WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.879 In from Ruth chapter 1. 00:00:08.400 --> 00:00:11.060 Reading from Ruth chapter 1. 00:00:13.060 --> 00:00:18.199 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, 00:00:19.059 --> 00:00:24.980 and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, 00:00:26.039 --> 00:00:29.480 he and his wife and his two sons. 00:00:30.440 --> 00:00:36.299 The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi, 00:00:37.079 --> 00:00:41.640 and the names of his two sons were Marlon and Helion. 00:00:43.000 --> 00:00:46.179 They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. 00:00:47.299 --> 00:00:50.740 They went to the country of Moab and remained there. 00:00:51.879 --> 00:00:54.740 But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, 00:00:55.740 --> 00:00:58.359 and she was left with her two sons. 00:00:58.359 --> 00:01:01.219 These took Moab's wives. 00:01:02.320 --> 00:01:07.760 The name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other, Ruth, 00:01:08.439 --> 00:01:11.900 and they lived there about ten years. 00:01:12.760 --> 00:01:14.980 And both Marlon and Helion died, 00:01:15.539 --> 00:01:20.640 so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband. 00:01:20.640 --> 00:01:27.340 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Nile. 00:01:28.560 --> 00:01:32.480 For she heard in the fields of Nile that the Lord had visited his people 00:01:32.480 --> 00:01:33.579 and given them food. 00:01:33.579 --> 00:01:39.400 So she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law, 00:01:39.840 --> 00:01:43.500 and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. 00:01:43.500 --> 00:01:47.459 But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, 00:01:47.459 --> 00:01:51.739 Go, return each of you to her mother's house. 00:01:53.019 --> 00:01:55.840 May the Lord deal kindly with you, 00:01:56.260 --> 00:01:58.960 as you've dealt with the dead and with me. 00:02:00.159 --> 00:02:02.840 The Lord grant you to find rest, 00:02:03.039 --> 00:02:05.980 each of you in the house of her husband. 00:02:05.980 --> 00:02:08.719 Then she kissed them, 00:02:09.379 --> 00:02:11.620 and they lifted up their voices and wept. 00:02:13.099 --> 00:02:14.280 And they said to her, 00:02:14.360 --> 00:02:18.020 No, we will return with you to your people. 00:02:19.060 --> 00:02:20.379 But Naomi said, 00:02:21.120 --> 00:02:23.120 Turn back, my daughters. 00:02:23.640 --> 00:02:24.939 Why will you go with me? 00:02:25.659 --> 00:02:28.719 Have I yet sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? 00:02:29.719 --> 00:02:31.340 Turn back, my daughters. 00:02:32.099 --> 00:02:33.020 Go your way. 00:02:33.879 --> 00:02:35.599 For I'm too old to have a husband. 00:02:35.979 --> 00:02:39.099 If I should say I have hope, 00:02:39.699 --> 00:02:43.019 even if I should have a husband this night and should bear sons, 00:02:43.599 --> 00:02:45.799 would you therefore wait till they were grown? 00:02:46.599 --> 00:02:48.799 Would you therefore refrain from marrying? 00:02:50.099 --> 00:02:52.000 No, my daughters, 00:02:52.219 --> 00:02:55.879 for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake 00:02:55.879 --> 00:02:59.079 that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me. 00:03:00.319 --> 00:03:03.159 Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. 00:03:03.159 --> 00:03:05.960 And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law. 00:03:06.599 --> 00:03:08.979 But Ruth clung to her. 00:03:11.319 --> 00:03:12.359 And she said, 00:03:12.719 --> 00:03:17.359 See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. 00:03:18.539 --> 00:03:20.280 Return after your sister-in-law. 00:03:20.280 --> 00:03:22.419 But Ruth said, 00:03:23.000 --> 00:03:26.780 Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. 00:03:27.319 --> 00:03:30.599 For where you go, I will go. 00:03:31.580 --> 00:03:34.639 And where you lodge, I will lodge. 00:03:35.740 --> 00:03:37.960 Your people shall be my people. 00:03:38.659 --> 00:03:41.099 And your God, my God. 00:03:41.099 --> 00:03:44.539 Where you die, I will die. 00:03:45.419 --> 00:03:47.159 And there I will be buried. 00:03:48.579 --> 00:03:50.519 May the Lord do so to me. 00:03:50.659 --> 00:03:51.519 And more also, 00:03:52.240 --> 00:03:55.120 if anything but death parts me from you. 00:03:56.560 --> 00:03:59.719 And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, 00:03:59.799 --> 00:04:00.159 she said, 00:04:00.219 --> 00:04:00.740 No more. 00:04:00.740 --> 00:04:05.939 So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. 00:04:06.719 --> 00:04:08.800 And when they came to Bethlehem, 00:04:09.020 --> 00:04:11.840 the whole town was stirred because of them. 00:04:12.540 --> 00:04:13.340 And the women said, 00:04:13.580 --> 00:04:14.580 Is this Naomi? 00:04:16.040 --> 00:04:17.240 She said to them, 00:04:17.819 --> 00:04:19.620 Do not call me Naomi. 00:04:20.199 --> 00:04:21.300 Call me Mara. 00:04:21.300 --> 00:04:24.699 For the Lord has dealt very bitterly with me. 00:04:25.379 --> 00:04:26.720 I went away full. 00:04:27.400 --> 00:04:30.259 And the Lord has brought me back empty. 00:04:31.420 --> 00:04:32.720 Why call me Naomi, 00:04:33.100 --> 00:04:35.220 when the Lord has testified against me, 00:04:35.720 --> 00:04:38.319 and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me. 00:04:39.460 --> 00:04:41.199 So Naomi returned, 00:04:42.060 --> 00:04:43.340 and Ruth the Moabite, 00:04:43.819 --> 00:04:45.160 her daughter-in-law with her, 00:04:45.319 --> 00:04:47.340 who returned from the country of Moab. 00:04:48.240 --> 00:04:49.920 And they came to Bethlehem 00:04:49.920 --> 00:04:53.379 at the beginning of the barley harvest. 00:05:00.740 --> 00:05:09.900 Okay. 00:05:09.900 --> 00:05:10.000 Okay. 00:05:14.879 --> 00:05:15.319 Yep. 00:05:15.759 --> 00:05:16.139 Okay. 00:05:16.139 --> 00:05:16.800 We're up and running. 00:05:17.800 --> 00:05:18.240 Alrighty. 00:05:18.300 --> 00:05:19.199 Thanks so much for reading there, 00:05:19.240 --> 00:05:19.480 Catherine. 00:05:19.540 --> 00:05:22.340 And I'm sorry for speaking over you at that point. 00:05:22.600 --> 00:05:24.280 Partly through your reading, 00:05:24.899 --> 00:05:27.000 I didn't realize that I could actually unmute myself. 00:05:27.159 --> 00:05:27.379 I thought, 00:05:27.519 --> 00:05:27.659 girl, 00:05:28.439 --> 00:05:29.479 but then maybe I'm a host. 00:05:29.619 --> 00:05:29.939 I don't know. 00:05:30.179 --> 00:05:30.379 Anyway, 00:05:31.419 --> 00:05:31.779 it's great. 00:05:31.819 --> 00:05:32.559 It's learning experience, 00:05:32.659 --> 00:05:33.119 isn't it? 00:05:33.339 --> 00:05:35.439 Another thing that I've, 00:05:35.439 --> 00:05:37.519 I've learned is how slow I can be on the uptake, 00:05:37.519 --> 00:05:40.659 because it wasn't until about 630 this morning, 00:05:40.659 --> 00:05:41.319 when I woke up, 00:05:41.319 --> 00:05:42.799 that I realized that, 00:05:43.379 --> 00:05:44.379 not that it was Mother's Day, 00:05:44.419 --> 00:05:45.159 I figured that out, 00:05:45.560 --> 00:05:48.520 but I realized that it was Mother's Day 00:05:48.520 --> 00:05:49.860 and we were going to be talking about 00:05:49.860 --> 00:05:51.480 some pretty tragic events. 00:05:51.700 --> 00:05:52.240 In fact, 00:05:52.880 --> 00:05:54.600 the events in the life of a particular woman 00:05:54.600 --> 00:05:57.260 who lost not only her husband, 00:05:57.360 --> 00:05:58.640 but both of her children as well. 00:05:59.420 --> 00:05:59.960 And so if, 00:06:00.040 --> 00:06:00.500 if, 00:06:00.620 --> 00:06:00.920 you know, 00:06:00.980 --> 00:06:01.920 if on this Mother's Day, 00:06:02.040 --> 00:06:02.340 it does, 00:06:02.440 --> 00:06:03.500 it seems insensitive to you 00:06:03.500 --> 00:06:05.320 that we should be talking about these kinds of things. 00:06:05.860 --> 00:06:07.540 What I'd encourage you to consider 00:06:07.540 --> 00:06:11.660 is that we didn't actually plan it with that in mind. 00:06:11.760 --> 00:06:13.460 So it wasn't actually an intentional thing. 00:06:13.540 --> 00:06:14.000 So under God, 00:06:14.060 --> 00:06:15.100 this is how it's worked out. 00:06:15.640 --> 00:06:18.340 And perhaps even in that kind of tragedy, 00:06:18.860 --> 00:06:20.780 the Bible actually has something to say 00:06:20.780 --> 00:06:22.980 about the orientation of our lives 00:06:22.980 --> 00:06:24.660 and how we should be living them. 00:06:25.280 --> 00:06:26.540 And so hopefully that'll come out 00:06:26.540 --> 00:06:26.939 through the, 00:06:27.320 --> 00:06:30.060 through the course of both 00:06:30.060 --> 00:06:32.320 as what you've seen and read 00:06:32.320 --> 00:06:33.780 and also from what I say. 00:06:34.760 --> 00:06:35.780 Because we are in, 00:06:35.900 --> 00:06:36.379 we are in, 00:06:36.580 --> 00:06:39.220 regardless of the tragedies we've experienced, 00:06:39.360 --> 00:06:39.500 we're, 00:06:39.580 --> 00:06:41.260 we're going through a crisis at the moment 00:06:41.260 --> 00:06:42.860 and we're in the interesting times, 00:06:42.900 --> 00:06:43.120 aren't we? 00:06:43.160 --> 00:06:43.520 Where these, 00:06:43.519 --> 00:06:45.799 the way our life unfolds 00:06:45.799 --> 00:06:47.839 and the values that we have in life 00:06:47.839 --> 00:06:50.359 and the ways that we actually seek rest, 00:06:50.899 --> 00:06:51.279 it's, 00:06:51.339 --> 00:06:53.219 it's all changing. 00:06:53.399 --> 00:06:53.579 It's, 00:06:53.579 --> 00:06:54.500 it's all being challenged. 00:06:54.500 --> 00:06:57.159 And where some of the ways that we saw rest in the past, 00:06:57.219 --> 00:06:57.819 we can't, 00:06:57.819 --> 00:06:58.959 we can't go to anymore. 00:06:59.439 --> 00:06:59.979 Some of, 00:07:00.060 --> 00:07:00.439 you know, 00:07:00.519 --> 00:07:00.979 whether, 00:07:00.980 --> 00:07:01.080 that, 00:07:01.160 --> 00:07:01.280 I mean, 00:07:01.280 --> 00:07:04.360 fulfillment and that sense of peace of mind 00:07:04.360 --> 00:07:06.300 so you can sleep through the night without worries. 00:07:07.500 --> 00:07:07.900 Or, 00:07:08.020 --> 00:07:08.200 you know, 00:07:08.220 --> 00:07:08.319 the, 00:07:08.319 --> 00:07:10.980 the ways that we actually built that around us 00:07:10.980 --> 00:07:13.319 aren't all there for us now. 00:07:13.439 --> 00:07:15.680 And so we're actually having to start to think through, 00:07:16.140 --> 00:07:16.280 well, 00:07:16.540 --> 00:07:17.780 what is it we're building then? 00:07:17.860 --> 00:07:19.280 What are we building our lives on? 00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:20.020 And again, 00:07:20.020 --> 00:07:23.720 this is a point at which Ruth really enters into our lives 00:07:23.720 --> 00:07:23.960 and, 00:07:23.960 --> 00:07:24.240 and, 00:07:24.240 --> 00:07:24.680 you know, 00:07:24.780 --> 00:07:27.600 really engages us and challenges us to think these things through. 00:07:27.600 --> 00:07:29.920 But then even before we start, 00:07:29.980 --> 00:07:33.340 what I want to say is those kinds of challenges are coming as we 00:07:33.340 --> 00:07:34.120 enter into Ruth, 00:07:34.300 --> 00:07:37.180 but I don't want you to enter into Ruth with the, 00:07:37.220 --> 00:07:37.720 what, 00:07:37.879 --> 00:07:38.840 how can I describe it? 00:07:39.900 --> 00:07:41.960 More reader oriented response. 00:07:42.500 --> 00:07:42.939 Now, 00:07:42.980 --> 00:07:43.740 when I was young, 00:07:44.120 --> 00:07:46.720 when I was going through English classes and things like that, 00:07:46.720 --> 00:07:49.740 we actually had to do reviews of literature and comment on 00:07:49.740 --> 00:07:50.100 literature. 00:07:50.379 --> 00:07:53.160 And the idea of it was that you actually looked at what the author's 00:07:53.160 --> 00:07:56.100 initial intent was and how it actually worked through. 00:07:56.360 --> 00:07:56.760 Nowadays, 00:07:56.759 --> 00:07:59.959 we have a more reader oriented approach in which some people would 00:07:59.959 --> 00:08:02.079 say that the story doesn't exist. 00:08:02.159 --> 00:08:04.920 So the characters of the story don't exist until I personally start 00:08:04.920 --> 00:08:07.240 to read them and recreate them in my mind. 00:08:07.599 --> 00:08:10.379 And I'm free to interact with them however I like and get the kind 00:08:10.379 --> 00:08:11.539 of meaning that I want from them. 00:08:11.819 --> 00:08:14.920 So rather than actually having a reviews of literature these days, 00:08:15.039 --> 00:08:17.079 what we have is people asking questions like, 00:08:17.420 --> 00:08:18.719 what did you get out of the book? 00:08:19.259 --> 00:08:21.339 Or who is your favorite character in Little Women, 00:08:21.480 --> 00:08:21.980 for example, 00:08:22.159 --> 00:08:22.879 and why? 00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:25.920 And they expose how we interact with a book. 00:08:26.079 --> 00:08:26.860 But they, 00:08:26.860 --> 00:08:30.319 but I've got to say to you now that the Bible isn't like that. 00:08:30.939 --> 00:08:31.659 The Bible, 00:08:31.860 --> 00:08:33.360 we are meant to interact with it. 00:08:33.360 --> 00:08:33.919 Don't get me wrong. 00:08:34.039 --> 00:08:35.320 It does take us on a journey, 00:08:35.439 --> 00:08:37.299 but we don't set the destination. 00:08:37.559 --> 00:08:38.200 God does. 00:08:38.200 --> 00:08:41.120 He knows the place that we need to go. 00:08:41.580 --> 00:08:42.960 And so he guides us there. 00:08:43.300 --> 00:08:44.960 And to make sure we don't get lost, 00:08:45.220 --> 00:08:46.920 he actually provides markers along the way. 00:08:47.800 --> 00:08:48.000 And, 00:08:48.040 --> 00:08:50.060 and one of these markers is the context. 00:08:50.060 --> 00:08:52.100 So when we turn to Ruth chapter one, 00:08:52.160 --> 00:08:53.620 we read in the very beginning, 00:08:53.620 --> 00:08:55.800 in the days when the judges ruled, 00:08:55.980 --> 00:08:57.520 there was a famine in the lands. 00:08:57.680 --> 00:09:01.980 And a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, 00:09:02.460 --> 00:09:04.600 he and his wife and two sons. 00:09:05.300 --> 00:09:06.279 That's Ruth chapter one, 00:09:06.320 --> 00:09:06.759 verse one. 00:09:07.940 --> 00:09:08.600 So what we, 00:09:08.680 --> 00:09:10.000 what we read straight away from here, 00:09:10.060 --> 00:09:11.399 if we get this sense of context, 00:09:11.899 --> 00:09:12.800 the judges ruled, 00:09:12.840 --> 00:09:16.120 it's in the days when the judges ruled and the judges period was a time of 00:09:16.120 --> 00:09:17.460 instability and unrest. 00:09:17.500 --> 00:09:18.139 And I've got that. 00:09:18.420 --> 00:09:20.139 I don't know if you remember our judges series, 00:09:20.139 --> 00:09:23.920 but we actually had this judges cycle and I'm hoping that Simon can put it 00:09:23.920 --> 00:09:25.480 up for you just to remind you of it, 00:09:25.560 --> 00:09:26.220 refresh you of it. 00:09:26.519 --> 00:09:27.600 If it's going to be difficult, 00:09:27.720 --> 00:09:29.660 just send it out in the chat and everyone can have a look at it in their 00:09:29.660 --> 00:09:30.139 own time. 00:09:30.560 --> 00:09:31.620 But the judges period was a, 00:09:31.740 --> 00:09:34.120 was a time of real instability and unrest in, 00:09:34.120 --> 00:09:34.860 in Israel. 00:09:35.200 --> 00:09:35.740 And if, 00:09:35.840 --> 00:09:37.560 even if you just turn the page back to, 00:09:37.740 --> 00:09:41.000 to the very end of the judges period, 00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:43.500 which is literally just over the page, 00:09:43.519 --> 00:09:44.600 we can read these words. 00:09:45.019 --> 00:09:46.639 In those days, 00:09:46.639 --> 00:09:48.560 there was no King in Israel. 00:09:49.279 --> 00:09:52.299 Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. 00:09:52.980 --> 00:09:57.560 So you've got this sense of instability and unrest that goes right to the very 00:09:57.560 --> 00:09:59.560 heart of each individual person. 00:09:59.559 --> 00:10:03.279 And society is fractured into individuals living for themselves. 00:10:03.599 --> 00:10:05.979 It's a summary of how things were for them back then. 00:10:06.979 --> 00:10:09.659 So when we read there was famine in the land, 00:10:10.039 --> 00:10:14.139 one of the things that we can actually start to glean from that is that in that, 00:10:14.279 --> 00:10:15.599 in terms of that judges cycle, 00:10:15.599 --> 00:10:16.079 which goes, 00:10:16.179 --> 00:10:16.899 God's savior, 00:10:17.399 --> 00:10:19.199 God sends a savior to rescue his people. 00:10:19.239 --> 00:10:21.899 And that was Joshua initially bringing them into the land. 00:10:21.899 --> 00:10:23.879 And then we have this time of peace with God. 00:10:24.220 --> 00:10:27.139 And then from there are the people abandoned God and turn to idols. 00:10:27.620 --> 00:10:28.179 And from there, 00:10:28.259 --> 00:10:32.559 God punishes them usually by allowing another nation in to actually conquer 00:10:32.559 --> 00:10:32.799 them. 00:10:33.399 --> 00:10:33.539 And, 00:10:33.620 --> 00:10:35.079 and then they cry out to the Lord, 00:10:35.159 --> 00:10:36.039 not necessarily in repentance, 00:10:36.179 --> 00:10:37.439 but they cry to him for help at least. 00:10:37.740 --> 00:10:39.159 And then God sends a savior again. 00:10:39.759 --> 00:10:40.899 So when we read the words famine, 00:10:42.120 --> 00:10:46.699 we can start to think that this word famine is more than a bad year. 00:10:47.340 --> 00:10:47.879 It's a, 00:10:47.919 --> 00:10:49.779 it means a lengthy period of time with no food, 00:10:49.779 --> 00:10:51.460 but it perhaps it means more than that. 00:10:51.899 --> 00:10:52.459 And the, 00:10:52.519 --> 00:10:55.379 and the third thing we discover in those verses is that they were in the 00:10:55.379 --> 00:10:55.860 lands. 00:10:57.179 --> 00:10:58.779 They were in the lands. 00:10:59.039 --> 00:11:00.980 This was meant to be the place of rest. 00:11:01.139 --> 00:11:03.819 This was meant to be the place of security and plenty. 00:11:04.039 --> 00:11:06.919 It's almost an oxymoron to start to read these things. 00:11:08.620 --> 00:11:10.779 In famine in the lands. 00:11:12.340 --> 00:11:12.779 So, 00:11:13.019 --> 00:11:13.179 yeah. 00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:14.179 So when we read that, 00:11:14.480 --> 00:11:17.039 there's a certain response expected of us. 00:11:17.779 --> 00:11:19.919 The initial readers knew what stage they were in. 00:11:19.919 --> 00:11:22.719 They were in the punishment stage of that cycle that I just mentioned. 00:11:22.879 --> 00:11:26.679 And they knew what response was necessary to cry out to God for help, 00:11:26.759 --> 00:11:27.279 to repent. 00:11:28.179 --> 00:11:29.259 But instead, 00:11:30.439 --> 00:11:33.059 Elimelech and Naomi choose to leave. 00:11:33.059 --> 00:11:35.959 And this point is, 00:11:35.959 --> 00:11:40.000 this emphatic point is brought out in the series of contact contrasts that are 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:41.500 almost emphatic to the point of comic. 00:11:42.279 --> 00:11:43.319 Have you ever been to a, 00:11:43.619 --> 00:11:47.259 I'm sure you've been to a puppet show or perhaps have you been to a pantomime? 00:11:47.319 --> 00:11:48.359 Or is that too British for you? 00:11:48.479 --> 00:11:49.099 I'm not sure. 00:11:49.399 --> 00:11:49.679 But if, 00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:50.719 when you go to those things, 00:11:50.759 --> 00:11:52.399 what they do is they actually make a point, 00:11:52.399 --> 00:11:54.819 but they make it so emphatically. 00:11:54.980 --> 00:11:55.519 It's almost, 00:11:55.519 --> 00:11:56.559 it's almost comical. 00:11:56.799 --> 00:11:58.220 He's behind you, 00:11:58.319 --> 00:11:58.620 you know, 00:11:58.759 --> 00:11:59.620 over there. 00:11:59.819 --> 00:12:00.220 No, 00:12:00.299 --> 00:12:01.000 don't do that. 00:12:01.220 --> 00:12:01.720 And so on. 00:12:01.740 --> 00:12:03.319 And they get the audience to participate. 00:12:04.179 --> 00:12:04.579 And, 00:12:04.819 --> 00:12:07.019 and I think this is the kind of thing that's happening here. 00:12:07.259 --> 00:12:10.059 It's such a punchy introduction that just brings to mind. 00:12:10.059 --> 00:12:14.819 So many key things that the Israelites can not just see in the practical realm, 00:12:14.819 --> 00:12:17.739 but actually can see theologically in the spiritual realm. 00:12:17.739 --> 00:12:21.899 And they can see the conflict that's going on and they can see the craziness of 00:12:21.899 --> 00:12:22.719 what actually happens. 00:12:23.459 --> 00:12:24.599 So let's have a look at a couple of those. 00:12:24.679 --> 00:12:25.259 So for example, 00:12:25.739 --> 00:12:27.199 origin and destination, 00:12:28.159 --> 00:12:29.699 Bethlehem to Moab. 00:12:31.319 --> 00:12:33.959 Bethlehem is in the land of bread of blessing. 00:12:34.459 --> 00:12:36.439 Bethlehem is actually the home of King David. 00:12:37.019 --> 00:12:39.519 Bethlehem means house of bread. 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:40.539 In a famine, 00:12:41.079 --> 00:12:42.759 they're leaving the house of bread. 00:12:43.120 --> 00:12:43.960 Moab is the opposite. 00:12:44.439 --> 00:12:46.419 Moab is a land under curse. 00:12:47.419 --> 00:12:51.340 Curse to the 10th generation for not actually aiding Israel when they were 00:12:51.340 --> 00:12:52.960 entering into the promised lands, 00:12:53.620 --> 00:12:54.419 leaving Egypt, 00:12:54.740 --> 00:12:57.279 exodusing from Egypt and entering into the promised lands. 00:12:57.960 --> 00:13:03.000 So why leave the land of blessing for the land of curse? 00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:07.299 And then we see some contrast in the names and addresses too. 00:13:07.299 --> 00:13:10.000 Now let's have a look at this. 00:13:10.219 --> 00:13:13.240 The family that turns its back on God are Ephrathites. 00:13:13.419 --> 00:13:14.919 They're from the clan of Ephrath. 00:13:15.759 --> 00:13:16.359 And they, 00:13:16.500 --> 00:13:16.939 and that's, 00:13:17.139 --> 00:13:18.819 and that actually means fruitfulness. 00:13:20.419 --> 00:13:20.859 Elimelech, 00:13:21.639 --> 00:13:22.899 the head of this family, 00:13:23.740 --> 00:13:24.819 God is King. 00:13:24.820 --> 00:13:27.020 Naomi means delight. 00:13:27.920 --> 00:13:31.960 But then we go onto the sun and we discover Marlon and Chile on means sick and pining. 00:13:32.900 --> 00:13:34.600 And maybe there's a hint in these names, 00:13:34.700 --> 00:13:37.720 these latitude names as to why they actually left the land the way they did. 00:13:39.760 --> 00:13:41.240 Whatever the reason for the famine, 00:13:41.860 --> 00:13:43.620 their children were sickly. 00:13:44.660 --> 00:13:46.400 Wouldn't you leave under those circumstances? 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:52.419 But then we actually start to see some more that unfolds in the story. 00:13:52.419 --> 00:13:52.579 And, 00:13:52.679 --> 00:13:53.240 and we see, 00:13:53.379 --> 00:13:54.000 see it in the, 00:13:54.059 --> 00:13:56.379 in the emphasis of drama at this point. 00:13:56.600 --> 00:13:58.259 And we see the way that they leave, 00:13:58.439 --> 00:14:00.639 even their departure unfolds dramatically. 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:01.399 In verse one, 00:14:01.459 --> 00:14:01.860 we read, 00:14:02.139 --> 00:14:03.779 they went to sojourn. 00:14:03.779 --> 00:14:05.179 That's a kind of a temporary affair. 00:14:05.220 --> 00:14:05.379 Isn't it? 00:14:05.379 --> 00:14:05.899 It means you go and, 00:14:06.139 --> 00:14:06.399 you know, 00:14:06.439 --> 00:14:07.879 you go and visit a place, 00:14:07.879 --> 00:14:09.720 but you're not actually counting yourself as part of that. 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:10.840 You're just going for a trip. 00:14:11.320 --> 00:14:13.480 And you fully intend to come back at some point. 00:14:13.860 --> 00:14:14.899 Then in verse two, 00:14:15.259 --> 00:14:16.160 they remained. 00:14:16.940 --> 00:14:19.759 And that kind of gives you a sense of this under change allegiance here. 00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:21.480 And then in verse four, 00:14:22.100 --> 00:14:23.120 they lived. 00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:27.899 There's a change of identity that comes with living in a land for, 00:14:28.040 --> 00:14:28.600 you know, 00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:29.780 Joe and I can tell you about this. 00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:30.540 When I went to England, 00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:34.120 I went to England on a British passport that I got through my parents. 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:36.660 And my accent started to change, 00:14:36.740 --> 00:14:36.900 you know, 00:14:36.920 --> 00:14:39.220 over the course of 10 to 15 years that I've been there, 00:14:39.220 --> 00:14:41.019 my accent started to change. 00:14:41.560 --> 00:14:43.320 I started to sound more British. 00:14:44.080 --> 00:14:44.440 And, 00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:46.360 and so it got to the point where you could barely, 00:14:46.540 --> 00:14:46.720 you know, 00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:48.340 I could barely tell that I was from Australia. 00:14:48.340 --> 00:14:50.519 There was just that little hint and the same thing, 00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:51.860 things happening to Joe now. 00:14:51.960 --> 00:14:52.960 She doesn't realize it probably, 00:14:53.100 --> 00:14:53.899 but it is. 00:14:54.080 --> 00:14:55.820 She's starting to become more Aussie. 00:14:57.580 --> 00:15:01.639 And starting to feel more Aussie and starting to think about going back to 00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:05.300 England is less like going home and more like visiting friends and 00:15:05.300 --> 00:15:05.759 relatives. 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:09.179 They lived there for 10 years. 00:15:09.299 --> 00:15:11.759 And that represents the change of allegiance that happened here. 00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:14.759 So alongside this gradual departure, 00:15:15.779 --> 00:15:18.120 there's actually a dramatic unfolding of emptying. 00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:19.679 Did you notice that? 00:15:19.879 --> 00:15:23.080 The tragedy begins with the story of Elimelech and his wife, 00:15:23.179 --> 00:15:23.460 Naomi, 00:15:23.539 --> 00:15:23.960 and they have, 00:15:24.100 --> 00:15:24.299 you know, 00:15:24.319 --> 00:15:25.340 they have the two boys and, 00:15:25.460 --> 00:15:26.860 and off they go to find food. 00:15:27.500 --> 00:15:28.519 But then boom, 00:15:28.600 --> 00:15:29.319 in verse three, 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:31.559 Elimelech dies. 00:15:31.559 --> 00:15:33.619 And when he dies and Naomi, 00:15:33.719 --> 00:15:37.319 Naomi is described as being left with her two sons. 00:15:38.579 --> 00:15:39.759 And then in verse five, 00:15:39.839 --> 00:15:40.559 two verses later, 00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:45.519 Naomi is described as left without her two sons and her husband. 00:15:47.199 --> 00:15:48.859 Naomi's life or the, 00:15:48.939 --> 00:15:49.899 all that she does or the, 00:15:49.939 --> 00:15:51.859 she perceives it as is being, 00:15:51.959 --> 00:15:54.459 is like a container that's just being poured out. 00:15:54.460 --> 00:15:56.340 And now it's empty. 00:15:57.900 --> 00:16:00.460 That's a lot of tragedy in a few short verses. 00:16:01.660 --> 00:16:03.180 And Naomi is broken by it. 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:07.800 Without her men means she's a cast adrift from her Israelite heritage. 00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:11.460 She is alone in a man's world without protection. 00:16:11.460 --> 00:16:15.060 And even as we read it, 00:16:15.100 --> 00:16:16.259 it is a story of tragedy, 00:16:17.160 --> 00:16:19.379 but it's a story of expected tragedy. 00:16:21.240 --> 00:16:26.060 Everyone who knew this story and passed it on would have felt this because in 00:16:26.060 --> 00:16:26.680 this story, 00:16:27.400 --> 00:16:28.879 two perspectives collide. 00:16:30.019 --> 00:16:30.480 One, 00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:33.960 the practical and the other is the spiritual. 00:16:34.780 --> 00:16:37.360 It's that rubber hits the road theology of life, 00:16:37.680 --> 00:16:40.300 whether the choices that we struggle with all every day, 00:16:40.299 --> 00:16:43.279 when we push to choose which one gives, 00:16:44.159 --> 00:16:45.699 when one comes under strain, 00:16:46.059 --> 00:16:48.500 how do we go without how we balance the two? 00:16:49.939 --> 00:16:50.419 Practically, 00:16:50.599 --> 00:16:51.299 if we look at these, 00:16:51.419 --> 00:16:51.899 this family, 00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:52.979 they needed food. 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:56.459 The country was in a state of political and social unrest. 00:16:56.779 --> 00:17:02.319 The most common form of famine or lack of food in Israel at the time was the 00:17:02.319 --> 00:17:03.359 oppression of the, 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:05.539 of the countries that had come in and captured, 00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:06.319 captured them. 00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:07.899 And we see that in the story of Gideon, 00:17:07.899 --> 00:17:10.019 who was driven to such extremes. 00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:13.539 That he does the foolish thing of trying to thresh his grain underground. 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:14.659 You need wind for that. 00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:18.099 And he tries to thresh his grain underground to try and avoid it being stolen 00:17:18.099 --> 00:17:19.980 from him by their oppressors. 00:17:21.599 --> 00:17:23.299 So practically they needed food. 00:17:23.379 --> 00:17:24.519 The country was in unrest. 00:17:24.919 --> 00:17:26.119 The children weren't strong. 00:17:26.119 --> 00:17:29.239 And spiritually, 00:17:29.239 --> 00:17:31.719 they were part of a nation, 00:17:32.099 --> 00:17:35.679 a generation in a nation that had rebelled against God. 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:38.979 And they didn't respond with repentance. 00:17:39.779 --> 00:17:42.519 They went into voluntary exile. 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:45.019 And when they did, 00:17:45.119 --> 00:17:46.400 they suffered and died. 00:17:49.139 --> 00:17:51.940 Now it's worth saying at this point that we don't live in the time of the 00:17:51.940 --> 00:17:52.279 judges. 00:17:52.599 --> 00:17:53.500 In the time of the judges, 00:17:53.500 --> 00:17:56.539 God brought his people to the land to experience his rest. 00:17:56.900 --> 00:17:57.019 His, 00:17:57.240 --> 00:18:02.259 his rest and his blessing was tied very strongly to the physical presence and 00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:03.319 occupation of the land. 00:18:03.319 --> 00:18:05.000 But for us, 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:06.759 we come to Christ. 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:09.799 One of the things he described himself as the Lord of the Sabbath, 00:18:10.599 --> 00:18:11.779 the Lord of rest. 00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:13.099 One thing, 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:14.879 one thing he also does is he, 00:18:14.879 --> 00:18:17.759 he tells us to come to him for rest. 00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:19.539 And so for us, 00:18:19.680 --> 00:18:20.720 we don't go to the land. 00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:21.619 We come to Christ. 00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:23.019 Jesus is our rest. 00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:26.379 But friends in times like this, 00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:32.039 where there's so many different challenges and difficulties and change for us 00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:32.259 to, 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:32.960 to navigate. 00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:37.200 Is that what we see when we look at our lives? 00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:41.879 Is Jesus the one we go to for rest? 00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:46.460 When we consider what we go to for refreshment is Christ. 00:18:46.460 --> 00:18:49.559 The direction that our hearts are yearning for. 00:18:50.680 --> 00:18:54.880 When we consider what meaning and purpose our life has. 00:18:56.140 --> 00:19:00.160 Is Christ the foundation of those thoughts? 00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:03.259 A crisis like this, 00:19:03.319 --> 00:19:05.940 a COVID-19 crisis will reveal who we truly live for. 00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:09.299 Just as Naomi's Christ revealed who she lived for. 00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:13.400 But friends, 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:16.079 we have to recognize the same issue that Naomi faced. 00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:17.059 And that is that, 00:19:17.059 --> 00:19:17.500 that, 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:18.619 that, 00:19:18.699 --> 00:19:20.359 that leaving is a mistake, 00:19:20.359 --> 00:19:22.279 but returning is costly. 00:19:24.500 --> 00:19:25.579 Naomi was faced with, 00:19:25.699 --> 00:19:26.000 with, 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:26.759 with some choices. 00:19:26.759 --> 00:19:27.939 And what would she do? 00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:29.859 What can she do? 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:31.399 Well, 00:19:31.439 --> 00:19:32.939 Naomi decides to return to the land. 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:34.539 We read in the next verses in verse six, 00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:35.960 we read this. 00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:36.839 Okay. 00:19:36.839 --> 00:19:40.680 So then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return to the country of Moab, 00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:42.139 from the country of Moab. 00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:44.299 For she had heard in the fields of Moab, 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:45.859 that the Lord had visited his, 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:48.559 visited his people and given them food. 00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:52.639 The tragedy had broken her spirit, 00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:55.879 but the Lord had visited her people, 00:19:56.879 --> 00:19:58.159 his people. 00:19:58.160 --> 00:20:02.060 Why did she decide to go back now? 00:20:02.900 --> 00:20:03.180 Well, 00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:05.560 perhaps these words reminder where she is. 00:20:05.840 --> 00:20:07.019 She's in a foreign country. 00:20:07.140 --> 00:20:07.259 Now, 00:20:07.340 --> 00:20:09.560 notice how often Moab is mentioned in that verse. 00:20:10.540 --> 00:20:14.820 She's in a foreign country and it's the wrong country for her to be in. 00:20:16.120 --> 00:20:16.759 And don't get me wrong. 00:20:16.820 --> 00:20:18.519 It's an ambiguous moment in the story. 00:20:18.900 --> 00:20:20.620 It reads like there's some distance. 00:20:20.759 --> 00:20:21.960 And they're even in Naomi's mind, 00:20:22.019 --> 00:20:24.620 there's some distance between Naomi and God's people. 00:20:24.619 --> 00:20:26.079 The Lord has visited his people. 00:20:27.179 --> 00:20:29.979 We're not really clear how much Naomi has moved in her heart either. 00:20:30.659 --> 00:20:30.799 I mean, 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:36.000 the judges cycle appears to have moved for the rest of Israel because the Lord 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:38.059 has saved them and now they're prospering. 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:41.119 So the rest of Israel has moved, 00:20:41.639 --> 00:20:42.659 but has she? 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.739 And then even as they go, 00:20:45.959 --> 00:20:46.979 even as they decide to, 00:20:47.159 --> 00:20:48.639 they decide to return. 00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:53.139 The next thing that Naomi does is firmly in the practical realm. 00:20:53.140 --> 00:20:56.460 It appears that she and her daughters got so far on their trip and then 00:20:56.460 --> 00:20:56.980 stopped. 00:20:57.280 --> 00:20:57.460 It's some, 00:20:57.580 --> 00:21:00.900 for some reason that there was a crunch time kind of moment in their 00:21:00.900 --> 00:21:01.540 decision-making. 00:21:02.360 --> 00:21:04.360 Was it the border that they got to that can, 00:21:04.580 --> 00:21:05.840 that caused this? 00:21:06.040 --> 00:21:06.680 Who knows? 00:21:07.640 --> 00:21:09.660 But for some reason it was crunch time. 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.240 And, 00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:14.000 and three times at this moment, 00:21:14.060 --> 00:21:14.700 in this moment. 00:21:14.840 --> 00:21:16.580 So when they stopped three times, 00:21:16.620 --> 00:21:16.880 the whole, 00:21:17.060 --> 00:21:21.400 in most of the chapters of this chapter is actually about this moment, 00:21:21.400 --> 00:21:22.960 this brief moment of time, 00:21:23.880 --> 00:21:24.480 three times. 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:28.560 Naomi tries to convince her daughters-in-law to return to their families. 00:21:29.080 --> 00:21:30.519 And three times is emphatic. 00:21:30.580 --> 00:21:31.340 That's not accidental. 00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:35.840 That's systematic attempt to actually convince. 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:38.380 And each time, 00:21:38.860 --> 00:21:43.460 the basis of her concern is for what it will cost them to continue. 00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:45.759 Practically speaking. 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:48.279 In verse eight, 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.099 we read, 00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:50.319 we read this, 00:21:51.220 --> 00:21:53.599 go return each of you to a mother's house. 00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:56.859 May the Lord deal kindly with you as you have dealt with the dead and with 00:21:56.859 --> 00:21:57.180 me, 00:21:57.379 --> 00:21:59.740 the Lord grants that you may find, 00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:00.420 notice this word, 00:22:00.859 --> 00:22:03.900 rest each of you in the house of her husband. 00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:06.000 And then in verse 11, 00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:07.640 turn back my daughters. 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:08.819 Why will you go with me? 00:22:09.140 --> 00:22:11.579 Have I yet sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:16.639 This is something that Matt alluded to earlier in the complexities of how things worked in, 00:22:16.699 --> 00:22:17.559 in families in, 00:22:17.619 --> 00:22:18.139 in Israel. 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:20.899 And then in verse 15, 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:21.579 the third time, 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:28.099 see your sister-in-law has gone back to a people and to a gods return after your sister-in-law. 00:22:31.939 --> 00:22:35.579 They will give up the rest that they could have in Moab. 00:22:35.579 --> 00:22:39.980 Will they really do that along with their family, 00:22:40.399 --> 00:22:42.539 with a new husband and children of their own, 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:44.519 among their own people and gods? 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:46.819 That's what they give up. 00:22:47.079 --> 00:22:48.359 If they go with Naomi, 00:22:48.659 --> 00:22:50.399 they'd have no chance of any of these. 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:53.839 A Moabites in Israel would never find acceptance, 00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.899 let alone a husband. 00:22:57.059 --> 00:22:57.980 So practically, 00:22:58.240 --> 00:23:00.759 it was a kind thing for Naomi to do. 00:23:00.919 --> 00:23:03.220 And she probably did it out of a kindness of hearts, 00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:05.860 but it may have been kind, 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:09.220 but it was spiritually blind too. 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:12.480 And even as she does, 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:13.600 provides her, 00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:14.259 you know, 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:15.920 goes through her attempts to convince them, 00:23:16.400 --> 00:23:18.319 there are two responses from the daughters. 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:19.700 The two daughters, 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:21.059 daughters and they'll respond very differently. 00:23:21.299 --> 00:23:21.400 Well, 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:22.460 similarly initially, 00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:23.799 but then very differently. 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:25.860 Orpah. 00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:27.500 Well, 00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:29.819 Naomi's logic actually reaches Orpah. 00:23:29.819 --> 00:23:33.759 Her tears of anguish from the first round, 00:23:33.879 --> 00:23:36.159 and ultimately turn into a kiss of farewell. 00:23:37.539 --> 00:23:38.599 Then there's Ruth. 00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:43.879 But Ruth steadfastly refuses to leave Naomi. 00:23:44.619 --> 00:23:48.319 Her tears of anguish turn into clinging. 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:50.819 Now this word is significant. 00:23:51.220 --> 00:23:53.399 It's the same phrase used in Genesis 2. 00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:55.599 And there it describes the marriage relationship. 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.220 Do you remember that? 00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:58.299 The man will leave his father and mother, 00:23:58.740 --> 00:24:00.279 and the two will become one flesh. 00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:01.460 He will cleave to his wife, 00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:02.539 and the two will become one flesh. 00:24:03.299 --> 00:24:05.079 This is the word that's being used here. 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:08.039 Ruth has not just refused to leave. 00:24:08.139 --> 00:24:10.559 She's emphatically chosen to stay. 00:24:12.659 --> 00:24:13.740 A third time, 00:24:13.859 --> 00:24:16.200 Naomi tries to convince Ruth to change her mind. 00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:16.640 See, 00:24:17.860 --> 00:24:19.319 your sister-in-law has gone back. 00:24:20.620 --> 00:24:21.299 Her people, 00:24:21.840 --> 00:24:22.420 her gods. 00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:24.840 But Ruth refuses. 00:24:26.180 --> 00:24:27.700 Ruth actually means friends, 00:24:27.840 --> 00:24:29.680 and we discover what kind of friend she is. 00:24:30.220 --> 00:24:31.559 She's the faithful kind. 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:35.279 Ruth's commitment to Naomi is deeply personal, 00:24:35.600 --> 00:24:37.279 and it's profoundly theological, 00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:38.840 as she reveals when she says, 00:24:39.420 --> 00:24:40.100 where you go, 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:40.819 I will go. 00:24:41.420 --> 00:24:42.340 Where you live, 00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:43.259 I will live. 00:24:43.880 --> 00:24:45.660 Your people shall be my people. 00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:47.000 Your God. 00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:48.120 My God. 00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:51.019 Don't you think it sounds like marriage vows? 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.779 It's really interesting, 00:24:52.860 --> 00:24:53.100 isn't it? 00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:55.299 And it does sound like marriage vows, 00:24:55.319 --> 00:24:57.059 because it is actually covenant language. 00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:58.620 And she even seals the covenant 00:24:58.620 --> 00:25:00.200 with a very marriage-type, 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:02.620 like, 00:25:03.059 --> 00:25:03.380 oath. 00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:05.460 She says in verse 17, 00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:06.380 the end of verse 17, 00:25:06.380 --> 00:25:08.460 may the Lord do so to me, 00:25:08.560 --> 00:25:09.540 and more also, 00:25:10.040 --> 00:25:11.500 if anything but death 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:13.080 parts me from you. 00:25:15.120 --> 00:25:16.080 For Ruth, 00:25:16.900 --> 00:25:18.300 rest isn't found in a husband. 00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:20.760 Rest is found, 00:25:21.100 --> 00:25:23.540 it's that sense of fulfillment and peace, 00:25:23.780 --> 00:25:26.360 is found in faithfulness toward Naomi. 00:25:26.359 --> 00:25:32.279 And that faithfulness is self-consciously lived out before God. 00:25:33.139 --> 00:25:35.119 She willingly gives up family, 00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:35.659 friends, 00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:36.139 job, 00:25:36.459 --> 00:25:37.579 any hope of marriage. 00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:40.819 She willingly empties herself. 00:25:41.959 --> 00:25:43.679 That's a costly path to walk. 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:48.620 And finally, 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:50.380 we get to the end section, 00:25:50.640 --> 00:25:52.100 where they continue their journey, 00:25:52.220 --> 00:25:53.420 and actually arrive in Bethlehem. 00:25:53.460 --> 00:25:55.100 And we read these words in verse 19. 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:58.160 So the two of them went on 00:25:58.160 --> 00:25:59.320 until they came to Bethlehem. 00:25:59.840 --> 00:26:01.160 And when they came to Bethlehem, 00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:03.440 the whole town was stirred because of them. 00:26:03.620 --> 00:26:04.460 And the women said, 00:26:04.820 --> 00:26:05.779 is this Naomi? 00:26:07.060 --> 00:26:08.160 Is this Naomi? 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:11.460 What I want to suggest to you 00:26:11.460 --> 00:26:12.940 at this particular point, 00:26:12.940 --> 00:26:15.080 is that it's something that maybe Naomi 00:26:15.080 --> 00:26:15.940 doesn't quite realize. 00:26:16.059 --> 00:26:16.960 And that is that returning 00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:18.840 is an act of God's grace. 00:26:19.820 --> 00:26:21.460 The fact that she has been brought back 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:22.980 into the land is an act of God's grace 00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:24.779 that perhaps she doesn't realize yet in a pain. 00:26:25.400 --> 00:26:25.940 But it is. 00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:28.759 And the reality is that 00:26:28.759 --> 00:26:30.720 all that Naomi can actually see 00:26:30.720 --> 00:26:33.019 and contemplate 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:34.740 is the calamity that she's experienced. 00:26:34.880 --> 00:26:35.680 And she says that. 00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:37.559 You know, 00:26:37.580 --> 00:26:38.200 when they say, 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:38.799 is this Naomi? 00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:39.820 You know, 00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:41.740 it really isn't the Naomi that's left, 00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:41.980 is it? 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:43.000 After all that she's been through. 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:45.019 But in a brokenness, 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:45.779 we need to understand 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:48.039 that while she sees some things clearly, 00:26:48.319 --> 00:26:49.880 she doesn't see everything clearly. 00:26:50.680 --> 00:26:51.579 She said to them, 00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:53.559 do not call me Naomi. 00:26:54.319 --> 00:26:55.180 Call me Mara. 00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:56.220 Or you could read, 00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:57.440 do not call me 00:26:57.440 --> 00:26:59.700 delight or delightful. 00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:01.740 Call me miserable or bitter. 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:07.220 See, Naomi goes on to sum up her life in two ways. 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:08.100 Firstly, 00:27:08.180 --> 00:27:10.200 from the perspective of how the Lord has treated her. 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:11.400 And secondly, 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:14.500 from the perspective of how her life has actually turned out. 00:27:15.380 --> 00:27:17.220 Look at how she describes how the Lord has treated her. 00:27:17.620 --> 00:27:19.559 The Lord has dealt bitterly with me, 00:27:19.600 --> 00:27:20.480 she says in these verses. 00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:22.019 So we're looking at verse 19 to the end. 00:27:22.700 --> 00:27:23.980 The Lord has dealt bitterly with me. 00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:25.680 The Lord has testified against me. 00:27:25.940 --> 00:27:27.579 The Lord has brought calamity on me. 00:27:30.160 --> 00:27:32.660 The reality is that the Lord has not given Naomi what she wanted. 00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:35.980 He's allowed the treasured contents of her life to be poured out. 00:27:37.620 --> 00:27:38.140 Interestingly, 00:27:38.740 --> 00:27:44.460 to be poured out to the point of reaching the emptiness that Ruth chose 00:27:44.460 --> 00:27:46.720 in order to go with her. 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:51.800 That's what God did in Naomi's mind. 00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:55.200 This is how God's dealing with her. 00:27:56.660 --> 00:27:59.700 And then she looks at it from the perspective of how her life has turned out. 00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:01.220 Naomi says, 00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:06.819 I went away full and the Lord has returned me empty or brought me back. 00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:07.799 It's the same word there, 00:28:07.839 --> 00:28:08.620 that return word, 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:13.160 a word that actually appears 12 times in this section in different forms. 00:28:14.600 --> 00:28:16.220 The things that Naomi treasured. 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:19.440 She sees herself as empty. 00:28:19.900 --> 00:28:23.579 The things that Naomi treasured became more than God to her. 00:28:24.279 --> 00:28:25.220 They were her delight. 00:28:26.059 --> 00:28:27.440 They were her rest. 00:28:28.180 --> 00:28:29.000 In reality, 00:28:29.140 --> 00:28:30.100 they were her God. 00:28:30.099 --> 00:28:32.559 From her perspective, 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:33.740 she was empty. 00:28:34.899 --> 00:28:36.039 But even so, 00:28:36.399 --> 00:28:37.319 she realized, 00:28:37.419 --> 00:28:38.199 at least in the back of them, 00:28:38.259 --> 00:28:41.559 enough to acknowledge that the Lord had returned her. 00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:44.879 Naomi was back in the land of blessing, 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:46.179 where she belongs. 00:28:48.019 --> 00:28:51.099 God used her loss to bring her home. 00:28:51.099 --> 00:28:54.179 How often does God do that? 00:28:54.179 --> 00:28:58.459 Let us experience a futility of choosing our own way, 00:28:59.159 --> 00:29:02.619 only to bring us back full circle around to his, 00:29:03.419 --> 00:29:06.439 perhaps even with a deeper realization of the goodness of his way. 00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:13.079 Naomi sees the calamity. 00:29:13.079 --> 00:29:15.779 But in both of these perspectives, 00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:17.179 there's also a consolation. 00:29:18.179 --> 00:29:20.699 And there's even more consolation in the last verse. 00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:23.059 We read in the very last verse, 00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:24.059 Ruth, 00:29:24.059 --> 00:29:25.059 Ruth, 00:29:25.059 --> 00:29:25.940 the Moabite, 00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:27.599 her daughter-in-law with her, 00:29:28.119 --> 00:29:30.399 who returned from the country of Moab, 00:29:30.899 --> 00:29:33.899 and they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest. 00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:36.200 Ruth, 00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:37.299 the Moabite, 00:29:37.700 --> 00:29:38.519 is there with her. 00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:41.700 Did you notice earlier that the women of Bethlehem, 00:29:41.700 --> 00:29:43.140 they knew she was there, 00:29:43.180 --> 00:29:43.799 but they ignored her. 00:29:43.819 --> 00:29:45.200 They just blanked her out. 00:29:47.360 --> 00:29:51.880 Even Naomi describes herself as empty with Ruth right there with her. 00:29:51.940 --> 00:29:53.220 How must that have felt for Ruth? 00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:56.740 The Moabite from Moabite gets the treatment. 00:29:58.480 --> 00:30:01.259 But there she is by her mother's side, 00:30:01.380 --> 00:30:03.460 mother-in-law's side at the very end of this chapter. 00:30:04.900 --> 00:30:06.480 And then we have the barley harvest. 00:30:07.340 --> 00:30:09.019 The barley harvest is beginning. 00:30:09.720 --> 00:30:10.039 Remember, 00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:12.379 Naomi left due to famine. 00:30:12.839 --> 00:30:13.440 And here, 00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:16.400 we're seeing the land is actually fruitful. 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.779 Naomi returned empty. 00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:24.759 But the barley harvest seems to be a promise that she will be filled again. 00:30:27.119 --> 00:30:27.559 Now, 00:30:27.599 --> 00:30:28.099 as I conclude, 00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:31.379 what I want to say is that we're not like Naomi. 00:30:31.720 --> 00:30:36.119 We can't just extrapolate straight from this into our lives. 00:30:36.119 --> 00:30:39.619 There's so much that we need to take into account. 00:30:39.719 --> 00:30:40.359 And in particular, 00:30:40.359 --> 00:30:42.059 one of the things we need to take into account is this. 00:30:42.459 --> 00:30:46.479 We are not called to return to a physical land to find rest. 00:30:47.339 --> 00:30:51.139 That land concept is fulfilled for us in Christ. 00:30:52.399 --> 00:30:55.539 In the words of Jesus in the gospel of John, 00:30:55.559 --> 00:30:56.019 when he says, 00:30:56.139 --> 00:30:56.859 abide in me, 00:30:57.119 --> 00:30:58.479 when we abide in him, 00:30:58.539 --> 00:30:59.739 we find rest. 00:30:59.740 --> 00:31:02.180 When we come to him, 00:31:02.859 --> 00:31:04.240 he gives us rest. 00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:06.299 In Matthew 11, 00:31:06.380 --> 00:31:07.259 we read these words. 00:31:08.019 --> 00:31:09.819 And the ones you probably already know. 00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:11.120 Come to me, 00:31:11.200 --> 00:31:12.960 all who labor and are heavy laden, 00:31:13.420 --> 00:31:15.140 and I will give you rest. 00:31:16.140 --> 00:31:17.819 Take my yoke upon you 00:31:17.819 --> 00:31:19.500 and learn from me. 00:31:20.180 --> 00:31:22.339 For I am gentle and lowly in heart, 00:31:22.599 --> 00:31:24.960 and you will find rest for your souls. 00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:27.360 For my yoke is easy, 00:31:27.900 --> 00:31:29.340 and my burden is light. 00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:35.700 However weary or heavy laden we are, 00:31:37.140 --> 00:31:41.579 Jesus has taken the ultimate burden of suffering from us on the cross. 00:31:42.340 --> 00:31:47.400 That burden of suffering that we face on judgment day, 00:31:47.819 --> 00:31:48.840 alone without him. 00:31:49.900 --> 00:31:54.000 But that burden which he willingly took in our place. 00:31:54.960 --> 00:31:56.840 We are invited into a rest, 00:31:57.160 --> 00:31:59.980 a rest that penetrates the depth of our souls. 00:32:00.920 --> 00:32:02.880 Christ is our rest. 00:32:04.380 --> 00:32:07.500 And even as this story unfolds, 00:32:07.940 --> 00:32:09.340 we will begin to get a glimpse 00:32:09.340 --> 00:32:13.079 of how closely linked to the rest that Christ provides 00:32:13.079 --> 00:32:14.620 the story of Ruth is. 00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:15.860 But no more spoilers. 00:32:16.380 --> 00:32:18.120 Let's leave it at that for there. 00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:19.759 Thanks, guys.