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Morning brothers and sisters. Let's pray as we come to God's Word again. Dear Father, we thank you for your word to us and we pray that as we hear it, read and explained, you would bless us with the treasures of Christ in whose name we pray. Amen. Well, if you'd like to turn in your Bibles to Ruth chapter 3. This is the famous courtship incident between Ruth and Boaz. It's quite a strange courtship incident and so to get our hearts and minds in gear, I have a short video to introduce. This upper department calls to attract the female. And he has more luck. But what does he have to do to really impress her? She retires to consider her verdict. It's hard not to feel deflated when even your best isn't good enough.

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Well, that is a strange courting ritual isn't it? And I think one of the things that strikes me about Route 3 also is how strange this courting ritual between Ruth and Boaz is, you know, sneaking around behind the granary, uncovering feet, putting cloaks over things, sneaking around. It's very strange, but I thought we'd come together. I'm working on the book of Ruth at the moment. And so I wanted to share this special passage with you this week. And then my second sermon in a couple of weeks time will look at Ruth chapter 4. And I wanted to focus on the second half of the book really because this chapter 3 is the heart of the book. Ruth, as you might know, is ultimately about God's chesse, his unfailing loving kindness to his people that upholds all of us in all of our experiences of joy and grief and undergirds his entire plan of salvation. And Route 3, the climax of the book in some ways, shows us in particular that God's loving kindness to his people comes through the serving actions of others.

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So three points. God's kindness should lead us to action versus one to five. God's kindness should lead us to other person-centered service versus six to 13. God's kindness should lead us to generosity versus 14 to 18. And then we'll finish with God's kindness and you. So first, God's kindness should lead us to action versus one. One day, Ruth's mother-in-law Naomi said to her, "My daughter, I must find a home for you where you will be well-provided for." Now, this seems a fairly normal thing to say, but actually it's a huge turning point in the book for perhaps the real human main character, Naomi. I'm sure you are familiar with the book of Ruth after years away because of famine, Naomi, the Israelite widow, has returned to Judah, destitute with her mobile daughter-in-law Ruth.

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But God had provided a social welfare system in Israel, which was revolutionary in the ancient world, and that is, as you harvested in your fields, you left what fell to the ground for the poor to gather and eat. And in chapter two, Ruth had actually done that and the field that she chose belonged to Boaz, who was Naomi's distant relative. We're also told in chapter two verse nine that at this stage in Israel's history, not all Israelites actually kept the practice honestly, and it was particularly dangerous for a lone woman to be gathering sheaths. But we see in chapter two Boaz, not only insured Ruth's safety, he actually made sure she had extra grain together all season long.

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And to this point, Naomi has had a very, very difficult life. She has lost her husband and her sons and all her possessions. She's renamed herself Mara, and her two names Naomi and Mara tell her story. Naomi means pleasant. Mara means bitter. And so far in Ruth, Naomi of Mara has had absolutely no energy or drive it all in the narrative. And I think that's actually completely understandable. Naomi is never condemned in the book, and I think that's important to say.

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Life can be hard. Some of us in our fellowship, I know, that is true for you even now. There will be times where it takes all our energy, even more energy than we have, simply to stay afloat and keep going with God day by day. And I think one of the wonderful things about the book of Ruth is that it is one book of the Bible, not the only one, that tells us that God understands. He is in complete control of our world, but that doesn't mean we will always feel in control of our lives. But the important thing to note from Ruth is that God understands, and he will love and watch over us, even when life feels overwhelming.

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And if we need any assurance of this, we just need to remember how in Jesus, God Himself has experienced grief, sorrow, and death. He knows, and He loves. And that's important to say. But in Ruth 3, we actually see God kindly lift Naomi out of her valley, because she sees what has happened in chapter 2, as signs that despite everything that's happened to her, God is still faithfully kind and has a plan for her and Ruth's care. But notice, she doesn't sit back and wait for it to happen. She's energized, plans, and takes action, verse 2. Now Bowas, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight, he will be windowing barley on the threshing floor. Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor. But don't let him know you are there until he's finished eating and drinking.

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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 will do whatever you say, Ruth answered. Okay, let's be honest. Initially, this sounds more than a little shady. But actually, if you look closer, it's caring and careful. This one Naomi's motivation. My daughter, I must find a home for you where you will be well provided for. Naomi here is not a gold digging mother-in-law. She is deeply thankful for Ruth and all that Ruth has done for her, and she now is likewise deeply concerned for Ruth's care.

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She wants Bowas for Ruth, not because he's rich, but because he, like God, is kind. And back then, anyway, courtship was much more of a family affair, so having your parents involved in the planning and scheming was pretty normal. Also, her instructions to Ruth are certainly to make her as attractive as possible, quite openly so. But it's also important to remember, this was to mark Ruth's morning period as a widow was now over, and she was free to marry again. It still is a little bit strange, the way things all come about and what the plan is. But I think also that it may have something to do with Ruth and Naomi being destitute. So perhaps they couldn't approach things in the normal fashion. They had to use a little bit of ingenuity and secrecy. But as we're going to see, this is not to seduce or entrap Bowas, but actually give him real freedom to refuse while preserving both his and Ruth's integrity.

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But the important thing to notice is that Naomi hears these no conflict between God being in control of everything and us under him, planning, strategizing, and acting. Dale Ralph Davis puts it this way in his commentary. Believing in God's sovereignty doesn't stifle you. It stimulates you. It doesn't innovate you. It energizes you. It doesn't freeze you with a Z. It frees you with an S to plan and act for him. I wonder how much you think of life in these terms that God wants you to actively plan and strategize how you are going to use your life for him. I think at one level you must, otherwise you wouldn't be here at college. But I think this is a good reminder to us to keep thinking and praying and putting energy specifically into planning how we can best serve God.

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And use our lives for his glory in everything we do because that's what we're meant to do. Three quick points on this before we move on. First, we need to make sure that our plans align with God's plan and not just use him as a cover for what we just really want. Second, if that's the case, then we ourselves need to keep growing in knowing God personally and understanding His plan for us. And so here at college and in ministry, I think it's a good challenge to ask how are you going with your personal relationship with God?

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I think one of the most challenging contexts to keep growing personally with God is when your profession is helping others to grow with God. So make sure you keep working on your personal relationship with God. And third, we don't know how our specific plans are going to pan out and whether they're going to succeed or not. But what we can trust is that whatever we plan, God will use it for His glory and our good, even if from our perspective, our plans fail. I remember early on in my life after college when a great ministry opportunity came up that I was really, really keen for and I was very disappointed when I didn't get it.

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But actually, it was that closed door that ended up paving the way for me to do what I'm doing now. And so I'm very, very thankful actually that the failure of my human plans, even though it was for God, led to this path. So first, God's kindness leads us to action. Second, God's kindness leads us to other person-centered service. So Ruth, in verses 6 to 14, gets herself ready and makes her way to the threshing floor.

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And after, let's face a bit of a shaky start in verses 6 to 8, including almost literally scaring the pants off Boaz, she ends up making her key request. "I am your servant Ruth," she said, "spread the corner of your garment over me since you are a guardian redeemer of our family." Okay, now again, it's important to note this was not a request for sex. It was a request for marriage. In Ezekiel 168, the same phrase, "spread the corner of your garment," is actually used metaphorically of God committing himself to be faithfully united to his people like a marriage.

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He spread the corner of his garment over them. And Ruth calls Boaz our guardian redeemer. And I'm sure you know this is a key term in Ruth and refers to a group of extended family members who could come to your aid in a situation like this to continue your line and heritage without you being absorbed into their family and so losing your rights and land. Now, we're going to see in a couple of weeks in Ruth 4, the development of this Kinsman Redeemer theme in Ruth that's going to lead us most clearly to Jesus. But for now, let's just notice that here in verse 10, Boaz is stoked beyond belief with this development and Ruth's offer.

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The Lord bless you, my daughter, here applied. This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier. You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. Now, at this point, the romance meter is off the scale, isn't it? This is Period Drama City. But notice also how God-shaped integrity and other person-centeredness are at the heart of this interaction between Ruth and Boaz.

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Let's start with Ruth. Ruth knows her mind. She takes initiative and she communicates her intent very clearly and directly. And I think that is especially helpful given how oblivious some men can be. In fact, throughout the book of Ruth, she is clearly a formidable woman. And you can see in verse 11, Boaz says that Ruth has gained a reputation widely as a woman of noble character. But that word is "hail" in the Hebrew which literally means strength as well as integrity. She is a formidable woman, but notice also verse 9, her gentleness and invitation to Boaz to take initiative for her care.

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"I am your servant," she says. And she uncovers his legs, yes, but to wake him up, not to force herself on him. She makes her intent and desire clear, but then leaves him room to accept or refuse. What about Boaz? Well, verse 10, he acknowledges Ruth ultimately belongs to God, which gives him a duty of care in all his dealings with her. But notice also verse 12, as can as he is on her, he also recognizes there is a nearer relative who has first priority, and therefore he will not do the dirty to get around it, even if it means he loses his chance at love. It reminds me a little bit of the movie "The Castle", that case scene where the mum, Sal, tells her son Dale, the story of how she and Darryl the father got together.

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And she says, and I watch it the other night with my boys, so I've got the quote here, she says, "You see, I used to go out with a very handsome young man, well to do, called Bob Thompson. One night he took me to the Greyhounds, he put on a real show. We ate at the cavalry, we had wine, champagne, he put on all my bets, and he was just sweeping me off my feet, and I wouldn't have been at all surprised if he had popped the question." Well anyway, later on, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted this lanky bloke struggling with one of his Greyhounds, as Red Rocket by the way. Now Bob went off to talk with one of the stewards, and this young fella, he comes right up to me and starts chatting me up, and asked me out. And I said, "Well, I'm on a date. Well, he backed right off. He said he wasn't cutting anyone's lunch, and he wished me good night. And I thought that man has principles.

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And from that day, I've only had eyes for one man. Well, bow as. Likewise, has godly principles. And we see this in this passage, as he stands guard while Ruth sleeps. He does not take advantage of her. He does all he can to protect her. And then he arranges for her to leave safely and discreetly. And I think what we're meant to get from this scene is that here is a beautiful portrait of two people, utterly concerned for the other, over themselves. There is no coercion, no manipulation, no selfishness in their interaction. Other person-centered service characterizes everything to do with them. And I think this is a wonderfully inspiring and challenging template for the way we should seek to relate to one another.

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It obviously has particular application to marriage, but it should reflect the pattern of all our relationships, both personal and vocational. So there's a big challenge here that we should seek to build our character always around integrity and the strength of God in other person-centered service of others. Because that is like the God who loves us. And I'm sure you will know, as much as I do, when it comes to real relationships, that actually can be very, very difficult and challenging. But I think this chapter shows us is so worth working out persistently. We want our relationships to create that context of openness and care where we bless and protect each other in the gospel by our trustworthy love, like God, without coercion, manipulation or selfishness.

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What might you need to work on to be a person of faithful loving kindness in all your interactions with others? The third point from verses 15 to 18 is that God's faithful kindness leads us to life-giving generosity. Verse 15, "Boe has 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 placed the bundle on her. Then he went back to town. When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, 'How did it go, my daughter?' Then she told her everything Bowers had done for her and added, 'He gave me these six measures of barley saying, 'Don't go back to your mother-in-law, empty-handed.'

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Ruth, just finishing off with those words, don't go back to your mother-in-law, empty-handed, are actually incredibly significant in the book. If you go back to Ruth chapter 1 verse 21, Naomi returns to Israel with the words, 'I went away full, but the Lord brought me back empty at the beginning of the barley harvest.' Now in chapter 3 verse 17, it is barley harvest again, but this time Ruth returns from Bowers with her skirt full of barley and his words, 'Don't go back to your mother-in-law, empty.' Isn't that beautiful? It's like God answers Naomi specifically and says, 'I will not leave you empty, I will fill you again.'

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But notice how God does it, it is through Bowers' act of generosity. And I think that shows us that God often uses us as vehicles of His specific kindness to others, often more powerfully than we might be aware of or think. A bit of barley might not be much to Bowers, but it meant everything to Naomi. And sometimes what may seem insignificant and even just a small token of generosity and love from us can have a huge impact on those in need. It may not solve your problems, it doesn't replace your losses, might not take away your heartache, but they do say like a few measures of barley, God has not forgotten.

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And sometimes that's exactly what we need to keep going with God. I can think of so many specific people, some of whom are in this room who probably don't even know how important their kind words and actions and encouragement have been to me. But it was just what I needed to encourage me at the time. In fact, I went through a bit of a low time just a little while ago and made just randomly noticed I wasn't quite right and asked me to go for a coffee and a chat and just talk about things.

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And it was such a small thing, but it was such a big thing. So I wonder, have you had people in your life like that? Aren't they wonderful gifts of God? Aren't they so important? One of my favorite CS Lewis quotes is this one, where it's actually more about the hope of heaven and less about the pleasures of earth, but I actually want to see the other side of things that there is a huge glory in even the smallest pleasures on earth.

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CS Lewis says our Heavenly Father refreshes us with many pleasant inns on the journey, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home. So the thing I want to draw from that, of course, is that it is true. These small acts of mercy are not home. They're not permanent. They're not perfect. But they can be vital in renewing our energy on the way to eternity. So don't minimize or overlook them. And so here is the challenge and encouragement from Boaz in these verses at the end of the chapter. And that is you can be that for others. You can be a real taste of God's kindness in your generosity towards them. Isn't that wonderful?

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Maybe a material gift like Boaz's barley. It may be time. Maybe your prayers. A phone call. It might be inviting someone outside your normal circles to join you for an outing. It could be sharing Jesus with someone who needs him. How can you be an instrument of God's loving faithful kindness to others in your generosity to them? Let me wrap up and I just want to finish by returning in some ways to where we started and that is with birds and wings. Because you remember how Ruth asked Boaz to spread the corner of his garment over her, which echoes God in Ezekiel spreading the corner of his garment over his people. But actually the word for corner of your garment is literally wing, spread your wing over me. And in fact that same idea and that same word has already been used earlier in Ruth chapter 2 verse 12 by Boaz himself when he says to Ruth,

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"May you be richly rewarded by the Lord the God of Israel under whose wings you have come to take refuge." And I just want to point out in closing how in Ruth chapter 3 verse 9 when she says, "Boaz, spread your wing over me." How she's effectively saying to him, "Hey Boaz, why don't you be the answer to your own prayer? You know God's kindness to you. Will you now be the instrument of His kindness to me and my family?" And that is our wonderful challenges God's people now. We know God's kindness to us in a far greater way than even Boaz or Ruth because we know God's ultimate saving kindness in the Lord Jesus. And so I want to challenge you and encourage you what will it look like for you to be an instrument of God's kindness to someone else? How much you plan and act to be generous in other person-centered love to them? Let's pray.

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Father, we thank you for the way that human love can so well reflect your saving faithful love to us. So please help us filled by your chessed, your faithful loving kindness. Be faithful, loving and kind to others for you, bread in Jesus' name. Amen.