WEBVTT

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 We'll be doing a series through this short book.

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 As you're turning there, let me give a brief introduction.

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 You might wonder, what does the Book of Ruth have to do with Advent and Christmas?

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 Well, the Book of Ruth is set in a dark time,

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 a time where ordinary people lived in fear of violent attacks,

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 where once-stable family units broke apart,

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 where refugees and immigrants struggled to survive in foreign lands,

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 where cross-cultural relationships were marked by suspicion,

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 where God's people endured their own depression and grief and loneliness

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 and bore the burden of each other's depression and grief and loneliness.

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 It is a world, of course, very much like ours.

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 But in the midst of this dark and broken world,

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 what we see in the Book of Ruth is God's merciful intervention

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 on behalf of three otherwise unknown individuals,

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 an elderly, embittered widow,

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 a young, daring immigrant,

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 and a successful, well-respected man.

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 But God's provision for these three otherwise unknown individuals

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 is part of a larger story of His provision for His people as a whole.

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 We see God bringing life and hope to a broken family,

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 and through this family we see God bringing life and hope to a broken people.

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 The first words of the book,

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 Ruth chapter 1 verse 1,

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 are in the days when the judges ruled.

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 The last word of the book is David.

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 So what we see is through Naomi and Ruth and Boaz,

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 these three people,

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 God was establishing His kingdom in Israel.

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 And as we look back on the story from 3,000 years later,

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 we see that God was also preparing the way for Jesus the Messiah

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 because Ruth and Boaz were ancestors not just of King David,

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 but ultimately of King Jesus.

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 And so we've entitled this Advent sermon series,

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 Prelude to the King.

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 Now to help you get the most out of this series,

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 I want to recommend a book by Paul Miller called

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 A Loving Life in a World of Broken Relationships.

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 It's based on the book of Ruth.

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 It has 23 short chapters,

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 sort of reflections and meditations on the book of Ruth,

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 walking slowly through it.

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 So it's a great Advent devotional or sermon series companion.

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 There are some copies on the back table.

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 There are some copies on the book stall.

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 If you order it on Amazon,

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 you have to pay $8,

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 but you can get it here for $5.

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 And I think if you read it over the next few weeks,

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 I think it can help you keep focused on what's really important

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 in the midst of a season of the year

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 that can easily become busy and distracting and stressful.

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 So it's also available if you want it on Kindle or ebook or MP3.

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 You can go online and buy it there.

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 But it's called A Loving Life by Paul Miller.

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 Anyway, so I highly recommend that.

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 And you can pick one up afterwards if you're interested.

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 All right, Ruth chapter 1.

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 We are reading the whole chapter today.

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 So let us read together.

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 Ruth chapter 1.

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 In the days when the judges ruled,

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 there was a famine in the land,

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 and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab,

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 he and his wife and his two sons.

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 The name of the man was Elimelech,

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 and the name of his wife, Naomi,

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 and the names of his two sons were Malon and Kilion.

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 They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah.

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 They went into the country of Moab and remained there.

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 But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died,

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 and she was left with her two sons.

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 These took Moabite wives.

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 The name of the one was Orpah,

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 and the name of the other Ruth.

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 They lived there about ten years,

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 and both Malon and Kilion died,

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 so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.

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 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law

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 to return from the country of Moab,

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 for she had heard in the fields of Moab

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 that the Lord had visited his people and given them food.

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 So she set out from the place where she was

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 with her two daughters-in-law,

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 and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.

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 But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law,

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 Go return, each of you, to her mother's house.

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 May the Lord deal kindly with you

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 as you have dealt with the dead and with me.

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 The Lord grant that you may find rest,

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 each of you, in the house of her husband.

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 Then she kissed them,

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 and they lifted up their voices and wept,

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 and they said to her,

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 No, we will return with you to your people.

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 But Naomi said,

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 Turn back, my daughters.

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 Why will you go with me?

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 Have I yet sons in my womb

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 that they may become your husbands?

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 Turn back, my daughters.

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 Go your way,

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 for I am too old to have a husband.

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 If I should say I have hope,

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 even if I should have a husband this night

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 and should bear sons,

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 would you therefore wait till they were grown?

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 Would you therefore refrain from marrying?

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 No, my daughters,

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 for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake

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 that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me.

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 Then they lifted up their voices and wept again,

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 and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law.

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 But Ruth clung to her.

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 And she said,

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 See,

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 your sister-in-law has gone back to her people

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 and to her gods.

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 Return after your sister-in-law.

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 But Ruth said,

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 Do not urge me to leave you

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 or to return from following you.

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 For where you go,

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 I will go.

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 And where you lodge,

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 I will lodge.

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 Your people shall be my people

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 and your God,

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 my God.

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 Where you die,

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 I will die.

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 And there will I be buried.

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 May the Lord do so to me

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 and more also,

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 if anything but death

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 parts me from you.

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 And when Naomi saw

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 that she was determined

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 to go with her,

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 she said,

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 No more.

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 So the two of them went on

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 until they came to Bethlehem.

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 And when they came to Bethlehem,

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 the whole town was stirred

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 because of them.

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 And the women said,

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 Is this Naomi?

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 She said to them,

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 Do not call me Naomi.

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 Call me Mara.

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 For the Almighty has dealt

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 very bitterly with me.

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 I went away full

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 and the Lord has brought me back,

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 empty.

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 Why call me Naomi

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 when the Lord has testified against me

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 and the Almighty has brought

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 calamity upon me?

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 So Naomi returned.

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 And Ruth, the Moabite,

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 her daughter-in-law with her

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 who returned from the country of Moab.

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 And they came to Bethlehem

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 at the beginning

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 of barley harvest.

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 The book of Ruth begins

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 in a dark time.

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 In the days when the judges ruled,

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 if you turn back one page

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 to the end of the book of Judges,

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 the last verse says,

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 In those days,

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 there was no king in Israel.

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 Everyone did what was right

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 in his own eyes.

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 And the last five chapters of Judges

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 describe a time of political

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 and moral chaos.

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 Chapter 17 begins

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 with a young man

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 who stole money from his mother

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 and hired a superstitious priest

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 who is motivated purely

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 by financial gain.

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 Chapter 18 describes violent gangs

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 who preyed on unsuspecting people.

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 Chapter 19 describes the brutal beating,

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 rape, and murder

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 of an innocent woman

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 resulting in a brutal civil war,

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 chapters 20 and 21.

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 It was a dark time in Israel.

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 The leaders were corrupt

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 or non-existent.

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 The nation was literally

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 being torn apart.

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 And so we come to the book of Ruth

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 in the days when the judges ruled.

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 There was a famine in the land.

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 Now when the people of Israel

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 prepared to enter the land of Canaan,

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 God made promises to them

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 that if they would obey his commands,

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 he would bless them

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 with fruitfulness and prosperity.

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 But if they rejected his commands

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 and persisted in unfaithfulness,

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 God warned.

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 Leviticus 26,

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 I will make the heavens like iron

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 and the earth like bronze.

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 And your strength shall be spent in vain

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 for the land shall not yield its increase.

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 And the trees of the land

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 shall not yield their fruit.

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 You see, the famine

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 was merely an outward sign

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 that all was not well

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 among the people of God.

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 Ironically,

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 the famine struck Bethlehem in particular.

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 Some of the names in Ruth,

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 we'll see as we go along,

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 are important.

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 Bethlehem means house of bread.

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 It was a dark time in Israel

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 when the house of bread had no bread.

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 And what we see in verses 1 through 5

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 is it was also a dark time

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 for Naomi and her family.

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 Because of the famine,

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 Elimelech and his family

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 left the promised land for Moab.

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 The Moabites were Israel's pagan neighbors

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 to the southeast.

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 When the Israelites had tried

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 to pass through Moab

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 on their way to the promised land,

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 the Moabite king opposed them,

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 bribed Balaam to prophesy against them.

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 When that didn't work,

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 the women of Moab

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 seduced many of the Israelite men.

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 There was bad blood

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 between Israel and Moab.

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 And it sounds like not good news

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 when the people of Israel

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 are forced to take refuge in Moab

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 in order to survive.

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 But Elimelech's family

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 didn't just sojourn in Moab.

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 For a short time,

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 it says, verse 2,

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 they remained there.

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 Verse 4,

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 they lived there about 10 years.

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 We see a similar pattern

00:10:14.360 --> 00:10:15.659
 as back in Genesis

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 with Abraham's nephew Lot.

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 He first moved his tent

00:10:19.579 --> 00:10:21.919
 near Sodom and Gomorrah,

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 but pretty soon

00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:25.459
 was dwelling in Sodom.

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 And what we see here

00:10:27.440 --> 00:10:28.040
 in this chapter

00:10:28.040 --> 00:10:29.019
 is the people of God

00:10:29.019 --> 00:10:30.300
 gradually losing

00:10:30.300 --> 00:10:32.280
 their distinctive identity

00:10:32.280 --> 00:10:33.080
 in the world,

00:10:33.800 --> 00:10:35.720
 blending into the surrounding

00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:37.300
 pagan world.

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 Elimelech's name means

00:10:40.220 --> 00:10:42.080
 my God is king.

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 His son's names,

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 Malon and Kilion,

00:10:45.800 --> 00:10:48.100
 mean weak and frail.

00:10:49.540 --> 00:10:50.280
 And what we see

00:10:50.280 --> 00:10:51.320
 is that they assimilated

00:10:51.320 --> 00:10:52.700
 not just to the Moabite culture,

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 which would have been fine,

00:10:53.700 --> 00:10:55.680
 but also to Moabite religion.

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 The two sons took Moabite wives,

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 verse 4,

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 who presumably continued

00:11:01.379 --> 00:11:03.400
 worshiping Moabite gods.

00:11:06.120 --> 00:11:07.360
 Naomi didn't seem to care

00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:08.820
 very much about that.

00:11:09.140 --> 00:11:09.940
 Verse 15,

00:11:10.759 --> 00:11:12.160
 Naomi makes an offhand comment.

00:11:12.820 --> 00:11:13.140
 She says,

00:11:13.200 --> 00:11:14.540
 your sister-in-law has gone back

00:11:14.540 --> 00:11:16.580
 to her people and her gods.

00:11:17.540 --> 00:11:19.320
 Now, like many offhand comments,

00:11:19.400 --> 00:11:20.560
 it reveals some of where

00:11:20.560 --> 00:11:21.740
 Naomi's heart was.

00:11:22.539 --> 00:11:24.100
 And Naomi's heart was basically,

00:11:24.980 --> 00:11:26.840
 well, she has her Moabite gods,

00:11:27.080 --> 00:11:29.019
 I have my Israelite god,

00:11:29.620 --> 00:11:31.200
 it's not really a big deal.

00:11:32.039 --> 00:11:33.440
 Religion is mostly a function

00:11:33.440 --> 00:11:34.779
 of culture and ethnicity,

00:11:35.519 --> 00:11:39.000
 and she doesn't really care

00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:39.779
 that much about it.

00:11:40.779 --> 00:11:42.620
 So they leave the promised land,

00:11:43.460 --> 00:11:44.940
 they begin to lose

00:11:44.940 --> 00:11:46.120
 their distinctive identity

00:11:46.120 --> 00:11:47.399
 as God's people in Moab,

00:11:47.399 --> 00:11:48.340
 and finally the family

00:11:48.340 --> 00:11:49.959
 literally starts dying off.

00:11:50.799 --> 00:11:51.799
 First, Elimelech,

00:11:52.500 --> 00:11:53.439
 my God is king,

00:11:54.039 --> 00:11:54.399
 died.

00:11:55.159 --> 00:11:56.439
 Then the two sons die,

00:11:56.879 --> 00:11:58.079
 both of them childless.

00:11:58.639 --> 00:12:00.500
 Naomi is now extremely vulnerable

00:12:00.500 --> 00:12:02.720
 because in the ancient world,

00:12:02.779 --> 00:12:03.659
 a woman's identity

00:12:03.659 --> 00:12:04.779
 depended on

00:12:04.779 --> 00:12:06.539
 her connection to a man

00:12:06.539 --> 00:12:08.399
 and her legacy

00:12:08.399 --> 00:12:09.579
 depended on the children

00:12:09.579 --> 00:12:10.720
 that she bore.

00:12:11.639 --> 00:12:12.579
 But for Naomi,

00:12:12.740 --> 00:12:14.340
 she now had neither of those.

00:12:14.340 --> 00:12:16.160
 She had no man to protect

00:12:16.160 --> 00:12:17.440
 and provide for her,

00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:19.860
 no child or grandchild

00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:21.019
 to give her hope

00:12:21.019 --> 00:12:21.960
 for a bright future.

00:12:23.060 --> 00:12:24.620
 In the eyes of the world

00:12:24.620 --> 00:12:25.500
 she lived in,

00:12:25.740 --> 00:12:26.700
 and in her own eyes,

00:12:26.800 --> 00:12:28.019
 Naomi had nothing.

00:12:28.540 --> 00:12:29.519
 No security,

00:12:30.379 --> 00:12:31.240
 no identity,

00:12:31.879 --> 00:12:32.660
 no future,

00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:33.720
 and no hope.

00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:35.960
 Naomi was dying.

00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:37.940
 Her life,

00:12:38.019 --> 00:12:38.440
 her family,

00:12:38.500 --> 00:12:39.420
 was falling apart

00:12:39.420 --> 00:12:41.120
 just like the nation of Israel.

00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:44.560
 Now maybe you can identify

00:12:44.560 --> 00:12:45.179
 with Naomi

00:12:45.179 --> 00:12:47.379
 in some way or another.

00:12:48.440 --> 00:12:49.500
 Maybe you've come here

00:12:49.500 --> 00:12:50.580
 from a foreign land.

00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:52.419
 You feel misunderstood

00:12:52.419 --> 00:12:53.700
 or ignored.

00:12:54.679 --> 00:12:55.679
 Maybe it seems like

00:12:55.679 --> 00:12:57.419
 no one will ever hire you

00:12:57.419 --> 00:12:58.580
 for a decent job

00:12:58.580 --> 00:13:00.399
 and you feel powerless.

00:13:01.659 --> 00:13:02.779
 Maybe you're homeless

00:13:02.779 --> 00:13:04.480
 and you cry yourself

00:13:04.480 --> 00:13:05.360
 to sleep at night.

00:13:06.279 --> 00:13:07.259
 Maybe you're married

00:13:07.259 --> 00:13:08.720
 but it's not a happy marriage

00:13:08.720 --> 00:13:10.160
 and the problems

00:13:10.160 --> 00:13:11.279
 only seem to get worse.

00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:13.399
 Maybe like Naomi,

00:13:13.540 --> 00:13:13.940
 you're a widow

00:13:13.940 --> 00:13:15.519
 or a widower

00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:17.860
 and you feel an empty hole

00:13:17.860 --> 00:13:19.240
 as you lay alone

00:13:19.240 --> 00:13:20.080
 in bed every night.

00:13:21.180 --> 00:13:22.420
 Maybe you've lost a spouse

00:13:22.420 --> 00:13:23.620
 because they cheated on you

00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:25.160
 or divorced you

00:13:25.160 --> 00:13:26.240
 or abandoned you.

00:13:26.779 --> 00:13:27.740
 Maybe you've always wanted

00:13:27.740 --> 00:13:28.560
 to have kids

00:13:28.560 --> 00:13:30.279
 but you're infertile

00:13:30.279 --> 00:13:31.060
 or you haven't found

00:13:31.060 --> 00:13:32.220
 a suitable person to marry.

00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:34.440
 Maybe you've lost

00:13:34.440 --> 00:13:35.279
 not just a spouse

00:13:35.279 --> 00:13:36.019
 but a child.

00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:38.980
 And it seems like

00:13:38.980 --> 00:13:40.159
 the darkness haunts you

00:13:40.159 --> 00:13:41.659
 and won't ever leave.

00:13:42.840 --> 00:13:43.819
 It feels like nothing

00:13:43.819 --> 00:13:45.199
 will ever really change.

00:13:46.319 --> 00:13:47.399
 If that is you

00:13:47.399 --> 00:13:49.399
 in one way or another,

00:13:50.379 --> 00:13:51.139
 I pray that God

00:13:51.139 --> 00:13:51.819
 will speak to you

00:13:51.819 --> 00:13:52.519
 through this passage

00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:53.360
 and through this book.

00:13:54.319 --> 00:13:55.480
 If that's not you,

00:13:55.579 --> 00:13:56.379
 if you're successful

00:13:56.379 --> 00:13:57.199
 and secure,

00:13:57.779 --> 00:13:58.419
 well-respected

00:13:58.419 --> 00:13:59.139
 and well-off,

00:13:59.220 --> 00:14:00.159
 there is also a message

00:14:00.159 --> 00:14:00.759
 for you,

00:14:01.519 --> 00:14:02.559
 particularly in the character

00:14:02.559 --> 00:14:03.299
 of Boaz

00:14:03.299 --> 00:14:05.039
 who we'll meet next week

00:14:05.039 --> 00:14:05.719
 in chapter 2.

00:14:06.779 --> 00:14:08.120
 But today I want to focus

00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:09.719
 in on Naomi

00:14:09.719 --> 00:14:11.399
 whose journey

00:14:11.399 --> 00:14:12.659
 to Moab and back

00:14:12.659 --> 00:14:14.199
 is the main storyline

00:14:14.199 --> 00:14:15.039
 of chapter 1.

00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:17.719
 And in today's passage,

00:14:18.039 --> 00:14:18.679
 what we see,

00:14:18.759 --> 00:14:19.879
 we see two ways

00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:22.039
 that God extends

00:14:22.039 --> 00:14:23.860
 his steadfast love

00:14:23.860 --> 00:14:26.019
 toward us

00:14:26.019 --> 00:14:27.819
 when our lives

00:14:27.819 --> 00:14:29.219
 are falling apart.

00:14:30.659 --> 00:14:31.639
 The first thing

00:14:31.639 --> 00:14:32.279
 that we see

00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:34.439
 is that God's kindness

00:14:34.439 --> 00:14:35.860
 leads us

00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:36.959
 to repentance.

00:14:38.579 --> 00:14:38.959
 Verse 6,

00:14:39.019 --> 00:14:39.919
 we see the first ray

00:14:39.919 --> 00:14:40.439
 of hope

00:14:40.439 --> 00:14:41.620
 for Naomi.

00:14:42.980 --> 00:14:43.500
 She heard

00:14:43.500 --> 00:14:44.139
 in the fields

00:14:44.139 --> 00:14:44.799
 of Moab

00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:46.259
 that the Lord

00:14:46.259 --> 00:14:46.779
 had visited

00:14:46.779 --> 00:14:47.419
 his people

00:14:47.419 --> 00:14:49.019
 and given them food.

00:14:50.339 --> 00:14:50.959
 The famine

00:14:50.959 --> 00:14:51.500
 was over.

00:14:52.379 --> 00:14:52.779
 Once more,

00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:53.399
 there was bread

00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:54.199
 in Bethlehem.

00:14:54.819 --> 00:14:55.199
 And somehow,

00:14:55.319 --> 00:14:56.179
 the good news

00:14:56.179 --> 00:14:57.620
 of the Lord's

00:14:57.620 --> 00:14:58.699
 undeserved kindness

00:14:58.699 --> 00:14:59.579
 to his people

00:14:59.580 --> 00:15:01.300
 found its way

00:15:01.300 --> 00:15:01.720
 to her

00:15:01.720 --> 00:15:02.580
 all the way

00:15:02.580 --> 00:15:03.560
 in the far country

00:15:03.560 --> 00:15:04.320
 of Moab.

00:15:05.520 --> 00:15:06.500
 In the book of Ruth,

00:15:06.560 --> 00:15:07.600
 there are only two verses

00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:09.860
 that speak explicitly

00:15:09.860 --> 00:15:11.560
 about God's action.

00:15:12.540 --> 00:15:13.780
 One here at the beginning,

00:15:14.480 --> 00:15:15.580
 another at the end.

00:15:16.220 --> 00:15:16.879
 Here it says,

00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:17.720
 the Lord visited

00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:18.340
 his people

00:15:18.340 --> 00:15:19.420
 and gave them food.

00:15:20.200 --> 00:15:20.800
 Chapter 4,

00:15:20.860 --> 00:15:21.580
 verse 13,

00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:22.600
 it says,

00:15:22.680 --> 00:15:23.360
 the Lord gave

00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:24.160
 Ruth conception

00:15:24.160 --> 00:15:25.720
 and she bore a son.

00:15:26.900 --> 00:15:28.240
 And in both cases,

00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:29.700
 what we see

00:15:29.700 --> 00:15:30.220
 is the Lord

00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:31.899
 provided in ways

00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:32.960
 that no one

00:15:32.960 --> 00:15:33.879
 could see at first.

00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:37.220
 The seed began

00:15:37.220 --> 00:15:37.720
 to grow

00:15:37.720 --> 00:15:38.759
 below the ground.

00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:40.759
 A child began

00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:41.419
 to develop

00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:42.580
 within the womb.

00:15:43.379 --> 00:15:44.100
 The end result

00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:44.860
 would be obvious,

00:15:45.100 --> 00:15:45.779
 but the beginnings

00:15:45.779 --> 00:15:46.399
 were hidden.

00:15:47.620 --> 00:15:48.060
 Jesus said,

00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:49.019
 the kingdom of God

00:15:49.019 --> 00:15:50.519
 is like a mustard seed.

00:15:51.480 --> 00:15:52.299
 The smallest

00:15:52.299 --> 00:15:53.279
 of all seeds.

00:15:54.019 --> 00:15:54.659
 You'd hardly

00:15:54.659 --> 00:15:55.539
 even notice it.

00:15:55.940 --> 00:15:56.879
 But when it's planted,

00:15:57.019 --> 00:15:57.600
 it becomes

00:15:57.600 --> 00:15:58.540
 the largest

00:15:58.540 --> 00:15:59.820
 of all garden plants

00:15:59.820 --> 00:16:00.340
 and the birds

00:16:00.340 --> 00:16:00.759
 of the air

00:16:00.759 --> 00:16:01.500
 take refuge

00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:02.259
 in its branches.

00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:04.500
 The point is,

00:16:04.560 --> 00:16:05.720
 God often works

00:16:05.720 --> 00:16:07.040
 in ways

00:16:07.040 --> 00:16:08.399
 that are initially

00:16:08.399 --> 00:16:09.940
 hidden from us.

00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:11.440
 He works

00:16:11.440 --> 00:16:12.680
 behind the scenes

00:16:12.680 --> 00:16:14.120
 and within the hearts

00:16:14.120 --> 00:16:15.680
 of women and men,

00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:17.379
 often when we least

00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:18.080
 expect it.

00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:20.139
 The book of Ruth

00:16:20.139 --> 00:16:21.220
 contains no dramatic

00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:21.759
 miracles,

00:16:22.779 --> 00:16:23.700
 no dreams

00:16:23.700 --> 00:16:24.240
 or visions,

00:16:24.920 --> 00:16:26.240
 no prophetic words.

00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:27.980
 The main characters

00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:29.500
 are two ordinary women

00:16:29.500 --> 00:16:31.360
 who have no

00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:32.360
 political authority,

00:16:32.620 --> 00:16:34.159
 no military power,

00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:36.000
 no economic leverage,

00:16:36.419 --> 00:16:37.700
 no social prominence.

00:16:38.860 --> 00:16:39.399
 Widows were some

00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:40.259
 of the most powerless

00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:41.419
 and disenfranchised

00:16:41.419 --> 00:16:42.659
 people in the ancient world.

00:16:44.159 --> 00:16:44.759
 And yet we see

00:16:44.759 --> 00:16:45.700
 the Lord particularly

00:16:45.700 --> 00:16:46.460
 caring

00:16:46.460 --> 00:16:48.000
 for Naomi

00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:49.980
 and somehow

00:16:49.980 --> 00:16:50.560
 ensuring

00:16:50.560 --> 00:16:51.879
 that even far away

00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:52.460
 in the fields

00:16:52.460 --> 00:16:53.000
 of Moab,

00:16:53.080 --> 00:16:54.299
 she heard the news

00:16:54.299 --> 00:16:55.719
 of the Lord's

00:16:55.719 --> 00:16:56.799
 merciful provision

00:16:56.799 --> 00:16:57.479
 for his people

00:16:57.479 --> 00:16:58.099
 back home.

00:16:59.299 --> 00:17:00.299
 And Naomi's response

00:17:00.299 --> 00:17:01.419
 when she heard this news

00:17:01.419 --> 00:17:03.079
 was to return.

00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:05.839
 Now this word return,

00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:06.359
 I don't know

00:17:06.359 --> 00:17:07.180
 if you noticed it,

00:17:07.639 --> 00:17:08.740
 it's the key verb

00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:09.539
 in this chapter.

00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:11.519
 It appears 12 times.

00:17:12.379 --> 00:17:12.879
 Verse 6,

00:17:12.940 --> 00:17:14.240
 she arose to return.

00:17:15.180 --> 00:17:15.779
 Verse 7,

00:17:15.839 --> 00:17:16.599
 they went on the way

00:17:16.599 --> 00:17:17.259
 to return.

00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:18.539
 Verse 8,

00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:19.279
 Naomi says,

00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:19.919
 go return.

00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:20.859
 They say,

00:17:20.919 --> 00:17:21.079
 no,

00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:21.960
 we will return

00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:22.480
 with you.

00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:23.779
 Verse 11 and 12,

00:17:23.860 --> 00:17:24.460
 turn back,

00:17:24.559 --> 00:17:25.420
 same Hebrew word.

00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:26.599
 Verse 15,

00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:27.440
 return with her.

00:17:27.559 --> 00:17:28.099
 Verse 16,

00:17:28.200 --> 00:17:28.640
 Ruth says,

00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:29.220
 don't urge me

00:17:29.220 --> 00:17:29.740
 to return.

00:17:29.880 --> 00:17:30.420
 Verse 21,

00:17:30.779 --> 00:17:31.640
 the Lord has brought

00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:32.120
 me back,

00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:32.779
 same word.

00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:34.079
 The Lord has returned

00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:34.380
 me.

00:17:35.380 --> 00:17:36.140
 And verse 22,

00:17:36.259 --> 00:17:37.099
 so Naomi returned.

00:17:38.880 --> 00:17:39.680
 Now you might wonder,

00:17:39.779 --> 00:17:40.440
 why does the author

00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:41.180
 use this verb

00:17:41.180 --> 00:17:41.740
 so often?

00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:44.099
 Right?

00:17:44.160 --> 00:17:44.940
 You could tell the story

00:17:44.940 --> 00:17:45.980
 without repeating

00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:47.200
 the verbs 12 times.

00:17:48.400 --> 00:17:49.380
 But the same verb

00:17:49.380 --> 00:17:49.980
 is used throughout

00:17:49.980 --> 00:17:50.539
 the Bible,

00:17:50.539 --> 00:17:52.759
 especially in the prophets

00:17:52.759 --> 00:17:53.899
 to speak of repentance.

00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:55.940
 We read earlier,

00:17:56.079 --> 00:17:56.720
 Isaiah 30,

00:17:57.259 --> 00:17:59.139
 in returning and rest

00:17:59.139 --> 00:18:00.639
 you shall be saved.

00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:02.240
 In quietness and trust

00:18:02.240 --> 00:18:03.059
 shall be your strength.

00:18:03.159 --> 00:18:04.279
 Or Hosea 14,

00:18:04.379 --> 00:18:04.599
 1,

00:18:04.659 --> 00:18:05.700
 return Israel

00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:06.740
 to the Lord your God.

00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:07.500
 Your sins have been

00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:08.359
 your downfall.

00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:09.960
 Take words with you

00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:10.500
 and return

00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:11.720
 to the Lord.

00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:14.599
 If you consider

00:18:14.599 --> 00:18:15.599
 the Bible as a whole,

00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:18.659
 it's one big story

00:18:18.659 --> 00:18:20.199
 of exile

00:18:20.199 --> 00:18:21.659
 and return.

00:18:22.419 --> 00:18:23.519
 In the very beginning

00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:24.039
 of the Bible,

00:18:24.179 --> 00:18:25.119
 God placed his people

00:18:25.119 --> 00:18:25.759
 in a garden

00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:27.740
 of his provision,

00:18:28.619 --> 00:18:29.219
 in a temple

00:18:29.219 --> 00:18:30.099
 of his presence.

00:18:30.919 --> 00:18:32.039
 But people rebelled

00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:33.099
 against his authority

00:18:33.099 --> 00:18:34.759
 and distrusted

00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:35.319
 his goodness

00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:36.399
 and so they were exiled.

00:18:36.539 --> 00:18:37.459
 They were sent away

00:18:37.459 --> 00:18:39.879
 from that garden.

00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:41.980
 They became wanderers

00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:42.579
 in the wilderness,

00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:43.579
 condemned to die.

00:18:43.579 --> 00:18:45.819
 The very same pattern

00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:46.599
 happened with the people

00:18:46.599 --> 00:18:47.159
 of Israel.

00:18:48.159 --> 00:18:48.720
 God brought them

00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:49.839
 into the land of Canaan,

00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:51.619
 a land of his provision,

00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:52.819
 with a temple

00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:53.720
 of his presence.

00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:55.240
 But they rebelled

00:18:55.240 --> 00:18:56.199
 against his authority

00:18:56.199 --> 00:18:58.099
 and distrusted

00:18:58.099 --> 00:18:58.799
 his goodness.

00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:01.000
 The land was defiled

00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:01.539
 and eventually

00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:02.960
 they were sent

00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:04.240
 into exile far away.

00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:06.879
 Jesus told

00:19:06.879 --> 00:19:08.779
 a famous parable

00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:11.359
 that tells the same story.

00:19:11.439 --> 00:19:11.919
 There was a man

00:19:11.919 --> 00:19:12.980
 who had two sons.

00:19:14.339 --> 00:19:14.980
 The younger son

00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:15.980
 demanded his inheritance

00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:16.720
 from his father,

00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:17.919
 left home,

00:19:18.079 --> 00:19:19.579
 journeyed into a far country,

00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:21.339
 squandered his property

00:19:21.339 --> 00:19:22.519
 there in reckless living

00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:23.659
 and found himself

00:19:23.659 --> 00:19:24.319
 destitute,

00:19:24.679 --> 00:19:24.939
 lonely,

00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:25.799
 and hungry.

00:19:28.139 --> 00:19:28.379
 You see,

00:19:28.460 --> 00:19:29.199
 according to the Bible,

00:19:29.319 --> 00:19:30.399
 this is our human condition.

00:19:31.899 --> 00:19:33.139
 We have all rebelled

00:19:33.139 --> 00:19:34.240
 against God's authority

00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:35.279
 and distrusted

00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:35.859
 his goodness

00:19:35.859 --> 00:19:37.299
 and the result is

00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:38.379
 we find ourselves

00:19:38.379 --> 00:19:39.859
 far from our true home,

00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:41.859
 spiritually empty,

00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:43.879
 profoundly alone.

00:19:45.579 --> 00:19:46.119
 You see,

00:19:46.199 --> 00:19:47.659
 by settling and staying

00:19:47.659 --> 00:19:49.399
 in the land of Moab,

00:19:49.539 --> 00:19:51.299
 Naomi had distanced herself

00:19:51.299 --> 00:19:53.279
 from the Lord's people

00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:55.419
 and from the Lord's provision.

00:19:56.839 --> 00:19:57.759
 And in his kindness,

00:19:58.240 --> 00:19:59.859
 the Lord was calling Naomi

00:19:59.859 --> 00:20:01.419
 to return home,

00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:03.500
 to come back to the Lord

00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:04.659
 and come back to his people.

00:20:06.399 --> 00:20:06.979
 Now you might say,

00:20:07.059 --> 00:20:07.219
 well,

00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:08.500
 well,

00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:08.879
 wait a minute.

00:20:08.880 --> 00:20:09.140
 I mean,

00:20:09.180 --> 00:20:10.300
 how can you fault Naomi

00:20:10.300 --> 00:20:10.900
 for leaving

00:20:10.900 --> 00:20:11.960
 in the midst of a famine?

00:20:12.680 --> 00:20:12.980
 I mean,

00:20:13.020 --> 00:20:13.660
 she was only

00:20:13.660 --> 00:20:15.340
 going along with her husband

00:20:15.340 --> 00:20:16.560
 and providing for her children.

00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:16.900
 I mean,

00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:18.120
 and how can you fault her

00:20:18.120 --> 00:20:18.880
 for staying there

00:20:18.880 --> 00:20:19.680
 while there was still

00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:20.720
 a famine going on?

00:20:23.140 --> 00:20:23.400
 Well,

00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:24.460
 fair enough.

00:20:25.660 --> 00:20:26.980
 I think Naomi's family

00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:28.400
 was bearing

00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:29.760
 some of the consequences

00:20:29.760 --> 00:20:31.580
 of the spiritual

00:20:31.580 --> 00:20:32.760
 degeneration

00:20:32.760 --> 00:20:34.620
 of their community

00:20:34.620 --> 00:20:35.120
 as a whole,

00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:36.360
 of Israel as a whole.

00:20:36.359 --> 00:20:38.240
 But you know,

00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:39.500
 when Naomi comes back

00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:40.359
 in verse 21,

00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:42.459
 Naomi makes no excuses.

00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:44.379
 She says,

00:20:44.479 --> 00:20:45.319
 I went away

00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:47.139
 and the Lord

00:20:47.139 --> 00:20:48.019
 has brought me back.

00:20:50.699 --> 00:20:51.279
 You see,

00:20:51.319 --> 00:20:51.939
 it's the kindness

00:20:51.939 --> 00:20:52.559
 of the Lord

00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:53.759
 that brings us

00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.319
 to repentance,

00:20:54.459 --> 00:20:55.859
 to return home

00:20:55.859 --> 00:20:56.559
 to him.

00:20:57.459 --> 00:20:58.559
 It's his merciful

00:20:58.559 --> 00:20:59.159
 intervention

00:20:59.159 --> 00:21:00.619
 that brings us home

00:21:00.619 --> 00:21:01.319
 to his presence

00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:02.079
 and to his people.

00:21:03.659 --> 00:21:04.719
 In Jesus' parable,

00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:07.059
 why does the younger son

00:21:07.059 --> 00:21:07.720
 return home?

00:21:09.100 --> 00:21:10.680
 It's because far off

00:21:10.680 --> 00:21:11.539
 in the pig pen

00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:13.420
 where he's hungry

00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:14.680
 and alone,

00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:16.600
 he remembers

00:21:16.600 --> 00:21:17.960
 the kindness

00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:19.079
 of his father.

00:21:20.539 --> 00:21:20.860
 He says,

00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:21.819
 even my father's

00:21:21.819 --> 00:21:23.240
 hired servants

00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:24.880
 have plenty of food

00:21:24.880 --> 00:21:25.279
 to eat.

00:21:26.900 --> 00:21:27.799
 And so he arose

00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:29.039
 and started

00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:30.019
 the long journey home.

00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:33.059
 maybe like Naomi

00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:35.639
 or like the prodigal son,

00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:37.619
 you've lived far away

00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:38.160
 from God

00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:40.160
 or from the church

00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:41.740
 for a long time.

00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.920
 Maybe you left the church

00:21:42.920 --> 00:21:44.960
 in a time of famine,

00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:46.720
 in a time of spiritual dryness,

00:21:47.359 --> 00:21:48.519
 in a time when the church

00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:49.099
 didn't live up

00:21:49.099 --> 00:21:49.720
 to what it should.

00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:54.000
 Maybe your life

00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:54.920
 has come crashing down

00:21:54.920 --> 00:21:55.500
 around you

00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:57.960
 and now you're alone,

00:21:58.779 --> 00:21:59.220
 vulnerable,

00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:00.259
 desperate,

00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:01.160
 abandoned.

00:22:01.579 --> 00:22:02.440
 You feel like you have

00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:03.019
 no future

00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:03.759
 and no hope.

00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:06.600
 But can you see

00:22:06.600 --> 00:22:08.860
 God's kindness

00:22:08.860 --> 00:22:10.460
 extended to you

00:22:10.460 --> 00:22:11.839
 even through

00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:13.259
 ordinary circumstances

00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:13.940
 of life,

00:22:15.160 --> 00:22:16.360
 a meal paid for

00:22:16.360 --> 00:22:17.100
 by a stranger,

00:22:17.099 --> 00:22:20.079
 unexpected good news

00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:20.899
 from far away

00:22:20.899 --> 00:22:22.519
 or perhaps

00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:24.019
 one dependable person

00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:25.599
 who sticks with you

00:22:25.599 --> 00:22:26.819
 through thick and thin

00:22:26.819 --> 00:22:28.159
 when everyone else

00:22:28.159 --> 00:22:29.159
 seems to have scattered.

00:22:31.379 --> 00:22:32.240
 The Lord

00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:32.980
 in his kindness

00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:34.839
 is calling you

00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:35.599
 to return,

00:22:36.459 --> 00:22:37.259
 to repent,

00:22:37.399 --> 00:22:38.279
 to come back home

00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:38.779
 to him

00:22:38.779 --> 00:22:39.579
 and to his people.

00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:41.480
 Leave your idols behind,

00:22:41.639 --> 00:22:42.459
 leave your life

00:22:42.459 --> 00:22:43.619
 in Moab behind.

00:22:44.779 --> 00:22:45.459
 Come back home

00:22:45.459 --> 00:22:45.919
 to Jesus

00:22:45.919 --> 00:22:46.919
 and to his church.

00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:50.039
 What we see is

00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:50.719
 Naomi was willing

00:22:50.719 --> 00:22:51.319
 to leave behind

00:22:51.319 --> 00:22:51.919
 everything

00:22:51.919 --> 00:22:53.059
 and everyone

00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:53.719
 that she had grown

00:22:53.719 --> 00:22:54.439
 close to

00:22:54.439 --> 00:22:56.519
 in the land of Moab.

00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:58.379
 She had lost

00:22:58.379 --> 00:22:58.819
 her husband

00:22:58.819 --> 00:22:59.599
 and two sons

00:22:59.599 --> 00:23:02.079
 but she still had

00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:02.619
 her Moabite

00:23:02.619 --> 00:23:03.379
 daughters-in-law

00:23:03.379 --> 00:23:05.379
 and it's clear

00:23:05.379 --> 00:23:06.240
 that they had developed

00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:07.879
 a close emotional bond.

00:23:09.159 --> 00:23:09.839
 Even after

00:23:09.839 --> 00:23:10.879
 their husband's death,

00:23:11.619 --> 00:23:12.339
 her daughters-in-law

00:23:12.339 --> 00:23:13.339
 continued living with her.

00:23:13.419 --> 00:23:14.299
 That was a bit unusual.

00:23:14.299 --> 00:23:16.819
 But in verses

00:23:16.819 --> 00:23:17.500
 eight and nine,

00:23:18.399 --> 00:23:19.579
 we see that Naomi

00:23:19.579 --> 00:23:20.940
 considered their future

00:23:20.940 --> 00:23:21.579
 more highly

00:23:21.579 --> 00:23:22.220
 than her own.

00:23:23.539 --> 00:23:24.579
 She sent them off

00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:25.980
 with a generous

00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:26.299
 blessing

00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:28.480
 and prepared

00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:29.099
 to set out

00:23:29.099 --> 00:23:30.099
 on the long journey

00:23:30.099 --> 00:23:30.859
 to Bethlehem

00:23:30.859 --> 00:23:31.359
 alone.

00:23:32.180 --> 00:23:32.559
 Imagine

00:23:32.559 --> 00:23:34.639
 in those days

00:23:34.639 --> 00:23:36.759
 an elderly widow

00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:38.279
 setting out

00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:38.960
 on a seven

00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:39.579
 to ten

00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:40.299
 day journey

00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:40.899
 journey

00:23:40.899 --> 00:23:42.720
 which required

00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:44.299
 crossing a national

00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:44.779
 border,

00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:46.579
 fording a major

00:23:46.579 --> 00:23:47.039
 river,

00:23:47.819 --> 00:23:48.419
 climbing over

00:23:48.419 --> 00:23:49.619
 two thousand feet

00:23:49.619 --> 00:23:51.079
 elevation

00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:52.279
 in order to reach

00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:53.059
 her hometown

00:23:53.059 --> 00:23:55.019
 up in the hills,

00:23:55.639 --> 00:23:56.240
 Bethlehem.

00:23:57.299 --> 00:23:57.940
 She had only

00:23:57.940 --> 00:23:58.799
 made this journey

00:23:58.799 --> 00:24:00.159
 once before

00:24:00.159 --> 00:24:01.119
 in her life.

00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:03.639
 It was a great risk

00:24:03.639 --> 00:24:04.599
 to travel

00:24:04.599 --> 00:24:05.299
 such a distance

00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:05.639
 alone.

00:24:05.640 --> 00:24:09.180
 In verse

00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:09.380
 ten,

00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:09.880
 they both said,

00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:10.040
 no,

00:24:10.120 --> 00:24:10.640
 we will return

00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:11.340
 with you

00:24:11.340 --> 00:24:11.900
 to your people.

00:24:13.120 --> 00:24:13.759
 They lifted up

00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:14.180
 their voice

00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:14.580
 and wept

00:24:14.580 --> 00:24:15.080
 twice,

00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:15.700
 verse nine,

00:24:15.800 --> 00:24:16.420
 verse fourteen,

00:24:16.540 --> 00:24:16.900
 but Naomi

00:24:16.900 --> 00:24:17.440
 insisted,

00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:18.420
 verse eleven

00:24:18.420 --> 00:24:18.920
 through thirteen,

00:24:19.020 --> 00:24:19.259
 she said,

00:24:19.360 --> 00:24:19.920
 I want you

00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:20.840
 two to leave,

00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:22.320
 I want you

00:24:22.320 --> 00:24:23.520
 two to have

00:24:23.520 --> 00:24:24.880
 what I will

00:24:24.880 --> 00:24:25.580
 never have.

00:24:27.280 --> 00:24:28.040
 I want you

00:24:28.040 --> 00:24:28.520
 two to have

00:24:28.520 --> 00:24:28.880
 freedom.

00:24:30.040 --> 00:24:30.740
 I want you

00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:31.120
 two to have

00:24:31.120 --> 00:24:31.600
 security.

00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:33.380
 I want you

00:24:33.380 --> 00:24:33.960
 two to have

00:24:33.960 --> 00:24:35.140
 a happy marriage.

00:24:35.640 --> 00:24:36.240
 And hope

00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:36.900
 for the future.

00:24:37.620 --> 00:24:38.360
 If you come

00:24:38.360 --> 00:24:38.960
 with me,

00:24:39.600 --> 00:24:40.660
 you will share

00:24:40.660 --> 00:24:42.120
 in my grief

00:24:42.120 --> 00:24:43.780
 and my loneliness

00:24:43.780 --> 00:24:45.400
 and my poverty

00:24:45.400 --> 00:24:46.880
 for the rest

00:24:46.880 --> 00:24:47.640
 of my life.

00:24:49.180 --> 00:24:50.040
 But if I let

00:24:50.040 --> 00:24:50.560
 you go,

00:24:51.160 --> 00:24:51.660
 you will have

00:24:51.660 --> 00:24:52.420
 a bright future.

00:24:53.620 --> 00:24:54.500
 So go.

00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:57.060
 Naomi was

00:24:57.060 --> 00:24:57.560
 willing to let

00:24:57.560 --> 00:24:58.640
 go of everything

00:24:58.640 --> 00:24:59.220
 and everyone

00:24:59.220 --> 00:24:59.680
 that she had

00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:00.420
 known in Moab

00:25:00.420 --> 00:25:01.360
 to embrace

00:25:01.360 --> 00:25:02.180
 a bitter present

00:25:02.180 --> 00:25:02.900
 and an uncertain

00:25:02.900 --> 00:25:03.500
 future.

00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:05.360
 But she was

00:25:05.359 --> 00:25:06.279
 determined to

00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:07.519
 return home.

00:25:10.579 --> 00:25:11.359
 God's kindness

00:25:11.359 --> 00:25:11.939
 led Naomi

00:25:11.939 --> 00:25:12.740
 to repentance.

00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:14.199
 To leave

00:25:14.199 --> 00:25:14.979
 behind her life

00:25:14.979 --> 00:25:15.379
 in Moab

00:25:15.379 --> 00:25:15.899
 and return

00:25:15.899 --> 00:25:16.639
 home to the

00:25:16.639 --> 00:25:17.639
 Lord's people.

00:25:20.139 --> 00:25:20.859
 Now you might

00:25:20.859 --> 00:25:21.159
 ask,

00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:21.679
 what about

00:25:21.679 --> 00:25:24.599
 Naomi's bitter

00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:25.339
 complaints?

00:25:26.500 --> 00:25:27.139
 If Naomi is

00:25:27.139 --> 00:25:27.839
 returning home

00:25:27.839 --> 00:25:28.439
 to the Lord

00:25:28.439 --> 00:25:29.119
 and his people,

00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:29.379
 what?

00:25:29.380 --> 00:25:32.180
 verse 13,

00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:34.540
 it is exceedingly

00:25:34.540 --> 00:25:35.200
 bitter to me

00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:35.960
 for your sake

00:25:35.960 --> 00:25:36.760
 that the hand

00:25:36.760 --> 00:25:37.180
 of the Lord

00:25:37.180 --> 00:25:37.740
 has gone out

00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:38.260
 against me.

00:25:38.300 --> 00:25:38.680
 It could also

00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:39.380
 be translated,

00:25:39.540 --> 00:25:40.000
 it is more

00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.740
 bitter for me

00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:41.440
 than for you

00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:42.840
 that the hand

00:25:42.840 --> 00:25:43.220
 of the Lord

00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:43.680
 has gone out

00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:44.240
 against me.

00:25:45.180 --> 00:25:45.900
 Verse 20,

00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:46.340
 she says,

00:25:46.380 --> 00:25:47.040
 don't call me

00:25:47.040 --> 00:25:47.460
 Naomi,

00:25:47.620 --> 00:25:48.280
 don't call me

00:25:48.280 --> 00:25:49.160
 pleasant or

00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:49.560
 lovely,

00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:51.060
 call me bitter.

00:25:51.059 --> 00:25:54.500
 I mean,

00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:55.079
 imagine someone

00:25:55.079 --> 00:25:55.619
 walking into

00:25:55.619 --> 00:25:57.559
 church that

00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:58.159
 you recognize

00:25:58.159 --> 00:25:58.740
 from 10 years

00:25:58.740 --> 00:26:02.619
 ago and

00:26:02.619 --> 00:26:02.899
 they say,

00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:03.440
 don't call me

00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:03.879
 pleasant,

00:26:04.299 --> 00:26:04.980
 call me bitter

00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:06.579
 because the

00:26:06.579 --> 00:26:07.139
 Lord has dealt

00:26:07.139 --> 00:26:07.940
 very bitterly

00:26:07.940 --> 00:26:08.339
 with me.

00:26:09.419 --> 00:26:10.220
 I went away

00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:11.639
 full and the

00:26:11.639 --> 00:26:12.099
 Lord has brought

00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:12.919
 me back empty.

00:26:14.220 --> 00:26:15.039
 Why call me

00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:15.519
 pleasant?

00:26:16.639 --> 00:26:17.240
 When the

00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:17.679
 Lord has

00:26:17.679 --> 00:26:18.480
 testified against

00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:18.639
 me,

00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:19.179
 the Almighty

00:26:19.179 --> 00:26:19.639
 has brought

00:26:19.639 --> 00:26:20.500
 calamity upon

00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:20.779
 me.

00:26:21.059 --> 00:26:24.119
 Some people

00:26:24.119 --> 00:26:24.659
 have defended

00:26:24.659 --> 00:26:25.200
 Naomi's

00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:25.639
 complaint.

00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:27.879
 After all,

00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:28.379
 she had lost

00:26:28.379 --> 00:26:28.819
 her husband

00:26:28.819 --> 00:26:29.179
 and two

00:26:29.179 --> 00:26:29.639
 sons.

00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:31.480
 She wasn't

00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:32.200
 complaining about

00:26:32.200 --> 00:26:32.980
 something trivial

00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:33.799
 or petty.

00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:36.240
 And Naomi

00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:37.279
 rightly recognized

00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:38.039
 that all things

00:26:38.039 --> 00:26:38.799
 come through

00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:39.879
 the sovereign

00:26:39.879 --> 00:26:40.679
 hand of God

00:26:40.679 --> 00:26:42.240
 and nothing

00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:43.000
 happens merely

00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:43.779
 by chance.

00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:45.819
 One person

00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:46.179
 said,

00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:47.679
 by holding

00:26:47.679 --> 00:26:48.119
 Yahweh

00:26:48.119 --> 00:26:49.019
 responsible for

00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.779
 her losses,

00:26:50.379 --> 00:26:50.679
 Naomi

00:26:50.680 --> 00:26:51.279
 affirmed

00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:52.120
 the Lord's

00:26:52.120 --> 00:26:52.539
 participation

00:26:52.539 --> 00:26:53.080
 in the

00:26:53.080 --> 00:26:53.539
 events.

00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:54.799
 Thus,

00:26:54.860 --> 00:26:55.180
 despite

00:26:55.180 --> 00:26:55.700
 appearances,

00:26:55.920 --> 00:26:56.220
 things were

00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:56.840
 not out of

00:26:56.840 --> 00:26:57.279
 control.

00:26:57.420 --> 00:26:57.759
 If he is

00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.160
 at least

00:26:58.160 --> 00:26:58.920
 involved,

00:26:59.660 --> 00:27:00.100
 Yahweh,

00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:00.740
 the Lord,

00:27:01.180 --> 00:27:01.660
 might very

00:27:01.660 --> 00:27:02.180
 well straighten

00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:02.840
 things out.

00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:03.740
 Bitter

00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:04.320
 complaint

00:27:04.320 --> 00:27:04.860
 cloaked

00:27:04.860 --> 00:27:05.720
 firm

00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.299
 faith.

00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:08.140
 Now,

00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:08.640
 other people

00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:09.500
 have criticized

00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:10.360
 Naomi's

00:27:10.360 --> 00:27:10.740
 complaint.

00:27:11.960 --> 00:27:12.360
 She does

00:27:12.360 --> 00:27:12.940
 indeed affirm

00:27:12.940 --> 00:27:13.279
 that God

00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:13.820
 is sovereign,

00:27:13.820 --> 00:27:14.240
 but she

00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:14.600
 certainly

00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:15.399
 doesn't rest

00:27:15.399 --> 00:27:15.879
 content

00:27:15.879 --> 00:27:17.059
 in that

00:27:17.059 --> 00:27:17.500
 truth.

00:27:19.959 --> 00:27:20.319
 Verse,

00:27:20.959 --> 00:27:21.359
 Naomi's

00:27:21.359 --> 00:27:21.699
 grieving

00:27:21.699 --> 00:27:23.259
 is also

00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:23.959
 twisted by

00:27:23.959 --> 00:27:24.599
 self-pity

00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:26.039
 and self-centeredness.

00:27:26.099 --> 00:27:26.679
 Verse 21,

00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.059
 she says,

00:27:27.139 --> 00:27:27.619
 I went away

00:27:27.619 --> 00:27:28.539
 full and the

00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:29.059
 Lord has brought

00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:29.459
 me back

00:27:29.459 --> 00:27:29.819
 empty.

00:27:30.579 --> 00:27:31.439
 She completely

00:27:31.439 --> 00:27:32.399
 ignores and

00:27:32.399 --> 00:27:33.659
 disregards her

00:27:33.659 --> 00:27:34.839
 loyal daughter-in-law

00:27:34.839 --> 00:27:36.219
 who has sacrificed

00:27:36.219 --> 00:27:37.619
 everything to

00:27:37.619 --> 00:27:38.219
 come with her.

00:27:39.459 --> 00:27:40.319
 She acts like

00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:41.000
 Ruth doesn't

00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:41.799
 even exist.

00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:46.920
 Now,

00:27:46.940 --> 00:27:47.279
 it's important

00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:48.000
 to realize

00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:49.579
 that Naomi

00:27:49.579 --> 00:27:51.500
 returns home

00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:52.720
 to the Lord

00:27:52.720 --> 00:27:53.099
 and to his

00:27:53.099 --> 00:27:53.440
 people

00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:56.400
 with bitterness,

00:27:56.900 --> 00:27:57.920
 with self-pity.

00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:00.619
 Because in

00:28:00.619 --> 00:28:01.259
 his kindness,

00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:01.740
 the Lord

00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.380
 calls us to

00:28:02.380 --> 00:28:03.240
 return to him

00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:04.019
 as we are.

00:28:04.099 --> 00:28:04.539
 He doesn't

00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:05.019
 say,

00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:07.079
 clean yourself

00:28:07.079 --> 00:28:08.579
 up and

00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:09.059
 then come

00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:09.779
 home to me.

00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:11.619
 When the

00:28:11.619 --> 00:28:12.220
 prodigal son

00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:12.960
 came home,

00:28:13.339 --> 00:28:14.319
 he stunk.

00:28:14.920 --> 00:28:15.579
 He was

00:28:15.579 --> 00:28:15.980
 dirty.

00:28:16.920 --> 00:28:17.440
 He was

00:28:17.440 --> 00:28:18.339
 not well-dressed.

00:28:18.940 --> 00:28:19.259
 He was

00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:19.819
 not used to

00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:20.140
 living in

00:28:20.140 --> 00:28:20.680
 his father's

00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:21.079
 house,

00:28:21.859 --> 00:28:22.259
 having been

00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:22.640
 gone for

00:28:22.640 --> 00:28:23.180
 so long.

00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:26.940
 If a

00:28:26.940 --> 00:28:27.579
 shepherd goes

00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:28.339
 and finds

00:28:28.339 --> 00:28:28.819
 a lost

00:28:28.819 --> 00:28:29.180
 sheep

00:28:29.180 --> 00:28:30.660
 that has

00:28:30.660 --> 00:28:31.339
 been stuck

00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:31.640
 in a

00:28:31.640 --> 00:28:32.039
 thicket of

00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:32.619
 thorn bushes,

00:28:33.839 --> 00:28:34.799
 that sheep

00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.140
 is going

00:28:35.140 --> 00:28:35.460
 to be

00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:36.339
 pretty prickly

00:28:36.339 --> 00:28:37.680
 until the

00:28:37.680 --> 00:28:38.180
 thorns get

00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:38.920
 combed out.

00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:40.000
 And that

00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.400
 may take

00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:40.920
 some time.

00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:42.779
 And Jesus,

00:28:42.900 --> 00:28:43.160
 the good

00:28:43.160 --> 00:28:43.420
 shepherd,

00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:44.000
 doesn't say,

00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:44.559
 stop being

00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:45.220
 so prickly.

00:28:46.640 --> 00:28:47.359
 He says,

00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:47.880
 come to me

00:28:47.880 --> 00:28:48.200
 and I will

00:28:48.200 --> 00:28:48.480
 give you

00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:48.859
 rest.

00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:52.299
 The content

00:28:52.299 --> 00:28:52.839
 of Naomi's

00:28:52.839 --> 00:28:53.339
 complaint is

00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:53.700
 mixed.

00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:56.180
 There's

00:28:56.180 --> 00:28:56.579
 honesty,

00:28:57.200 --> 00:28:57.680
 there's

00:28:57.680 --> 00:28:57.980
 bitterness,

00:28:59.000 --> 00:28:59.240
 there's

00:28:59.240 --> 00:28:59.920
 recognition of

00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:00.259
 God's

00:29:00.259 --> 00:29:00.619
 sovereignty,

00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:02.059
 there's a

00:29:02.059 --> 00:29:02.799
 discontentment

00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:03.720
 with it.

00:29:06.660 --> 00:29:07.259
 What do we

00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:07.579
 take from

00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:07.779
 that?

00:29:07.779 --> 00:29:09.779
 God's

00:29:09.779 --> 00:29:10.259
 love?

00:29:10.259 --> 00:29:10.359
 Let me

00:29:10.359 --> 00:29:10.779
 speak to you

00:29:10.779 --> 00:29:11.180
 for a minute

00:29:11.180 --> 00:29:11.599
 if you've

00:29:11.599 --> 00:29:12.119
 experienced

00:29:12.119 --> 00:29:12.500
 bitter

00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.180
 loss.

00:29:15.059 --> 00:29:15.700
 The Bible

00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:16.460
 makes room

00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:17.399
 for bitter

00:29:17.399 --> 00:29:18.000
 complaint.

00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:20.740
 Read many

00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:21.059
 of the

00:29:21.059 --> 00:29:21.519
 Psalms,

00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:21.899
 or the

00:29:21.899 --> 00:29:22.180
 book of

00:29:22.180 --> 00:29:22.960
 Lamentations,

00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:23.399
 or the

00:29:23.399 --> 00:29:23.680
 prophet

00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:24.299
 Jeremiah.

00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:26.419
 How long,

00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:26.940
 O Lord,

00:29:27.019 --> 00:29:27.759
 how long?

00:29:28.899 --> 00:29:29.579
 Why do you

00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:30.059
 hide your

00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:30.519
 face?

00:29:31.119 --> 00:29:31.559
 Why do you

00:29:31.559 --> 00:29:32.200
 forget our

00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:32.919
 affliction and

00:29:32.919 --> 00:29:33.319
 oppression?

00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:35.220
 You have

00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:35.759
 caused my

00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:36.359
 beloved and

00:29:36.359 --> 00:29:36.960
 my friend

00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:38.000
 to shun me,

00:29:38.440 --> 00:29:39.159
 and darkness

00:29:39.159 --> 00:29:40.039
 is my only

00:29:40.039 --> 00:29:40.579
 companion.

00:29:43.119 --> 00:29:43.859
 For some

00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:44.139
 of us,

00:29:44.180 --> 00:29:44.579
 these words

00:29:44.579 --> 00:29:44.960
 make us

00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:45.440
 uncomfortable.

00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:48.720
 If someone

00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:49.159
 comes into

00:29:49.159 --> 00:29:49.740
 church talking

00:29:49.740 --> 00:29:50.339
 like Naomi,

00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:53.119
 we want to

00:29:53.119 --> 00:29:53.419
 get out of

00:29:53.419 --> 00:29:54.019
 the conversation.

00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:57.319
 Or we

00:29:57.319 --> 00:29:57.819
 respond with

00:29:57.819 --> 00:29:58.339
 advice.

00:29:59.859 --> 00:30:00.299
 Well,

00:30:00.339 --> 00:30:00.700
 what can you

00:30:00.700 --> 00:30:01.160
 do differently

00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:01.819
 from now on?

00:30:03.379 --> 00:30:03.819
 Well,

00:30:03.859 --> 00:30:04.079
 you got

00:30:04.079 --> 00:30:04.579
 yourself into

00:30:04.579 --> 00:30:05.000
 this in the

00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:05.559
 first place.

00:30:07.900 --> 00:30:08.339
 Or

00:30:08.339 --> 00:30:08.940
 explanations.

00:30:10.180 --> 00:30:10.619
 Well,

00:30:10.660 --> 00:30:11.099
 every cloud

00:30:11.099 --> 00:30:11.599
 has a silver

00:30:11.599 --> 00:30:11.940
 lining.

00:30:14.099 --> 00:30:14.500
 Sometimes

00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:15.279
 advice and

00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:16.160
 explanations are

00:30:16.160 --> 00:30:16.960
 not helpful,

00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.480
 especially in

00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:18.920
 the moment.

00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:20.539
 That's what got

00:30:20.539 --> 00:30:21.139
 Job's friends

00:30:21.139 --> 00:30:21.579
 in trouble.

00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:24.500
 Now,

00:30:24.559 --> 00:30:24.799
 the bitter

00:30:24.799 --> 00:30:25.460
 complaints in

00:30:25.460 --> 00:30:25.839
 the Bible

00:30:25.839 --> 00:30:26.319
 are not

00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:26.940
 the last

00:30:26.940 --> 00:30:27.599
 word.

00:30:29.819 --> 00:30:30.619
 The Psalms

00:30:30.619 --> 00:30:31.099
 as a whole

00:30:31.099 --> 00:30:31.519
 take us

00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:31.799
 on a

00:30:31.799 --> 00:30:33.079
 journey from

00:30:33.079 --> 00:30:34.039
 bitter complaint

00:30:34.039 --> 00:30:35.359
 to joyful

00:30:35.359 --> 00:30:36.240
 praise.

00:30:38.099 --> 00:30:38.660
 Lamentations

00:30:38.660 --> 00:30:39.259
 is full of

00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:40.099
 complaint and

00:30:40.099 --> 00:30:40.759
 confession of

00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:41.119
 sin,

00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:43.059
 but smack in

00:30:43.059 --> 00:30:43.680
 the middle is a

00:30:43.680 --> 00:30:44.160
 resounding

00:30:44.160 --> 00:30:45.119
 declaration of

00:30:45.119 --> 00:30:45.940
 God's

00:30:45.940 --> 00:30:46.799
 faithfulness.

00:30:47.440 --> 00:30:48.200
 The steadfast

00:30:48.200 --> 00:30:49.200
 love of the

00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:50.279
 Lord never

00:30:50.279 --> 00:30:51.139
 ceases.

00:30:51.140 --> 00:30:52.759
 But, you

00:30:52.759 --> 00:30:52.880
 know,

00:30:52.960 --> 00:30:53.740
 sometimes you

00:30:53.740 --> 00:30:54.340
 need to go

00:30:54.340 --> 00:30:56.200
 through bitter

00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:58.200
 complaint in

00:30:58.200 --> 00:30:58.660
 order to

00:30:58.660 --> 00:30:59.759
 arrive at

00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:01.580
 joyful praise.

00:31:02.640 --> 00:31:03.259
 And sometimes

00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:03.740
 we need to

00:31:03.740 --> 00:31:04.560
 make space for

00:31:04.560 --> 00:31:06.600
 each other to

00:31:06.600 --> 00:31:08.200
 grieve bitterly

00:31:08.200 --> 00:31:11.560
 before God as

00:31:11.560 --> 00:31:12.720
 a necessary step

00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:14.140
 on the way to

00:31:14.140 --> 00:31:16.180
 praising God

00:31:16.180 --> 00:31:16.640
 with freedom

00:31:16.640 --> 00:31:17.100
 and joy.

00:31:17.099 --> 00:31:21.159
 In the

00:31:21.159 --> 00:31:21.740
 storyline of

00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:23.399
 Ruth, God

00:31:23.399 --> 00:31:24.019
 hears and

00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:24.740
 responds to

00:31:24.740 --> 00:31:25.199
 Naomi's

00:31:25.199 --> 00:31:25.859
 complaint in

00:31:25.859 --> 00:31:26.539
 three ways.

00:31:27.980 --> 00:31:30.119
 First, Ruth

00:31:30.119 --> 00:31:30.599
 and Orpah

00:31:30.599 --> 00:31:31.079
 weep with

00:31:31.079 --> 00:31:31.299
 her.

00:31:32.459 --> 00:31:32.799
 That's

00:31:32.799 --> 00:31:33.439
 verse 14.

00:31:35.519 --> 00:31:36.259
 When she

00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:36.980
 first says

00:31:36.980 --> 00:31:38.019
 how bitter

00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:38.579
 she is.

00:31:39.399 --> 00:31:40.000
 And that is a

00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.779
 Christian response

00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:41.879
 to weep with

00:31:41.879 --> 00:31:42.699
 those who

00:31:42.699 --> 00:31:43.079
 weep.

00:31:44.159 --> 00:31:44.599
 Second,

00:31:44.599 --> 00:31:47.000
 God sends

00:31:47.000 --> 00:31:48.740
 Ruth to

00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:49.839
 love Naomi

00:31:49.839 --> 00:31:51.399
 with steadfast

00:31:51.399 --> 00:31:52.299
 and sacrificial

00:31:52.299 --> 00:31:52.859
 love.

00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:55.639
 And as we'll

00:31:55.639 --> 00:31:56.240
 see, that's

00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:56.699
 what actually

00:31:56.699 --> 00:31:57.419
 begins to

00:31:57.419 --> 00:31:58.399
 transform Naomi.

00:31:59.119 --> 00:31:59.980
 From a

00:31:59.980 --> 00:32:00.279
 bitter,

00:32:00.899 --> 00:32:01.599
 self-pitying

00:32:01.599 --> 00:32:03.079
 person into

00:32:03.079 --> 00:32:04.319
 a joyful and

00:32:04.319 --> 00:32:05.159
 thankful person.

00:32:06.639 --> 00:32:07.199
 And third,

00:32:07.299 --> 00:32:07.719
 at the end of

00:32:07.719 --> 00:32:08.119
 the book,

00:32:08.939 --> 00:32:09.459
 chapter 4,

00:32:09.539 --> 00:32:10.240
 verse 15,

00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:12.139
 Naomi receives

00:32:12.139 --> 00:32:12.559
 a gentle

00:32:12.559 --> 00:32:13.139
 rebuke.

00:32:13.140 --> 00:32:14.880
 The women

00:32:14.880 --> 00:32:15.540
 of Bethlehem

00:32:15.540 --> 00:32:15.940
 say,

00:32:17.080 --> 00:32:18.920
 your daughter-in-law

00:32:18.920 --> 00:32:19.840
 who loves you

00:32:19.840 --> 00:32:21.440
 is worth more

00:32:21.440 --> 00:32:22.000
 to you than

00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:22.700
 seven sons.

00:32:25.120 --> 00:32:26.020
 They try to

00:32:26.020 --> 00:32:26.660
 reorient her

00:32:26.660 --> 00:32:27.140
 perspective.

00:32:29.280 --> 00:32:29.700
 Say, you

00:32:29.700 --> 00:32:30.740
 haven't

00:32:30.740 --> 00:32:32.160
 realized that

00:32:32.160 --> 00:32:32.960
 there's someone

00:32:32.960 --> 00:32:33.920
 right beside you

00:32:33.920 --> 00:32:35.380
 who's been

00:32:35.380 --> 00:32:36.259
 very loyal to

00:32:36.259 --> 00:32:36.540
 you.

00:32:38.400 --> 00:32:39.180
 Grieving people

00:32:39.180 --> 00:32:39.820
 sometimes need

00:32:39.820 --> 00:32:40.259
 rebuke,

00:32:40.820 --> 00:32:41.520
 just like the

00:32:41.520 --> 00:32:42.140
 rest of us.

00:32:43.140 --> 00:32:43.660
 But in Ruth,

00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:44.160
 at least,

00:32:44.700 --> 00:32:46.000
 it goes from

00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:47.560
 weeping to

00:32:47.560 --> 00:32:48.800
 loving and

00:32:48.800 --> 00:32:49.259
 later on

00:32:49.259 --> 00:32:49.660
 rebuking.

00:32:51.900 --> 00:32:52.500
 That's the

00:32:52.500 --> 00:32:52.940
 first thing we

00:32:52.940 --> 00:32:53.700
 see, that

00:32:53.700 --> 00:32:54.500
 God's kindness

00:32:54.500 --> 00:32:55.759
 leads us to

00:32:55.759 --> 00:32:57.600
 repentance, to

00:32:57.600 --> 00:33:00.040
 return home to

00:33:00.040 --> 00:33:00.560
 God and his

00:33:00.560 --> 00:33:00.860
 people.

00:33:01.420 --> 00:33:01.860
 That's the

00:33:01.860 --> 00:33:02.580
 first way God

00:33:02.580 --> 00:33:03.259
 extends his

00:33:03.259 --> 00:33:03.960
 steadfast love

00:33:03.960 --> 00:33:04.500
 toward us when

00:33:04.500 --> 00:33:05.060
 our lives are

00:33:05.060 --> 00:33:05.740
 falling apart.

00:33:06.420 --> 00:33:07.000
 His kindness

00:33:07.000 --> 00:33:07.940
 leads us to

00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:08.300
 repentance.

00:33:08.520 --> 00:33:09.060
 But second,

00:33:10.660 --> 00:33:11.759
 God's steadfast love

00:33:11.759 --> 00:33:12.379
 doesn't leave us

00:33:12.379 --> 00:33:12.779
 alone.

00:33:14.279 --> 00:33:15.339
 In his mercy,

00:33:15.440 --> 00:33:16.180
 the Lord provided

00:33:16.180 --> 00:33:17.319
 a loyal companion

00:33:17.319 --> 00:33:18.539
 for Naomi,

00:33:19.539 --> 00:33:20.960
 who would be a

00:33:20.960 --> 00:33:21.759
 living demonstration

00:33:21.759 --> 00:33:22.579
 of his promise

00:33:22.579 --> 00:33:24.879
 to never leave

00:33:24.879 --> 00:33:26.500
 her and never

00:33:26.500 --> 00:33:27.379
 forsake her.

00:33:29.200 --> 00:33:30.379
 Now, we've seen

00:33:30.379 --> 00:33:31.879
 Naomi considered

00:33:31.879 --> 00:33:33.240
 Orpah and Ruth's

00:33:33.240 --> 00:33:35.099
 future more highly

00:33:35.099 --> 00:33:35.819
 than her own.

00:33:35.819 --> 00:33:37.460
 She was willing

00:33:37.460 --> 00:33:38.179
 to let them go.

00:33:38.279 --> 00:33:38.799
 She was willing

00:33:38.799 --> 00:33:40.019
 to embrace a

00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:40.799
 bitter present and

00:33:40.799 --> 00:33:41.859
 an uncertain future

00:33:41.859 --> 00:33:43.259
 on her own so

00:33:43.259 --> 00:33:44.039
 that they could

00:33:44.039 --> 00:33:44.939
 enjoy a bright

00:33:44.939 --> 00:33:48.899
 future and hope

00:33:48.899 --> 00:33:51.159
 and flourishing.

00:33:52.859 --> 00:33:53.480
 Naomi was willing

00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:54.019
 to let go of

00:33:54.019 --> 00:33:54.460
 everything and

00:33:54.460 --> 00:33:55.059
 everyone that she

00:33:55.059 --> 00:33:55.619
 had known in the

00:33:55.619 --> 00:33:56.439
 land of Moab.

00:33:57.279 --> 00:33:58.220
 But what we see

00:33:58.220 --> 00:34:00.339
 here in Ruth,

00:34:01.839 --> 00:34:03.500
 verse 16 to the

00:34:03.500 --> 00:34:05.319
 end, is that

00:34:05.319 --> 00:34:06.279
 Ruth's love and

00:34:06.279 --> 00:34:07.380
 loyalty to Naomi

00:34:07.380 --> 00:34:09.260
 and to the Lord

00:34:09.260 --> 00:34:12.000
 surpassed even

00:34:12.000 --> 00:34:13.559
 Naomi's love and

00:34:13.559 --> 00:34:14.400
 loyalty to Ruth.

00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:17.239
 Now, if you look at

00:34:17.239 --> 00:34:18.019
 the dialogue,

00:34:19.300 --> 00:34:20.000
 starting at verse

00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:21.639
 8 and going to

00:34:21.639 --> 00:34:22.800
 verse 17, the way

00:34:22.800 --> 00:34:23.880
 it unfolds shows

00:34:23.880 --> 00:34:25.099
 how unusual

00:34:25.099 --> 00:34:26.659
 Ruth's response

00:34:26.659 --> 00:34:27.260
 is, right?

00:34:27.340 --> 00:34:27.900
 First, Naomi

00:34:27.900 --> 00:34:28.519
 blesses her

00:34:28.519 --> 00:34:29.079
 daughters-in-law

00:34:29.079 --> 00:34:29.579
 and send them

00:34:29.579 --> 00:34:29.920
 off.

00:34:29.920 --> 00:34:31.760
 And they say,

00:34:31.780 --> 00:34:32.200
 oh no, we'll

00:34:32.200 --> 00:34:32.740
 come with you.

00:34:32.820 --> 00:34:33.700
 And then Naomi

00:34:33.700 --> 00:34:34.599
 says, you have

00:34:34.599 --> 00:34:36.539
 absolutely no

00:34:36.539 --> 00:34:37.960
 future prospects

00:34:37.960 --> 00:34:39.300
 with me.

00:34:42.700 --> 00:34:43.440
 Then we see

00:34:43.440 --> 00:34:44.360
 Orpah turn back.

00:34:45.559 --> 00:34:46.260
 Orpah does the

00:34:46.260 --> 00:34:46.680
 sensible,

00:34:47.960 --> 00:34:48.440
 reasonable,

00:34:49.200 --> 00:34:50.380
 expected thing.

00:34:51.639 --> 00:34:52.579
 She stays in the

00:34:52.579 --> 00:34:53.240
 same place where

00:34:53.240 --> 00:34:53.860
 she's lived all

00:34:53.860 --> 00:34:54.920
 her life with the

00:34:54.920 --> 00:34:55.720
 people she's known

00:34:55.720 --> 00:34:56.320
 who speak her

00:34:56.320 --> 00:34:57.039
 language where she

00:34:57.039 --> 00:34:57.880
 will almost certainly

00:34:57.880 --> 00:34:58.780
 find another

00:34:58.780 --> 00:34:59.180
 husband.

00:34:59.179 --> 00:35:00.259
 Naomi says,

00:35:00.359 --> 00:35:00.819
 follow her

00:35:00.819 --> 00:35:01.259
 example.

00:35:04.199 --> 00:35:05.119
 And this back

00:35:05.119 --> 00:35:05.699
 and forth and

00:35:05.699 --> 00:35:06.299
 back and forth

00:35:06.299 --> 00:35:07.079
 leads to the

00:35:07.079 --> 00:35:08.639
 climax of this

00:35:08.639 --> 00:35:09.819
 chapter, verse 16

00:35:09.819 --> 00:35:10.699
 and verse 17,

00:35:12.139 --> 00:35:13.440
 where Ruth says

00:35:13.440 --> 00:35:15.219
 this, do not urge

00:35:15.219 --> 00:35:16.940
 me to leave you

00:35:16.940 --> 00:35:18.599
 or return from

00:35:18.599 --> 00:35:19.199
 following you.

00:35:19.279 --> 00:35:20.219
 For where you go,

00:35:20.319 --> 00:35:20.960
 I will go.

00:35:21.039 --> 00:35:21.579
 And where you

00:35:21.579 --> 00:35:22.359
 lodge, I will

00:35:22.359 --> 00:35:22.759
 lodge.

00:35:23.059 --> 00:35:23.899
 Your people shall

00:35:23.899 --> 00:35:24.839
 be my people and

00:35:24.839 --> 00:35:25.859
 your God, my God.

00:35:27.279 --> 00:35:28.359
 Where you die, I

00:35:28.359 --> 00:35:28.839
 will die.

00:35:29.179 --> 00:35:30.299
 And there will I

00:35:30.299 --> 00:35:30.799
 be buried.

00:35:31.440 --> 00:35:32.419
 May the Lord do

00:35:32.419 --> 00:35:33.159
 so to me and

00:35:33.159 --> 00:35:33.919
 more also if

00:35:33.919 --> 00:35:35.000
 anything but death

00:35:35.000 --> 00:35:36.559
 parts me from

00:35:36.559 --> 00:35:36.819
 you.

00:35:39.419 --> 00:35:40.179
 Ruth makes it

00:35:40.179 --> 00:35:40.679
 very clear.

00:35:40.839 --> 00:35:41.239
 She says, I'm

00:35:41.239 --> 00:35:41.940
 not just coming

00:35:41.940 --> 00:35:42.639
 with you for the

00:35:42.639 --> 00:35:44.819
 ride to make

00:35:44.819 --> 00:35:45.239
 sure you get

00:35:45.239 --> 00:35:45.919
 home safely.

00:35:47.559 --> 00:35:48.539
 I'm not clinging

00:35:48.539 --> 00:35:49.379
 on to you because

00:35:49.379 --> 00:35:50.219
 it's mutually

00:35:50.219 --> 00:35:52.319
 beneficial to both

00:35:52.319 --> 00:35:52.819
 of us.

00:35:52.820 --> 00:35:56.300
 I will join your

00:35:56.300 --> 00:35:58.240
 people and I will

00:35:58.240 --> 00:35:59.200
 worship your God.

00:36:00.400 --> 00:36:01.440
 I will not only

00:36:01.440 --> 00:36:02.240
 stay there for the

00:36:02.240 --> 00:36:03.220
 rest of your life,

00:36:03.260 --> 00:36:03.960
 I will stay there

00:36:03.960 --> 00:36:04.980
 for the rest of my

00:36:04.980 --> 00:36:05.440
 life.

00:36:05.800 --> 00:36:06.820
 That's where I'll be

00:36:06.820 --> 00:36:07.180
 buried.

00:36:08.420 --> 00:36:09.420
 And I am making a

00:36:09.420 --> 00:36:10.380
 solemn oath, a

00:36:10.380 --> 00:36:11.320
 promise before

00:36:11.320 --> 00:36:12.640
 Yahweh, the God of

00:36:12.640 --> 00:36:13.680
 Israel, the Lord of

00:36:13.680 --> 00:36:14.360
 heaven and earth.

00:36:14.860 --> 00:36:16.019
 I won't leave you

00:36:16.019 --> 00:36:17.039
 because I won't leave

00:36:17.039 --> 00:36:17.380
 him.

00:36:19.320 --> 00:36:20.080
 Ruth's statement has

00:36:20.080 --> 00:36:20.780
 five parts.

00:36:20.780 --> 00:36:23.900
 In the ESV, in the

00:36:23.900 --> 00:36:24.340
 Bibles, in the

00:36:24.340 --> 00:36:25.019
 pews, it's five

00:36:25.019 --> 00:36:25.460
 sentences.

00:36:26.600 --> 00:36:27.280
 And the central

00:36:27.280 --> 00:36:30.300
 statement is your

00:36:30.300 --> 00:36:31.280
 people shall be my

00:36:31.280 --> 00:36:32.340
 people and your God

00:36:32.340 --> 00:36:32.920
 my God.

00:36:34.500 --> 00:36:36.740
 That's the heart of

00:36:36.740 --> 00:36:37.560
 Ruth's promise to

00:36:37.560 --> 00:36:37.900
 Naomi.

00:36:39.580 --> 00:36:40.620
 It's not just about

00:36:40.620 --> 00:36:41.220
 Ruth's love for

00:36:41.220 --> 00:36:44.460
 Naomi and her care

00:36:44.460 --> 00:36:45.380
 and concern for her.

00:36:46.140 --> 00:36:47.140
 It's about Ruth

00:36:47.140 --> 00:36:48.519
 declaring her loyalty

00:36:48.519 --> 00:36:50.320
 to the Lord and to

00:36:50.320 --> 00:36:54.240
 his people even at

00:36:54.240 --> 00:36:55.539
 the cost of leaving

00:36:55.539 --> 00:36:56.080
 everything else

00:36:56.080 --> 00:36:56.500
 behind.

00:36:59.300 --> 00:37:00.660
 See, Ruth's love and

00:37:00.660 --> 00:37:01.960
 loyalty to Naomi and

00:37:01.960 --> 00:37:04.240
 to the Lord surpassed

00:37:04.240 --> 00:37:05.420
 even Naomi's love and

00:37:05.420 --> 00:37:06.500
 loyalty toward Ruth.

00:37:08.140 --> 00:37:09.100
 Let me give you three

00:37:09.100 --> 00:37:09.320
 contrasts.

00:37:11.260 --> 00:37:12.300
 Naomi was willing to

00:37:12.300 --> 00:37:13.460
 let go of everything she

00:37:13.460 --> 00:37:14.480
 had known for the last

00:37:14.480 --> 00:37:16.320
 ten years in Moab in

00:37:16.900 --> 00:37:18.120
 order to return home to

00:37:18.119 --> 00:37:19.079
 where she had grown up.

00:37:20.920 --> 00:37:22.739
 Ruth was willing to

00:37:22.739 --> 00:37:23.880
 let go of everything she

00:37:23.880 --> 00:37:25.219
 had known for her

00:37:25.219 --> 00:37:27.940
 whole life in order to

00:37:27.940 --> 00:37:29.359
 go to a land where she

00:37:29.359 --> 00:37:30.299
 had never lived.

00:37:34.139 --> 00:37:35.159
 Like Abraham.

00:37:36.759 --> 00:37:39.219
 Ruth left behind her

00:37:39.219 --> 00:37:40.400
 homeland and her pagan

00:37:40.400 --> 00:37:42.059
 religious background in

00:37:42.059 --> 00:37:43.139
 order to be loyal to the

00:37:43.139 --> 00:37:44.019
 God of the Bible.

00:37:44.019 --> 00:37:47.920
 Now, unlike Abraham,

00:37:48.920 --> 00:37:50.219
 as far as we know,

00:37:51.719 --> 00:37:52.780
 Ruth had received no

00:37:52.780 --> 00:37:54.239
 specific promises for

00:37:54.239 --> 00:37:55.739
 her personal future.

00:37:58.380 --> 00:37:59.259
 Ruth had received no

00:37:59.259 --> 00:38:00.400
 personal word from God.

00:38:02.019 --> 00:38:03.500
 She had no spouse to

00:38:03.500 --> 00:38:05.059
 accompany her, no army to

00:38:05.059 --> 00:38:06.320
 defend her, no possessions

00:38:06.320 --> 00:38:07.239
 to support her.

00:38:07.239 --> 00:38:09.359
 And yet Ruth went.

00:38:11.159 --> 00:38:12.399
 Because she had heard

00:38:12.399 --> 00:38:16.019
 about the Lord and his

00:38:16.019 --> 00:38:17.359
 promises and his

00:38:17.359 --> 00:38:17.819
 kindness.

00:38:19.939 --> 00:38:21.399
 And how he had promised

00:38:21.399 --> 00:38:23.539
 through this people,

00:38:23.659 --> 00:38:24.439
 through the nation of

00:38:24.439 --> 00:38:26.279
 Israel to bless every

00:38:26.279 --> 00:38:27.779
 nation on earth.

00:38:28.439 --> 00:38:29.179
 One day.

00:38:31.500 --> 00:38:33.779
 And she said, I will give

00:38:33.779 --> 00:38:36.139
 up everything to be part

00:38:36.139 --> 00:38:36.879
 of that people.

00:38:37.400 --> 00:38:38.619
 To be included in that

00:38:38.619 --> 00:38:39.119
 promise.

00:38:41.319 --> 00:38:42.219
 Jesus said to his

00:38:42.219 --> 00:38:43.480
 disciples, any one of

00:38:43.480 --> 00:38:45.359
 you who does not

00:38:45.359 --> 00:38:46.239
 renounce all that he

00:38:46.239 --> 00:38:47.799
 has cannot be my

00:38:47.799 --> 00:38:48.199
 disciple.

00:38:49.799 --> 00:38:50.759
 But Jesus also

00:38:50.759 --> 00:38:53.619
 promised, truly I say

00:38:53.619 --> 00:38:54.480
 to you, there was no

00:38:54.480 --> 00:38:55.619
 one who has left behind

00:38:55.619 --> 00:38:58.239
 house or wife or

00:38:58.239 --> 00:38:59.239
 brothers or parents or

00:38:59.239 --> 00:39:01.420
 children for the sake

00:39:01.420 --> 00:39:02.420
 of the kingdom of God

00:39:02.420 --> 00:39:04.420
 who will not receive many

00:39:04.420 --> 00:39:05.539
 times more in this time

00:39:05.539 --> 00:39:06.380
 and in the age to come

00:39:06.380 --> 00:39:07.059
 eternal life.

00:39:08.659 --> 00:39:09.860
 Jesus says in order to

00:39:09.860 --> 00:39:10.800
 follow him we have to be

00:39:10.800 --> 00:39:11.659
 willing to give up

00:39:11.659 --> 00:39:13.519
 everything without

00:39:13.519 --> 00:39:14.820
 holding anything back.

00:39:17.320 --> 00:39:18.880
 And yet he promises us

00:39:18.880 --> 00:39:22.320
 that in the end God

00:39:22.320 --> 00:39:23.420
 will never be in anyone's

00:39:23.420 --> 00:39:23.679
 debt.

00:39:24.940 --> 00:39:26.400
 That God will repay us

00:39:26.400 --> 00:39:28.380
 far more than we can

00:39:28.380 --> 00:39:29.619
 ever give to him.

00:39:30.800 --> 00:39:33.300
 In his mercy and in his

00:39:33.300 --> 00:39:34.060
 generous love.

00:39:36.940 --> 00:39:37.760
 Ruth let go of

00:39:37.760 --> 00:39:38.560
 everything she had known

00:39:38.560 --> 00:39:39.519
 to go to a foreign land

00:39:39.519 --> 00:39:41.960
 and yet, interestingly, in

00:39:41.960 --> 00:39:44.360
 a sense, she was

00:39:44.360 --> 00:39:45.120
 arriving at her true

00:39:45.120 --> 00:39:45.380
 home.

00:39:46.560 --> 00:39:47.760
 Verse 22 says, Naomi

00:39:47.760 --> 00:39:51.160
 returned and Ruth, the

00:39:51.160 --> 00:39:52.720
 Moabite, her daughter-in-law

00:39:52.720 --> 00:39:53.980
 with her, who returned

00:39:53.980 --> 00:39:55.500
 from the country of Moab.

00:39:56.240 --> 00:39:57.140
 You might read that and

00:39:57.140 --> 00:39:58.539
 think, but Ruth has never

00:39:58.539 --> 00:39:59.700
 been to Bethlehem.

00:39:59.699 --> 00:40:01.939
 How can she be returning

00:40:01.939 --> 00:40:02.419
 there?

00:40:04.480 --> 00:40:06.779
 But she's coming to her

00:40:06.779 --> 00:40:07.259
 true home.

00:40:08.579 --> 00:40:10.159
 She's coming to the Lord

00:40:10.159 --> 00:40:11.099
 and to his people, to the

00:40:11.099 --> 00:40:11.980
 place where she's meant to

00:40:11.980 --> 00:40:12.699
 be all along.

00:40:14.279 --> 00:40:15.239
 So that's the first thing.

00:40:16.980 --> 00:40:18.799
 Ruth left everything to go

00:40:18.799 --> 00:40:20.519
 to a foreign land for the

00:40:20.519 --> 00:40:21.159
 sake of God and his

00:40:21.159 --> 00:40:21.460
 promises.

00:40:21.679 --> 00:40:23.980
 Second contrast between

00:40:23.980 --> 00:40:24.799
 Ruth and Naomi.

00:40:24.919 --> 00:40:26.779
 Naomi was an elderly woman

00:40:26.780 --> 00:40:28.140
 with no foreseeable

00:40:28.140 --> 00:40:31.280
 prospect of marriage or

00:40:31.280 --> 00:40:32.820
 posterity anywhere.

00:40:34.580 --> 00:40:35.660
 She was willing to live

00:40:35.660 --> 00:40:36.780
 the rest of her life on

00:40:36.780 --> 00:40:38.560
 her own, in her loneliness,

00:40:38.780 --> 00:40:40.340
 in her poverty, so that

00:40:40.340 --> 00:40:41.440
 Ruth and Orpah could enjoy

00:40:41.440 --> 00:40:42.500
 marriage and a bright

00:40:42.500 --> 00:40:43.240
 future in Moab.

00:40:43.320 --> 00:40:45.780
 Now, Ruth, as a young

00:40:45.780 --> 00:40:48.820
 woman with great prospects

00:40:48.820 --> 00:40:50.200
 for a bright future in

00:40:50.200 --> 00:40:53.480
 Moab, who chose to give up

00:40:53.480 --> 00:40:55.940
 those very real prospects in

00:40:55.940 --> 00:40:57.179
 order to devote herself to

00:40:57.179 --> 00:40:59.059
 caring and providing for an

00:40:59.059 --> 00:41:02.679
 old woman in a place where

00:41:02.679 --> 00:41:04.940
 she had no prospects of

00:41:05.619 --> 00:41:06.400
 marriage and family.

00:41:09.240 --> 00:41:10.340
 Ruth is one of the few

00:41:10.340 --> 00:41:11.500
 examples of people in the

00:41:11.500 --> 00:41:13.200
 Old Testament voluntarily

00:41:13.200 --> 00:41:15.539
 embracing the likely prospect

00:41:15.539 --> 00:41:18.200
 of singleness long-term,

00:41:18.320 --> 00:41:20.740
 without sex, without marriage,

00:41:21.300 --> 00:41:23.740
 without children, for the sake

00:41:23.739 --> 00:41:26.159
 of obedience to the Lord and

00:41:26.159 --> 00:41:27.099
 service to his people.

00:41:29.819 --> 00:41:31.079
 The Apostle Paul would later

00:41:31.079 --> 00:41:34.799
 say singleness is a gift and

00:41:34.799 --> 00:41:36.500
 it's a call to undivided

00:41:36.500 --> 00:41:37.779
 devotion to the Lord.

00:41:39.419 --> 00:41:41.000
 Jesus himself said some have

00:41:41.000 --> 00:41:42.699
 renounced marriage for the sake

00:41:42.699 --> 00:41:43.519
 of the kingdom of heaven.

00:41:44.619 --> 00:41:46.199
 Now, the social dynamics are

00:41:46.199 --> 00:41:49.459
 different today, but some of you

00:41:49.459 --> 00:41:51.799
 may be called to embrace the

00:41:51.800 --> 00:41:53.640
 likely prospect of singleness,

00:41:54.380 --> 00:41:58.200
 either for a long time or

00:41:58.200 --> 00:41:59.260
 perhaps even for your whole

00:41:59.260 --> 00:41:59.620
 life.

00:42:01.160 --> 00:42:02.780
 For the sake of obedience to

00:42:02.780 --> 00:42:05.340
 Jesus and devoting yourself to

00:42:05.340 --> 00:42:07.420
 his kingdom purposes in the

00:42:07.420 --> 00:42:07.720
 world.

00:42:11.000 --> 00:42:12.380
 That's the second contrast.

00:42:14.580 --> 00:42:15.740
 Naomi sacrificed a bright

00:42:15.740 --> 00:42:16.140
 future.

00:42:17.900 --> 00:42:19.480
 Ruth sacrificed a bright future

00:42:19.480 --> 00:42:21.199
 and marriage to care for a

00:42:21.199 --> 00:42:21.659
 dying widow.

00:42:22.679 --> 00:42:25.500
 Third, Naomi sent off her

00:42:25.500 --> 00:42:26.380
 daughters-in-law with a

00:42:26.380 --> 00:42:26.719
 blessing.

00:42:28.079 --> 00:42:29.500
 And in return, she received

00:42:29.500 --> 00:42:31.920
 multiple public displays of

00:42:31.920 --> 00:42:34.099
 affection and expressions of

00:42:34.099 --> 00:42:34.500
 love.

00:42:37.039 --> 00:42:38.500
 Ruth pronounced her unswerving

00:42:38.500 --> 00:42:40.460
 loyalty to Naomi.

00:42:41.460 --> 00:42:42.699
 And what did she receive in

00:42:42.699 --> 00:42:43.099
 return?

00:42:45.400 --> 00:42:47.099
 Only silence.

00:42:47.099 --> 00:42:48.860
 Verse 18.

00:42:50.339 --> 00:42:51.699
 And when she arrived with Naomi

00:42:51.699 --> 00:42:53.759
 in Bethlehem, Naomi acted as if

00:42:53.759 --> 00:42:55.239
 Ruth did not even exist.

00:42:58.559 --> 00:42:59.960
 Have you ever made costly

00:42:59.960 --> 00:43:05.019
 sacrifices for someone and they

00:43:05.019 --> 00:43:06.219
 didn't even say thank you?

00:43:08.539 --> 00:43:09.920
 This is what happened to Ruth.

00:43:13.039 --> 00:43:14.480
 And she didn't become resentful.

00:43:14.579 --> 00:43:16.219
 She didn't give up and return back

00:43:16.219 --> 00:43:16.739
 to Moab.

00:43:16.819 --> 00:43:19.480
 She persevered in her steady,

00:43:19.980 --> 00:43:23.219
 devoted, unswerving loyalty to

00:43:23.219 --> 00:43:23.599
 Naomi.

00:43:26.579 --> 00:43:28.179
 Ruth left everything she had known

00:43:28.179 --> 00:43:29.379
 to go to a foreign land.

00:43:30.119 --> 00:43:32.759
 She sacrificed a future of

00:43:32.759 --> 00:43:34.259
 marriage and family to care for a

00:43:34.259 --> 00:43:34.819
 dying widow.

00:43:36.099 --> 00:43:37.399
 She did it with no thanks.

00:43:38.859 --> 00:43:39.819
 No recognition.

00:43:41.399 --> 00:43:42.459
 At least not yet.

00:43:42.460 --> 00:43:46.900
 In the midst of Naomi's darkness,

00:43:47.139 --> 00:43:48.199
 God sent Ruth.

00:43:49.900 --> 00:43:51.280
 When Naomi's life had almost

00:43:51.280 --> 00:43:53.039
 completely fallen apart, God sent

00:43:53.039 --> 00:43:55.300
 Ruth to be a living demonstration

00:43:55.300 --> 00:44:00.360
 of his steadfast, enduring love.

00:44:03.460 --> 00:44:04.860
 God's kindness leads us to

00:44:04.860 --> 00:44:05.240
 repentance.

00:44:06.300 --> 00:44:07.720
 God's steadfast love doesn't leave

00:44:07.720 --> 00:44:08.159
 us alone.

00:44:08.159 --> 00:44:11.299
 Perhaps God has sent someone into

00:44:11.299 --> 00:44:14.839
 your life as a living reminder,

00:44:14.960 --> 00:44:17.139
 a living demonstration of his

00:44:17.139 --> 00:44:19.079
 steadfast love in the midst of your

00:44:19.079 --> 00:44:21.000
 darkness and brokenness.

00:44:22.839 --> 00:44:25.759
 To be a living reminder that he has

00:44:25.759 --> 00:44:28.679
 not left you alone.

00:44:28.679 --> 00:44:36.419
 But the message we proclaim in the season

00:44:36.419 --> 00:44:40.619
 of Advent is that God's steadfast love

00:44:40.619 --> 00:44:41.799
 has not left us alone.

00:44:43.299 --> 00:44:45.359
 Ruth left her homeland in Moab.

00:44:47.399 --> 00:44:49.819
 Jesus left his glory in heaven.

00:44:49.820 --> 00:44:57.280
 God so loved the world that he gave his

00:44:57.280 --> 00:45:00.039
 one and only son that whoever believes

00:45:00.039 --> 00:45:02.220
 in him would not perish but have

00:45:02.220 --> 00:45:03.080
 eternal life.

00:45:03.700 --> 00:45:08.559
 Jesus came to us, took on our frail

00:45:08.559 --> 00:45:11.519
 humanity, lived his whole entire life

00:45:11.519 --> 00:45:12.840
 among us.

00:45:16.780 --> 00:45:18.500
 It says he came to his own and his own

00:45:18.500 --> 00:45:19.380
 to not receive him.

00:45:20.559 --> 00:45:22.219
 He came to us in our bitterness,

00:45:22.440 --> 00:45:25.500
 in our self-pity, and he loved us

00:45:25.500 --> 00:45:30.320
 with steadfast, sacrificial, unfailing

00:45:30.320 --> 00:45:31.300
 love.

00:45:32.960 --> 00:45:37.880
 And even death could not destroy his love.

00:45:40.480 --> 00:45:42.300
 First John says this is love, not that

00:45:42.300 --> 00:45:45.079
 we have loved God, but that he loved us

00:45:45.079 --> 00:45:47.259
 and sent his son as an atoning sacrifice

00:45:47.259 --> 00:45:49.000
 for our sins.

00:45:51.719 --> 00:45:55.519
 Jesus Christ is like the elder brother

00:45:55.519 --> 00:45:58.679
 in the story of the prodigal son.

00:45:59.539 --> 00:46:01.259
 Except he's a very different elder brother.

00:46:02.579 --> 00:46:04.219
 The elder brother in that story stays home

00:46:04.219 --> 00:46:05.779
 and is angry and is just as far away from

00:46:05.779 --> 00:46:07.500
 the father as the younger one.

00:46:08.299 --> 00:46:09.759
 But Jesus Christ is the elder brother

00:46:09.760 --> 00:46:13.160
 who left his home and came to find us

00:46:13.160 --> 00:46:14.900
 in the midst of the far country

00:46:14.900 --> 00:46:16.980
 and show us his kindness

00:46:16.980 --> 00:46:20.420
 and bring us home to the father with him.

00:46:21.860 --> 00:46:23.080
 And so after his resurrection,

00:46:23.260 --> 00:46:24.680
 Jesus said to Mary Magdalene,

00:46:25.400 --> 00:46:26.900
 Jesus said, go tell my brothers,

00:46:26.900 --> 00:46:30.760
 I'm ascending to my father and your father.

00:46:32.000 --> 00:46:34.880
 To my God and your God.

00:46:36.019 --> 00:46:38.820
 Ruth said to Naomi, your people will be my people.

00:46:39.420 --> 00:46:41.260
 Your God will be my God.

00:46:42.539 --> 00:46:44.200
 Jesus Christ says to us,

00:46:44.639 --> 00:46:48.119
 because of what I have done for you,

00:46:49.280 --> 00:46:52.200
 my father is now your father.

00:46:52.920 --> 00:46:55.320
 My God is now your God.

00:46:55.320 --> 00:47:01.640
 Lord, because I live, you also shall live.

00:47:06.420 --> 00:47:07.260
 Let us pray.

00:47:21.140 --> 00:47:22.320
 Father, we thank you

00:47:22.320 --> 00:47:26.740
 that in the midst of the darkest seasons of our lives,

00:47:27.620 --> 00:47:30.600
 in the midst of our brokenness,

00:47:31.220 --> 00:47:33.420
 and in the midst of our sin,

00:47:34.920 --> 00:47:36.200
 our rebellion against you,

00:47:37.700 --> 00:47:39.860
 that you have come to find us.

00:47:43.500 --> 00:47:46.420
 To bring us the good news of your kindness

00:47:46.420 --> 00:47:49.760
 and faithfulness

00:47:49.760 --> 00:47:53.519
 to bring us home to you.

00:47:55.240 --> 00:47:57.200
 We thank you that you receive us

00:47:57.200 --> 00:48:01.099
 along with our bitter complaints,

00:48:01.800 --> 00:48:04.840
 along with our unresolved issues.

00:48:04.840 --> 00:48:09.940
 we thank you that you love us.

00:48:09.940 --> 00:48:10.500
 We thank you that you love us

00:48:10.500 --> 00:48:12.840
 with a steadfast,

00:48:13.460 --> 00:48:14.860
 undying,

00:48:16.360 --> 00:48:16.980
 unfailing,

00:48:18.059 --> 00:48:19.340
 relentless love.

00:48:22.019 --> 00:48:23.140
 Lord, we pray

00:48:23.140 --> 00:48:26.680
 that you would fill our hearts,

00:48:28.500 --> 00:48:30.620
 you would fill the empty places in our hearts

00:48:30.619 --> 00:48:32.799
 with your steadfast and unfailing love,

00:48:33.299 --> 00:48:36.219
 with your loyal companionship.

00:48:43.219 --> 00:48:45.380
 Lord, we pray that you would bring us back home to you,

00:48:45.480 --> 00:48:46.639
 and we pray that we would know

00:48:46.639 --> 00:48:48.960
 that you have not left us alone.

00:48:49.920 --> 00:48:52.460
 And we pray that we would be your people in this world

00:48:52.460 --> 00:48:55.679
 who reflect your steadfast love.

00:49:00.539 --> 00:49:01.860
 So that others might see

00:49:01.860 --> 00:49:04.860
 who you are,

00:49:05.460 --> 00:49:06.920
 what kind of a God you are.

00:49:08.059 --> 00:49:10.159
 We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ.

00:49:10.780 --> 00:49:11.019
 Amen.