The Hand of Kindness

Ruth 2:17-23

Introduction

Have you ever experienced a moment when someone extended a hand of kindness to you?

Help that was completely unmerited and unexpected?

And at a time when you desperately needed it?

Today, we will witness the remarkable hand of kindness extended to Ruth

A kindness that not only provides for her immediate needs

But also introduces us to a profound biblical concept

The kinsman-redeemer

This is a concept that beautifully foreshadows

The ultimate redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Abundant Provision of God's Kindness (Ruth 2:17)

Ruth's diligent work: She gleaned "until evening"

and beat out what she had gathered

This amounted to "about an ephah of barley."

An ephah was a significant amount – approximately 3/5 of a bushel, or about 22 litres

This is enough for several days' sustenance for two people – Her and Naomi

This wasn't just a few scraps

It was a substantial provision, far exceeding what one might expect from gleaning

We can therefore put together that this is linked to Boaz’s generosity and compassion

And we link this to God’s provision over us – the Grace provided through Christ

Linking back to His covenant to us – humanity

While Boaz's kindness is evident,

We can also see how God orchestrates circumstances

like a Master Chess player behind the scenes,

moving hearts to provide for His people

A me know – we can testify – to His miraculous timing and abundance in our own life

Image of an overflowing cup

Imagine a cup that you expect to be half-empty,

But someone keeps pouring until it overflows

Ruth expected scarcity but found abundance!

Link this to the Manna provided by God to the Israelites in the Wilderness

This shows God's daily, abundant provision in a barren land.

These images – these stories of God working behind the scenes,

to care and provide for His people

               Just allow us to step into a place of trust

To Trust in God's Provision

To trust that God cares for our daily needs,

even when circumstances seem bleak.

We are to look for and acknowledge God's hand in our daily provisions

               We are stewards of all that He gifts to us

We must cultivate a spirit of gratitude for even the smallest blessings,

recognising that they come from God

The Continuing Favour of a Gracious Giver

Now we see Ruth bring her generous gleanings and some roasted grain home

And Naomi is astonished

"Where have you gleaned today? And where have you worked?"

This underlines the unusual abundance of the produce she has

Ruth excitedly tells Naomi, "The name of the man with whom I worked today is Boaz."

This is a pivotal moment where Naomi learns who has been so kind

Naomi's blessing and recognition of Boaz's character comes through here

Naomi's immediate response is a blessing:

"Blessed be he by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living and the dead!"

This reveals Naomi's deep understanding of Boaz's character

and God's faithfulness through him.

Do we have a friend that we look upon as a consistent friend in our life?

Think of a consistently kind friend,

not just in a one-off gesture but in an ongoing, reliable way

This is what Boaz is demonstrating here!

He’s like a steady light in the darkness

A lighthouse that continuously shines its light,

guiding ships to safety,

This is Boaz's reliable goodness

Here’s a challenge to us...

Can we be a reliable friend – full of consistency and goodness – into another life?

A Giver of consistent kindness to those around us?

Brothers and sisters – are we a people – God’s Holy people

who extend kindness – not just once –

But habitually and consistently?

Do we reflect Boaz?

Do we reflect God's own character, just as Boaz did?

We need to practice blessing others

And when we do receive grace – we are to verbally recognise the good deeds

Boaz shows us what it is to have a good name

One that is built on integrity and kindness

It’s priceless, yet it should be what we, as Christ followers, are known for!

Integrity

and kindness!

The Unveiling of the Kinsman-Redeemer

Naomi declares, "The man is a close relative of ours, one of our kinsman-redeemers."

Now – this is a key moment in the story...

This is the first explicit mention of the “go'el”

The Hebrew for kinsman-redeemer

The “go'el” / Kinsman-redeemer was a specific role in ancient Israelite law

Check out Leviticus 25, Numbers 35, Deuteronomy 25.

He is the closest male relative

Who had the right and responsibility to act on behalf of a distressed family member

These responsibilities included:

Redeeming the land: (Leviticus 25:25)

Buy back family land that had been sold due to poverty

Redeeming slaves (Leviticus 25:47-49)

Buy back family members who had sold themselves into slavery

Avenge blood: (Numbers 35:19-21)

Act as an avenger of blood in cases of murder

Raise Up Descendants: (Deuteronomy 25:5-10)

Marry a deceased brother's widow to raise up an heir

In order to be a kinsman-redeemer, they must be

Be a relative: Must be a blood relative

Be willing: Must be willing to perform the duty

Be able: Must be able to pay the price

As a result of the protection and provision provided to Ruth

Ruth continues gleaning in safety

Boaz's instruction to Ruth (via Naomi) is to stay with his young women

and glean in his field until the end of the harvest provides

Therefore, providing continued protection and provision.

This is the core of the point for today...

Jesus, through the incarnation, became truly human,

our "kinsman" (Hebrews 2:14-17)

He shared our humanity

Jesus was willing

He willingly laid down His life (John 10:18)

Jesus was able

Only He, being God and sinless,

was able to pay the ultimate price for our redemption (1 Peter 1:18-19)

Jesus Christ – Truly God – poured Himself out, humbling Himself

               To redeem us

To redeem us from sin, death, the curse of the law, spiritual slavery and darkness

He buys us back!

The “go'el” was a legal and social role with specific requirements

It was a legal document/contract – what does that sound like?

               That’s right – A covenant

A legal contract requires specific parties and conditions to be met

In order for the agreement to be valid

Think of it as a rescue mission

A special forces team sent on a rescue mission

They must be related to the mission – from the same country

They must be willing to undertake the risk,

They must be capable of overcoming the obstacles

We are to engage with this text as a story – of Ruth

               Plunged into her circumstances

Her poverty

A story of Boaz as the kinsman redeemer – who is

Of blood

Is willing

And is able

to pay the price

We are to look at this story and grasp the profound truth of our redemption in Christ

We were lost, enslaved, and without hope,

But Christ,

our Kinsman-Redeemer,

paid the price!

Able now to live in freedom

               As the redeemed

                              no longer slaves to sin,

But free to serve God

This is incredible

This is the Good News –

We should tell someone about it –

We should tell everyone about it!

Jesus is the ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer

If you are lost – He can still rescue you!

Wrap up

The hand of kindness extended to Ruth was not just a fortunate accident,

But God's sovereign plan unfolding,

It showcased His faithfulness and set the stage for the ultimate Redeemer

Now is the opportunity for those who have not yet accepted

Christ as their Kinsman-Redeemer to do so