A Faith That Waits
Sunday, July 19, 2026
Pastor Jojo Ma
Weekly Bulletin | Song Lyrics | Nicene Creed
Ruth 3
Chapter 1 is the “Weeping” chapter
Chapter 2 is the “Working” chapter
Chapter 3 is the “Waiting” chapter
“Widowed Moabitess seeks hardworking man of character for long walks in the barley fields and quiet evenings by the fire. Must want children, and preferably with my deceased husband’s last name.”
3 Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do. 5 And she replied, “All that you say I will do.”
8 At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet! 9 He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”
1 My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?
John Piper: “Why not a conversation with Boaz instead of this highly suggestive and risky midnight maneuver? Was Naomi indifferent to the possibility that Boaz might drive Ruth away in moral indignation, or that he might give in to the temptation to have sexual relations with her? Did Naomi want that to happen? Or was Naomi so sure of Boaz and Ruth that she knew they would treat each other with perfect purity – that Boaz would be deeply moved by this outright offer of Ruth in marriage and would avoid sexual relations until all was duly solemnized by the city elders?
4 But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.
9 I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.
“You are my kinsman redeemer. You, Boaz, are the one who can redeem our inheritance and our family name from being lost. I ask that you fill that role for me. I want to be your wife.”
I want to suggest that this isn’t a raunchy romance; rather, it’s a righteous romance.
Ezek 16:8 When I passed by you again and saw you, behold, you were at the age for love, and I spread the corner of My garment over you and covered your nakedness; I made My vow to you and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Lord GOD, and you became Mine.
“Boaz, pledge your faithfulness to me, make a marriage covenant with me. And redeem me.”
Ruth 2:12 The LORD repay you for what you have done [for her hard work and her love for Naomi], and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!
10 And he said, “May you be blessed by the LORD, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman.”
“Ruth, because you take refuge under the wings of the one true God, you are the kind of woman I want to cover with my wings. I do want to marry you and protect you and provide for you.”
12 And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. 13 Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the LORD lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.
1. Do you have a faith that risks?
Where is God calling you to step out in faith and take risks?
2. Do you have a faith that waits?
What are some things you want or have been asking the Lord for, but He hasn’t given them to you?
Are you willing to wait in faith, willing to trust the Lord for His timing and plans? Are you content in Christ?
3. Do you celebrate real heroes?
In the Bible, and in the book of Ruth specifically, we have heroes in Boaz and Ruth. I say this because their character is awe-inspiring.
These are the heroes we should honor and remember and teach to our kids. These men and women knew that earthly glory comes and goes, but the glory of God is forever.
4. Do you honor the women in your life, especially your wife and mother?
11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman.
Literal rendering of v11 “…all the gate of my people knows that you are a woman of worth.”
5. Do you have the Redeemer?
12 And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I.