140209 PM Taking Refuge Under the Wings of God – Ruth 2
| (Taking Refuge Under the Wings of God – Ruth 2) A. Ruth 1 ended with Naomi full of sorrow (1:13,20-21) … 1. Embittered eyes can easily become blind. 2. God has not promised that believers are immune to affliction… 3. People with Micah 6:8-type-hearts can be used by God in profound and beautiful ways. B…. but with unseen hope on the horizon (1:22). I. A “worthy man” whose name was Boaz. A. “Worlhy man” (2:1) is translated in a variety of ways throughout the Old Testament: 1. “Man of valor” (1 Sam 16:18) 2. “Mighty man” (1 Chron 28:1; Prov 16:32) 3. “Man of wealth” (1 Sam 9:1; 1 Tim 6:18) 4. “Very able” (1 Kings 11:28) B. More important than his reputation, Boaz is a man of God (2:4). II. The determination and strength of Ruth to fulfill her promises A. Ruth takes the ______ to care for her mother-in-law (2:2). B. Ruth shows ______, taking initiative without being presumptuous or pushy (2:7a). C. Ruth demonstrates ___________ as a remarkable worker (2:7b, 17, 23). III. The LORD, “whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead” A. Ruth ” _________ to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz” (2:3-7). 1. Boaz shows her great kindness, even though she is a foreigner. a. He provides food (2:8). b. He provides protection (2:9a, 22). C, He provides for her thirst (2:9b). 2. Ruth responds with humble astonishment (2:10). B. Boaz’s __________ that the LORD would repay and reward (2:11-13). C. Boaz’s __________ active as a servant of the LORD (2:14-23). Vital concluding takeaways: • There is _____ beneath the wings of God (2:12; Psa 57:1; Psa 147:10-11). • Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is ___________ (2:12,14; James 2:14-18; Gal 5:6; 1 Cor 15:10). • We must fight for _________ that are susceptible to kindness and grace (2:10; Luke 13:34-35; 2:20). |