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Text: Ruth 2:18-23
Ruth made the right decision in chapter 1 to go with Naomi back to Bethlehem. Ruth has faithfully taken care of Naomi for one or two months now. Ruth has worked until the end, she has not grown weary in well-doing. Why keep going? Why keep serving? Why keep coming to church? Why stay faithful?
Because it makes provision for the present time (vs 18)
- Ruth brings home so much food that Naomi is awestruck. She knows whoever made this provision for them is exceedingly great and merciful.
- Titus 3:8, 14
- You may say my life is full of trouble right now and that may be true. But you know ever since you trusted Jesus Christ and sought after the righteousness of God your life has been better. You have blessings right now that you never would’ve had if you weren’t seeking first the kingdom of God.
Because it is an encouragement to others (vs 19)
- Naomi is so encouraged by Ruth’s help and how things are working out. Naomi’s encouragement is a direct result of Ruth’s faithfulness. And specifically, Ruth’s faithfulness took hold of Boaz’s gracious help.
- Hebrews 10:23-25
Because it opens doors to opportunity (vs 20)
- Naomi sees another bright light of opportunity in this. Kind of like hard work begets “luck” and doing right begets more opportunity.
- Galatians 6:9-10
Because the kinsman knows what he’s talking about (vs 21)
- Boaz instructs Ruth to stay in his field. Don’t you think Boaz has some understanding that Ruth is not yet privy to? Don’t you know Boaz has taken care of loose ends that Ruth is not even yet aware of? That’s why he says what he does.
- Ephesians 2:10
- And that’s why Jesus Christ says what he says. Don’t you think behind the instructions there is some understanding that you and I don’t quite have? And we’d do better to just listen to the kinsman and obey his command.
Because the alternative to doing good is doing evil (vs 22)
- Naomi says this is good advice, Ruth. Please do this.
- Sometimes the question to ask is what is the alternative? If I don’t do good, then what am I doing?
- Romans 12:17-21 shows what victory looks like. If I can’t walk in victory then I walk in defeat. If I can’t do good then I’ll do evil. The point is, what’s the alternative? You say I don’t want to love them, so do you want to live in anger against them? Is that your choice?
Because endurance through the toil is only temporary (vs 23)
- Ruth works hard and stays faithful to her newfound responsibilities for probably two months worth of work. And in that time she will secure a lifetime’s worth of future.
- She kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end…
- The struggle is temporary, the reward is everlasting.
Maybe the better question is why NOT keep going? (vs 23)
- What does Ruth stand to lose if she abandons Boaz’s field? The world is framed in such a way as to hide the benefits of well-doing.
- Everyone faces reasons to quit on the LORD. I’ve known people who got mad at a pastor and gave up on church altogether. The question that should’ve been asked before that happened was, if I make this decision to hate this person, where will that put my family and me? The question may not be why keep going, but is there any compelling reason to quit and forsake these blessings? And will that reason be worth it in three months? Will my hatred of this person be worth bitterness in my children?
- The better question is why NOT keep going.
