In the sermon titled “Ruth’s Request” based on Ruth 3, we explored the profound themes of grace, redemption, and security in Christ, with each character representing critical elements of our spiritual journey. Grace, as shown in the life of Ruth, is a challenging concept for many to grasp, as it is an undeserved, unmerited favor that cannot be earned or purchased. In Ruth 2, Ruth sought to work for her survival, hoping to find favor in someone’s eyes. When Boaz, a picture of Christ, noticed Ruth, he blessed her not because of her hard work but because she sought refuge under God’s wings. Boaz’s favor upon Ruth exemplified God’s grace, which gives us blessings we do not deserve and could never earn.

As the story unfolds, Naomi, who is a type of the Holy Spirit, seeks true security for Ruth, something beyond her hard labor. In Ruth 3:1, Naomi expresses her desire to find rest and security for Ruth, teaching us that real security does not come from works. Much like the futility of relying on our weekly wages, there is no eternal security in relying on good works for salvation. The Holy Spirit points us to Christ, our only true source of rest. Naomi recognized that Ruth’s hard work could not sustain her, just as our efforts cannot secure our salvation.

In those days, a woman’s security came from her husband, who served as the priest, provider, and protector. Ruth had no one to provide for or protect her, which led Naomi to instruct Ruth to seek out Boaz, her kinsman-redeemer. According to the Levitical law, Boaz, being a close relative, had the responsibility to marry Ruth and provide for her deceased husband’s family, ensuring that his name was carried on in the Promised Land. Similarly, Jesus became our “close relative” by taking on human form, ensuring our eternal inheritance as our Kinsman-Redeemer.

The imagery of the threshing floor, where Boaz was winnowing barley, symbolizes God’s purification process. Just as grain is separated from the chaff, God purifies His people through trials and struggles, refining us to remove sin and imperfections. Though the process of being separated from sin may be painful, it is essential for our spiritual growth. In Ruth 3:3, Naomi’s instruction for Ruth to wash, anoint herself, and put on her best garment symbolizes the process of repentance. Naomi knew that for Ruth to be redeemed, she needed to be cleansed, just as salvation begins with repentance. In our spiritual walk, we must first acknowledge that we are sinners in need of cleansing.

Naomi’s command to Ruth to lie down at Boaz’s feet was not a romantic gesture but rather a request for protection and redemption. Ruth asked Boaz to take her under his wings, a symbolic act of requesting his protection and provision as her kinsman-redeemer. In the same way, Jesus, who laid down His life and rose again, invites us to seek refuge and redemption in Him. Boaz, recognizing Ruth’s virtuous character, agreed to fulfill his duty as a kinsman-redeemer but acknowledged that there was another relative closer than him who had the first right. This echoes how the Jews in Jesus’ time understood the law of the kinsman-redeemer. Boaz’s willingness to redeem Ruth, if the closer relative would not, parallels Jesus’ willingness to step in and redeem us when no one else could.

As the chapter concludes, we see the incredible kindness of Boaz, who sent Ruth back to Naomi with six measures of barley, a reminder of his promise to complete his duty. This unfinished number, six, points to the seventh day of rest when God completed His work. Boaz promised not to rest until he had fulfilled his obligation to Ruth, just as Jesus will not rest until His work in our lives is complete. This moment foreshadows the ultimate redemption we have in Christ, who, having risen from the grave, ensures our eternal rest.

This sermon, delivered by Pastor Allen Victor at Calvary Chapel West Jacksonville, emphasizes the parallels between the story of Ruth and our own journey toward redemption. Just as Ruth placed her trust in Boaz, we are invited to place our faith in Jesus, our Kinsman-Redeemer, who promises to complete the work He has begun in us. The transformative power of Christ is evident in Ruth’s life, and it is a testament to the power of the Gospel that we are new creations in Christ.

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