2nd Sunday after Trinity – Sermon 161

13th February 2011 Off By Derek Buckthorpe

Prayer to start

May the words of my lips and the thought of our hearts be graciously received for the Glory and Honour of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
AMEN

Introduction 

Its easy to miss the book of Ruth – tucked in between Judges and the first and second books of Samuel

In these other books – God’s love for Isreal is woven into a background of cruelty and tribal warfare – the sort of stories we might hear – in our own times – when we switch on the news-

But Ruth’s story is different – it paints a picture of love and compassion – and in a sense – prefigures the Gospels to come –
A tender story of grace and blessings – its a tale of two women – who underwent much hardship – but in the end won through to peace and security –

Its a story of a young girl – who attaches herself to her mother-in-law and her mother-in-law’s God – and receives the blessings of that God –

A story that shows us that God is fully active in our lives – working His purpose out and blessing those who trust Him

   

Point 1           Story of Ruth

The Book of Ruth begins with tragedy –

‘Bethlehem – the house of Bread’ – is empty – there’s a famine in the land – and Naomi and her husband and two sons – move to the country of Moab – to start again –

But in the coming years – tragedy strikes again – this time its Naomi – who was left empty through the death of her husband and two sons –

and with her future in Moab uncertain – and the famine over – she decides to return to Bethlehem –

the sons had married local girls – Orpah and Ruth – and since – the road to Bethlehem will be hard – and prospects uncertain – especially for people like her – who return with failure and loss – she duly releases them from any responsibilities they may feel towards her – and urges them to stay with their own families in Moab

but Ruth clings to Naomi – and pledges her support to her – and to the God of Israel –

“where you go I shall go, and where you stay I shall stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God”

We pick up the story after their arrival in Bethlehem – there are not many ways for a widow to earn a living – but one way – was through the ancient custom of ‘gleaning’

its harvest time – and so that they can eat – Ruth offers to go out and collect or ‘glean’ stalks of grain – left behind by the harvesters –

The Law requires landowners to leave behind – what the harvesters missed – for the poor and needy

Ruth finds herself in a field owned by Boaz – a relative of Naomi’s husband – He offers his protection and allows her to “glean” – among his sheavers –

In verse 12, Boaz sends out prayer for Ruth – “The Lord reward you for what you have done for Naomi – may you be richly repaid by the Lord God of Israel – under whose wings you have come to take refuge”

He even tells his men to deliberately leave some of the grain for her to find – as one bible translation puts it “ to drop handfuls – on purpose”

He offers her protection and food throughout the Barley harvest – and the wheat harvest as well

Boaz is – mirroring the character of God – generously giving beyond all expectations –

As some one once wrote –
“The way to give God thanks is to make room for more Grace” –

In his act of giving – Boaz was sending out praises to God – and fulfilling – what he had asked God to provide for Ruth –

Naomi is amazed at what Ruth brings home – she’s even more amazed – when she learns that the man who offered his protection to Ruth – is a “kinsman redeemer” – someone responsible for protecting the weak and needy in her family – and in verse 20 – she calls down God’s blessings on Boaz – “Blessings be upon you from the Lord – who has kept faith with the living and the dead”

 

Point 2         What do we learn from this story?

The four chapters in Ruth – take us from a time of sadness and discouragement – to one of hope and promise –

Ruth and Naomi had lost everything when their husbands had died – but – in their journey together – they changed – found a special bond – towards each other – and towards God – and that gave them a new direction –

in the same way – as we journey together in the Christian Faith – we need to remember the importance of the special bond and friendship we have with each other and with God – we are not here to help ourselves – but to help each other – achieve fulfillment in God’s grace –

Boaz tells Ruth to stay in His field – to keep within His protection – and stay close to His people – who He instructs to look after her – he knows her story and her needs – and makes special arrangements so she can easily receive the food and drink that he provides

In the same way God invites us to stay within His field of influence – His Church – He knows our story and has made special arrangements so that we can easily receive the nourishment He can provide

He feeds us – through His Son – Jesus Christ – His living word who not only shows us what God s like – and what He requires of us – but also provides the way for us to be forgiven and to return back to Him when we stray –

He feeds us – through His Holy Spirit – who guides and protects – who provides us with His power when we need it and ensures that we always know which is the right path to take –

He feeds us – through His Church – our contact with each other – and our activity together – reminding us of the importance of – daily prayer – reading and understanding our Bibles – and the fellowship and encouragement of one another –

Ruth is encouraged to glean and to drink whenever she finds the need – in the same way we are free to call on God’s nourishment – as part of our daily living –

Ruth was a foreigner – from a country viewed with suspicion – but throughout the story – we see the hand of God – caring and guiding – even when the focus seemed to be on others – God brought her through the narrow doorway of acceptance – into the community of Israel – so she could play her part in its future – and in the plan to provide a new “kinsman redeemer” for the whole of mankind –

God has a plan for each one of us and a place for each one of us to be – He is constantly arranging the events and people in our lives to flood us with His favours –

Like the parable of the sower in our NT reading – the challenge for us – is to open our eyes to – what God is actually doing in our world – His kingdom is not here for the big and the obvious – but to make a difference for each individual person – that wants to make their home with Him –  

 

Ending

 

The poet John Keats – once described Ruth as ‘sick for home ….and in tears amid the alien corn’ – but as her story unravels we see that she is a strong woman – and her great declaration of faith rings down the centuries and touches our hearts today –

Like Ruth – God wants us to take refuge – under His wings – to stay in His field – and receive “handfuls on purpose” – If we believe and trust and stay faithful to Him – then we know that we will be blessed – and God’s harvest from us will be large

 
 

Prayer to finish

In the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit

AMEN

Video of Sermon 161 on You Tube