Let the Shepherd Lead

Originally Proclaimed: 11/18/18

Intro:

• In mentioning risk and Thanksgiving in the same sentence many of you may be thinking that I am referencing the insurance fact that all across America more home fires occur during this week as families attempt to prepare by smoking, deep frying, baking, or grilling their turkey.
• That is not my aim, however as we think of the origins of Thanksgiving risk should be associated with the holiday because Pilgrims are associated with the holiday.
• Pilgrims were a part of the Protestant Reformation movement in England and no strangers to risk.
  • By the time they initially left England in 1609, the Pilgrims were one remaining church congregation that risked everything to worship God as they saw fit. They were pastored by John Robinson and William Brewster.
• This persecution led the Pilgrims to moved at great risk to themselves to Holland, first to Amsterdam and then to Leiden for the better part of ten years.
  • In Holland they had the freedom to worship as they saw fit under the law, but they had very little success at finding jobs or settling down in the Netherlands.
  • The Pilgrims also feared that amid the immersion in Dutch culture their children were losing the very beliefs and heritage they had risked so much to preserve.
• Thus in 1617 the group began to make plans for the youngest and fittest of them to take an even riskier journey across the Atlantic to set up a colony in the New World. They believed they could enjoy the same freedom to worship in a uniquely English culture in the New World.
  • Selling all they had, leaving over half the congregation behind, facing the sabotage of one of their ships, weathering the four month journey that even cracked the main beam of the ship, one hundred two passengers and forty crew; along with supplies, a printing press, and livestock crammed into the tiny ship Mayflower.
• But their risk had not ended. When the Pilgrims arrived in American in November of 1620 and Plymouth in December. Any joy they had in arriving quickly faded.
  • The crew mutinied against the desire to stay at Plymouth because the group had not been given legal permission to form a new colony. Thus the Mayflower Compact was drafted ensuring a democratic decision making process for passengers and crew.
  • With winter fast approaching the Pilgrims quickly began sending out parties to survey the land. Then they had to quickly build some sort of shelters for the winter.
  • In January 1621 the new common house of the settlement burned to the ground so that the ship was the only shelter. Shortly thereafter a “general sickness” afflicted the group and took many lives.
  • The Pilgrims buried in that first year 46 of the 102 passengers and 25 of the forty crew.
• By the Spring the Mayflower returned to England, in spite of the great losses and trials, none of the remaining passengers went back to England with the ship.
• Shortly thereafter the arrival of Squanto “a special instrument sent of God for their good beyond their expectation,” finally gave them hope of survival.
• The Thanksgiving we know of in the fall 1621 celebrated the Pilgrims first harvest from the land and friendship with the Native people.
• The Pilgrims set aside a day of thanks to God primarily because God had provided as they had risked so much.

Hook:

• Think back over the Pilgrim’s testimony friends and I think you can see that great thanks also accompanies great risk.
• Could it be friends, that the reason we have so little thanks giving is that we avoid great risk?
• And further, does the Bible endorse us taking such risks so that God can give us cause to give thanks?
• Today I hope to offer you four encouragements from the Bible to risk more that you might be able to thank God more.

Message Points:

• Our passage begins today in one of the few side comments from the narrator in the book of Ruth.
  • We are introduced to Boaz.
    • While we are not sure exactly what his name means it seems to come from the Semitic root for strength.
    • The narrator tells us twice that He is a relative of Naomi’s family.
      • First he is said to be a relative of Naomi’s husband, and second from the clan of Elimeleck.
      • This is important because it let’s us know he is a potential kinsman redeemer (according to Deuteronomy 25:5-10).
      • But most importantly we are told he is a “man of standing” in verse 1. This phrase in the original language is intended to help us to understand that Boaz stands out among men. Judges 6:12 uses this phrase to describe Gideon and Boaz likewise is a hidden hero of Scripture.
• By telling us this in-between the events of chapter one and two, the narrator gives us a preview and a hope that all is not lost for Naomi and Ruth. In fact by their arrival at the beginning of the barley harvest we have another clue that God is not finished with them yet.
• Thus we have our 1st encouragement from God’s Word today: Resolve that God will be faithful. (2:1-3)
  • The narrator clearly wants us to believe God is faithful. That is why he has so carefully structured the events and his comment.
  • But the Scripture has yet more to tell us. Ruth, not Naomi is willing to risk even more because she believes God is faithful.
    • Notice that we hear again that this Moabite believes God’s promises.
    • Her request is a faith-filled one.
      • She is not asking Naomi where to get food. She is telling Naomi that she has a plan.
      • And Ruth’s plan displays her trust in God’s law.
        • In Leviticus 19:9-10, 23:22 and Deuteronomy 24:19 God’s law commanded that those poor and destitute, primarily the alien, orphan or widow should be given crops to glean. The harvesters were to leave dropped sheaves and the corners of the field unharvested so that gleaners could come.
        • Ruth was an orphan from her home, a widow, and a foreigner in the land; so she believed that God would keep this promise to her.
    • Further, Ruth’s request is a realistic one.
      • Ruth realistically knows that not every Israelite, especially after the despicable days of the final judges were faithful to God or His law.
      • She knows that there are some who would not welcome a gleaner into their fields, much less a Moabite.
      • This is why she concludes her statement in verse two with the realistic phrase “behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.”
  • Notice then that we are not talking about all risk, but risk that is grounded upon God’s promises.
    • That means friends that we need to be much more informed about that which God promises us in this book.
    • Let’s talk about just one of the greatest risks that all of us face, sharing our faith.
    • It is easy to resolve that God will be faithful when we know the fullness of God’s promises.
      • We are commanded in passages like Matthew 10:12-14 to find a way to greet people with the good news.
      • God promises that as we share the gospel, some will receive it with peace and others will reject it outright .
      • While we should not give up on the ones who reject what we share, we should move on from them to focus our attention upon those who greet our news with peace. They are the ones that we seek to make into disciples of Christ.
      • Taking a godly risk begins as we resolving that God will keep his promises to us.
    • Just this week, I have encountered folks who met the gospel with peace because I resolved that God will keep his promises.
      • I always try to ask servers at a restaurant if I could pray with them as a way to greet them with the gospel.
      • One of the waiters who was rushing around slowed down and told us about his family breaking apart and heading for divorce. We prayed specifically for him.
      • The other waitress told us about her upcoming deployment in the Navy. We prayed specifically for her.
      • Also this week at Good News Club, one of the children I shared the gospel with weeks ago came back to talk with me about professing faith in Christ.
      • There is much to be thankful for when we resolve that God will keep his promises and act upon it.
  • That leads us back to Ruth’s account. The narrator again offers his own comment to guide our thoughts in verse 3.
    • After Naomi gives her permission and Ruth begins gleaning, the narrator tells us that God providentially had Ruth select Boaz, that godly man’s field.
    • And again we are told he is from Elimelek’s clan and thus a kinsman redeemer. You see, we can resolve that God will keep his promises because he always does!
• But notice the story continues.
  • In verse 4 we hear Boaz for the first time, blessing His workers and the workers in return blessing him.
  • In verses 5-7 Boaz notices a new gleaner and asks about her.
    • His question may seem stranger to us “who does that young woman belong to?” But it is likely that he is asking of what family or clan is she a part.
    • Also it becomes apparent from Boaz’s use of young woman that he is likely a good deal older than Ruth.
  • The overseer then recounts Ruth’s
    • Country of origin.
    • Family association with Naomi and willingness to return with her.
    • Ruth’s request to glean and her hard work through the day.
• Here we have our 2nd encouragement: Insist upon Kindness .
  • It is not Boaz’s authority that impresses but his kindness to his laborers.
  • It is not Ruth’s beauty that impresses but her kindness to Naomi, to the overseer of the harvest, and later on to Boaz.
  • In our Bible Study last Sunday night we learned about the importance of Philippians 2:4 to resolving conflicts which says “not looking to your own interests but each of you look to the interests of others.”
    • In essence kindness is looking out for the interest of others and considering them.
    • Jesus commanded this when he told us in Luke 6:31 “as you wish that others would do to you, so do to them.”
  • Godly risk does not demand our way, but seeks to please God as we meet others’ needs.
    • By looking out for others before ourselves and seeking to treat them as we want to be treated, we risk no one looking out for us.
    • To this the narrator of Ruth would say, even though God does not always make his presence known, his providential care for us is evident and unmistakable.
    • Look at how Ruth even recognizes how Boaz’ kindness put her at ease.
    • Just consider that friend or loved one that has pushed you away.
      • If you insist upon kindness towards them, they may never repay your kindness.
      • The relationship may continue to be tense for years.
      • But in the end, we will have pleased God by showing them a kindness that they did not deserve, and more than that it may be that God uses that example of grace to finally bring that person to himself..
• Moving on quickly look at the conversation between Boaz and Ruth in verses 6-10.
  • Notice that Boaz seeks to protect her and offer her even greater kindness than before by in essence treating her like one of his harvesters. He offers her provisions of water and protects her from abuse.
  • But also notice Ruth’s humble response. She bows to the ground and asks why she, a foreigner should have found such favor.
• This leads us to consider an encouragement to a third kind of risk: Staying Humble.
  • Humility always seems like a risk because our own pride demands loudly that we be praised.
  • But if we remember that pride comes before a fall, and a haughty spirit before destruction, then we will see the great necessity to remain humble.
  • Remember that Jesus our Savior and Lord, did not come to us as a conquering king first, but as a humble servant.
  • The greatest in the kingdom of heaven will not be one with the greatest authority but the one who was the greatest servant.
• Finally then we see in the last conversation something truly unique.
  • Look at how many times in these verses the focus is upon God.
    • Boaz recounts his knowledge of Ruth’s kindness to Naomi, but relates it to God by asking that God repay Ruth.
      • Further he makes it clear that Ruth has come to take refuge under the wings of the God of Israel.
      • Boaz sees Ruth’s presence as a blessing and as a part of God’s plan.
• Thus we have our final encouragement for risk: Keep the focus on God.