sure that we get
saved is what he's saying just make sure that you're saved and and you know and
just in case he adds here doesn't it the end lest any man fall off the same
example of what by not laboring no by unbelief right so go back to roof 3 so
clearly that rest there is that rest in salvation the Sabbath is a picture of
rest in Christ and Boaz is a picture of rest in Christ that's why Jesus said in
Matthew 11 29 take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in
heart and you shall find rest unto yourselves and isn't it a great rest
that we get and isn't it great when you get saved to just know I'm saved nothing
can change that I'm saved I'm not I don't have to work to keep being saved I
didn't have to work to get saved I just have to get saved what a rest that is
now verse 2 and now is not Boaz of our kindred with whose maidens thou was
behold he winneth barley tonight in the threshing floor so remember that Boaz is
a relative of Naomi's and therefore also Ruth's late husband as well okay now
winnowing is to separate grain from the from the chaff and this is usually by
use of either the wind they do it outdoors or a makeshift fan so they make
some sort of fan not saying like an electric fan they might be moving
something to make make that kind of you know to fan it basically to fan the
grain now the the chaff is the inedible husks the waste right and again with the
Christ picture what's Boaz doing Boaz is sorting the wheat from the chaff a
famous saying isn't it and and you have to turn a bit Matthew 3 12 John the
Baptist is speaking of Jesus whose fan is in his hand and he will thoroughly
purge his floor and gather his wheat into the garner and he will burn up the
chaff with unquenchable fire isn't that what Jesus Christ does he sorts the
wheat from the chaff okay and for me that's a picture again with Boaz there
now look at verse 3 wash thyself therefore and anoint thee and put thy
raiment upon thee and get thee down to the floor but make not thyself known
unto the man until till he shall have done eating and drinking so Naomi is
saying you better scrub up girl yeah she's saying scrub up good and don't
interrupt a man when he's eating and amen today if only more women around the
world would understand that don't interrupt a man when he's eating okay
what great lesson from Naomi there so Ruth is going to him and again with the
Jesus Christ picture here we choose to come to Jesus don't we okay we choose to
come to Jesus because look and it should be obvious shouldn't it but the Calvinists
and every other so-called non Calvinists which seem to be affected by Calvinism
to some degree say that he chooses you don't they that's what they try and say
well he does in a way doesn't he because second beta 3 9 says the Lord is not
slack concerning his promises some men count slackness but his long suffering
to us not willing that any should perish but that all should come to
repentance yeah God wants you all to come to repentance and no that's not
repenting of your sins that's repentance yeah that's a change of mind upon your
faith in Jesus Christ he chooses everyone he wants everyone to get saved
doesn't he yeah he wants everyone to get saved first Timothy 2 for you don't turn
it says who will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of
the truth there's not just this select few he wants everyone to get saved does
everyone get saved though why not because it's free will because you have
the choice do you want to get saved you want to put your faith in Christ but
believe it or not in life God's will isn't always done is it what God's will
is not done but he's there they like to are you sovereign everything that God
wants done he's been that's what they that's what the Calvinist believes
isn't it what every single wicked filthy sin and crime that you see out of these
doors and sadly sometimes in these doors as well you're saying a God's will
no way is it is it what that God wants all the wickedness we see that goes on
in this world no he doesn't so he wants all those people to go to hell no he's
not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance okay
but God gives us free will doesn't he okay and that's life that's life free
will in life now Ruth coming to Boaz I think is a picture of us coming to
Christ but but who told her to go to Boaz Ruth's mother-in-law Ruth's mother-in-law
is telling her to go to Boaz and that's a good picture of soul winning isn't it
yeah that's a good picture of soul winning she's saying to her go to what
is the Christ figure isn't it go to get that rest and that's what we're all
doing aren't we we're telling people to get saved but we can't force people to
get saved can we okay she doesn't force her she still makes a choice but we
encourage and we tell them to in fact we plead with them sometimes we're almost
begging them we're imploring them but they still have to choose to do it don't
they but there it's a good picture of that and and that's her daughter-in-law
and obviously when it comes to family we should how frustrating is it when you
get someone saved on the door and then they don't want to get their family down
to get saved oh no no no they won't be no no they're too it's just wow really
but people do that don't know the selfishness of people but look she still
has free will Naomi tells her to go and like I said she's telling her second
critics is 520 that Turner says now then we are ambassadors for Christ as
though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christ said be ye reconciled to
God that's basically saying we urge you and that's what we're doing out when
we're out so we're just urging people please just get saved you don't have to
go to hell please please but it doesn't mean they will Naomi said in verse 3
wash thyself therefore and anoint thee and put thy raiment upon thee and get
thee down to the floor but make not myself known unto the man who he shall
have done eating and drinking these will pitch the salvation aren't they see that
there when we're saved we're washed clean from our sins aren't we she said
wash thyself therefore you don't have to turn a revelation 1 5 says and from
Jesus Christ who is a faithful witness and the first begotten of the dead and
the prince of the kings of the earth unto him that loved us and washed us
from our sins in his own blood we're washed aren't we when we're saved
Titus 3 5 says not by works of righteousness which we have done but
according to his mercy saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of
the Holy Ghost so what's the anointing the Holy Ghost isn't it that renewing
of the Holy Ghost the Holy Ghost is the anointing again you have to turn the
first on 227 says but the anointing which you have received of him abideth
in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing
teaching you of all things and his truth and is no lie and even as it taught
you you shall abide in him clearly talking about the Holy Ghost say yeah
and then the raiment or clothing again is a sign of salvation isn't it in the
parable of heaven in Matthew 22 12 you remember that the king says and he saith
unto him friend how came so in hither not having a wedding garment and he was
speechless so and what happens he gets cast into outer darkness doesn't he
revelation 611 last one and again you have to turn edges I want to get this
point quickly talking of the saved in heaven and white robes were given unto
every one of them and it was said unto them that they should rest yet for a
little season till their fellow servants also in their brethren that should be
killed as they were should be fulfilled so for me that that that verse in in
Ruth Rory Ruth Ruth 3 chapter 3 wash thyself therefore and anoint thee and
put thy raiment upon thee is a definite picture of going across for salvation
yeah the washing the anointing the change of clothing now look at verse 4
and it shall be when he lieth down that thou shalt mark the place where he shall
lie now shall go in and uncover his feet and lay thee down he will tell thee what
thou shalt do now look for me again this is another picture this is another
image of you know of for me this is basically when the two Mary's have been
to the sebka if you turn to Matthew 28 so Matthew chapter 28 you might disagree
with me here I don't know for me I see this this is another picture and like I
said a lot of them they're just pictures they're kind of their little hints
towards it look at Matthew 28 and verse 6 so the two Mary's have been to the
sebka and the angel says in Matthew 28 6 he is not here so obviously after
Christ's death and burial he is not here for he is risen as he said come see the
place where the Lord lay now look at verse 9 and as they went to tell his
disciples behold Jesus met them saying all hell and they came and held him by
the feet and worshipped him then said Jesus unto them be not afraid go tell my
brethren that they go into Galilean there shall they see me so prostrate by
his feet and then they're told what to do and we see here with with Ruth here
she's told to mark the place where he shall lie then thou shalt go in and
uncover his feet and lay thee down and he will tell thee what thou shalt do
okay again for me that's a picture that but in the story of Ruth here it's
coming away now for nice picture Christ it's to wake him up and to talk to him
privately okay so here she wants to wake him up and talk to him privately and she
said unto her all that thou sayest unto me I will do so she still has free will
doesn't she okay she's told to go and get the picture is she's being told to
get saved a picture okay for me Ruth is already saved but she's being told here
to go and get say that's a picture of Christ with Boaz and she says yes I will
okay I will verse 6 as she went down unto the floor and did according to all
that her mother-in-law bade her and when Boaz had eaten and drunk and his heart
was merry he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn and she came softly
and uncovered his feet and laid her down now this is where the carnal Christian
will see this and want to see alcohol won't they they'll look at that and go
look his heart was merry he must have been he must have been smashed he must
have at least had it oh he had a bit of a drink or he at least had it you know
he probably just just had an eat and had maybe you know a few good glasses of
wine you know I just just kind of in moderation just got a bit merry but I
don't know about you but when I've eaten and drunk non-alcohol and some nice nice
juice with my meal my heart's merry anyone else have a merry heart when I
eat some good food and drink yeah yeah I'll go with that as well but just
because our world now will start calling a little bit tipsy merry doesn't mean
that that that applies to here does it okay so for me here he ate and drunk his
heart was merry but I've heard this used before by by these carnal Christian
types who just want to find any way to justify boozing even though the Bible
says clearly not to look upon alcohol but all they want to see something
immoral here as well so I actually I went the first church I was really a
part of wicked liberal Church which I would doubt many of them were saved
they're looking back now but at the time you kind of you know you could just feel
that at the spirits kind of starting to really get pricked with things and
fortunately eventually I left but one of the things I did do before I did is I
used to go around to pastors I think it was on a Monday morning early in the
morning I invited me round with some other guy and we used to do a Bible
study and he wanted to go through Ruth now when we say a Bible study what they
actually all these they'll just have this book of studying Ruth by some
other guy and you basically just go through it together you know because
most of these guys it's just all just everything's plagiarized isn't it it's
all just grabbing what someone else has done and said nothing's nothing's
original at all but anyway we got to this point and the question is well what
really happened what does that really mean here and obviously they're using
false Bible versions and maybe if I'd had time I would have made me look to
what what the different versions say at this point but it's like well you know
it is uncovering the feet is it a euphemism for something else he's
questioning why why is that a euphemism for something else oh well maybe they
fornicate what why she's a virtuous woman this guy's a righteous man what a
load of nonsense she went down the bottom of his feet and uncovered his
feet why does she uncover his feet well I I think for me it's a way of him
waking up and he wakes up in the night when your feet I don't know if you some
people like their feet out of covers for me it gets cold and I get and it makes
me wake up yeah okay well if you ever you fall asleep downstairs or something
and it's a bit cold you know and then when you start getting your feet come
out of what whether you've got anything on you or not when you don't have a
cover you wake up easily don't you okay that's pretty standard for me but they
want to see something like that but no they weren't fornicating there's nothing
to suggest that in the text verse 8 and it came to pass at midnight that the man
was afraid and turned himself and behold a woman lay at his feet now afraid for
me is basically startled okay so he's a bit startled because he's woken up with
his feet uncovered and at his feet he sees a woman there okay so his feet are
cold he sees a woman there verse 9 and he said who art thou and she answered I
am Ruth thine handmaid spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid for thou
art a near kinsman now skirt is a lower and loose part of a coat or other
garment okay it's a lower part of that the part below the waist is a skirt of a
coat or mantle yeah no Boaz wasn't a cross-dresser okay so anyone's wondering
here okay so it wasn't that he was wearing a dress or wearing a kilt he
wasn't doing any of that but what he was doing is he was he was he was lying down
and she said spread therefore thy skirt and basically she's saying Boaz I want
you to take care of me look after me protect me that's what that that's a
picture of okay looking after me protecting me and that's a pretty humble
approach isn't it so Ruth says to hit I am Ruth on handmade basically will you
look after me will you protect me because you're a near kinsman turn of
Ephesians chapter 5 because nowadays sadly most women would look that as
weak wouldn't they asking a man to protect them to look after them well you
should be a strong dominant independent woman shouldn't you Ruth you've been out
gleaning you don't need a man who needs a man isn't that what they try and say
now well they're rubbish eh the Bible calls the wife the weaker vessel doesn't
it have I got that wrong no Ephesians 5 22 and by the way it's not just a world
it's the so-called Christian world would say the same but Ephesians 5 22 says
wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands as unto the Lord for the
husband is ahead of the wife even as Christ is ahead of the church and he is
the Savior of the body therefore as the church is subject unto Christ so let the
wives be to their house own husbands in everything say some things everything
husbands love your wives even as Christ also loved the church he gave himself
for it that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by
the word that verse alone is telling me husbands you better know the spiritual
condition of your wife doesn't it okay husbands it says love your wives he's
even as Christ also loved the church he gave himself for it that he might
sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word and obviously for
me that's what husbands should be doing with their wives shouldn't they
sanctifying and cleansing then how are you doing that if you've got no idea
what your wife's even listening to you've got no idea what your wife does
in the daytime and I'm not saying you have to be checking up on her but but if
you've if you never teach your wife anything out of the Bible how are you
washing her with the are you sanctifying and cleansing her with the washing of
water by the word if you're not doing any sorts of any sort of spiritual
growth at home together if you're not talking about anything spiritual you're
not doing any of that are you I don't think so sanctify and cleanse it with
the washing of water by the word verse 27 that he might present it to himself
a glorious church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it
should be holy and without blemish and that's a responsibility isn't it that's
a responsibility as husbands to be spiritually growing our wives to be
helping our wives to be to be trying to prevent them from having spot or wrinkle
or any such thing and obviously it's not talking about spots and wrinkles there
you don't have to be there squeezing the spots hiding out the wrinkles but
but it's it's about making them holy without blemish that's what it says
there isn't it and that's what we're that's what we're trying to do as
husbands aren't we we want to guide we want to help our wives to be that
because the Bible does call him the weaker vessel no that's not saying that
they're a lesser person that's not saying that they're not as good as men
that's just saying that they're different isn't it and there's different
roles in life and and you could look at that and go well that's all right well
that's the responsibility though isn't it and having a responsibility isn't
always a great thing yeah a lot of people look at that oh it's okay for
that for the person at the time no it's not because you've got a responsibility
there and ultimately you're gonna be getting chastised as well when it goes
wrong and that's something you need to be doing you need to be you need to be
basically trying to make sure that your wife is holy and without blemish verse
28 so all men to love their wives as their own bodies he that loveth his wife
loveth himself for no ever no man ever yet hated his own flesh but nourisheth
and cherisheth it even as the Lord the church obviously it's not just you know
reading Bible at your wife every night and that should sort it there's a whole
package there isn't there okay but basically Ruth is saying to Boaz like I
want you to look after me I want you to help me grow I want you to spiritually
protect me as well I want you to do all this for me verse 30 for we are members
of his body of his flesh and of his bones for this cause shall a man leave
his father and mother and shall be joined unto his wife and they too shall
be one flesh this is a great mystery but I speak concerning Christ and the church
nevertheless that every one of you in particular so love his wife even as
himself and the wife see that she reverence her husband and I've preached
a bit recently on that and that loving your wife but but and the wife see that
she reverence her husband and Ruth is showing that attitude straight away
there isn't she straight away she's just saying please look after me please
protect me and everything else I wonder how many times you see that chat up line
nowadays you know hey come here often will you look after me
protect me forever but anyway I'll tell you I was about it good I think that
for me be a lot more of a lot more appealing than some woman going yeah
well I don't need a man you know I'm just so I'm just so independent it's
like yeah whatever I do one you know because you're so out of God's will like
that verse 10 back to back to Ruth Ruth 3 there and he said blessed be thou of
the Lord my daughter for thou has showed more kindness in the latter end than at
the beginning in as much as our follow it's not young men whether poor or rich
Boaz isn't puffed up either here is he so she's saying please look after me
Boaz is saying look blessed be thou the Lord my daughter showing more kindness
in the latter end than at the beginning he's basically saying you're showing me
kindness here or maybe it's not just to her it's also to Naomi as we'll see but
because look Ruth could have just found a man to marry early on couldn't she I
think she's a catch you go oh yeah you don't know what she looks like she's a
catch yeah she's a catch look no it should clear as day like these first two
chapters for me it's like wow she's it had funny I was single no joking but but
she is a catch isn't she because Ruth here is is she is loyal she's hard
working she's industrious she's humble she's she's fulfilling our promise she
wants to look after a mother she this woman's got it always it she yeah and
she got it all and in look Boaz is just going well wow you know wow that
someone like this someone he's not going on because you look the description of
it's not really important is it but what and I'm not saying obviously you know
you want to you want to you want to like who your who your future spouse looks
like you want to at least not be put off by their looks then everyone there's
horses for courses aren't there okay and for what one you know what one person
might find beautiful isn't what another one does you know but but more
important than any of that surely more important than any of that is that is
who they really are isn't it and if they're gonna be a good wife and if
they're gonna be a good husband you know because look nowadays and probably it's
always been like this I doubt there's anything you under the sun but it just
seems to be all about looks isn't it all about and what and it's well like
whatever the fashionable look is you know it's that as well there's always
like a new fashion of what apparently is a good look at people so easy brainwash
they almost get pulled into that I may suddenly they've all got to look this
way and before they all had to look that way obviously men are more susceptible
to this it does happen with women as well doesn't it but here he's just
thought wow but also because what would have happened to Naomi had she just gone
and got married straight away because if she had is she just gonna found anyone
to marry us so she didn't have to go and glean and everything else would they
have looked after Naomi and if they'd said no I'm not looking after Naomi she
should be submitting to her new husband shouldn't she her new husband's
authority who would have just said well look that's not got nothing doing me
Naomi now that's done you're you moved on now you're you're my wife we have a
family that's it you're under my household and that would likely have
probably then met the end of her friendship and responsibilities and
everything to Naomi which obviously she's made that promise she wants to
look after her so instead what she done and it sounds like Boaz is a bit older I
don't know what age he is there maybe maybe he's not you know he's not an oil
painting himself I don't know he's a picture of Christ Christ had no form nor
comeliness did he now but instead look here she's gone to Boaz isn't she she's
gone to Boaz the kinsman of the family to continue the family name and
therefore provide for the widow Naomi as well right so verse 11 and now my
daughter fear not I will do to thee all that thou requirest for all the city of
my people does know that thou art a virtuous woman what's top of Boaz's
requirements for a wife she's a virtuous woman yeah young ladies here that's
something to aspire towards isn't it in fact that's something everyone young
young or old ladies here shouldn't we shouldn't they all be aspiring towards
that that thou art a virtuous woman and young men here isn't that something to
seek as well is that something that every young man should be seeking is a
virtuous woman what is a virtuous woman well probably one sets the bar doesn't
it let's go there Proverbs 31 this is it time for us men to be our wives of the
Proverbs 31 stick because you can't beat that Proverbs 31 stick can you no but in
all seriousness this is this is a benchmark this is a virtuous woman so
shall we see what this virtuous woman is like and I wonder if it fits kind of the
ideal woman that the world tells us is I think it's gonna be a little bit
different okay Proverbs 31 and this verse 10 who can find a virtuous woman
for her price is far above rubies okay so it doesn't sound like there's that
many of them out there does it they're fewer and far between and I don't know I
would say if you jump forward now a couple of thousand years I would say
they're even fewer and further between the heart of our husband of safely trust
in her sir he shall have no need of spoil she will do him good and not evil
all the days of her life she seeketh wool and flax and worketh willingly with
her hands she is like the merchant ships she bringeth her food from afar
she's industrious she riseth also while it is yet night she's like she didn't
sound like she's having lions does it and giveth meat to her household and a
portion to her maidens she considerth the field and by a fit with the fruit of
her hand she planted the vineyard so she's even able to help out with work
from home there she girdeth her loins with strength and strengtheneth her arms
okay so she's not just some little dolly bird she's obviously able to do
stuff she perceiveth that her merchandise is good her candle goeth not out by
night so she's up early in the morning and she's up till late at night she's a
hard worker she layeth her hands to the spindle and her hands hold the distaff
so she's happy to do hard work from home as well she stretcheth out her hand to
the poor yeah she reaches forth her hands to the needy so she's obviously
kind and generous as well she's not afraid of the snow for her household for
all her household are clothed with scarlet so she works hard to make sure
that they're properly prepared and they're not going out there freezing
she maketh herself coverings of tapestry our clothing is silk and purple so she
obviously you know dresses well as and and due to her industry I think there
her husband is known in the gates when he sitteth among the elders of the land
because some people would say a man's known by his wife she maketh fine linen
and selleth it and delivereth girdles unto the merchants so she's helping her
husband from home here strength and honour are her clothing and she shall
rejoice in time to come she openeth her mouth by the way strength and honour her
clothing not you know some whatever that like I said the fashionable new looks
are she openeth her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is a law of kindness
so she's obviously a godly woman there isn't she because where does wisdom come
from the Word of God she looketh well to the ways of her household and eateth not
the bread of idleness she's not lazy her children arise up and call her
blessed her husband also and he praiseth her okay so they're obviously appreciate
her many daughters have done virtuously but thou excel ist them all favour is
deceitful and beauty is vain but a woman that feareth the Lord she shall be
praised give her of the fruit of her hands and let her own works praise her
in the gates so she'll be praised for her own works and a woman at first the
Lord she shall be praised and here look what a difference that is isn't it what
a difference to what our world tells us is is what women should be seeking to
aspire to be yeah there that's a hard-working industrious faithful God
honouring woman okay and look if only women nowadays would look more at
Proverbs 31 and aspire to be like that and spend all their time and effort
looking at the latest beauty therapies and the latest ways to look a certain
way try and act like the problem of 31 women eh and and yeah what what a
contrast that is but also what what what a great just to have that mapped out as
well to be able to say look that's what that's what women should be aspiring
towards that's what men should be looking for that's what we want to be
training our daughters to be like yeah that's what we want to be training our
sons to be looking for but also to understand as well that that is that
there's a benchmark bar there and look we all fall short don't we okay we all
fall short so what we don't want to do is use Proverbs 31 to then make our
wives feel small or to make you know or to basically never find a wife because
you're like she's just not making the clothing you know she's not the right
wife for me no there's obviously that's a picture-perfect wife but it's a great
thing to aspire towards isn't it hey okay verse 12 back to back to where we
were in Ruth chapter 3 and verse 12 and now it is true that I am thy near
kinsman how be it there is a kinsman nearer than I so Boaz is saying there's
a family member that's closer than him he then says in verse 13 Terry this
night and it shall be in the morning that if he will perform unto thee the
part of a kinsman well let him do the kids miss part but if he will not do as
a part of a kinsman to thee then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee as a
Lord liveth lie down in the morning now turn to Deuteronomy chapter 25 because
this what's this all about this kinsman so it's basically for when a family
member dies without children and leaves a widow behind which is exactly the
situation that Ruth is in here so it's when someone's widowed without having
had children 2 to 1 of me 25 says from verse 5 if brethren dwell together and I
think really they're you know they're looking at the context with here in
Ruth it's talking about family members and one of them die and I think
dwelling together I don't think it necessarily means in the same home
either I just think it means in the same area so it's not like someone has to
relocate for this and if if brethren dwell together and one of them die and
have no child the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger her
husband's brother shall go in unto her and take her to him to wife and perform
the duty of an husband's brother unto her and it shall be that the firstborn
which she bearers shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead that
his name be not put out of Israel so basically it was to keep that family
name going now if you go back to where we are in Ruth 3 we saw that he's
talking about doing that but he says he says that there's someone that's close
to he's saying there is a closer family member that has that right to refuse
that so this is an honest guy like he seemed pleased by the proposition didn't
he but he's still saying I want to do things the right way okay so again he's
a good example isn't he bars it's not just all about the example of Ruth in
this book okay verse where are we sorry okay verse 14 and she lay at his feet
until the morning and she rose up before one could know another and he said let
it not be known that a woman came unto the floor
okay and and I don't know you could say there again because it says that she
rose up before one could know another with that picture of Christ and maybe
Mary Magdalene coming to the Sepulchre early when it was still dark I don't know
maybe I'm going going too far there but verse 15 also he said bring the veil
that thou has upon thee and hold it and when she held it he measured six
measures of barley and laid it on her and she went into the city I reckon
there's probably something a picture there with a veil maybe the veil being
taken down there I don't know I'm not exactly clear on that verse 16 and when
she came to her mother-in-law she said who art thou my daughter she told her
all that the man had done to her so remember it's dark and early in the
morning as well that we just saw there so she's all you know who is it as she
comes in remember he's just loaded up with these six measures of barley now
have a look at this verse 17 and she said these six measures of barley gave
he me for he said to me go not empty until unto thy mother-in-law then said
she sits still my daughter until thou know how the matter will fall for the
man will not be in rest until he have finished the thing this day so for me
again it's that rest in Christ isn't it so the six measures like the six days
thou shalt work I think the seventh signifying that rest in Christ she's been
given the six measures and now Ruth is saying to her sit still and and until
they know how the matter will fall Ruth is now sitting still and putting her
trust in bars isn't she to do what he said he would do to redeem her and like
Christ I believe Boaz will do as he promised there won't he so for me that
is that that rest in Christ and look for everyone here as well that that's I
hope everyone here is saved not only do we have rest in Christ but we could also
trust that Jesus Christ will do as he promises to do okay and it's not just
salvation it's not just heaven there's so many promises in the Word of God and
if you're saved if you're saved and you know for sure that you look nothing
look you're going to heaven no matter what happens yeah based on your faith in
Jesus Christ not based on any works of righteousness not based on any continued
works of righteousness just based on your faith in Jesus Christ not based on
some genetic family line or any of that just based on faith in Jesus Christ then
you could trust all the other promises of the Bible as well yeah you can trust
the other things you can trust that there's coming a millennial rain yeah
there's coming some some amazing rain across is that there's coming a new
heaven a new earth there's coming a time when there shall be no more tears there's
coming a time when when you're gonna be living in glory in the presence of God
and you can believe all of that you could trust all of that because we can
trust Jesus Christ because otherwise you trust him for one thing and then you
pick and choosing what you trust aren't you and you could trust him where you
know the many things he says when he says you know take upon me you know my
my yoke is is easy and my burden is light and that you could go to the Lord
in prayer and he's going to answer your prayer you could trust that you could
trust that when you live by the Word of God that you are going to be blessed in
terms are you gonna be having I'm not saying you're gonna suddenly have
riches and rewards and you know it's not that you're gonna you know live your
life in perfect health or anything else that we can have trials and challenges
and everything else but but we go to the Word of God don't we and we can we can
have that faith in in the Lord but but with this with this chapter for me
there's such a picture of salvation there isn't there there's such a picture
of salvation and that salvation is is in as we've just seen earlier on it you
know the picture is in Boaz but Boaz sorry is it sorry Boaz is that picture
of Christ and there's those pictures there of that but it's remind us it's
just giving it and it's pointing towards Jesus Christ ultimately isn't it in the
future and and look that's what salvation is it's a rest isn't it and
it's as easy as that yet how many how many churches around this country around
this world how many are trying to add something to salvation isn't it wicked
how clear is it that it's a rest that it's not of works how clear is it that
you're washed in the blood of the lamb that that it's that it all comes down to
the blood of Jesus Christ his death burial resurrection paying for all your
sins yet how often I mean how rare does it seem to be that anyone even believes
that anymore even believes what the Bible says but wow what a what a gift
that is a what a gift and what a great reminder in Ruth chapter 3 of that and
it's something that look we don't want to be we don't want to go too far and be
the sort of church that just preaches a gospel week in week out yeah because
hopefully someone will come in who's unsaved and hopefully someone who's been
sitting around saying he's gonna finally get it if I preach it in like the 10th
different way yeah but on the flip side it's good sometimes to be reminded of it
isn't it and look I know a lot of most people here go out soul-willing regularly
okay so in a way when because look we are told to put on the helmet of
salvation of the hope of salvation aren't we okay and part of that is to
remind yourself of that salvation remind yourself of that free grape because the
devil's gonna try and tempt you and try and confuse you and try and weaken you
and try and make you question and everything else and go that preach the
gospel actually does really help with that doesn't it because those verses
just cemented in your heart you preach them time and time again but some don't
and some some will be you know will come in the church and stuff and and look
sometimes we do need a reminder of what the gospel is don't we sometimes we do
need a reminder of that free gift we do need a reminder that it's that by grace
you save through faith and that not of yourselves it is a gift of God not of
works as any man should boast yeah don't we need reminding of that sometimes
just even if it's just to say praise God praise God that that I'd be given that
free gift praise God that he died for me praise God that that I don't have to do
anything but put my faith in Jesus Christ yeah praise God that I called on
him in faith and that calling on him again I won't go off for one on that
but but you have to call the name of the Lord in faith yeah okay that is part of
faith is calling on the name of the Lord if you believe you're gonna ask him
okay it's pretty simple isn't it and again that's been people attack they
just attack everything they just attack the gospel in one way or another don't
they and you just the latest attack will come and obviously online it's quite
quite a thing now isn't it obviously the online world's big but if we if we're in
the Word of God and we're reminding ourselves time and time again and we're
out solving we're preaching the gospel we could just have that strength that
comes from it a that shield of faith you know that shield of faith that helmet of
the hope of salvation and it helps us then go through life just reminding
yourself you're saved when you have that trouble remind yourself no but
you're saved but you're saying very very I sent you he that believe in me had
everlasting love you have it you can't lose it you have it what a great gift
what a great reminder in in chapter 3 here of that of that free gift of
salvation and yeah one more chapter to go next week of Ruth and and yeah like I
said as well just those pictures as well just you know and you'll start to see as
you read the Bible more and more just all these different pictures of Christ
of the gospel of the Lord and and it's amazing it again it's just such like
again it's a great faith strength from them as well isn't it to think when that
when was that written that was written what 1500 years about a thousand years
something like that before Jesus Christ yeah how many pictures of Christ are in
there hey isn't it amazing absolutely amazing
yeah you kind of feel that you look at that you figure if I could just show
someone that it's not going to convince them though is it even though even one
were to rise from the dead they still won't believe will they if they don't
believe Moses and the prophets they don't believe the Word of God yeah
neither shall they be persuaded though one rose from the dead and and that
that's even with this but for those who are saved doesn't it strengthen your
faith when you read bits like that and see stuff like that on that let's pray
father I thank you for your word I thank you I thank you for a great book of the
Bible there that you know like I said at the beginning on kind of first glance
you could just quickly skim over it and and not see all these you know for
example in this chapter those great pictures of Christ and salvation and
rest in Jesus Christ and thank you for the other the lessons were learning for
it thank you for for just that that great example in Ruth of a virtuous
woman and and that that that sort of benchmark that that you know women here
should should should aspire to be like and help us as men here to also help our
wives to be what you want them to be and help them to help us to be what we want
to be through just being that support and everything else and encouraging us
to be you know the spiritual leaders that you want us to be in Lord I thank
you I thank you for this church thank you for all the great people here that
just want to live for you and want to want to not only live out the Word of
God but also go and preach that word as well to others and get them saved and I
pray that you help us do that this week help us to just open our mouths boldly
and preach the gospel and they get many salvation to be back again next week
safely and soundly for another day in your house and in Jesus name we pray all
of this amen