Ruth Chapter 3 Covenant-Love In Practice Hesed: A Covenant Love Relationship With God Chapter 3 Covenant-Love In Practice

The book of Ruth is about the importance of “hesed” translated by “kindness” referring to “covenant-love.” In the New Testament the Greek word “agape” is used rather than “hesed.” And I would be using the term “unconditional love” rather than “covenant love.”

In Ruth chapter 1 we saw the pain caused by forsaking covenant-love.

In Ruth chapter 1 we saw the pain caused by forsaking covenant-love In Ruth chapter 1 we saw the pain caused by forsaking covenant-love. In Ruth chapter 2 things take a turn for the better because of the providence of God.

In Ruth chapter 1 we saw the pain caused by forsaking covenant-love. In Ruth chapter 2 things take a turn for the better because of the providence of God. The providence of God refers to the care and control over all things that He has created in order to accomplish the purpose for which God created them.

In Ruth chapter 1 we saw the pain caused by forsaking covenant-love In Ruth chapter 1 we saw the pain caused by forsaking covenant-love. In Ruth chapter 2 things take a turn for the better because of the providence of God. In Ruth chapter 3 we will see “hesed” or covenant-love in practice.

Ruth 3: Covenant-Love In Practice I. Naomi’s Plan (3:1-4)

I. Naomi’s Plan (3:1-4) “One day Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, should I not try to find a home for you, where you will be well provided for? 2 Is not Boaz, with whose servant girls you have been, a kinsman of ours? Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. 3 Wash and perfume yourself, and put on your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don't let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do."

I. Naomi’s Plan (3:1-4) Deuteronomy 25:5-6 explains kinsman-redeemer: “If brothers are living together and one of them dies without a son, his widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband's brother shall take her and marry her and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to her. 6 The first son she bears shall carry on the name of the dead brother so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.”

I. Naomi’s Plan (3:1-4) kinsman-redeemer - meaning, one of the men charged with the responsibility to rescue helpless widows in the family.

II. Ruth’s Petition (3:5-9) “I will do whatever you say," Ruth answered. 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do. 7 When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 In the middle of the night something startled the man, and he turned and discovered a woman lying at his feet. 9 "Who are you?" he asked. "I am your servant Ruth," she said. "Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer."

III. The Response of Boaz (3:10-18) "The LORD bless you, my daughter," he replied. "This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. 11 And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character. 12 Although it is true that I am near of kin, there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I. 13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to redeem, good; let him redeem. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.”

III. The Response of Boaz (3:10-18) 14 So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he said, "Don't let it be known that a woman came to the threshing floor." 15 He also said, "Bring me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out." When she did so, he poured into it six measures of barley and put it on her. Then he went back to town. 16 When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, "How did it go, my daughter?" Then she told her everything Boaz had done for her 17 and added, "He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, 'Don't go back to your mother- in-law empty-handed.'" 18 Then Naomi said, "Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today."

Ruth 3: Covenant-Love In Practice I. Naomi’s Plan (3:1-4) II. Ruth’s Petition (3:5-9) III. The Response of Boaz (3:10-18)

Conclusion The main lesson we must learn is that we need to be people of “hesed” or covenant-love people like Naomi, Ruth and Boaz.

Conclusion Like Naomi we should base our plans on the Word of God.

Conclusion Like Naomi we should base our plans on the Word of God. Psalm 32:8-10 God promises, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. 9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. 10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.”

Conclusion Like Naomi we should base our plans on the Word of God. James 4:13-16 “Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16 As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.”

Conclusion Like Naomi we should base our plans on the Word of God. Like Ruth we should base our requests on the Word of God.

Conclusion Like Ruth we should base our requests on the Word of God. John 15:7 “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” 1 John 5:14-15 “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us-- whatever we ask-- we know that we have what we asked of him.”

Conclusion Like Naomi we should base our plans on the Word of God. Like Ruth we should base our requests on the Word of God. Like Boaz we should base our responses and actions on the Word of God.

Conclusion Like Boaz we should base our responses and actions on the Word of God. Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” 2 Tim 3:16-17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Conclusion “How can I become a person of “hesed,” a person of covenant-love? The first step is to commit your life by faith to the one true God and his Son Jesus Christ.

Conclusion “How can I become a person of “hesed,” a person of covenant-love? The first step is to commit your life by faith to the one true God and his Son Jesus Christ. The second step is to commit yourself to living your life based on obedience to the Word of God.

Conclusion We are to be a people that love and obey God and a people that love others. Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."