WEBVTT

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 A very good morning to you all. Please join me in Ruth chapter 3.

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!

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 In Ruth chapter 1, verses 1-5, the narrator established for us the conflict for the story.

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 There we read,

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 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab.

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 This was east of Israel.

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 He and his wife and his two sons.

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 So they flee away to find food.

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 The name of the man, verse 2 says, was Elimelech, and the names of his wife, Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Malon and Chilion.

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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, verse 3, right into the story,

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 the husband of Naomi died, 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, 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 Chilion died.

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

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 So we have these three widows left, and the story is centered at this moment on Naomi,

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 who has just about everything taken away from her.

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 But she hears that the famine is over in Bethlehem,

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 and she decides to return to her hometown.

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 Her daughters-in-law, who seem to have great affection for her, begin to accompany her.

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 But she pleads with them to return to their families.

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 And Orpah does so back to her family and to the gods of Moab.

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 But Ruth, in chapter 1 and verse 16, says,

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 Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you.

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 For where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge.

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 Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.

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 And this is, as I have suggested, perhaps the moment of Ruth's conversion.

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 Maybe it had happened prior to that, but there's certainly this declaration

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 that she will commit herself to Naomi, but also to her people,

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 and of most importance to God, to Yahweh, the one true and living God.

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 I've told you that the overarching theme of this narrative is the providence of God,

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 his sovereign working of all circumstances for the good of his people.

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 That we get to witness it in the lives of the characters of this drama.

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 And it serves us so beautifully to see it all unfolded, right?

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 We can see how all the details work out, and perhaps it encourages us in our lives.

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 We see a little hint of God's providential work at the end of chapter 1.

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 Now, remember that Naomi and Ruth have no means of provision,

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 but we see in verse 22 that Naomi returns,

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 and Ruth the Moabite, 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 at the beginning of barley harvest.

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 So, the harvest is coming in.

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 The provision is being collected.

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 And that sets us up for the next scene.

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 At the beginning of chapter 2,

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 Ruth makes a plan and asks Naomi's permission

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 to take advantage of the gleaning laws

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 so that they might have food.

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 The gleaning laws allowed for people who did not own land

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 to gather what was left behind by the harvesters, right?

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 The little mistakes that were being made,

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 the things that were being dropped.

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 They were meant to be left for those less fortunate.

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 Ruth finds herself in the field of a man named Boaz,

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 who is carefully introduced as a relative of Naomi's

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 in chapter 2 and verse 1.

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 He takes notice of Ruth,

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 and he generously grants her the ability

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 to continue gleaning his field through the harvest,

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 and he gives her protection.

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 He feeds her.

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 He invites her to a meal,

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 and even instructs the harvesters

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 to leave plenty for her sake,

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 leave behind things for her to gather.

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 And Ruth responds in chapter 2,

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 beginning in verse 10 and following,

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 by falling on her face,

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 bowing to the ground,

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 and saying to Boaz,

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 Why have I found favor in your eyes

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 that you should take notice of me

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 since I am a foreigner?

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 But Boaz answers her,

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 All that you have done for your mother-in-law

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 since the death of your husband

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 has been fully told to me,

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 and how you left your father and mother

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 and your native land

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 and came to a people

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 that you did not know before.

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 Your great kindness has been told to me,

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 and so he's being kind in response.

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 And then verse 12 says,

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 He says to her,

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 The Lord repay you for what you have done,

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 and a full reward be given you

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 by the Lord, the God of Israel,

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 under whose wings you have come

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 to take refuge.

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 And then Ruth replies,

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 I have found favor in your eyes, my Lord,

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 for you have comforted me

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 and spoken kindly to your servant,

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 though I am not one of your servants.

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 And then chapter 2 concludes,

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 So she, Ruth,

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 kept close to the young women of Boaz,

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 gleaning until the end

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 of the barley and wheat harvest,

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 which would have been

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 about a two-month period of time.

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 And she lived with her mother-in-law.

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 So beginning in the final verse of chapter 1

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 to the final verse of chapter 2,

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 we see that God has provided,

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 He has been providential

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 in His care for Naomi and Ruth.

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 He has not done so

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 apart from human agency.

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 All three characters,

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 Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz,

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 are presented making decisions

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 and acting,

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 but we ought not fail to notice

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 that God is the primary character

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 that the narrator intends for us to see

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 orchestrating the care

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 of these two widows.

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 Now, they have temporal provision,

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 but how long will this last?

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 How are Naomi and Ruth

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 to be cared for long term?

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 The space between chapter 2

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 and chapter 3

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 should leave us asking this question.

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 It was certainly on the mind of Naomi,

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 as we shall see.

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 Now, remember,

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 there's nothing for them as widows, right?

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 There's some things in the law

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 that are going to be a help to them.

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 How is it that they're going to survive long term?

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 It's a question on the table.

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 But now, before we can read the chapter before us,

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 we need to understand a few things

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 about the laws concerning the redemption of property,

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 which you can read about if you'd like to

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 in Leviticus chapter 25,

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 and the laws about leverate marriage,

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 which is a Latin word

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 from which we get the term brother-in-law.

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 It actually means brother marriage.

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 It's found in Deuteronomy chapter 25.

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 So, redemption of property laws

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 and leverate marriage laws.

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 Now, rather than reading from these two chapters

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 and then me laboring to explain the laws to you myself,

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 I came across a tidy little summary,

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 and so I'm going to read that tidy little summary to you,

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 which I just believe is going to serve us better this morning

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 than my long explanation would.

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 So, three points,

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 kind of summarizing these two categories of law.

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 So first,

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 when an Israelite family became very poor

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 and had to sell their land to survive,

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 the nearest male relative,

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 the kinsman, redeemer, they were called,

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 had the responsibility of rescuing them from poverty

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 by buying their land back

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 and restoring it to the family.

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 This was called redemption of property.

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 Secondly,

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 if they'd become so poor

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 that they had to sell themselves into slavery,

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 a rich relative had to rescue them

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 by buying their freedom.

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 And this, too,

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 was called redemption.

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 You can read about that further

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 in Leviticus 25.

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 Finally,

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 if a man died leaving his widow without children,

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 this is the situation that Ruth and Naomi

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 had found themselves in,

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 their nearest male relative

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 had to step in and marry his widow

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 and enable her to have children

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 so they could inherit their father's property

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 and keep it in the family,

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 which was this third kind of redemption.

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 So there's a little summary of Old Testament law

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 going on there.

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 Again, Leviticus 25

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 and Deuteronomy 25,

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 which helps us,

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 sets us up, right?

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 So with that arsenal of knowledge,

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 let's read Ruth chapter 3

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 and consider it together.

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 Before I read it,

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 let me remind you, beloved,

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 that this is God's word to us

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 written for his glory

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 and our good.

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 And so we do well to listen to it

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 in order to believe its promises

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 and obey its commands.

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 Then Naomi, her mother-in-law,

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 said to her,

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 My daughter,

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 should I not seek rest for you

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 that it may be well with you?

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 Is not Boaz our relative

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 with whose young women you were?

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 See, he is winnowing barley tonight

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 at the threshing floor.

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 Wash therefore and anoint yourself

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 and put on your cloak

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 and go down to the threshing floor,

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 but do not make yourself known

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 to the man

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 until he has finished eating

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 and drinking.

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 But when he lies down,

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 observe the place where he lies.

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 And she replied,

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 All that you say, I will do.

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 So she went down to the threshing floor

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 and did just as her mother-in-law

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 had commanded her.

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 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk

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 and his heart was merry,

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 he went to lie down

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 at the end of the heap of grain.

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 Then she came softly

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 and uncovered his feet

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 and lay down.

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 At midnight,

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 the man was startled

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 and turned over

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 and behold,

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 a woman lay at his feet.

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 He said,

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 Who are you?

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 And she answered,

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 I am Ruth,

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 your servant.

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 Spread your wings

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 over your servant,

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 for you are a redeemer.

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 And he said,

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 May you be blessed

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 by the Lord,

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 my daughter.

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 You have made

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 this last kindness

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 greater than the first

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 in that you have not gone

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 after young men,

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 whether poor or rich.

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 And now,

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 my daughter,

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 do not fear.

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 I will do for you

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 all that you ask,

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 for all my fellow townsmen

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 know that you

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 are a worthy woman.

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 And now it is true

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 that I am a redeemer.

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 Yet there is a redeemer

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 nearer than I.

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 Remain tonight

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 and in the morning.

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 If he will redeem you,

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 good,

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 let him do it.

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 But if he is not willing

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 to redeem you,

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 then as the Lord lives,

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 I will redeem you.

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 Lie down until the morning.

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 So she lay at his feet

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 until the morning,

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 but arose before one

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 could recognize another.

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 And he said,

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 Let it be known

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 that the woman came,

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 let it not be known

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 that the woman came

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 to the threshing floor.

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 Important distinction.

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 And he said,

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 Bring the garment

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 you are wearing

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 and hold it out.

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 So she held it

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 and he measured out

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 six measures of barley

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 and put it on her.

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 Then she went

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 into the city.

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 And when she came

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 to her mother-in-law,

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 she said,

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 How did you fare,

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 my daughter?

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 Then she told her

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 all that the man

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 had done for her,

00:12:47.199 --> 00:12:47.559
 saying,

00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:48.899
 These six measures

00:12:48.899 --> 00:12:50.000
 of barley he gave to me,

00:12:50.059 --> 00:12:50.960
 for he said to me,

00:12:51.240 --> 00:12:52.340
 You must not go back

00:12:52.340 --> 00:12:53.019
 empty-handed

00:12:53.019 --> 00:12:54.159
 to your mother-in-law.

00:12:55.120 --> 00:12:55.980
 She replied,

00:12:56.480 --> 00:12:57.360
 Wait, my daughter,

00:12:57.439 --> 00:12:58.039
 until you learn

00:12:58.039 --> 00:12:59.600
 how the matter turns out,

00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:00.659
 for the man

00:13:00.659 --> 00:13:01.580
 will not rest,

00:13:01.580 --> 00:13:02.279
 but will settle

00:13:02.279 --> 00:13:03.840
 the matter today.

00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:06.480
 Well, this chapter

00:13:06.480 --> 00:13:08.319
 largely develops

00:13:08.319 --> 00:13:08.980
 the story

00:13:08.980 --> 00:13:09.840
 for what will happen

00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:11.879
 in the next chapter.

00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:13.200
 It's really setting us up

00:13:13.200 --> 00:13:15.379
 for this final scene

00:13:15.379 --> 00:13:16.460
 in this narrative.

00:13:16.740 --> 00:13:18.300
 But there are some matters

00:13:18.300 --> 00:13:19.759
 that are worth paying

00:13:19.759 --> 00:13:20.879
 careful attention to

00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:21.480
 this morning

00:13:21.480 --> 00:13:22.220
 rather than

00:13:22.220 --> 00:13:23.800
 piling the two chapters

00:13:23.800 --> 00:13:25.060
 together.

00:13:25.220 --> 00:13:26.200
 So we're going to do so

00:13:26.200 --> 00:13:26.820
 and we're going to do it

00:13:26.820 --> 00:13:28.720
 in the following outline.

00:13:29.580 --> 00:13:30.420
 I'm a little proud

00:13:30.420 --> 00:13:30.840
 of this outline.

00:13:30.920 --> 00:13:31.539
 Are you ready for it?

00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:33.340
 Number one,

00:13:33.340 --> 00:13:34.080
 a plan.

00:13:35.080 --> 00:13:35.879
 Number two,

00:13:36.379 --> 00:13:36.920
 a proposition.

00:13:37.820 --> 00:13:38.700
 And number three,

00:13:39.280 --> 00:13:39.800
 a promise.

00:13:41.460 --> 00:13:42.360
 Yes, it alliterates.

00:13:43.519 --> 00:13:44.540
 I think preachers

00:13:44.540 --> 00:13:45.139
 are really happy

00:13:45.139 --> 00:13:45.899
 about alliteration

00:13:45.899 --> 00:13:46.560
 because we read

00:13:46.560 --> 00:13:47.600
 a lot of really good

00:13:47.600 --> 00:13:48.480
 commentaries

00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:50.420
 written by brilliant men

00:13:50.420 --> 00:13:51.200
 that alliterate things

00:13:51.200 --> 00:13:51.820
 so we feel like

00:13:51.820 --> 00:13:53.180
 maybe a little smart

00:13:53.180 --> 00:13:54.280
 when we manage

00:13:54.280 --> 00:13:54.820
 to pull it off

00:13:54.820 --> 00:13:55.240
 on our own.

00:13:55.960 --> 00:13:57.160
 Okay, so number one,

00:13:57.660 --> 00:13:58.120
 a plan.

00:13:58.200 --> 00:13:58.639
 And we see this

00:13:58.639 --> 00:13:59.679
 in verses one

00:13:59.679 --> 00:14:01.500
 through five, right?

00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:02.059
 Naomi

00:14:02.059 --> 00:14:05.620
 says to Ruth,

00:14:05.819 --> 00:14:06.379
 my daughter,

00:14:06.559 --> 00:14:07.480
 should I not

00:14:07.480 --> 00:14:08.840
 seek rest for you

00:14:08.840 --> 00:14:09.720
 that it may

00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:10.699
 be well

00:14:10.699 --> 00:14:11.960
 with you?

00:14:12.419 --> 00:14:12.939
 So at the end

00:14:12.939 --> 00:14:14.679
 of this harvest period,

00:14:15.299 --> 00:14:16.679
 she asks this question

00:14:16.679 --> 00:14:18.120
 and she has a plan

00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:19.799
 to follow it.

00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:22.080
 I want to take

00:14:22.080 --> 00:14:23.439
 the longest pause

00:14:23.439 --> 00:14:24.100
 from our narrative

00:14:24.100 --> 00:14:25.860
 at this point.

00:14:26.559 --> 00:14:27.460
 Maybe the most

00:14:27.460 --> 00:14:28.139
 helpful,

00:14:28.139 --> 00:14:29.620
 relevant piece

00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:30.860
 for us today

00:14:30.860 --> 00:14:31.879
 at this point

00:14:31.879 --> 00:14:32.500
 other than just

00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:33.819
 understanding the story

00:14:33.819 --> 00:14:34.720
 for what will happen

00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:36.799
 in the next chapter.

00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:38.039
 I want us to think

00:14:38.039 --> 00:14:39.399
 a little bit together

00:14:39.399 --> 00:14:41.439
 about rest.

00:14:42.819 --> 00:14:43.980
 Naomi says to Ruth,

00:14:44.100 --> 00:14:44.559
 my daughter,

00:14:44.679 --> 00:14:45.580
 should I not

00:14:45.580 --> 00:14:47.699
 seek rest for you

00:14:47.699 --> 00:14:49.000
 that it may be

00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:51.199
 well with you?

00:14:52.779 --> 00:14:54.200
 When she pleads

00:14:54.200 --> 00:14:55.059
 with Ruth

00:14:55.059 --> 00:14:55.939
 and Orpah

00:14:55.939 --> 00:14:56.620
 to return

00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:57.659
 to their families,

00:14:57.659 --> 00:14:59.219
 this is what

00:14:59.219 --> 00:15:00.299
 Naomi says

00:15:00.299 --> 00:15:00.899
 to them,

00:15:01.600 --> 00:15:02.240
 the Lord grant

00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:02.879
 that you may

00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:04.279
 find rest,

00:15:04.419 --> 00:15:05.019
 each of you

00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:05.959
 in the house

00:15:05.959 --> 00:15:07.240
 of her husband,

00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:07.539
 right?

00:15:07.659 --> 00:15:08.299
 Implying that there

00:15:08.299 --> 00:15:09.159
 should be another

00:15:09.159 --> 00:15:10.279
 husband for them

00:15:10.279 --> 00:15:11.699
 having been

00:15:11.699 --> 00:15:12.980
 widowed.

00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:14.639
 In the Bible,

00:15:14.819 --> 00:15:15.719
 rest indicates

00:15:15.719 --> 00:15:16.919
 completeness

00:15:16.919 --> 00:15:19.240
 or wholeness.

00:15:19.459 --> 00:15:20.319
 Think about God

00:15:20.319 --> 00:15:21.079
 resting on the

00:15:21.079 --> 00:15:22.079
 seventh day.

00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:23.240
 The world has been

00:15:23.240 --> 00:15:25.079
 created and it is

00:15:25.080 --> 00:15:26.960
 as it should be,

00:15:27.100 --> 00:15:27.300
 right?

00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:28.680
 Everything is good,

00:15:28.800 --> 00:15:29.020
 good,

00:15:29.160 --> 00:15:29.420
 good,

00:15:29.460 --> 00:15:32.240
 and very good.

00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:34.580
 Recall

00:15:34.580 --> 00:15:36.360
 Naomi's words

00:15:36.360 --> 00:15:37.680
 upon her return

00:15:37.680 --> 00:15:39.040
 to Bethlehem,

00:15:39.300 --> 00:15:39.540
 right?

00:15:40.160 --> 00:15:40.620
 There are people

00:15:40.620 --> 00:15:41.360
 who are recognizing

00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:41.780
 her.

00:15:41.940 --> 00:15:42.259
 They're saying,

00:15:42.400 --> 00:15:44.040
 isn't this Naomi?

00:15:44.180 --> 00:15:44.759
 Which means

00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:46.000
 pleasant.

00:15:46.960 --> 00:15:47.720
 And she says

00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:48.580
 in chapter 1

00:15:48.580 --> 00:15:49.580
 and verse 20,

00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:50.980
 do not call me

00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:51.440
 Naomi,

00:15:52.020 --> 00:15:52.879
 call me

00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:53.860
 Mara,

00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:54.360
 which means

00:15:54.360 --> 00:15:54.900
 bitter.

00:15:55.520 --> 00:15:56.120
 For the Almighty

00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:56.860
 has dealt

00:15:56.860 --> 00:15:58.560
 very bitterly

00:15:58.560 --> 00:15:59.080
 with me.

00:15:59.180 --> 00:16:00.400
 I went away

00:16:00.400 --> 00:16:01.460
 full

00:16:01.460 --> 00:16:02.940
 and the Lord

00:16:02.940 --> 00:16:03.660
 has brought me

00:16:03.660 --> 00:16:04.120
 back

00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:05.620
 empty.

00:16:06.259 --> 00:16:07.100
 It's a picture

00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:07.540
 of a woman

00:16:07.540 --> 00:16:08.600
 not at

00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:10.100
 rest.

00:16:10.800 --> 00:16:11.639
 So both of them,

00:16:11.720 --> 00:16:12.920
 Naomi and Ruth,

00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:14.879
 as we see them

00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:15.500
 at the beginning

00:16:15.500 --> 00:16:16.520
 of chapter 3,

00:16:16.660 --> 00:16:17.300
 are not

00:16:17.300 --> 00:16:18.820
 at rest.

00:16:18.820 --> 00:16:19.400
 But Naomi

00:16:19.400 --> 00:16:20.120
 loves her

00:16:20.120 --> 00:16:20.620
 daughter-in-law

00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:21.320
 and doesn't

00:16:21.320 --> 00:16:21.960
 want her

00:16:21.960 --> 00:16:22.660
 to remain

00:16:22.660 --> 00:16:24.000
 this way.

00:16:25.520 --> 00:16:25.640
 Now,

00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:26.700
 I am not here

00:16:26.700 --> 00:16:27.100
 arguing,

00:16:27.260 --> 00:16:27.680
 please hear me

00:16:27.680 --> 00:16:28.000
 carefully,

00:16:28.440 --> 00:16:29.060
 that any

00:16:29.060 --> 00:16:29.800
 unwearied woman

00:16:29.800 --> 00:16:30.720
 cannot be whole.

00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:31.720
 That's not at all

00:16:31.720 --> 00:16:32.220
 what I'm trying

00:16:32.220 --> 00:16:33.340
 to say to you

00:16:33.340 --> 00:16:33.800
 this morning.

00:16:33.900 --> 00:16:34.460
 You most certainly

00:16:34.460 --> 00:16:35.800
 can and should

00:16:35.800 --> 00:16:37.500
 find your full

00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:38.320
 satisfaction

00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:39.640
 in the Lord.

00:16:40.820 --> 00:16:41.640
 The narrator

00:16:41.640 --> 00:16:42.420
 in recording

00:16:42.420 --> 00:16:43.480
 Naomi's comments

00:16:43.480 --> 00:16:44.500
 is speaking

00:16:44.500 --> 00:16:46.160
 of Ruth's

00:16:46.160 --> 00:16:47.700
 temporal wholeness

00:16:47.700 --> 00:16:48.440
 in a day

00:16:48.440 --> 00:16:48.960
 when her

00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:49.960
 well-being

00:16:49.960 --> 00:16:51.220
 depended on

00:16:51.220 --> 00:16:51.840
 provision

00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:52.960
 and the

00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:53.520
 prospect

00:16:53.520 --> 00:16:54.760
 of progeny,

00:16:54.840 --> 00:16:55.740
 of offspring.

00:16:57.220 --> 00:16:57.880
 But I believe

00:16:57.880 --> 00:16:58.840
 he is also

00:16:58.840 --> 00:16:59.600
 tapping the

00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:01.140
 larger rest

00:17:01.140 --> 00:17:01.780
 narrative

00:17:01.780 --> 00:17:02.740
 that we find

00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:03.900
 in the Bible.

00:17:04.340 --> 00:17:05.539
 It's so very

00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:06.440
 cool as we read

00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:06.779
 through these

00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:07.180
 narratives

00:17:07.180 --> 00:17:08.059
 to understand

00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:08.740
 that this

00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:09.519
 scripture

00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:10.400
 ultimately has

00:17:10.400 --> 00:17:11.440
 a single author,

00:17:11.580 --> 00:17:11.820
 right?

00:17:12.140 --> 00:17:12.960
 By the spirit,

00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:13.500
 these men

00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:14.240
 are led

00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:14.900
 along with

00:17:14.900 --> 00:17:15.340
 the words

00:17:15.340 --> 00:17:15.759
 that they

00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:16.920
 record for

00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:17.160
 us.

00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:17.519
 And it

00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:18.100
 taps this

00:17:18.100 --> 00:17:19.480
 higher idea

00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:21.740
 of rest.

00:17:22.620 --> 00:17:23.640
 Naomi wants

00:17:23.640 --> 00:17:24.400
 Ruth to

00:17:24.400 --> 00:17:26.259
 find rest.

00:17:26.819 --> 00:17:27.680
 Where is she

00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:28.539
 going to find

00:17:28.539 --> 00:17:30.740
 that rest?

00:17:31.559 --> 00:17:32.140
 She's going to

00:17:32.140 --> 00:17:33.019
 find it

00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:34.480
 from a

00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:36.039
 redeemer.

00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:37.240
 Typologically,

00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:37.920
 right?

00:17:37.920 --> 00:17:38.620
 We're having

00:17:38.620 --> 00:17:39.460
 things set up

00:17:39.460 --> 00:17:39.980
 for us

00:17:39.980 --> 00:17:40.940
 in this

00:17:40.940 --> 00:17:41.259
 narrative.

00:17:42.420 --> 00:17:43.100
 I do not

00:17:43.100 --> 00:17:43.560
 think that

00:17:43.560 --> 00:17:44.000
 this is the

00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:44.560
 central theme

00:17:44.560 --> 00:17:45.160
 of Ruth.

00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:45.700
 I do want

00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:46.019
 to be clear.

00:17:46.100 --> 00:17:46.360
 I don't

00:17:46.360 --> 00:17:48.019
 think that

00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:48.759
 Boaz as

00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:49.160
 the kinsman

00:17:49.160 --> 00:17:49.820
 redeemer is

00:17:49.820 --> 00:17:50.880
 the primary

00:17:50.880 --> 00:17:51.980
 point,

00:17:52.360 --> 00:17:52.580
 right?

00:17:52.640 --> 00:17:53.180
 I think the

00:17:53.180 --> 00:17:53.740
 central theme

00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:54.220
 is the

00:17:54.220 --> 00:17:55.180
 unfolded

00:17:55.180 --> 00:17:55.820
 providence

00:17:55.820 --> 00:17:56.920
 of God,

00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:57.360
 but we

00:17:57.360 --> 00:17:58.240
 should not

00:17:58.240 --> 00:17:58.980
 miss what's

00:17:58.980 --> 00:17:59.720
 happening here,

00:17:59.800 --> 00:17:59.940
 right?

00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:00.779
 It is a

00:18:00.779 --> 00:18:01.259
 significant

00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:02.740
 thing that

00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:03.080
 is going

00:18:03.080 --> 00:18:03.519
 on and

00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:04.240
 we'll develop

00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:04.759
 it further

00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:06.640
 next week.

00:18:06.640 --> 00:18:08.100
 A couple

00:18:08.100 --> 00:18:08.440
 of other

00:18:08.440 --> 00:18:08.960
 texts for

00:18:08.960 --> 00:18:09.240
 you just

00:18:09.240 --> 00:18:09.540
 as we

00:18:09.540 --> 00:18:10.100
 stop for

00:18:10.100 --> 00:18:10.320
 a moment

00:18:10.320 --> 00:18:10.660
 and think

00:18:10.660 --> 00:18:11.100
 about this

00:18:11.100 --> 00:18:11.860
 idea of

00:18:11.860 --> 00:18:12.300
 rest,

00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:13.620
 of wholeness,

00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:14.620
 of completion.

00:18:16.420 --> 00:18:16.759
 The prophet

00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:17.560
 Isaiah says

00:18:17.560 --> 00:18:18.900
 in Isaiah 57

00:18:18.900 --> 00:18:20.080
 and verse 20,

00:18:20.620 --> 00:18:21.259
 but the wicked

00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:22.580
 are like the

00:18:22.580 --> 00:18:23.860
 tossing sea

00:18:23.860 --> 00:18:24.460
 for it

00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:25.460
 cannot be

00:18:25.460 --> 00:18:26.900
 quiet and

00:18:26.900 --> 00:18:27.680
 its waters

00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:28.720
 toss up

00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:30.100
 mire and

00:18:30.100 --> 00:18:30.440
 dirt.

00:18:31.140 --> 00:18:32.280
 The state

00:18:32.280 --> 00:18:32.880
 of the soul

00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:33.580
 of the wicked

00:18:33.580 --> 00:18:35.080
 not at

00:18:35.080 --> 00:18:36.580
 rest.

00:18:36.640 --> 00:18:36.940
 rest.

00:18:37.960 --> 00:18:38.259
 And this

00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:38.620
 theme goes

00:18:38.620 --> 00:18:39.040
 on and

00:18:39.040 --> 00:18:39.500
 on and

00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:40.200
 on in

00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:41.040
 the scripture.

00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:41.560
 We come

00:18:41.560 --> 00:18:41.800
 to the

00:18:41.800 --> 00:18:42.280
 New Testament,

00:18:42.440 --> 00:18:43.220
 Matthew 11,

00:18:43.840 --> 00:18:44.800
 verse 28,

00:18:45.220 --> 00:18:45.880
 and following,

00:18:46.100 --> 00:18:46.700
 Jesus says

00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:47.160
 there,

00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:48.420
 come to

00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:48.900
 me,

00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:50.280
 all who

00:18:50.280 --> 00:18:51.700
 labor and

00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:52.120
 are heavy

00:18:52.120 --> 00:18:52.600
 laden,

00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:53.700
 and I

00:18:53.700 --> 00:18:54.240
 will give

00:18:54.240 --> 00:18:54.720
 you,

00:18:55.280 --> 00:18:55.560
 you know

00:18:55.560 --> 00:18:56.000
 the word,

00:18:56.980 --> 00:18:57.420
 rest.

00:18:58.420 --> 00:18:59.220
 Rest from

00:18:59.220 --> 00:18:59.500
 what?

00:18:59.860 --> 00:19:00.880
 This life

00:19:00.880 --> 00:19:01.460
 is work.

00:19:02.100 --> 00:19:03.080
 We labor

00:19:03.080 --> 00:19:03.700
 each and

00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:04.440
 every day.

00:19:04.840 --> 00:19:05.320
 Just because

00:19:05.320 --> 00:19:05.860
 we're Christians

00:19:05.859 --> 00:19:06.279
 doesn't mean

00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:06.519
 that we

00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:07.539
 stop working.

00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:08.139
 Of course,

00:19:08.219 --> 00:19:08.699
 there are

00:19:08.699 --> 00:19:09.379
 things to

00:19:09.379 --> 00:19:10.000
 be done.

00:19:10.919 --> 00:19:11.419
 God's

00:19:11.419 --> 00:19:11.819
 providence

00:19:11.819 --> 00:19:12.379
 comes to

00:19:12.379 --> 00:19:12.819
 us through

00:19:12.819 --> 00:19:13.719
 human agency.

00:19:13.939 --> 00:19:14.279
 We have

00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:15.240
 things to

00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:16.799
 be accomplished.

00:19:17.119 --> 00:19:17.119


00:19:17.379 --> 00:19:17.699
 give us,

00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:18.659
 what is

00:19:18.659 --> 00:19:19.219
 resting?

00:19:19.619 --> 00:19:20.740
 Our souls

00:19:20.740 --> 00:19:22.079
 are at

00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:22.899
 rest if

00:19:22.899 --> 00:19:23.439
 we are in

00:19:23.439 --> 00:19:24.099
 Christ.

00:19:24.479 --> 00:19:25.359
 No longer

00:19:25.359 --> 00:19:25.819
 like the

00:19:25.819 --> 00:19:26.119
 wicked,

00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:27.619
 tossing

00:19:27.619 --> 00:19:28.519
 seas.

00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:30.000
 No longer

00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:30.779
 working to

00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:31.399
 be accepted

00:19:31.400 --> 00:19:32.360
 by God,

00:19:33.140 --> 00:19:33.620
 rather

00:19:33.620 --> 00:19:34.380
 resting

00:19:34.380 --> 00:19:35.080
 in

00:19:35.080 --> 00:19:36.140
 completed

00:19:36.140 --> 00:19:36.960
 work,

00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:37.500
 work that

00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:38.160
 Christ

00:19:38.160 --> 00:19:38.780
 has

00:19:38.780 --> 00:19:39.240
 accomplished

00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:41.120
 for us.

00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:42.540
 You will

00:19:42.540 --> 00:19:43.080
 find,

00:19:43.160 --> 00:19:43.600
 here it is,

00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:45.140
 rest for

00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:46.100
 your

00:19:46.100 --> 00:19:47.720
 souls.

00:19:48.800 --> 00:19:49.560
 So this

00:19:49.560 --> 00:19:50.000
 theme is

00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:50.500
 picking up

00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:51.340
 in chapter

00:19:51.340 --> 00:19:51.740
 three,

00:19:51.840 --> 00:19:52.040
 and we're

00:19:52.040 --> 00:19:52.240
 going to

00:19:52.240 --> 00:19:52.560
 see it

00:19:52.560 --> 00:19:52.860
 kind of

00:19:52.860 --> 00:19:53.620
 launch out

00:19:53.620 --> 00:19:54.040
 from

00:19:54.040 --> 00:19:54.480
 chapter

00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:55.000
 four.

00:19:55.640 --> 00:19:55.980
 The

00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:56.280
 narrative

00:19:56.280 --> 00:19:56.780
 ought to

00:19:56.780 --> 00:19:57.180
 carry our

00:19:57.180 --> 00:19:58.040
 thinking all

00:19:58.040 --> 00:19:58.880
 the way to

00:19:58.880 --> 00:19:59.660
 the New

00:19:59.660 --> 00:20:00.060
 Testament,

00:20:00.360 --> 00:20:00.820
 and the

00:20:00.820 --> 00:20:01.300
 ultimate

00:20:01.300 --> 00:20:01.840
 and the

00:20:01.840 --> 00:20:02.420
 final

00:20:02.420 --> 00:20:02.920
 Redeemer

00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:03.600
 that is

00:20:03.600 --> 00:20:04.300
 the Lord

00:20:04.300 --> 00:20:05.400
 Jesus

00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:05.940
 Christ.

00:20:07.280 --> 00:20:07.500
 So

00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:09.260
 practical

00:20:09.260 --> 00:20:09.900
 application

00:20:09.900 --> 00:20:10.540
 for us

00:20:10.540 --> 00:20:11.140
 today.

00:20:11.860 --> 00:20:12.620
 If you

00:20:12.620 --> 00:20:13.140
 are already

00:20:13.140 --> 00:20:14.340
 in Christ,

00:20:14.500 --> 00:20:14.900
 you have

00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:15.140
 this

00:20:15.140 --> 00:20:16.280
 status

00:20:16.280 --> 00:20:17.020
 rest for

00:20:17.020 --> 00:20:17.620
 your soul,

00:20:17.760 --> 00:20:18.020
 you're no

00:20:18.020 --> 00:20:18.340
 longer

00:20:18.340 --> 00:20:19.260
 laboring to

00:20:19.260 --> 00:20:19.800
 be accepted

00:20:19.800 --> 00:20:21.200
 by God,

00:20:21.920 --> 00:20:22.480
 realize the

00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:23.120
 reality of

00:20:23.120 --> 00:20:23.420
 what that

00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:24.200
 means for

00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:24.680
 you,

00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:26.300
 and settle

00:20:26.300 --> 00:20:26.640
 in,

00:20:26.840 --> 00:20:27.820
 and be

00:20:27.819 --> 00:20:29.019
 at rest.

00:20:30.099 --> 00:20:30.700
 You are

00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:31.480
 God's.

00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:32.179
 You belong

00:20:32.179 --> 00:20:33.000
 to Him

00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:33.480
 because of

00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:34.039
 what Christ

00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:35.039
 has done

00:20:35.039 --> 00:20:35.980
 on your

00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:36.460
 behalf.

00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:38.299
 If you

00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:38.720
 are not

00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:39.200
 in Christ,

00:20:39.319 --> 00:20:39.559
 if you've

00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:40.439
 never placed

00:20:40.439 --> 00:20:41.159
 believing faith

00:20:41.159 --> 00:20:41.519
 in Him,

00:20:41.599 --> 00:20:41.859
 then you

00:20:41.859 --> 00:20:42.240
 are that

00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:43.279
 wicked

00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:43.899
 person

00:20:43.899 --> 00:20:44.740
 being tossed

00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.379
 about.

00:20:45.599 --> 00:20:46.299
 You're not

00:20:46.299 --> 00:20:48.579
 at rest.

00:20:49.439 --> 00:20:49.659
 And you

00:20:49.659 --> 00:20:50.319
 can feel it

00:20:50.319 --> 00:20:50.879
 deep down

00:20:50.879 --> 00:20:51.079
 in.

00:20:51.159 --> 00:20:51.639
 You bear

00:20:51.639 --> 00:20:52.139
 the guilt

00:20:52.139 --> 00:20:52.539
 of your

00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:52.939
 sin.

00:20:53.079 --> 00:20:53.740
 You know

00:20:53.740 --> 00:20:54.159
 that you're

00:20:54.159 --> 00:20:54.679
 not living

00:20:54.679 --> 00:20:55.159
 a life

00:20:55.159 --> 00:20:55.339
 that's

00:20:55.339 --> 00:20:56.480
 pleasing to

00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:56.779
 God.

00:20:56.899 --> 00:20:57.179
 Flee

00:20:57.180 --> 00:20:58.380
 to Christ.

00:20:59.140 --> 00:20:59.660
 Look to

00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:00.240
 His

00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:01.160
 work.

00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:02.180
 Place your

00:21:02.180 --> 00:21:03.060
 faith in

00:21:03.060 --> 00:21:03.560
 Him and

00:21:03.560 --> 00:21:03.960
 what He

00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:04.440
 has

00:21:04.440 --> 00:21:05.660
 accomplished.

00:21:06.440 --> 00:21:06.880
 And find

00:21:06.880 --> 00:21:08.420
 rest for

00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:08.799
 your weary

00:21:08.799 --> 00:21:09.200
 soul.

00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:11.180
 So we

00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:11.640
 see here

00:21:11.640 --> 00:21:12.240
 in this

00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:12.600
 text,

00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:14.039
 this temporal

00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:14.880
 thing that

00:21:14.880 --> 00:21:15.480
 Naomi is

00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:16.000
 trying to

00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:17.019
 achieve on

00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:17.580
 behalf of

00:21:17.580 --> 00:21:18.060
 Ruth and

00:21:18.060 --> 00:21:18.380
 how it

00:21:18.380 --> 00:21:18.860
 helps us

00:21:18.860 --> 00:21:20.279
 think bigger

00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:21.220
 and broader

00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:21.840
 and more

00:21:21.840 --> 00:21:22.759
 importantly

00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:24.000
 about

00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:25.279
 eternal

00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:26.340
 rest.

00:21:26.339 --> 00:21:26.459
 rest.

00:21:27.659 --> 00:21:28.279
 So she

00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:28.579
 has a

00:21:28.579 --> 00:21:28.939
 plan.

00:21:29.919 --> 00:21:30.039
 She

00:21:30.039 --> 00:21:30.419
 goes on

00:21:30.419 --> 00:21:30.959
 to divulge

00:21:30.959 --> 00:21:31.539
 it in

00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:32.599
 verse 2

00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:33.879
 and following.

00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:35.119
 The statement

00:21:35.119 --> 00:21:35.679
 again, which

00:21:35.679 --> 00:21:36.079
 we've seen a

00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:36.399
 couple of

00:21:36.399 --> 00:21:36.859
 times, is

00:21:36.859 --> 00:21:37.839
 not Boaz

00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:38.379
 our

00:21:38.379 --> 00:21:39.679
 relative.

00:21:40.299 --> 00:21:41.179
 It maintains

00:21:41.179 --> 00:21:41.819
 the possibility

00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:42.240
 that he

00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.319
 could be a

00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:43.959
 redeemer.

00:21:45.399 --> 00:21:45.659
 And he

00:21:45.659 --> 00:21:46.220
 is out

00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:47.179
 winnowing

00:21:47.179 --> 00:21:47.819
 barley

00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:48.539
 tonight

00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:49.879
 at the

00:21:49.879 --> 00:21:50.240
 threshing

00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:50.619
 floor.

00:21:51.639 --> 00:21:51.899
 And this

00:21:51.899 --> 00:21:52.559
 activity was

00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:53.019
 the activity

00:21:53.019 --> 00:21:53.500
 of throwing

00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:54.119
 grain up

00:21:54.119 --> 00:21:54.439
 into the

00:21:54.439 --> 00:21:55.259
 air so

00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:55.500
 it would

00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:56.220
 get separated

00:21:56.220 --> 00:21:56.700
 from that

00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:57.079
 part that

00:21:57.079 --> 00:21:57.579
 was edible

00:21:57.579 --> 00:21:57.980
 and that

00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:58.299
 part that

00:21:58.299 --> 00:21:59.299
 was inedible.

00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:00.079
 And in

00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:00.579
 doing that

00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:01.180
 and tossing

00:22:01.180 --> 00:22:01.539
 it in the

00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:01.940
 air, the

00:22:01.940 --> 00:22:02.379
 wind would

00:22:02.379 --> 00:22:03.000
 carry away

00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:03.559
 the lighter

00:22:03.559 --> 00:22:04.420
 material that

00:22:04.420 --> 00:22:05.079
 was not

00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:06.099
 edible.

00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:06.619
 And so

00:22:06.619 --> 00:22:06.819
 they're

00:22:06.819 --> 00:22:07.660
 processing

00:22:07.660 --> 00:22:09.400
 this harvest

00:22:09.400 --> 00:22:09.859
 that has

00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:11.180
 been gathered.

00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:12.039
 And we

00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:12.799
 see Boaz

00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:13.259
 as this

00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:14.259
 wonderful man

00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:14.940
 of character.

00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:15.660
 He's been

00:22:15.660 --> 00:22:16.519
 out in his

00:22:16.519 --> 00:22:16.960
 fields in

00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:17.619
 chapter 2.

00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:18.119
 He's paying

00:22:18.119 --> 00:22:18.539
 attention.

00:22:18.680 --> 00:22:19.240
 He's attending

00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:19.819
 to the work

00:22:19.819 --> 00:22:20.640
 that's going

00:22:20.640 --> 00:22:21.019
 on.

00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:21.799
 Here we see

00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:22.420
 him now

00:22:22.420 --> 00:22:23.259
 there in

00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:24.079
 the processing

00:22:24.079 --> 00:22:24.799
 place.

00:22:25.079 --> 00:22:25.379
 He's got

00:22:25.379 --> 00:22:26.220
 servants that

00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:26.599
 are there to

00:22:26.599 --> 00:22:26.920
 do this

00:22:26.920 --> 00:22:27.379
 work but

00:22:27.379 --> 00:22:28.359
 he's there

00:22:28.359 --> 00:22:29.279
 along with

00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:29.579
 them.

00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:30.920
 It was

00:22:30.920 --> 00:22:32.059
 standard that

00:22:32.059 --> 00:22:32.539
 people would

00:22:32.539 --> 00:22:33.539
 stay.

00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:34.839
 This grain

00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:35.319
 needed to be

00:22:35.319 --> 00:22:35.940
 processed.

00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:36.500
 It needed to

00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:37.059
 be stored

00:22:37.059 --> 00:22:37.839
 safely so

00:22:37.839 --> 00:22:39.400
 that vermin

00:22:39.400 --> 00:22:39.799
 wouldn't get

00:22:39.799 --> 00:22:40.299
 into it.

00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:41.099
 So they're

00:22:41.099 --> 00:22:41.359
 there.

00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:41.599
 They're going

00:22:41.599 --> 00:22:41.900
 to work

00:22:41.900 --> 00:22:43.059
 long hours.

00:22:43.160 --> 00:22:43.339
 They would

00:22:43.339 --> 00:22:43.859
 often just

00:22:43.859 --> 00:22:44.519
 stay the

00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:45.099
 night there.

00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:45.879
 They're also

00:22:45.879 --> 00:22:47.220
 protecting that

00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:48.140
 grain from

00:22:48.140 --> 00:22:48.839
 being pillaged

00:22:48.839 --> 00:22:50.279
 by others.

00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:51.500
 So he's out

00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:51.720
 there.

00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:52.460
 He's active.

00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:53.220
 He's with

00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:53.880
 the people.

00:22:54.100 --> 00:22:55.360
 He's working

00:22:55.360 --> 00:22:56.279
 in that

00:22:56.279 --> 00:22:57.279
 place.

00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:58.200
 So she

00:22:58.200 --> 00:22:58.640
 gives a

00:22:58.640 --> 00:22:59.759
 plan to

00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:00.019
 her to

00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:01.220
 wash and

00:23:01.220 --> 00:23:01.559
 anoint

00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:02.420
 herself.

00:23:02.600 --> 00:23:03.000
 So clean

00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:03.360
 up.

00:23:03.819 --> 00:23:04.440
 Likely

00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:05.039
 anoint with

00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:06.120
 perfume.

00:23:06.920 --> 00:23:07.340
 Put on

00:23:07.340 --> 00:23:07.960
 your cloak.

00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:08.259
 This would

00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:08.519
 have been a

00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:09.360
 warm garment

00:23:09.360 --> 00:23:10.160
 and go

00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:11.420
 down to

00:23:11.420 --> 00:23:12.000
 the threshing

00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:12.759
 floor.

00:23:12.920 --> 00:23:13.360
 But do

00:23:13.360 --> 00:23:13.680
 not make

00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:14.299
 yourself known

00:23:14.299 --> 00:23:14.600
 to the

00:23:14.600 --> 00:23:15.120
 man until

00:23:15.120 --> 00:23:15.360
 he has

00:23:15.360 --> 00:23:15.799
 finished

00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:16.920
 eating

00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:18.460
 and drinking.

00:23:18.620 --> 00:23:18.940
 So she's

00:23:18.940 --> 00:23:19.720
 there amongst

00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:20.779
 the hubbub of

00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:21.299
 what's going

00:23:21.299 --> 00:23:22.619
 on in the

00:23:22.619 --> 00:23:23.019
 dark.

00:23:23.819 --> 00:23:24.180
 But when

00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:24.819
 he lies

00:23:24.819 --> 00:23:25.460
 down,

00:23:26.059 --> 00:23:26.220
 you're going

00:23:26.220 --> 00:23:26.779
 to note

00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:27.119
 where he

00:23:27.119 --> 00:23:27.799
 lies down.

00:23:27.899 --> 00:23:28.139
 Remember,

00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:28.759
 it's dark.

00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:29.919
 And you're

00:23:29.919 --> 00:23:30.159
 going to go

00:23:30.159 --> 00:23:30.539
 and uncover

00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:31.019
 his feet

00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:31.500
 and lie

00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:31.899
 down.

00:23:32.059 --> 00:23:32.299
 And then

00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:32.639
 he will

00:23:32.639 --> 00:23:33.099
 tell you

00:23:33.099 --> 00:23:33.960
 what you

00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:35.119
 are to

00:23:35.119 --> 00:23:35.359
 do.

00:23:35.720 --> 00:23:36.059
 This is

00:23:36.059 --> 00:23:36.460
 an interesting

00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:36.859
 chapter.

00:23:37.099 --> 00:23:37.440
 I think it

00:23:37.440 --> 00:23:37.899
 makes a lot

00:23:37.899 --> 00:23:38.059
 of us

00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:38.440
 scratch our

00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:38.619
 heads.

00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:39.079
 What is

00:23:39.079 --> 00:23:39.779
 going on

00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:40.980
 in this

00:23:40.980 --> 00:23:41.720
 chapter?

00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.399
 I found

00:23:43.399 --> 00:23:44.259
 two explanations

00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:44.700
 for why

00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:45.099
 Ruth was

00:23:45.099 --> 00:23:45.480
 instructed

00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:46.559
 to do

00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:46.900
 this.

00:23:47.579 --> 00:23:47.700
 In

00:23:47.700 --> 00:23:48.640
 either

00:23:48.640 --> 00:23:49.200
 case,

00:23:49.640 --> 00:23:50.120
 we ought

00:23:50.120 --> 00:23:50.339
 not

00:23:50.339 --> 00:23:50.700
 think

00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:50.960
 this

00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:51.380
 act

00:23:51.380 --> 00:23:51.980
 as

00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:52.240
 a

00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:52.880
 salacious

00:23:52.880 --> 00:23:53.660
 act.

00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:54.599
 As

00:23:54.599 --> 00:23:55.140
 both

00:23:55.140 --> 00:23:55.579
 Ruth and

00:23:55.579 --> 00:23:55.920
 Boaz

00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.500
 have been

00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:57.019
 and will

00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:57.339
 be

00:23:57.339 --> 00:23:57.860
 presented

00:23:57.860 --> 00:23:58.839
 as

00:23:58.839 --> 00:23:59.400
 upright

00:23:59.400 --> 00:23:59.960
 in

00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:00.380
 character.

00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:00.880
 This

00:24:00.880 --> 00:24:01.099
 thing

00:24:01.099 --> 00:24:01.279
 that's

00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:01.480
 going

00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:01.779
 on

00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.360
 is in

00:24:02.360 --> 00:24:02.740
 no

00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:03.360
 way

00:24:03.360 --> 00:24:04.640
 kinky.

00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:05.740
 Everything

00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.380
 is above

00:24:06.380 --> 00:24:06.900
 board

00:24:06.900 --> 00:24:07.200
 that's

00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:07.559
 happening

00:24:07.559 --> 00:24:09.200
 in this

00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:09.700
 case.

00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:10.480
 There's

00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:10.660
 a lot

00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:10.960
 of talk

00:24:10.960 --> 00:24:11.220
 today

00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:11.500
 about

00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.140
 power

00:24:12.140 --> 00:24:12.559
 couples.

00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:12.880
 You may

00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:13.579
 have heard

00:24:13.579 --> 00:24:14.200
 that term.

00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:14.779
 People

00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.140
 that can

00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:16.080
 together

00:24:16.080 --> 00:24:16.519
 kick

00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:16.759
 butt

00:24:16.759 --> 00:24:17.220
 and take

00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:17.700
 names.

00:24:18.920 --> 00:24:19.279
 Not to

00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:19.400
 be

00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:20.019
 exemplified,

00:24:20.140 --> 00:24:20.340
 this

00:24:20.340 --> 00:24:20.779
 is a

00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:21.080
 couple

00:24:21.080 --> 00:24:22.700
 for us

00:24:22.700 --> 00:24:23.759
 to look

00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:24.140
 at

00:24:24.140 --> 00:24:24.539
 and to

00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:25.100
 consider

00:24:25.100 --> 00:24:25.720
 and to

00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:26.279
 be

00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:27.220
 more

00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:28.380
 like.

00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:29.600
 In

00:24:29.600 --> 00:24:29.720
 the

00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:29.920
 Jewish

00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:30.380
 tradition,

00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:30.920
 the

00:24:30.920 --> 00:24:31.340
 book

00:24:31.340 --> 00:24:31.680
 of

00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:32.279
 Ruth

00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:33.200
 directly

00:24:33.200 --> 00:24:33.799
 follows

00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:34.319
 the

00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:34.500
 book

00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:34.799
 of

00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:35.740
 Proverbs

00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:35.940
 and

00:24:35.940 --> 00:24:36.480
 it's

00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:36.880
 often

00:24:36.880 --> 00:24:37.480
 suggested

00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:37.740
 that

00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:37.940
 that

00:24:37.940 --> 00:24:38.380
 Proverbs

00:24:38.380 --> 00:24:39.120
 31

00:24:39.120 --> 00:24:39.580
 woman

00:24:39.580 --> 00:24:39.880
 is

00:24:39.880 --> 00:24:40.279
 being

00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:41.299
 exemplified

00:24:41.299 --> 00:24:42.019
 by

00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:42.400
 Ruth

00:24:42.400 --> 00:24:42.759
 as it

00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:43.240
 follows

00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:43.680
 right

00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:44.100
 along

00:24:44.099 --> 00:24:45.319
 behind

00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:46.079
 that

00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:46.659
 final

00:24:46.659 --> 00:24:47.159
 chapter

00:24:47.159 --> 00:24:48.619
 perhaps.

00:24:49.419 --> 00:24:49.759
 So

00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.659
 nothing

00:24:50.659 --> 00:24:51.139
 salacious

00:24:51.139 --> 00:24:51.559
 going

00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:52.740
 on

00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:53.000
 here.

00:24:53.119 --> 00:24:53.240
 The

00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:53.759
 first

00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:54.179
 explanation

00:24:54.179 --> 00:24:55.099
 is that

00:24:55.099 --> 00:24:56.240
 Naomi

00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:56.939
 knew

00:24:56.939 --> 00:24:57.179
 that

00:24:57.179 --> 00:24:57.539
 Boaz

00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:57.899
 was not

00:24:57.899 --> 00:24:58.299
 first

00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:58.879
 in line

00:24:58.879 --> 00:24:59.619
 as a

00:24:59.619 --> 00:25:00.000
 redeemer

00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:01.319
 but because

00:25:01.319 --> 00:25:01.779
 of his

00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:02.599
 expressed

00:25:02.599 --> 00:25:03.279
 kindness

00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:03.939
 toward

00:25:03.939 --> 00:25:04.419
 Ruth

00:25:04.419 --> 00:25:05.599
 thought

00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:05.779
 him

00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:05.919
 the

00:25:05.919 --> 00:25:06.119
 most

00:25:06.119 --> 00:25:06.799
 appropriate

00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:07.539
 candidate

00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:08.799
 to marry

00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:09.079
 her.

00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:10.079
 Two

00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:10.319
 months

00:25:10.319 --> 00:25:10.639
 has gone

00:25:10.639 --> 00:25:10.939
 by.

00:25:11.399 --> 00:25:11.579
 Maybe

00:25:11.579 --> 00:25:11.819
 they've

00:25:11.819 --> 00:25:12.119
 talked

00:25:12.119 --> 00:25:12.480
 a little

00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:12.940
 about

00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:13.240
 his

00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:14.140
 kindness

00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:14.559
 and

00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:15.099
 maybe

00:25:15.099 --> 00:25:15.319
 some

00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:15.680
 growing

00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:16.259
 affection

00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:16.799
 on

00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:17.460
 Ruth's

00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:18.200
 behalf

00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:18.680
 toward

00:25:18.680 --> 00:25:19.980
 Boaz.

00:25:20.940 --> 00:25:21.140
 The

00:25:21.140 --> 00:25:21.599
 prospect

00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:21.839
 of

00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:22.039
 Ruth

00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:22.380
 marrying

00:25:22.380 --> 00:25:22.980
 Boaz

00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:23.680
 needed

00:25:23.680 --> 00:25:24.200
 to happen

00:25:24.200 --> 00:25:24.799
 in secret

00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:25.900
 because

00:25:25.900 --> 00:25:26.200
 it was

00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:26.539
 out of

00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:26.700
 the

00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:27.079
 norm.

00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:28.240
 She

00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:28.420
 was

00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:29.660
 circumnavigating

00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:29.920
 the

00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:30.620
 normative

00:25:30.620 --> 00:25:31.039
 thing

00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:31.400
 that would

00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:31.599
 have

00:25:31.599 --> 00:25:32.099
 been

00:25:32.099 --> 00:25:32.460
 done

00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:33.279
 in the

00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:33.559
 seeking

00:25:33.559 --> 00:25:34.420
 of a

00:25:34.420 --> 00:25:35.099
 redeemer.

00:25:35.180 --> 00:25:35.259
 We

00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:35.740
 find out

00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.000
 there's

00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:36.400
 another

00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:37.740
 before

00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:38.480
 him.

00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:40.500
 Ruth

00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:41.039
 uncovered

00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:41.279
 his

00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:41.640
 feet

00:25:41.640 --> 00:25:42.539
 and

00:25:42.539 --> 00:25:43.140
 lays

00:25:43.140 --> 00:25:43.420
 at

00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:43.620
 his

00:25:43.620 --> 00:25:44.000
 feet

00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:44.759
 so

00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:44.900
 that

00:25:44.900 --> 00:25:45.019
 he

00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:45.180
 will

00:25:45.180 --> 00:25:45.640
 awaken

00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:45.940
 at

00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:46.420
 some

00:25:46.420 --> 00:25:47.180
 point

00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:48.000
 and

00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:48.160
 they

00:25:48.160 --> 00:25:48.519
 can

00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:49.380
 converse

00:25:49.380 --> 00:25:49.819
 on

00:25:49.819 --> 00:25:50.039
 his

00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:50.460
 terms.

00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:51.279
 Again,

00:25:51.359 --> 00:25:51.500
 so I'm

00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:51.740
 talking about

00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:52.039
 the first

00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:52.500
 explanation

00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:52.779
 of what's

00:25:52.779 --> 00:25:53.160
 going on

00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:53.319
 here.

00:25:53.599 --> 00:25:53.720
 She

00:25:53.720 --> 00:25:54.079
 uncovers

00:25:54.079 --> 00:25:54.240
 his

00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:54.380
 feet

00:25:54.380 --> 00:25:54.640
 so at

00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:54.819
 some

00:25:54.819 --> 00:25:55.099
 point

00:25:55.099 --> 00:25:55.279
 he's

00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:55.380
 going

00:25:55.380 --> 00:25:55.420
 to

00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:55.539
 get

00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:56.140
 uncomfortable

00:25:56.140 --> 00:25:56.839
 and his

00:25:56.839 --> 00:25:56.940
 feet

00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:57.019
 are

00:25:57.019 --> 00:25:57.099
 going

00:25:57.099 --> 00:25:57.120
 to

00:25:57.120 --> 00:25:57.259
 get

00:25:57.259 --> 00:25:57.660
 cold

00:25:57.660 --> 00:25:58.059
 and

00:25:58.059 --> 00:25:58.160
 he's

00:25:58.160 --> 00:25:58.240
 going

00:25:58.240 --> 00:25:58.319
 to

00:25:58.319 --> 00:25:58.559
 wake

00:25:58.559 --> 00:25:58.900
 up

00:25:58.900 --> 00:25:59.440
 and

00:25:59.440 --> 00:25:59.700
 she'll

00:25:59.700 --> 00:25:59.839
 be

00:25:59.839 --> 00:26:00.200
 laying

00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:00.220
!

00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:00.480
 there

00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:00.640
 and

00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:01.319
 he gets

00:26:01.319 --> 00:26:01.480
 to

00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:01.960
 decide

00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:02.620
 what

00:26:02.620 --> 00:26:03.059
 happens.

00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:03.599
 So an

00:26:03.599 --> 00:26:03.819
 option

00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:04.079
 would have

00:26:04.079 --> 00:26:04.240
 been

00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:04.500
 like

00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:05.059
 who

00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.279
 are

00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:05.519
 you

00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:05.720
 and

00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:05.920
 why

00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:06.019
 are

00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:06.099
 you

00:26:06.099 --> 00:26:06.259
 laying

00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:06.360
 at

00:26:06.360 --> 00:26:06.480
 my

00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:06.660
 feet

00:26:06.660 --> 00:26:07.039
 get

00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:07.599
 away

00:26:07.599 --> 00:26:08.220
 is

00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:08.319
 the

00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:08.519
 thing

00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:08.720
 that

00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:09.200
 Boaz

00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:09.880
 could

00:26:09.880 --> 00:26:09.980
 have

00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:10.360
 said.

00:26:10.819 --> 00:26:11.319
 Rather

00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:11.559
 than

00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:11.740
 her

00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:12.059
 going

00:26:12.059 --> 00:26:12.259
 and

00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:12.539
 waking

00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:12.759
 him

00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.000
 up

00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:13.220
 in

00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:13.299
 the

00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:13.440
 middle

00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:13.559
 of

00:26:13.559 --> 00:26:13.640
 the

00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:13.860
 night

00:26:13.860 --> 00:26:14.079
 and

00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:14.400
 demanding

00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:14.720
 something

00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:14.920
 of

00:26:14.920 --> 00:26:15.160
 him

00:26:15.160 --> 00:26:16.019
 she

00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:16.400
 rather

00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:18.140
 sets

00:26:18.140 --> 00:26:18.720
 the

00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:19.039
 stage

00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:19.220
 that

00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:19.620
 he

00:26:19.620 --> 00:26:20.039
 wakes

00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:20.420
 up

00:26:20.420 --> 00:26:20.940
 and

00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:21.059
 he

00:26:21.059 --> 00:26:21.240
 can

00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:21.539
 now

00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:22.200
 figure

00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:22.400
 out

00:26:22.400 --> 00:26:22.599
 what

00:26:22.599 --> 00:26:22.799
 to

00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:23.200
 do

00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:23.660
 in

00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:23.779
 the

00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:24.000
 midst

00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:24.220
 of

00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:25.099
 this

00:26:25.099 --> 00:26:25.620
 situation.

00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:31.599
 An

00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:31.940
 ancient

00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:32.299
 Near

00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:32.660
 Eastern

00:26:32.660 --> 00:26:33.299
 proposal

00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:34.519
 tradition.

00:26:36.720 --> 00:26:37.299
 A

00:26:37.299 --> 00:26:37.579
 pastor

00:26:37.579 --> 00:26:37.779
 I

00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:38.099
 respect

00:26:38.099 --> 00:26:38.640
 immensely

00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:39.640
 said

00:26:39.640 --> 00:26:39.860
 this

00:26:39.860 --> 00:26:40.120
 matter

00:26:40.120 --> 00:26:40.259
 of

00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:40.680
 factly

00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:41.180
 and

00:26:41.180 --> 00:26:42.279
 I

00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:42.519
 looked

00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:42.700
 for

00:26:42.700 --> 00:26:43.079
 supporting

00:26:43.079 --> 00:26:43.599
 evidence

00:26:43.599 --> 00:26:44.620
 with

00:26:44.620 --> 00:26:45.000
 just a few

00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:45.200
 minutes

00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:45.380
 that I

00:26:45.380 --> 00:26:45.579
 had to

00:26:45.579 --> 00:26:45.799
 look for

00:26:45.799 --> 00:26:46.120
 supporting

00:26:46.120 --> 00:26:46.460
 evidence

00:26:46.460 --> 00:26:46.720
 and I

00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:46.900
 couldn't

00:26:46.900 --> 00:26:47.099
 find

00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:47.400
 anything

00:26:47.400 --> 00:26:47.579
 that

00:26:47.579 --> 00:26:47.900
 supported

00:26:47.900 --> 00:26:48.120
 it

00:26:48.120 --> 00:26:48.319
 at

00:26:48.319 --> 00:26:48.579
 all

00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:49.259
 so

00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:49.380
 I

00:26:49.380 --> 00:26:49.599
 like

00:26:49.599 --> 00:26:49.819
 the

00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:50.220
 former

00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:51.120
 possibility

00:26:51.120 --> 00:26:52.259
 simply

00:26:52.259 --> 00:26:52.539
 because

00:26:52.539 --> 00:26:52.799
 it's

00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:53.160
 text

00:26:53.160 --> 00:26:53.559
 driven

00:26:53.559 --> 00:26:53.920
 right

00:26:53.920 --> 00:26:54.099
 it

00:26:54.099 --> 00:26:54.259
 seems

00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.360
 to

00:26:54.360 --> 00:26:54.640
 all

00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:54.759
 be

00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:55.000
 found

00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:55.279
 right

00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:55.579
 here

00:26:55.579 --> 00:26:55.880
 in

00:26:55.880 --> 00:26:56.400
 the

00:26:56.400 --> 00:26:56.980
 book

00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:57.180
 of

00:26:57.180 --> 00:26:57.519
 Ruth

00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:57.759
 what

00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:57.940
 is

00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:58.700
 going

00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.279
 on

00:26:59.279 --> 00:26:59.759
 here

00:26:59.759 --> 00:27:01.200
 I

00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:01.340
 think

00:27:01.340 --> 00:27:01.480
 this

00:27:01.480 --> 00:27:01.559
 is

00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:01.720
 a

00:27:01.720 --> 00:27:02.200
 bold

00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:02.559
 plan

00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:02.680
 that

00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:02.900
 Naomi

00:27:02.900 --> 00:27:03.279
 comes

00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:03.500
 up

00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:03.819
 with

00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:04.220
 to

00:27:04.220 --> 00:27:04.779
 seek

00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:05.360
 the

00:27:05.360 --> 00:27:06.039
 highest

00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:06.759
 good

00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:07.700
 of

00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:08.000
 Ruth

00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:08.620
 this

00:27:08.620 --> 00:27:08.740
 is

00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:08.940
 a

00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:09.279
 way

00:27:09.279 --> 00:27:09.580
 you

00:27:09.580 --> 00:27:09.759
 can

00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:10.180
 go

00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:11.220
 properly

00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:12.380
 in

00:27:12.380 --> 00:27:12.840
 secret

00:27:12.840 --> 00:27:14.039
 speak

00:27:14.039 --> 00:27:14.220
 to

00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:14.900
 Boaz

00:27:14.900 --> 00:27:15.400
 let

00:27:15.400 --> 00:27:15.720
 him

00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:16.039
 know

00:27:16.039 --> 00:27:16.259
 what

00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:16.539
 you

00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:16.720
 would

00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:16.960
 like

00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:17.140
 to

00:27:17.140 --> 00:27:17.580
 see

00:27:17.580 --> 00:27:18.680
 happen

00:27:18.680 --> 00:27:19.960
 and

00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:20.100
 she

00:27:20.100 --> 00:27:20.539
 replies

00:27:20.539 --> 00:27:20.720
 in

00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:20.980
 verse

00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:21.500
 5

00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:22.240
 all

00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:22.400
 that

00:27:22.400 --> 00:27:22.519
 you

00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:22.840
 say

00:27:22.840 --> 00:27:24.480
 I

00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:24.660
 will

00:27:24.660 --> 00:27:24.920
 do

00:27:24.920 --> 00:27:26.580
 so

00:27:26.580 --> 00:27:26.700
 then

00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:26.799
 we

00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:26.940
 see

00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:27.259
 secondly

00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:27.600
 a

00:27:27.600 --> 00:27:28.080
 proposition

00:27:28.080 --> 00:27:28.400
 this

00:27:28.400 --> 00:27:28.519
 is

00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:28.740
 verses

00:27:28.740 --> 00:27:29.400
 6

00:27:29.400 --> 00:27:29.900
 through

00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:31.019
 12

00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:32.160
 so

00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:32.359
 verse

00:27:32.359 --> 00:27:32.519
 6

00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:32.680
 says

00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:32.799
 she

00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:32.960
 goes

00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:33.160
 down

00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:33.259
 to

00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:33.359
 the

00:27:33.359 --> 00:27:33.619
 threshing

00:27:33.619 --> 00:27:33.920
 floor

00:27:33.920 --> 00:27:34.079
 and

00:27:34.079 --> 00:27:34.220
 she

00:27:34.220 --> 00:27:34.400
 did

00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:34.759
 just

00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:34.900
 as

00:27:34.900 --> 00:27:35.039
 her

00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:35.519
 mother-in-law

00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:36.519
 had

00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:36.799
 commanded

00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:37.000
 her

00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:37.200
 right

00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:37.579
 Boaz

00:27:37.579 --> 00:27:38.000
 eats

00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:38.240
 and

00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:38.339
 he

00:27:38.339 --> 00:27:38.660
 drinks

00:27:38.660 --> 00:27:38.940
 his

00:27:38.940 --> 00:27:39.180
 heart

00:27:39.180 --> 00:27:39.299
 is

00:27:39.299 --> 00:27:39.639
 merry

00:27:39.639 --> 00:27:40.059
 he

00:27:40.059 --> 00:27:40.319
 goes

00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:40.480
 and

00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:40.700
 lies

00:27:40.700 --> 00:27:40.980
 down

00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:41.099
 at

00:27:41.099 --> 00:27:41.240
 the

00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:41.619
 end

00:27:41.619 --> 00:27:41.839
 of

00:27:41.839 --> 00:27:41.980
 the

00:27:41.980 --> 00:27:42.299
 heap

00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:43.039
 of

00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:43.460
 grain

00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:44.839
 he's

00:27:44.839 --> 00:27:45.339
 asleep

00:27:45.339 --> 00:27:45.619
 she

00:27:45.619 --> 00:27:45.859
 comes

00:27:45.859 --> 00:27:46.500
 softly

00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:46.960
 she

00:27:46.960 --> 00:27:47.420
 uncovers

00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:47.599
 his

00:27:47.599 --> 00:27:47.839
 feet

00:27:47.839 --> 00:27:48.279
 and

00:27:48.279 --> 00:27:48.680
 she

00:27:48.680 --> 00:27:48.920
 lays

00:27:48.920 --> 00:27:49.339
 down

00:27:49.339 --> 00:27:50.379
 and

00:27:50.379 --> 00:27:50.480
 at

00:27:50.480 --> 00:27:50.720
 midnight

00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:51.059
 the

00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:51.339
 man

00:27:51.339 --> 00:27:51.720
 was

00:27:51.720 --> 00:27:52.279
 startled

00:27:52.279 --> 00:27:52.279


00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:52.680
 I'm

00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:52.940
 assuming

00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:52.960
!

00:27:53.160 --> 00:27:53.319
 I don't

00:27:53.319 --> 00:27:54.059
 know why

00:27:54.059 --> 00:27:54.579
 for sure

00:27:54.579 --> 00:27:54.980
 but I'm

00:27:54.980 --> 00:27:55.720
 reading into

00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:55.899
 it

00:27:55.899 --> 00:27:56.179
 that

00:27:56.179 --> 00:27:56.559
 his

00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:56.720
 feet

00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:56.839
 were

00:27:56.839 --> 00:27:57.119
 cold

00:27:57.119 --> 00:27:57.879
 and

00:27:57.879 --> 00:27:58.019
 he

00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:58.939
 as

00:27:58.939 --> 00:27:59.259
 we do

00:27:59.259 --> 00:27:59.639
 sometimes

00:27:59.639 --> 00:27:59.980
 sucked

00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:00.139
 his

00:28:00.139 --> 00:28:00.279
 feet

00:28:00.279 --> 00:28:00.399
 up

00:28:00.399 --> 00:28:00.639
 underneath

00:28:00.639 --> 00:28:00.980
 his

00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:01.279
 blanket

00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:01.539
 and

00:28:01.539 --> 00:28:02.139
 startled

00:28:02.139 --> 00:28:02.319
 him

00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:02.639
 awake

00:28:02.640 --> 00:28:03.420
 and

00:28:03.420 --> 00:28:03.520
 there

00:28:03.520 --> 00:28:03.620
 was

00:28:03.620 --> 00:28:03.720
 a

00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:03.920
 woman

00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:04.520
 laying

00:28:04.520 --> 00:28:05.060
 at

00:28:05.060 --> 00:28:05.320
 his

00:28:05.320 --> 00:28:06.060
 feet

00:28:06.060 --> 00:28:06.580
 and

00:28:06.580 --> 00:28:06.740
 it's

00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:07.380
 dark

00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:07.640
 and

00:28:07.640 --> 00:28:07.759
 so

00:28:07.759 --> 00:28:07.900
 he

00:28:07.900 --> 00:28:08.080
 just

00:28:08.080 --> 00:28:08.380
 says

00:28:08.380 --> 00:28:08.820
 who

00:28:08.820 --> 00:28:09.380
 are

00:28:09.380 --> 00:28:09.720
 you

00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:11.140
 and

00:28:11.140 --> 00:28:11.280
 she

00:28:11.280 --> 00:28:11.940
 answers

00:28:11.940 --> 00:28:12.780
 I

00:28:12.780 --> 00:28:12.940
 am

00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:13.280
 Ruth

00:28:13.280 --> 00:28:13.560
 your

00:28:13.560 --> 00:28:14.080
 servant

00:28:14.080 --> 00:28:15.120
 spread

00:28:15.120 --> 00:28:15.440
 your

00:28:15.440 --> 00:28:15.940
 wings

00:28:15.940 --> 00:28:16.280
 over

00:28:16.280 --> 00:28:16.500
 your

00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:16.860
 servant

00:28:16.860 --> 00:28:17.759
 for

00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:18.100
 you

00:28:18.100 --> 00:28:19.500
 are

00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:19.660
 a

00:28:19.660 --> 00:28:20.000
 redeemer

00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:22.000
 Ruth's

00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:22.780
 response

00:28:22.780 --> 00:28:23.920
 amounts

00:28:23.920 --> 00:28:24.820
 to a

00:28:24.820 --> 00:28:25.040
 marriage

00:28:25.040 --> 00:28:25.500
 proposal

00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:26.460
 that's

00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:26.660
 what

00:28:26.660 --> 00:28:27.160
 Boaz

00:28:27.160 --> 00:28:27.300
 would

00:28:27.300 --> 00:28:27.420
 have

00:28:27.420 --> 00:28:27.740
 heard

00:28:27.740 --> 00:28:29.020
 from

00:28:29.020 --> 00:28:29.300
 her

00:28:29.300 --> 00:28:30.800
 exactly

00:28:30.800 --> 00:28:31.060
 what

00:28:31.060 --> 00:28:31.200
 she

00:28:31.200 --> 00:28:31.360
 is

00:28:31.360 --> 00:28:31.800
 suggesting

00:28:31.800 --> 00:28:32.180
 here

00:28:32.180 --> 00:28:33.740
 notice

00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:34.400
 what

00:28:34.400 --> 00:28:34.600
 she

00:28:34.600 --> 00:28:35.200
 does

00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:36.440
 so

00:28:36.440 --> 00:28:37.920
 masterfully

00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:39.240
 she

00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:39.700
 says

00:28:39.700 --> 00:28:40.120
 spread

00:28:40.120 --> 00:28:40.539
 your

00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:40.980
 wings

00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:41.380
 over

00:28:41.380 --> 00:28:41.640
 your

00:28:41.640 --> 00:28:42.019
 servant

00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:42.259
 for

00:28:42.259 --> 00:28:42.600
 you

00:28:42.600 --> 00:28:42.940
 are

00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:43.460
 a

00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:44.480
 redeemer

00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:45.799
 do

00:28:45.799 --> 00:28:45.920
 you

00:28:45.920 --> 00:28:46.299
 remember

00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:47.400
 Boaz's

00:28:47.400 --> 00:28:47.700
 blessing

00:28:47.700 --> 00:28:47.940
 from

00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:48.320
 chapter

00:28:48.320 --> 00:28:49.200
 2

00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:50.640
 reason

00:28:50.640 --> 00:28:51.000
 that I

00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:51.180
 read

00:28:51.180 --> 00:28:51.380
 it

00:28:51.380 --> 00:28:52.100
 previously

00:28:52.100 --> 00:28:52.539
 just in

00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:52.700
 case

00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:52.820
 you

00:28:52.820 --> 00:28:52.960
 weren't

00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:53.160
 paying

00:28:53.160 --> 00:28:53.560
 attention

00:28:53.560 --> 00:28:54.039
 chapter

00:28:54.039 --> 00:28:54.220
 2

00:28:54.220 --> 00:28:54.519
 verse

00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:55.660
 12

00:28:55.660 --> 00:28:56.460
 he

00:28:56.460 --> 00:28:56.680
 says

00:28:56.680 --> 00:28:56.840
 the

00:28:56.840 --> 00:28:57.200
 Lord

00:28:57.200 --> 00:28:57.620
 repay

00:28:57.620 --> 00:28:57.860
 you

00:28:57.860 --> 00:28:58.060
 for

00:28:58.060 --> 00:28:58.279
 what

00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:58.400
 you

00:28:58.400 --> 00:28:58.580
 have

00:28:58.580 --> 00:28:59.019
 done

00:28:59.019 --> 00:28:59.700
 and

00:28:59.700 --> 00:28:59.840
 a

00:28:59.840 --> 00:29:00.299
 full

00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:00.740
 reward

00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:00.920
 be

00:29:00.920 --> 00:29:01.120
 given

00:29:01.120 --> 00:29:01.320
 you

00:29:01.320 --> 00:29:01.660
 by

00:29:01.660 --> 00:29:01.900
 the

00:29:01.900 --> 00:29:02.120
 Lord

00:29:02.120 --> 00:29:02.320
 the

00:29:02.320 --> 00:29:02.620
 God

00:29:02.620 --> 00:29:02.800
 of

00:29:02.800 --> 00:29:03.259
 Israel

00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:04.080
 under

00:29:04.080 --> 00:29:04.680
 whose

00:29:04.680 --> 00:29:05.160
 wings

00:29:05.160 --> 00:29:05.360
 you

00:29:05.360 --> 00:29:05.500
 have

00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:05.960
 come

00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:06.900
 to

00:29:06.900 --> 00:29:07.160
 take

00:29:07.160 --> 00:29:07.840
 refuge

00:29:07.840 --> 00:29:09.720
 Ruth

00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:10.420
 recognizes

00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:11.200
 God's

00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:12.160
 providence

00:29:12.160 --> 00:29:13.420
 works

00:29:13.420 --> 00:29:14.120
 with

00:29:14.120 --> 00:29:14.660
 human

00:29:14.660 --> 00:29:16.259
 agency

00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:17.740
 she

00:29:17.740 --> 00:29:17.920
 is

00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:18.400
 asking

00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:18.880
 Boaz

00:29:18.880 --> 00:29:19.280
 to be

00:29:19.280 --> 00:29:19.759
 used

00:29:19.759 --> 00:29:20.120
 of

00:29:20.120 --> 00:29:20.700
 God

00:29:20.700 --> 00:29:21.500
 to

00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:22.040
 fulfill

00:29:22.040 --> 00:29:22.440
 the

00:29:22.440 --> 00:29:23.040
 very

00:29:23.040 --> 00:29:24.160
 blessing

00:29:24.160 --> 00:29:24.980
 that

00:29:24.980 --> 00:29:25.380
 Boaz

00:29:25.380 --> 00:29:25.800
 spoke

00:29:25.800 --> 00:29:26.500
 over

00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:26.780
 her

00:29:26.780 --> 00:29:27.960
 it's

00:29:27.960 --> 00:29:28.460
 really

00:29:28.460 --> 00:29:28.740
 a

00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:29.280
 beautiful

00:29:29.280 --> 00:29:29.940
 expression

00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:31.640
 love

00:29:31.640 --> 00:29:32.279
 faith

00:29:32.279 --> 00:29:33.820
 now

00:29:33.820 --> 00:29:34.120
 ladies

00:29:34.120 --> 00:29:34.539
 if

00:29:34.539 --> 00:29:35.240
 you

00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:35.580
 want

00:29:35.580 --> 00:29:35.740
 to

00:29:35.740 --> 00:29:36.000
 use

00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:36.320
 our

00:29:36.320 --> 00:29:36.680
 words

00:29:36.680 --> 00:29:37.000
 against

00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:37.460
 us

00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:39.059
 do

00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:39.160
 it

00:29:39.160 --> 00:29:39.320
 like

00:29:39.320 --> 00:29:39.740
 this

00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:40.200
 this

00:29:40.200 --> 00:29:40.360
 is a

00:29:40.360 --> 00:29:40.480
 really

00:29:40.480 --> 00:29:40.660
 good

00:29:40.660 --> 00:29:40.960
 way

00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:41.740
 to

00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:42.059
 go

00:29:42.059 --> 00:29:43.240
 about

00:29:43.240 --> 00:29:43.660
 that

00:29:43.660 --> 00:29:45.519
 let

00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:45.779
 Ruth

00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:45.980
 set

00:29:45.980 --> 00:29:46.140
 the

00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:46.420
 model

00:29:46.420 --> 00:29:47.500
 for

00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:47.759
 you

00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:49.680
 and

00:29:49.680 --> 00:29:49.820
 his

00:29:49.820 --> 00:29:50.259
 response

00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:50.460
 he

00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:50.740
 says

00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:50.960
 may

00:29:50.960 --> 00:29:51.140
 you

00:29:51.140 --> 00:29:51.360
 be

00:29:51.360 --> 00:29:51.799
 blessed

00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:52.200
 by

00:29:52.200 --> 00:29:52.380
 the

00:29:52.380 --> 00:29:52.680
 Lord

00:29:52.680 --> 00:29:53.039
 my

00:29:53.039 --> 00:29:53.360
 daughter

00:29:53.360 --> 00:29:54.340
 you

00:29:54.340 --> 00:29:54.559
 have

00:29:54.559 --> 00:29:54.900
 made

00:29:54.900 --> 00:29:55.140
 this

00:29:55.140 --> 00:29:55.740
 last

00:29:55.740 --> 00:29:56.299
 kindness

00:29:56.299 --> 00:29:56.960
 greater

00:29:56.960 --> 00:30:03.180
 than the first, and that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my

00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:09.559
 daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you

00:30:09.559 --> 00:30:17.160
 are a worthy woman. Not only does he know that it's true, but they all know that it's true,

00:30:17.160 --> 00:30:27.120
 a woman worth marrying. It is most probable that Boaz is a generation older than Ruth, which is why

00:30:27.120 --> 00:30:36.140
 he calls her his daughter. We do not know how old Ruth was, but she could have easily been married

00:30:36.140 --> 00:30:45.120
 in her teens, been Malon's wife for 10 years, and still be quite young. So Boaz really may not have

00:30:45.119 --> 00:30:53.579
 been all that old. I think I'm old enough now to say that, and also old enough to consider myself old.

00:30:54.719 --> 00:31:04.279
 But he sees, nonetheless, her proposition as a great kindness. Boaz is not a married man, and we don't

00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:11.879
 get the details why he certainly seems like a worthy man to be married. But to this date, we have no

00:31:11.880 --> 00:31:21.560
 evidence that he was married. And here, this worthy woman seeks marriage with him. He says that this is a

00:31:21.560 --> 00:31:30.360
 kindness greater than the first, which I suggest to you refers not to her laying at his feet, but to her

00:31:30.360 --> 00:31:38.400
 departure from her people and her devotion to Naomi. Remember again what he says in chapter 2,

00:31:38.400 --> 00:31:43.620
 all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told me,

00:31:43.680 --> 00:31:50.420
 and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not

00:31:50.420 --> 00:31:56.100
 know before. I think that's the first kindness. And he's saying, and now that you're here, this is

00:31:56.100 --> 00:32:02.380
 a kindness greater than that one that you would consider marrying me.

00:32:02.380 --> 00:32:10.960
 So a proposition is made. But an astute listener to my sermon on chapter 1, or just a careful student

00:32:10.960 --> 00:32:18.220
 of the Bible, will recall the commands of God for the Jewish people not to marry foreigners. So what is

00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:27.740
 happening here? Is Boaz breaking God's law if he marries Ruth? It seems that Boaz is concerned about

00:32:27.740 --> 00:32:33.900
 God's law, so I venture to say no, it's not what's going on. But the people of Israel have been

00:32:33.900 --> 00:32:42.380
 commanded not to intermarry with foreigners, but not for ethnic purity, as some have made the case,

00:32:42.380 --> 00:32:50.880
 but rather because of the potential for idolatry. You can read in Deuteronomy chapter 7, verse 2 and

00:32:50.880 --> 00:32:55.660
 following there, God commands, you shall make no covenant with them and show no mercy to them.

00:32:55.660 --> 00:32:59.840
 You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters

00:32:59.840 --> 00:33:08.960
 for your sons, for they would turn away your sons from following me to serve other gods. Then the

00:33:08.960 --> 00:33:14.540
 anger of the Lord would be kindled against you and he would destroy you quickly. So a command given for

00:33:14.540 --> 00:33:22.940
 the sake of mercy, right, that your sons wouldn't turn away from worshiping me because then my wrath

00:33:22.940 --> 00:33:33.320
 would be due you. So Ruth, while a Moabite ethnically, was no longer an idolater, but a worshiper of the

00:33:33.320 --> 00:33:41.380
 one true and loving God. We saw that in chapter 1. I think this is why Boaz is able to entertain the

00:33:41.380 --> 00:33:51.880
 idea of marrying her. There is, however, another obstacle that stands in the way of their marital bliss.

00:33:52.940 --> 00:34:01.160
 Verse 12 says, and now it is true that I am a redeemer, yet there is a redeemer nearer than I.

00:34:01.920 --> 00:34:07.360
 So again, Boaz, as a man of upstanding character, cares about God's law and he says,

00:34:07.359 --> 00:34:14.960
 I'd like to do this thing that you've asked me to do, but we must take care of this matter first.

00:34:16.079 --> 00:34:18.440
 So he makes a promise. This is the third point.

00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:27.440
 Remain tonight, this is verse 13, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good, let him do it.

00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:34.679
 And I just love that Boaz sees that as proper and right. If we follow God's law, things will turn out

00:34:34.679 --> 00:34:42.000
 the way they are supposed to turn out, right? He understands God's providence. But he goes on,

00:34:42.019 --> 00:34:49.199
 if he is not willing to redeem you, then as the Lord lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the

00:34:49.199 --> 00:34:58.879
 morning, right? Boaz's devotion is firstly to God and God's law. So he's obligated to obey it. But Boaz's

00:34:58.880 --> 00:35:07.260
 promise to Ruth is that one way or another, you will be redeemed. He's going to go do the leg work to be

00:35:07.260 --> 00:35:14.360
 sure that this happens on her behalf. So she lays at his feet till the morning, verse 14 says, but she

00:35:14.360 --> 00:35:20.539
 arises before one could recognize another. So it's still dark. It's early, early. It's still dark.

00:35:20.539 --> 00:35:27.259
 And he said, let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor. And I take this last

00:35:27.259 --> 00:35:34.000
 phrase as a command to his servants that this unrecognized woman is not to be spoken of. He

00:35:34.000 --> 00:35:40.300
 protects her reputation and his, right? Nothing improper has happened, but he wants to be sure

00:35:40.300 --> 00:35:48.279
 that no one is harmed in the process. The threshing floor could be a place of impropriety. Husbands were

00:35:48.280 --> 00:35:56.000
 away from home for the night. Listen to a judgment uttered against Israel in Hosea chapter 9 and

00:35:56.000 --> 00:36:04.760
 verse 1. This is Hosea 9 verse 1. Rejoice not, O Israel. Exult not like the peoples, for you have

00:36:04.760 --> 00:36:13.760
 played the whore forsaking your God. You have loved a prostitute's wages on all threshing floors. And so

00:36:13.760 --> 00:36:21.280
 it would seem this was a practice and a thing that happened, but not so with Boaz and Ruth. And he

00:36:21.280 --> 00:36:29.260
 wants to be sure that no rumors spread, right? Once again, protecting, caring for her, even though

00:36:29.260 --> 00:36:38.440
 she's not recognized. He is then once again generous toward Ruth and Naomi. Perhaps it's been suggested

00:36:38.440 --> 00:36:47.559
 as a pledge of his promise. We don't know how much six measures of barley are. There's no specific

00:36:47.559 --> 00:36:53.559
 measure being given to us there, but it seems to be a lot. She's had spread out her garment. It's a,

00:36:54.039 --> 00:37:01.340
 it's that cloak more than likely, and it's being filled full. And she's taking it back to Naomi

00:37:01.340 --> 00:37:09.780
 because he says, you must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law. And then Naomi gives her this

00:37:09.780 --> 00:37:19.079
 final instruction. But we'll settle the matter today. So the narrator leaves us cliffhanger at the end of

00:37:19.079 --> 00:37:29.039
 chapter 3, right? Tune in next time when Boaz, the Redeemer, the stage is set for chapter 4.

00:37:29.039 --> 00:37:39.199
 What will happen with Ruth and Boaz and, therefore, Naomi? Now, you likely know the story. It's so

00:37:39.199 --> 00:37:46.519
 much better than any of them could possibly imagine at this point in the narration. You can just read

00:37:46.519 --> 00:37:51.659
 ahead if you would like to. But I do hope you'll look forward to studying its conclusion with me

00:37:51.659 --> 00:37:58.880
 next Lord's Day. And I do hope that between now and then you're resting in the completed work.

00:37:59.039 --> 00:38:00.800
 of Christ. Let's pray.