Liturgy Byford WA afternoon service 13th December 1998 [Holy Supper]
Votum
Salutation
Ps. 49: 1
Profession of Faith
Ps. 49: 2 and 4
Celebration Lord’s Supper
Ps. 31: 12 and 13
Scripture reading: Lev. 25: 23 - 28 / Hebr 9: 11 - 15
Ps. 31: 14 and 15
Thanksgiving
Collections
Ps. 71: 8, 11, 12 and 13
Scripture reading & text: Ruth 3
Ministry of God’s Word
Hymn 29: 1
Prayer
Hymn 29: 2
Benediction

Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ,

I’ve heard of a minister who has a rusty birdcage at his place. Once, he has explained how he had come by the cage. When he first saw it, it contained several miserable small birds. A boy of about 10 carried the cage. Curious, he asked the lad what he was going to do with the birds, which he had obviously trapped. ‘I’m going to play with them... have some fun with them,’ the boy responded. ‘But after that,’ the preacher persisted. ‘Oh, I have some cats at home, and they like birds,’ said the boy. Compassion tugged at the minister’s heart. He asked the boy what he would take for the birds. Surprised, the boy blurted: ‘Mister, you don’t want to buy these birds. They’re ugly... just field birds. They don’t even sing or anything. Nevertheless the pastor persisted. He soon struck a bargain with the boy for the birds and the cage. And at the first opportunity, the minister released the poor creatures.
Does this story not nicely illustrate the redemption through Christ? For Satan boasts that he had baited a trap and caught a world full of people. And if you would ask him, what he would do with them, he will answer: ‘I’m going to play with them, to have fun at their expense; to tease them, make them marry and divorce, and fight and kill each other. I’ll teach them to throw bombs at each other. And when I’m tired of playing with them, then he’ll condemn them.’ He will say: ‘They are not good anyway,’ he will add. Then Jesus came, paid the price, took the cage, and opened the door to set us free. The redemption which Christ alone can offer. The redemption we have seen and experienced at the Holy Supper table. The redemption which is foreshadowed in the story of Boaz as kinsman-redeemer. We hear about the redemption of Elimelech’s possessions. And in this way the LORD shows us that our Redeemer lives.
IN THE REDEMPTION OF ELIMELECH’S INHERITANCE
THE LORD SHOWS THAT OUR REDEEMER LIVES
1 Ruth seeks her redeemer;
2 Boaz is ready to be her redeemer;
3 Naomi receives proof of her redeemer.
IN THE REDEMPTION OF ELIMELECH’S INHERITANCE
THE LORD SHOWS THAT OUR REDEEMER LIVES
1 Ruth seeks her redeemer.

It is good to remember that the book of Ruth is not a romantic novel with a ‘lived-happily-ever-after’ ending. The main character of the book is not Ruth, nor Boaz, nor Naomi. The ‘main character’ of the book is - so to speak - Gód. The book of Ruth is about Hís deeds. We confess in Article 2 of the Belgic Confession that God ‘made Himself more clearly and fully known to us by His holy and divine Word as far as is necessary for us in this life, to His glory and our salvation.’ When we apply this to the book of Ruth we have to come to the conclusion that Gód reveals Himself in this book and that He reveals something about our salvation. And when we speak about God, we have to remember that He is the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
It is clear that They all work together. But we must also ‘observe the distinct offices and works of these three Persons towards us.’, we confess in art. 9 BC. This means that the Holy Spirit is our Sanctifier by His dwelling in our hearts. Think of the sermon of last week about Ruth 1: the barley harvest will be the sign that God will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. Pentecost, the beginning of the harvest, Ruth, Boaz, Naomi, Obed, Jesse, David, Christ, you and me. For with His Spirit He will bring everything to completion.
And God the Father is called our Creator, who with His almighty and ever present power cares so that nothing happens by chance in your life. This morning we sang our song of the Father’s providence: ‘Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy Name … For as the heavens are hight above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him.’ You are moved to tears when you have seen your heavenly Father’s faithfulness set before you at His table today.
There is still another aspect you have to see. In the book of Ruth we may see the office and work of the Son towards us as well. God the Son is our Saviour and Redeemer by His blood. Therefore Naomi is confronted with the work of God the Son and our and her redemption. This means that her life is saved from the pangs of death. Her descendants are saved. Her life that came to a dead end in the decease of her husband receives new perspective again. She is taught that she may see in her life the work of God, who has said that He will redeem His people. And this redemption will come in a particular way. The Lord will give redemption through His Son. Naomi did not clearly see the details as we can see them today. But the path of redemption is the same. What really matters is clear. Naomi knows of the promises of God, the promised seed. And she speaks about the promised redemption. In the previous chapter Naomi already said to Ruth her daughter-in-law: ‘This man, in whom the LORD has shown that He has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead; this man Boaz; he is a relation of ours, one of our close relatives.’ [2:20].
In our chapter Naomi comes back to this subject. ‘My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative?’ What does it means when Naomi says that Boaz is one of the ‘redeemers’? In our translation is spoken of ‘a close relative’; and elsewhere you will find the translation: ‘a kinsman redeemer’. In Hebrew is spoken about the ‘go’el’.
Well, a redeemer is in the law of Moses a helper from the circle of the next of kin. He had to stand in for a member of the family who has run into great difficulties and could not save himself. Quite often this had to do with the possessions, the inheritance of the Israelite. When one member of the family had been reduced to absolute poverty and had to sell his piece of land, his legal inheritance, then the redeemer is bound to buy the inheritance back or to buy it beforehand for the benefit of the impoverished family member. The land shall not be sold permanently. In the Year of Jubilee the poor relative will receive his inheritance back.
But this ‘financial’ redemption will not work in this situation. Of course, Naomi and Ruth will have means of sustaining life. But another fundamental problem will not be solved. Because in addition to their destitution the family of Elimelech would die out just like that. There are only two widows left in the family. The inheritance would stay, but the family will sink into oblivion.
Here we touch on the fundamentals of this law of redemption among God’s people. The inheritance had to stay in the family and the family had to remain as well. The families of the house of Israel living on their inheritance from generation to generation. In this way God’s children are heading for the future. Since the LORD had said to Abraham: ‘In your seed all the nations shall be blessed.’ [Gen 22: 18].
Thus, Naomi’s plan comes down to this: she wants to remind Boaz of the fact that he is the kinsman redeemer of their inheritance, but at the same time she tactfully wishes to suggest that in this case it is a little bit more than financial help. Therefore she does not go herself. She sends Ruth. But she does not send her to his house. Of course not, but Ruth has to perform a symbolic action. There is nothing improper about this procedure. It is the only way Ruth can offer herself to her kinsman redeemer. She has to uncover his feet and lay down. In this way she makes clear that she wants to take shelter under his wings. In this way it will be clear to Boaz what he has to do.
Ruth willingly complies with the words of Naomi. ‘All that you say to me I will do.’ And in this way she identifies herself with the deepest need of God’s people. Ruth makes herself subservient to the house of Elimelech, so that his descendants will meet their redeemer, in whom all the nations of the earth will be blessed. Her own future and her own destiny are subservient to the future of the Kingdom of God. She is willing to cover the most difficult way. At the very least she is willing to risk her reputation. Boaz could have refused to act according to her request. But she takes that risk, because the interest of God’s people moves her. She seeks her redeemer in the way Naomi has shown to her and has been written in God’s law. And in this way redemption is prepared.
It is exactly the same what you have promised when you went to the Holy Supper table. You will seek your redemption outside of ourselves in Jesus Christ. But today your profession sounds richer. For what Ruth via the Mosaic law of redemption not could obtain, we may seek our Redeemer in heaven. For Christ entered with His own blood the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. And in this way you have received the promise of the eternal inheritance [Hebr 9: 11ff]. We know that our Redeemer lives. We are aware of our many sins and shortcomings. We have not a perfect faith. And yet, all this does not alter the fact that he who turns himself over to God, that he is received by God in grace. All who accept this Redeemer by true faith, shall find in Him all that is necessary for their redemption.

IN THE REDEMPTION OF ELIMELECH’S INHERITANCE
THE LORD SHOWS THAT OUR REDEEMER LIVES
2 Boaz is ready to be her redeemer.

The harvest season is an especially joyful time for the Israelites. God’s children see the harvest as God’s blessing. ‘The LORD your God shall bless you in all your increase, and in all the works of your hand, therefore you shall surely rejoice.’ [Deu 16:15]. Naomi uses this knowledge in her advice to Ruth. ‘therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.’
Why is it necessary that Ruth prepares herself in this way? A lot of people will suggest that Ruth does this to make herself attractive and give herself a bigger chance as Boaz’ potential wife. I think that there is more to it than meets the eye. It has everything to do with Ruth’s dignity and the importance of the moment. Ruth acts with self-esteem. Ruth does not go to the threshing floor as Boaz’ slave. She does not go as a frivolous young lady, who want to have an affair with Boaz. On the contrary, she seeks justice according to the law of God. She dresses herself for this formal occasion. It is the only way Ruth can offer herself to her kinsman redeemer.
Harvesting and threshing are cooperative enterprises. The men of a village will take turns using the threshing floor, usually a raised platform outside the village and often on a hill where it can catch the evening breeze. The men will deposit the sheaves on the floor, then separate the grain from the stalks by beating the stalks. Once the grain is separated, the workers will throw the grain into the air and the breeze will carry the chaff away while the grain fell to the floor. And often the men sleep at the threshing floor to protect the harvest. Ruth goes to the threshing floor and acts according to the words of Naomi. She goes and in her action and words she ask Boaz to obey the law of the kinsman redeemer and take her as his wife. When Boaz wakes up with a start, Ruth explains her coming. She has come under the wings of the LORD (2:12). As a consequence and result thereof she dares to ask Boaz to take her under his wings. And we hear that Boaz takes his responsibility completely. He is ready to be her redeemer. And in this way he wants to be the image of the Son of God, who is the great Goel, the redeemer of the whole church.
For we hear in Scripture that the LORD Himself is called ‘Redeemer’. Job 19: 25, where Job says: For I know that my Redeemer lives!’ And in Proverbs 23: 11 God is called the Goel, the Redeemer of the fatherless, who will avenge the injustice done to them. And in Isaiah 43: 1.3.4 it is clear that the LORD ‘redeems’ His people. And that He gives Egypt, Ethiopia and Seba as ransom.
Boaz make clear that he desires to be Ruth redeemer. And in that way he is the instrument of God, who is the complete Redeemer Himself. The human goel is means in God’s hand to prepare the messianic redemption. The coming Christ illustrates in him what He will do in the redemption of His people. In Boaz; the willingness of Boaz to act as redeemer, we see the work of God the Son in the redemption of His people. For the law had only the shadow of the good things to come. And we hear about the willingness of the Son to redeem His people. Therefore the Son, when He came into the world, said: ‘Behold, I have come - in the volume of the book is written of Me - to do Your will, O God.’ [Heb 10: 1ff]. Through Him we have been redeemed through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. What is said in the form of Holy supper as well. We were reconciled by His death while we were still enemies of God. And now that we are reconciled, we shall be redeemed by His life.
And therefore the Lord took at the celebration of Holy Supper your hesitations and doubt away. He gives us a song of praise. For since the Lord has now nourished our souls at the table, let us together praise His Holy Name. Our Redeemer lives. He redeems our life from the Pit. He crows you with steadfast love and mercy.

IN THE REDEMPTION OF ELIMELECH’S INHERITANCE
THE LORD SHOWS THAT OUR REDEEMER LIVES
3 Naomi receives proof of her redeemer.
In the midnight darkness Ruth cannot see the face of Boaz. But she can hear his voice. And that voice speaks loving assurance to her: ‘Fear not’. And Boaz promises to go into action as soon as possible. ‘I will do for you all that you request’. But there is still another kinsman, who is a nearer kinsman redeemer. Boaz has to solve this problem first. For the time being he already acts as her redeemer. He is careful with her reputation. Ruth has to stay the rest of the night. And at dawn he gives her six ephahs of barley.
And as soon Ruth enters the house of Naomi, she asks: ‘Is that you, my daughter?’ However it is better to translate Naomi’s question in this way: ‘Who are you, my daughter?’ In other words: ‘are you still Ruth the Moabitess, or are you the prospective Mrs Boaz?’
Then Ruth remembers the words of Boaz and she tells Naomi all that Boaz has promised. She also shows her mother-in-law the generous gift Boaz had given her. Naomi can not longer say that her hands are empty. They are full of the kinsman redeemer.
Síx ephah’s of barley, not seven. On purpose six, for seven is the number of fullness, completeness. And Naomi will understand this language. She receives proof of her redeemer. It is as if Boaz wants to say: I’m not yet finished your request. But it is nearly finished. And I promise you that I will bring the redemption of Elimelech’s inheritance and his descendants into completion. In the end Naomi may share in the complete redemption through Christ our Lord. He came, paid the price, took the cage, and opened the door to set us free. The redemption which Christ alone can offer. The redemption we have seen and experienced at the Holy Supper table. The redemption which is foreshadowed in the story of Boaz as kinsman-redeemer.
No, the example of the birdcage is not enough. For the birds flutter away after their release. But think of a slave auction, where a slave is bought at a high price. The slave spat the buyer straight in his face. ‘I hate you’, was the only thing could say. But the buyer went further. He bought the freedom papers and handed the papers to the slave. ‘Here,’ he said, ‘these are papers that say you are free. Take them.’ The slave looked at the papers, then looked at the buyer, and looked at the papers once again. ‘You just bought me … and now, you’re setting me free?’ ‘That is why I bought you. I bought you to set you free.’ The lave fell on his knees, tears streaming down his face. ‘You bought me to set me free! You bought me to set me free!,’ het said over and over. The slave said in the end: ‘All I want to do is to serve you - because you bought me to set me free!’
This is exactly the celebration of Holy supper today. We have seen it, we have tasted it. Christ bought you to set you free! All I want to do now, is to serve Him all the days of my life. Therefore my heart and my mouth shall proclaim the praise of the Lord, from now on and for evermore.

Amen.