After I continued on I told the Lord, “You know Lord that that light was not blinking when I went under it!” I was doing everything right and legal; so I thought, only to be penalized for doing something wrong! Guess what I had been working on in the lesson for today, being in the wrong place at the wrong time! Now did the Lord set me up or what? I think so! I have got to teach on prosperity soon because every subject I teach on I get to experience; I could use the money. Seriously though, God was showing me something about being in the wrong place at the wrong time by His choice; but in any event He was in control of the situation. Notwithstanding, I further complained to the Lord that I didn’t like that young cop thinking that I was making it up because he sure was unsympathetic and detached. Any way I sucked it up and went on.
Growing up, my Dad once told me, “Son, whatever you do, don’t be at the wrong place at the wrong time.” So I asked him, “How will I know?” All he could tell me was this; “You’ll know it.” It was general advice, but I think his message was either don’t get caught with your hand in the cookie jar or just don’t go there for that to happen. So here I was as a teenager wanting to avoid being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but I had no clue of the warning signs that I was heading there until it was too late. I do believe that we can do things that prime us for winding up in the wrong place at the wrong time: wrong thoughts leading to bad behavior, but I don’t recall ever thinking bad thoughts prior to my ticket; but as the saying goes, timing is everything or in this case, God’s timing is everything!
God is sovereign which means to us as believers that nothing enters our life that God has no control over. So we are not victims of happenstance; for the most part, we are volunteers (contrast Job’s situation, a “victim” of providence, not by his choice but of God’s). Even when we are obedient and bad things happen or when we are disobedient and bad things happen, God does not desist from being the Almighty God. So what is the major sign to indicate or warn us when you and I are definitely heading for the wrong place at the wrong time so we can know it before we are right in the middle of it or at least not caught off guard or surprised when the “Uh oh!” comes? Whenever we take our eyes off God and the authority of His Word, we will wind up in the wrong place at the wrong time. We can end up empty and broken like Naomi if we don’t catch ourselves early on. Moab, a picture of the world, is and always will be the wrong place for a believer at anytime.
Our surviving the famines of life and our refuge from the storms of life are not found in Moab but in Yahweh (cf. Ruth 2:12), the only place of blessing.
God’s will for our lives is always the right place at the right time in spite of the circumstances that might suggest differently. We must remember the cultural context of the book of Ruth that the root cause of all the troubles in Israel during the period of the Judges was every man was doing that which was right in his eyes, not God’s eyes (Jdg 21:25). The people rebelled against God by turning from the objective, authoritative truth of God to a subjective, relative truth where truth was in the eyes of the beholder. There was no objective standard to measure right and wrong; it all became grayish.
Consequently, they endured seven repeated cycles of rebellion, retribution, repentance, and restoration for over three centuries. There were needless and endless pain, suffering, misery, and loss of blessing for so many years due to the rejection of God’s authority over their lives. Do you recall what Billy Graham said in our last study that 95% of all our troubles are the result of a lack of Bible study and reading? This is a sobering thought when most believers today disregard the Bible as the leading rule of life in all matters pertaining to godliness, and their lifestyles are characterized by Christ-unlikeness.
How different things might have been had they not rejected God’s authority for their lives and remained in the only safest place to be, refuge under the wings of the LORD God of Israel (cf. Ruth 2:12); how much suffering could have been avoided; we can only wonder not just for them but for us when we choose to move away from God’s authority, the only place of blessing.
Here is what I want you to take note of this morning. All the things that are going to take place from here on out starting in chapter two to the end of the book of Ruth would not have happened had Naomi and Ruth remained in worldly Moab. We live in the world, but we are not of the world (cf. Jn 15:19; Rom 12:2); this is a significant point of distinction. Anytime we travel to and through the spiritually barren land of Moab we rob ourselves of the blessings that could have been ours had we but only stayed in the place of blessing.
Elimelech’s move to Moab teaches us that good people can make bad decisions causing them to be in the wrong place at the wrong time; that’s on Elimelech. But I was in the wrong place at the wrong time; I got a ticket unfairly in my opinion. What’s the difference? The wrong place was not of my choosing, but God’s (okay, He’s my Fall Guy!); that’s the fundamental difference between the two. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time whether it’s right or wrong depends on who is at the helm and making the choice, us or God?
The immediate course of action, when it’s “our bad,” is to return home to the only place of blessing which is what Naomi did along with Ruth. For both of them it is really about starting over, literally. Sometimes this is where God has to take us to get us back home; it requires a reorientation of our thinking, to empty us and break us in order to get our attention. It is never easy; starting over is full of challenges and quite humbling to say the least. Once the excuses are removed, and we are humbled and sensitive to God’s leading, heading home involves
1. Returning to God (Naomi is returning to God, though she was not in the right frame of mind or temperament, she was empty and bitter. This will change in time.).Being at the right place at the right time is being in the center of God’s will for our lives according to His Word; this is the only place of blessing. Indeed we can be right at the center of God’s will and wind up in the wrong place at the wrong time but that is God’s doing. Thinking and living in Moab will cause us to end up at the wrong place at the wrong time every time. That is our doing; that is our rebellion; that is “our bad.”
2. Admitting our need for God (God has a way of using the basic necessities to draw us to Him, cf. Ruth 1:6).
3. Letting go of the past (this is a tough one [leaving bones – husband and sons] but a necessary one to recover from depression).
4. Moving forward in life (Ruth 2:20, this is a significant sign of reengaging with the living, discovering purpose, finding hope).
5. Enjoying God (Joy doesn’t mean the absence of pain and sorrow anymore than peace is the absent of conflict). Our obedience is to transcend all circumstances because God is sovereign.
The place of blessing has nothing to do with power, position, or possessions, nothing to do with the triad of prosperity, tongues, or healing. It does, however, have everything to do with a right relationship with God, being at the center of God’s will for our lives according to His Word (cf. Mt 24:35; Ps 138:2). This is the only place of blessing for a believer. It is not about feeling right according to our understanding; this was characteristic of the period of the Judges and even in our present time. It is knowing and doing right according to the Word of God; any deviation is Moabic (worldly) thinking and living.
<><<><<><<><<><<><<>< Comments on Ruth 2:1-23
Ruth 1:1
We are introduced to the 7th character in the story – Boaz. Literally means in him is strength. He was a kinsman redeemer for Naomi and married Ruth. He and Ruth bore Obed, grandfather of David (Ruth 4:13, 21).
A man of great wealth (a mighty man of wealth). A man of standing or literally, a mighty man of valor (cf. Jdg 6:12, used of Gideon; Jdg 11:1, used of Jephthah). He had the resources to obtain and the capacity to protect what was his.
Of the family of Elimelech. Either a brother or cousin, of the same tribe or clan.
This verse is a fly over of what is coming Ruth and Naomi’s way. It is a Romans 8:28 news flash for the reader.
But here is a twist. Boaz had a checkered past: he had a Gentile mother and a Jewish father. His mother was a prostitute, but not just any prostitute; she was the prostitute who hid the spies in Jericho. If you recall her name was Rahab (Josh 2:1ff). And we find out in Matthew 1:5 that she married Salmon. Boaz will, without a doubt, identify with Ruth; his mother was a Gentile woman who lived among the Jewish people, a proselyte. Who would have ever believed that God would take a former Gentile prostitute from Jericho, who converted to Judaism (cf. Heb 11:31), and a Gentile widow from Moab, who converted to Judaism (Ruth 1:16), both courageous women of faith, to participate in the lineage of Christ by bringing Salmon and Rahab together (cf. Mt 1:5) and Ruth and Boaz together (cf. Ruth 4:13)! Naomi was, unwittingly, the catalyst to unite Boaz and Ruth. Do you hear the Romans 8:28 motor running?
Ruth 2:2-17, Ruth in the Fields
Ruth 2:2
Ruth and Naomi were living in the city of Bethlehem (cf. Ruth 1:22; 2:18).
Let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain … in whose sight I may find favor … go my daughter. Ruth takes the initiative, not waiting to be served. This is the best therapy for discouragement and recovery; climb back on the saddle of living.
Ruth is already as a new convert taking advantage of God’s Law and seeking favor for doing so! What a godly gal! It is refreshing just to believe that there are those who simply take God at His Word and launch out and seek HIs blessing.
Glean. Ruth (probably informed by Naomi) takes advantage of the law of Moses for foreigners in gleaning. During harvest, the Mosaic law allowed for provisions for the poor and needy, widows, orphans, and strangers [foreigners, sojourners, newcomers] (Lev 19:9-10; 23:22; Deut 24:19-21).
Ruth 2:3
And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz. She acted upon the law of God (her rights under the law of Moses) and God guided her to the place he wanted Ruth to be – Boaz’s field; note that she “happened!” The Holy Spirit doesn’t want us to miss this. It is not just happenstance but divine providence that led Ruth to a relative of Naomi’s – who was of the family [or clan] of Elimelech.
All Naomi said to Ruth was Go, my daughter (Ruth 2:2), no specific directions to go to any relative’s fields (cf. Ruth 2:3, she [Ruth] happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz). This makes providence that much more evident! This was God doing the directing. Was Naomi’s lack of direction a source of pride or didn’t want to be a burden upon Elimelech’s family? Or was she still struggling with depression? Her judgment was clouded by the prevailing circumstances, and she failed to see God working in her life. Naomi knew she had relatives in Bethlehem but said nothing to Ruth about these opportunities for assistance, only, Go, my daughter. And go she did – Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers.
Ruth 2:4-7, Boaz and the Reapers
Ruth 2:4
Notice the salutation among Boaz and his workers. The LORD be with you … The LORD bless you. Faith in the LORD was active among them. Boaz’s life corresponded with His word.
Ruth 2:8-16, Boaz’s Instructions and blessing for Ruth
Ruth 2:9
Let your eyes be on the field. The vision of a harvester.
Ruth 2:10
Why have I found favor in your eyes? Ruth was a disenfranchised widow and a foreigner.
Ruth 2:11
Reason for Boaz’s kindness to Ruth:
1. Kindness to NaomiRuth planted the seeds of kindness and now she is reaping a harvest of kindness (cf. Heb, hesed, Boaz’s kindness, Ruth 2:20).
2. Left father and mother (cf. Mt 10:37)
3. Left land of nativity
4. Came to an unknown people
5. Embraced Yahweh (Ruth 2:12)
Ruth 2:12, Boaz’s prophetic utterance
The LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.
Here is a defining of Ruth’s faith by a godly man. Again, the place of blessing is not based on possessions, position, power, or the triad of prosperity, tongues, or healing. It is based on a personal relationship with God – under whose wings you have come for refuge [KJV, come to trust]. Ruth came to trust Yahweh in Moab! Everything and anything about this relationship are never contrary to God’s Word.
Erma Bombeck wrote a book entitled, If life is a bowl of cherries what am I doing in the pits? Life being a bowl of cherries depends on how we define “pits.” Moab was the pits, let me tell you; in the center of God’s will is the palace, the place of blessing, regardless of the circumstances swirling over our head. Don’t miss this important truth – knowing and doing God’s will is the place of blessing, the only place of blessing. We will never prosper outside that place of blessing.
Ruth 2:13
You have comforted me. Ruth needed comfort; Naomi is not the only one under stress. Ruth is not a super saint. She needs encouragement, too. People of Ruth’s caliber (Ruth 2:11) need encouragement.
Ruth 2:14
Kept some back. Always thinking of others (cf. Ruth 2:18, gave to her [Naomi] what she had kept back). This was her lunch ration, not the gleaned grain (cf. Ruth 2:18). Feeding Ruth. Boaz is manifesting the spirit of the law by going beyond what is required by the Law.
Ruth 2:15
Among the sheaves. Boaz grants Ruth’s request in Ruth 2:7, Letting Ruth glean among the sheaves. Boaz is going beyond what is required by the Law.
Ruth 2:16
Let grain from the bundles fall purposely for her. Leaving grain from the bundles for her to glean. Boaz is manifesting the spirit of the Law.
Ruth 2:17
Epah of barley. Weighing about 30 to 40 lbs.
Ruth 2:18-23, Naomi’s Response
Ruth 2:18
Her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. What Ruth had gleaned caught Naomi’s attention. Ruth’s gleanings as a foreigner exceeded her expectations.
Ruth 2:19
Where have you gleaned today? Turned out to be a relative of Naomi’s, Boaz (Ruth 2:20).
Boaz. The mention of Boaz by Ruth was a defining moment for Naomi. Everything changed in her outlook on life (cf. Ruth 2:22; 3:1-6).
Ruth 2:20
Blessed be he of the LORD. This would not have come about had Naomi not returned to Bethlehem. What a contrast of the heart from Ruth the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me (Ruth 1:20). Naomi is beginning to understand the sovereign working of God in his lovingkindness and mercy toward her in Ruth coming across Boaz’s field. Her emptiness is being filled with hope and a future.
Who has not forsaken his kindness (Heb, hesed. Cf. Ruth’s kindness, Ruth 2:11). Also used in Ruth 1:8, kindly; Ruth 3:10, kindness.
Psalm 136 is classic text on understanding hesed where it is used 26 times in referring to God’s kindness, love, and covenant faithfulness as eternal.
KJV/NKJV – mercy
NASB/Amp – lovingkindness/loving-kindness
ESV/HCSB/NIV – love
Young’s Literal Translation – kindness
We are to imitate God and show kindness, love, and mercy to others (Prov 19:22; Job 6:14). Boaz goes beyond the letter of the law (Lev 19:9-10; 23:22; Deut 24:19-21) and manifested the spirit of the law, hesed.
One of our close relatives. The kinsman-redeemer theme begins here in Ruth 2:20 (cf. Ruth 3:9, 12; 4:1, 3, 6, 8, 14).
Close relative (Heb, gaal) to act as a redeemer for a deceased relative (Ruth 3:13); to redeem or buy back from slavery (Lev 25:48); to redeem or buy back a relative’s possessions (Lev 25:26); to avenge a relative’s murder (Num 35:19); to redeem an object through a payment (Lev 27:13). Theologically, this word is used to convey God’s redemption of individuals from spiritual death and His redemption of the nation of Israel from Egyptian bondage and also from exile (see Exo 6:6). CWS, Zodi
JMSB, p. 370:Ruth 2:22
A close relative could redeem
1. A family member sold into slavery (Lev 25:47-49)
2. Land which needed to be sold under economic hardship (Lev 25:23-28)
3. The family name by virtue of a levirate marriage (Deut 25:5-10) Levir is Latin for husband’s brother
This earthly custom pictures, the reality of God the Redeemer doing a greater work (Ps 19:1; 78:35; Is 41:14; 43:14) by reclaiming those who needed to be spiritually redeemed out of slavery to sin (Ps 107:2; Is 62:12).
Thus Boaz pictures Christ, who as a Brother (Heb 2:17), redeemed those who
1. Were slaves to sin (Rom 6:15-18)
2. Had lost all earthly possessions/privileges in the Fall (Gen 3:17-19)m
3. Had been alienated by sin from God (2 Cor 5:18-21. Boaz stands in the direct line of Christ (Mt 1:5; Luke 3:32). This turn of events marks the point where Naomi’s human emptiness (Ruth 1:21) begins to be refilled by the Lord. Her night of earthly doubt has been broken by the dawning of new hope (cf. Rom 8:28-39).
It is good. It is good to read of Naomi talking this way. Her vocabulary has changed from a negative to a positive note. You can sense a different tone and attitude in her words.
Ruth 2:23
Until the end of…harvest. Barley harvest began about May-April and wheat harvest ended around June-July, two months.
<><<><<><<><<><<><<>< Long conclusion (but a goody!)
Being at the wrong place at the wrong time (due to wrong choices)
Keeping His commandments is not a duty but an act of love, a delight (an inclination and joy). This is not worshipping the Bible but worshipping the God of the Bible, not keeping it in a legalistic manner, but in a loving one. It is akin to the letter kills but the Spirit gives life (cf. 2 Cor 3:6, contextually the letter (the old covenant) applies to the Mosaic law (Rom 3:20; Gal 3:10) and the Spirit (the new covenant) to the gospel of grace (Eph 2:8-9). We can become so microscopic in our service to God (cf. the Pharisees of the NT) that grace, love, and joy evaporate and relationship has turned into lifeless, ritualistic religious activity, keeping (external) rather than being (internal) has become the priority.
The Psalmist described the impetus behind the blessed or happy man as … his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night (Psa 1:2, H2656, delight, pleasure, desire, to incline toward something as in God’s law, [see CWS, Zodi]).
God has hardwired us that the only way to true, genuine happiness is through personal holiness (Psa 1:1-2). We will never find it in position, power, or possessions. Even if we should gain the whole world, apart from personal holiness, a vacuum or void would remain in the heart. Man’s heart has been hardwired by God to only find fulfillment in Him, in a personal relationship with the Almighty God. A life without God will remain empty, unfulfilled. Happy, says the Psalter, is the man who is holy because God is holy (Lev 11:45; Psa 1:1). And the standard of holiness is only found in His Word, the Bible (Psa 1:2).
Again note the Psalmist’s passion, And I will delight myself in Your commandments, which I love (Psa 119:47, H8173, the verb means to take delight in; to fondle. It refers to taking joy or enjoyment from something, especially God’s laws [CWS, ZODI]; cf. Psa 119:16). I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart (Psa 40:8).
<>< The Slippage
Here is how the slippage goes from delight to a loss of joy:
Delight > Duty > Disregard
Delight (an inclination and joy) Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts (Jer 15:16).
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night (Psa 1:2).
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You (Psa 5:11).
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psa 16:11).
Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart (Psa 32:11)
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God (Psa 43:4).
And these things we write to you that your joy may be full (1 Jn 1:4)
… the joy of the LORD is your strength (Neh 8:10)
King David lost that joy way before he decided to turn from God’s law to having an affair with Bathsheba. After being confronted by Nathan over his rebellion, David eventually cried out to God – Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit (Psa 51:12).
Create [Gen 1:1, verb only associated with God] in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psa 51:11). Only God can perform 1 Jn 1:9 (cf. Rev 2:4-5).
Duty (going through the motions without passion, an effort, left first love [Rev 2:4], the fire of love’s affection has died down, heart separated from hands and head [purity of doctrine and purity of life and a high level of service, but it is all insufficient if lacking deep devotion to Christ; joy is missing)
Joshua 1:8, This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
We shouldn’t read into this verse as only a duty and exclusively for Israel; indeed, it was the formula for success for conquering the Promised Land, but the word of God should be our passion and standard for living as well. This same formula is instrumental for victorious living in the nasty here and now, claiming the blessings God has for us. The English word, success, is only found in Josh 1:8 in the KJV; how fitting the translators of the KJV connected success with God’s Word, knowing and doing God’s will. We need that clarification as believers living in a world that defines or measures success differently than God.
I like the summation of Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes on duty. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man (Ecc 12:13, KJV); for this is the whole duty of man is also translated: (NKJV) For this is man’s all; (NASB) because this applies to every person. And on God’s part He is duty-bound to honor His Word, for every blessing and every curse. What He says He will do; we have God’s Word on it (Mt 5:18; 24:35).
Disregard (turning away, an abandonment, joy conspicuously absent)
'THESE PEOPLE DRAW NEAR TO ME WITH THEIR MOUTH, AND HONOR ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME (Mt 15:8; cf. Jdg 21:25). It speaks for itself.
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We know as believers that the place of blessing is being obedient to God’s Word wherever that may takes us. His will for our lives is always in accordance with His Word and that is the place of blessing for each one of us individually. When we take our eyes off of God’s Word as our rule of life, we shift from an objective source of truth to a subjective kind of truth where we do that which is right in our own eyes. This is what happened during the dark history of Israel during the days of the Judges. This is definitely where we are at today; truth has become relative. This means we wind up in the wrong place at the wrong time by our own choosing, not God’s. Elimelech made this choice for his family; three widows were the end result.
So the way you and I treat the Word of God in our lives on a daily basis is a warning flag on whether we are beginning to drift away from God. There is no measuring stick, but the Holy Spirit has a way of bringing this to our attention for He knows our heart; Besides being all knowing, He ought to He lives within us! We cannot keep our eyes on God and take our eyes off His Word. When making decisions that are contrary to the Word, no matter how small, we are moving in the direction of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, a place of our choosing.
There is another telling sign that is less objective but perhaps the most important indicator of all that trouble lies up ahead, the loss of joy in the Lord. Happy is the man who practices holiness (Psa 1:1) in accordance with God’s Word (Psa 1:2). This is the way God has designed us, folks. History is replete with one personal disaster after another of man trying to rewire his thinking so he can “feel good” about being disobedient to God. Moabic (worldly) thinking and living equal emptiness; this will never change. Godly thinking and living from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ produces happiness, joy, and fulfillment. As long as God’s will is not the rule of life, position, power, or possession only leave an emptiness, a hole that can never be filled. Put Jesus in the equation and all of that will change!
As believers, joy is the first indicator that we have left our first love , a violation of the great command found in Matthew 22:37, loving God with the totality of our being. We know when this happens. We start resisting the claims of God for our lives. Our love for God is associated with our keeping His commands (Jn 14:15). Our love slips and the joy goes. We confirm the loss of joy by our poor attitude toward God’s Word and failure to apply it. The poignant expression of Jeremiah should ever linger in our minds, Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart (Jer 15:16).
You know the word meditate in Psalm 1:2 literally means to chew the cud like cattle. Jeremiah figuratively ate God’s words. What was the result, Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart. We lose our first love when we no longer feast upon God’s Word; our joy is gone. "Meditation," according to Warren Wiersbe, "is to the soul what digestion is to the body. It means assimilating the Word of God" (Preface to God's Hymnal). Unhappiness abounds among God’s people for they take no delight in God’s Word. They only offer token homage. What we have are a bunch of people thinking and living in Moab, and we know that inevitably leads to emptiness and misery because we are situated in the wrong place at the wrong time by choice.
Delight slips to duty; and duty slips to disregard. As in the days of the Judges so are we now. How badly we need to see our spiritual plight and run to 1 John 1:9 and take it with us to the throne of God. Now, can we be at the wrong place at the wrong time and still be in the place of blessing? Yes we can because that is by God’s choice. But if we are in the wrong place at the wrong time because of disobedience to God, well, that is definitely not the place of blessing; it’s mayhem in Moab. Nonetheless, Romans 8:28 is still operative in both cases because our merciful God is sovereign.
If the love of God is not constraining us to obedience, we have left our first love. If it is an effort for us to spend time with the Lord, we have left our first love. If it is an effort to do anything for God, we have left our first love. Have we left our first love? Everybody else usually sees it before we do! It’s all about relationship, not mere religious activity.
Someone once described joy as Jesus first, others second, yourself last. As Adrian Rogers once said,
“God doesn’t want the predominance in our life; He wants the preeminence.”
Have we left our first love, the only place of blessing (Rev 2:4-5), because we have put ourselves first before any and all?
Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart (Jer 15:16).
