The following blog post contains notes and application questions from our April 3, 2022 message
God is Sovereign in Our Redemption
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SUMMARY
Pastor James concluded our series, entitled “God’s Providence in Perilous Times” from the Book of Ruth. James preached from Ruth 4:1-22. From his message, we see:
- An Anonymous Man (Ruth 4:1-6)
- The preparation for court
- The proposition to serve as the redeemer (property)
- The promising opportunity which is too good to turn down
- The plot twist – you must also “perpetuate the name of the dead” (levirate)
- The personal motivation of the anonymous redeemer is revealed
- The anonymous man waives his rights, privileges, and obligation of serving as a redeemer
- Boaz received the right to be the Redeemer (Ruth 4:7-13)
- The pledge was made before many witnesses – finalizing the agreement
- The passion to serve and give
- The powerful prayer of blessing by the people on Boaz and Ruth
- The provision of the Lord (family)
- Look in Ruth 1:6, the LORD provided His people food -in both cases God acted to redeem His people
- The child, born to Boaz and Ruth, is also called a redeemer (Ruth 4:14-16)
- The promise of blessings on Naomi and her family
- The picture of fullness and satisfaction by God’s amazing grace
- David, the nation’s great king, is a redeemer (Ruth 4:17-22)
- The providence of God in perilous times
- The Gospel in Ruth 4
- All of this points to Emmanuel as our Ultimate Redeemer. Great David’s Greater Son, the Lord Jesus Christ
- The persuasive use of the words redeemer or redeem. They are mentioned 12 times in this chapter of only 22 verses
- The plan and provision (sovereignty) of God in our redemption
Principles to Consider
- The providence of God in perilous times
- The plan and provision (sovereignty) of God in our redemption
- God is absolutely sovereign, infinitely wise, perfectly loving, and perpetually present
Key Takeaway: We must choose, by an act of our will, to trust God in the perilous times of life. We can do this regardless of how we may feel. Know that God is sovereign, wise, loving, and present.
BRINGING IT HOME: (REFLECT, REQUEST, RESPOND)
REFLECT: QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
- Read through the book at least once this week.
- What questions does this chapter bring up for you?
- What do you think the main theme of this chapter is?
- How does Christ act as a kinsman-redeemer for us?
- How are you like Naomi? How are you like Ruth? How are you like the anonymous redeemer? How are you like Boaz?
- How does the Lord Jesus Christ act as the Kinsman-Redeemer for us?
- Spend time thanking God for HIs great gift to us in His Son.
REQUEST: PRAYER AND PRAISE
- Ask God to help you to grow in God’s grace and enablement.
- Confess and repent of any sins that are in your thoughts, words, or actions that hinder your growth in grace.
- Ask for the Holy Spirit to enable you to love others by believing and living out the gospel.
RESPOND: APPLYING WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED
- How can you love God more through what you have learned?
- How can you love others more through what you have learned?
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Suggested Scripture Study:
- The Bible clearly teaches God’s providential control. Consider reading and meditating on several of these passages:
- (1) over the universe at large, Ps. 103:19; Dan. 4:35; Eph. 1:11;
- (2) over the physical world, Job 37; Pss. 104:14; 135:6; Matt. 5:45;
- (3) over the brute creation, Ps. 104:21, 28; Matt. 6:26; 10:29;
- (4) over the affairs of nations, Job 12:23; Pss. 22:28; 66:7; Acts 17:26;
- (5) over man’s birth and lot in life, 1 Sam. 16:1; Ps. 139:16; Isa. 45:5; Gal. 1:15–16;
- (6) over the outward successes and failures of men’s lives, Ps. 75:6, 7; Luke 1:52;
- (7) over things seemingly accidental or insignificant, Prov. 16:33; Matt. 10:30;
- (8) in the protection of the righteous, Pss. 4:8; 5:12; 63:8; 121:3; Rom. 8:28;
- (9) in supplying the wants of God’s people, Gen. 22:8, 14; Deut. 8:3; Phil. 4:19;
- (10) in giving answers to prayer, 1 Sam. 1:19; Isa. 20:5, 6; 2 Chron. 33:13; Ps. 65:2; Matt. 7:7; Luke 18:7, 8; and
- (11) in the exposure and punishment of the wicked, Pss. 7:12–13; 11:6. (L. Berkhof, Systematic Theology, 4th ed.)
