PRESENTING OURSELVES TO THE LORD
When we go to Church we should not think about going just to be in Sunday School, to hear a teacher, to hear a choir sing, or even to hear a sermon, which is part of the service, but the main emphasis on being in Church should be to present ourselves to the Lord. And the way we go about this should be of the highest priority.
PRESENTING OURSELVES TO THE LORD:
Ruth 3:3. “Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. 4. And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do. 5. And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
Notice first of all Naomi wanted Ruth to be clean and to put on her best raiment, comb her hair, anoint herself with good smelling ointment. Ruth had been working in the field all season and her clothes and body looked like it. So Naomi said clean yourself up so you can present yourself to Boaz looking your best, wearing your best, smelling your best.
In the first instance we find in the Bible concerning this is in Genesis 35:2. “Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments: 3. And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went. 4. And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.
Bethel represented the House Of God and Jacob set a precedent, or example, in which all the Old Testament followed. Many, many, times God would command them to sanctify themselves before coming before Him. Don’t come as you are, but clean up before you come before Me. I feel the same thing about coming before God in our Churches today. Don’t come like you are going to the mall, or to the park.
C. M. Becton preached a great sermon entitled, “Take Time To Be Holy.” Sanctify (set apart, clean up) yourself. Old Jacob wanted all those who were traveling with him, herdsmen, servants, wives, children and all the rest, to present a respectable appearance to God before the altar at Bethel. Let us do the same.
The best way to spend every second of your life is to spend it at the feet of Jesus. I would also remind you that there is a place for you at His feet.
FINDING YOUR PLACE AT HIS FEET:
Ruth 3:7. “And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. 8. And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
This passage finds Ruth getting to the feet of Boaz. When she got there, everything in her life changed forever. Her experience in getting to His feet teaches us lessons about getting to the feet of Jesus that we need to learn. Let me share the truths in this passage with you today. I want to help you to find your place at His feet. That is the thought I want to bring today Finding Yourself At His Feet.
There are many places where we can spend the seconds, minutes, hours and days that make up our lives. We can spend them in the world pursuing sin and its pleasures. We can spend our lives chasing prosperity. We can spend our time enjoying recreation. It can be spent working, with family, helping others. And, some of those are good and valid things. However, the best way to spend every second of your life is to spend it at the feet of Jesus. When we are there, He gives meaning to all the other things we do in life. In fact, being at His feet enables every area of our life to have more meaning.
In verse 4 Naomi counsels Ruth to wait until Boaz is alone and finished with his public business before she approaches him with her request. This is not to be a public spectacle; it is to be a private communion. In other words, she is not to make a scene in public and put him on the spot. She is to wait until she can meet with him in private.
Although our corporate worship experience takes place in the public arena, every saint of God must develop a time of private, intimate fellowship and worship with the Lord Jesus. Until you learn to spend time with Jesus, alone, you have never learned to worship. You will never find yourself at His feet until you learn to get there in private.
See where Jesus has been and you will know where He still is today. Like Ruth, we should mark where He has been and let that be a special place in our hearts.
THE POSSIBILITIES FOUND AT HIS FEET:
Ruth 3:8b. “And, behold, a woman lay at his feet. 9. And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. 10. And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. 11. And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest:
Today we want to explore some of the possible benefits we can expect when we come to Jesus’ feet. Jesus was visiting in the home of Mary and Martha and Martha was very busy preparing meals and she became frustrated when she saw Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet and not concerned about household chores.
When Martha complained about it, Jesus scolded her by saying, “Mary has chosen the good part that shall not be taken away from her.” Work, play, household chores, or nothing else should take the place of our time at His feet. There are so many possibilities available at His feet.
The Possibility Of A New Home: Ruth is a widow and with Boaz, she has the opportunity to experience the joy of a new marriage relationship with someone who can love her, provide for her and comfort her. (Note: All those who come to Jesus by faith receive a new home here (in Jesus, Colossians 3:3, and in Heaven, John 14:1-3.)
The Possibility Of A New Hope: As a widow, Ruth’s life will be nothing more than endless days of suffering, poverty, loneliness and defeat. If she can enter into this relationship with Boaz, her entire future will be forever altered. That is where the sinner is and will be without Jesus, Ephesians 2:12; Psalms 9:17. In Jesus, the saints find a new future. Life has meaning and there is hope for tomorrow. All this we have in Him.
The Possibility Of Happiness: Ruth will never be fulfilled and happy in her current condition. She needs the love and security that can only be offered by someone like Boaz. In Jesus, the saints find true joy, 1 Peter 1:8. This is something that sin, with all its pleasures, Hebrews 11:25, cannot offer. There is great joy in knowing Jesus.
When you come to Jesus humbly, honestly, openly and willingly, you will get what you come after. If you need salvation, you can get it at His feet. If it is a closer walk that is your goal, you will find it at His feet
THE PROMISES RECEIVED AT HIS FEET:
Ruth 3:9. “And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. 10. And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. 11. And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.”
When Ruth heard what was required, she said, “I will do it.” This would require much courage and humility on the part of Ruth. It required her wanting to be with Him so much that she made the effort to go there. It required her to humble herself to lie at his feet. It also required great courage for her to approach this wealthy and important man. Note the fears of both Ruth and Boaz.
Then he awakes and she pops the question. Her request to be covered by him is a request for marriage. There is nothing immoral in Ruth’s actions. This was common practice in those days. She just came to Boaz, humbled herself to him and asked for that which she needed. What a lesson! If you want to be closer to Him, then all you need do is get at His feet and ask.
Imagine the fears that must have occupied Ruth’s mind as she lay there. “What if he rejects me?” “What if he misinterprets my actions?” “What if he publically humiliates me?” “What if he drives me away and refuses to have anything further to do with me?” She needed not worry, for when he speaks he says “Fear not!” He Reassured Her: Boaz responds to Ruth’s request by telling her that he will do everything necessary to see that they are together. He will take care of all the matters involved.
When Ruth made the effort to get at the feet of Boaz, everything in her life changed. Our heavenly Boaz, the Lord Jesus Christ can and will do the same for you, if you will get at His feet. If you have never been to His feet, then I invite you to come right now for salvation.
Boaz praises Ruth for her godly lifestyle. Her behavior and godly life have worked together to bring all this to pass for her.
HOW PRICELESS; A VIRTUOUS WOMAN:
Ruth 3:11. “And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.”
No higher compliment can be given to a woman than to be called virtuous. Solomon penned the words many years after Ruth lived, “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies” Proverbs 31:10. “A virtuous woman.” Here is the crown of all beauty.
What renown is this of Ruth’s. No jeweled necklace, no Eastern retinue, can give such attraction as this. We may have women of genius, and we admire genius; we may have women of scientific attainment, and God has given no lack of intellectual endowments to women, but we must have virtue.
NO LIFE IS HIDDEN: “All the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.” Everyone’s history stands revealed. And so this simple-hearted Ruth, who had not tried to make herself attractive to the young men, poor or rich, who had been modest in manner and heroic in conduct, left the impress of her character on the city.
Nothing is more certain than that the conduct of Naomi, of Ruth, and of Boaz was perfectly correct, and probably Ruth’s proceeding was wise and justifiable. Upon her character no breath of suspicion rested; she was, in the language of the
text, “a virtuous woman.” Even though Ruth was a young and evidently attractive widow, she was not out chasing after the young men in the field not seeking favor of some wealthy benefactor.
NO POWER IS SO PERMANENT AS THAT OF HOLY LIFE:
We do not die when we pass from earth. Ruth lives today. It would be interesting to know how many have been led even in this age to devoutness and decision by the remembrance of her conduct and the exquisite pathos of her words. The little “city” and the people of which our text speaks, has passed away, but wherever the word of God is known and read, there Ruth reproduces herself in the history of others. The very name has become a family name, and is honored by constant use in every generation.
We sometimes come to the end of our ability; we have done our part, and for us nothing now remains to do.
SITTING STILL:
Ruth 3:18. Then Naomi said, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.
Naomi showed in her whole conduct, not only tender feeling and sympathy and sincere piety, but much shrewdness, foresight, tact, and knowledge of human nature. When there was anything for Ruth to do she was forward in urging her to action. But she knew that there is always a time to wait, as well as a time to work; and she reminded Ruth that now events must be left to others, it indeed, must be left to God. “And ‘he’ went to the city, and ‘she’ went to her mother-in-law” — each, let us bear in mind, with the heart elate.
According to some, the belief that God works is inconsistent with the obligation to work ourselves. The whole idea of the religious life, as understood by some mistaken minds, is to do nothing, and to let God to do everything. And some, who do not go so far as this still are blind to the privilege of being “workers together with God.” When we have done our part then is the time to sit still.
The workman has first to labor, then to rest. The day of toil comes first, and the night of repose follows. When we can do no more then is the time to sit still. Ask yourself whether you have or have not this reason for refraining from effort.
There are occasions when to be quiet is to trust in the providential rule and care of God. So it was with Ruth at this conjuncture. The example of Christ should not be overlooked. There came a time when he was silent before his foes. In saying, Sit still, my daughter, it is as if Naomi had said, “There is no occasion for restless anxiety. Let your heart be at ease till that thou know how the affair will fall out.”
The plan worked and Boaz agreed to be the redeemer for Ruth and Naomi. Her love for Him was evident. Thank God, Jesus was willing to come and pay our redemption price before we ever even gave Him the first thought, much less ever loved Him. By the way, He still loves sinners today. He loves us all.
The only viable reason that we have the Book of Ruth preserved for us today is because of what we read in our verses today. It is quite possible, I am told, that David himself was the primary author of this book, getting it from his father Jesse.
SOMEBODY PINCH ME PLEASE:
Ruth 4:13. “So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son. 17. And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David. 21. And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, 22. And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.”
We have all had experiences in life that were almost too good to be true. In the midst of that experience have we ever said, or heard someone say, “Somebody pinch me please, I must be dreaming.” Well, I suppose that is what Ruth is feeling when you reach the concluding chapters of this book. She finds herself in a situation that is almost unbelievably good.
Boaz saw his plan completed when Ruth was redeemed and when she became his bride. He paid the price for her because of his love for her and he was magnified as a result, 4:11-12. The word “took” means “to carry away, to fetch.” What a picture of that which our heavenly Boaz will do for us when He returns for His bride (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).
It Was A Time Of Grace For The Bride: In spite of her past, Ruth was accepted by Boaz. When she was redeemed, a legal transaction took place, 4:1-11. When the near kinsman plucked off his shoe as a sign that he could redeem Ruth, Boaz took that shoe and kept it as evidence that he was the Redeemer and that Ruth had been forever redeemed from her past.
In Jesus, and through His blood, we are accepted, Ephesians 1:6. The Bible reminds us that in spite of what we were, in Jesus we have been forever redeemed, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Peter 1:18-19.
The child that Ruth and Boaz had together was named “Obed.” This son firmly fixed Ruth’s place in Israel. You see, her redemption gave her legal standing in the courthouse records, but this child gave her a connection with the royal family. Obed was King David’s grandfather. This made Ruth David’s great-grandmother. Better than that, she is named in Matthew 1:5 as one of the ancestress of Jesus Christ.
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