“ Un Under der Wi Wing ngs s of of Love ove ” “The LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.” Ruth 2:12 A. This is how Boaz describes Ruth’s faith . B. Ruth’s trust was in the “LORD” = “Yahweh” = “covenant -keeping, ever-living One” C. Ruth’s trust was in the “God of Israel” = “the one true God” D. “Seek refuge” is a synonym for “trust.” “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.” Psalm 118:8-9 “And he will say, ‘Where are their gods, the rock in which they sought refuge?’ Let them rise up and help you, let them be your hiding place! See now, that I, I am He, and there is no god besides me.” Deuteronomy 32:37-39 “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my savior, You save me from violence. I call upon the LORD who is worthy to be praised. ” 2 Samuel 22:3-4 It is abandonment to God for mercy, salvation, deliverance, hope, and life. Psalm 2:12; 5:12; 7:1; 16:1; 17:7; 18:3, 31; 25:20; 34:22; 37:40; Nahum 1:7; Zephaniah 3:12 E. The LORD’s “wings of protection” is meant to take the reader back to Deuteronomy 32:11 , “Lik e an eagle that stirs up its nest, that hovers over its young, He spread His wings and caught them, He carried them on His pinions.” See also Psalm 17:8; 36:7; 57:1; 61:4; 63:7; 91:4 .
F. We should also remember our Lord’s words in Matthew 22:37 , “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” “Taste and see that the LORD is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” Psalm 34:8 G. Boaz recognized Ruth’s great faith; it caused him to take notice of her. Her complete hope and trust was in the LORD God; not in food, not in wealth, not in a man (another person). Scripture indicates that we come from a long line of incorrigible idolaters. Long ago it was Baal, but Baal was never the favorite idol. The true favorites have always been: money and people . And why do we choose these idols? Because we think they can ______________ . We want: admiration, respect, love, honor , influence, kindness, success… We need people to give us what we want. We live based on others’ standards, opinions, expectations. We make gods out of other people and out of things. We fight to keep from becoming enslaved to them. We try to get what we want by appeasing: giving them/it what it wants. The fine print on this arrangement promises: 1. Other people/things will never ______________. You will never measure up to the standard. You will never get enough of what you want. 2. You will become a _____________ to whatever you ______________. H. Ruth trusted in God, and God gave her ______________: privilege, though undeserved (2:15), purposed blessing (2:16), and plenty (2:17). I. Naomi experiences a total turnaround from despair to praise in 2:18-23.
“Under Wings of Love” Ruth 2
“Hope is Risky” Proverbs 13:12; 4:23 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” “Guard your heart; from it flow the issues of life.”
Th The Bo e Book ok of of Ru Ruth th Cen entr tral al Cha harac racter ter is is th the LO e LORD RD Emphasis is on God’s Providence The Th e Po Poin int t is is Tru Trusti ting ng Go God in d in all th the e UPS PS and nd all th the e dow owns of of lif ife
“Wings of Love” “Total abandonment to God for mercy, salvation, deliverance, hope, and life.”
“Trust Busters” We think other things can satisfy . They will never satisfy . We become a slave to what we trust .
Lessons to Learn See God’s sovereignty with eyes of faith, not eyes of bitterness. We must live with conviction that God is good, and in control, and we can trust Him.
Lessons to Learn Are we like Boaz, filled with God’s compassion and concern for others? Or are we consumed with our own lives, own projects, families, and groups?
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