WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:21.160 And turn back to Ruth chapter 2. Ruth chapter 2. It's on page 222. Ruth chapter 2. Emma and I have just signed up for another free trial month on Amazon Prime. 00:00:21.160 --> 00:00:29.000 ! So it was Netflix. We did the month on that, had to cancel it, and now we're on Amazon Prime. But it means that there's now the inevitable argument 00:00:29.000 --> 00:00:36.119 about which film to actually watch if we've got time. Now can I say, Emma is much more accommodating than me. 00:00:36.640 --> 00:00:46.859 The decision is usually between Bruce Willis action films or Pride and Prejudice romance. I'm sure you can guess which of us want either of those. 00:00:47.100 --> 00:00:58.120 So if Ruth, the book of Ruth, was a film on Netflix or Amazon Prime, it probably would be one of the films that I, as a typical bloke, 00:00:58.119 --> 00:01:08.780 would ordinarily miss out on. And if Ruth chapter 2 was a film, it would probably be more like Romeo and Juliet, wouldn't it, than Rambo. 00:01:09.479 --> 00:01:20.079 Because it is a story of an unlikely romance. An unlikely romance between a man and a woman who should never have been allowed to be together in the first place. 00:01:20.079 --> 00:01:27.099 It's a kind of far-from-the-madding-crowd sort of story. It's an unlikely romance. 00:01:28.359 --> 00:01:40.000 And the writer that Ruth paints for us is a picture of a rural scene in the harvest fields of Boaz, 00:01:40.000 --> 00:01:47.459 where the seeds of an unlikely courtship begin to blossom, don't they? They are planted. 00:01:48.819 --> 00:01:53.120 Ruth meets the man who will redeem her situation. 00:01:54.819 --> 00:01:58.180 Now the setting in Ruth 2 is full of activity, isn't it? 00:01:58.879 --> 00:02:04.079 It's full of reaping and production and agriculture and farming. 00:02:04.079 --> 00:02:14.039 Don't we get the contrast there with what we saw Naomi and Ruth's life was like in chapter 1, if you were here last week? 00:02:14.560 --> 00:02:21.740 Where leaving the Lord to go to Moab brought bitterness, death and emptiness. 00:02:22.919 --> 00:02:28.379 But at the end of chapter 1 they return to Bethlehem in Judah, they return to the Lord's land, 00:02:28.379 --> 00:02:31.079 and now we're meant to see the contrast. 00:02:32.299 --> 00:02:37.280 They arrive at the beginning of the barley harvest, the end of chapter 1. 00:02:38.079 --> 00:02:42.979 And the fields are white, ready to be harvested, full of crops. 00:02:42.979 --> 00:02:52.019 We go from the emptiness of chapter 1 to fullness, from famine to fields of plenty, from sadness to satisfaction. 00:02:52.020 --> 00:02:59.420 And the key reason that the writer gives us for that, I think is in verse 11 and 12 if you look there. 00:03:00.540 --> 00:03:01.860 Boaz answered Ruth, 00:03:01.860 --> 00:03:31.840 So it's important to see the truth. 00:03:31.860 --> 00:03:42.560 See, isn't it, that the change of scene, from chapter 1 to chapter 2, this change of life for Ruth has come through a changed perspective on God. 00:03:43.520 --> 00:03:48.480 To leave one life behind and come to God's people and his place. 00:03:48.560 --> 00:03:51.000 That's what repentance looks like, isn't it? 00:03:51.000 --> 00:04:04.400 Instead of running from God, Ruth has turned around and starts to come towards God, to take refuge under his wings in his land. 00:04:05.360 --> 00:04:07.139 It's a lovely image that, isn't it? 00:04:08.000 --> 00:04:17.939 The image of little chicks, little birds, sheltering from the hot deadly sun in the cooling shadow of a mother's wings. 00:04:17.939 --> 00:04:29.899 Ruth has found an oasis in the famine desert as she comes back to God, as she shelters under his wings. 00:04:29.899 --> 00:04:37.279 And under the wings of God, God has purposed a man to bring his blessings and care into her life. 00:04:38.139 --> 00:04:42.920 Under the wings of God, Ruth meets the Redeemer of God. 00:04:42.920 --> 00:04:49.980 Now Ruth, too, is shot through, isn't it, with the impressive figure of this man, Boaz. 00:04:50.860 --> 00:04:58.580 Who is Christ-like in his provision for her and grace and love for Ruth. 00:05:00.080 --> 00:05:04.300 Boaz is the one who brings blessings to bear in her life. 00:05:04.780 --> 00:05:05.100 He says, 00:05:05.100 --> 00:05:16.560 It is Boaz, isn't it, who pronounces and provides God's blessings on her. 00:05:17.420 --> 00:05:18.720 He is Christ-like. 00:05:20.480 --> 00:05:29.400 But as we dive into this, I want us to see how unlikely and impossible the meeting of Ruth and Boaz really is. 00:05:29.399 --> 00:05:34.979 Every good love story has impossible odds, doesn't it? 00:05:36.079 --> 00:05:37.259 Romeo and Juliet. 00:05:37.479 --> 00:05:40.560 Juliet, they come from different warring families. 00:05:41.439 --> 00:05:46.379 Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet both hate each other's guts at the beginning. 00:05:46.959 --> 00:05:48.179 Beauty and the Beast. 00:05:48.439 --> 00:05:51.060 Well, one of them's a beauty and one of them's a beast, isn't it? 00:05:51.339 --> 00:05:54.659 Every great love story has impossible odds. 00:05:54.660 --> 00:05:58.340 They always have a hurdle to climb over. 00:05:58.660 --> 00:06:00.939 Something that would normally keep them apart. 00:06:02.680 --> 00:06:07.140 So, for Ruth, this isn't a simple story of boy meets girl and the rest of history. 00:06:07.240 --> 00:06:12.980 Because, first of all, there is the locked door that keeps Ruth out. 00:06:13.980 --> 00:06:16.700 The locked door that keeps Ruth out. 00:06:16.699 --> 00:06:28.519 So, amidst the excitement of watching Ruth and Boaz meet in this book, 00:06:29.240 --> 00:06:34.740 is the underlying fact of the girl's past, isn't it? 00:06:34.819 --> 00:06:38.139 Ruth's skeletons hidden in the closet. 00:06:39.419 --> 00:06:44.199 There is something about her identity, about her very nature, 00:06:44.199 --> 00:06:48.279 that means that this union is an illicit relationship. 00:06:49.959 --> 00:06:53.339 It could be something that would pass us by on, on first reading, actually. 00:06:53.459 --> 00:06:58.959 But the writer leaves us in no doubt that something is amiss with Ruth. 00:07:00.439 --> 00:07:02.039 So, how is she described? 00:07:02.360 --> 00:07:03.399 Look at verse 2. 00:07:04.839 --> 00:07:08.480 Ruth, the Moabite, said to Naomi, 00:07:08.620 --> 00:07:10.159 let me go to the field and glean. 00:07:11.759 --> 00:07:13.079 Verse 6. 00:07:14.199 --> 00:07:16.879 The servant who is in charge of the Reepers answered, 00:07:17.079 --> 00:07:19.959 she is the young Moabite woman. 00:07:21.079 --> 00:07:22.279 Verse 21. 00:07:23.539 --> 00:07:26.180 Ruth, the Moabite, said. 00:07:27.620 --> 00:07:29.680 As a Moabite woman, 00:07:30.680 --> 00:07:33.819 Ruth has got baggage in this relationship. 00:07:34.839 --> 00:07:37.000 Her identity as a Moabite 00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:39.300 closes the door on her 00:07:39.300 --> 00:07:41.899 to receive any blessings from God. 00:07:41.899 --> 00:07:44.539 She should be kept out 00:07:44.539 --> 00:07:45.599 from the assembly. 00:07:47.139 --> 00:07:47.979 Now, if you'd like to, 00:07:48.039 --> 00:07:48.659 you don't have to, 00:07:48.739 --> 00:07:49.459 but if you'd like to, 00:07:49.519 --> 00:07:50.620 turn back with me to 00:07:50.620 --> 00:07:52.620 Deuteronomy chapter 23. 00:07:54.239 --> 00:07:55.539 Deuteronomy chapter 23. 00:07:55.699 --> 00:07:56.579 It's on page... 00:07:57.299 --> 00:07:58.139 when I get there. 00:07:59.779 --> 00:08:00.379 165. 00:08:03.019 --> 00:08:04.639 Now, in this part of the Bible, 00:08:04.779 --> 00:08:06.719 Moses preaches to God's people 00:08:06.719 --> 00:08:08.060 the laws of the Lord. 00:08:08.060 --> 00:08:11.540 And God's land is to be lived in properly. 00:08:12.120 --> 00:08:13.560 It is to be a holy land 00:08:13.560 --> 00:08:15.740 where those who reject God 00:08:15.740 --> 00:08:17.280 cannot receive his blessings. 00:08:18.560 --> 00:08:19.300 Now, historically, 00:08:19.459 --> 00:08:20.660 the people of Moab 00:08:20.660 --> 00:08:22.879 have been at war with Israel. 00:08:23.879 --> 00:08:25.980 So the Lord gives a law about them 00:08:25.980 --> 00:08:26.740 specifically. 00:08:26.939 --> 00:08:28.340 Deuteronomy chapter 23, 00:08:28.480 --> 00:08:29.540 verse 3 to 4. 00:08:30.060 --> 00:08:32.220 No Ammonite or Moabite 00:08:32.220 --> 00:08:34.440 may enter the assembly of the Lord, 00:08:34.440 --> 00:08:37.120 even to the tenth generation. 00:08:38.300 --> 00:08:39.460 None of them may enter 00:08:39.460 --> 00:08:40.780 the assembly of the Lord 00:08:40.780 --> 00:08:41.960 forever. 00:08:43.260 --> 00:08:44.840 Because they did not meet you 00:08:44.840 --> 00:08:45.440 with bread 00:08:45.440 --> 00:08:47.260 and with water on the way 00:08:47.260 --> 00:08:49.280 when you came out of Egypt. 00:08:49.640 --> 00:08:51.240 And because they hired against you 00:08:51.240 --> 00:08:52.440 Balaam, the son of Beor 00:08:52.440 --> 00:08:54.120 from Pethor of Mesopotamia, 00:08:54.120 --> 00:08:55.320 to curse you. 00:08:57.560 --> 00:09:00.000 The Moabites are a marked people. 00:09:01.340 --> 00:09:02.620 Marked for exclusion, 00:09:02.860 --> 00:09:03.660 not inclusion, 00:09:03.659 --> 00:09:05.299 into God's people. 00:09:05.559 --> 00:09:07.100 If you're born a Moabite, 00:09:07.699 --> 00:09:09.500 you're born into a marked people. 00:09:11.100 --> 00:09:13.059 So you can take the girl 00:09:13.059 --> 00:09:14.679 out of Moab, can't you? 00:09:15.839 --> 00:09:17.100 You can take her there, 00:09:17.159 --> 00:09:18.519 but you cannot take Moab 00:09:18.519 --> 00:09:19.439 out of the girl. 00:09:20.899 --> 00:09:23.000 It was down to her very nature 00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:25.339 that she wasn't permitted 00:09:25.339 --> 00:09:26.620 to be in the covenant. 00:09:27.879 --> 00:09:29.919 She was naturally an outsider. 00:09:31.079 --> 00:09:32.600 Moab was in her blood. 00:09:33.659 --> 00:09:35.139 It was what made her tick. 00:09:35.299 --> 00:09:36.919 She was a Moabite 00:09:36.919 --> 00:09:38.740 at the core of who she was. 00:09:39.939 --> 00:09:41.399 She was part of a people 00:09:41.399 --> 00:09:43.259 who had warred against the Lord. 00:09:44.360 --> 00:09:46.159 So God's law kept her 00:09:46.159 --> 00:09:47.319 from coming to him 00:09:47.319 --> 00:09:48.980 and meeting him. 00:09:48.980 --> 00:09:51.879 And so we see, don't we, 00:09:51.879 --> 00:09:53.940 the barrier for Ruth 00:09:53.940 --> 00:09:55.220 ever receiving blessing 00:09:55.220 --> 00:09:56.039 from the Lord. 00:09:57.340 --> 00:09:58.600 God's covenant promises 00:09:58.600 --> 00:09:59.639 were not for her. 00:10:00.700 --> 00:10:01.840 She was an outsider. 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:04.159 The Moabite woman 00:10:04.159 --> 00:10:05.840 could not just stroll in 00:10:05.840 --> 00:10:06.860 to God's presence 00:10:06.860 --> 00:10:07.840 and ask for blessing. 00:10:08.840 --> 00:10:10.639 It would be an impossible thing. 00:10:10.639 --> 00:10:13.059 None of them 00:10:13.059 --> 00:10:15.399 may enter my assembly 00:10:15.399 --> 00:10:16.039 forever. 00:10:17.419 --> 00:10:18.960 What a sentence that is. 00:10:20.220 --> 00:10:21.580 I don't know if I could 00:10:21.580 --> 00:10:22.840 stomach those words. 00:10:23.039 --> 00:10:24.539 You are never allowed in, 00:10:24.799 --> 00:10:25.500 God says. 00:10:26.500 --> 00:10:27.779 You are never allowed in 00:10:27.779 --> 00:10:28.659 to my blessings. 00:10:29.799 --> 00:10:30.720 God's perfect, 00:10:30.899 --> 00:10:32.100 holy, pure law 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:34.179 was the locked door 00:10:34.179 --> 00:10:36.539 that kept Ruth 00:10:36.539 --> 00:10:37.739 the Moabite out. 00:10:39.799 --> 00:10:40.899 Now if this is sounding 00:10:40.899 --> 00:10:41.699 a bit harsh, 00:10:41.799 --> 00:10:42.519 we know, don't we, 00:10:42.539 --> 00:10:44.000 that God is a God of love. 00:10:44.779 --> 00:10:45.839 God is a God of love. 00:10:45.899 --> 00:10:46.839 We all know that. 00:10:48.839 --> 00:10:50.539 But God doesn't love 00:10:50.539 --> 00:10:53.000 everything in his land. 00:10:53.699 --> 00:10:54.839 He is a God of love, 00:10:54.839 --> 00:10:56.599 but he doesn't love everything. 00:10:57.459 --> 00:10:59.299 He doesn't love rape. 00:10:59.819 --> 00:11:01.500 He doesn't love murder. 00:11:02.539 --> 00:11:04.099 He doesn't love sex abuse. 00:11:05.059 --> 00:11:06.679 He is a God of love, 00:11:07.179 --> 00:11:08.500 but he doesn't love 00:11:08.500 --> 00:11:09.099 those things, 00:11:09.159 --> 00:11:10.039 and we're glad of that, 00:11:10.099 --> 00:11:10.500 aren't we? 00:11:11.559 --> 00:11:13.039 He doesn't love liars. 00:11:13.859 --> 00:11:15.239 He doesn't love cheaters. 00:11:16.019 --> 00:11:18.079 He doesn't love impure thoughts. 00:11:18.579 --> 00:11:20.239 He doesn't love evil speech. 00:11:22.019 --> 00:11:23.319 Now as we go through that list, 00:11:23.399 --> 00:11:24.739 it gets quite close to home, 00:11:24.739 --> 00:11:25.319 doesn't it? 00:11:26.419 --> 00:11:28.039 As we realise that actually 00:11:28.039 --> 00:11:29.039 we've all got 00:11:29.039 --> 00:11:31.799 a bit of Moab in us. 00:11:31.799 --> 00:11:34.179 Let me read to you 00:11:34.179 --> 00:11:35.759 some verses from Paul's letter 00:11:35.759 --> 00:11:36.639 to the Ephesians. 00:11:36.740 --> 00:11:38.019 Ephesians chapter 2. 00:11:39.519 --> 00:11:41.139 We all once lived 00:11:41.139 --> 00:11:43.819 in the passions of our flesh, 00:11:45.159 --> 00:11:46.539 carrying out the desires 00:11:46.539 --> 00:11:48.740 of the body and the mind, 00:11:49.740 --> 00:11:51.699 and were by nature 00:11:51.699 --> 00:11:53.919 children of wrath, 00:11:54.679 --> 00:11:56.459 like the rest of mankind. 00:11:56.460 --> 00:12:00.300 Paul says it was in our nature. 00:12:01.340 --> 00:12:02.580 We had Moab 00:12:02.580 --> 00:12:04.500 in the passions of our flesh, 00:12:05.060 --> 00:12:06.620 Moab in the selfish desires 00:12:06.620 --> 00:12:07.240 of the body, 00:12:07.420 --> 00:12:08.820 and Moab in the mind. 00:12:08.820 --> 00:12:10.720 Like Ruth, 00:12:10.800 --> 00:12:11.640 we come to God 00:12:11.640 --> 00:12:12.820 as total outsiders, 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:15.620 naturally excluded 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:16.660 from his presence 00:12:16.660 --> 00:12:17.540 and his blessings. 00:12:20.100 --> 00:12:21.500 Now perhaps you're here tonight 00:12:21.500 --> 00:12:22.660 and you wouldn't call yourself 00:12:22.660 --> 00:12:23.180 a Christian. 00:12:23.540 --> 00:12:24.660 You're very, very welcome. 00:12:25.440 --> 00:12:26.740 But I wonder if you feel 00:12:26.740 --> 00:12:27.980 the reality of that 00:12:27.980 --> 00:12:28.860 tonight. 00:12:29.860 --> 00:12:31.180 It just feels like 00:12:31.180 --> 00:12:32.740 there is a total canyon 00:12:32.740 --> 00:12:34.760 between you and God. 00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:36.919 something huge 00:12:36.919 --> 00:12:37.700 is in the way, 00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:39.100 separating you. 00:12:39.419 --> 00:12:41.159 It feels like a locked door. 00:12:42.799 --> 00:12:44.779 Even to the tenth generation, 00:12:45.580 --> 00:12:46.860 God says in Deuteronomy, 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:47.819 the Moabites 00:12:47.819 --> 00:12:49.439 are excluded. 00:12:50.840 --> 00:12:51.960 Now I think that helps us, 00:12:52.019 --> 00:12:52.279 doesn't it, 00:12:52.299 --> 00:12:53.080 with the distinction 00:12:53.080 --> 00:12:54.659 between feeling guilty 00:12:54.659 --> 00:12:56.620 and being guilty. 00:12:57.720 --> 00:12:58.679 Feeling guilty 00:12:58.679 --> 00:12:59.519 and being guilty. 00:12:59.819 --> 00:13:01.700 You didn't have to feel guilty 00:13:01.700 --> 00:13:03.639 to be guilty. 00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:05.799 You don't have to be 00:13:05.799 --> 00:13:07.059 conscious of sin, 00:13:08.100 --> 00:13:09.460 but it's in our blood. 00:13:10.840 --> 00:13:11.700 By nature, 00:13:12.100 --> 00:13:13.799 we are all Moabites. 00:13:14.919 --> 00:13:15.659 Paul says, 00:13:15.779 --> 00:13:17.200 we were children of wrath, 00:13:18.139 --> 00:13:19.439 excluded from God's 00:13:19.439 --> 00:13:20.319 covenant blessings, 00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:21.480 children of Moab. 00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:23.720 And God's law 00:13:23.720 --> 00:13:25.080 is uncompromising 00:13:25.080 --> 00:13:26.620 and exclusive. 00:13:27.360 --> 00:13:28.319 He is a God of love, 00:13:28.319 --> 00:13:29.779 but he doesn't love everything. 00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:31.319 Psalm 24, 00:13:31.460 --> 00:13:32.559 who shall ascend 00:13:32.559 --> 00:13:33.620 the hill of the Lord? 00:13:34.759 --> 00:13:36.080 Who shall stand 00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:36.960 in his place? 00:13:37.879 --> 00:13:39.000 His holy place. 00:13:40.539 --> 00:13:41.860 Leviticus 18, 00:13:42.100 --> 00:13:43.480 it's one of my favourite passages, 00:13:43.679 --> 00:13:44.799 speaks about the land 00:13:44.799 --> 00:13:46.740 vomiting out the people 00:13:46.740 --> 00:13:48.360 if they make it 00:13:48.360 --> 00:13:49.720 unclean with sin. 00:13:51.200 --> 00:13:52.299 By nature, 00:13:52.419 --> 00:13:53.600 I am a Moabite. 00:13:54.779 --> 00:13:56.000 And by nature, 00:13:56.360 --> 00:13:58.639 God cannot stomach that. 00:13:58.639 --> 00:14:00.860 His land 00:14:00.860 --> 00:14:02.819 would vomit me out. 00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:05.620 He wants sin out. 00:14:06.279 --> 00:14:07.559 He wants rid of it 00:14:07.559 --> 00:14:09.500 to vomit it out. 00:14:10.460 --> 00:14:12.559 You can take me out of Moab. 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:14.240 You can put me 00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:15.460 in a Christian culture. 00:14:16.740 --> 00:14:17.559 But actually, 00:14:17.699 --> 00:14:18.899 it's much, much harder, 00:14:19.019 --> 00:14:19.360 isn't it, 00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:20.519 to take the Moab 00:14:20.519 --> 00:14:21.759 out of me. 00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:23.860 And so the door 00:14:23.860 --> 00:14:25.139 is firmly locked 00:14:25.139 --> 00:14:26.519 for Ruth 00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:27.439 to reach God's 00:14:27.439 --> 00:14:27.899 assembly. 00:14:28.679 --> 00:14:29.779 God's perfect law 00:14:29.779 --> 00:14:30.879 marks her 00:14:30.879 --> 00:14:32.620 as a Moabite. 00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:35.179 And perhaps we 00:14:35.179 --> 00:14:36.259 need to feel that 00:14:36.259 --> 00:14:36.759 a bit more, 00:14:36.819 --> 00:14:37.139 don't we, 00:14:37.179 --> 00:14:37.840 these days? 00:14:38.700 --> 00:14:39.559 To walk into 00:14:39.559 --> 00:14:40.500 God's assembly 00:14:40.500 --> 00:14:42.559 and simply ask 00:14:42.559 --> 00:14:43.399 for his blessings, 00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:44.639 it should be, 00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:45.700 should be, 00:14:46.039 --> 00:14:46.620 impossible. 00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:49.100 Prayer meetings, 00:14:49.200 --> 00:14:49.819 a prayer meeting 00:14:49.820 --> 00:14:50.660 on Wednesday evening, 00:14:50.760 --> 00:14:51.840 it should be impossible, 00:14:52.020 --> 00:14:52.520 shouldn't it? 00:14:54.300 --> 00:14:55.320 Knowing God, 00:14:56.000 --> 00:14:57.160 receiving his blessings, 00:14:57.460 --> 00:14:58.720 being in his assembly, 00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:00.600 should be impossible. 00:15:00.960 --> 00:15:01.600 By nature, 00:15:01.680 --> 00:15:02.560 we were all children 00:15:02.560 --> 00:15:03.220 of wrath, 00:15:04.120 --> 00:15:04.720 outsiders. 00:15:06.060 --> 00:15:07.660 He should vomit us out. 00:15:09.520 --> 00:15:10.720 So there was the door 00:15:10.720 --> 00:15:11.860 that kept her out. 00:15:12.780 --> 00:15:13.540 There was the door 00:15:13.540 --> 00:15:14.220 that kept her out. 00:15:14.280 --> 00:15:14.900 But then, 00:15:15.720 --> 00:15:16.920 there is the man 00:15:16.920 --> 00:15:18.300 who gets her in. 00:15:18.299 --> 00:15:20.299 The man who gets 00:15:20.299 --> 00:15:20.899 her in. 00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:22.839 Just have a look 00:15:22.839 --> 00:15:23.339 with me at 00:15:23.339 --> 00:15:24.539 verse 4 to 6. 00:15:27.339 --> 00:15:28.579 Verse 4 to 6. 00:15:29.659 --> 00:15:30.139 Behold, 00:15:30.839 --> 00:15:31.819 Boaz came 00:15:31.819 --> 00:15:33.079 from Bethlehem 00:15:33.079 --> 00:15:34.359 and he said 00:15:34.359 --> 00:15:34.899 to the reapers, 00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:36.159 The Lord be with you. 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:36.859 And they answered, 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:38.699 The Lord bless you. 00:15:39.059 --> 00:15:40.019 Then Boaz said 00:15:40.019 --> 00:15:40.839 to his young man 00:15:40.839 --> 00:15:41.559 who was in charge 00:15:41.559 --> 00:15:42.059 of the reapers, 00:15:42.259 --> 00:15:43.159 Whose young woman 00:15:43.159 --> 00:15:43.759 is this? 00:15:44.419 --> 00:15:45.079 And the servant 00:15:45.079 --> 00:15:45.839 who was in charge 00:15:45.839 --> 00:15:46.399 of the reapers 00:15:46.399 --> 00:15:46.839 answered, 00:15:46.840 --> 00:15:47.940 She is the young 00:15:47.940 --> 00:15:48.740 Moabite woman 00:15:48.740 --> 00:15:49.920 who came back 00:15:49.920 --> 00:15:50.700 with Naomi 00:15:50.700 --> 00:15:52.060 from the country 00:15:52.060 --> 00:15:53.500 of Moab. 00:15:54.660 --> 00:15:55.259 Behold, 00:15:55.980 --> 00:15:57.139 it's Boaz. 00:15:57.420 --> 00:15:58.399 It's Boaz. 00:15:59.200 --> 00:16:00.060 And Boaz 00:16:00.060 --> 00:16:01.320 is a definitively 00:16:01.320 --> 00:16:02.560 beautiful character, 00:16:02.980 --> 00:16:03.500 isn't he? 00:16:03.700 --> 00:16:04.879 We're told in verse 2 00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:06.460 that he is a worthy man. 00:16:07.180 --> 00:16:07.960 And the fields 00:16:07.960 --> 00:16:09.220 belong to him, 00:16:09.320 --> 00:16:09.780 don't they? 00:16:10.080 --> 00:16:11.200 And as he appears 00:16:11.200 --> 00:16:11.800 in the field, 00:16:11.800 --> 00:16:13.660 he comes pronouncing 00:16:13.660 --> 00:16:14.820 the Lord's blessing 00:16:14.820 --> 00:16:16.400 on his workers, 00:16:16.840 --> 00:16:18.180 on those in his land. 00:16:18.260 --> 00:16:19.720 The Lord bless you. 00:16:20.340 --> 00:16:21.080 And they reply, 00:16:21.180 --> 00:16:22.420 The Lord bless you. 00:16:23.140 --> 00:16:24.300 Boaz is surrounded 00:16:24.300 --> 00:16:25.420 by blessing 00:16:25.420 --> 00:16:26.680 and bounty 00:16:26.680 --> 00:16:27.640 and activity, 00:16:28.080 --> 00:16:28.840 by production, 00:16:29.020 --> 00:16:29.760 by life. 00:16:30.600 --> 00:16:31.520 He is the head 00:16:31.520 --> 00:16:32.620 and the workers 00:16:32.620 --> 00:16:33.780 all surround him 00:16:33.780 --> 00:16:34.720 in the fields. 00:16:35.660 --> 00:16:36.660 It's the harvest 00:16:36.660 --> 00:16:37.860 and Boaz 00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:38.760 is at the kernel, 00:16:38.900 --> 00:16:39.240 isn't he? 00:16:39.380 --> 00:16:40.480 He is at the centre 00:16:40.480 --> 00:16:41.740 in the midst 00:16:41.740 --> 00:16:42.720 of his workforce, 00:16:42.720 --> 00:16:44.460 talking to them, 00:16:44.560 --> 00:16:45.360 near to them, 00:16:45.940 --> 00:16:47.320 proclaiming God's blessings 00:16:47.320 --> 00:16:47.920 upon them 00:16:47.920 --> 00:16:48.779 as they work. 00:16:49.620 --> 00:16:50.920 He is the mediator 00:16:50.920 --> 00:16:52.399 and focus 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:53.160 of the blessings 00:16:53.160 --> 00:16:54.160 that God has given 00:16:54.160 --> 00:16:55.080 the people here, 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:55.899 Boaz. 00:16:57.279 --> 00:16:58.160 And Ruth 00:16:58.160 --> 00:17:00.379 just so happens 00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:02.580 not only to be 00:17:02.580 --> 00:17:03.420 in the right field 00:17:03.420 --> 00:17:04.480 at the right time, 00:17:05.140 --> 00:17:06.400 but in the right part 00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:07.100 of the field 00:17:07.100 --> 00:17:08.480 just at the time 00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:09.700 when Boaz appears. 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:12.240 It's a providential 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:13.799 moment in her life 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:15.539 because actually 00:17:15.539 --> 00:17:16.920 seeking refuge 00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:17.660 under the wings 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:18.360 of the Lord 00:17:18.360 --> 00:17:19.460 brings her 00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:21.000 directly to the fields 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:21.779 of Boaz. 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:24.259 Even though 00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:24.960 we're reminded 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:26.200 she's an outsider, 00:17:27.340 --> 00:17:28.640 the Lord brings her 00:17:28.640 --> 00:17:29.640 providentially 00:17:29.640 --> 00:17:30.580 into contact 00:17:30.580 --> 00:17:31.259 with him. 00:17:32.100 --> 00:17:32.580 With him. 00:17:33.720 --> 00:17:35.380 The core of all life 00:17:35.380 --> 00:17:36.240 for the people. 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:38.299 The Lord brings her 00:17:38.299 --> 00:17:39.980 to this Christ-like 00:17:39.980 --> 00:17:40.399 figure. 00:17:42.159 --> 00:17:43.159 So there's a great 00:17:43.159 --> 00:17:44.139 paradox there, 00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:44.559 isn't there, 00:17:44.579 --> 00:17:45.680 in the work of God. 00:17:46.720 --> 00:17:47.399 Now think about 00:17:47.399 --> 00:17:48.220 your front door 00:17:48.220 --> 00:17:48.859 for a second. 00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:50.619 Your front door 00:17:50.619 --> 00:17:51.419 is not just there 00:17:51.419 --> 00:17:52.180 for one reason, 00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:52.539 is it? 00:17:52.700 --> 00:17:54.220 It's there for two reasons. 00:17:55.379 --> 00:17:56.299 One reason 00:17:56.299 --> 00:17:57.639 is to keep 00:17:57.639 --> 00:17:59.159 unwanted people out, 00:17:59.319 --> 00:17:59.759 isn't it? 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:00.700 Stay out. 00:18:02.139 --> 00:18:02.819 It is to keep 00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:03.839 outsiders away 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:04.700 from your family, 00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:06.339 keeps your house 00:18:06.339 --> 00:18:08.119 safe from harm. 00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:10.039 But actually 00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:11.220 that same door 00:18:11.220 --> 00:18:12.500 is also used 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.659 to let people in. 00:18:14.579 --> 00:18:15.279 Isn't it? 00:18:15.319 --> 00:18:16.200 It's a paradox. 00:18:16.379 --> 00:18:17.139 The same door 00:18:17.139 --> 00:18:18.700 keeps people out 00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:20.599 but it lets people in 00:18:20.599 --> 00:18:21.720 at the same time. 00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:24.279 Now just going back 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:25.740 to Deuteronomy again. 00:18:26.299 --> 00:18:26.639 Do you remember 00:18:26.639 --> 00:18:27.700 chapter 23? 00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:29.339 The uncompromising 00:18:29.339 --> 00:18:30.680 force of God's law. 00:18:31.019 --> 00:18:31.940 Keeping Moabites 00:18:31.940 --> 00:18:32.359 out. 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:34.519 But then only 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:35.659 in the next chapter, 00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:36.399 Deuteronomy 00:18:36.400 --> 00:18:37.680 chapter 24, 00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:40.080 listen to these words 00:18:40.080 --> 00:18:41.420 in verse 19. 00:18:42.860 --> 00:18:44.040 When you reap 00:18:44.040 --> 00:18:44.740 your harvest 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:45.840 in your field 00:18:45.840 --> 00:18:47.180 and forget 00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:47.680 a sheaf 00:18:47.680 --> 00:18:48.340 in the field, 00:18:48.920 --> 00:18:49.620 you shall not 00:18:49.620 --> 00:18:50.140 go back 00:18:50.140 --> 00:18:50.840 to get it. 00:18:51.880 --> 00:18:52.820 It shall be 00:18:52.820 --> 00:18:54.000 for the sojourner, 00:18:54.820 --> 00:18:55.860 the fatherless 00:18:55.860 --> 00:18:56.740 and the widow, 00:18:57.680 --> 00:18:58.480 that the Lord 00:18:58.480 --> 00:18:59.019 your God 00:18:59.019 --> 00:18:59.920 may bless you 00:18:59.920 --> 00:19:00.720 in all the work 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:01.600 of your hands. 00:19:02.600 --> 00:19:03.500 When you reap 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:04.400 your olive trees, 00:19:04.400 --> 00:19:05.140 you shall not 00:19:05.140 --> 00:19:06.200 go over them again. 00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:07.900 It shall be 00:19:07.900 --> 00:19:09.140 for the sojourner, 00:19:09.860 --> 00:19:10.700 the fatherless 00:19:10.700 --> 00:19:11.660 and the widow. 00:19:12.860 --> 00:19:14.740 When you gather 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:15.240 the grapes 00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:16.140 of your vineyard, 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:16.800 you shall not 00:19:16.800 --> 00:19:17.580 strip it afterwards. 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:19.360 It shall be 00:19:19.360 --> 00:19:20.360 for the sojourner, 00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:21.759 the fatherless 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:22.720 and the widow. 00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:24.500 You shall remember 00:19:24.500 --> 00:19:25.320 that you 00:19:25.320 --> 00:19:26.700 were a slave 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:27.200 in the land 00:19:27.200 --> 00:19:27.820 of Egypt. 00:19:28.900 --> 00:19:29.360 Therefore, 00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:30.659 I command you 00:19:30.659 --> 00:19:32.159 to do this. 00:19:35.139 --> 00:19:35.740 Moabites 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:37.139 stay out. 00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:39.579 Chapter 23 00:19:39.579 --> 00:19:40.639 gives reasons, 00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:41.099 doesn't it, 00:19:41.139 --> 00:19:41.740 why Ruth 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:42.799 should be excluded. 00:19:44.339 --> 00:19:45.000 But then only 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:46.019 on the next page, 00:19:46.199 --> 00:19:47.139 chapter 24, 00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:48.899 gives reasons 00:19:48.899 --> 00:19:49.679 why she should 00:19:49.679 --> 00:19:50.579 be included. 00:19:50.959 --> 00:19:51.759 It's a funny thing. 00:19:53.139 --> 00:19:54.059 Ruth qualifies 00:19:54.059 --> 00:19:55.479 on all three counts, 00:19:55.559 --> 00:19:56.039 doesn't she? 00:19:56.039 --> 00:19:57.579 She is a sojourner, 00:19:58.379 --> 00:19:59.619 foreigner from Moab. 00:20:00.079 --> 00:20:01.319 She is fatherless 00:20:01.319 --> 00:20:03.119 and she is a widow 00:20:03.119 --> 00:20:04.859 at harvest time 00:20:04.859 --> 00:20:05.299 as well. 00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:07.180 It shows us, 00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:07.500 doesn't it, 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:08.200 that contained 00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:09.639 within the very law 00:20:09.639 --> 00:20:11.279 which prevented 00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:12.240 her access 00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:13.920 is a provision 00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:15.379 for access. 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:17.480 We see that 00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:18.759 the paradox 00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:19.680 of God's law, 00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:20.399 the open, 00:20:20.639 --> 00:20:21.480 closed door. 00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:23.180 God says 00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:23.639 to sinners, 00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:24.279 stop. 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:26.279 There is no question 00:20:26.279 --> 00:20:26.980 about that. 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:28.839 And yet, 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:30.339 somehow in his grace, 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:32.680 the same law of God 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:33.859 opens a way 00:20:33.859 --> 00:20:35.259 for sinners 00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:36.059 to join in. 00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:36.700 Stop, 00:20:37.639 --> 00:20:38.259 come in. 00:20:39.339 --> 00:20:40.720 A door keeps people out, 00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:41.259 stop, 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:43.759 but it also lets people in. 00:20:44.619 --> 00:20:46.059 And without that same door, 00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:47.200 nobody can enter. 00:20:48.859 --> 00:20:51.119 And this opened door 00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:51.899 is opened 00:20:51.900 --> 00:20:53.480 by God's 00:20:53.480 --> 00:20:53.900 Christ-like 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:54.940 figure, 00:20:55.180 --> 00:20:55.720 Boaz. 00:20:56.620 --> 00:20:58.220 The door was closed, 00:20:58.860 --> 00:20:59.700 but the man 00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:00.660 gets her in. 00:21:01.680 --> 00:21:02.500 The man 00:21:02.500 --> 00:21:03.780 is the means 00:21:03.780 --> 00:21:04.960 whereby Ruth 00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:05.580 can come into 00:21:05.580 --> 00:21:06.440 the full blessings 00:21:06.440 --> 00:21:07.280 of God's covenant 00:21:07.280 --> 00:21:07.840 assembly. 00:21:09.120 --> 00:21:10.080 He is the one 00:21:10.080 --> 00:21:10.920 through whom 00:21:10.920 --> 00:21:11.800 God gives grace 00:21:11.800 --> 00:21:12.240 to her, 00:21:12.600 --> 00:21:13.080 through whom 00:21:13.080 --> 00:21:13.700 he welcomes 00:21:13.700 --> 00:21:14.360 outsiders. 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:16.420 He notices her, 00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:16.820 doesn't he? 00:21:16.900 --> 00:21:17.820 Whose young woman 00:21:17.820 --> 00:21:18.400 is this? 00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:19.800 He seeks her out. 00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:21.480 He pursues her 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:22.980 and shows her 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:23.779 where to glean 00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:24.460 her barley. 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:24.960 Have a look at 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:26.200 verse 8 and 9 again. 00:21:26.879 --> 00:21:27.919 Back in Ruth. 00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:29.599 Boaz said to Ruth, 00:21:29.659 --> 00:21:30.180 now listen, 00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:30.819 my daughter, 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:32.180 don't go to glean 00:21:32.180 --> 00:21:32.919 in another field 00:21:32.919 --> 00:21:33.839 or leave this one. 00:21:34.119 --> 00:21:35.139 Keep close to my 00:21:35.139 --> 00:21:35.659 young women. 00:21:36.339 --> 00:21:36.940 Let your eyes 00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:37.740 be on the field 00:21:37.740 --> 00:21:38.940 that they are reaping 00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:39.879 and go after them. 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:41.639 Have I not charged 00:21:41.639 --> 00:21:42.200 the young men 00:21:42.200 --> 00:21:43.180 not to touch you? 00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:44.619 When you are thirsty, 00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:45.460 go to the vessels 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:46.099 and drink 00:21:46.099 --> 00:21:47.359 what the young men 00:21:47.359 --> 00:21:47.919 have drawn. 00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:50.100 He leads her 00:21:50.100 --> 00:21:52.180 to green pastures 00:21:52.180 --> 00:21:54.420 and to still waters. 00:21:55.640 --> 00:21:57.060 He provides safety. 00:21:58.580 --> 00:21:59.600 He fends off 00:21:59.600 --> 00:22:01.420 rebuke from her, 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:01.940 doesn't he? 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:03.660 In verse 15, 00:22:04.680 --> 00:22:05.759 when she rose to glean, 00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:06.759 Boaz instructed 00:22:06.759 --> 00:22:07.480 his young men, 00:22:07.580 --> 00:22:07.779 saying, 00:22:07.900 --> 00:22:08.920 let her glean, 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:11.039 even among the sheaves. 00:22:11.160 --> 00:22:12.340 Don't rebuke her. 00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:14.300 Verse 16 as well. 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:14.740 Also, 00:22:15.839 --> 00:22:16.480 pull out some 00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:17.839 from the bundles 00:22:17.839 --> 00:22:18.399 for her 00:22:18.399 --> 00:22:19.359 and leave it 00:22:19.359 --> 00:22:19.980 for her to glean. 00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:21.099 Don't rebuke her. 00:22:22.659 --> 00:22:23.859 Boaz seeks her out, 00:22:24.859 --> 00:22:25.480 provides, 00:22:26.379 --> 00:22:27.319 and includes, 00:22:27.879 --> 00:22:28.519 and welcomes, 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:30.399 and protects. 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:34.019 There's a lovely scene, 00:22:34.099 --> 00:22:34.500 isn't there? 00:22:34.619 --> 00:22:35.940 A mealtime scene 00:22:35.940 --> 00:22:38.279 in verse 14. 00:22:38.399 --> 00:22:39.220 At mealtime, 00:22:39.339 --> 00:22:40.379 Boaz said to her, 00:22:40.380 --> 00:22:41.600 come here 00:22:41.600 --> 00:22:43.640 and eat some bread 00:22:43.640 --> 00:22:44.780 and dip your morsel 00:22:44.780 --> 00:22:45.500 in the wine. 00:22:46.260 --> 00:22:47.480 So she sat beside 00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:48.060 the reapers 00:22:48.060 --> 00:22:49.020 and he passed to her 00:22:49.020 --> 00:22:49.980 roasted grain. 00:22:50.600 --> 00:22:51.380 She ate until 00:22:51.380 --> 00:22:52.520 she was satisfied 00:22:52.520 --> 00:22:53.800 and she had 00:22:53.800 --> 00:22:54.780 some left over. 00:22:56.060 --> 00:22:57.180 From emptiness 00:22:57.180 --> 00:22:58.940 to fullness. 00:23:00.140 --> 00:23:01.060 From sadness 00:23:01.060 --> 00:23:02.380 to satisfaction. 00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:04.200 From exclusion 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:06.460 to inclusion 00:23:06.460 --> 00:23:08.579 through the man 00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:09.420 Boaz. 00:23:11.420 --> 00:23:12.759 The Lord Jesus 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:13.180 says, 00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:13.680 doesn't he, 00:23:13.900 --> 00:23:14.660 in the Gospels, 00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:15.880 in John's Gospels, 00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:18.700 I am the door. 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.700 I am the door. 00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:22.600 If anyone 00:23:22.600 --> 00:23:24.240 enters by me, 00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:26.779 he will be saved 00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:29.039 and will go in 00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:30.600 and out 00:23:30.600 --> 00:23:31.819 and find pasture. 00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:34.059 I am the bread 00:23:34.059 --> 00:23:34.700 of life. 00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:36.580 Whoever comes 00:23:36.580 --> 00:23:37.319 to me 00:23:37.319 --> 00:23:38.920 will not hunger. 00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:40.860 Whoever believes 00:23:40.860 --> 00:23:41.500 in me 00:23:41.500 --> 00:23:43.620 shall never thirst. 00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:46.720 This Christ-like 00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:47.160 man 00:23:47.160 --> 00:23:48.319 says to 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:49.059 outsiders, 00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:49.880 no, no, 00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:51.759 don't rebuke him. 00:23:52.580 --> 00:23:53.740 Don't rebuke her. 00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:55.480 Let him 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:56.039 glean. 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:57.620 Let her 00:23:57.620 --> 00:23:58.220 glean 00:23:58.220 --> 00:23:59.539 in God's 00:23:59.539 --> 00:23:59.840 field. 00:24:00.039 --> 00:24:00.799 Don't reproach 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:01.080 her. 00:24:02.039 --> 00:24:02.600 Let her 00:24:02.600 --> 00:24:03.380 glean here. 00:24:03.380 --> 00:24:05.080 God's 00:24:05.080 --> 00:24:05.600 holy law 00:24:05.600 --> 00:24:05.980 says, 00:24:06.120 --> 00:24:06.640 stop. 00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:08.560 But God's 00:24:08.560 --> 00:24:09.500 holy Christ 00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:10.800 says, 00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:11.560 come here. 00:24:12.760 --> 00:24:13.240 Dip your 00:24:13.240 --> 00:24:13.840 morsel in 00:24:13.840 --> 00:24:14.280 the wine. 00:24:14.820 --> 00:24:15.340 He passes 00:24:15.340 --> 00:24:15.920 the grain 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:16.840 to outsiders 00:24:16.840 --> 00:24:18.720 out of his 00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:19.500 abundance, 00:24:20.180 --> 00:24:20.720 satisfaction 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:21.660 to sinners. 00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:24.000 This man 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:24.400 is the 00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:25.060 means 00:24:25.060 --> 00:24:25.920 where 00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:26.920 Moabites, 00:24:27.880 --> 00:24:28.540 outsiders, 00:24:28.540 --> 00:24:29.480 can come in. 00:24:30.420 --> 00:24:30.860 He is 00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:31.240 God's 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:31.759 redeemer. 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:34.799 I was in 00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:35.219 Waitrose 00:24:35.219 --> 00:24:35.559 the other 00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:35.879 day, 00:24:36.599 --> 00:24:37.119 and there 00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:37.339 was a 00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:38.000 magazine on 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:38.419 the shelf 00:24:38.419 --> 00:24:38.779 there, 00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:40.079 and it 00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:40.599 had Dawn 00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:41.199 French on 00:24:41.199 --> 00:24:41.679 the front, 00:24:42.399 --> 00:24:42.759 and it 00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:43.240 had her 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:43.939 tips on 00:24:43.939 --> 00:24:45.240 minimalistic 00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:45.699 living. 00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:47.299 The headline 00:24:47.299 --> 00:24:47.919 said at the 00:24:47.919 --> 00:24:48.299 top, 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:49.979 less is 00:24:49.979 --> 00:24:50.519 more, 00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:51.979 declutter, 00:24:52.719 --> 00:24:52.919 get 00:24:52.919 --> 00:24:53.719 organised, 00:24:53.959 --> 00:24:54.579 live 00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:55.019 lighter. 00:24:55.979 --> 00:24:56.599 Less is 00:24:56.599 --> 00:24:56.939 more, 00:24:57.439 --> 00:24:58.000 declutter, 00:24:58.199 --> 00:24:58.899 get organised, 00:24:58.900 --> 00:25:00.320 live lighter. 00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:01.360 And that 00:25:01.360 --> 00:25:01.900 in a sense 00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:02.500 is exactly 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.180 what Naomi 00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:03.840 and Ruth 00:25:03.840 --> 00:25:04.360 have done 00:25:04.360 --> 00:25:05.360 since chapter 00:25:05.360 --> 00:25:05.820 one. 00:25:06.580 --> 00:25:07.040 So they 00:25:07.040 --> 00:25:07.720 started off 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:07.960 in the 00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:08.360 land of 00:25:08.360 --> 00:25:08.820 Moab, 00:25:08.920 --> 00:25:09.340 which is 00:25:09.340 --> 00:25:10.460 representative 00:25:10.460 --> 00:25:11.220 of the 00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:12.740 world outside 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:13.300 of Judah, 00:25:13.420 --> 00:25:13.940 outside of 00:25:13.940 --> 00:25:14.340 Israel. 00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:15.700 And they 00:25:15.700 --> 00:25:16.180 moved to 00:25:16.180 --> 00:25:16.700 a little 00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:17.320 piece of 00:25:17.320 --> 00:25:17.660 land, 00:25:17.820 --> 00:25:18.360 the Lord's 00:25:18.360 --> 00:25:18.720 land. 00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:19.140 They 00:25:19.140 --> 00:25:19.940 downsized, 00:25:20.040 --> 00:25:20.500 don't they? 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:21.660 And then 00:25:21.660 --> 00:25:22.000 they come 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.259 to a 00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:23.040 little town, 00:25:23.600 --> 00:25:24.259 little town 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:25.080 of Bethlehem. 00:25:26.060 --> 00:25:26.580 And now 00:25:26.580 --> 00:25:27.019 Ruth is 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:28.280 restricted to 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:28.839 just one 00:25:28.839 --> 00:25:29.599 little field. 00:25:30.599 --> 00:25:30.960 Out of 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:31.240 all the 00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:31.839 places she 00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:32.220 could be, 00:25:32.319 --> 00:25:32.680 she's in 00:25:32.680 --> 00:25:33.599 one little 00:25:33.599 --> 00:25:34.079 field. 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:35.819 Boaz 00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:36.240 says to 00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:36.359 her, 00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:36.759 don't 00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:37.200 glean in 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:37.599 any other 00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:37.960 field. 00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:39.720 So she's 00:25:39.720 --> 00:25:40.639 downsized in 00:25:40.639 --> 00:25:41.019 life. 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:41.639 She's 00:25:41.639 --> 00:25:42.139 become very 00:25:42.139 --> 00:25:42.839 focused. 00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:44.160 She's 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:45.059 decluttered 00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:46.039 and become 00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:46.460 very 00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:47.700 minimalistic. 00:25:48.319 --> 00:25:48.980 Just this 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:49.960 one field. 00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:51.599 Boaz's 00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:51.960 field. 00:25:53.460 --> 00:25:54.220 But where 00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:54.859 Boaz is 00:25:54.859 --> 00:25:55.559 concerned, 00:25:55.899 --> 00:25:57.299 less is 00:25:57.299 --> 00:25:57.779 more. 00:25:58.279 --> 00:25:59.240 Less is 00:25:59.240 --> 00:25:59.599 more. 00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:00.859 It is 00:26:00.859 --> 00:26:01.460 specifically 00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:01.879 where 00:26:01.879 --> 00:26:02.740 Boaz's 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:03.500 field is. 00:26:04.119 --> 00:26:04.799 Where the 00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:05.619 fruit is, 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:06.139 isn't it? 00:26:06.899 --> 00:26:07.399 They're in 00:26:07.399 --> 00:26:08.079 one tiny 00:26:08.079 --> 00:26:08.519 field, 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:09.279 but in 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:09.899 their travels 00:26:09.899 --> 00:26:10.680 the quality 00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:11.160 of their 00:26:11.160 --> 00:26:12.279 lives has 00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:13.319 been inversely 00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:14.279 proportional to 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:14.619 what they 00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:15.039 appear. 00:26:16.359 --> 00:26:17.019 She becomes 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:17.980 focused on 00:26:17.980 --> 00:26:18.519 Boaz. 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:20.160 Life has 00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:20.899 become more 00:26:20.899 --> 00:26:21.920 focused in 00:26:21.920 --> 00:26:22.460 this one 00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:23.039 place. 00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:24.039 But the 00:26:24.039 --> 00:26:24.879 more tight 00:26:24.879 --> 00:26:25.579 her focus 00:26:25.579 --> 00:26:26.019 is on 00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:26.379 him, 00:26:26.380 --> 00:26:27.440 the more 00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:28.100 fruitful 00:26:28.100 --> 00:26:29.820 and vibrant 00:26:29.820 --> 00:26:31.760 and satisfying 00:26:31.760 --> 00:26:33.120 and full 00:26:33.120 --> 00:26:33.840 of life 00:26:33.840 --> 00:26:35.060 she has 00:26:35.060 --> 00:26:35.480 become. 00:26:36.600 --> 00:26:36.940 She's 00:26:36.940 --> 00:26:37.560 now sitting 00:26:37.560 --> 00:26:38.180 with him 00:26:38.180 --> 00:26:39.700 eating grain 00:26:39.700 --> 00:26:40.660 with it 00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:41.360 brimming over 00:26:41.360 --> 00:26:42.260 into leftovers. 00:26:44.620 --> 00:26:44.900 And so 00:26:44.900 --> 00:26:45.540 the way 00:26:45.540 --> 00:26:46.220 Ruth knows 00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:46.660 the blessings 00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:47.120 of God 00:26:47.120 --> 00:26:47.600 to know 00:26:47.600 --> 00:26:48.160 him is 00:26:48.160 --> 00:26:48.780 to glean 00:26:48.780 --> 00:26:49.840 specifically 00:26:49.840 --> 00:26:50.260 in the 00:26:50.260 --> 00:26:50.700 field of 00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:51.200 Boaz. 00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:52.799 she 00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:53.340 gleans 00:26:53.340 --> 00:26:53.860 and she 00:26:53.860 --> 00:26:54.360 gleans 00:26:54.360 --> 00:26:54.860 and she 00:26:54.860 --> 00:26:55.299 gleans 00:26:55.299 --> 00:26:55.759 and she 00:26:55.759 --> 00:26:56.200 gleans 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:57.580 only there. 00:26:58.580 --> 00:26:58.920 Look at 00:26:58.920 --> 00:26:59.600 verse 7 00:26:59.600 --> 00:27:00.700 again. 00:27:01.960 --> 00:27:02.440 She said 00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:03.180 please let 00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:03.880 me glean 00:27:03.880 --> 00:27:05.000 and gather 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:05.500 among the 00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:05.900 sheaves 00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:06.460 after the 00:27:06.460 --> 00:27:06.860 reapers. 00:27:07.600 --> 00:27:08.039 So she 00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:08.340 came, 00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:09.000 she continued 00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:09.640 from early 00:27:09.640 --> 00:27:10.340 morning until 00:27:10.340 --> 00:27:11.720 now except 00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:12.360 for a short 00:27:12.360 --> 00:27:12.819 rest. 00:27:15.039 --> 00:27:15.640 Sometimes 00:27:15.640 --> 00:27:16.660 I chat to 00:27:16.660 --> 00:27:17.960 folk in 00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:18.440 Ealing who 00:27:18.440 --> 00:27:19.120 call themselves 00:27:19.120 --> 00:27:19.720 spiritual, 00:27:20.100 --> 00:27:21.140 spiritual people. 00:27:22.160 --> 00:27:23.039 But often 00:27:23.039 --> 00:27:24.000 these folk 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:25.100 can be quite 00:27:25.100 --> 00:27:26.279 cluttered 00:27:26.279 --> 00:27:27.380 in their 00:27:27.380 --> 00:27:27.740 thinking. 00:27:27.860 --> 00:27:28.279 Well we're all 00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:28.799 cluttered in 00:27:28.799 --> 00:27:29.220 our thinking 00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:29.580 aren't we 00:27:29.580 --> 00:27:29.860 really? 00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:30.860 I met a 00:27:30.860 --> 00:27:31.380 lovely guy 00:27:31.380 --> 00:27:31.680 the other 00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:31.860 day. 00:27:31.940 --> 00:27:32.299 He called 00:27:32.299 --> 00:27:32.700 himself 00:27:32.700 --> 00:27:33.299 spiritual. 00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:35.220 But in 00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:35.660 many ways 00:27:35.660 --> 00:27:35.940 he was 00:27:35.940 --> 00:27:37.200 quite confused 00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:38.640 about God 00:27:38.640 --> 00:27:39.319 and what he 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:40.180 really believed. 00:27:41.660 --> 00:27:42.299 He was one 00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:42.660 of the kinds 00:27:42.660 --> 00:27:43.140 of people who 00:27:43.140 --> 00:27:43.680 didn't want 00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:44.340 to commit 00:27:44.340 --> 00:27:45.900 to anything. 00:27:46.340 --> 00:27:46.900 To have a 00:27:46.900 --> 00:27:47.360 little bit 00:27:47.360 --> 00:27:47.880 of every 00:27:47.880 --> 00:27:48.360 religion. 00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:50.019 He liked 00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:50.460 Jesus. 00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:51.960 But he 00:27:51.960 --> 00:27:52.500 said all 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:53.059 these gods 00:27:53.059 --> 00:27:53.340 are all 00:27:53.340 --> 00:27:53.779 the same 00:27:53.779 --> 00:27:54.259 aren't they? 00:27:54.539 --> 00:27:54.980 I'm just 00:27:54.980 --> 00:27:55.660 a spiritual 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:56.299 person. 00:27:57.100 --> 00:27:57.340 I don't 00:27:57.340 --> 00:27:57.559 want to 00:27:57.559 --> 00:27:58.140 restrict 00:27:58.140 --> 00:27:59.559 myself to 00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:00.039 one way 00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:00.500 of thinking. 00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:01.059 That's just 00:28:01.059 --> 00:28:01.840 bigoted and 00:28:01.840 --> 00:28:02.100 narrow. 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:05.039 But Ruth has 00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:05.759 had to learn 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:06.380 hasn't she 00:28:06.380 --> 00:28:06.740 that with 00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:07.259 God's 00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:07.779 Christ 00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:09.519 what seems 00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:10.160 less 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:11.700 is more. 00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:13.940 To focus 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.660 on one 00:28:14.660 --> 00:28:15.140 God 00:28:15.140 --> 00:28:16.480 and one 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.340 person in 00:28:17.340 --> 00:28:17.700 Jesus 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:18.340 Christ 00:28:18.340 --> 00:28:19.980 to glean 00:28:19.980 --> 00:28:20.800 from him 00:28:20.800 --> 00:28:21.640 alone 00:28:21.640 --> 00:28:23.180 is true 00:28:23.180 --> 00:28:24.060 spirituality. 00:28:25.200 --> 00:28:25.860 It is 00:28:25.860 --> 00:28:26.759 true blessing 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:28.380 and satisfaction. 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:30.400 The more 00:28:30.400 --> 00:28:31.140 pointed and 00:28:31.140 --> 00:28:31.920 focused we 00:28:31.920 --> 00:28:32.400 are in the 00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:32.820 field of 00:28:32.820 --> 00:28:33.200 Jesus 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:34.780 on him 00:28:34.780 --> 00:28:35.280 alone 00:28:35.280 --> 00:28:36.720 the wider 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:37.740 and greater 00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:38.580 and more 00:28:38.580 --> 00:28:39.160 abundant 00:28:39.160 --> 00:28:40.500 the fruit 00:28:40.500 --> 00:28:41.200 becomes. 00:28:42.080 --> 00:28:42.540 Less is 00:28:42.540 --> 00:28:42.940 more 00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:44.080 with him. 00:28:45.080 --> 00:28:45.900 Sometimes we 00:28:45.900 --> 00:28:46.580 need to listen 00:28:46.580 --> 00:28:47.000 to Dawn 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:47.660 French don't 00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:47.820 we? 00:28:47.880 --> 00:28:48.200 Less is 00:28:48.200 --> 00:28:48.420 more. 00:28:48.580 --> 00:28:49.140 Declutter. 00:28:49.640 --> 00:28:50.360 Get organized. 00:28:50.500 --> 00:28:50.940 Live lighter. 00:28:51.160 --> 00:28:52.040 Get specific 00:28:52.040 --> 00:28:52.920 with Jesus. 00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:54.660 Get specific 00:28:54.660 --> 00:28:55.300 with Jesus. 00:28:55.840 --> 00:28:56.460 Glean from 00:28:56.460 --> 00:28:57.860 him and 00:28:57.860 --> 00:28:58.540 him alone. 00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:00.340 Get rid of 00:29:00.340 --> 00:29:01.259 the spiritual 00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:01.779 clutter. 00:29:03.060 --> 00:29:03.519 Don't do 00:29:03.519 --> 00:29:04.160 pick and mix 00:29:04.160 --> 00:29:04.620 religion. 00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:07.660 There's a 00:29:07.660 --> 00:29:08.480 great artist 00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:09.240 called 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:09.700 Millet. 00:29:10.099 --> 00:29:10.860 He painted 00:29:10.860 --> 00:29:11.319 a picture 00:29:11.319 --> 00:29:11.740 it's called 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:12.579 the Gleaners. 00:29:13.660 --> 00:29:14.120 It shows 00:29:14.120 --> 00:29:14.799 two women 00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:15.160 in the 00:29:15.160 --> 00:29:15.579 foreground 00:29:15.579 --> 00:29:16.319 bending over 00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:16.740 to pick 00:29:16.740 --> 00:29:17.599 tiny pieces 00:29:17.599 --> 00:29:18.299 of grain 00:29:18.299 --> 00:29:19.160 off the 00:29:19.160 --> 00:29:19.500 soil. 00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:20.819 In the 00:29:20.819 --> 00:29:21.140 background 00:29:21.140 --> 00:29:21.519 are the 00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:21.960 farmers 00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:23.599 with sacks 00:29:23.599 --> 00:29:24.160 of grain 00:29:24.160 --> 00:29:24.799 and these 00:29:24.799 --> 00:29:25.319 two women 00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:25.779 pick up 00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:26.299 the straps. 00:29:26.440 --> 00:29:26.680 It looks 00:29:26.680 --> 00:29:27.200 like hard 00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:28.380 work and 00:29:28.380 --> 00:29:29.000 you're aware 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:29.319 of the 00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:29.779 abundance 00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:30.240 of the 00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:30.640 farmers 00:29:30.640 --> 00:29:31.140 have. 00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:32.140 But there's 00:29:32.140 --> 00:29:32.500 something 00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:32.920 honorable 00:29:32.920 --> 00:29:33.559 about these 00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:34.019 women in 00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:34.660 this painting. 00:29:34.860 --> 00:29:35.099 They're in 00:29:35.099 --> 00:29:35.620 the foreground. 00:29:36.339 --> 00:29:36.539 They're 00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:37.059 gleaning in 00:29:37.059 --> 00:29:37.380 the right 00:29:37.380 --> 00:29:37.920 place. 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.420 They pick 00:29:39.420 --> 00:29:39.759 with their 00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:40.559 right hands 00:29:40.559 --> 00:29:41.460 and in 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:41.860 their left 00:29:41.860 --> 00:29:42.319 hands are 00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:43.120 bunches of 00:29:43.120 --> 00:29:43.539 corn. 00:29:43.839 --> 00:29:44.120 There's a 00:29:44.120 --> 00:29:44.940 humility about 00:29:44.940 --> 00:29:45.200 them. 00:29:46.960 --> 00:29:47.980 Ruth sits 00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:48.900 with Boaz 00:29:48.900 --> 00:29:49.400 and his 00:29:49.400 --> 00:29:49.880 people. 00:29:51.220 --> 00:29:51.900 She eats 00:29:51.900 --> 00:29:52.740 until she's 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:53.299 satisfied. 00:29:53.620 --> 00:29:54.360 She sits 00:29:54.360 --> 00:29:55.360 and receives 00:29:55.360 --> 00:29:55.980 from him. 00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:58.200 And note 00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:58.700 how the 00:29:58.700 --> 00:29:59.299 provision 00:29:59.299 --> 00:30:01.140 just snowballs 00:30:01.140 --> 00:30:01.599 from there 00:30:01.599 --> 00:30:02.019 doesn't it? 00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:03.079 So after this 00:30:03.079 --> 00:30:03.680 evening meal 00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:04.880 Boaz changes 00:30:04.880 --> 00:30:05.579 the policy 00:30:05.579 --> 00:30:06.259 on gleaning. 00:30:06.359 --> 00:30:06.639 Have a look 00:30:06.639 --> 00:30:07.179 at verse 00:30:07.179 --> 00:30:08.220 15. 00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:08.859 When she 00:30:08.859 --> 00:30:09.339 rose to 00:30:09.339 --> 00:30:09.579 gleam 00:30:09.579 --> 00:30:09.939 Boaz 00:30:09.939 --> 00:30:10.500 instructed 00:30:10.500 --> 00:30:11.019 his young 00:30:11.019 --> 00:30:11.579 men saying 00:30:11.579 --> 00:30:12.359 let her 00:30:12.359 --> 00:30:13.039 glean even 00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:13.480 among the 00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:14.059 sheaves. 00:30:14.599 --> 00:30:14.839 Don't 00:30:14.839 --> 00:30:15.359 reproach 00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:15.619 her. 00:30:16.039 --> 00:30:16.500 And also 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:17.359 pull out 00:30:17.359 --> 00:30:17.859 some from 00:30:17.859 --> 00:30:18.480 the bundles 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:18.939 for her. 00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:19.399 Leave it 00:30:19.399 --> 00:30:19.859 to her 00:30:19.859 --> 00:30:21.419 for her to 00:30:21.419 --> 00:30:21.819 glean and 00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:22.500 don't rebuke 00:30:22.500 --> 00:30:22.779 her. 00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:23.919 Boaz 00:30:23.919 --> 00:30:24.539 slightly 00:30:24.539 --> 00:30:25.000 cheats 00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:25.599 the system 00:30:25.599 --> 00:30:25.839 there 00:30:25.839 --> 00:30:26.119 doesn't 00:30:26.119 --> 00:30:26.419 he? 00:30:26.879 --> 00:30:27.339 Boaz 00:30:27.339 --> 00:30:27.639 gives 00:30:27.639 --> 00:30:28.159 her a 00:30:28.159 --> 00:30:28.619 hand. 00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:29.839 He gives 00:30:29.839 --> 00:30:30.119 her a 00:30:30.119 --> 00:30:30.839 head start 00:30:30.839 --> 00:30:31.220 in the 00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:31.599 gleaning. 00:30:31.599 --> 00:30:33.159 As she 00:30:33.159 --> 00:30:33.679 comes to 00:30:33.679 --> 00:30:34.059 him she 00:30:34.059 --> 00:30:35.039 gets specific 00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:35.959 about receiving 00:30:35.959 --> 00:30:36.519 from him 00:30:36.519 --> 00:30:36.879 alone. 00:30:37.279 --> 00:30:38.359 She declutters 00:30:38.359 --> 00:30:39.179 the more 00:30:39.179 --> 00:30:40.000 she focuses 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:40.579 on him 00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:41.179 actually the 00:30:41.179 --> 00:30:41.839 more and 00:30:41.839 --> 00:30:42.299 more and 00:30:42.299 --> 00:30:42.699 more she 00:30:42.699 --> 00:30:43.419 gets back. 00:30:45.419 --> 00:30:46.139 Similar to 00:30:46.139 --> 00:30:46.619 what Jesus 00:30:46.619 --> 00:30:47.159 says isn't 00:30:47.159 --> 00:30:47.659 it in Mark 00:30:47.659 --> 00:30:48.279 chapter 4 00:30:48.279 --> 00:30:48.919 Jesus said 00:30:48.919 --> 00:30:49.219 to them 00:30:49.219 --> 00:30:50.539 pay attention 00:30:50.539 --> 00:30:51.779 to what 00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:52.379 you hear 00:30:52.379 --> 00:30:53.359 and with 00:30:53.359 --> 00:30:53.799 the measure 00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:54.519 you use it 00:30:54.519 --> 00:30:55.039 it will be 00:30:55.039 --> 00:30:55.619 measured to 00:30:55.619 --> 00:30:56.019 you. 00:30:56.599 --> 00:30:57.559 Still more 00:30:57.559 --> 00:30:58.159 will be added 00:30:58.159 --> 00:30:59.699 to you for 00:30:59.699 --> 00:31:00.179 to the one 00:31:00.179 --> 00:31:00.799 who has 00:31:00.799 --> 00:31:01.919 more will 00:31:01.919 --> 00:31:02.379 be given. 00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:04.200 The more 00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:05.079 attention you 00:31:05.079 --> 00:31:05.659 pay with 00:31:05.659 --> 00:31:05.940 him 00:31:05.940 --> 00:31:07.019 with the 00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:07.440 Lord Jesus 00:31:07.440 --> 00:31:07.759 Christ 00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:08.240 the more 00:31:08.240 --> 00:31:08.879 you glean 00:31:08.879 --> 00:31:09.440 from him 00:31:09.440 --> 00:31:10.279 the more 00:31:10.279 --> 00:31:10.659 that that 00:31:10.659 --> 00:31:10.960 will be 00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:11.259 measured 00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:11.759 back to 00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:12.059 you. 00:31:12.940 --> 00:31:13.200 And the 00:31:13.200 --> 00:31:13.819 more and 00:31:13.819 --> 00:31:14.359 more and 00:31:14.359 --> 00:31:14.799 more he 00:31:14.799 --> 00:31:15.240 gives. 00:31:16.019 --> 00:31:16.379 And he 00:31:16.379 --> 00:31:16.740 gives us 00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.019 a head 00:31:17.019 --> 00:31:17.539 start. 00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:18.379 He gives 00:31:18.379 --> 00:31:18.940 us more 00:31:18.940 --> 00:31:19.319 and more 00:31:19.319 --> 00:31:19.720 from his 00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:20.379 abundance. 00:31:21.819 --> 00:31:22.319 So get 00:31:22.319 --> 00:31:23.279 specific with 00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:23.619 Jesus 00:31:23.619 --> 00:31:25.359 and him 00:31:25.359 --> 00:31:25.740 alone. 00:31:27.339 --> 00:31:27.740 This 00:31:27.740 --> 00:31:28.139 man 00:31:28.139 --> 00:31:29.839 the Lord 00:31:29.839 --> 00:31:30.079 of the 00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:30.559 harvest 00:31:30.559 --> 00:31:31.740 his 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:32.220 workers 00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:32.500 are 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:33.019 happy. 00:31:34.139 --> 00:31:34.539 They 00:31:34.539 --> 00:31:35.119 receive 00:31:35.119 --> 00:31:35.619 the 00:31:35.619 --> 00:31:36.079 Lord's 00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:36.579 blessing. 00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:38.220 It's 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:38.879 the harvest 00:31:38.879 --> 00:31:39.779 and Boaz 00:31:39.779 --> 00:31:40.179 is in 00:31:40.179 --> 00:31:40.619 the middle 00:31:40.619 --> 00:31:41.700 in the 00:31:41.700 --> 00:31:42.139 midst of 00:31:42.139 --> 00:31:42.319 his 00:31:42.319 --> 00:31:42.960 workforce 00:31:42.960 --> 00:31:44.440 talking to 00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:44.659 them 00:31:44.659 --> 00:31:45.240 near to 00:31:45.240 --> 00:31:45.519 them 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:46.259 proclaiming 00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:46.579 God's 00:31:46.579 --> 00:31:46.919 blessing 00:31:46.919 --> 00:31:47.399 upon them 00:31:47.399 --> 00:31:47.700 as they 00:31:47.700 --> 00:31:48.139 work. 00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:48.639 And 00:31:48.639 --> 00:31:49.359 outsiders 00:31:49.359 --> 00:31:49.720 who 00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:50.399 glean in 00:31:50.399 --> 00:31:50.639 his 00:31:50.639 --> 00:31:51.220 field 00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:52.159 are 00:31:52.159 --> 00:31:52.799 satisfied. 00:31:54.359 --> 00:31:54.759 He is 00:31:54.759 --> 00:31:55.220 the man 00:31:55.220 --> 00:31:55.819 who gets 00:31:55.819 --> 00:31:56.500 her in. 00:31:56.500 --> 00:31:58.940 As we 00:31:58.940 --> 00:31:59.319 close, 00:32:00.279 --> 00:32:00.680 there is 00:32:00.680 --> 00:32:01.339 a reminder 00:32:01.339 --> 00:32:02.480 isn't 00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:02.759 there 00:32:02.759 --> 00:32:04.359 that at 00:32:04.359 --> 00:32:04.680 the end 00:32:04.680 --> 00:32:05.279 of chapter 00:32:05.279 --> 00:32:05.940 two that 00:32:05.940 --> 00:32:06.279 you can 00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:06.740 take the 00:32:06.740 --> 00:32:07.400 girl out 00:32:07.400 --> 00:32:07.920 of Moab 00:32:07.920 --> 00:32:08.480 but less 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:08.920 easily 00:32:08.920 --> 00:32:09.559 Moab 00:32:09.559 --> 00:32:10.440 out of 00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:10.759 the girl. 00:32:10.880 --> 00:32:11.279 We leave 00:32:11.279 --> 00:32:11.700 the chapter 00:32:11.700 --> 00:32:12.099 with a 00:32:12.099 --> 00:32:12.880 conversation 00:32:12.880 --> 00:32:14.079 between 00:32:14.079 --> 00:32:14.920 Naomi and 00:32:14.920 --> 00:32:15.640 Ruth who 00:32:15.640 --> 00:32:16.220 comes back 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:16.559 to her 00:32:16.559 --> 00:32:17.279 mother-in-law 00:32:17.279 --> 00:32:18.039 with the 00:32:18.039 --> 00:32:19.000 abundance of 00:32:19.000 --> 00:32:19.720 the gleanings 00:32:19.720 --> 00:32:20.619 from Boaz's 00:32:20.619 --> 00:32:21.380 field plus 00:32:21.380 --> 00:32:21.839 the left 00:32:21.839 --> 00:32:22.399 Davis from 00:32:22.399 --> 00:32:22.799 the meal 00:32:22.799 --> 00:32:23.480 that evening. 00:32:23.919 --> 00:32:24.199 Now you 00:32:24.199 --> 00:32:24.720 can imagine 00:32:24.720 --> 00:32:25.039 them in 00:32:25.039 --> 00:32:25.899 this conversation 00:32:25.899 --> 00:32:27.179 giggling like 00:32:27.179 --> 00:32:28.000 little girls 00:32:28.000 --> 00:32:28.579 can't you? 00:32:28.859 --> 00:32:29.539 The questions 00:32:29.539 --> 00:32:30.119 come out 00:32:30.119 --> 00:32:30.619 in verse 00:32:30.619 --> 00:32:31.279 19. 00:32:32.079 --> 00:32:32.579 Imagine 00:32:32.579 --> 00:32:33.799 Ruth with 00:32:33.799 --> 00:32:34.099 all of 00:32:34.099 --> 00:32:34.679 this barley 00:32:34.679 --> 00:32:35.919 verse 19 00:32:35.919 --> 00:32:37.099 Where did 00:32:37.099 --> 00:32:37.679 you glean 00:32:37.679 --> 00:32:38.379 today? 00:32:39.119 --> 00:32:39.839 Naomi says 00:32:39.839 --> 00:32:41.480 Where have 00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:42.279 you worked? 00:32:43.079 --> 00:32:43.779 Blessed be 00:32:43.779 --> 00:32:44.459 the man who 00:32:44.459 --> 00:32:45.179 took notice 00:32:45.179 --> 00:32:45.899 of you. 00:32:46.799 --> 00:32:47.720 Ruth replies 00:32:47.720 --> 00:32:48.819 the man's 00:32:48.819 --> 00:32:49.259 name was 00:32:49.259 --> 00:32:49.859 Boaz. 00:32:49.859 --> 00:32:51.719 Well, 00:32:51.939 --> 00:32:52.459 she says, 00:32:52.579 --> 00:32:53.219 he may be 00:32:53.219 --> 00:32:53.819 blessed by 00:32:53.819 --> 00:32:54.279 the Lord 00:32:54.279 --> 00:32:55.059 whose kindness 00:32:55.059 --> 00:32:55.639 has not 00:32:55.639 --> 00:32:56.299 forsaken 00:32:56.299 --> 00:32:57.299 the living 00:32:57.299 --> 00:32:57.740 or the 00:32:57.740 --> 00:32:58.139 dead. 00:32:59.519 --> 00:33:00.379 There's more 00:33:00.379 --> 00:33:01.019 she says. 00:33:02.059 --> 00:33:02.659 The man, 00:33:02.819 --> 00:33:03.619 the man is 00:33:03.619 --> 00:33:04.259 a close 00:33:04.259 --> 00:33:04.939 relative of 00:33:04.939 --> 00:33:05.419 ours. 00:33:06.099 --> 00:33:06.539 One of 00:33:06.539 --> 00:33:06.819 our 00:33:06.819 --> 00:33:07.559 redeemers. 00:33:09.219 --> 00:33:09.679 It is a 00:33:09.679 --> 00:33:09.939 moment, 00:33:10.059 --> 00:33:10.479 isn't it, 00:33:10.539 --> 00:33:11.519 of seeing 00:33:11.519 --> 00:33:12.279 God's grace 00:33:12.279 --> 00:33:12.599 to them 00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:13.179 through this 00:33:13.179 --> 00:33:13.579 man. 00:33:14.179 --> 00:33:14.679 Naomi is 00:33:14.679 --> 00:33:15.399 seeing Ruth 00:33:15.399 --> 00:33:16.299 beginning those 00:33:16.299 --> 00:33:17.379 early stages 00:33:17.379 --> 00:33:18.139 of coming 00:33:18.139 --> 00:33:18.819 into the 00:33:18.819 --> 00:33:19.119 covenant 00:33:19.119 --> 00:33:19.819 community. 00:33:20.859 --> 00:33:21.519 And she's 00:33:21.519 --> 00:33:21.979 met the 00:33:21.979 --> 00:33:23.240 man who 00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:23.519 will be 00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:23.979 able to 00:33:23.979 --> 00:33:24.740 redeem her 00:33:24.740 --> 00:33:25.659 as her 00:33:25.659 --> 00:33:26.059 relative, 00:33:26.259 --> 00:33:26.719 to marry 00:33:26.719 --> 00:33:27.639 her into 00:33:27.639 --> 00:33:28.179 the people. 00:33:28.579 --> 00:33:28.839 She's 00:33:28.839 --> 00:33:29.359 finally be 00:33:29.359 --> 00:33:29.699 able to 00:33:29.699 --> 00:33:30.240 have rest 00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:31.000 and security. 00:33:31.339 --> 00:33:31.559 Now you 00:33:31.559 --> 00:33:32.019 can imagine 00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:33.019 them picturing 00:33:33.019 --> 00:33:33.539 the wedding 00:33:33.539 --> 00:33:34.039 already, 00:33:34.139 --> 00:33:34.539 can't you? 00:33:34.599 --> 00:33:35.199 She's almost 00:33:35.199 --> 00:33:35.639 going to buy 00:33:35.639 --> 00:33:36.139 the hat, 00:33:36.479 --> 00:33:37.000 getting ahead 00:33:37.000 --> 00:33:37.699 of themselves. 00:33:38.179 --> 00:33:39.119 The hysterics 00:33:39.119 --> 00:33:39.639 continue, 00:33:39.779 --> 00:33:40.559 verse 21. 00:33:42.019 --> 00:33:42.459 Besides, 00:33:42.579 --> 00:33:43.079 he said to 00:33:43.079 --> 00:33:43.179 me, 00:33:43.259 --> 00:33:43.579 you shall 00:33:43.579 --> 00:33:44.199 keep close 00:33:44.199 --> 00:33:44.539 to my 00:33:44.539 --> 00:33:45.179 young men 00:33:45.179 --> 00:33:46.299 until they 00:33:46.299 --> 00:33:46.899 finish the 00:33:46.899 --> 00:33:47.379 harvest. 00:33:47.380 --> 00:33:52.760 you shall 00:33:52.760 --> 00:33:53.360 keep close 00:33:53.360 --> 00:33:53.700 to my 00:33:53.700 --> 00:33:54.300 young men, 00:33:54.400 --> 00:33:54.840 he said. 00:33:56.120 --> 00:33:56.640 No, 00:33:56.700 --> 00:33:57.080 he didn't, 00:33:57.120 --> 00:33:57.380 did he? 00:33:58.540 --> 00:33:59.300 What did 00:33:59.300 --> 00:34:00.160 Boaz actually 00:34:00.160 --> 00:34:00.900 say to her? 00:34:01.420 --> 00:34:01.840 Look back 00:34:01.840 --> 00:34:02.220 at verse 00:34:02.220 --> 00:34:02.560 8. 00:34:03.840 --> 00:34:04.560 Boaz said 00:34:04.560 --> 00:34:05.100 to Ruth, 00:34:05.300 --> 00:34:05.960 now listen, 00:34:06.260 --> 00:34:06.880 my daughter, 00:34:07.820 --> 00:34:08.539 do not go 00:34:08.539 --> 00:34:09.059 to gleam 00:34:09.059 --> 00:34:09.519 in another 00:34:09.519 --> 00:34:10.079 field or 00:34:10.079 --> 00:34:10.559 leave this 00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:10.760 one, 00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:11.280 but keep 00:34:11.280 --> 00:34:11.820 close to 00:34:11.820 --> 00:34:12.500 my young 00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:13.200 women. 00:34:13.199 --> 00:34:14.980 keep 00:34:14.980 --> 00:34:15.460 close to 00:34:15.460 --> 00:34:15.899 my young 00:34:15.899 --> 00:34:16.319 women. 00:34:18.299 --> 00:34:18.719 Naomi 00:34:18.719 --> 00:34:19.399 hears the 00:34:19.399 --> 00:34:19.739 problem 00:34:19.739 --> 00:34:19.980 there, 00:34:20.019 --> 00:34:20.259 doesn't 00:34:20.259 --> 00:34:20.500 she? 00:34:20.599 --> 00:34:20.779 She 00:34:20.779 --> 00:34:22.219 corrects 00:34:22.219 --> 00:34:23.119 Ruth in 00:34:23.119 --> 00:34:24.019 verse 22. 00:34:25.519 --> 00:34:25.759 Naomi 00:34:25.759 --> 00:34:26.239 said to 00:34:26.239 --> 00:34:26.439 Ruth, 00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:27.179 her daughter-in-law, 00:34:27.279 --> 00:34:27.719 it is good 00:34:27.719 --> 00:34:28.339 my daughter 00:34:28.339 --> 00:34:29.199 that you 00:34:29.199 --> 00:34:29.579 go out 00:34:29.579 --> 00:34:29.980 with his 00:34:29.980 --> 00:34:30.319 young 00:34:30.319 --> 00:34:30.899 women, 00:34:31.839 --> 00:34:32.219 lest in 00:34:32.219 --> 00:34:32.480 another 00:34:32.480 --> 00:34:33.000 field you 00:34:33.000 --> 00:34:33.159 be 00:34:33.159 --> 00:34:33.599 assaulted. 00:34:36.919 --> 00:34:37.179 See, 00:34:37.279 --> 00:34:37.839 whilst it's 00:34:37.839 --> 00:34:38.480 exciting 00:34:38.480 --> 00:34:39.960 to see 00:34:39.960 --> 00:34:40.619 Ruth coming 00:34:40.619 --> 00:34:41.299 close to 00:34:41.299 --> 00:34:42.199 this redeeming 00:34:42.199 --> 00:34:42.659 man, 00:34:43.199 --> 00:34:44.319 there are 00:34:44.319 --> 00:34:45.099 signs of 00:34:45.099 --> 00:34:45.779 Moab 00:34:45.779 --> 00:34:46.899 reappearing, 00:34:47.019 --> 00:34:47.419 aren't there? 00:34:48.619 --> 00:34:49.279 Signs of 00:34:49.279 --> 00:34:49.960 not quite 00:34:49.960 --> 00:34:51.199 getting that 00:34:51.199 --> 00:34:51.739 she needs 00:34:51.739 --> 00:34:52.799 Boaz and 00:34:52.799 --> 00:34:53.819 Boaz alone. 00:34:55.539 --> 00:34:56.500 Stay only 00:34:56.500 --> 00:34:57.399 in my field, 00:34:57.519 --> 00:34:58.039 he says, 00:34:58.379 --> 00:34:58.960 stay near 00:34:58.960 --> 00:34:59.319 the women. 00:35:00.699 --> 00:35:01.219 From quite 00:35:01.219 --> 00:35:01.699 early on, 00:35:01.759 --> 00:35:02.019 we get 00:35:02.019 --> 00:35:02.359 sense, 00:35:02.460 --> 00:35:02.699 don't we, 00:35:02.719 --> 00:35:03.079 I think, 00:35:03.159 --> 00:35:03.799 that Boaz 00:35:03.799 --> 00:35:05.960 wants to 00:35:05.960 --> 00:35:06.739 provide for 00:35:06.739 --> 00:35:07.059 her, 00:35:07.960 --> 00:35:08.619 wants her 00:35:08.619 --> 00:35:09.279 for himself, 00:35:09.500 --> 00:35:09.899 he wants 00:35:09.899 --> 00:35:10.339 to be the 00:35:10.339 --> 00:35:11.059 sole provider, 00:35:11.199 --> 00:35:11.619 the sole 00:35:11.619 --> 00:35:12.139 redeemer. 00:35:13.199 --> 00:35:13.659 And 00:35:13.659 --> 00:35:14.279 Naomi has 00:35:14.279 --> 00:35:14.699 to put 00:35:14.699 --> 00:35:15.379 her back 00:35:15.379 --> 00:35:16.000 on the 00:35:16.000 --> 00:35:16.439 straight and 00:35:16.439 --> 00:35:16.699 narrow, 00:35:16.859 --> 00:35:17.480 doesn't she? 00:35:18.159 --> 00:35:19.079 Verse 23, 00:35:19.319 --> 00:35:20.099 Ruth listens 00:35:20.099 --> 00:35:20.639 to Naomi 00:35:20.639 --> 00:35:21.319 and keeps 00:35:21.319 --> 00:35:21.879 close to 00:35:21.879 --> 00:35:22.239 the young 00:35:22.239 --> 00:35:23.419 women of 00:35:23.419 --> 00:35:24.259 Boaz, 00:35:24.699 --> 00:35:25.259 disaster 00:35:25.259 --> 00:35:25.799 averted. 00:35:27.079 --> 00:35:27.799 She remains 00:35:27.799 --> 00:35:29.219 available for 00:35:29.219 --> 00:35:30.819 Boaz to 00:35:30.819 --> 00:35:31.679 redeem her in 00:35:31.679 --> 00:35:32.159 marriage. 00:35:32.159 --> 00:35:32.239 marriage. 00:35:33.960 --> 00:35:34.579 So isn't 00:35:34.579 --> 00:35:35.319 it a reminder 00:35:35.319 --> 00:35:37.539 of how we 00:35:37.539 --> 00:35:39.039 were part 00:35:39.039 --> 00:35:39.639 of a people 00:35:39.639 --> 00:35:40.480 who'd warred 00:35:40.480 --> 00:35:41.019 against the 00:35:41.019 --> 00:35:42.839 Lord and 00:35:42.839 --> 00:35:43.659 sometimes that 00:35:43.659 --> 00:35:44.739 cluttered, 00:35:45.039 --> 00:35:45.839 living in the 00:35:45.839 --> 00:35:46.399 passions of 00:35:46.399 --> 00:35:46.899 our flesh 00:35:46.899 --> 00:35:47.539 kind of life 00:35:47.539 --> 00:35:48.119 we'd come 00:35:48.119 --> 00:35:49.460 from can 00:35:49.460 --> 00:35:50.359 sometimes pull 00:35:50.359 --> 00:35:50.920 us back. 00:35:52.339 --> 00:35:53.159 We need 00:35:53.159 --> 00:35:54.159 more Naomi's, 00:35:54.359 --> 00:35:54.819 don't we? 00:35:55.719 --> 00:35:56.779 More Naomi's 00:35:56.779 --> 00:35:57.879 who pull us 00:35:57.879 --> 00:35:59.480 up and say, 00:35:59.799 --> 00:36:00.139 no, no, 00:36:00.139 --> 00:36:00.719 what are you 00:36:00.719 --> 00:36:01.059 doing? 00:36:02.239 --> 00:36:02.879 It's good 00:36:02.879 --> 00:36:03.299 that you 00:36:03.299 --> 00:36:04.039 stay near 00:36:04.039 --> 00:36:06.159 Jesus and 00:36:06.159 --> 00:36:06.879 make yourself 00:36:06.879 --> 00:36:07.859 available for 00:36:07.859 --> 00:36:09.460 him and 00:36:09.460 --> 00:36:10.119 him alone. 00:36:11.480 --> 00:36:12.359 We've all 00:36:12.359 --> 00:36:13.159 got that bit 00:36:13.159 --> 00:36:14.000 of Moab 00:36:14.000 --> 00:36:15.639 in us that 00:36:15.639 --> 00:36:16.279 craves 00:36:16.279 --> 00:36:17.059 independence 00:36:17.059 --> 00:36:17.900 from him. 00:36:19.059 --> 00:36:19.940 But the 00:36:19.940 --> 00:36:20.539 door that 00:36:20.539 --> 00:36:21.299 has kept us 00:36:21.299 --> 00:36:22.039 out of God's 00:36:22.039 --> 00:36:24.199 blessings is 00:36:24.199 --> 00:36:24.759 the door, 00:36:24.879 --> 00:36:25.379 it's the only 00:36:25.379 --> 00:36:26.480 door that 00:36:26.480 --> 00:36:27.219 lets us in 00:36:27.219 --> 00:36:28.619 through him 00:36:28.619 --> 00:36:30.019 and only 00:36:30.019 --> 00:36:30.340 him. 00:36:31.719 --> 00:36:32.480 So get 00:36:32.480 --> 00:36:34.360 specific about 00:36:34.360 --> 00:36:34.739 Jesus. 00:36:36.480 --> 00:36:37.219 It is a 00:36:37.219 --> 00:36:37.719 story, isn't 00:36:37.719 --> 00:36:38.039 it, of an 00:36:38.039 --> 00:36:38.980 unlikely romance 00:36:38.980 --> 00:36:39.500 between a 00:36:39.500 --> 00:36:39.900 man and a 00:36:39.900 --> 00:36:41.420 woman because 00:36:41.420 --> 00:36:42.039 Ruth and 00:36:42.039 --> 00:36:42.639 Boaz should 00:36:42.639 --> 00:36:43.079 never have 00:36:43.079 --> 00:36:43.460 been allowed 00:36:43.460 --> 00:36:43.780 to be 00:36:43.780 --> 00:36:44.179 together. 00:36:45.699 --> 00:36:46.440 And we 00:36:46.440 --> 00:36:47.539 should never 00:36:47.539 --> 00:36:47.860 have been 00:36:47.860 --> 00:36:49.280 allowed to 00:36:49.280 --> 00:36:49.679 be with 00:36:49.679 --> 00:36:50.019 Jesus. 00:36:51.960 --> 00:36:52.800 But God 00:36:52.800 --> 00:36:53.400 has sent 00:36:53.400 --> 00:36:53.920 him to 00:36:53.920 --> 00:36:55.780 us that 00:36:55.780 --> 00:36:56.360 we might 00:36:56.360 --> 00:36:56.900 be like 00:36:56.900 --> 00:36:57.660 Ruth here 00:36:57.660 --> 00:36:59.119 like 00:36:59.119 --> 00:36:59.480 little 00:36:59.480 --> 00:37:00.059 chicks 00:37:00.059 --> 00:37:01.700 sheltering 00:37:01.700 --> 00:37:02.099 from the 00:37:02.099 --> 00:37:02.720 hot daily 00:37:02.720 --> 00:37:03.180 sun 00:37:03.180 --> 00:37:04.700 in the 00:37:04.700 --> 00:37:05.539 cool shadow 00:37:05.539 --> 00:37:05.980 of a 00:37:05.980 --> 00:37:06.320 mother's 00:37:06.320 --> 00:37:06.760 wings. 00:37:08.500 --> 00:37:09.019 Ruth has 00:37:09.019 --> 00:37:09.500 found the 00:37:09.500 --> 00:37:10.400 oasis in 00:37:10.400 --> 00:37:10.860 the desert 00:37:10.860 --> 00:37:11.519 of coming 00:37:11.519 --> 00:37:11.980 back to 00:37:11.980 --> 00:37:12.300 God. 00:37:13.300 --> 00:37:13.800 Under the 00:37:13.800 --> 00:37:14.220 wings of 00:37:14.220 --> 00:37:14.559 God, 00:37:15.740 --> 00:37:16.519 Ruth meets 00:37:16.519 --> 00:37:16.840 the 00:37:16.840 --> 00:37:17.220 Redeemer 00:37:17.219 --> 00:37:17.719 of God. 00:37:19.879 --> 00:37:20.299 Let's 00:37:20.299 --> 00:37:20.919 play in a 00:37:20.919 --> 00:37:21.159 short 00:37:21.159 --> 00:37:21.480 prayer.