A Love Story In The Dark

We're going to turn tonight in our Bibles to Ruth Chapter 3,

Ruth 3 · chapter mention

Ruth Chapter 3, and we'll take time to read the chapter,

Ruth 3 · chapter mention

encourage you to read the book of Ruth, make a pot of tea, have

some coffee. Ruth chapter 3 Let's hear the

Ruth 3 · chapter mention

word of God reading from verse one.

The words will come up and scream for those on the

Internet. Then Naomi, her mother-in-law

said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee,

that it may be well with thee? And thy is not Boaz of our

kindred, with whose maidens thy was?

Behold, he went with barley tonight in the threshing floor.

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. And it shall be when he lieth

down that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie.

And thou shall go in and uncover his feet, and lay thee down, and

he will tell thee what thou shall do.

And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.

And she went down onto the floor, and did according to all

that her mother-in-law bade her. 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.

And it came to pass at midnight that the man was afraid, and

turned himself, and behold, a woman lay at his feet.

And he said, Who art thy? And she answered, I am Ruth,

thine handmaid. Spread therefore thy skirt over

thine handmaid, for thou ward a near kinsman.

And he said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter.

For thou was shown more kindness in the latter end than at the

beginning, in as much as thy followers, not young men,

whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, fear not,

I will do to thee all that thy requirest.

For all the city of my people don't know that thou art a

virtuous woman. And now it is true that I am thy

near kinsman. Howbeit there is a kinsman near

the nigh. Tarry this night, and it shall

be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part

of a kinsman, well, let him do the kinsman's part.

But if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will

I do the part of a kinsman to thee.

As the Lord liveth, Lie down until the morning, and she lay

at his feet until the morning, and she rose up before 1 could

know another. And he said that it not be known

that a woman came into the floor also.

He said, Bring the veal that thou hast upon thee, and hold

it. And when she held it, he

measured 6 measures of barley and let it on her.

And she went into the city. And when she came near to her

mother-in-law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter?

And she told her all that the man had done to her.

And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me.

For he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law.

Then she said, Sit still my daughter until thy know how the

matter will fall, for the man will not be in rest until they

have finished the thing this day.

Amen. We know God will stamp with its

own approval and blessing this reading of its own precious and

infallible word. Now my text tonight is taken

from Ruth chapter 3 and it says in verse 11 And now my daughter,

Ruth 3 · chapter mention

fear not I will do to thee all that they requirest for all the

city of my people don't know that thou art a virtuous woman.

Now from this text of entitled the theme A love story in the

dark or the redemptive power of love.

Now, those of you who are familiar with the book of Ruth

know that the book of Ruth unfolds during the days of the

Judges. It's the season when every man

did that which is right in his own eyes.

Judges chapter 2125 is the key text of the book.

It's a dark and difficult day. It's a day of moral crisis.

And in that day God wonderfully reveals to US one of the most

beautiful love stories in all of the Bible.

And the love story is between a woman called Ruth, described, as

we'll see, Ruth the Moabite S, and Boaz, who is a mighty man of

wealth, a near kinsman to Naomi and her family.

This love story is not loud or dramatic.

It's certainly not steamy or seedy.

It's not like the Hollywood love stories.

No, this is a love story in dark times.

It's a revelation of a love that is faithful and patient and

tender hearted and redemptive. And you know what?

It's not just a love story simply between one man and

woman. And it is that, but it's more

it's a revelation of a covenant love.

It's a revelation of redeeming grace for faithful obedience.

Now, in Chapter 3 in the book of Ruth, the scene unfolds in the

threshing floor. It's after the harvest has been

gathered in. It's dark, in fact.

It's the midnight hour. It's an hour when reputations

could be ruined, an hour when intentions could be

misunderstood. And yet it's here, in the

darkness of the night, in the midst of the threshing floor,

that Boaz speaks to Ruth. And when he speaks to Ruth, he

speaks one of the most wonderful affirmations of Holy Scripture.

Listen again to what he says. And now, my daughter, fear not.

I will do to thee all that thy requires, for all the city of my

people don't know that thou art a virtuous woman.

Now, these words reveal a love story in the dark, or if you

want a little add to that, a love story in the dark of the

redeeming power of love. Now, as I read these words and

thought about it, and I was challenged by a member of the

congregation here about Ruth a few weeks ago, there's four

things come to my mind. As you think of this love story

in the dark, here's the first thing that you can learn.

It rejoices in Ruth's conversion.

Look at the text. It says, and now, my daughter,

fear not. Notice how Boaz begins.

He begins with a word of great comfort.

Fear not literally. Do not be afraid.

Ruth, of course, is every reason to fear.

She was a foreigner and more by this, she was a widow.

She's a woman alone in the threshing floor at night, a

woman with no claim on Israel's promises.

And she was vulnerable to misinterpretation, being in the

threshing floor around about midnight, a Jet Boaz removes

these fears. Hi, notice what he says.

And now my daughter. Notice these words, my daughter.

They're actually quoted five times in this chapter.

These two words my daughter, I believe are full of grace and

covenant love five times. The words my daughter's found in

this chapter. But do you know in the book of

Ruth five times in the book Ruth is called Ruth the Moabite S.

In chapter 1 verse 22 it says so Naomi returned and Ruth the

Moabite S her daughter-in-law come to chapter 2 and verse 2

and it says this. And Ruth the Moabite S said unto

Naomi, chapter 2, verse 21. And Ruth the Moabite S said,

chapter 4, verse 5. Then said Boaz, what day thou

buyest the field of the hand of Naomi?

Thy must buy it also of Ruth the Moabite S, the wife of the dead,

to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.

And then we've got as well chapter 4 and verse 10, and it

says, moreover, Ruth the Moabite S, the wife of Mallow.

Five times in the book of Ruth, Ruth is called Ruth the Moabite

S. Now that title reveals her

background. And five in biblical numerics

has to do with the number of grace.

So five times she's called Ruth the Mobite S.

And five times in chapter 3 where Ruth the Mobite S is not

mentioned, she's called my daughter.

That's significant. See, Ruth's a woman who has

found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

She's a woman to whom the Lord has been merciful to.

She's a woman who's been brought out of heathendom and brought

into the company of the people of God.

Remember her momentous decision? And what does it say there in

Ruth chapter 1, verses 16 and 17?

Ruth 1:16

And Ruth said, this is her speaking to Naomi.

Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after

thee, for whether thy goest I will go, and where thy lodgest I

will lodge. Thy people shall be my people,

and thy God my God. Where thy dieest will I die, and

there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more

also if aught but death part thee in me.

Roof leaves her homeland, Moab. She leaves the community of her

people. She leaves her family.

She leaves her Pagan gods. See, these words were not

sentimentally spoken. They were spoken literally.

But they were also spoken heartily, spoken confidently.

This was an expression of her true love toward the God of

Israel and towards the people of God.

And of course, true love towards God and man must begin with a

momentous decision, and that momentous decision will involve

denial and sacrifice. And that dementous decision,

this decision of Ruth, changed the entire course of her life.

You see, it's not true of the life of every Sinner.

The moment a Sinner trust in Christ, their life changed,

transformed by the grace of God. They're different, but a man be

in Christ is a new creature. All things are passed away and

all things have become new and all things are of God.

They're born of God. Now you see, the life of God is

in their heart. They're washed in the blood of

Christ. They're infused with the love of

God. They're connected to true

conversion because God has worked in one's heart in life.

The Spirit of God brings them to make that momentous decision.

You think of the words of the little chorus.

I have decided to follow Jesus. That's an expressing a desire.

That's the Spirit of God enabling you to make a choice

for Christ, Christ for me, the hope of glory.

Didn't Joshua say in Joshua 24 and 15 choose you this day whom

you will serve the Lord Jesus said in Matthew chapter 16 verse

Matthew 16:24

24. If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself. See, See, the gospel begins with

the grace of God. Romans 8 And one says there is

therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,

in Christ, in union with him. You're not only born of the

Spirit, but become a babe in the family.

You become a son or a daughter. A new life has begun and here's

Ruth now and she's living out that new life in Bethlehem,

Judah, and she has a testimony to the saving and keeping power

of God. And then chapter 3 in this love

story in the dark, she's called five times.

My daughter, this woman has decided for Christ.

Ruth, 116 and 17. This woman is desirous of

Christ, devoted to Christ. She she's willing to deny and

sacrifice for Christ. Here she's saying, Thy God will

be my God, thy people will be my people.

It's not similar to what David said in Psalm 48, verse 14.

Psalms 48:14

For this God will be my guide, even unto death.

I asked the question tonight lovingly, personally.

Are you really converted? Have you been born again of the

Spirit? Has Jesus Christ become the Lord

of your life? Do you live for Christ?

Is he the real love of your life?

Are you loyal to Christ? Think of Boaz, the threshing

floor at midnight. And he's speaking to Ruth and he

removes her fears. He tells her fear, not great

comfort, because there's a great call he can say to her.

And now my daughter, he's speaking a good, faithful word.

Do I ask the question, are you a son or a daughter of God in this

love story? In the dark, there's a rejoicing

in her conversion very quickly. And secondly, there's a ruffling

in Roof's character. If you look again at the text

that says, for all the city of my people don't know that thou

art a virtuous woman, think of those words, that thou art a

virtuous woman. Now what does that mean?

Well, you see the word virtuous. If you look up a dictionary

definition, you'll get one who is morally upright, one who is

pure of heart and mind, one who's innocent of character.

And here's Boaz and he's looking for a bride, he's looking for a

wife. And he says to Ruth, thy art, a

virtuous woman. Let me explain that.

You see, being a virtuous woman is a priceless commodity.

I've got a book in the Porter cabin and it says be a Proverbs

31 woman. Sometimes those that are

preaching in the States of America on family conferences

will ask the young ladies and the women didn't the grannies,

are you a Proverbs 31 woman? And that should be inspirational

to every woman. And I believe it was

inspirational to Naomi, her mother-in-law, but it was also

inspirational to Ruth herself. It's recorded of her.

Thou art a virtuous woman. And if you look over there at

Proverbs 31 verse 10, we read these words.

Proverbs 31:10

Who can find a virtuous woman for her price is far above

rubies. In Proverbs 31 and verse 30 we

read favour is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman that

feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

Now if I went round some of the men folk tonight.

In fact, if you ask me and we're talking about being saved and

saying well you know, do you profess to be saved?

Yes. Do you love the Lord Jesus

Christ? Yes.

Have you tasted the grace of God?

Yes. Well, we'll ask a second

question. Well, what do you look for,

first of all, in a partner that you want to be joined to for the

rest of your life? And of course, part of the

answer, now listen to me carefully, is physical

attraction. Physical attraction is a part of

it, but it's a part, only a part.

And you see, we have to at times encourage the young people to

look beyond physical appearance. Why?

Because beauty fades in the passing of time.

The the young bride will become an older bride.

Beauty. Someone has said it's only skin

deep. Someone said to one of our

ministers one time, did you know that beauty's only skin deep

brother? And you have been peeled and he

wasn't too pleased and not say who it was.

Abraham remembered was physically attracted to Sarah

because she was fair and beautiful to look upon.

The same happened to Jacob and Rachel.

Physical attraction, young man and young woman plays a part, a

real part. But a small part, you see,

coupled with physical attraction is when they get to know each

other. Young girls particular.

Does he have a car? Does he have a good job?

Has he got some money in the bank?

What's his mother like? Does he have brothers and

sisters? And you see the list goes on and

on and on, but often last in that list, which should be the

top is this question. Is she saved?

Does he know and love Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour?

Or is he a spiritual minded young man?

Does he go to the House of God in the day of God?

Does he read and know his Bible? Does he go to the prayer

meeting? Is he a worker?

Does he want to help out? Does he want to be involved?

Is he signed in the faith? That would be the Protestant

Reform faith. You see, this is a priceless

commodity. Notice also, this is a peculiar

community. You see, I would encourage the

young men and the young women in our churches, including this

church, when they're thinking of a partner for life, then look

within the Christian community. Certainly don't be going to the

pub, don't be going to the clubs.

Think about the church, the neighbouring churches,

missionary work, the Bible college, the castle whale and

weekend see and why I emphasise that.

I emphasise that for this reason the unequal yoke is wrong.

It's not according to the mind and will of God.

Second Corinthians 6 and 14 says, be ye not unequally yoked

together with unbelievers for what fellowship of

righteousness, with unrighteousness of what

communion have laid with darkness.

Not only is it wrong, the unequal yoke tied into that,

it's not God's will, but so often it doesn't really work

out. And for those who have entered

into an unequal yoke as far as marriage is concerned, where

you've got maybe a husband who's a believer and, and the bride is

not, or the bride is a believer and the husband is not, they

often individually have a hard life.

And so often they're pulled down in a spiritual sense.

And it is important that this virtuous woman is found in a

particular community. You see a professing Christian,

one who's saved and spiritually minded.

That individual's rare to find. It's rare to find people that

are morally upright and pure of heart and mind because we live

in an ungodly world. We live in a world of atheists,

a world of atheistic ideology, no God, no absolutes.

We live in a world of agnostics. It's it's for them, it's cool

not to believe in God. And of course, because they're

atheistic and agnostic, they haven't much time for holy jokes

and they haven't much time for apron string Marys who are pure

and clean living. They haven't much time for those

who refuse to go out and get drunk and do drugs and who

reject the nightclub when the party's scene, who who say no to

an immoral lifestyle. And on top of that they oppose

things like abortion, they reject the LGBT agenda, they

reject so much of the government's anti God ways and

laws. And what are they called?

They're called a square. They're called a religious nut

job, they're called a Bible crackpot.

I remember one time the late Doctor Paisley was on the radio

many years ago, I think it was David Dunceeth and the Talkback

programme. And whatever Doctor Paisley was

saying, Mr Duncef said to him, you're a bigot, Dr Paisley.

And he said in his big deep voice, I take that as a

compliment. Yes, I'm a Bible bigot for

Jesus. She's a particular community.

I would encourage the young ones, as I've always done, to

dress smart, shunned immodest apparel.

Be willing to be the odd one out.

You know, a mother was speaking to another mother one day about

her daughter and said your daughter's too well dressed to

take her place in the world. And the mother replied back,

well, I view that as a badge of honour, that my daughter's too

well dressed to take her place in the world.

It's also a pleasing commentary. See, Ruth's virtue was

recognised by Boaz. It was him that was saying it as

a potential husband, as the a kinsman Redeemer.

Thou art a virtuous woman. And remember, this is the days

of the judges. This is a a day where there's a

morally unstable culture. And of course, the setting here,

the flashing floor at midnight when the men were asleep, having

eaten and drank it was right for a scandal.

And yet Ruth wasn't known for her vice.

She's known for her virtue. And over there in the book of

Philippians, in Philippians chapter 2 and in the verse 15, I

Philippians 2 · chapter mention

believe God honours holy living, that ye may be blameless and

harmless, the sons of God without rebuke, in the midst of

a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in

the world, what should our aim be?

Our aim should be to please the Lord.

Remember we read in Philippians 4, verse 8.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever

things are on us, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever

things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever

things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if

there be any praise, think in these things.

Put the Lord first. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God

and His righteousness, and all these other things shall be

added unto you. That's a good motto for living

by. This is a priceless commodity.

This is a particular community. This is a pleasing commentary.

Thy art a virtuous woman. Notice also.

Thirdly, he recounts Ruth's consideration.

If you go back to our text, what does it say?

He, he, he, He says to her on the threshing floor.

For all the city of my people dost know that thou art a

virtuous woman. He's speaking about Bethlehem,

Judah. How did they know?

Well, here's the answer. They watched her, they observed

her. They took note of her.

She was recognised by others. Her testimony had to be built

over time. It was there in Moab when she

made that momentous decision in the border Route 116 and 17, in

her faithfulness, Tiomi, in that she refused to leave her, even

to the point where she said where you die, I'll die and

where you're buried. That's where I'll be buried in

the harvest field. Chapter 2 in her humble

obedience to Boaz, listen to what he said.

Verse 10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter,

for thou hast showed more kindness in the latter end than

at the beginning. In as much as thou followest not

young men, whether rich or poor, in her marriage and family life.

In chapter 4, you see there's a spiritual principle here.

People are watching us. Your life and mine is being

observed on a daily basis in the home, in the school, in the

university, in the workplace. And even though you're being

observed and watched, I can tell you they'll try to tempt you and

they'll try to trip you up. They'll do their best tomorrow

and destroy your testimony. Do you know whenever you're

coming out to church in the Lord's Day, you're coming out

with a new suit on or a good suit?

Your dress, ladies, you've got your hat on, you've got your

Bible in your hand. You're getting into the car.

That's a repeated pattern. People in the housing estates

that see you getting into your car, they know that your

repeated church scores, they know you're not going shopping.

They know you're not going to work.

They know you're not going golfing.

And on one hand we could say, well, I don't care what people

think, but it does matter. Did the Lord Jesus care what

Peter's people think? Remember what we read of him in

Luke chapter 2 and verse 52. Listen to these words.

Luke 2 · chapter mention

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favour with

God and men. As a young boy of 12, he sought

to have the favour of God and the favour of men.

Paul talked in Acts 24 verse 16. A conscience void of offence.

Acts 24:16

In First Thessalonians 2 and 10, Paul talked about how I behaved

myself. In First Timothy 3:00 and 7:00

it says an elder should have a good report of those that are

without. That's outside the household of

faith, those outside in society and remember the Lord Jesus said

let your light shine before men. Matthew 5 and 16.

Isn't that a real challenge? What does that mean?

Let your light shine before men? Well, it doesn't mean that we're

to walk about with a Lantern or a Tilly lamp and let people see

our light. It means be a walking light.

It means let people see Christ reflected in you.

Let people see the gospel. This old, old story.

Do you know that integrity and intimacy can't be hid?

It's seen, oh there's a couple in love, look how intimate they

are with each other, look at the integrity of their relationship.

And of course the opposite is true.

Immorality and iniquity cannot be hid.

It is also seen and it's also spoken of, that our life of

integrity and a life of interest with the Lord.

Never perfect, but certainly passionate.

Remember, if they don't read their Bible, they're going to

read your life and they'll get their testimony from you.

What sort of testimony do they get?

What sort of testimony do you radiate?

You see, he recounts Ruth's consideration.

All the city doth know they had watched and observed.

And one final thing. He rejoices in Ruth's

commendation. This is his personal verdict.

Thou art a virtuous woman, replied At Boa's feet she

requests to be covered. Chapter 3, verse 9 I am Ruth,

thine handmaid. Spread therefore thy skirt over

thine handmaid, for thou order near kinsman.

She humbled herself. See, virtue doesn't redeem her,

but her virtue does prepare her for the redemption of the

kinsman. First Peter 5 and 6 says, Humble

yourselves that he may exalt you in due time.

He said to her, I will do all that thou requirest.

Boaz didn't hesitate. He didn't bargain with her.

He didn't offer a delay. The redemption of Ruth required

three things. One, the right Boaz is a near

kinsman. He must have resources.

He has the means because he's a mighty man of wealth.

Chapter 2, verse one but not only has he to have the right

and the resources, but he must have the resolve he is willing.

He notices Ruth and from the beginning which he walked into

his field, he sought to protect her.

He sought to provide for her. He sought to offer her praise.

And on top of that, he gives her promises and the promises are in

the form of handfuls of purpose. See, the Lord Jesus doesn't

redeem us reluctantly. He's not a an unwilling

Redeemer. Remember what we read of him in

the Gospel of John and in John chapter 10.

John 10 · chapter mention

He says this in verse 17. He makes this tremendous

statement. Listen to the word of God.

Therefore doth my Father love me because I lay down my life, that

I might take it again. There's sacrifice.

No man taketh it from me. It's not forced, but I lay it

down to myself, voluntary. Given.

I have power to lay it down, I have power to take it again.

This commandment have I received of my father.

He doesn't redeem reluctantly, he redeems willingly.

He has the right of Redeemer. He has the resources, but he is

also the resolve and he's saying to Ruth, I'm going to be your

Redeemer. And when Christ redeems, he

redeems fully. He redeems us to the uttermost.

Remember what we read in Hebrews Chapter 7 and verse 25.

Hebrews 7 · chapter mention

He tells us this. Wherefore he is able also to

save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing He

ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Salvations by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ

alone, and the grace that saves alone produces A transformation.

And that grace has been commanded.

That grace is no one in the city.

That grace means that we're covered by a Redeemer.

That grace means we're remembered by God in eternity.

Are you converted tonight? Can we rejoice in your

conversion? Can we reveal your character?

Are you considered by others? Others can recount.

And will you be commended? This woman was commended by

Boaz. He was willing to pay the price

because love pays the price. But let me tell you this.

There's a greater Boaz, the Lord Jesus, and what we want to hear

at the day of our death when we close our eyes and enter glory

as well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy

of thy Lord. Are we good and faithful

servants? Will we hear the well done?

Will we be commanded because we've request to be covered?

We've humbled ourselves before. We have looked to Him to be our

Redeemer. That's the greatest commendation

of all. I pray that you'll humble

yourself before the Lord. I pray you'll long to be covered

by the precious blood and righteousness of Christ.

And I pray that you'll come to this wonderful Redeemer who has

the right, who has the resources, who has the resolve.

And he'll say tonight to you, I'm going to be your Redeemer.

And you're going to say, yes, Lord, you be my Redeemer.

May the Lord bless you this evening.

May they take these few thoughts and the gospel, this love story

in the dark, and write them on your heart.