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Receiving Advise About Courting and Marriage

Ruth 3:1-18

Introduction:

One of our prominent preachers and former presidents of our convention tells of dating his wife Janet. She invited him to see a movie about Ruth. Jerry says, “I didn't learn much about Ruth but I sure FOUND OUT MORE ABOUT RUTH. Hopefully we will learn more about Ruth today.

1. Advice To A Woman . . Research. 3:1-2

Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you?

2 Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor.

A. Woman Research For . . Security. 3:1

Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you?

B. Woman Research For . . Stability. 3:2

2 Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not

our relative? In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor.

Dt 25:5-10 5 "If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the widow of the dead man shall not be married to a stranger outside the family; her husband's brother shall go in to her, take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her. 6 And it shall be that the firstborn son which she bears will succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel. 7 But if the man does not want to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate to the elders, and say, 'My husband's brother refuses to raise up a name to his brother in Israel; he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother.' 8 Then the elders of his city shall call him and speak to him. But if he stands firm and says, 'I do not want to take her,' 9 then his brother's wife shall come to him in the presence of the elders, remove his sandal from his foot, spit in his face, and answer and say, 'So shall it be done to the man who will not build up his brother's house.' 10 And his name shall be called in Israel, 'The house of him who had his sandal removed.' NKJV

Illustration ign on marriage clerk's window: "Out to lunch. Back at 1 o'clock. THINK IT OVER." Kent Crockett's Sermon Illustrations.

Application

Advice To A Woman . . Research. 3:1-2

2. Advice To A Woman . . Refine. 3:3

3 Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your

best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.

A. Refine In . . Smell. 3:3a

3 Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself,. . .”

Illustration Silly Country Song

My gal don’t where perfume, but you can smell her just the same.

Christa and I dating; She wore Wood-Hue Perfume. She would say Wood Hue, I would say Would I ever, For Ever, forever.

B. Refine In . . Show. 3:3b

“put on your best garment”

C. Refine In . . Self-Confidence. 3:3c

“. . . go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.

Illustration Poem

Slippery ice—very thin; pretty girl— tumbled in;

saw a fellow—on the bank; gave a shriek— then she sank;

boy on hand—heard her shout; jumped right in—pulled her out;

now he’s hers—very nice; but first she had—to break the ice.

Source unknown

Application:

Naomi, Ruth’s Mother-in-law’s Advice Is Good for this Day

Check Out the possible mate.

Advice To Women . . Research, Refine, Now Respond.

3. Advice To A Woman . . Respond To Instructions. 3:4-8

A. Respond . . Agreeably. 3:4-6

4 Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice

the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do." 5 And she said to her, "All that you say to me I will do." 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her.

B . Respond . . Attentively. 3:7-8

7 And after Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was

cheerful, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down.

8 Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet.

Illustration Joke:

A mother told her daughter about the boy she was dating. She said this young man is a fine young man and this is now your third date. I want to advise you about boys. On your date tonight he will be a complete gentleman, but after the event tonight he will be driving you home and he will pull over to the side of the road or to a romantic spot. He will turn off the engin and scoot over by you, that’s alright, then he will put his arm around you, that’s alright, then he will take your head and lay it on your scolder and brush back your hair, that’s alright, then he will kiss you, that’s alright, but then he will try to kiss you several more times and that is not alright, that is what gives mothers gray hair.

So sure enough the young man after the event pulled over and turned off the engin. He scooted over by the young lady and put his arm around her, then he proceeded to kiss her. But then he started to kiss her again, she sat up and asked. “What kind of a girl do you think I am! Here you put your head on my shoulder, I’ll kiss you and well let your mother get gray hair.

By the way, my Mother was white headed.

Application

Advice To A Woman . . Research, Refine, Respond.

Now Request

4. Advice To A Woman; Answer The . . Request. 3:9

A. Give A Straightforward . . Answer. 3:9a

9a And he said, "Who are you?" So she answered, "I am Ruth, your maidservant.”

B. Give A Straightforward . . Appeal. 3:9b

“. . . Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative."

Kinsman Redeemer One who is related by blood to those he

redeems, indicating the necessity for the Incarnation (Heb 2:14-16). The covenant (v. 21) is the new covenant. See note on Jer 31:31-34. (Ryrie Study Bible)

Illustration Change Your Spouse

A young bride-to-be was at the rehearsal for her wedding. She was nervous and having a hard time remembering what she was supposed to do when she walked down the aisle. The minister said, “Relax, it’s not hard. First, all you need to do is slowly walk down the aisle. Second, walk straight at the altar. Third, when get to the altar, turn and look at him—your husband to be. If you’ll just remember those 3 things, you’ll do just fine.”

The next day, everyone was seated at the church and it was time for her to walk down the aisle. As the organist played the Wedding March, she walked down the aisle saying out loud, “aisle. . .altar. . .him. Aisle. . .altar. . .him. I’ll alter him!”

Thousands of brides have walked down the aisle saying the same thing—“I’ll alter him. I’ll change him!” Kent Crockett's Sermon Illustrations.

Application

Advice To A Woman . . Research, Refine, Respond, Request.

Now Advice To The Man.

5. Advice To The Man. . Respect The Lady. 3:10

10 Then he said, "Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich.

A. Respect With . . Complimentary Words. 3:10a

10 Then he said, "Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, . . .”

B. Respect With . . Congratulatory Words. 3:10b

“. . . in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich

Illustration
I read an interesting story of how hunters catch the ermine. As you know, it's fur is almost pure white and very popular for coats and trim for expensive clothing. The article indicated the ermine is very, very clean. The hunters find where their shelter is and place tar all around it.

The ermine hates dirt so much that it will risk death fighting with dogs rather than getting dirty from the tar. So the hunters place a net over the ermine and they have their catch.

Application

Advice To The Man Respect The Lady, Next Research,

6. Advice To The Man. . Research About The Lady. 3:11-14

A. Research With . . Investigation. 3:11-13a

11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman. 12 Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. 13 Stay this night, and in the morning it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you — good; let him do it.

B. Research With . . Intrigue. 3:13b-14

But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the Lord lives! Lie down until morning." 14 So she lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize another. Then he said, "Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor."

Application

Advice To The Man Respect and Research The Lady Next Reward Her.

7. Advice To The Man. . Reward The Lady. 3:15-17

A. Reward . . Measurably. 3:15

15 Also he said, "Bring the shawl that is on you and hold it." And when she held it, he measured six ephahs of barley, and laid it on her. Then she went into the city.

Ruth 3:15 A gift to Naomi of goodwill and assurance, probably carried on Ruth's head. six measures. Probably six seahs, 42 qt (46 lit). (Ryrie Study Bible)

B. Reward . . Memorably. 3:16-18

16 When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, "Is that you, my daughter?" Then she told her all that the man had done for her. 17 And she said, "These six ephahs of barley he gave me; for he said to me, 'Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law.'"

8. Advice To The Woman . . Rely On The Plan. 3:18

A. Rely . . Patiently. 3:18a

18 Then she said, "Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out;. . .”

B. Rely . . Positively. 3:18b

“. . . for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day." NKJV

This Plan of Naomi and Ruth Requires a Kinsman Redeemer.

No amount of character, or good family can Redeem Ruth

No amount of personal virtue can Redeem Ruth.

No amount of Good Works can Redeem Ruth

No amount of Religious Activity can Redeem Ruth

She Needs a Redeemer willing to pay the price to redeem her!

We have a debt we can not pay, we need someone

to pay the debt for us.

Jesus Paid It all, all to Him I owe, Sin have left

a crimson stain He washed it white as snow.

Illustration WHO WILL ALTER COURSE?

"After years of distinguished service, a Navy Captain was given his own ship. How proud he was! It was a life-long dream come true.

"One stormy night, the Captain was on duty as the ship plowed through the seas. Off the port side he spotted a strange light closing rapidly. Immediately he ordered the message flashed to the identified craft, 'Alter your course 10 degrees to the south.' Just as quick the reply came, 'Alter your course 10 degrees to the north.'

Determined that HIS ship would be second to no other, the Captain snapped out the order, 'Alter the course 10 degrees--I am the CAPTAIN! The response beamed back, 'Alter your course--I am Seaman Third Class Jones.'

"Infuriated, the Captain grabbed the signal light and fired off, 'Alter course, I am a battleship.' The reply came back, 'Alter your course, I am a lighthouse.'

"There are times when wisdom forces us to swallow our pride and submit to something greater and more powerful than ourselves. And that is exactly what faith demands."

May God Alter our Course! For Faithfulness.

Application:

Do You Place Your Trust In The Lord

Tit 2:13-14 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. NKJV

Eph 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace NKJV