The Blessings From Doing Chesed - Part 1             Ruth 2:1-23

Rom 15:4 “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”

Ruth Chapter 1- Naomi’s Story of HOPE.  Hope with a basis in God’s 1) Chesed; 2) Sovereignty; 3) Wisdom

Chesed- “A Hebrew word that no one English word can begin to convey accurately.  Being expressive of relationships, the term connotes altogether the notions of covenantal loyalty, faithfulness, kindness, goodness, mercy, love, and compassion.” K. Lawson Younger, Jr.

Back in Bethlehem.  Naomi needs: 1) Food       2) Progeny       Beginning of Barely Harvest (1:22) Harvest 2 months long

“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest.  You shall leave them for the poor and the stranger…When you reap your harvest in your field, and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.” Lev 19:9-10; Deut 24:19 

POINT #1 Doing Chesed requires TAKING the INITIATIVE   VERSES 1-3

NOAMI needed HELP…. NOW!!

Ruth Demonstrates INITIATIVE and COURAGE (she could have been HARMED);  even though she is a

1)  MOABITESS   2) UNATTACHED WOMAN in a patriarchal society  3) She is a POOR  4) Worst STATUS poss.

POINT #1 Doing Chesed requires TAKING the INITIATIVE   VERSES 1-3

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POINT #2 Doing Chesed means doing the EXTRA- ORDINARY.            VERSES 4-16

Boaz goes beyond social protocol and demonstrates Chesed by giving Ruth four things:

1) FAMILY LIKE PRIVILEGES         2) PROTECTION                   3) BLESSING             4) FOOD

POINT #2 Doing Chesed means doing the EXTRA- ORDINARY.            VERSES 4-16

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POINT #3 Doing Chesed always brings REWARDS and BLESSINGS.               VERSES 17-23

Naomi received the blessing of SUSTENANCE and ENCOURAGEMENT

Ruth received the blessing of PROTECTION  and  INCLUSION into the PEOPLE of ISRAEL

Boaz was rewarded with

*****CLOSING****

RECOUNT CHAPTER 1 AND 2

HOPE has been RESTORED and REALIZED.  Naomi has FOOD and hope of being REDEEMED.

POINT #1 Doing Chesed requires TAKING the INITIATIVE  

POINT #2 Doing Chesed means doing the EXTRA- ORDINARY.

POINT #3 Doing Chesed always brings REWARDS and BLESSINGS.  

THE GOSPEL MESSAGE is perfect example of CHESED.  God took initiative, gave his Son, and we get Et. Life