After her husband and sons died, Naomi decided to return to her homeland. One daughter-in-law stayed in Moab but Ruth chose to go with Naomi. Naomi encouraged Ruth to glean grain in the fields of their kinsman Boaz, who showed Ruth kindness. Naomi told Ruth to visit Boaz at night and ask him to be her kinsman, which Ruth did. Boaz agreed to help Ruth if another kinsman did not take responsibility for her first.

1. After her husband and her two sons died in Moab, Naomi decided to return to the Promised Land. One of her daughters-in-law remained in Moab with her family. But Ruth chose to go with Naomi. www.rossvillechurch.com

2. Ruth 1 15-17 And she (Naomi) said, Behold, thy sister-in-law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister-in-law. And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

3. Ruth and Naomi were widows and very poor . Ruth went out to request the right to glean behind the harvesters of grain. Boaz was very gracious and generous to Ruth, and she told Naomi all about it. Naomi told Ruth to continue to glean behind the harvesters in Boaz's fields , and she worked there throughout harvest time . By the Grace of God , she went to a field belonging to a near kinsman of her husband,

4. Ruth 3 1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? "It's time for me to find you a husband who will care for you and provide for you." 2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley tonight in the threshing-floor. Winnow = to separate the grain from the chaff.

5. It was a public threshing floor, used by everyone. Boaz would be using it that night .

6. 3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. 4 And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.

7. Boaz had only seen Ruth in her work clothes, no doubt hot and sweaty. Now he would see her at her best. It is Wisdom to put our best foot forward in any venture.

8. Put your best foot forward. Get prepared.

9. 5 And Ruth said unto Naomi , All that thou sayest unto me I will do. 6 And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother-in-law bade her. Proverbs 11 2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. To Obey.

10. 7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. Ecclesiastes 7 8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

11. Ruth lay down at his feet, not by his side. To lie down by his side would have been an invitation to immorality . To lie down at his feet was a request for protection and provision as his wife . How we do things makes a big difference in how it may be received . Make every word and deed an act of love, joy, peace, and humility and righteousness , as Ruth did.

12. 8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. 9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.

13. 10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. Apparently there was a significant age difference between Boaz and Ruth. He was happy that she had chosen him.

14. 12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. 13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the Lord liveth: lie down until the morning.

15. Most young women would rather choose a young, good-looking, exciting man to pursue. Ruth took the advice of her Mother-in-law, and chose a man of God who would care for her. Hold to the good. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Character will last a lifetime and beyond. Looks fade in a short while.

16. 14 And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor. 15 Also he said, Bring the veil that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city. BKC says a measure is about 10 pounds. She carried 60 pounds of barley back to town.

17. 16 And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her. 17 And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law. 18 Then said she, Sit still , my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day. Ruth had done what she could, now she had to be patient and trust the Lord for the outcome.

18. When we have done what we can, Wait patiently on the Lord for the good outcome. He knows what is best for us. He has the power to bring it to pass.

19. Men's Fellowship and Meeting November 20 at 8:00 AM September 26, 2010 Pure Heart Music Ministry November 7 at 6 PM www.rossvillechurch.com