Good morning everyone from Hawaii, to all points of the world, welcome to The Church Ministries 45th Sunday Service. We have been doing a countdown lately as we get closer to our 52nd church service which will equal one year of constant sermons, plus in our archives we have every date and every sermon listed just the same way they have appeared when we started. The Church Ministries was established on August 27th, 2003 when we started building, with all our goals set high and we were seeking a building and combined type mission in downtown Hilo. Remember we had the name already fixed as The Church at Hilo or The Church in Hilo, then when those two churches looked available in Papaikou we new we had to change the name to a more movable, or versatile but staying strictly biblical, as in the names of the churches in the New Testament considering the basis of the early church. The two churches were very close to the church office and we all figured it was going to be a blessing for us to get one of them. So we had to plan ahead in case we did start preaching in another town, or got even larger or started to branch out. That is how The Church Ministries came about. As the story goes we ended up not getting either one of the churches, and both of them still sit there not being used. One would have taken a lot of work to fix up but back then I felt the neighborhood would have all pitched in. That too is still another story of a broken dream that makes no sense, the other one remains empty for no reason we can figure out. Our goal is still the same to get a building right in the heart of downtown and to be able to feed and cloth and hopefully even supply a bed for the poor. The town of Hilo needs a mission, which is why I thought God has sent me here, why would God bless me with all these talents for a church/mission and let them lay dormant for the past year. I as your pastor got hit with an affliction on Nov. 13th, 2003 and will hopefully find out what is wrong tomorrow, after a 10 month wait for an MRI, almost a year of suffering and living in the unknown, plus the placement of all kinds of obstacles in the way to put a halt to all of the mission project. Our main office is still in Papaikou, and all our preaching and teaching and prayer is done in Papaikou, and it would be some job now to move all of the computer equipment, the library and the audio video electronics, plus the biblical accessories, and conference desk. We are all in tune now, and we are all making the best with what we have, and what we are doing now touching peoples hearts throughout the world with the Love of Christ for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.
Dear Heavenly Father, We come upon Your throne of grace to receive mercy this week and find grace and help for all our needs. You are our light and salvation; You are our strength and redeemer. Please cast away all our fears and doubts and help us to focus on Your love and truth. Your Word sets us free from all the trials and tests of this broken world. We were all bought with a price, and we are all here to glorify You, in spirit and in truth deep from within ourselves. We know that the Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives and reigns within us all, so Lord please deliver us from this present evil world, and the darkness. Please hold us in your loving arms and have your Spirit come upon us and guide us to be over comers. Grant us the blessed anointing to give us encouragement and peace through this day. We gather before You in the Name of Jesus to fill us with the Holy Spirit so our minds can be open to the Word and Your quiet voice and teachings. Father we submit to You our bodies and minds as an act of worship and praise. We stand before You as one body, the Body of Christ and ask forgiveness and confess all of our sins. We all want to be cleansed and bear good fruit. Please Father, plant us near the river of living water so we can constantly bear the fruits of love, joy, peace, and goodness. We are all here to honor You and to be filled with Your knowledge, wisdom, and Your will. Guide us all to the light of your righteousness so we can bring You the glory. Purify us all as one body this day and all of our days. Teach us the act of direct togetherness as we group and rejoice in Your majesty. In Jesus Name, Amen
Let us go over the last two weeks with some review, as our time line opens around when Judges ruled in Israel. God said there would be a famine in the land because His people disobeyed Him. There was no rain and no crops and the people in Bethlehem were hungry. Elimlech and Naomi were the mother and father of a family of two sons. They were worried about food for there sons, and they didn’t’ want to starve.
So Elimlech said let us go to the land of Moab, I hear things are better there. You could almost see the land of Moab from Bethlehem. Naomi was questioning her husband leaving everything behind, family, relations, and friends. Plus we know that Moab was a bit immoral which we covered two weeks ago, and they worshiped other gods. So Elimelech sold the house and the land they packed up there things and moved on to Moab.
As the years went by Elimelech died and brought much grief to Naomi. But she still had her two boys. As they got older they both married Moabite women, one was called Ruth and the other Orpah. Then both of Naomi’s sons died. Now Naomi was broken hearted. Naomi didn’t know what to do, so she realized that she was alone in a strange land with no males to provide. So now we have a family of three widows and we also went over how hard it is for widows to survive. Then she meets with her two daughters and said I am going back to my own land. So the both of you must stay here and find yourselves new husbands. I will return to my land and worship my God, the God of Israel.
The two daughters-in-law loved their mother-in-law and they had feelings to go with her. Naomi convinced them that they would have a better chance of finding a husband amongst their own people, plus Naomi didn’t have any more sons to carry on the family name. Orpah went back, but Ruth took a stand and declared a promise to Naomi to go with her, and went on to Bethlehem together.
But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Ruth 1:16 NASB
When they arrived in Bethlehem Naomi was different to everyone that once knew her, and she told people that she wanted to be called bitterness instead of sweetness, because she was so hurt about the events that happened to her family. And she let everyone know of the dedication and love Ruth had to make that long journey and come to a strange land as her companion.
They came just around the barley harvest which was a good time to come, we went over how hard it was for widows to survive on there own, but at least our God had set standards and laws for the widows, the poor, orphans, and strangers to have something to eat, like a welfare system. God has laid down laws for the workers and owners of the fields and vineyards to have a leftover supply of food which the poor and needy could gather to survive. So we have Ruth being the caring worker for them both, she went out into the fields to gather grain from the fields that was left over, and left on the ground, plus the corners of the fields were left also untouched by the reapers, or the harvesters.
As she went into the fields to glean Ruth was being directed by God so it is written, she just happened to end up in the field owned by Boaz. We know that this was God’s plan that she would work at that particular spot at a particular time. Boaz was well respected, well liked, wealthy, kind, honorable, and trustworthy. While Ruth was working in the fields, Boaz took notice of her and he began to ask his foreman many questions about her. Everything Boaz heard about Ruth was good and how she gave up her life and family in Moab to escort Naomi across a great distance to help and care for her. Plus Ruth gave up worshiping the false gods of her area, and came to worship the true God of Israel. She also was known as a woman of excellence and virtue.
So through the last two weeks we find there is a special love between Boaz and Ruth beginning to blossom. Boaz treated her extra well and gave her extra grain and let her fit right in, with his team of workers and gave her the same privileges as his workers, plus a lot more, being he was so fond of her.
1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? Ruth 3:1 NASB
As we open with chapter 3 today we find that Naomi finally has some hope to find Ruth a home and a husband. As we walk through all the translations of this book we have to take bits and pieces to portray our story. Naomi is in the background planning for the future and security of Ruth. As we read about a redeemer and a second chance for the widow Ruth and how she has a good possibility of a new life in the future for the both of them, but Naomi was caring mostly about the life of Ruth not herself. She had the hope that Boaz would take the place as the family redeemer or kinsman redeemer.
2 "Now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maids you were? Behold, he winnows barley at the threshing floor tonight. Ruth 3:2
We know now that Boaz is a relative or the kinsman or we can put it another way the family redeemer. As we go over the laws we notice that Boaz was a relative to Naomi’s husband, although we never find out which type of relative but we can assume Boaz was an uncle or cousin. So we have Naomi setting the stage knowing that Boaz will be at the threshing floor that evening, most all threshing floors were located on a hilltop in a windy area so they could utilize the wind to separate the grain from the straw and the chaff.
First a sickle was used to cut off the ears which were held with one hand and then bundled together to make small sheaves that would then be taken to the threshing floor, which would be a cleared area with flatted earth or stone. Next we have animals usually cattle which are lead over the stalks that are spread all over and the cattle would trample over the stalks starting the separation of the grain and the chaff and straw. Then they would use another tool which was a kind of sledge with small rocks on the bottom, and that was dragged over the top in a circular motion adding to separation and threshing. Then the grains were gathered and the next step would be winnowing which they used a winnowing fork or shovel somewhat like a pitch fork of today, and they would lift up small piles and throw them up in the air and the wind would do the finale separation as the heavy grain would fall to the clean top and the chaff and straw would blow away.
So we know that Boaz will be at the threshing floor, the winnowing was usually done later in the day and some at night, plus the workers and owners would stay the night and sleep next to their harvest to protect their crop from theft.
23 " 'The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants. 24 Throughout the country that you hold as a possession, you must provide for the redemption of the land.
25 " 'If one of your countrymen becomes poor and sells some of his property, his nearest relative is to come and redeem what his countryman has sold. 26 If, however, a man has no one to redeem it for him but he himself prospers and acquires sufficient means to redeem it, 27 he is to determine the value for the years since he sold it and refund the balance to the man to whom he sold it; he can then go back to his own property. 28 But if he does not acquire the means to repay him, what he sold will remain in the possession of the buyer until the Year of Jubilee. It will be returned in the Jubilee, and he can then go back to his property. Lev. 25:23-28 NIV
The year of Jubilee was every 49 years so families always had a chance to get their land back eventually. As we see again the God’s laws have been laid down to benefit His people if something goes wrong with the family, also we must continue to realize that the land is all God’s in the first place that is why He has made provisions for His people. So this again is the picture of Boaz as the one that will redeem the land for Naomi and Ruth.
3 "Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself and put on your best clothes, and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. Ruth 3:3
Our next step in the story is Naomi is telling Ruth to more or less go get cleaned up and put on your best cloths and put on some good smelling stuff because you will be seeing Boaz tonight. As we set the stage again, every night during the harvest after the reapers or harvesters complete the day of winnowing which is separating the grain from the chaff and straw, they have a celebration at the end of each evening and they eat and drink and they are all merry and they all camp out and sleep next to the piles of barley. The whole celebration will last 2-3weeks so after all the work they celebrate for 7 days after the whole harvest is completed. So now Naomi is instructing Ruth to approach Boaz after the small party and while He is lying down for the night. So Ruth went to the threshing floor and she stood back and waited till Boaz did his share of eating and drinking and being merry till she took the next step of her instructions.
Celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing floor and your winepress. Be joyful at your Feast-you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levites, the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns. For seven days celebrate the Feast to the LORD your God at the place the LORD will choose. For the LORD your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete. Deut. 16:13-15 NIV
4 "It shall be 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." Ruth 2:4 NASB
Here we enter into a somewhat strange routine of advice. We have to realize that this is not a seductive situation. Naomi is telling Ruth to follow her steps of the Israelite law and custom. She is would be doing nothing immoral only the purpose of appealing to Boaz as a kinsman obligation, plus a request for marriage. Basically this was a part of family business and nothing that would be considered romantic. The next step Ruth is to remove the garment from his feet and then she is lay at his feet probably touching and holding his feet, was an act of submission and humility, but this action would be a part of a marriage proposal and part of letting the redeemer know he is wanted and needed.
5 She said to her, "All that you say I will do." Ruth 3:5 NASB
So Ruth took the advice of Naomi, Ruth had complete trust and respect for Naomi and she new her advice was the right customs of the land, Ruth was a foreigner to this area and she told her she would follow Naomi’s advice to the letter.
6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law had commanded her.
7 When Boaz had eaten and drunk and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came secretly, and uncovered his feet and lay down.
8 It happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.
9 He said, "Who are you?" And she answered, "I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering over your maid, for you are a close relative." Ruth 3:6-9
Now we see the whole plan coming together. From all the previous notes and scripture we can see that everything is unfolding. So now we are at the threshing floor and she waits till Boaz lies down then she goes and lays down by his feet. This is securing the fact that she is letting Boaz know that she cared for Boaz and she was follow the law and custom. Portraying to him she needed him as a kinsman and a plea for him for marriage.
Now we loose some of the Hebrew text in the translations. In verse 3:9 she says spread your covering over your maid servant for you are my close relative or redeemer. Now in the Hebrew text the word (covering) is the same word used in verse 2:12 as the translation says wings for the same word. So what she is actually saying spread your wings over your maid servant.
"May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose (wings) you have come to seek refuge." Ruth 2:12 NASB
So again we see that Ruth is not being informal or pushy in this situation, she just is very plain and saying you are my goel, or kinsman redeemer. Ruth is following the law plus the customs and she is doing what is right in the eyes of God.
10 Then he said, "May you be blessed of the LORD, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich.
11 "Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence.
Boaz new she was making a marriage proposal, he also new that he was a lot older than Ruth and he was inspired and flattered that she didn’t try to go after the younger men. He was also pleased the way she handled the situation keeping with custom and the levirate law. Plus he was very fond of her already. We should also bring some of the Hebrew dialect to some light, in the original writings in the book of Ruth there was a definite difference in the language and slang between the two of them. When Boaz spoke being he was much older it was a bit different in dialect, and when Ruth spoke it too was a bit different in the original Hebrew. It is a very simple example to explain we should just picture how a younger person talks today with a different slang, and using different words to explain things, and compared to an older person of today you could notice a big difference between the two. So back then that was the way it was written in the original Hebrew you would be able to tell the age of the characters buy reading the script. As we go into verse 11 we see and understand that Ruth has built a wonderful reputation for herself by just the way she worked and what she is doing for Naomi and so on. So Boaz gives Ruth a high praise and calls her a woman of excellence or in other translations a virtuous woman. We will also list the other area of the woman of excellence or the virtuous woman that is written by Solomon many years later then our story.
An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
She looks for wool and flax
And works with her hands in delight.
She is like merchant ships;
She brings her food from afar.
She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And portions to her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it;
From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength
And makes her arms strong.
She senses that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out at night.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands grasp the spindle.
She extends her hand to the poor,
And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She makes coverings for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future.
She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and bless her;
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
"Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all."
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her the product of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates. Prov. 31:10-31 NASB
12 "Now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I.
13 "Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the LORD lives. Lie down until morning." Ruth 3:12-13 NASB
Now as everything seems to be going well the story and the plot thickens, there is another man that is a closer relative to Naomi than Boaz. So Boaz is explaining to Ruth that he must do the ethical thing and bring the whole proposal to this man before he can even act on the situation. He explains to Ruth this has to be done and if that man chooses to be the family redeemer he has to let it happen. If the man turns down the proposal then he will go ahead and be all of what Ruth wants him to be, including a husband. And when he mentions the fact and speaks ‘as the Lord lives’ he is giving Ruth more confidence that he will end up taking care of everything, so Boaz tells Ruth more or less to relax and wait till morning, making her feel more comfortable and positive about the family property and the honorable marriage.
14 So she lay at his feet until morning and rose before one could recognize another; and he said, "Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor." Ruth 3:14 NASB
Now we have to discuss verse 14, we have to make a point on what Boaz is saying about leaving early and not to have it known that a women was at the threshing floor all night, we understand that they did not do anything immoral or any sinful deed, but in our lives we know we have to watch out for the other people and the busy bodies and the gossips just waiting to break down someone or something over some innocent thing that may look bad, but it isn’t. So we all have to remain to have a lifestyle of living beyond reproach not to be able to twist or turn a situation that someone may misread or translate into something else. So we will list a few scriptures to follow so we can always look out for the way we are living and to know that the accuser is always out to devour someone.
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1Pet. 5-8 NIV
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Eph. 5:15-16 KJV
Abstain from all appearance of evil. 1Thes. 5:22 KJV
15 Again he said, "Give me the cloak that is on you and hold it." So she held it, and he measured six measures of barley and laid it on her. Then she went into the city.
16 When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, "How did it go, my daughter?" And she told her all that the man had done for her.
17 She said, "These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said, 'Do not go to your mother-in-law empty-handed.'"
18 Then she said, "Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today." Ruth 3:15-18 NASB
Now as we study these last verses of chapter 3, we know before Ruth left Boaz he wanted to give something to Ruth so she would not go home empty handed. Boaz gave Ruth some grain but he made sure it was a specific count. He placed in her veil, or sheet, apron, or cloak to bring something back to Naomi. When Ruth returned and showed Naomi what she brought and how he measured the barley. Then Naomi knew that he would not rest until this matter was settled. We know that Boaz was a man of his word but the last comment that Naomi said was the statement that Boaz will not rest until this whole matter was resolved. Now how did Naomi know what took place and how did she know Boaz was so sure of himself. The two women only expressed a short conversation at the time when Ruth returned home. It does explain she told her everything that happened, but there was something about Naomi knowing he would not rest until the matter was finished. The six parts of barley was a sign. Back in Gen 18:6 Abraham made a fellowship offering to God and two Angels when they came to visit Abraham and Sarah before they were going to visit Sodom. Abraham wanted them to be comfortable by letting them sit in the shade and getting water to have there feet washed and then ordered Sarah to take three measures of the best flour to make bread cakes. We now know this as a major historical fellowship offering along with the other things he did to show an act of welcome and fellowship. The standard was set at three measures of meal. What Boaz did with these six measures was send a message of a double portion to let Naomi know he was going to handle the whole affair, also not resting until it was done. We also know God created the earth in six days and on the seventh day he rested, so these six measures of barley was not only food but a special message that God worked for 6 days and did not rest until everything was done, so he was telling Naomi the same thing.
To be continued next week.
Dear Loving Father, as we come to a close of another service, we hope and pray that Your love and Spirit have entered into each and every visitor and member as we brought a teaching of scripture to light. Thank you for a story of love and compassion with all the different scenes unfolding into a spiritual and historical education. Father, thank you for another gathering, we are all your children and we praise You for having poured out Your Spirit upon us all. Please be with us the rest of this week, as we submit to your guidance and will, as we go about our everyday lives. We will be carrying our Jesus deep within our hearts, please help us to share your enduring love and promises, with strangers, our fellow people we meet, work with, our neighbors, friends and family’s. Please have us draw near to You daily with sincere hearts and with the full assurance of faith. Please continue to be with us and to give us Your courage to proclaim Your Word to all ears. Please keep us from the fiery darts of the evil one and any worries, fears, sickness, disease, or any type of poverty. You are our strength and our shield continuously working in us to comfort and encourage us all through the rest of our days. In Jesus Name, Amen and Amen.
