SFC - Series 5, Lesson 85

Memory Text: Younger children - Ephesians 1:7 "In whom we have redemption."
Older children - 1 Peter 1:18 and 19.

OBJECTIVES: To teach that:
1. Sin leaves its marks on our lives, both visibly and invisibly.
2. Just as poverty leaves these women without any resources, so sin leaves the sinner incapable of helping himself and in need of another to come to his aid.
3. In the Lord Jesus Christ we have a Redeemer who became man in order to bring about the redemption of the human race.
4. The Lord Jesus, like Boaz, provided for our well-being and paid the price with His own life.
5. The work of redemption is of grace alone, originating in the heart of the Redeemer.

SCENE No. 1. VISUAL AIDS: Figures of Naomi and Ruth, sad and poor, entering the city under the surprised gaze of their neighbours. Print out the words of Naomi, "Call me not Naomi .... but Mara."
DEVELOPMENT:
- Ruth and her mother-in-law reach Bethlehem, the city Naomi left more than twenty many years before.
- In Naomi's face can be seen the effects of her years of absence and of suffering.
- Years earlier, before leaving Bethlehem, she was known as Naomi, a name that means "Pleasant".
- Now she asks her former neighbours to call her Mara, a name that means "Bitter" (see Exodus 15:22-26).
- Naomi explains that her request is a description of her life. She had abandoned the place God had for her and had gone from what was "pleasant" to what was "bitter."
- Her arrival in Bethlehem coincides with the time of harvest.
Cns. Now that Naomi has been restored to the place where God wants her to be, there will be a harvest of joy and blessing for her. This blessing will also include her daughter-in-law Ruth.
Apl. Naomi is a picture of a person who steps out of the will of God and as a result loses the His blessing.
- Ruth in this scene is seen as Naomi's companion and shares with her in her sadness.
- The two women present a picture of people who are helpless and in great need.
Apl. Those without Christ need the help of another, someone who is able and willing to aid them.
Cmt. In these days of consumerism, credit cards, and easy access to goods, the concept of need is difficult for students to grasp. The teacher should try to interact with the children to show that the kind of need Naomi and Ruth had was one for which they had ABSOLUTELY NO way of filling. The sinner is found in this circumstance.

SCENE No. 2. VISUAL AIDS: A field at harvest time with figures of the reapers busy at work. Among the reapers, the figures of Ruth gleaning, and of Boaz talking with the head servant. In a separate corner, the figure of Boaz talking with Ruth while they eat.
DEVELOPMENT:
- The law that God gave His people (Leviticus 19:9-10, Deuteronomy 24:19-22) provided for the foreigner, the orphan and the widow. It required that something be left behind for them when grain or fruit was harvested.
- Ruth showed great respect and love for her mother-in-law, asking permission to go out to glean and thus taking advantage of this law.
- On doing so, Ruth listens to the suggestions of Naomi and obeys the older woman.
Sug. From this example, students can be encouraged to take into account what parents and teachers tell them to do.
- Ruth shows true friendship with no personal ambition or self-interest and God takes this into account.
- God guides her steps when she looks for a place to glean, and something that just seems to "happen" for no special reason provides the opportunity in which He shows His omniscience. (Chapter 2:3).
Sug. God's sovereign activity in the affairs of human beings is clearly seen throughout the book of Ruth and the teacher should explain how a Christian ought to leaves his/her affairs in God's hands and act according to His will.
- When Ruth begins to glean in the fields of Boaz, she does not know that he is a relative of her dead father-in-law.
- Boaz becomes interested in knowing who the stranger is, having not seen her before.
- Boaz had heard about Ruth and speaks to her kindly, inviting her to continue to glean in his fields.
- Boaz recognizes her kind attitude towards her mother-in-law and knows God will repay her. (2:11 and 12).
- At meal time, Boaz talks to her again, offering her food, some of which she sets aside to share with Naomi at home. (vss.14 and 18).
Apl. It can be stressed that it is good to share of what one has with others. The world is characterized by selfishness and Ruth's example is praiseworthy.
- When Ruth recounts the events of the day, Naomi tells her that the man is a relative and has the right to redeem them. (Chapter 2:20).
Apl. God has provided for our need through a Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ, who became our "relative" when He became man.
- Later Naomi counsels the younger woman, telling her how she can seek help and protection from Boaz.
- Ruth is blessed when she obeys Naomi's advice.
Cmt. Ruth is see as continuing to accept the counsel of Naomi. The students should be encouraged to welcome the continual advice of those who have experience.
- The kind and generous character of Boaz is shown in his dealings with the young woman. He is a kinsman-redeemer totally suited to her need. (see Deuteronomy 25:5 and 6).
- The kinsman-redeemer was to pay the price required to rescue goods and property that had been lost due to debt or other causes.
- Naomi was in the sad state of having lost everything and of being totally unable to recover it, for she did not have the necessary funds. She desperately needed some relative to intervene.
Note: Persons or property could be redeemed for the benefit of another. The one who redeemed had to fulfill several conditions.
1. He had to be a near relative.
2. He had to be able to pay the price to redeem and have sufficient resources to see the matter through.
3. No redemption was carried out until the full price had been paid.
4. Redemption had to be done voluntarily.

SCENE No. 3. VISUAL AIDS: At the entrance to the city, figures of Boaz and the elders of the city talking with the more closely related kinsman.
DEVELOPMENT:
- Boaz speaks with the elders about Naomi's property.
- He recognizes that the primary option is not his. There is a nearer relative than he, and when the other relative comes by, he is called and consulted.
- Boaz is respectful of the law and presents the case to the one who has primary responsibility.
- This man cannot carry out the ransom. In spite of being a closer relative, he is unable to act so unselfishly for it would damage his own situation.
Apl. The closer relative represents the Adamic race. See Psalm 49:7 "None … can by any means redeem his brother nor give to God a ransom for him." Boaz represents the Lord Jesus, the Redeemer.
Cmt. It is impossible for any member of the human race to redeem from sin's power. A spiritual work is needed, something that the law and human efforts cannot provide.
- Boaz willingly exercises his right to redeem the property as well as the persons of Naomi and Ruth.
Apl. The Lord Jesus willingly came from heaven to save us, for it was impossible for us to redeem ourselves from the power of sin.
- The symbolic act of taking off his shoe showed that the first man was withdrawing.
- Boaz is shown to be concerned and wanting to do whatever was necessary to rescue Naomi and Ruth.
Apl. Christ also finished the work of redemption, doing all that was necessary to satisfy demands of the law and to set the sinner free.
- Due to their extreme need, Naomi and Ruth gladly accept this gracious provision.
Lsn. The desire to carry out all that had to do with their redemption originated in the heart of Boaz.
Apl. When children understand their sinful state and it begins to weigh upon them, they will be anxious to accept what Christ has done.
- To meet Ruth's need Boaz offers more than his goods. He places himself as guarantor of the future of the person who is the object of his love and kindness.

SCENE No. 4. VISUAL AIDS: In the house of Boaz, figures of Naomi, Ruth and a baby, along with Boaz and a servant. In a separate area, figures of the Lord crucified and another of the Lord at the entrance to the heavenly Home. Also the words, Home, Companionship, Security and Riches.
DEVELOPMENT:
- Boaz marries Ruth and as a result, she receives a Home, Companionship, Security and Riches.
Apl. The person that comes to know Christ as Redeemer receives many blessings, just as Ruth did.
1. A Home in Heaven.
2. The Presence and Companionship of the Lord Jesus daily.
3. The Security of sins forgiven and acceptance before God.
4. All God's Riches, sufficient to meet our spiritual needs.
Cns. A child is born that Ruth may raise in the fear of the Lord, a privilege that she never would have had in Moab.
- Having paid the price of her redemption, Boaz shares his life and possessions with Ruth.
Cns. Christ paid the price of our redemption giving his life on the cross.
Cmt. The child born to Ruth and Boaz becomes one of ancestors through whom Jesus, the Christ, came into the world. Matthew 1:5-6 "... Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; and Jesse begat David the king."