JOIN US FOR EASTER SUNDAY THIS SUNDAY AT 7:45AM, 9AM, OR 10:45AM OR WATCH LIVE AT 10:45AM. DOWNLOAD WORSHIP RESOURCES HERE.

X Close Menu

Sermons

God's Loving Kindness Does Not Forsake

September 29, 2019 Speaker: Mike McDonald Series: Ruth - The Lord Redeems

Topic: Ruth - The Lord Redeems Passage: Ruth 2:17–23

Do you not know “that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4). In the second half of Ruth 2, Naomi begins to change from bitterness and discouragement to joyful engagement. This happened because of God’s kindness.

 

Experiencing God’s kindness transforms us.

 

In verse 20, Naomi says “May he be blessed by the Lord whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead.” The word “kindness” is the Hebrew word hesed, which is an important characteristic of God. It occurs 249 times in the Old Testament, and it is far more than mere kindness. It is loving-kindness motivated by commitment to covenantal promises, with a special emphasis on mercy for those who are downcast.

 

Through Boaz, God shows this loving-kindness to Ruth on her first day of gleaning. When Naomi sees the exceptional quantity of barley, her spirits are lifted. When she learns that Boaz is the man who had favor on Ruth, Naomi declares that he is one of their redeemers. This means he was able to buy the family land back for them and marry Ruth to provide offspring for her dead husband (See Lev. 25 & Deut. 25). 

 

The initial kindness of Boaz provided food for the season, but the possibility of a redeemer also meant a future. This lifted her heart. The same is true for us. When we hear there is a Redeemer (meaning Jesus), who can buy us out of sin and guilt, our hearts leap. Boaz prefigures Jesus and points to this Ultimate Redeemer, whose loving-kindness is perfectly displayed in his sacrificial death on the cross.

 

Taking it home: Think of all the ways that God has expressed his “hesed” loving-kindness to you. Spend time thanking him, especially for sending his Son.

More in Ruth - The Lord Redeems

October 27, 2019

God's Perfect Love Story

October 20, 2019

Boaz's Reward

October 13, 2019

True Love