Date: May 18th, 2025
Sermon: Patiently Pursuing God’s Plan
Sermon Series: Ruth
Text: Ruth Ch.3
Ruth 3 NLT
One day Naomi said to Ruth, “My daughter, it’s time that I found a permanent home for you, so that you will be provided for. Boaz is a close relative of ours, and he’s been very kind by letting you gather grain with his young women. Tonight he will be winnowing barley at the threshing floor. Now do as I tell you—take a bath and put on perfume and dress in your nicest clothes. Then go to the threshing floor, but don’t let Boaz see you until he has finished eating and drinking. Be sure to notice where he lies down; then go and uncover his feet and lie down there. He will tell you what to do.” “I will do everything you say,” Ruth replied. So she went down to the threshing floor that night and followed the instructions of her mother-in-law. After Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he lay down at the far end of the pile of grain and went to sleep. Then Ruth came quietly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. Around midnight Boaz suddenly woke up and turned over. He was surprised to find a woman lying at his feet! “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.” “The Lord bless you, my daughter!” Boaz exclaimed. “You are showing even more family loyalty now than you did before, for you have not gone after a younger man, whether rich or poor. Now don’t worry about a thing, my daughter. I will do what is necessary, for everyone in town knows you are a virtuous woman. But while it’s true that I am one of your family redeemers, there is another man who is more closely related to you than I am. Stay here tonight, and in the morning I will talk to him. If he is willing to redeem you, very well. Let him marry you. But if he is not willing, then as surely as the Lord lives, I will redeem you myself! Now lie down here until morning.” So Ruth lay at Boaz’s feet until the morning, but she got up before it was light enough for people to recognize each other. For Boaz had said, “No one must know that a woman was here at the threshing floor.” Then Boaz said to her, “Bring your cloak and spread it out.” He measured six scoops of barley into the cloak and placed it on her back. Then he returned to the town. When Ruth went back to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “What happened, my daughter?” Ruth told Naomi everything Boaz had done for her, and she added, “He gave me these six scoops of barley and said, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’ ” Then Naomi said to her, “Just be patient, my daughter, until we hear what happens. The man won’t rest until he has settled things today.”
The
Ruth 3:1–6 NLT
One day Naomi said to Ruth, “My daughter, it’s time that I found a permanent home for you, so that you will be provided for. Boaz is a close relative of ours, and he’s been very kind by letting you gather grain with his young women. Tonight he will be winnowing barley at the threshing floor. Now do as I tell you—take a bath and put on perfume and dress in your nicest clothes. Then go to the threshing floor, but don’t let Boaz see you until he has finished eating and drinking. Be sure to notice where he lies down; then go and uncover his feet and lie down there. He will tell you what to do.” “I will do everything you say,” Ruth replied. So she went down to the threshing floor that night and followed the instructions of her mother-in-law.
Ruth 1:8–9 NLT
But on the way, Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back to your mothers’ homes. And may the Lord reward you for your kindness to your husbands and to me. May the Lord bless you with the security of another marriage.” Then she kissed them good-bye, and they all broke down and wept.
The
Ruth 3:7–9 NLT
After Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he lay down at the far end of the pile of grain and went to sleep. Then Ruth came quietly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. Around midnight Boaz suddenly woke up and turned over. He was surprised to find a woman lying at his feet! “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.”
The
Ruth 3:10–15 NLT
“The Lord bless you, my daughter!” Boaz exclaimed. “You are showing even more family loyalty now than you did before, for you have not gone after a younger man, whether rich or poor. Now don’t worry about a thing, my daughter. I will do what is necessary, for everyone in town knows you are a virtuous woman. But while it’s true that I am one of your family redeemers, there is another man who is more closely related to you than I am. Stay here tonight, and in the morning I will talk to him. If he is willing to redeem you, very well. Let him marry you. But if he is not willing, then as surely as the Lord lives, I will redeem you myself! Now lie down here until morning.” So Ruth lay at Boaz’s feet until the morning, but she got up before it was light enough for people to recognize each other. For Boaz had said, “No one must know that a woman was here at the threshing floor.” Then Boaz said to her, “Bring your cloak and spread it out.” He measured six scoops of barley into the cloak and placed it on her back. Then he returned to the town.
The
Ruth 3:16–18 NLT
When Ruth went back to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “What happened, my daughter?” Ruth told Naomi everything Boaz had done for her, and she added, “He gave me these six scoops of barley and said, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’ ” Then Naomi said to her, “Just be patient, my daughter, until we hear what happens. The man won’t rest until he has settled things today.”
As Boaz dealt with Ruth, so Christ deals with every one of His repentant, believing people. When we cast ourselves at His feet, dependent on His mercy, and claim the covering of His blood for all our sins, He welcomes us with a steadfast love and kindness that are limitless. He calms our fears and promises His help. He works out His purposes of grace in and through the circumstances of our lives. He daily loads us with His benefits. Isn’t that just like the Lord? —David Jackman, The Preachers Commentary Series
Application
1. The Plan – Obedience in Uncertainty - Ruth 3:1–6
Application: God often works through the ordinary steps of obedience. Like Ruth, we are called to trust godly counsel, prepare our hearts, and act in faith—even when we don’t know the outcome.
Challenge: Is there an area in your life where God may be prompting you to take a faithful step? Who are you listening to when you make decisions—culture, fear, or wise, godly voices?
Next Step: Identify one area where you need to take action in faith this week, even if the path forward is uncertain.
2. The Pursuit – Bold Faith and Vulnerability - Ruth 3:7–9
Application: Ruth approached Boaz with courage and clarity. Sometimes living by faith means taking a risk to pursue what is right and godly, even if it’s uncomfortable.
Challenge: Are you willing to step into vulnerable situations for the sake of obedience? Is there a relationship, opportunity, or spiritual calling you’ve been hesitant to pursue?
Next Step: Ask God to reveal any areas where He is calling you to take a bold step of faith, then follow through.
3. The Promise – Waiting with Integrity - Ruth 3:10–15
Application: Boaz honors Ruth’s request and acts with character, discretion, and integrity. He doesn’t rush or manipulate the situation—he promises to do what’s right.
Challenge: Do you live with the kind of integrity that honors others—even when no one is watching? Are your commitments trustworthy?
Next Step: Evaluate your current relationships and commitments. Where do you need to grow in consistency, honor, or truthfulness?
4. The Patience – Trusting God to Finish the Story - Ruth 3:16–18
Application: After everything Ruth and Naomi have done, they are called to wait patiently while Boaz works things out. Faith sometimes looks like trusting that God will act through others.
Challenge: Are you trying to control what only God can resolve? Where is God calling you to wait on Him instead of forcing your own solution?
Next Step: In your prayers this week, surrender one situation you’ve been trying to control and ask God to give you peace while you wait.
Life Group Questions
Get to know you:
When have you had to wait for something you really hoped for or worked toward? How did that waiting shape your character or faith?
*Read Ruth CH. 3 (prior to life group): When you read through the scripture take note of anything interesting, unique, or questions that come to mind when reading.
1) Ruth 3:1–6 – Obedience in Uncertainty
Naomi tells Ruth to take a bold step and trust the process. Ruth agrees and follows through.
Question: How do Naomi’s plans and Ruth’s actions reflect trust in God’s provision, even when the outcome was unknown? What can we learn from Ruth about acting faithfully even when the next steps feel risky or unclear?
2) Ruth 3:7–15 – Bold Faith and Integrity
Ruth makes a courageous request, and Boaz responds with integrity and protection.
Question: What stands out to you about Ruth’s request and Boaz’s response? How do both characters reflect godliness in how they handle vulnerability, honor, and decision-making?
3) Ruth 3:16–18 – Trusting God to Finish the Story
After all their obedience and boldness, Ruth and Naomi must now wait on Boaz to act.
Question: In what area of your life do you need to trust God with the next step instead of trying to control the outcome? How can you practice patience and surrender this week?