Ruth 4

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Note of Correction: After preaching this sermon, it was brought to my attention that I misinterpreted vv. 14-15. The following is an email I sent the church to explain and correct my blunder.

Dear Cornerstone,

It’s been said that “Only God is able to humble us without humiliating us.” I agree. 

My wife has told me before that—if possible—she doesn’t want to know much about the sermon I’m going to preach because she wants to receive it with fresh ears like everyone else. So, after the service on Sundays, she and I often debrief together. This last week, Ash said that she loved the message but was confused about something. 

In my sermon, I said that “God answered Boaz’s prayer from Ruth 2:12. He had restored to Ruth and Naomi all that they lost and more. And in Ruth 4:14-15, Ruth wanted to make sure that Naomi saw it, too.” 

Ash commented that I had put those words in Ruth’s mouth when the text explains that “the women said to Naomi” (v. 14). I sort of smirked, thinking to myself, I know you’re tired. But put your pastor hat back on and help your wife understand the text. However, as I pulled up the passage, I saw that she was right and I was wrong. Ruth didn’t explain God’s reversals of bitterness/joy, mourning/dancing, emptiness/fullness; the women did. 

My pride automatically kicked me into defense mode. I explained to Ash that it was an honest mistake. The mistake I made was that when I came to v. 14 (“the women said to Naomi”), I read “the woman said to Naomi” and assumed that to be Ruth. That tracks, especially considering that Ruth is referenced as “the woman” seven times in the book (Ruth 2:5—6; 3:8, 11, 14, 4:11–12). But again, I was wrong. I got sloppy with God’s precious words, and there’s no excuse for that.

In God’s kindness, my exegetical blunder didn’t in any way change or even diminish the final point of my sermon. So, in one sense, it’s no big deal. But in another sense, it’s a huge deal. 

When it comes to the Scriptures, even the smallest letter and every stroke of the biblical authors’ pen matter (cf. Mt 5:18). As a pastor, I’m called to be a faithful steward of God’s Word. Paul tells Timothy, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly/accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15, emphasis added). And I didn’t do that. 

James warns pastors that “we who teach will be judged with greater strictness” (Jm 3:1). And with all my heart, I want to present myself to God as one approved with no need to be ashamed. When it’s my turn to stand before our gracious God, I desperately want to be able to do so with a clean conscience, knowing that I did my best.

That begins with me confessing it to God (which I’ve done!), publicly acknowledging my mistake, and asking for your forgiveness. So, will you forgive me? 

Your friend, 

David Kakish