Trusting God's Timing: A Journey of Redemption

 

Summary

The story of Ruth and Boaz is more than a tale of romance; it’s a living picture of God’s redeeming love and the wisdom found in trusting His timing. Ruth’s approach to Boaz is marked by humility, courage, and a deep understanding of covenant love. When she asks Boaz to “take her under his wing,” she’s not just seeking protection—she’s seeking a relationship rooted in faithfulness and redemption, echoing the language God uses in Ezekiel to describe His own covenant with His people. This act is a reminder that God covers our brokenness, not with shame, but with His own righteousness and love.

The concept of the kinsman-redeemer, so central in Ruth, is a powerful metaphor for Christ’s work in our lives. No matter our background or how far we feel from God’s family, we are invited to come to our Redeemer, who calls us by name and welcomes us in. Ruth’s reputation for virtue and loyalty stands in stark contrast to the world’s confusion about relationships. Her story challenges us to examine our own lives—where we go, who we spend time with, and what we’re truly seeking in our relationships.

Patience and trust are woven throughout this narrative. Ruth and Boaz both wait on God’s timing, refusing to rush ahead or compromise their integrity. Naomi’s advice to “sit still” is a call to trust that God is working, even when we can’t see the outcome. This waiting is not passive; it’s an active faith that God will finish what He has started. The story also reminds us that God’s sovereignty doesn’t eliminate our responsibility—wise action and faith go hand in hand.

God’s redemption is not just for Ruth, but for Naomi as well. He turns bitterness into sweetness, loss into provision, and uncertainty into hope. The challenge is to identify areas in our own lives where we need to take a bold step of faith, to pray for courage, and to trust God’s process. Whether single, married, or somewhere in between, the call is the same: seek God, wait on His timing, and be willing to act when He leads. In doing so, we become participants in the ongoing story of redemption, both receiving and sharing the love that transforms.

Key Takeaways

- Redemption Is for Everyone, Regardless of Background
The story of Ruth, a Moabite outsider, shows that God’s redeeming love is not limited by our heritage or past. No matter how far we feel from God or how unworthy we may think we are, Christ, our ultimate Redeemer, calls us by name and invites us into His family. This truth dismantles the lie that only the “qualified” can be redeemed and reminds us that grace is always available to the humble and seeking heart. [22:54]

- Virtue and Reputation Matter in Relationships
Ruth’s reputation for loyalty and virtue set her apart and prepared the way for God’s blessing in her life. Where we go and who we associate with speaks volumes about our character and intentions. In a world that often confuses lust for love, the call is to pursue relationships marked by integrity, patience, and faithfulness, trusting that God honors those who honor Him. [25:02]

- God’s Timing Requires Active Waiting and Trust
Naomi’s counsel to “sit still” is not a call to passivity, but to a deep trust in God’s process. Often, we are tempted to rush ahead or manipulate outcomes, but true faith waits for God to move, believing that He is always working behind the scenes. Revelation and breakthrough often come only after we have learned to wait and trust, even when circumstances seem uncertain. [37:53]

- God’s Sovereignty and Our Responsibility Work Together
The journey of Ruth and Boaz illustrates that while God is sovereign, He also calls us to take wise, faith-filled steps. Naomi’s practical advice and Ruth’s bold action show that faith is not opposed to wisdom; rather, they complement each other. We are called to pray, seek counsel, and act with integrity, trusting that God will guide and provide as we move forward. [45:35]

- Bold Steps of Faith Begin with Prayerful Discernment
Taking a step of faith doesn’t mean acting impulsively or without discernment. It begins with honest prayer, asking God for courage and clarity, and being willing to wait for His answer—even if it’s “not yet.” Sometimes the boldest move is simply to obey the gentle prompting of the Spirit, whether that’s inviting someone to church, reaching out to a neighbor, or making a difficult decision. [46:26]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[18:07] - Approaching Others with Wisdom
[19:33] - Ruth’s Petition and Covenant Love
[21:51] - The Kinsman Redeemer Explained
[23:34] - Ruth’s Virtue and Reputation
[25:48] - Patience and Purity in Relationships
[27:42] - Loving Through Difficult Marriages
[30:28] - Boaz’s Integrity and Response
[32:35] - Protection and Provision
[34:22] - Naomi’s Encouragement to Wait
[36:06] - Trusting God’s Timing
[40:12] - The Cost of Impatience
[42:39] - Faith and Waiting for God’s Best
[44:40] - God Redeems What Is Broken
[46:26] - Faith Step Challenge
[52:35] - The Love Story Is for You
[52:54] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Ruth & Redemption

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### Bible Reading

- Ruth 3 (entire chapter, focus on Ruth’s approach to Boaz, Boaz’s response, and Naomi’s counsel)
- Ezekiel 16:8-9 (“I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness…”)
- Leviticus 25:25 (Law of the kinsman-redeemer)

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### Observation Questions

1. In Ruth 3, what specific actions does Ruth take when she approaches Boaz, and how does Boaz respond to her request?
2. According to Ezekiel 16:8-9, what does it mean when God says He “spread the corner of His garment” over someone? How does this connect to Ruth’s request to Boaz?
3. What is the role of the kinsman-redeemer as described in Leviticus 25:25, and how is this role reflected in Boaz’s actions toward Ruth?
4. The sermon mentions that Ruth’s reputation for virtue and loyalty was well-known in the community. What evidence do we see of this in the text? [[23:53]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon describes Ruth’s approach to Boaz as an act of humility, courage, and faith. Why might these qualities have been important in her situation, and how do they reflect her understanding of God’s covenant love? [[19:33]]
2. The concept of the kinsman-redeemer is presented as a metaphor for Christ’s work in our lives. In what ways does Boaz’s role foreshadow the redemption offered by Jesus? [[22:54]]
3. Naomi tells Ruth to “sit still” and wait for Boaz to act. What does this teach us about the balance between taking action and trusting God’s timing? [[34:56]]
4. The sermon points out that God’s redemption is not just for Ruth, but also for Naomi. What does this suggest about the reach of God’s grace, especially for those who feel bitter or hopeless? [[44:40]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “Redemption is for everyone, regardless of background.” Is there an area of your life where you feel like an outsider or unworthy of God’s love? How does the story of Ruth challenge that feeling? [[22:54]]
2. Ruth’s reputation for virtue and loyalty set her apart. What are some practical ways you can build a reputation for integrity and faithfulness in your relationships, whether you’re single, married, or somewhere in between? [[25:02]]
3. Naomi’s advice to “sit still” is described as active waiting, not passivity. Can you think of a situation right now where you’re tempted to rush ahead? What would it look like to trust God’s timing instead? [[37:53]]
4. The sermon highlights that God’s sovereignty and our responsibility work together. How do you discern when it’s time to wait and when it’s time to take a bold step of faith? [[45:35]]
5. The “faith step challenge” asks you to identify one area where you need to take a bold step of faith and pray for courage. What is one specific area in your life where you sense God prompting you to act, and what’s holding you back? [[46:26]]
6. The pastor shared a story about struggling to invite a neighbor to church, even as a pastor. Is there someone in your life you feel nudged to reach out to, but you’ve hesitated? What’s one small step you could take this week? [[49:22]]
7. God turned Naomi’s bitterness into hope and provision. Is there a place in your life where you need God to bring sweetness out of bitterness? How can your group pray for you in that area? [[44:40]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for courage to take bold steps of faith, for patience to trust God’s timing, and for hearts open to both receive and share God’s redeeming love.

Devotional

Day 1: God Covers Us with Covenant Love

The image of being taken under someone's wing is a powerful metaphor for both protection and covenant love. Just as Ruth asked Boaz to cover her with his garment, symbolizing a request for marriage and redemption, God Himself uses this language to describe His relationship with His people. He sees us in our brokenness, covers our shame, and enters into a loving covenant, washing us clean and making us His own. No matter how unworthy we may feel, God’s love is sufficient to cover and redeem us, inviting us into a relationship marked by grace and belonging. [20:31]

Ezekiel 16:8-9 (ESV)
“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. Then I bathed you with water and washed off your blood from you and anointed you with oil.”

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel exposed or unworthy, and how can you invite God to cover you with His love and grace today?


Day 2: Christ Is Our Ultimate Redeemer

The story of Ruth and Boaz is saturated with the language of redemption, pointing us to the greater reality of Christ as our Redeemer. Just as Boaz was willing to redeem Ruth, providing her with protection, provision, and a new identity, Jesus redeems us from our past, calling us by name and making us His own. No matter your background or how far you feel from God, you have a Redeemer who is willing to act on your behalf, restoring what is broken and giving you hope for the future. [22:54]

Leviticus 25:25 (ESV)
“If your brother becomes poor and sells part of his property, then his nearest redeemer shall come and redeem what his brother has sold.”

Reflection: What part of your past do you need to bring to Jesus, trusting Him to redeem and restore it?


Day 3: Waiting on God’s Timing

Patience is often the hardest part of faith, especially when we long for resolution or answers. Ruth’s story reminds us that God is always at work, even when we cannot see it. Like Ruth, who had to wait for Boaz to act, and like Abraham, who learned to trust God through waiting, we are called to trust the process of God’s timing. Impatience can lead us to take matters into our own hands, but true faith is found in waiting, praying, and believing that God will finish what He has started in us. [42:39]

Psalm 27:14 (ESV)
“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are struggling to wait on God, and how can you practice patience and trust in His timing this week?


Day 4: God Turns Bitterness into Blessing

Seasons of loss and bitterness can feel overwhelming, but God specializes in turning our sorrow into sweetness. Naomi and Ruth experienced deep pain, yet God’s provision and love brought hope and redemption, not just for Ruth but for Naomi as well. When we entrust our brokenness to God, He is able to bring beauty from ashes, using even our most difficult seasons for His glory and our good. [45:16]

Romans 8:28 (ESV)
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Reflection: Think of a bitter or difficult season in your life—how might God be working to bring blessing or growth from that experience?


Day 5: Take a Bold Step of Faith

Faith is not just about waiting; it’s also about acting when God calls. Sometimes, God invites us to take a bold step—whether it’s reaching out to someone, sharing our faith, or making a difficult decision. It’s normal to feel hesitant or to overthink, but God promises to give us the words and courage we need. Identify one area where you sense God prompting you to act, and pray for the boldness to take that step, trusting that He will guide and use you for His purposes. [46:26]

Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Reflection: What is one bold step of faith you sense God asking you to take this week, and how will you pray for courage to follow through?

Quotes

Ruth follows the advice. Boaz is startled, but she respectfully reveals not only who she is, but also her intentions. Boaz is not, I don't think, punch drunk or anything. It he's ate and drank. I think that he's literally most likely just sitting back, hands behind his neck, taking a nap, starting to go to sleep, or possibly just looking at the sky, thanking God for the harvest. And then all of a sudden, he feels something at his feet. And he realizes what's going on. And she makes the petition. would you take me under your wing? This is a metaphor not only for protection but also covenant love. [00:18:50]

By asking this thing, she's saying, "Will you take me under your spiritual wing? Will you put me into I want to be your wife? This is you're my redeemer." Ezekiel 16 and 8 and also verse 9, we see this terminology used again by God. 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. [00:19:52]

Then I bathed you with water and washed off your blood from you and anointed you with oil. It's a beautiful thing. We we he he's telling them that I cleaned you up. I saw you. A few verses before that, he talks about I I saw you when you were polluted in your own blood and I said to you, live. I brought life into you. And then not only that, I I brought you close. I passed by you again and I I saw you and I wanted to love you and I covered your nakedness. [00:20:31]

How does he cover our nakedness? By his blood. He washes away the blood of our blood, sweat, and tears of the world. But he covers us with his garments. See, I love this. Oh, he covers us with his robe. Boaz covers her. First though, we see this appeal to the kinsman redeemer. And if you can go to that slide for Levid Leviticus, sister, it's Leviticus 25:25. If your brother becomes poor and sells part of his property, then his nearest redeemer or goal shall come and redeem what his brother has sold. [00:21:17]

It's interesting that in the book of Ruth we see the words for redemption which is gula and redeem which is gal and redeemer goel appear over 20 times in this book. It's a message that is trying to get across to us that no matter how far you've gone and no matter if you feel like you're not of the right stock because you're a Moabitis, you weren't born into this thing. You're not 20th century or not 20th century, 20th generation apostolic. You you may be first or second generation apostolic Pentecostal today, but guess what? You have a redeemer that calls you by name and you can go to them and say, "Take me in." [00:22:40]

He commends Ruth for not only her loyalty, but her virtue. And Ruth's reputation shows what she is. That she is virtuous and loyal. That she isn't running around with any Moabitete men. She's not seeking out the rich or the poor. She's not going around camp, if you know what I mean. She is true. She's faithful. A lot of the times the world gets this all mixed up. They wonder why on earth we can't get it right. Why can't I get a good, you know, possible wife or possible husband? Why can't I, you know, I just don't have any luck in the dating game? [00:24:00]

And it's like, well, how are you dating? What is your reputation? I'm sorry to say, but where you go speaks of who you are, and who you linger with can also tell of who you are as well. You're not going to find a biblical spouse in the club, okay? You're not going to find a Christian. Now, you might find one that calls herself Christian, but you're not going to find a Proverbs 31 woman on the local dance floor or whatever. You have to sometimes be patient and wait. Sometimes you have to get yourself in check and allow yourself to be known as a decent person before God sends you a decent person. [00:24:55]

Too many times men and women they jump into relationships and honestly if you would go down to the root cause it's not love it's lust. it turns into, well, we couldn't keep our hands off of each other, so we thought we should tie the knot. We thought we should make this thing legal because otherwise we're going to mess up. And what happens most of the time, one winds up cheating in some way or another, whether through vile ways, as you know what I'm hinting at with technology, co-workers, whatever. [00:26:07]

There's the unequally yolked aspect to where the one person knows the truth, the other person knows nothing of it, and now it's trying to drag them into it. And it pushes them further away because you want them, you know, it's we want an instant Christian. And it's like, was an insta for you? How long did he have to work on you? Like now I'm talking postmarriage. Like it's probably not going to happen overnight. Hopefully it happens. But there's the chance that if you do it for the wrong reason that if it's lust and not love that I'm sorry honey, you're not Ruth and he's not Boaz. [00:26:44]

You may be in a situation like Ruth was before to where everything seems to die around you. But I don't want to leave it at that. That's why we look at this book. We look at this advice. We take it. If you're in a marriage that you struggle with, love them and love them in Christ. But most of all, love Christ. Because if if you truly love Christ, it's like, what is he saying? If you love Christ, your love is going to show to them. [00:27:42]

They put the decision before you. I'm sorry, honey. It's me or church. Yeah. You choose Christ because ultimately you love Christ. I've heard so many stories of battered and abused women that sadly their husband was an old drunk and would not allow them to attend and they would have to sneak out and then they would get made up for it when they got home. But I've also heard the stories that it happened a few times and then an angel showed up and told the husband what it was about and then the husband quit the abuse and sometimes started going to church. [00:28:23]

I can just give you the dating tips. They're good dating tips. You have to admit it. how I found Ruth. So he blessed or he said, "Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter." Goes through all this. You have shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning. And as much as thou followest not young men, whether poor or rich. And this gives us an insight on who Boaz is. Boaz, I think, liked her. I think Boaz had an eye for her. And I kind of wonder just how old the nearer kinsman was. [00:30:06]

He is willing to redeem her. He acts with integrity and love. He provides covering, protection, and provision. Who does that sound like? You know, I'm not going to give you a bad name, hun. I'm not gonna Nope. Nope. And actually, have you used up that 10 pounds I gave you the other day? Here, take some more. Bring me your veil. Like, Christ is our ultimate redeemer. He covers us spiritually and he redeems us from our past. That's something that we sometimes forget about. [00:33:11]

We call him redeemer because he redeems us now. But really, we need to remember the redeemer part when the devil's trying to speak, you're a moabitete. Nuh-uh. You've been redeemed. Verse 16, we see Naomi's encouragement to wait. 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. And she said, "These six measures of barley gave hee me, for he said to me, go not empty into thy mother-in-law." [00:34:00]

Then said she, this is Naomi speaking, "Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall." And I love this word because it is so true. For the man will not be in rest until he is finished the thing this day. It's like he knows you like him. You know he likes you. you know that he's going to do his best to redeem you. He's not going to give this a week. He's a man. And us men, we get impatient about stuff. [00:35:00]

Encouragement is found in this to trust the process of God's timing. Even when you know like we sing with even when it doesn't feel like it, he's working. Even if you don't see it, he's working. He never stops working. It's the truth. But we become impatient. Boaz is doing a lot. Boaz, we're going to talk about it next week and you're going to find out like some weird some weird ritualism. Taking his shoe off, trying to hand it to a guy. Like there's just odd stuff in the conclusion of this story. [00:37:07]

But he's up to something. God is up to something in your life. if you will allow him. I don't know what the situation would have looked like if Boaz would have been a lover struck teenager just knocking on Boaz's door. Have you talked to him yet? Honey, give me time. Like, hey, have you talked to him? Or God forbid, let me talk to him. That's what we do. All right, let me not throw us under the bus. That's what Abraham did. That's what I really think Jacob kind of did. [00:38:51]

We see that their dad lives longer than the mom that says, "Your dad's dying. You need to hurry up and steal the I mean, you need to hurry up and get this blessing." He's on his deathbed and then she croakkes roundabout to the tree frog. I just love how you do things. She croaks, he lives, but the family's never the same. And I just wonder what would have happened if maybe things would have went a little different. If maybe the will of God was, you know, that if they would have just waited it out, you know, maybe God could have done something. [00:39:37]

In fact, we see revelation doesn't come until you learn to wait. Ruth doesn't get redeemed until after she waits. Abraham, when he's finally to that testing there, his heart is ready to be given the command, hey, I need you to sacrifice your son. And by the way, he's your only son. Like like, yeah, you have that guy, but he's not the chosen one. This one's the one you were praying for. This is the one you've been waiting for. [00:40:42]

This is him. Are you willing to lay him on the table? Are you willing to kill him? And then he gives him a few days walking. I think I feel like it's at least two or three days of walking distance to think about it. And during this time, Abraham is literally undoing every mistake. When I didn't trust him before, this time I'm trusting him. But what if now I got to get the whatifs out of my mind. This is God. He spoke to me. He talked to me. He has a purpose for me. I have to just believe that he's going to work. [00:41:25]

Ruth waits. Ruth holds on. Be patient in your life. Be patient in your looking for love. Wait on the Lord. Pray. God can put the person in your life that he wants to. He did it for me. got saved in October. Sister Smith started attending in November. You know, she laid down at the end of my feed, I think around December 31st. I'm just kidding. But like I'm just saying like God can do crazy God things. [00:42:43]

If things seem a little wishy-washy, things just don't seem like they should. I'm still for the prayer and fasting. I'm still for the seeking God. And if everything's going great, guess what? I'm still for the prayer and fasting. And I'm still for the whole seeking God that it stays that way. Because at the end of the day, Boaz, at the end of the day, God, okay, he's on your side. Boaz will show up for Ruth. Spoiler. Boaz will marry Ruth. Spoiler. But she has to wait and allow God to move. [00:44:00]

God redeems what is broken. As I come to a close, Ruth and Naomi's losses are met with God's provision and love. Like, think about it. Naomi didn't have to be blessed. He could have just blessed Ruth. And if you have a little extra, give some to your mom-in-law, you know, like he did. But he goes above and beyond. He turns the bitterness to sweetness. Bitter seasons can become beautiful when they're entrusted to God. God uses practical steps in our journey of faith. [00:44:47]

God's sovereignty doesn't eliminate our responsibility. Naomi's advice shows the blend of wisdom and faith. I think you have good odds. Ruth, let's spruce your hair. Ruth 3 is a turning point from widowhood and uncertainty to hope and redemption. And it leads beautifully into the next chapter, the final redemption. So, I have a faith step challenge for you. I don't know if you did the whole journal thing, and I'm not going to ask you to raise your hand if you did. [00:45:35]

This week, identify one area where you need to take a bold step of faith and pray for courage to act on it. Doesn't mean you're going to. Okay, let's get that straight. It it may just be a prayer, a prayerful moment. And you may hear a wait. You may hear a not yet. You may feel just a it's not now. But it goes the opposite as well. But you won't know unless you pray. What is an area in your life that you need to work on? [00:46:26]

God, I keep feeling like I should pray with the waiter or waitress when I go here. I feel like there's a burden, but I'm just I just can't get myself to do it. Help me. Or God, I need to talk to this coworker. Would you help me? Or God, I need to make the decision on this situation. Would you help me? That's the faith challenge. Identify an area and don't just jump into it. Just don't make a bold move and don't just take any answer as the answer of God because at the end of the day, the devil can speak too. [00:51:22]

A lot of times we forget that. You know, there's been a lot of people that have heard the big choice of go. Yeah, I think the step is you need to go somewhere else. And it's like, yeah, I don't think that was God. You're the only one who could do that. and you're leaving. I just don't know. But you'll know that the still small voice of the Lord. That's your faith challenge this week. Go forth, make disciples, spread the good news, and remember this love story. It's just as much for Naomi as it is for Ruth. [00:52:00]

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Transcript
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