RUTH 3
1 Outline
Ruth 3
THE HOUR OF FAITH
#3 of 4 in a Series on
Ruth
(The other parts of the
series are found in Chapters 1,2,&4.)
We preach that salvation
is the result of faith in Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12-13,
However, faith does not
end at salvation. It begins with salvation! Hebrews 11:6
Four times in the
Scriptures God says that the just shall live by faith. (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans
1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38) This statement is not only a commentary on
salvation, but also how we are to live after salvation. Proverbs 3:5-6
Everything the Christian
does requires faith. That would include witnessing, suffering or watching
someone you love suffer, dying or watching someone you love die, working, going
to school, driving, raising a family, serving in church and a host of other
things.
We have already seen
Ruth in "The Hour of Decision" choosing the God of
Last time we saw Ruth
working in "The Hour of Service" (
In this message we find
Ruth in "The Hour of Faith". We want to see four things about faith
that we can relate to our own lives.
FAITH IS BASED ON
FACT - Vss. 1-4
Vs. 1 - Naomi is the
agent who gives Ruth the facts on faith.
There is a good reminder
for Christians in these verses. Faith is not based on feeling, assumption, or
some "leap in the dark". Faith is based on the facts found in God's
Word.
Naomi is looking for
rest or security for her daughter-in-law. But for it to happen, Ruth was going
to have to believe the facts.
Vs. 2 -Naomi directs Ruth's
faith to the fact that Boaz, the one in whose field Ruth had gleaned, was a
near kinsman. Boaz was kinsman, or relative or Elimelech,
Vs. 2-3 - Ruth was
instructed by Naomi to bathe and change her clothes, removing those of widowhood.
She was then to go down to the threshing floor and hide until Boaz settled down
for the night. He was winnowing grain (throwing it up in the air and allowing
the wind to blow away the chaff.)
Vs. 4 - Do not judge
this suggestion or action by our own society. Bear in mind that the threshing
floor was a public place. There were probably many people present. Also, this was a case in which Ruth had to do
the asking. Because she was a widow, it was proper for her to request that Boaz
redeem the property and marry Ruth. She did it in such a way that Boaz could
have said no and not be embarrassed.
The faith exercised by
Ruth was based on facts given to her by Naomi. They were also facts based on
the Word of God.
FAITH REQUIRES OBEDIENCE
- Vs. 5
Ruth was willing to do
as she was told. We show our faith in God when we obey His Word.
FAITH TAKES ACTION -
Vss. 6-13
Vss. 6-8 - Ruth did as
she was told.
Vss. 9-13 - Boaz
responded favorably.
Ruth's faith would have
meant nothing unless she had taken action. James 2:17
Study Hebrews 11 and
discover that men and women of faith were also men and women of action.
Many times there is
nothing we can do and we must wait on God by faith. Other times there are
specific things that God wants us to take definitive action.
FAITH WAITS PATIENTLY -
Vss. 14-18
Ruth had done all that
she could do.
Vss. 14-15 - Boaz sent
her away, giving her an indication of her intentions (six measures of barley).
Vss. 16-18 - Ruth was
instructed to "sit still". All she could do was to wait patiently.
When we have done all
that God wants us to do in a situation, all we need to do is wait on Him. Psalm
130:5-6