Pursued By Grace Series # 4
Ruth 2:1-3
SEARCHING FOR GRACE
Intro: There are three primary personalities that are
presented in the book of Ruth. First, there is Naomi. She is
a picture of a backslidden believer. In chapter one, we are
shown how she wandered away from the Lord and the
terrible price she paid for her sins. We are also shown how,
in the end, she returned to the place of blessing. She is a
lesson in hope for everyone who has turned their backs on
the things of the Lord.
Another pf the persons we meet in this book is a man
named Boaz. He is a clear picture of the Lord Jesus Christ.
More will be said about him later in this message and in
future sermons.
The third main character of this story is a Gentile girl
named Ruth. She is a young lady from a pagan country who
comes to know the true God. She is a picture in this
passage of a brand new convert, a young Christian who is
just beginning to learn about and grow in the things of the
Lord. She is just beginning to experience the great blessings
of the Lord and His grace.
As we look in on the activities of Ruth in these verses, we
see a woman who is searching for grace. I want to point out
some elements of her search this morning. As I do, I want
you to know that these elements reveal what ought to be the
goal and focus of every genuine believer. Let's look in on
Ruth as we see her Searching For Grace.
I. V. 2 THE PURPOSE IN HER SEARCH
A. She Was Searching For Food - Ruth wants to go to
the fields and glean ears of corn. She and Naomi
need food to eat. The main thrust of her search is to
find food for the body. (Note: She illustrates that
desire that is birthed in the heart of the child of God
at conversion: a desire to know more about the Lord
and to grow in Him. Ill. Job 23:12; Jer. 15:16; 1 Pet.
2:2. Ill. Phil. 3:10. It is learning to partake of the
Word of God that causes growth in the life of a
believer!)
B. She Was Searching For Favor - "I shall find
grace" Ruth was looking for some land owner who
would be pleased to accept her and to allow her to
glean in his fields. In spite of her nationality. In spite
of her past. In spite of who she was, she was looking
for grace. (Note: She pictures that new born child of
God who wants more than anything to please the
Lord. Every dilemma is faced with regard to "What
would Jesus do?" There is an overwhelming desire
to just "please the Lord". This is part of having the
"first love", Rev. 2:1-7.) (Note: Many, like Ruth,
worry about being accepted by the Lord. Friend,
your past is no longer an issue if you are saved by
the grace of God. He has given you a brand new
start, 2 Cor. 5:17.)
C. She Was Searching For Fulfillment - Her statement
"Let me now go", shows that she is itching to be a
blessing to Naomi. Ruth simply wants to serve.
(Note: In this she is again a picture of a new believer.
When a person is saved by the grace of God, they
want to do something for the glory of the Lord. They
want to serve Jesus, Ill. Demoniac - Mark 5:18-20.)
II. V. 3 THE PROVIDENCE IN HER SEARCH
A. Involved God's Command In The Past - Ruth went
to a field and began to glean. She was allowed to do
this because of a command that God had given in the
ancient past, Lev. 19:9-10; Deut. 24:19-22. God
had worked in her past to take care of her present
need. (Note: The same is true in the life of the
believer. Our present standing in Jesus was made
possible because of what God did in the ancient past,
We were chosen and elected in the past, Eph. 1:4-6;
Jesus was provided for our salvation before man
ever sinned, Rev. 13:8, 1 Pet. 1:18-20. Everything
e have and are today is a product of the past work of
the Lord, and of His grace, 1 Cor. 15:10.)
B. Involved God's Control In The Present - This verse
says that it was her "hap" to go into a field owned by
this man named Boaz. From a human perspective it
looked as though it was purely coincidental.
However, for God's perspective, it was sovereignty in
action. He had already determined that there was
going to be a wedding, and a baby for Ruth! Ruth
doesn't know it, but the Lord is pulling all the strings
of her life to get her in the right place at the right
time. (Note: Just as the Lord worked in Ruth's life
He works in each of our lives. Nothing happens by
accident! The words accident, happenstance and coincidence do not exist in God's dictionary! He
moves powerfully and providentially to bring about
His will in your life and mine! That is why we can
have confidence as believer! God is always working
and moving in our lives to accomplish one goal: He
is reproducing His Son in every saint of God, Rom.
8:28-31.)
III. V. 1 THE PERSON IN HER SEARCH
(Ill. She thought she was looking for a meal, but God was
about to introduce her to a man. She went to find some
food, God was about to give her a new family. Note:
Although Ruth doesn't know it right now, this Boaz is the
real object of her search. Notice what the Bible teaches
us about this man.)
A. He Was A Related Man - This verse tells us that he
was a "kinsman." He was just what Ruth needed,
although she didn't know it. Boaz was qualified to
perform the function of the "Kinsman Redeemer" to
these widows, according to the Law of God, Num.
27:8-11. (Note: Boaz is a type of Jesus Christ, our
Redeemer. He became a "kinsman" to us so that
He might redeem us from our sins, Phil. 2:5-8.)
B. He Was A Rich Man - He was "a mighty man of
wealth". This means that Boaz possessed all the
necessary resources to carry out the task of
redemption. (Note: Jesus Christ also is a man of
sufficient resources to carry out the plan of
redemption. He possesses perfect righteousness, 2
Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 2:22-24; Isa. 53:4-6. He
possesses everlasting love for the fallen, Jer. 31:3;
Rom. 5:8, John 3:16. He possesses infinite grace,
sufficient to save any soul that will bow to God in faith
and repentance, Eph. 2:8-9. (Ill. Paul - 1 Tim. 1:12-17!) He completed God's plan for your redemption in
its entirety, Heb. 10:11-14, Heb. 9:24-28; and now
God is satisfied, 1 John 2:1; Isa. 53:11.) (Ill.
Salvation may be free, but it wasn't cheap! Still, you
can be saved today if you will come to Jesus by
faith!)
C. He Was A Respected Man - We are told that Boaz
was "a mighty man". His name means, "In it is
strength." It sounds as though he was a respected
man. Some scholars believer that Boaz and Ibzan,
an Israelite judge, Judges 12:8-10, are the same
fellow. It is this man that Ruth will meet, fall in love
with and come to know intimately. (Note: Again, he
is a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ in that God has
given Jesus an exalted Name, Phil. 2:9-11. Men
may mock Him and use His name as a byword, but
in Heaven, that Name evokes worship and
celebration! Of course, on day, He will receive the
respect He is due from all men, Rom. 14:11, Ill. Rev.
5:1-13! It is far better to do it now than to wait until
that day!)
Conc: I want to conclude this section from Ruth with three
questions. They are simple. You know the answers and all
you have to do is be honest in dealing with them.
1. Are you saved, not a church member, not a good person,
but truly born again?
2. If you are saved, can you honestly say that you are
growing in the Lord as you should be? It is God's
command and desire that we grow, 2 Pet. 3:18.
3. Are you hungry for something in your spiritual life that you
do not have right now? If so, it is available from the Lord, Psa. 84:11; Matt. 11:28. God has what each of you is
looking for this morning if you will come to Him and get
it.
