Advent 2022: Peace
Opening:
Advent Doxology 1
Welcome/announcement:
Pastor Kevin Mcguire
Call to worship:
Pastor Kevin mcguire
Romans 5.1
Song:
Hark the herald
Historical Reading:
Pastor andrew loginow
bcp advent collect 2
song:
What child is this?
Confession & Pardon:
Pastor Brett eckel
song:
Doxology
song:
O come all ye faithful
Sermon:
dr. alex loginow
Advent 2022: Peace
Ruth 2
Introduction
“Imagine there's no heaven; It's easy if you try; No hell below us; above us, only sky
Imagine all the people; Livin' for today
Imagine there's no countries; It isn't hard to do; Nothing to kill or die for; and no religion, too
Imagine all the people; Livin' life in peace
You may say I'm a dreamer; But I'm not the only one; I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions; I wonder if you can; No need for greed or hunger; A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people; Sharing all the world
You may say I'm a dreamer; But I'm not the only one; I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one”
These are the lyrics to John Lennon’s Imagine. Lennon imagined a world where there were no geopolitical boarders, no possessions, no religion, and no concept of eternity. “Imagine all the people living life in peace,” Lennon wrote. The song was penned in 1971 and 51 years later Imagine is one of the most celebrated and covered songs of all time. For many the song Imagine is the consummate symbol of the pursuit of world peace.
There’s a reason that so many people connect with this song. There is no peace in our world. There is suffering. There is pain. There is death. There is no peace.
Because people are created in the image of God we inherently long for peace. We long for peace in the world. We long for peace in our nation. We long for peace in our homes, families, and relationships. We long for peace in our hearts and minds.
That’s not only true for us today but it was true for God’s people in the ancient Near East. Israel longed for peace. Ruth and Naomi longed for peace. And Ruth 2 gives us a glimpse of the true and final peace that God will bring through his Son the Lord Jesus Christ. This is our sermon summary: Jesus is our redeemer who restores peace between God and his people at his first advent and Jesus will restore peace to the world at his second advent.
The Absence of Peace
The first thing we want to notice about this pericope is the absence of peace. There was an absence of peace among God’s people nationally and also with Ruth and Naomi personally. We are clued in on the absence of peace among God’s people in general from Ruth 1.1 where the narrator tells us that the pericope is set in the time of the judges. Pastor Kevin noted last week that the chaos of the book of Judges is summarized by the last verse in the book of Judges: In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 21.25). We recently read through Judges in our church-wide Scripture reading plan and this theme is recapitulated over and over again – there was no king in Israel and everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
The book of Ruth is set somewhere between the time of Joshua’s death and Saul’s coronation (1400-1000 BC). The idolatry and debauchery that happens during the time of the judges make this period one of the darkest times in the history of Israel. There are a few bright spots of judges who followed YHWH but over all there was no godly leadership in Israel. Everyone was doing whatever was right in his own eyes because there was no king.
Not only do we see that there is no peace in Israel at large but we also see that Ruth and Naomi have no peace. Both of their husbands and other near male relatives are dead. In a patriarchal ancient Near Eastern culture that meant that Naomi and Ruth were as good as dead. Women weren't viewed as full citizens and could not own property. Ruth and Naomi didn’t have any men to provide for them or advocate for them. They had no voice in the community. They were as good as dead.
But it’s always darkest before the dawn and in this deep darkness a light breaks through. Ruth 2.1 says, Now Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. The narrator is cluing us in on something the characters don’t know yet. In Ruth 1.11-13 Naomi told Ruth and Orpah that she didn’t have any relatives for them to marry but in Ruth 2.1 we learn that Naomi’s late husband had a worthy relative named Boaz. This is a “little did she know” moment for Naomi.
What Naomi and Ruth do know is that they need to eat so Ruth asks Naomi if she can glean in the fields. This was standard practice in Israel. Deuteronomy 24.19 says, 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 sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that YHWH your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. God required his people to be generous and to care for those in need.
That’s because generosity is a result of a heart changed by the gospel. In our culture generosity is emphasized this time of year. Bethany and I went Wednesday night to see Hamilton at the Fisher Theater and at the end of the show the cast asked the audience to donate to some other third party organization. Everyone thinks a little more about being generous around the holidays but God’s people should be generous all of the time.
A good question to ask yourself is, “am I generous with my money?” If you don’t give to the church, you should reflect on whether you even know Jesus. If you don’t regularly give to the church then that might be a sign that you’re not a Christian. Jesus gave everything for his people. Jesus requires his people to give.
Ruth’s only hope was the generosity of God’s people. Ruth may be the most vulnerable person in all of Israel at this time. She was a poor childless Moabite widow. There is no one more likely to be abused or ignored than Ruth.
But Ruth has made a confession of faith and she is living in light of that confession. In chapter one she told Naomi, “Your God shall be my God.” Ruth doesn’t just say that she trusts in God and then sit on her hands. Ruth believes that God is faithful and will provide and then she acts in accordance with that faith.
The absence of peace for Ruth and Naomi and the absence of peace in Israel at the time of the judges was not unique. This has been true of the whole world since the fall. Ever since Adam sinned in the garden death spread to all men because all have sinned (Rom 5.12). Romans 8 says that the creation is in bondage and is crying out for the resurrection of the sons of God. To quote the advent hymn I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day:
And in despair I bowed my head
"There is no peace on Earth, " I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on Earth, good will to men
Because this is a universal reality, I know to one degree or another it is true for every one of us. Maybe you’re not a Christian, which means you have no inner peace. You are not right with God – you are spiritually dead in your sins (Eph 2.1). Maybe you are a Christian but you’re suffering with illness or pain, maybe there’s a lack of peace in your marriage, or you’ve been divorced or widowed. Maybe there is no peace in your family with your parents, or your siblings or your kids or your grandkids. Maybe you’re struggling financially or in loneliness.
Regardless of the specifics we are all keenly aware that we need peace, but this world offers no peace. Sin and suffering have invaded our world and they have ravaged every one of us. No one is unscathed. The Loginow family is feeling that right now and I would bet to one extent or another you are too. But as Pastor Kevin reminded us last week, there is hope. What the book of Ruth foreshadows and advent reveals is that peace arrives in Bethlehem.
The Advent of Peace
Ruth 2 prepares us for the peace of advent with two themes – 1) providence and 2) a redeemer. Let’s look first at the theme of providence.
Providence
The book of Ruth is saturated with God’s providence. Ruth 2.3 says that Ruth happened to come to the part of the field that belonged to Boaz. Verse 4 says, and behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem…. Scripture uses this language a bit tongue and cheek – Ruth just happened to come to Boaz’s field; behold Boaz showed up – it’s a way to say, “what a coincidence?” It’s a way to say that this is no coincidence at all.
The point is that none of this is happening randomly or coincidentally. Everything happens for a reason. God is meticulously sovereign and governs every aspect of history and the natural order. Listen to what the Westminster Confession of Faith says about the providence:
God, who created everything, also upholds everything. He directs, regulates, and governs every creature, action, and thing, from the greatest to the least, by his completely wise and holy providence. He does so in accordance with his infallible foreknowledge and the voluntary, unchangeable purpose of his own will, all to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy (WCF 5.1).
God is providentially governing the big picture realities, as we see in the book of Judges, while He is simultaneously governing the mundane details of every individual’s life, as we see in the book of Ruth. God leads Ruth to the right place at the right time. And the same is true for us today. We can and should rest in the scrupulous sovereignty and providence of God.
There is great peace in the doctrine of providence. There is a peace that comes in believing that wherever we are in life, whatever is happening to you right now is not by accident. God is causing it. God is sovereign over it. Trust the Lord. Repent if you’re in sin. Stop complaining.
Sometimes God’s providence is bitter. Sometimes it’s sweet. Either way God is sovereign, God is good, and God is working all things for his glory and for the good of his people. Trust and obey him. Rest in him. Find peace in God’s providence.
Redeemer
But Ruth 2 doesn’t only prepare us for the peace of advent by the doctrine of providence it also does so through the shadow of the redeemer. You see in God’s providence he uses Boaz as a type of the Prince of Peace. Charles Spurgeon said, “Jesus is our glorious Boaz.” Boaz typifies Christ in who Boaz is and what Boaz does. First, Boaz is a shadow of Christ by virtue of who he is, his character, his reputation.
Who Boaz Is: In verse 1 Boaz is called a worthy man. The word worthy is the Hebrew word, גִּבּוֹר, which means, “strong, mighty, warrior.” It’s the same word used in Isaiah 9.6 of Jesus Christ:
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Boaz’s character will be revealed in the remainder of the book but as we’re introduced to him he is described with an adjective that is also used of Jesus Christ. Boaz is worthy. Boaz is strong; he is mighty; he is a warrior. Boaz stands in contrast to his relative Elimelech who was a selfish coward who left the Promised Land for Moab and allowed his sons to marry unbelievers. We know Boaz is not perfect – all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3.23) – but Boaz has a reputation as a worthy man.
Boaz is a shadow of Jesus who is the mighty God Isaiah spoke of. Jesus is the Son of God, the eternal second person of the Holy Trinity who, in the incarnation, was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. And Jesus is the only worthy human who has ever lived. Hebrews 4.15 says that Jesus lived a truly human life, yet without sin. 2nd Peter 1.1 says that our faith stands on the righteousness of our God and savior Jesus Christ.
Jesus lived the life we were supposed to live. God is perfectly holy and requires holiness from his creatures. God commands us – be holy as I am holy (Lev 11.44-45; 1 Pet 1.15-16). In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus Christ commands us – You therefore must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matt 5.48). We are sinners who sin against God so we need a representative to follow God’s law perfectly in our place. That’s what Jesus did. Jesus is the true and better Boaz who is the only worthy human to ever live.
What Boaz Did: Boaz not only foreshadows Christ by who he is but also by what he does. Boaz brings peace to Ruth and Naomi. Boaz shows Ruth grace. Ruth is a Moabite; she comes from a people who have been covenantally cursed. And even though she doesn’t deserve it Boaz protects her and provides for her. He protects Ruth by telling her to stay in his field and by warning all the men to keep their hands off her.
Boaz also provides for Ruth. He feeds her and gives her leftovers to take home. Not only does Boaz allow Ruth to continue to glean in the field but also he has the men bundle up grain for her. Boaz gives even beyond what the Law requires. He sends her home with more food than she could have ever earned.
Verse 12 makes it explicit that Boaz is bringing peace to Ruth’s life.
yhwh repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by yhwh, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge (Ruth 2.12)!
The word repay has the same root as the Hebrew word, שָׁלֽוֹם. שָׁלֽוֹם does not merely refer to a lack of conflict, but it means to be “whole, complete, right.” Boaz is making Ruth’s life more whole, complete, right at his own expense.
In his Sermon on the Mount Jesus says, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God (Matt 5.9). Romans 12.18 says, If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. If we are to be peacemakers, if we are to live peaceably with all, that doesn’t merely mean we’re to avoid conflict. It means we are to do everything we can to make other’s lives whole, complete, right. That starts in our homes, and then in the church, and then finally for our neighbors. But most ultimately it starts in your heart through the gospel.
It is because Ruth has taken refuge under the wings of YHWH that God will give her peace through the redeemer. That night Naomi remembers that Boaz is their relative and thus one of their redeemers (vs. 20). It is through the grace of the redeemer that foreign rebels experience peace with God. This is the gospel.
By his death and resurrection Jesus Christ pours his grace out on us. He provides for our greatest need – the forgiveness of our sins and the hope of eternal life. Through his death and resurrection Jesus protects us from our greatest threat – to experience the wrath of God through eternal conscious punishment in hell. And like Ruth we must repent and believe. Ruth left the idolatry of Moab and followed YHWH. We too must repent of our sin and trust in Jesus alone.
And if you repent and believe you will have peace with God. Pastor Kevin read from Romans 5.1 in our call to worship: Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. To be justified by faith means to be made right with God by faith alone. Faith is made up of three facets: knowledge, assent, and trust. Faith means you know who Jesus is and what Jesus did, it means you assent that those things are true, and that you trust in Jesus alone.
In Jesus we have peace with God forever. In Jesus we have peace with each other. The church is made up of all sorts of people who probably wouldn’t hang out with each other based on our likes or opinions. But in Christ we are unified around the most important thing in life.
In Jesus the world will finally know peace again. When Jesus comes again at his second advent he will raise the dead, judge the world, and make all things new. Jesus will consummate the new creation where sin and death will be no more. There will be no more sickness, no more divorce, no more loneliness, no natural disasters, no more fighting about politics, no more chronic pain, no more jealousy, no more complaining, there will be no more sin. That’s a world worth imagining.
Conclusion
Jesus is our redeemer who restores peace between God and his people at his first advent and Jesus will restore peace to the world at his second advent. The soul can never know peace apart from Jesus. The world can never know peace apart from Jesus. Because that’s true John Lennon’s Imagine really isn’t the consummate symbol of the pursuit of world peace. If you want to sing about genuine peace you’d be better off singing these words we sang earlier:
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Risen with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the new-born king"