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Handfuls of Purpose

Ruth 2:1-23

INTRODUCTION: This passage is commonly used to demonstrate a type or picture of the love of Christ toward man. However, in reality, it is the story of a man who showed kindness and favour to a complete stranger. As such, it offers a great example to us of how we ought to minister to those who are strangers not only to us, but to Christ.

I. THE PROSPERITY OF BOAZ (Ruth 2:1, 3)

A. His Might (Ruth 2:1)

1. Boaz was not necessarily mighty in the sense of military strength.
2. Instead, he was mighty in that he was a man of influence and opportunity.

B. His Wealth (Ruth 2:1, 3)

1. Boaz was a man wealth (Ruth 2:1).
2. He was the owner of at least a portion of a larger field (Ruth 2:3).

II. THE NEED OF RUTH (Ruth 1:21; Ruth 2:2-3)

A. Her Emptiness (Ruth 1:21)

1. It is not known what kind of family or privilege from which Ruth came.
2. All that is known is that when Naomi returned to Bethlehem, she said, “the LORD hath brought me home again empty” (Ruth 1:21).

B. Her Work (Ruth 2:2)

1. Naomi was likely unable to work to provide for her and Ruth.
2. Ruth sought the opportunity to glean from a local field (Ruth 2:2).

III. THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD (Ruth 2:3-16)

A. The Hap of Ruth (Ruth 2:3)

1. She came upon a part of the field belonging unto Boaz.
2. He was of the kindred of Elimelech.

B. The Attention of Boaz (Ruth 2:4-7)

1. Boaz came to check on the reapers (Ruth 2:4).
2. Boaz took note of Ruth (Ruth 2:5-7).

C. The Grace of Boaz (Ruth 2:8-9)

1. Boaz charged Ruth to glean only in his field (Ruth 2:8).
2. Boaz charged the young men to leave her alone (Ruth 2:9).

D. The Gratefulness of Ruth (Ruth 2:10-14)

1. Her humility (Ruth 2:10, 13)
2. Her reward (Ruth 2:11-12)
3. Her satisfaction (Ruth 2:14)

E. The Favour of Boaz (Ruth 2:15-16)

1. His request to let Ruth glean among the sheaves (Ruth 2:15)
2. His command to let fall some handfuls of purpose for her (Ruth 2:16); Note: This was above and beyond the law of harvesting (Leviticus 19:9-10).

IV. THE WITNESS OF NAOMI AND RUTH (Ruth 2:17-20)

A. The Gleanings of Ruth (Ruth 2:17-18)

B. The Testimony of Naomi (Ruth 2:19-20)

1. Her surprise with the gleanings (Ruth 2:19)
2. Her understanding of the favour received (Ruth 2:19)
3. Her understanding of God’s involvement (Ruth 2:20)

CONCLUSION: We have reduced outreach to a sales pitch that must be given and accepted in a matter of minutes. In doing so, we are asking strangers to put total faith in our words without demonstrating the least act of love for their soul. I would that God would move on our hearts to instead look for opportunities to demonstrate God’s goodness and love through our acts of kindness. This is not to suggest lifestyle evangelism, but that our evangelism by mouth should follow our handfuls of purpose.

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