Scripture: Ruth 1:16

C.I.: Taking a Risk on a Relationship

Last week we saw God’s providence at work in bringing people together (& people to God)
Yet “True Love” requires RISK! – Today we will again see how Ruth & Boaz are a metaphor for us & God!

I. Risking It All for a Relationship (Ruth 3)

A. The Plan (vs. 1-5)

1. Naomi loved her daughter-in-law and she wanted what was best for her.
a. (v. 1), “Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to Ruth, ‘My daughter, shall I not seek security for you that it may be well with you.” – Naomi was seeking for physical security for Ruth.
b. Yet should we not want spiritual security for those around us (especially those we love?)
1) (Acts 10:24), “Cornelius was waiting for them and called together his relatives and close….”
2) Yet those we love may misunderstand – (Matt. 10:36-38), “A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household. – He who loves father or mother more than me….”

2. Naomi knew that if Ruth was to have a relationship with Boaz – some things would need to change.
a. (v. 3), “Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself and put on your best clothes, and go down to the threshing floor.”
1) Ruth was probably still wearing the clothes of a widow – Naomi says, “Put on your glad rags”
2) There are things that people need to do today – which also signal a desire for a R. w/God.
(i) (Eph. 4:22, 23), “Lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted with the lusts of deceit, - and put on the new self, - which in the likeness of God has been created in R.…”
(ii) These things would not put Ruth into a relationship – but would signal the desire for one

b. Yet this is the point at which the relationship becomes “RISKY”!!!
1) (v. 4), “And it shall be that when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies, and you shall go and uncover his feet and lie down; then he will tell you what you shall do.”
2) So much could happen:
(i) Boaz could brand her a harlot – (Num. 25:1), “…people began to play the harlot with…”
(ii) Boaz could have treated her like a slave – (I Kgs. 1:2), “Let us seek a young virgin – and let her lie in his bosom – that the king may keep warm.”
(iii) Boaz could have taken advantage of her sexually, etc.!
3) Ruth was willing to take the risk – (v. 5), “All that you say I will do.”

c. Are we willing to “risk it all” on a relationship with God?
1) What will others think? – What if God asks me to do something weird? - “Will I have to go to China or Africa?” – “Do I get to keep my friends?” – “Do I have to start doing religious or holy stuff?” – “Is it worth it?”
2) ARE YOU WILLING TO TAKE A RISK!

B. The Play (vs. 6-13)

1. Its one thing to “say” we will take a risk – it is quite something else to actually follow through!
a. (vs. 8-9), “And it happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled [duh!] – and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet. – And he said, ‘Who are you?’ And she said, ‘I am Ruth your servant. – So spread your covering over me, for you are a redeemer.”
1) If Boaz was surprised by her presence – he was even more surprised by her request.
2) To “spread your covering” = a proposition of marriage, (Ezk. 16:8), “I passed by and saw you, and behold, you were at the time for love [i.e., marriageable]; so I spread My skirt over you and covered you. – I entered into a covenant with you – so that you became Mine,” declares the Lord God.”

b. Having a relationship with God entails some risk – But He is please with those who take the risk!!
1) (Ezk. 30:21), “‘For who would dare to risk his life to approach Me?’ declares the Lord.”
2) (Heb. 10:29), “For our God is a consuming fire!”
3) (Ezk. 30:22), “‘You shall be My people, and I will be your God.’”

c. The people with whom God desires a relationship – are those with the courage to come to Him!
1) Many people today have beliefs - far too few have convictions based on truth!
2) (Josh. 1:7), “Be strong and courageous; be careful to do all the law which Moses My servant commanded, do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success…..”
3) (I Cor. 16:13), “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, ACT LIKE MEN, be strong!”

2. The Risk was Worth It!
a. (v. 10), “Then Boaz said, ‘May you be blessed of the Lord. – You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich.’”
b. Then as now – there are numerous things that can attract our attention – keeping us from God.
1) What the world can do for us – (Jms. 4:4), “Do you not know that friendship w/the world….”
2) What others can do for us – (I Cor. 15:33), “Do not be deceived: bad companions corrupt…”
3) What we can do for ourselves – (Rom. 3:23; 6:23), “We have all sinned… The wages of sin..”
c. Everyone risks their life on something – the only question is Who/What?

COMMUNION & CONTRIBUTION

CONCLUSIONS:

1. Naomi took the RISK that what she started - Boaz would be able to complete.
a. (3:18), “Then Naomi said, ‘Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today.”

2. We take the RISK – that what God starts – He will complete.
a. In the lives of the believer - (Phil. 1:6), “For I am confident of this very thing, - that He who began a good work in you, - will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”.
b. In the lives of those who would come to Him - (Phil. 2:12-13), “…work out your salvation in fear and trembling; - for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work to His own good….”
c. (Mark 16:16), “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved.”