In The Midst Of The Mess: A Study of Ruth Week 2: The Man Message Summary: Everything changed for Ruth’s story when she met the man, the one who would show her favor and give her comfort. Remind you of Anyone you know/worship? Jesus is the better Boaz, the “man of standing” who sees us and saves us in our greatest time of need. Staying close to him, as Ruth did with Boaz, is the best way to find peace in the midst of the mess. ✦ Romans 8:28 — And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ✦ Ruth 2:1-3 — Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz. 2 And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” 3 So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek. ✦ Ruth 2:4-7 — Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, “The Lord be with you!” “The Lord bless you!” they answered. 5 Boaz asked the overseer of his harvesters, “Who does that young woman belong to?” 6 The overseer replied, “She is the Moabite who came back from Moab with Naomi. 7 She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.’ She came into the field and has remained here from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.” ✦ Ruth 2:8-13 — So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me. 9 Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.” 10 At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?” 11 Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. 12 May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” 13 “May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord,” she said. “You have put me at ease by speaking kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servants.” ❖ John 16:33 - “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Planting Jesus Roots GATHER — Can’t be here in person on Sunday? Did you miss a week of a series because you were out of town? Remember we have three different 922 livestream options every weekend, and the sermon from previous week is on our 922 YouTube page. GROUP — Discuss the following with a friend: How you have seen God’s hand (his providence) evident in your life? How can this attribute of God give you great comfort in the middle of a mess. GROW — If you want to read more about the Old Testament concept of a Guardian—Redeemer in advance of next week, check out all of the following: Leviticus 25:25-28 & 47-49, Deuteronomy 25:5-10 & Numbers 35:19-21. GIVE — God has called us to help those in need just like Boaz did — both as a church and as individuals. Look for a way you might practice Christian hospitality this summer to a neighbor, co-worker or church member. GO — Take five minutes this week to pray that God would open a door for our church to share the gospel with more people in our community this summer. Homework: Ruth 3 (Hashtags: kindness, redeemer, hope)