WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.960 To be seated and turn, if you will, to Ruth chapter 2. 00:00:03.960 --> 00:00:05.839 ! Ruth chapter 2. 00:00:14.179 --> 00:00:16.199 Which, if you've got a Bible, I think it's 222. 00:00:20.199 --> 00:00:23.780 What a difference a day can make in a person's life. 00:00:25.300 --> 00:00:29.980 What a difference a day can make in a person's life. 00:00:30.940 --> 00:00:36.039 One April day in 1945, Harry Truman wrote to his mother, 00:00:37.840 --> 00:00:41.060 I'd better hurry to the White House to see the President. 00:00:42.600 --> 00:00:46.000 When I got there, I found out that I was the President. 00:00:48.120 --> 00:00:51.500 Moses, do you remember that story from the book of Exodus? 00:00:52.460 --> 00:00:59.219 One day he's out in the back of beyond, out in the bush, tending his sheep. 00:01:00.619 --> 00:01:06.879 It was one day like any other day, and yet that day, God spoke to him out of a burning bush, 00:01:06.959 --> 00:01:08.719 and he became the Savior of Israel. 00:01:09.659 --> 00:01:12.239 He became the one to carry his people out of Egypt. 00:01:12.239 --> 00:01:14.679 Elisha, do you remember him? 00:01:14.799 --> 00:01:20.799 He was plowing a field when suddenly, out of the blue, Elijah turns up and recruits him to be his successor. 00:01:20.799 --> 00:01:29.479 Andrew, Peter, James, and John, they were fishermen, mending their nets on the side of the shore. 00:01:29.480 --> 00:01:33.859 And Jesus comes along, and he recruits them to be fishers of men. 00:01:34.960 --> 00:01:37.060 Matthew was in the office, a tax collector. 00:01:37.900 --> 00:01:41.140 Just an ordinary day like any other day. 00:01:41.140 --> 00:01:46.019 And Jesus came and called him, and his life was changed. 00:01:46.079 --> 00:01:47.159 What a difference a day can make. 00:01:48.599 --> 00:01:52.700 And what a difference this day makes in the life of Ruth. 00:01:52.700 --> 00:01:55.780 It's a very important day. 00:01:55.840 --> 00:01:58.320 It's arguably one of the most important days in her life. 00:01:59.379 --> 00:02:02.799 Because this was the day she meets her husband-to-be. 00:02:03.939 --> 00:02:06.200 Bachelor boy, Boaz of Bethlehem. 00:02:06.200 --> 00:02:10.539 He's introduced to us in a very interesting way, isn't he? 00:02:11.439 --> 00:02:15.759 You can almost hear the violins playing in Ruth chapter 2. 00:02:15.979 --> 00:02:17.060 It's a spring day. 00:02:17.680 --> 00:02:18.879 We're told that at the end of chapter 1. 00:02:19.879 --> 00:02:21.780 It's the beginning of the barley harvest. 00:02:22.199 --> 00:02:23.020 It's about late April. 00:02:24.039 --> 00:02:26.620 And Ruth has gone out into the fields, and look what happens. 00:02:26.680 --> 00:02:27.240 Look what it says. 00:02:27.240 --> 00:02:29.960 In verse 3, it says, 00:02:29.960 --> 00:02:37.420 Fancy that. 00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:38.920 What a stroke of luck. 00:02:40.540 --> 00:02:42.800 The writer wants you to see that right at the start of the chapter. 00:02:43.460 --> 00:02:44.680 He seems to be emphasizing it. 00:02:44.719 --> 00:02:46.680 Look at verse 3 again. 00:02:48.920 --> 00:02:52.040 So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, 00:02:52.040 --> 00:02:55.760 and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, 00:02:56.060 --> 00:02:59.159 who was the clan of Elimelech. 00:02:59.960 --> 00:03:00.920 Ruth's father-in-law. 00:03:02.599 --> 00:03:04.340 Now notice how he goes on. 00:03:04.620 --> 00:03:05.060 Behold. 00:03:06.159 --> 00:03:06.640 Behold. 00:03:06.780 --> 00:03:08.659 What are the chances of that? 00:03:10.379 --> 00:03:12.980 Behold, Boaz turns up from Bethlehem. 00:03:14.020 --> 00:03:15.040 It so happened. 00:03:16.520 --> 00:03:18.659 But you and the writer to this story, 00:03:18.900 --> 00:03:20.760 we know that things don't just happen, don't we? 00:03:21.760 --> 00:03:25.600 That God is working out his purposes here as well. 00:03:26.640 --> 00:03:27.560 And so that's the first point. 00:03:27.560 --> 00:03:30.340 I want us to see the first point is God's hand at work. 00:03:30.420 --> 00:03:31.360 Look at verses 1 to 7. 00:03:32.800 --> 00:03:34.099 It's a kind of spoiler alert. 00:03:34.340 --> 00:03:34.860 Look what it says. 00:03:35.120 --> 00:03:38.879 Now Naomi had a relative of her husband's, 00:03:38.939 --> 00:03:41.800 a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, 00:03:42.360 --> 00:03:43.460 whose name was Boaz. 00:03:44.159 --> 00:03:45.740 And so the storyteller drops you a hint. 00:03:46.659 --> 00:03:49.819 He's telling us something that Ruth doesn't know at this point. 00:03:50.780 --> 00:03:52.140 He's kind of flagging it. 00:03:52.139 --> 00:03:54.199 It's very, very good storytelling. 00:03:54.639 --> 00:03:56.239 He's giving us a heads up. 00:03:56.399 --> 00:03:57.119 Watch out. 00:03:57.419 --> 00:03:58.439 What is going to happen? 00:03:58.799 --> 00:03:59.939 Here is a bloke coming. 00:04:00.139 --> 00:04:01.899 And keep your eyes on this guy. 00:04:01.900 --> 00:04:06.420 And Ruth, the Moabite, said to Naomi, 00:04:07.219 --> 00:04:09.260 let me go to the field 00:04:09.260 --> 00:04:12.860 and glean among the ears of grain after him, 00:04:13.500 --> 00:04:14.819 in whose sight I shall found favor. 00:04:15.599 --> 00:04:17.379 And she said to her, go, my daughter. 00:04:17.740 --> 00:04:20.160 So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. 00:04:20.399 --> 00:04:23.519 And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz 00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:25.280 from the clan of Elimelech. 00:04:25.279 --> 00:04:29.059 He's a wealthy man, this guy, Boaz. 00:04:30.299 --> 00:04:31.359 He's a good guy. 00:04:31.539 --> 00:04:33.399 He treated people fairly and well. 00:04:34.779 --> 00:04:36.659 Perhaps most important of all, though, 00:04:37.299 --> 00:04:39.399 he was a relative, a close relative, 00:04:40.139 --> 00:04:42.379 of Naomi's dead husband, Elimelech. 00:04:43.699 --> 00:04:46.119 It's a bit like a Charles Dickens story. 00:04:47.079 --> 00:04:50.419 Set in the grinding poverty of Victorian England, 00:04:50.759 --> 00:04:54.059 there's always, isn't there, a rich relative that turns up. 00:04:55.279 --> 00:04:56.759 And here's the rich relative. 00:04:57.819 --> 00:05:00.279 Two poverty-stricken widows, destitute widows. 00:05:00.439 --> 00:05:02.359 They're on the edge of desperation and despair. 00:05:02.879 --> 00:05:04.179 And behold, what are the chances? 00:05:05.179 --> 00:05:06.259 Here's a rich relative. 00:05:07.339 --> 00:05:10.059 Here is someone who's able to help them, Uncle Boaz. 00:05:10.639 --> 00:05:14.259 And not only is he a good bloke, he's a godly man. 00:05:15.619 --> 00:05:18.319 And so can you see the hand of God 00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:19.579 in the way this story is developing? 00:05:21.799 --> 00:05:23.539 It's a Charlie Brown cartoon. 00:05:23.540 --> 00:05:26.939 And Charlie Brown is sitting in a room 00:05:26.939 --> 00:05:28.580 and he's reading a book. 00:05:29.720 --> 00:05:32.800 And he's holding the book right in front of his eyes. 00:05:33.580 --> 00:05:35.780 And Lucy comes into the room and she says, 00:05:35.879 --> 00:05:37.340 Charlie Brown, what are you doing? 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:39.900 And Charlie Brown says, 00:05:40.020 --> 00:05:41.360 I'm reading between the lines. 00:05:43.540 --> 00:05:45.960 And the writer of this story wants you to do that. 00:05:45.959 --> 00:05:49.479 He wants you to understand that God is at work here. 00:05:51.180 --> 00:05:53.799 Beneath this everyday story of country folk, 00:05:54.579 --> 00:05:55.939 there's a much bigger story. 00:05:57.060 --> 00:05:59.779 And that is true of your story and my story. 00:06:00.979 --> 00:06:03.719 Behind all the random things that have happened to you this week 00:06:03.719 --> 00:06:05.919 and all the frustrations that you're facing in life 00:06:05.919 --> 00:06:09.060 and all the disappointments and all the rest of it, 00:06:09.219 --> 00:06:10.560 there's a bigger thing happening. 00:06:10.560 --> 00:06:13.420 The sovereign hand of God is at work. 00:06:14.500 --> 00:06:16.079 And he is working out his purposes 00:06:16.079 --> 00:06:18.939 and he is working all things to gather for the good 00:06:18.939 --> 00:06:20.079 of those who loved him 00:06:20.079 --> 00:06:22.259 and are called according to his purposes. 00:06:24.840 --> 00:06:26.699 And it's almost as if, isn't it, 00:06:26.740 --> 00:06:29.899 the writer of Ruth is putting this up on a split screen. 00:06:31.300 --> 00:06:33.680 Because you see the action in the story, 00:06:34.139 --> 00:06:35.879 but we also see behind the scenes. 00:06:36.959 --> 00:06:37.980 And God is at work. 00:06:37.980 --> 00:06:38.939 Look at verse two. 00:06:41.420 --> 00:06:43.759 Let me go to the field, Ruth says to Naomi, 00:06:44.439 --> 00:06:47.180 and glean among the ears of grain after him, 00:06:47.600 --> 00:06:49.340 in whose sight I shall find favor. 00:06:49.560 --> 00:06:51.259 And she said to her, go, my daughter. 00:06:51.520 --> 00:06:53.460 So she set out and went and gleaned in the field 00:06:53.460 --> 00:06:54.220 after the reapers. 00:06:54.360 --> 00:06:57.180 And she happened to come to the part of the field 00:06:57.180 --> 00:06:58.420 belonging to Boaz, 00:06:59.020 --> 00:07:00.939 who was the clan from the clan of Elimelech. 00:07:01.759 --> 00:07:03.700 John Flavel was one of the Puritan writers. 00:07:03.860 --> 00:07:05.560 He's got a little book called The Mystery of Providence. 00:07:05.560 --> 00:07:09.720 And he says, the providence of God, 00:07:09.780 --> 00:07:11.319 which is God's plan and purpose, 00:07:11.500 --> 00:07:14.300 the providence of God is like the Hebrew language. 00:07:15.060 --> 00:07:16.759 It can only be understood backwards. 00:07:18.620 --> 00:07:20.980 And so if you've got a Hebrew Bible here this morning, 00:07:21.160 --> 00:07:22.879 you've got to read it from the back to the front. 00:07:23.860 --> 00:07:25.680 It's a back to front language. 00:07:26.939 --> 00:07:28.819 And the providence of God is like that. 00:07:28.819 --> 00:07:31.680 The hymn writer says this, 00:07:31.759 --> 00:07:33.159 with mercy and with judgment, 00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:34.939 my web of time he wove. 00:07:35.819 --> 00:07:38.319 And ere the dews of sorrow were lusted with his love, 00:07:38.639 --> 00:07:40.199 I'll bless the hand that guided, 00:07:40.620 --> 00:07:42.300 I'll bless the heart that planned, 00:07:42.659 --> 00:07:44.939 when throned where glory dwelleth, 00:07:45.300 --> 00:07:46.379 in Emmanuel's land. 00:07:46.539 --> 00:07:48.259 Because it's not until we get there. 00:07:49.939 --> 00:07:52.240 It's not until the end of the story. 00:07:52.240 --> 00:07:55.460 It's not until you're in Emmanuel's land 00:07:55.460 --> 00:07:57.199 that you can look back at all the things 00:07:57.199 --> 00:07:58.360 that have happened to you 00:07:58.360 --> 00:08:00.720 and see that God's hand was guiding you. 00:08:02.560 --> 00:08:04.800 But it's more than God's hand guiding you. 00:08:06.620 --> 00:08:07.579 Do you know what it's like 00:08:07.579 --> 00:08:09.019 when you're in a big city 00:08:09.019 --> 00:08:11.680 and you want directions? 00:08:11.860 --> 00:08:12.660 It's a bit different now, isn't it? 00:08:12.660 --> 00:08:13.379 We've all got phones. 00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:15.900 But you go to a city 00:08:15.900 --> 00:08:17.560 and you've got no idea where you are 00:08:17.560 --> 00:08:18.460 and somehow you're sat there 00:08:18.460 --> 00:08:19.519 or your phone isn't working. 00:08:19.519 --> 00:08:21.359 And so you go to pull over 00:08:21.359 --> 00:08:22.219 and you ask, 00:08:22.399 --> 00:08:23.219 you wind down the window 00:08:23.219 --> 00:08:24.579 and you ask someone on the pavement 00:08:24.579 --> 00:08:25.939 and you ask, 00:08:26.120 --> 00:08:28.359 can you tell me how to get to such and such a place? 00:08:29.899 --> 00:08:30.819 And if you're like me, 00:08:31.099 --> 00:08:33.000 you listen, don't you? 00:08:33.039 --> 00:08:35.000 But it's just a complete overload of information. 00:08:36.879 --> 00:08:38.240 And you wind up the window 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:39.720 after he's finally finished 00:08:39.720 --> 00:08:41.480 and you've immediately forgotten 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:42.419 what he's just told you. 00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:45.659 And you pretend you nod at him 00:08:45.659 --> 00:08:46.480 and thank him, 00:08:46.819 --> 00:08:48.120 but you go to the next street, 00:08:48.199 --> 00:08:48.559 pull over, 00:08:48.559 --> 00:08:49.939 and do exactly the same thing. 00:08:51.639 --> 00:08:53.099 But what a relief it is, isn't it? 00:08:53.099 --> 00:08:54.879 When somebody reads the situation, 00:08:55.139 --> 00:08:57.779 when they see that expression in your eyes 00:08:57.779 --> 00:09:01.659 and they read that look of utter bewilderment 00:09:01.659 --> 00:09:03.899 and they have pity on you 00:09:03.899 --> 00:09:05.679 and they say, 00:09:05.759 --> 00:09:07.479 well, I'll get in the car next to you 00:09:07.479 --> 00:09:08.679 and I'll take you there if you want. 00:09:09.799 --> 00:09:11.279 What a relief that is, isn't it? 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:15.000 You see, there's something better than guidance. 00:09:15.000 --> 00:09:19.399 God hasn't just given you a map of directions. 00:09:19.539 --> 00:09:21.220 He hasn't just given you Google Earth 00:09:21.220 --> 00:09:23.940 to show you the way through life. 00:09:24.139 --> 00:09:26.320 God hasn't given you a computer readout 00:09:26.320 --> 00:09:28.279 so that you can follow those instructions. 00:09:29.440 --> 00:09:30.179 What has God done? 00:09:30.259 --> 00:09:32.059 God has actually gone into the car next to you. 00:09:34.340 --> 00:09:36.240 That's what the good news of the Lord Jesus is all about. 00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:37.240 God has already said that. 00:09:37.240 --> 00:09:38.240 God has already said that. 00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:38.680 God has already said that. 00:09:38.680 --> 00:09:40.740 That's who the Holy Spirit is. 00:09:42.279 --> 00:09:43.639 He is a comforter. 00:09:45.340 --> 00:09:46.539 He is a comforter. 00:09:49.680 --> 00:09:51.639 And that is what is happening here. 00:09:52.500 --> 00:09:53.700 He is our guide. 00:09:55.279 --> 00:09:57.279 He is God himself 00:09:57.279 --> 00:09:59.060 who's gone into the car with us. 00:09:59.059 --> 00:10:04.459 And he's taking you to your destination. 00:10:05.879 --> 00:10:07.939 And Ruth doesn't necessarily see 00:10:07.939 --> 00:10:09.199 how all these things are happening 00:10:09.199 --> 00:10:10.919 on this particular day. 00:10:11.699 --> 00:10:12.839 Ruth doesn't see how these things 00:10:12.839 --> 00:10:13.599 are going to fit together 00:10:13.599 --> 00:10:14.919 any more than you or I do 00:10:14.919 --> 00:10:16.259 in the things that happen in our lives. 00:10:17.659 --> 00:10:19.019 But God's hand was upon her. 00:10:19.079 --> 00:10:20.679 So that's the first point of seeing God's hand. 00:10:22.039 --> 00:10:22.639 But secondly, 00:10:23.479 --> 00:10:24.959 she knows God's protection. 00:10:24.959 --> 00:10:26.199 Verses 8 to 12. 00:10:26.200 --> 00:10:29.640 She knows God's protection. 00:10:30.700 --> 00:10:31.800 It's an old story, isn't it? 00:10:31.820 --> 00:10:32.980 It's about 3,000 years old. 00:10:34.620 --> 00:10:35.940 The social context 00:10:35.940 --> 00:10:37.879 and the customs of Ruth 1 and 2 00:10:37.879 --> 00:10:40.300 are very different than our society. 00:10:40.440 --> 00:10:41.780 But there's some powerful lessons here. 00:10:45.620 --> 00:10:47.759 It's things for us to learn as a church. 00:10:48.400 --> 00:10:49.340 For us to learn as a country. 00:10:50.680 --> 00:10:52.259 I love what it says in verse 12. 00:10:52.480 --> 00:10:54.379 It's in many ways the key verse 00:10:54.379 --> 00:10:55.200 in the book of Ruth. 00:10:55.200 --> 00:10:58.120 when Boaz first sets his eyes on her 00:10:58.120 --> 00:10:58.879 and says, 00:10:59.060 --> 00:11:00.140 Who is that woman? 00:11:01.680 --> 00:11:03.840 Where does that woman come from? 00:11:05.540 --> 00:11:06.920 And they explain to him, 00:11:07.060 --> 00:11:09.040 This is Ruth the Moabitess 00:11:09.040 --> 00:11:12.320 who's come back with Naomi from Moab. 00:11:13.820 --> 00:11:14.320 And he says, 00:11:14.379 --> 00:11:15.300 Yeah, I've heard about her. 00:11:16.320 --> 00:11:17.400 I've heard her talk about 00:11:17.400 --> 00:11:19.259 this woman Ruth. 00:11:20.520 --> 00:11:21.040 He says to her, 00:11:21.120 --> 00:11:23.060 You are the one who has come to shelter 00:11:23.060 --> 00:11:24.320 under the wings of the Almighty. 00:11:24.320 --> 00:11:27.700 Isn't that a lovely description? 00:11:29.180 --> 00:11:31.240 What a testimony Ruth must have had 00:11:31.240 --> 00:11:32.100 in that community. 00:11:33.640 --> 00:11:35.500 That she'd not just come out of loyalty 00:11:35.500 --> 00:11:36.340 to her mother-in-law. 00:11:37.960 --> 00:11:39.720 She didn't just come out of love 00:11:39.720 --> 00:11:41.060 and loyalty to Naomi. 00:11:41.520 --> 00:11:43.000 She'd seen something 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:44.740 in Naomi's kindness to her. 00:11:45.900 --> 00:11:46.740 She'd seen something 00:11:46.740 --> 00:11:47.900 of the covenant kindness 00:11:47.900 --> 00:11:48.920 of God to his people. 00:11:48.919 --> 00:11:50.599 She'd seen in Naomi 00:11:50.599 --> 00:11:52.019 a brokenness. 00:11:52.719 --> 00:11:54.139 Her tears of repentance. 00:11:54.559 --> 00:11:55.199 She saw something 00:11:55.199 --> 00:11:56.599 of the heart of God 00:11:56.599 --> 00:11:57.679 to forgive sinners. 00:11:58.479 --> 00:12:00.139 And so Ruth is drawn 00:12:00.139 --> 00:12:02.199 to come and shelter 00:12:02.199 --> 00:12:03.000 under the wings 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:04.579 of this God. 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:05.399 It's beautiful, isn't it? 00:12:06.299 --> 00:12:07.819 And she finds protection there. 00:12:09.159 --> 00:12:10.659 And I want to tell you three things 00:12:10.659 --> 00:12:13.019 and suggest to you three things 00:12:13.019 --> 00:12:14.199 she finds protection 00:12:14.199 --> 00:12:15.240 three different ways. 00:12:16.319 --> 00:12:17.719 She finds protection 00:12:17.719 --> 00:12:19.339 through the state provision. 00:12:20.339 --> 00:12:21.500 It's quite interesting, isn't it? 00:12:22.939 --> 00:12:23.919 She finds protection 00:12:23.919 --> 00:12:25.000 through the state provision 00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:26.159 that were in place 00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:28.539 in Israel. 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:31.339 Ruth is doing 00:12:31.339 --> 00:12:32.179 the equivalent 00:12:32.179 --> 00:12:33.799 of signing on 00:12:33.799 --> 00:12:36.979 in the Old Testament. 00:12:38.359 --> 00:12:39.419 She's signing on 00:12:39.419 --> 00:12:40.740 in Old Testament terms. 00:12:42.359 --> 00:12:42.599 You see, 00:12:42.740 --> 00:12:44.019 God in his law 00:12:44.019 --> 00:12:45.379 had made provision 00:12:45.379 --> 00:12:47.299 for people like Ruth 00:12:47.299 --> 00:12:47.899 and Naomi. 00:12:48.219 --> 00:12:49.719 It was the gleaning laws 00:12:49.719 --> 00:12:50.359 in the Old Testament. 00:12:51.599 --> 00:12:52.359 You can read about them 00:12:52.359 --> 00:12:53.199 in a number of places 00:12:53.199 --> 00:12:54.319 in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. 00:12:54.419 --> 00:12:55.019 Let me read to you 00:12:55.019 --> 00:12:55.839 from Leviticus 19. 00:12:56.339 --> 00:12:57.299 When you reap the harvest 00:12:57.299 --> 00:12:57.939 of your land, 00:12:58.919 --> 00:12:59.559 the farmer is told, 00:12:59.699 --> 00:13:00.339 you shall not reap 00:13:00.339 --> 00:13:01.179 your field right up 00:13:01.179 --> 00:13:01.740 to the edge. 00:13:03.019 --> 00:13:03.539 Neither shall you 00:13:03.539 --> 00:13:04.679 gather the gleanings 00:13:04.679 --> 00:13:05.500 after your harvest 00:13:05.500 --> 00:13:06.659 and you shall not 00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:07.899 strip your vineyard bare. 00:13:08.319 --> 00:13:08.959 Neither shall you 00:13:08.959 --> 00:13:10.779 gather the fallen grapes 00:13:10.779 --> 00:13:11.519 of your vineyard. 00:13:11.759 --> 00:13:12.679 You shall leave them. 00:13:13.379 --> 00:13:14.459 Why shall you leave them? 00:13:14.659 --> 00:13:15.179 For the poor 00:13:15.179 --> 00:13:15.819 and the sojourner, 00:13:16.019 --> 00:13:16.419 the refugee. 00:13:18.559 --> 00:13:20.019 The sojourner is the poor 00:13:20.019 --> 00:13:20.699 and the poor 00:13:20.699 --> 00:13:21.599 and the refugee 00:13:21.599 --> 00:13:22.399 is the foreigner. 00:13:22.799 --> 00:13:23.579 There's the reason given. 00:13:24.699 --> 00:13:25.519 And it's not some 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:27.599 arbitrary piece of legislation 00:13:27.599 --> 00:13:28.500 where told, 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:29.519 why should we do this? 00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:30.240 God says, 00:13:30.360 --> 00:13:31.500 for I am the Lord your God. 00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:31.539 God. 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:34.840 That is why, 00:13:34.960 --> 00:13:35.379 in other words, 00:13:35.480 --> 00:13:36.879 that law was enshrined 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:38.159 in the law of Israel 00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:39.480 as a reflection 00:13:39.480 --> 00:13:40.539 of the character of God. 00:13:42.620 --> 00:13:43.679 And so the people of God, 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:44.039 Israel, 00:13:44.139 --> 00:13:45.440 was to be a caring society 00:13:45.440 --> 00:13:47.299 because our God 00:13:47.299 --> 00:13:48.179 is a God who cares. 00:13:49.559 --> 00:13:50.620 He cares about refugees. 00:13:50.840 --> 00:13:51.639 He cares about aliens. 00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:53.000 He cares about foreigners. 00:13:53.200 --> 00:13:53.879 He cares about widows. 00:13:53.980 --> 00:13:54.720 He cares about orphans. 00:13:55.600 --> 00:13:56.860 He cares about the marginalized 00:13:56.860 --> 00:13:57.659 in society. 00:13:57.659 --> 00:13:59.379 And he makes provision 00:13:59.379 --> 00:14:00.139 for them 00:14:00.139 --> 00:14:01.419 in the law of Israel. 00:14:03.519 --> 00:14:04.139 So do you remember 00:14:04.139 --> 00:14:04.919 what the psalmist says? 00:14:04.980 --> 00:14:05.199 He says, 00:14:05.299 --> 00:14:06.419 I am poor and needy 00:14:06.419 --> 00:14:07.419 and the Lord ignores me. 00:14:08.719 --> 00:14:09.299 And the Lord doesn't 00:14:09.299 --> 00:14:10.159 give me a second chance. 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:11.879 And the Lord just 00:14:11.879 --> 00:14:12.699 walks past me. 00:14:13.699 --> 00:14:14.240 Is that what it says? 00:14:14.299 --> 00:14:14.419 No, 00:14:14.459 --> 00:14:14.899 it says this, 00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:16.360 I am poor and needy 00:14:16.360 --> 00:14:17.659 and the Lord despises me. 00:14:18.199 --> 00:14:19.240 He looks down his nose at me. 00:14:21.459 --> 00:14:22.139 The Lord thinks, 00:14:22.220 --> 00:14:23.339 what a pathetic creature I am. 00:14:23.399 --> 00:14:24.159 Why doesn't that person 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:25.039 get their act together? 00:14:25.039 --> 00:14:25.439 No, 00:14:26.679 --> 00:14:27.219 the psalmist says, 00:14:27.339 --> 00:14:28.719 I am poor and needy. 00:14:28.799 --> 00:14:29.579 And guess what? 00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:31.079 The Lord who made 00:14:31.079 --> 00:14:31.879 the heavens and earth, 00:14:33.139 --> 00:14:34.079 the God who keeps 00:14:34.079 --> 00:14:35.399 this incredibly massive 00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:36.399 universe ticking, 00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:37.259 thinks about me. 00:14:39.079 --> 00:14:40.159 He thinks about me. 00:14:42.439 --> 00:14:44.199 And in his sovereign providence, 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:46.240 he has enshrined 00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:47.039 that his kindness 00:14:47.579 --> 00:14:49.059 and his care 00:14:49.059 --> 00:14:50.139 should be put into 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:51.079 the law of his people Israel. 00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:54.919 And in his sovereign providence, 00:14:55.039 --> 00:14:55.559 he has brought 00:14:55.559 --> 00:14:56.579 these two widows, 00:14:56.699 --> 00:14:57.599 these two Moabitists, 00:14:58.199 --> 00:14:59.740 these despised foreigners 00:14:59.740 --> 00:15:00.480 to Israel 00:15:00.480 --> 00:15:00.980 at the beginning 00:15:00.980 --> 00:15:01.799 of the barley harvest 00:15:01.799 --> 00:15:02.719 at just the right time. 00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:05.559 For her to avail herself 00:15:05.559 --> 00:15:06.639 of this particular provision, 00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:07.159 it's beautiful, 00:15:07.279 --> 00:15:07.599 isn't it? 00:15:09.299 --> 00:15:11.159 So we read in verse 2, 00:15:13.559 --> 00:15:14.539 let me go to the field 00:15:14.539 --> 00:15:15.279 and glean 00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:17.539 among the ears of grain 00:15:17.539 --> 00:15:18.120 after him 00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:18.659 in whose sight 00:15:18.659 --> 00:15:19.500 I shall find favor. 00:15:19.559 --> 00:15:20.120 Let's do this, 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:20.579 she says. 00:15:20.580 --> 00:15:22.960 The law says 00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:23.639 there's a provision 00:15:23.639 --> 00:15:25.600 and so let me go 00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:26.139 and glean. 00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:28.700 And so you ask yourself, 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:29.780 how did Ruth know this? 00:15:31.560 --> 00:15:32.400 Well, the only way 00:15:32.400 --> 00:15:33.560 she could have known that 00:15:33.560 --> 00:15:34.600 was Naomi must have 00:15:34.600 --> 00:15:35.040 told her. 00:15:37.920 --> 00:15:38.600 It's interesting, 00:15:38.700 --> 00:15:38.920 isn't it? 00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:40.300 She says, 00:15:40.299 --> 00:15:43.000 let's go, 00:15:44.219 --> 00:15:45.339 let's go, 00:15:45.439 --> 00:15:45.799 she says, 00:15:45.859 --> 00:15:46.339 to the field 00:15:46.339 --> 00:15:46.759 and glean 00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:47.219 among the ears 00:15:47.219 --> 00:15:47.500 of grain 00:15:47.500 --> 00:15:47.879 after him 00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:48.519 in whose sight 00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:49.639 I shall find favor. 00:15:50.120 --> 00:15:51.159 The law was there, 00:15:51.259 --> 00:15:52.199 the provision was there, 00:15:52.299 --> 00:15:52.959 but not everyone 00:15:52.959 --> 00:15:53.859 took it seriously. 00:15:56.659 --> 00:15:57.639 It's a sad comment, 00:15:57.719 --> 00:15:58.079 isn't it? 00:15:58.199 --> 00:15:58.959 On how things were 00:15:58.959 --> 00:15:59.779 spiritually in Israel. 00:16:00.519 --> 00:16:01.179 How poorly 00:16:01.179 --> 00:16:04.039 they treated. 00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:07.120 Sad comment 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:07.740 on what goes on 00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:08.379 in many churches. 00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:10.220 how poorly 00:16:10.220 --> 00:16:10.919 we represent 00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:11.759 the heart of God. 00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:15.019 To people 00:16:15.019 --> 00:16:15.919 who come in amongst us, 00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:16.899 let me go and do 00:16:16.899 --> 00:16:17.840 what God has told me 00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:18.620 I can do 00:16:18.620 --> 00:16:19.740 if I can find someone 00:16:19.740 --> 00:16:20.519 who will show me mercy 00:16:20.519 --> 00:16:22.320 and favor. 00:16:24.019 --> 00:16:24.740 Some maybe 00:16:24.740 --> 00:16:25.519 would have refused 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:27.019 her point blank 00:16:27.019 --> 00:16:28.100 to glean in her field, 00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:28.919 in their field. 00:16:30.019 --> 00:16:30.840 Others may have 00:16:30.840 --> 00:16:32.320 begrudgingly 00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:34.139 let her do it 00:16:34.139 --> 00:16:34.779 but made her feel 00:16:34.779 --> 00:16:35.860 a bit of a basket case. 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.519 If you've ever 00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:40.100 had a sign 00:16:40.100 --> 00:16:40.759 on the dole, 00:16:40.980 --> 00:16:42.220 you might perhaps 00:16:42.220 --> 00:16:42.899 begin to know 00:16:42.899 --> 00:16:43.679 how she feels. 00:16:44.899 --> 00:16:45.720 It can be 00:16:45.720 --> 00:16:46.820 a humiliating 00:16:46.820 --> 00:16:47.939 and an undignified 00:16:47.939 --> 00:16:48.879 experience, 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:49.259 can't it? 00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:51.600 Sometimes 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:52.299 because of the 00:16:52.299 --> 00:16:52.899 attitudes of people 00:16:52.899 --> 00:16:53.379 that you know, 00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:54.840 we should know better. 00:16:56.360 --> 00:16:56.799 Sometimes 00:16:56.799 --> 00:16:58.139 the cold-hearted 00:16:58.139 --> 00:16:58.679 bureaucracy 00:16:58.679 --> 00:16:59.820 of filling in 00:16:59.820 --> 00:17:00.480 the forms 00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:01.700 and being treated 00:17:01.700 --> 00:17:02.279 like a number 00:17:02.279 --> 00:17:02.899 or a statistic, 00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:03.700 it can be 00:17:03.700 --> 00:17:04.460 a humiliating 00:17:04.460 --> 00:17:05.680 and undignified 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:06.240 experiences. 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:09.839 If your circumstances 00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:10.480 are such that 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:11.039 you need 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:11.519 some kind 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:11.980 of provision, 00:17:12.099 --> 00:17:12.519 there's no 00:17:12.519 --> 00:17:13.200 disgrace in that 00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:13.500 at all. 00:17:14.859 --> 00:17:15.740 You can do that 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:16.720 with a good conscience, 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:18.359 without shame 00:17:18.359 --> 00:17:18.960 and with full 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:19.720 Christian dignity. 00:17:21.579 --> 00:17:22.059 And there may 00:17:22.059 --> 00:17:22.640 well be people 00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:23.220 who abuse 00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:23.740 the system 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:24.099 but that's 00:17:24.099 --> 00:17:24.579 not the point. 00:17:26.660 --> 00:17:27.519 If you genuinely 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:28.779 need that 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:29.440 kind of assistance, 00:17:29.559 --> 00:17:29.980 it's not an 00:17:29.980 --> 00:17:30.759 ungodly thing 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:31.420 to take advantage 00:17:31.420 --> 00:17:31.779 of it. 00:17:31.779 --> 00:17:34.519 Now it is 00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:34.899 interesting 00:17:34.899 --> 00:17:36.079 that in the 00:17:36.079 --> 00:17:36.359 Bible, 00:17:36.619 --> 00:17:37.279 there is never 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:38.200 just a handout. 00:17:40.099 --> 00:17:40.960 There's never 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:42.099 just goods 00:17:42.099 --> 00:17:43.099 or money, 00:17:43.379 --> 00:17:43.859 cash given. 00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:46.759 There is 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:47.299 always 00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:48.299 a kind of 00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:49.579 working for 00:17:49.579 --> 00:17:50.039 what you're 00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:50.279 given, 00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:51.079 a showing 00:17:51.079 --> 00:17:51.759 that there is 00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:52.700 a value in it. 00:17:53.579 --> 00:17:54.039 And so it's 00:17:54.039 --> 00:17:54.440 never 00:17:54.440 --> 00:17:56.240 just a kind 00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:56.660 of handout. 00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:58.279 That's for 00:17:58.279 --> 00:17:58.740 another sermon. 00:17:58.740 --> 00:18:01.519 It is part 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:01.839 of the way 00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:02.220 that God 00:18:02.220 --> 00:18:02.640 brings his 00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:03.079 kindness to 00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:03.339 people. 00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:05.319 I think it's 00:18:05.319 --> 00:18:05.779 interesting in 00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:06.259 Israel that 00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:06.779 there's never 00:18:06.779 --> 00:18:07.140 a handout. 00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:07.880 You never 00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:08.579 see that folks 00:18:08.579 --> 00:18:08.880 were kind of 00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:09.359 given things 00:18:09.359 --> 00:18:09.700 or money 00:18:09.700 --> 00:18:10.059 and just 00:18:10.059 --> 00:18:10.620 sent away. 00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:11.880 There was a 00:18:11.880 --> 00:18:12.120 need for 00:18:12.120 --> 00:18:12.359 working them. 00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:12.599 Now, 00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:13.599 she found 00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:14.039 protection 00:18:14.039 --> 00:18:15.799 through the 00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:16.240 provision of 00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:16.599 God's law, 00:18:16.680 --> 00:18:17.059 but she found 00:18:17.059 --> 00:18:19.059 protection in 00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:19.420 this man, 00:18:19.539 --> 00:18:19.859 Boaz, 00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:20.099 too, 00:18:20.180 --> 00:18:20.539 didn't she? 00:18:22.500 --> 00:18:22.900 Despite 00:18:22.900 --> 00:18:24.039 this beautiful 00:18:24.039 --> 00:18:24.620 law, 00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:25.240 the gleaning 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:25.740 law didn't 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:26.160 always turn 00:18:26.160 --> 00:18:26.500 out very 00:18:26.500 --> 00:18:26.799 well. 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:28.359 For 00:18:28.359 --> 00:18:28.719 vulnerable 00:18:28.719 --> 00:18:28.979 and 00:18:28.979 --> 00:18:29.539 marginalized 00:18:29.539 --> 00:18:30.159 people like 00:18:30.159 --> 00:18:30.519 Ruth, 00:18:31.959 --> 00:18:32.539 some of 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:32.939 those people, 00:18:33.539 --> 00:18:34.119 when they 00:18:34.119 --> 00:18:34.579 went to work 00:18:34.579 --> 00:18:34.959 in the fields, 00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:35.319 no doubt 00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:35.559 they were 00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:36.259 taken advantage 00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:36.679 of and 00:18:36.679 --> 00:18:37.079 abused. 00:18:38.339 --> 00:18:39.019 A young 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:39.719 woman like 00:18:39.719 --> 00:18:39.899 Ruth, 00:18:39.939 --> 00:18:40.299 who's obviously 00:18:40.299 --> 00:18:41.019 very attractive, 00:18:41.659 --> 00:18:42.019 she's probably 00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:42.500 about 10 or 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:43.139 20 years younger 00:18:43.139 --> 00:18:43.819 than Boaz, 00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:45.559 in her 20s, 00:18:45.619 --> 00:18:45.899 and she's 00:18:45.899 --> 00:18:46.399 wandering around 00:18:46.399 --> 00:18:46.899 the fields 00:18:46.899 --> 00:18:48.000 of Israel 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:48.359 during the 00:18:48.359 --> 00:18:48.719 time of the 00:18:48.719 --> 00:18:49.000 judges. 00:18:49.299 --> 00:18:49.659 She's in 00:18:49.659 --> 00:18:50.099 danger of 00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:50.619 being attacked, 00:18:50.859 --> 00:18:51.159 assaulted, 00:18:51.399 --> 00:18:51.679 raped, 00:18:52.599 --> 00:18:52.939 left for 00:18:52.939 --> 00:18:53.219 dead. 00:18:54.779 --> 00:18:55.319 You've only 00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:55.740 got to read 00:18:55.740 --> 00:18:56.119 the book of 00:18:56.119 --> 00:18:56.699 Judges to 00:18:56.699 --> 00:18:58.059 realize that's 00:18:58.059 --> 00:18:58.319 the kind 00:18:58.319 --> 00:18:58.700 of time 00:18:58.700 --> 00:18:59.000 they were 00:18:59.000 --> 00:18:59.480 living in. 00:19:00.919 --> 00:19:01.339 They were 00:19:01.339 --> 00:19:01.740 dangerous 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:02.319 days. 00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:03.919 And that 00:19:03.919 --> 00:19:04.179 is why 00:19:04.179 --> 00:19:04.779 Boaz is 00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:05.700 so concerned 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:06.339 for welfare. 00:19:06.679 --> 00:19:07.139 So Boaz 00:19:07.139 --> 00:19:07.599 said to 00:19:07.599 --> 00:19:08.079 Ruth in 00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:08.799 verse 8, 00:19:10.339 --> 00:19:10.659 now listen 00:19:10.659 --> 00:19:11.220 my daughter, 00:19:11.619 --> 00:19:12.159 do not go to 00:19:12.159 --> 00:19:12.779 glean in another 00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:13.519 field or leave 00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:13.819 this one, 00:19:13.879 --> 00:19:14.200 but keep 00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:14.899 close to my 00:19:14.899 --> 00:19:15.379 young women. 00:19:16.440 --> 00:19:16.720 And then he 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.039 adds in 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:17.339 verse 9, 00:19:17.419 --> 00:19:17.839 let your eyes 00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:18.139 be on the 00:19:18.139 --> 00:19:18.419 field that 00:19:18.419 --> 00:19:18.619 they are 00:19:18.619 --> 00:19:19.099 reaping and 00:19:19.099 --> 00:19:19.460 go after 00:19:19.460 --> 00:19:19.579 them. 00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:19.940 Have I 00:19:19.940 --> 00:19:20.440 not charged 00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:20.720 the young 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:21.019 men not 00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:21.419 to touch 00:19:21.419 --> 00:19:21.619 you? 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:22.299 Don't let 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:22.519 them lay 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:22.799 a hand 00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:23.079 on you. 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:23.339 I've 00:19:23.339 --> 00:19:23.579 told them 00:19:23.579 --> 00:19:23.819 that. 00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:25.399 And in 00:19:25.399 --> 00:19:26.399 verse 15, 00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:27.119 he says to 00:19:27.119 --> 00:19:27.599 the men 00:19:27.599 --> 00:19:28.419 who work 00:19:28.419 --> 00:19:28.619 in the 00:19:28.619 --> 00:19:28.939 field, 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:30.240 don't 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:30.700 reproach 00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:30.859 her, 00:19:31.359 --> 00:19:31.879 don't 00:19:31.879 --> 00:19:32.179 mock 00:19:32.179 --> 00:19:32.419 her, 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:33.220 don't 00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:33.639 embarrass 00:19:33.639 --> 00:19:33.819 her, 00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:34.200 don't 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:34.740 humiliate 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:34.899 her. 00:19:34.900 --> 00:19:36.660 The word 00:19:36.660 --> 00:19:37.040 there has 00:19:37.040 --> 00:19:37.820 got sexual 00:19:37.820 --> 00:19:38.519 overtones. 00:19:39.480 --> 00:19:39.880 Treat her 00:19:39.880 --> 00:19:40.840 with proper 00:19:40.840 --> 00:19:41.440 respect, 00:19:41.620 --> 00:19:42.440 no coarse 00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:42.940 joking, 00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:44.140 no wolf 00:19:44.140 --> 00:19:44.580 whistling, 00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:45.759 no improper 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:46.220 behaviour. 00:19:47.980 --> 00:19:48.300 Do you see 00:19:48.300 --> 00:19:48.840 what God 00:19:48.840 --> 00:19:49.259 has done? 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:51.120 God has 00:19:51.120 --> 00:19:51.680 brought this 00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:52.220 girl to 00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:52.960 Israel into 00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:53.680 this system 00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:55.580 which characterises 00:19:55.580 --> 00:19:56.680 and displays 00:19:56.680 --> 00:19:57.200 the character 00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:57.640 of God. 00:19:59.320 --> 00:20:00.180 So that she 00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:00.960 can take hold 00:20:00.960 --> 00:20:01.720 on the provision 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:02.259 that God 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:02.860 has made. 00:20:02.859 --> 00:20:05.079 But not 00:20:05.079 --> 00:20:05.399 only has 00:20:05.399 --> 00:20:05.779 God made 00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:06.719 provision for 00:20:06.719 --> 00:20:06.959 her, 00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:07.679 he's raised 00:20:07.679 --> 00:20:07.979 up a 00:20:07.979 --> 00:20:08.259 champion 00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:08.919 for her. 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:10.819 And we'll 00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:11.279 see more 00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:11.559 than a 00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:11.859 champion 00:20:11.859 --> 00:20:12.679 because Boaz 00:20:12.679 --> 00:20:13.259 is a good 00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:13.899 and a godly 00:20:13.899 --> 00:20:14.379 man who's 00:20:14.379 --> 00:20:14.740 willing to 00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:14.979 help, 00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:15.919 who's full 00:20:15.919 --> 00:20:16.399 of God's 00:20:16.399 --> 00:20:16.799 kindness, 00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:17.539 and who's 00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:17.879 wanting to 00:20:17.879 --> 00:20:18.219 show that 00:20:18.219 --> 00:20:18.539 kindness. 00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:20.479 Those who 00:20:20.479 --> 00:20:21.399 know mercy 00:20:21.399 --> 00:20:22.419 show mercy. 00:20:24.479 --> 00:20:24.759 And so 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:25.179 there is a 00:20:25.179 --> 00:20:25.459 sense, 00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:25.779 isn't there, 00:20:25.779 --> 00:20:26.139 where we 00:20:26.139 --> 00:20:26.759 shouldn't have 00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:27.979 to legislate 00:20:27.979 --> 00:20:28.759 for a kind 00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:29.439 of diaconal 00:20:29.439 --> 00:20:29.959 ministry in 00:20:29.959 --> 00:20:30.419 the church. 00:20:30.420 --> 00:20:33.360 like IPC, 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:34.100 it should be 00:20:34.100 --> 00:20:34.360 happening 00:20:34.360 --> 00:20:34.800 naturally, 00:20:34.900 --> 00:20:35.140 and praise 00:20:35.140 --> 00:20:35.320 God, 00:20:35.360 --> 00:20:35.640 it often 00:20:35.640 --> 00:20:36.039 does. 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:38.080 As it 00:20:38.080 --> 00:20:38.400 did in 00:20:38.400 --> 00:20:38.759 the Acts 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:39.019 of the 00:20:39.019 --> 00:20:39.720 Apostles, 00:20:39.820 --> 00:20:40.560 where they 00:20:40.560 --> 00:20:40.860 had all 00:20:40.860 --> 00:20:41.279 things in 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:41.519 common, 00:20:41.620 --> 00:20:42.180 they shared 00:20:42.180 --> 00:20:42.660 their goods, 00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:42.980 they were 00:20:42.980 --> 00:20:43.640 generous with 00:20:43.640 --> 00:20:44.120 one another, 00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:45.080 they'd 00:20:45.080 --> 00:20:45.720 experienced 00:20:45.720 --> 00:20:46.220 the mercy 00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:46.980 of God, 00:20:47.340 --> 00:20:47.759 and they 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.180 couldn't but 00:20:48.180 --> 00:20:48.860 help share 00:20:48.860 --> 00:20:49.340 the mercy 00:20:49.340 --> 00:20:49.740 of God 00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:50.240 with others. 00:20:50.560 --> 00:20:50.779 And so 00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:51.200 here's a 00:20:51.200 --> 00:20:51.740 godly man 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:51.960 called 00:20:51.960 --> 00:20:52.420 Boaz, 00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:54.720 who knows 00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:55.120 God's 00:20:55.120 --> 00:20:55.860 kindness in 00:20:55.860 --> 00:20:56.120 his own 00:20:56.120 --> 00:20:56.500 life. 00:20:57.840 --> 00:20:58.240 And now 00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:58.680 he shows 00:20:58.680 --> 00:20:59.180 that kindness 00:20:59.180 --> 00:20:59.800 to others. 00:21:00.420 --> 00:21:01.960 How sweet 00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:02.420 the name 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:02.960 of Boaz 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:05.259 sounds in 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:05.600 her poor 00:21:05.600 --> 00:21:06.000 gleaner's 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:06.259 ears. 00:21:07.380 --> 00:21:08.340 It soothes 00:21:08.340 --> 00:21:09.039 her sorrows, 00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:09.660 heals her 00:21:09.660 --> 00:21:10.019 wounds, 00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:11.340 and drives 00:21:11.340 --> 00:21:11.720 away her 00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:12.039 fears. 00:21:12.840 --> 00:21:13.300 She finds 00:21:13.300 --> 00:21:13.779 protection in 00:21:13.779 --> 00:21:14.039 the law, 00:21:14.120 --> 00:21:14.420 she finds 00:21:14.420 --> 00:21:15.000 protection in 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:15.320 Boaz, 00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:15.759 and most 00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:16.120 beautifully 00:21:16.120 --> 00:21:16.680 of all, 00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:17.380 she finds 00:21:17.380 --> 00:21:18.360 protection in 00:21:18.360 --> 00:21:18.900 the Lord. 00:21:20.580 --> 00:21:21.140 She's come 00:21:21.140 --> 00:21:21.900 to shelter 00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:22.620 under his 00:21:22.620 --> 00:21:23.120 wings. 00:21:25.160 --> 00:21:25.740 It's a 00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:26.279 beautiful image. 00:21:26.840 --> 00:21:27.140 Some of you 00:21:27.140 --> 00:21:27.620 will remember 00:21:27.620 --> 00:21:28.100 Deuteronomy 00:21:28.100 --> 00:21:28.700 32, 00:21:28.840 --> 00:21:29.400 and Moses 00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:30.360 sings there. 00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:32.220 And Moses 00:21:32.220 --> 00:21:32.860 celebrates 00:21:32.860 --> 00:21:33.259 God's 00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:33.759 kindness 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:34.860 to his 00:21:34.860 --> 00:21:35.140 people, 00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:35.460 and he 00:21:35.460 --> 00:21:35.980 does so 00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:36.519 in terms 00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:36.840 of this 00:21:36.840 --> 00:21:37.259 image. 00:21:38.880 --> 00:21:39.280 In a 00:21:39.280 --> 00:21:39.580 desert 00:21:39.580 --> 00:21:40.259 land, 00:21:40.940 --> 00:21:42.140 he found 00:21:42.140 --> 00:21:42.360 him. 00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:44.700 In a 00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:45.360 barren and 00:21:45.360 --> 00:21:45.840 howling 00:21:45.840 --> 00:21:46.400 wilderness, 00:21:46.660 --> 00:21:47.420 he shielded 00:21:47.420 --> 00:21:48.600 him and 00:21:48.600 --> 00:21:49.259 cared for 00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:50.000 him like 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:50.600 an eagle 00:21:50.600 --> 00:21:51.519 that spreads 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:52.220 out its 00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:52.640 wings. 00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:53.340 It's a 00:21:53.340 --> 00:21:53.620 beautiful 00:21:53.620 --> 00:21:54.000 picture. 00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:54.420 That is 00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:54.940 what God 00:21:54.940 --> 00:21:55.460 was to 00:21:55.460 --> 00:21:55.880 Israel. 00:21:55.880 --> 00:21:59.380 that God 00:21:59.380 --> 00:21:59.780 had found 00:21:59.780 --> 00:22:00.480 Egypt in 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:01.000 slavery. 00:22:01.360 --> 00:22:02.080 He spread 00:22:02.080 --> 00:22:02.680 his wings. 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:03.660 He stirred 00:22:03.660 --> 00:22:04.020 up the 00:22:04.020 --> 00:22:04.940 nest as 00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:05.200 in his 00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:05.560 wings. 00:22:06.560 --> 00:22:07.080 And he 00:22:07.080 --> 00:22:07.600 carried them 00:22:07.600 --> 00:22:07.860 into the 00:22:07.860 --> 00:22:08.340 promised land. 00:22:08.380 --> 00:22:08.580 It's a 00:22:08.580 --> 00:22:08.820 beautiful 00:22:08.820 --> 00:22:09.180 picture. 00:22:10.780 --> 00:22:11.220 You see it 00:22:11.220 --> 00:22:11.360 in the 00:22:11.360 --> 00:22:11.660 words of 00:22:11.660 --> 00:22:12.240 Jesus. 00:22:12.380 --> 00:22:12.620 As he 00:22:12.620 --> 00:22:13.020 approaches 00:22:13.020 --> 00:22:13.600 Jerusalem, 00:22:13.760 --> 00:22:14.440 he says, 00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:15.680 Oh 00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:16.120 Jerusalem, 00:22:16.360 --> 00:22:16.759 Jerusalem, 00:22:17.420 --> 00:22:18.259 the city 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:18.660 that killed 00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:19.200 the prophets 00:22:19.200 --> 00:22:20.120 and stoned 00:22:20.120 --> 00:22:20.759 those who 00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:21.080 are sent 00:22:21.080 --> 00:22:21.220 to it. 00:22:21.299 --> 00:22:21.940 How often 00:22:21.940 --> 00:22:22.539 would I 00:22:22.539 --> 00:22:23.059 have gathered 00:22:23.059 --> 00:22:23.700 your children 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:24.900 together like 00:22:24.900 --> 00:22:25.460 a hen 00:22:25.460 --> 00:22:26.340 gathers her 00:22:26.340 --> 00:22:26.980 brood under 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:27.500 her wings, 00:22:27.620 --> 00:22:27.860 but you 00:22:27.860 --> 00:22:28.120 were not 00:22:28.120 --> 00:22:28.400 willing. 00:22:31.140 --> 00:22:31.660 Jesus 00:22:31.660 --> 00:22:32.200 shows the 00:22:32.200 --> 00:22:32.779 instincts of 00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:33.200 a mother. 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:34.880 And that 00:22:34.880 --> 00:22:35.180 is the 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:35.620 heart of 00:22:35.620 --> 00:22:35.880 God. 00:22:36.940 --> 00:22:37.600 That is the 00:22:37.600 --> 00:22:38.320 character of 00:22:38.320 --> 00:22:39.220 God displayed 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:40.000 supremely, 00:22:40.100 --> 00:22:40.400 of course, 00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:40.880 in Jesus. 00:22:40.880 --> 00:22:43.700 And so 00:22:43.700 --> 00:22:44.360 now here 00:22:44.360 --> 00:22:44.820 is this 00:22:44.820 --> 00:22:45.400 foreigner, 00:22:46.940 --> 00:22:47.180 this 00:22:47.180 --> 00:22:48.160 Moabitess. 00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:50.120 And let me 00:22:50.120 --> 00:22:50.520 remind you, 00:22:50.600 --> 00:22:50.940 according to 00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:51.200 the New 00:22:51.200 --> 00:22:51.520 Testament, 00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:51.960 apart from 00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:52.320 maybe one 00:22:52.320 --> 00:22:52.580 or two 00:22:52.580 --> 00:22:52.800 of us, 00:22:52.860 --> 00:22:53.340 we're all 00:22:53.340 --> 00:22:53.760 foreigners. 00:22:54.280 --> 00:22:54.860 We're all 00:22:54.860 --> 00:22:55.180 aliens. 00:22:55.340 --> 00:22:55.700 We're all 00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:56.560 strangers to 00:22:56.560 --> 00:22:57.000 the covenant 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:57.560 and its 00:22:57.560 --> 00:22:58.540 promises to 00:22:58.540 --> 00:22:58.940 the common 00:22:58.940 --> 00:22:59.400 wealth of 00:22:59.400 --> 00:22:59.680 the people 00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:00.140 of God. 00:23:01.540 --> 00:23:02.220 But God, 00:23:02.400 --> 00:23:02.700 through the 00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:03.280 Lord Jesus 00:23:03.280 --> 00:23:04.520 and his 00:23:04.520 --> 00:23:05.160 blood shed 00:23:05.160 --> 00:23:05.600 on the cross 00:23:05.600 --> 00:23:06.080 has brought 00:23:06.080 --> 00:23:06.500 us in. 00:23:08.420 --> 00:23:08.940 That's what 00:23:08.940 --> 00:23:09.220 he's done 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:09.660 with Moses. 00:23:09.780 --> 00:23:10.260 He's brought 00:23:10.260 --> 00:23:10.580 him in 00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:11.240 amongst his 00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:11.500 people. 00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:11.960 He's placed 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:12.539 his arms 00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:13.179 around him 00:23:13.179 --> 00:23:14.179 and sheltered 00:23:14.179 --> 00:23:14.439 him under 00:23:14.439 --> 00:23:14.960 his wings. 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:18.559 Is that 00:23:18.559 --> 00:23:18.759 where you 00:23:18.759 --> 00:23:19.259 are spiritually? 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:22.019 Have you 00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:22.419 come to 00:23:22.419 --> 00:23:23.099 shelter under 00:23:23.099 --> 00:23:23.819 the wings 00:23:23.819 --> 00:23:25.199 of the 00:23:25.199 --> 00:23:25.599 God who 00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:26.099 has revealed 00:23:26.099 --> 00:23:26.699 himself in 00:23:26.699 --> 00:23:27.039 the face 00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:27.460 of Jesus? 00:23:29.699 --> 00:23:30.339 Where else 00:23:30.339 --> 00:23:30.599 would you 00:23:30.599 --> 00:23:31.240 like to be 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:32.019 in a world 00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:32.519 like ours 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:32.919 today? 00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:34.980 Than amongst 00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:35.799 God's people 00:23:35.799 --> 00:23:37.119 sheltering under 00:23:37.119 --> 00:23:37.619 the wings of 00:23:37.619 --> 00:23:38.000 the Almighty? 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:40.000 God's 00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:41.579 God's 00:23:41.579 --> 00:23:42.000 protection. 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:42.339 God's 00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:44.059 protection. 00:23:44.339 --> 00:23:44.920 And thirdly, 00:23:45.019 --> 00:23:45.640 experiencing 00:23:45.640 --> 00:23:46.279 God's 00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:46.720 protection. 00:23:49.180 --> 00:23:50.119 Verse 13 00:23:50.119 --> 00:23:50.480 to the end. 00:23:50.599 --> 00:23:51.119 There's not 00:23:51.119 --> 00:23:51.980 a lot of 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:52.680 kindness in 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:53.160 our world, 00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:53.539 is there? 00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:55.940 There's a 00:23:55.940 --> 00:23:56.599 philosopher of 00:23:56.599 --> 00:23:57.099 the name, 00:23:58.299 --> 00:24:00.359 I would 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:00.599 normally 00:24:00.599 --> 00:24:01.099 pronounce it 00:24:01.099 --> 00:24:02.000 Alan Bottom, 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:02.460 but I'm 00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:03.259 pretty certain 00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:03.720 that that 00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:04.099 is not 00:24:04.099 --> 00:24:04.660 the way 00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:05.279 to pronounce 00:24:05.279 --> 00:24:05.440 it, 00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:05.680 is it? 00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:06.660 Alan 00:24:06.660 --> 00:24:07.539 Dubuaton? 00:24:07.859 --> 00:24:08.140 Is that right? 00:24:08.420 --> 00:24:08.799 Yeah, yeah, yeah. 00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:10.819 I think he's an 00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:11.500 agnostic rather 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:11.960 than atheist. 00:24:13.339 --> 00:24:14.079 He's a philosopher, 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:14.599 he's written a 00:24:14.599 --> 00:24:15.160 number of books, 00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:15.640 and one of the 00:24:15.640 --> 00:24:15.940 books he's 00:24:15.940 --> 00:24:16.319 written is 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:17.380 Religion for 00:24:17.380 --> 00:24:17.859 Atheists. 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:20.480 And in that 00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:20.819 book he 00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:21.660 suggests that 00:24:21.660 --> 00:24:22.539 atheists, 00:24:22.900 --> 00:24:23.279 instead of 00:24:23.279 --> 00:24:23.819 mocking 00:24:23.819 --> 00:24:24.400 religion, 00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:26.220 that agnostics 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:26.759 and atheists 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:27.299 could learn a 00:24:27.299 --> 00:24:27.799 lot from 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:28.200 religion. 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:28.279 religion. 00:24:30.100 --> 00:24:30.519 He says 00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:30.960 they are 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:31.440 packed with 00:24:31.440 --> 00:24:32.160 ideas on 00:24:32.160 --> 00:24:32.440 how to 00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:32.759 live and 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:33.019 how to 00:24:33.019 --> 00:24:33.559 arrange our 00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:34.100 societies. 00:24:35.160 --> 00:24:35.360 And in 00:24:35.360 --> 00:24:35.900 that book 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:36.360 Dubuaton 00:24:36.360 --> 00:24:37.000 has got a 00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:38.100 whole chapter 00:24:38.100 --> 00:24:39.840 on kindness. 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:42.819 He's very 00:24:42.819 --> 00:24:43.420 concerned, 00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:44.120 this agnostic 00:24:44.120 --> 00:24:44.580 man, 00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:45.440 about the 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:45.759 lack of 00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:46.340 kindness in 00:24:46.340 --> 00:24:46.920 our society. 00:24:48.620 --> 00:24:48.920 And we 00:24:48.920 --> 00:24:49.279 see it, 00:24:49.340 --> 00:24:49.620 don't we, 00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:50.200 in the 00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:50.740 ironic 00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:51.480 nastiness 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:51.900 of so 00:24:51.900 --> 00:24:52.620 much so-called 00:24:52.620 --> 00:24:53.019 comedy. 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:54.539 The comedy 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:55.279 of cruelty 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:56.259 where the 00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:57.039 disabled and 00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:57.600 the vulnerable 00:24:57.599 --> 00:24:58.399 are made 00:24:58.399 --> 00:24:58.779 the butt 00:24:58.779 --> 00:24:59.139 of cheap 00:24:59.139 --> 00:24:59.500 jokes. 00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:01.199 You see 00:25:01.199 --> 00:25:01.379 it in 00:25:01.379 --> 00:25:01.899 the humiliation 00:25:01.899 --> 00:25:02.899 of real 00:25:02.899 --> 00:25:03.679 life people 00:25:03.679 --> 00:25:04.339 in what 00:25:04.339 --> 00:25:04.619 they call 00:25:04.619 --> 00:25:05.399 reality TV. 00:25:07.099 --> 00:25:07.839 You see 00:25:07.839 --> 00:25:08.379 it online 00:25:08.379 --> 00:25:08.859 on social 00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:09.219 media. 00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:11.299 You hear 00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:11.519 of it, 00:25:11.579 --> 00:25:11.839 don't you, 00:25:11.939 --> 00:25:12.519 in reports 00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:13.079 of elder 00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:13.799 abuse in 00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.419 nursing homes 00:25:14.419 --> 00:25:15.119 and hospitals. 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:17.059 And he 00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:17.500 says something 00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:18.759 really interesting 00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:19.039 for an 00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:19.639 agnostic to 00:25:19.639 --> 00:25:19.799 say. 00:25:19.879 --> 00:25:20.139 He says, 00:25:20.399 --> 00:25:21.039 our deepest 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:23.299 wish is 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:23.939 that someone 00:25:23.939 --> 00:25:24.599 would come 00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:26.139 along and 00:25:26.139 --> 00:25:26.539 save us 00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:27.219 from ourselves. 00:25:27.599 --> 00:25:27.819 Isn't that 00:25:27.819 --> 00:25:28.159 interesting? 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:29.819 It's very 00:25:29.819 --> 00:25:30.279 interesting for 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:30.719 an agnostic 00:25:30.719 --> 00:25:31.119 to say. 00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:32.899 Our deepest 00:25:32.899 --> 00:25:33.459 wish is that 00:25:33.459 --> 00:25:34.159 someone would 00:25:34.159 --> 00:25:34.639 come along 00:25:34.639 --> 00:25:35.299 and save 00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:35.619 us from 00:25:35.619 --> 00:25:36.179 ourselves. 00:25:36.939 --> 00:25:37.279 And that's 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:37.459 what the 00:25:37.459 --> 00:25:37.639 book of 00:25:37.639 --> 00:25:37.919 Ruth is 00:25:37.919 --> 00:25:38.139 about. 00:25:39.859 --> 00:25:40.279 Do you 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:40.500 see what 00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:41.219 Naomi says 00:25:41.219 --> 00:25:41.699 in verse 00:25:41.699 --> 00:25:42.219 20 when 00:25:42.219 --> 00:25:42.639 she hears 00:25:42.639 --> 00:25:43.359 about Boaz's 00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:44.099 kindness to 00:25:44.099 --> 00:25:44.379 Ruth? 00:25:45.439 --> 00:25:45.859 Ruth is 00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:46.339 coming home 00:25:46.339 --> 00:25:46.519 now. 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:47.859 No doubt 00:25:47.859 --> 00:25:48.199 she's been 00:25:48.199 --> 00:25:48.539 out in the 00:25:48.539 --> 00:25:48.919 morning. 00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:50.519 She didn't 00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:50.879 know whether 00:25:50.879 --> 00:25:51.279 she'd be able 00:25:51.279 --> 00:25:51.719 to scrape 00:25:51.719 --> 00:25:52.399 together enough 00:25:52.399 --> 00:25:52.939 grain for 00:25:52.939 --> 00:25:53.319 them to live 00:25:53.319 --> 00:25:53.699 through another 00:25:53.699 --> 00:25:53.959 day. 00:25:54.119 --> 00:25:54.399 There'd 00:25:54.399 --> 00:25:54.699 been a 00:25:54.699 --> 00:25:55.179 famine in 00:25:55.179 --> 00:25:55.619 the land. 00:25:55.619 --> 00:25:56.719 There was 00:25:56.719 --> 00:25:57.079 no one 00:25:57.079 --> 00:25:57.439 to help 00:25:57.439 --> 00:25:57.699 them. 00:25:58.979 --> 00:25:59.319 She didn't 00:25:59.319 --> 00:25:59.839 know whether 00:25:59.839 --> 00:26:00.219 she'd have 00:26:00.219 --> 00:26:00.699 enough food 00:26:00.699 --> 00:26:00.939 and then 00:26:00.939 --> 00:26:01.219 here she 00:26:01.219 --> 00:26:01.479 comes. 00:26:01.539 --> 00:26:01.839 She comes 00:26:01.839 --> 00:26:02.199 home late 00:26:02.199 --> 00:26:02.619 at night 00:26:02.619 --> 00:26:03.679 and she 00:26:03.679 --> 00:26:04.479 is staggering 00:26:04.479 --> 00:26:05.899 under the 00:26:05.899 --> 00:26:06.259 weight of 00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:06.659 the bag 00:26:06.659 --> 00:26:07.199 of grain 00:26:07.199 --> 00:26:07.719 that she's 00:26:07.719 --> 00:26:08.039 carrying. 00:26:09.679 --> 00:26:10.099 And Boaz 00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:10.379 has not 00:26:10.379 --> 00:26:10.759 only been 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:11.279 kind in 00:26:11.279 --> 00:26:11.759 allowing her 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.039 to sort 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:12.639 of glean in 00:26:12.639 --> 00:26:13.079 her field 00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:13.439 but he 00:26:13.439 --> 00:26:13.819 said to 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:14.099 his men 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.899 just drop 00:26:14.899 --> 00:26:15.919 some corn. 00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:18.299 Pick a few 00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:19.399 stalks out. 00:26:20.339 --> 00:26:20.639 Leave them 00:26:20.639 --> 00:26:21.199 behind for 00:26:21.199 --> 00:26:21.419 her. 00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:23.460 And she's 00:26:23.460 --> 00:26:24.120 allowed to 00:26:24.120 --> 00:26:24.600 follow the 00:26:24.600 --> 00:26:24.840 reapers. 00:26:24.920 --> 00:26:25.240 She's not 00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:25.580 sent to 00:26:25.580 --> 00:26:26.160 the margins. 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:28.200 She's allowed 00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:28.980 to go behind 00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:29.539 the reapers 00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:30.100 and pick up 00:26:30.100 --> 00:26:30.600 the leftovers 00:26:30.600 --> 00:26:31.039 and there's 00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:31.460 much more 00:26:31.460 --> 00:26:32.100 than leftovers 00:26:32.100 --> 00:26:33.640 than there 00:26:33.640 --> 00:26:33.900 would be 00:26:33.900 --> 00:26:34.259 normally 00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:35.320 because Boaz 00:26:35.320 --> 00:26:35.920 has said 00:26:35.920 --> 00:26:37.860 leave them. 00:26:39.360 --> 00:26:39.900 And she 00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:40.500 comes home 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.120 staggering 00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:41.640 under this 00:26:41.640 --> 00:26:42.539 massive sack 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:43.080 of grain. 00:26:43.320 --> 00:26:43.539 We're not 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.080 told exactly 00:26:44.080 --> 00:26:44.580 how much 00:26:44.580 --> 00:26:45.080 but it's 00:26:45.080 --> 00:26:45.400 a huge 00:26:45.400 --> 00:26:45.700 amount 00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:46.080 and Naomi 00:26:46.080 --> 00:26:46.920 can't believe 00:26:46.920 --> 00:26:47.220 it. 00:26:48.420 --> 00:26:48.980 Where did 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.300 you get all 00:26:49.300 --> 00:26:49.700 that from 00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:50.180 she says? 00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:52.220 And Ruth 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:52.820 begins to 00:26:52.820 --> 00:26:53.100 tell her 00:26:53.100 --> 00:26:53.360 and you 00:26:53.360 --> 00:26:54.039 can almost 00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:54.460 hear the 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:54.840 cogs 00:26:54.840 --> 00:26:55.880 turning over 00:26:55.880 --> 00:26:56.500 in Naomi's 00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:56.860 mind. 00:26:59.120 --> 00:27:00.080 As soon 00:27:00.080 --> 00:27:00.980 as the 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:01.980 name Boaz 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:02.620 is mentioned 00:27:02.620 --> 00:27:04.860 she says 00:27:04.860 --> 00:27:05.600 verse 20 00:27:05.600 --> 00:27:06.000 the Lord 00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:06.539 bless him. 00:27:09.320 --> 00:27:10.160 He's not 00:27:10.160 --> 00:27:10.940 stopped showing 00:27:10.940 --> 00:27:11.759 his kindness 00:27:11.759 --> 00:27:12.380 to the living 00:27:12.380 --> 00:27:13.300 and the dead. 00:27:16.279 --> 00:27:16.539 I think 00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:17.060 verse 20 00:27:17.060 --> 00:27:18.039 in the ESV 00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:18.460 they've tried 00:27:18.460 --> 00:27:19.320 to tidy it up 00:27:19.320 --> 00:27:19.720 a little bit 00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.100 the version 00:27:20.100 --> 00:27:20.400 that you've 00:27:20.400 --> 00:27:20.820 got in front 00:27:20.820 --> 00:27:21.180 of you. 00:27:21.420 --> 00:27:21.720 But it's 00:27:21.720 --> 00:27:22.300 a little bit 00:27:22.300 --> 00:27:23.140 more ambiguous 00:27:23.140 --> 00:27:24.519 than it 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:25.000 reads in 00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:25.700 the ESV. 00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:28.759 Because in 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.039 verse 20 00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:29.500 we're not 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:29.900 absolutely 00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:30.900 certain 00:27:30.900 --> 00:27:31.400 is she 00:27:31.400 --> 00:27:31.800 talking 00:27:31.800 --> 00:27:32.160 about 00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:32.900 Boaz? 00:27:35.840 --> 00:27:36.560 Now Boaz 00:27:36.560 --> 00:27:36.880 has shown 00:27:36.880 --> 00:27:37.220 kindness 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:37.600 to the 00:27:37.600 --> 00:27:37.840 living 00:27:37.840 --> 00:27:38.180 he's shown 00:27:38.180 --> 00:27:38.420 kindness 00:27:38.420 --> 00:27:39.039 to Ruth 00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:40.200 but it 00:27:40.200 --> 00:27:40.660 seems 00:27:40.660 --> 00:27:41.140 that there's 00:27:41.140 --> 00:27:41.320 something 00:27:41.320 --> 00:27:41.940 more going 00:27:41.940 --> 00:27:42.200 on in 00:27:42.200 --> 00:27:42.660 verse 20. 00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:44.380 I think 00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:44.740 the penny 00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:45.420 is beginning 00:27:45.420 --> 00:27:46.019 to drop 00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:46.660 for her. 00:27:48.060 --> 00:27:48.640 In verse 20 00:27:48.640 --> 00:27:49.820 it's this 00:27:49.820 --> 00:27:50.680 and Naomi 00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:51.200 said to her 00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:51.720 daughter-in-law 00:27:51.720 --> 00:27:52.460 may you be 00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:53.040 blessed by 00:27:53.040 --> 00:27:53.440 the Lord 00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:53.660 whose 00:27:53.660 --> 00:27:54.620 kindness 00:27:54.620 --> 00:27:55.740 has not 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:56.360 forsaken 00:27:56.360 --> 00:27:57.520 the living 00:27:57.520 --> 00:27:58.180 or the 00:27:58.180 --> 00:27:58.440 dead. 00:27:58.440 --> 00:27:58.660 Whose 00:27:58.660 --> 00:27:59.060 kindness? 00:27:59.059 --> 00:28:03.759 Do you 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:04.039 know who that 00:28:04.039 --> 00:28:04.460 man is 00:28:04.460 --> 00:28:04.759 Ruth? 00:28:06.359 --> 00:28:06.899 He's our 00:28:06.899 --> 00:28:07.299 kinsman 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:07.659 redeemer. 00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:08.179 He is a 00:28:08.179 --> 00:28:08.659 close 00:28:08.659 --> 00:28:09.220 relative. 00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:11.619 Go to the 00:28:11.619 --> 00:28:11.940 hospital 00:28:11.940 --> 00:28:13.179 you have to 00:28:13.179 --> 00:28:13.559 fill out a 00:28:13.559 --> 00:28:14.000 form before 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:14.279 you have an 00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:14.899 operation and 00:28:14.899 --> 00:28:15.299 it talks about 00:28:15.299 --> 00:28:15.819 the next of 00:28:15.819 --> 00:28:16.099 kin. 00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:18.279 And you have 00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:18.599 to put a 00:28:18.599 --> 00:28:19.019 phone number 00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:19.339 down. 00:28:20.460 --> 00:28:21.000 And then you 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:21.579 stop to think 00:28:21.579 --> 00:28:21.879 don't you? 00:28:21.880 --> 00:28:22.220 Well if I'm 00:28:22.220 --> 00:28:22.620 in a spot 00:28:22.620 --> 00:28:23.080 of trouble 00:28:23.080 --> 00:28:23.760 will that 00:28:23.760 --> 00:28:24.240 person be 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:24.740 actually able 00:28:24.740 --> 00:28:25.060 to help 00:28:25.060 --> 00:28:25.300 me? 00:28:26.880 --> 00:28:27.620 If you 00:28:27.620 --> 00:28:28.120 find yourself 00:28:28.120 --> 00:28:28.360 in an 00:28:28.360 --> 00:28:28.600 American 00:28:28.600 --> 00:28:29.040 hospital 00:28:29.040 --> 00:28:29.740 somebody's 00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:29.840 going to 00:28:29.840 --> 00:28:30.020 have to 00:28:30.020 --> 00:28:30.280 pay the 00:28:30.280 --> 00:28:30.700 bills. 00:28:31.840 --> 00:28:32.280 Or you 00:28:32.280 --> 00:28:32.740 find yourself 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:32.960 in a 00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:33.260 spot of 00:28:33.260 --> 00:28:33.520 trouble 00:28:33.520 --> 00:28:34.520 your next 00:28:34.520 --> 00:28:34.820 of kin 00:28:34.820 --> 00:28:35.100 is who 00:28:35.100 --> 00:28:35.360 you would 00:28:35.360 --> 00:28:35.960 turn to 00:28:35.960 --> 00:28:36.920 and they've 00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:37.180 got to be 00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:37.440 able to 00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:37.940 help you. 00:28:39.400 --> 00:28:39.940 And there's 00:28:39.940 --> 00:28:40.300 a kind of 00:28:40.300 --> 00:28:40.660 provision 00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:41.720 in that. 00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:44.040 But it's 00:28:44.040 --> 00:28:44.780 codified in 00:28:44.780 --> 00:28:45.200 the law of 00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:46.020 Israel as 00:28:46.020 --> 00:28:46.300 we'll see 00:28:46.300 --> 00:28:46.680 next week. 00:28:46.940 --> 00:28:47.320 It turns 00:28:47.320 --> 00:28:47.800 out that this 00:28:47.800 --> 00:28:48.360 guy Boaz 00:28:48.360 --> 00:28:48.760 is not just 00:28:48.760 --> 00:28:49.100 a good 00:28:49.100 --> 00:28:49.480 bloke 00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:50.120 not just 00:28:50.120 --> 00:28:50.620 a wealthy 00:28:50.620 --> 00:28:51.180 guy 00:28:51.180 --> 00:28:52.460 but he's 00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:52.799 their next 00:28:52.799 --> 00:28:53.160 of kin. 00:28:55.000 --> 00:28:55.519 He's their 00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:56.259 closest relative 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:56.720 or one of 00:28:56.720 --> 00:28:57.100 their closest 00:28:57.100 --> 00:28:57.580 relatives. 00:28:59.240 --> 00:28:59.539 And as 00:28:59.539 --> 00:29:00.080 such under 00:29:00.080 --> 00:29:00.400 the law 00:29:00.400 --> 00:29:00.920 he's got a 00:29:00.920 --> 00:29:01.460 privilege to 00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:01.799 help them 00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:02.019 and he's 00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:02.340 able to 00:29:02.340 --> 00:29:02.779 do that. 00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:04.820 He's got 00:29:04.820 --> 00:29:05.519 the wherewithal 00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:06.000 to do it. 00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:08.100 He's wealthy 00:29:08.100 --> 00:29:08.840 and he's 00:29:08.840 --> 00:29:09.140 willing. 00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:12.060 In fact 00:29:12.060 --> 00:29:12.480 we'll see 00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:12.840 next week 00:29:12.840 --> 00:29:13.200 he's more 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:13.519 than willing. 00:29:14.880 --> 00:29:15.460 He goes 00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:15.880 out of his 00:29:15.880 --> 00:29:17.880 way and 00:29:17.880 --> 00:29:18.460 most important 00:29:18.460 --> 00:29:18.799 of all 00:29:18.799 --> 00:29:19.660 he is godly. 00:29:21.180 --> 00:29:21.700 And they 00:29:21.700 --> 00:29:22.279 can entrust 00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:22.680 themselves 00:29:22.680 --> 00:29:23.080 to him. 00:29:24.660 --> 00:29:25.380 What a 00:29:25.380 --> 00:29:26.220 friend we 00:29:26.220 --> 00:29:26.580 have in 00:29:26.580 --> 00:29:27.000 Boaz. 00:29:27.880 --> 00:29:28.720 All our 00:29:28.720 --> 00:29:29.340 sins and 00:29:29.340 --> 00:29:29.779 griefs to 00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:30.120 bear. 00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:32.620 What a 00:29:32.620 --> 00:29:33.420 privilege to 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:33.799 carry. 00:29:35.820 --> 00:29:36.580 Everything to 00:29:36.580 --> 00:29:36.980 Boaz. 00:29:38.900 --> 00:29:39.600 What a 00:29:39.600 --> 00:29:40.120 difference a 00:29:40.120 --> 00:29:40.400 day can 00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:41.840 make in 00:29:41.840 --> 00:29:42.100 someone's 00:29:42.100 --> 00:29:42.360 life. 00:29:44.460 --> 00:29:45.160 I don't 00:29:45.160 --> 00:29:45.460 know what 00:29:45.460 --> 00:29:45.779 you came 00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:46.080 here today 00:29:46.080 --> 00:29:46.600 expecting to 00:29:46.600 --> 00:29:46.960 find. 00:29:46.960 --> 00:29:49.620 you are 00:29:49.620 --> 00:29:50.160 here aren't 00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:50.380 you? 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:51.259 At least 00:29:51.259 --> 00:29:51.700 in body. 00:29:53.140 --> 00:29:53.620 And I 00:29:53.620 --> 00:29:53.819 don't know 00:29:53.819 --> 00:29:54.039 what you're 00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:54.299 struggling 00:29:54.299 --> 00:29:54.620 with. 00:29:56.160 --> 00:29:56.680 It is 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:57.000 true that 00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:57.519 most of 00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:57.840 the major 00:29:57.840 --> 00:29:58.299 events of 00:29:58.299 --> 00:29:58.900 life happen 00:29:58.900 --> 00:29:59.680 when you're 00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:00.039 doing something 00:30:00.039 --> 00:30:00.420 else. 00:30:01.900 --> 00:30:02.259 And the 00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:02.720 biggest things 00:30:02.720 --> 00:30:03.120 that happen 00:30:03.120 --> 00:30:03.480 to us in 00:30:03.480 --> 00:30:03.840 life don't 00:30:03.840 --> 00:30:04.360 normally give 00:30:04.360 --> 00:30:04.579 you an 00:30:04.579 --> 00:30:04.980 announcement 00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:05.559 before. 00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:07.960 And I 00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:08.140 don't know 00:30:08.140 --> 00:30:08.539 what Naomi 00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:08.980 and Ruth 00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:09.799 expected that 00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:11.140 morning when 00:30:11.140 --> 00:30:11.819 Ruth said 00:30:11.819 --> 00:30:12.299 goodbye to 00:30:12.299 --> 00:30:12.600 Naomi. 00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:14.720 When she 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:15.360 went out into 00:30:15.360 --> 00:30:15.920 the fields to 00:30:15.920 --> 00:30:16.120 glean. 00:30:16.119 --> 00:30:16.559 But guess 00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:16.779 what? 00:30:16.819 --> 00:30:17.119 She found 00:30:17.119 --> 00:30:17.579 a redeemer. 00:30:19.659 --> 00:30:20.299 There is a 00:30:20.299 --> 00:30:20.500 redeemer. 00:30:20.539 --> 00:30:21.000 If you forget 00:30:21.000 --> 00:30:21.479 everything that 00:30:21.479 --> 00:30:22.019 I've said this 00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:22.479 morning remember 00:30:22.479 --> 00:30:22.819 that. 00:30:24.379 --> 00:30:25.139 There is a 00:30:25.139 --> 00:30:25.659 redeemer that 00:30:25.659 --> 00:30:26.339 God in his 00:30:26.339 --> 00:30:27.019 kindness has 00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:27.639 given us a 00:30:27.639 --> 00:30:28.379 kinsman redeemer. 00:30:29.859 --> 00:30:30.399 And the 00:30:30.399 --> 00:30:30.879 writer to the 00:30:30.879 --> 00:30:31.419 Hebrews tells 00:30:31.419 --> 00:30:32.279 us about him. 00:30:32.559 --> 00:30:33.219 He tells us 00:30:33.219 --> 00:30:33.919 that he has 00:30:33.919 --> 00:30:35.479 voluntarily and 00:30:35.479 --> 00:30:36.019 deliberately 00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:37.439 related to 00:30:37.439 --> 00:30:37.739 himself. 00:30:37.839 --> 00:30:38.139 That's what's 00:30:38.139 --> 00:30:38.519 going on in 00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:38.919 the incarnation. 00:30:40.419 --> 00:30:41.159 The second 00:30:41.159 --> 00:30:41.859 person of the 00:30:41.859 --> 00:30:42.659 blessed trinity 00:30:42.659 --> 00:30:44.759 who made the 00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:44.919 world. 00:30:44.979 --> 00:30:45.519 The world was 00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:46.220 made through 00:30:46.220 --> 00:30:47.460 him came 00:30:47.460 --> 00:30:47.940 into the 00:30:47.940 --> 00:30:48.359 world and 00:30:48.359 --> 00:30:48.599 the world 00:30:48.599 --> 00:30:48.819 didn't 00:30:48.819 --> 00:30:49.420 recognize him. 00:30:51.400 --> 00:30:52.019 And he 00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:52.359 came to 00:30:52.359 --> 00:30:52.720 his own, 00:30:52.779 --> 00:30:53.240 his very 00:30:53.240 --> 00:30:53.879 own, but 00:30:53.879 --> 00:30:54.139 his own 00:30:54.139 --> 00:30:54.359 didn't 00:30:54.359 --> 00:30:54.940 recognize him. 00:30:56.220 --> 00:30:57.319 The creator 00:30:57.319 --> 00:30:58.319 stepped into 00:30:58.319 --> 00:30:59.299 his creation 00:30:59.299 --> 00:31:00.920 and he took 00:31:00.920 --> 00:31:01.680 to himself a 00:31:01.680 --> 00:31:02.339 human psyche, 00:31:02.480 --> 00:31:03.099 a human body. 00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:03.859 He entered 00:31:03.859 --> 00:31:04.259 into our 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:04.720 humanity. 00:31:06.319 --> 00:31:07.019 He deliberately 00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:08.019 and voluntarily 00:31:08.019 --> 00:31:08.740 became one of 00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:09.779 us so that he's 00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:10.440 not ashamed to 00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:11.019 call us brothers 00:31:11.019 --> 00:31:12.319 and sisters. 00:31:13.940 --> 00:31:14.539 And that's 00:31:14.539 --> 00:31:14.740 what the 00:31:14.740 --> 00:31:15.079 writer to 00:31:15.079 --> 00:31:15.319 the Hebrews 00:31:15.319 --> 00:31:15.740 says. 00:31:17.440 --> 00:31:18.359 The writer to 00:31:18.359 --> 00:31:18.680 the Hebrews 00:31:18.680 --> 00:31:19.579 says he came 00:31:19.579 --> 00:31:20.539 to pay our 00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:20.879 debts. 00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:23.299 He came to 00:31:23.299 --> 00:31:23.920 pay the debts 00:31:23.920 --> 00:31:24.660 that separate 00:31:24.660 --> 00:31:25.519 you from a 00:31:25.519 --> 00:31:26.279 loving God and 00:31:26.279 --> 00:31:27.420 he came to 00:31:27.420 --> 00:31:28.039 defeat our 00:31:28.039 --> 00:31:28.599 enemy, the 00:31:28.599 --> 00:31:29.519 one who 00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:30.539 holds us in 00:31:30.539 --> 00:31:31.240 our lifetime 00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:32.259 in fear of 00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:32.680 death. 00:31:35.779 --> 00:31:36.480 The one who 00:31:36.480 --> 00:31:37.000 has the power 00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:37.720 to do that. 00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:39.900 And there 00:31:39.900 --> 00:31:40.140 is a 00:31:40.140 --> 00:31:41.799 redeemer who 00:31:41.799 --> 00:31:42.299 is able to 00:31:42.299 --> 00:31:42.860 fix all that 00:31:42.860 --> 00:31:43.339 is broken in 00:31:43.339 --> 00:31:45.460 your life and 00:31:45.460 --> 00:31:45.880 to put it all 00:31:45.880 --> 00:31:46.360 back together 00:31:46.360 --> 00:31:46.680 again. 00:31:47.900 --> 00:31:48.640 To give you 00:31:48.640 --> 00:31:49.460 the future and 00:31:49.460 --> 00:31:50.299 the hope that 00:31:50.299 --> 00:31:50.799 you thought you 00:31:50.799 --> 00:31:51.140 would never 00:31:51.140 --> 00:31:53.160 have in a 00:31:53.160 --> 00:31:53.680 land flowing 00:31:53.680 --> 00:31:54.140 with milk and 00:31:54.140 --> 00:31:54.339 honey. 00:31:55.720 --> 00:31:56.440 There is a 00:31:56.440 --> 00:31:56.799 redeemer, 00:31:58.360 --> 00:31:59.339 Jesus, God's 00:31:59.339 --> 00:31:59.819 own son. 00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:02.120 And you can 00:32:02.120 --> 00:32:02.819 trust yourself to 00:32:02.819 --> 00:32:03.160 him, can't 00:32:03.160 --> 00:32:03.299 you? 00:32:05.039 --> 00:32:05.620 Won't you? 00:32:07.720 --> 00:32:08.519 Won't you? 00:32:10.299 --> 00:32:11.059 Let's pray.