The unlikely Redeemer

by Pastor Meng Cham

They may not even be aware that their actions are part of God's larger plan

Big idea:
God uses his loyal believers to be a blessing to others

A. Be ready to take the risk to love

Ruth 3:1
One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home[a] for you, where you will be well provided for.


Naomi did not forget Ruth despite their situation

Ruth 3:2-5
Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. 3 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 has finished eating and drinking. 4 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.” 5 “I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered.


Ruth did not say no but follow

Ruth 3:8-9
In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turned—and there was a woman lying at his feet! 9 “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer[a] of our family.”


1. A female addressing a male
2. Telling her wealthy master what to do
3. Telling him to marry her for the sake of Naomi, chose older man rather than younger man
4. She was a foreigner speaking to a native that he was a redeemer
- According to mosaic law, a man is not to leave his family

Leviticus 25:24-25
Throughout the land that you hold as a possession, you must provide for the redemption of the land. 25 “‘If one of your fellow Israelites becomes poor and sells some of their property, their nearest relative is to come and redeem what they have sold.


Ruth 3:10
“The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.


Ruth 3:11-13
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. 12 Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. 13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.”


Boaz was More than willing to comply, however, there was a first kin nearer to redemption.

Ruth 3:14
So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he said, “No one must know that a woman came to the threshing floor.”


Ruth 3:18
Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”


Application #1:
To be a blessing to others requires that we exercise faith, which involves risk-taking


Love is risky business, possibly facing rejection and betrayal. While God is sovereign but it takes risk to measure hesed kindness to others. Bear the cost and sacrifice if we desire to see others bless

B. Be faithful to follow through

Progress from intention to intentional to follow through

Ruth 4:1
Meanwhile Boaz went up to the town gate and sat down there just as the guardian-redeemer[a] he had mentioned came along. Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down.


Ruth 4:3-4
Meanwhile Boaz went up to the town gate and sat down there just as the guardian-redeemer[a] he had mentioned came along. Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down.


Ruth 4:5-6
Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the[a] dead man’s widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property.” 6 At this, the guardian-redeemer said, “Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it.”


Ruth 4:9-11
Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, “Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelek, Kilion and Mahlon. 10 I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from his hometown. Today you are witnesses!” 11 Then the elders and all the people at the gate said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the family of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.


Boaz wanted the sanction from his people so in the event of his death, there is no confusion to the inheritance and this protects Naomi and Ruth for their whole life

Ruth 4:13-17
So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. 14 The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! 15 He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.” 16 Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. 17 The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.


The providence of God to use mortals who are willing to follow through God's plan

Alot of good is missed when we leave things undone, halfway given up

Naomi to commitment ... Israel wouldn't have the king they needed

Application #2:
To be a blessing to others requires us to have a faith that risks, as well as faithfulness to follow-through


Galatians 6:9-10
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.


Biblical truths from the book of Ruth:
1. God shows His covenant commitment to His people
- God will not let his people go
2. God is the ultimate kinsman-redeemer of humanity
- Jesus is the kinsman-redeemer of the entire world
3. God uses His loyal believers to achieve His purposes


Who and where are the loyal believers?
God wants to use you!

Engaging with people in a more thoughtful, significant way, through faith and faithfulness, though we don't know exactly what to do but willingness. Not just say it but loyal to follow through what we say we will do

God wants to rebuild the lives of the people around us, there is hope for them!!