HOPE

We sit in a world of almost hopelessness. Something happened in the last fifty years that killed the dream and dare in the hearts of young people. We blame our situations on the world around us, and we give no hope to those with a difficult path. Some people do have a more difficult path, but no path is impossible. In reading about Ruth, I find those ideals repulsive.

Ruth 2:1 “AND Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.”

First, notice that Ruth was as far from acceptable to her society as a girl could be. Her race labeled her as a Moabite dog. She followed her mother-in-law to Israel, and in so doing, she walked into a very difficult world. Most of us know how God led her, and she ended up married to the great grandfather of King David; therefore, I happen to believe that you and God can do anything and overcome any obstacle. ?
Notice our text for today:
Ruth 2:1 “AND Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz."

According to God, Boaz was a mighty man of wealth. Who is this Boaz, and why would he care about Ruth? In fact, Ruth asked that question as well.

Ruth 2:10 “Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?”

The end of the book tells us he is the son of Rahab the harlot. That is reason enough for compassion on a stranger.

Compare the verse in the book of Matthew with the verses in the book of Ruth and the family relationships.
Matthew 1:5 “And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;"
Ruth 4:21 “And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,”
vs. 22 “And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.”

Picture this story: a harlot escaped death in Jericho as the walls came down. She was not allowed inside the camp of Israel, yet she married an Israelite man. Joshua and the people conquered city after city, and this Canaanite lady tagged along. (I would assume that she was viewed with suspicion.) She gave birth to a child, and that child was half Jew and half Canaanite. (The same people Joshua and Israel were killing in masses, yet she and her family were among the travelers near the Promised Land.) Other relatives of Rahab existed, but she married into the family of Israel. Her half-breed son grew up in a new world. Considering the history of humanity, we could probably say that he had a few things against him. I assume Jewish boys and men gave him a bad time. Similar to the Japanese people after Pearl Harbor, it is logical to think that patriots had a problem with this mother and her boy. Yet, his lot was to grow up in a difficult world.

The Bible says nothing about this young man during his youth. The next instance that we read about him, he has become a mighty man of wealth.

Ruth 2:1 “AND Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.”

The book of Matthew tells that Boaz and Ruth gave birth to a son who was in the lineage of Christ.

Matthew 1:5 “And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;”

My one thought is this: with God’s help, anyone can make it; anyone can have a life of worth and significance. Yes, burdens exist and yes, there is injustice; but yes, there is a living God Who has a plan for every life that is surrendered to Him.

In a few short years, this mixed up youth was rich, mighty, and had not lost his compassion for the stranger. He saw Ruth and her mother-in-law and, in compassion, remembered his upbringing and the treatment his mother received as a Gentile – he was kind to them. Sometimes our suffering makes us hard, but not this man; he stayed thoughtful and caring for those who hurt as he had hurt. No doubt, he used his own difficult past to launch himself into a life of compassion and love; and as such, he married Ruth and carried out the divine plan of God.

Little reason exists for pouting and giving up. There is no value in hopelessness. To act as if the world is against us is self-centered and foolish. This world has been hard on many people, and many people have gone on and made a life for themselves. If life becomes difficult, then do that which is difficult. Somehow, Boaz made his life into something.

Boaz made a life; likewise, Ruth found a path to follow in which God was involved. Through divine mercy, both of them succeeded. To bring up young people to act as though they have no hope is evil. Our God is a God of all hope, compassion, and love. We ought to always point young people to the Lord and to hope, not to a depressed, hopeless life.

Pastor