WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.359 Ruth chapter 2. Now Naomi had a relative of her husband's, a worthy man of the clan of Elimenak, whose name was Boaz. 00:00:09.859 --> 00:00:20.240 And Ruth, the Moabite, said to Naomi, Let me go to the field and glean among the eaves of grain, after him in whose sight I shall find favor. 00:00:20.800 --> 00:00:27.780 And she said to her, Go, my daughter. So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, 00:00:27.780 --> 00:00:33.820 and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimenak. 00:00:34.660 --> 00:00:40.660 And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and he said to the reapers, The Lord be with you. 00:00:41.020 --> 00:00:47.100 And they answered, The Lord bless you. Then Boaz said to his young man, who was in charge of the reapers, 00:00:47.780 --> 00:00:52.420 Whose young woman is this? And the servant, who was in charge of the reapers, answered, 00:00:52.420 --> 00:00:57.940 She is a young Moabite woman, who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. 00:00:58.520 --> 00:01:02.420 She said, Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves after the reapers. 00:01:03.140 --> 00:01:08.400 So she came, and she has continued from early morning until now, except for a short rest. 00:01:09.439 --> 00:01:12.500 Then Boaz said to Ruth, Now listen, my daughter. 00:01:12.500 --> 00:01:18.980 Do not go to glean in another field, or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. 00:01:19.680 --> 00:01:23.540 Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. 00:01:24.140 --> 00:01:26.460 Have I charged the young man not to touch you? 00:01:27.079 --> 00:01:31.260 And when you are thirsty, go to the vessel and drink what the young men have drawn. 00:01:32.120 --> 00:01:35.700 Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, 00:01:35.700 --> 00:01:41.320 Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner? 00:01:42.200 --> 00:01:43.659 But Boaz answered her, 00:01:44.100 --> 00:01:48.960 All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, 00:01:49.480 --> 00:01:55.439 and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. 00:01:56.500 --> 00:02:02.480 The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given by the Lord, the God of Israel, 00:02:02.480 --> 00:02:05.980 under whose wings you have come to take refuge. 00:02:06.880 --> 00:02:07.800 Then she said, 00:02:08.020 --> 00:02:12.879 I have found favor in your eyes, my Lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, 00:02:13.520 --> 00:02:15.120 though I am not one of your servants. 00:02:16.140 --> 00:02:18.659 And at mealtime, Boaz said to her, 00:02:19.120 --> 00:02:21.960 Come here and eat some bread, and dip your morsel in the wine. 00:02:22.680 --> 00:02:26.480 So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed to her roasted grain. 00:02:27.120 --> 00:02:30.599 And she ate until she was satisfied, and she had some left over. 00:02:30.599 --> 00:02:34.939 When she rose to glean, Boaz instructed his young man, saying, 00:02:35.699 --> 00:02:38.780 Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. 00:02:39.439 --> 00:02:44.359 And also pull out some from the bundles for her, and leave it for her to glean, and do not rebuke her. 00:02:45.240 --> 00:02:47.139 So she gleaned in the field until evening. 00:02:47.780 --> 00:02:51.840 Then she beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley. 00:02:52.379 --> 00:02:54.439 And she took it up and went into the city. 00:02:55.479 --> 00:02:57.519 Her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. 00:02:57.520 --> 00:03:01.980 And she also brought out and gave her what food she had left over after being satisfied. 00:03:03.140 --> 00:03:04.540 And her mother-in-law said to her, 00:03:05.140 --> 00:03:07.580 Where did you glean today, and where have you worked? 00:03:08.340 --> 00:03:11.420 Beside, oh, sorry, blessed be the man who took notice of you. 00:03:12.280 --> 00:03:17.200 So she took her mother-in-law, she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, and said, 00:03:17.900 --> 00:03:20.520 The man's name with whom I worked today is Boaz. 00:03:20.520 --> 00:03:28.800 And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead. 00:03:29.800 --> 00:03:34.480 Naomi said to her, The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers. 00:03:34.479 --> 00:03:43.459 And Ruth the Moabite said, Besides, he said to me, You shall keep close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest. 00:03:44.379 --> 00:03:50.560 And Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, 00:03:51.120 --> 00:03:52.939 Least in another field you be assaulted. 00:03:52.939 --> 00:04:00.539 So she kept close to the young women of Boaz, gleaning until the end of the barley and wheat harvest. 00:04:01.180 --> 00:04:02.800 And she lived with her mother-in-law. 00:04:03.180 --> 00:04:04.199 This is the word of the Lord. 00:04:06.759 --> 00:04:07.740 Thanks so much, Margot. 00:04:09.520 --> 00:04:10.180 Good morning. 00:04:11.060 --> 00:04:11.840 My name is Oscar. 00:04:12.180 --> 00:04:13.759 If you don't know me, hi, Christine. 00:04:13.840 --> 00:04:14.120 Good morning. 00:04:16.079 --> 00:04:17.240 I'm very excited today. 00:04:17.339 --> 00:04:20.339 Again, I have the privilege of delivering God's word. 00:04:20.339 --> 00:04:24.219 Lord, please join me in praying as we consider God's word today. 00:04:25.879 --> 00:04:28.719 Father, we humbly come before you, all of us here in this room. 00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:33.919 And we ask that, Spirit, you speak to us through your word. 00:04:34.879 --> 00:04:37.519 Your word is incredibly powerful. 00:04:37.719 --> 00:04:41.120 It's alive and active and cuts through our hearts. 00:04:42.599 --> 00:04:47.059 I pray, God, as we dive into your word today, help me to speak clearly, 00:04:47.060 --> 00:04:51.860 articulate your words and your message, and help all of us here, God, as we listen, 00:04:52.439 --> 00:04:55.319 not just with our ears, but with our hearts. 00:04:56.240 --> 00:05:01.160 May we be impacted by the words on this page, this chapter 2. 00:05:01.959 --> 00:05:07.500 May we be impacted, Lord, and see your wonderful kindness that you desire to bestow upon us 00:05:07.500 --> 00:05:09.019 if we run to you. 00:05:10.279 --> 00:05:12.699 So we give this time to you in the name of Jesus. 00:05:13.600 --> 00:05:13.819 Amen. 00:05:13.819 --> 00:05:13.959 Amen. 00:05:13.959 --> 00:05:22.719 Have you ever experienced a random act of kindness from a stranger? 00:05:23.699 --> 00:05:29.240 Maybe not here in Hong Kong, this ruthless sometimes and challenging city. 00:05:30.139 --> 00:05:32.879 From a close friend or a family member? 00:05:33.039 --> 00:05:33.779 Sure, of course. 00:05:34.079 --> 00:05:35.219 They love us, right? 00:05:35.220 --> 00:05:43.920 But when we do receive a random act of kindness from a stranger, it really does lift your heart, doesn't it? 00:05:44.220 --> 00:05:50.520 In this world with so much anger and war, it really does almost restore your faith in humanity. 00:05:50.519 --> 00:05:58.680 And how often do we actually recognize God's kindness to us? 00:05:59.259 --> 00:06:01.620 For both the big and the small. 00:06:02.379 --> 00:06:06.799 For both our daily bread and also for the cross. 00:06:06.800 --> 00:06:08.520 For both our daily bread and also for the cross. 00:06:08.520 --> 00:06:21.100 I think that if we truly understood the kindness of God to us, in spite of who we are, in spite of our brokenness, in spite of what we've done, 00:06:21.220 --> 00:06:24.240 I think it would change our lives. 00:06:24.240 --> 00:06:40.060 In spite of our daily bread and the Lord with us, in spite of our daily bread and the Lord with us, in spite of our daily bread and the Lord with us. 00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:48.519 In spite of being a foreigner and in spite of being a widow, a stranger in that land, Boaz went out of his way to shower kindness on Ruth. 00:06:48.519 --> 00:06:53.319 Ruth, it's a picture of God's heart for us. 00:06:55.319 --> 00:06:57.079 Last week, just a quick recap. 00:06:57.219 --> 00:07:00.299 If you weren't here, we have started this sermon series on Ruth. 00:07:01.299 --> 00:07:03.159 And last week we did chapter one. 00:07:04.180 --> 00:07:08.099 And we learned that Ruth was set in a time of the judges. 00:07:08.839 --> 00:07:10.259 Where Israel had no king. 00:07:10.759 --> 00:07:13.699 And everyone did what was right in his own eyes. 00:07:14.639 --> 00:07:18.439 Crime and lawlessness was rampant in Israel. 00:07:18.519 --> 00:07:23.180 And as a result, God's judgment fell on Israel. 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:25.839 And God caused a famine in that land. 00:07:27.000 --> 00:07:34.859 And with that background, we met Elimelech and his wife Naomi, their two sons, Malon and Chilion. 00:07:35.639 --> 00:07:45.099 And Elimelech decides to take his family out of Bethlehem, their hometown, to a foreign land, a neighboring land called Moab, to try to find food. 00:07:45.100 --> 00:07:50.460 But Moab was a place of paganism. 00:07:51.020 --> 00:07:53.540 And Moab was an enemy of Israel. 00:07:53.700 --> 00:07:55.439 It was a hostile place. 00:07:55.439 --> 00:08:00.040 And there in Moab, tragedy strikes. 00:08:00.480 --> 00:08:03.980 We don't know why or how, but suddenly Elimelech dies. 00:08:05.399 --> 00:08:10.579 And then Naomi's two sons, they marry a foreign Moabite woman, two locals. 00:08:11.379 --> 00:08:15.240 But after 10 years, Naomi's sons both die as well. 00:08:15.240 --> 00:08:18.379 So Naomi loses everything. 00:08:19.600 --> 00:08:22.019 But God provided a glimmer of hope. 00:08:22.660 --> 00:08:24.680 God brought food back to Bethlehem. 00:08:24.939 --> 00:08:28.600 And God brought Ruth to Naomi. 00:08:28.600 --> 00:08:39.560 And in Ruth chapter 1, verse 16, we read that wonderful statement of commitment, faithfulness, and loyalty. 00:08:39.879 --> 00:08:43.800 As Ruth says to Naomi, don't urge me to leave you. 00:08:44.320 --> 00:08:45.360 Where you go, I will go. 00:08:45.460 --> 00:08:47.659 And where you lodge, I will lodge. 00:08:47.980 --> 00:08:49.759 Your people will be my people. 00:08:49.940 --> 00:08:52.220 And your God, my God. 00:08:52.759 --> 00:08:55.779 And where you die, there will I be buried. 00:08:55.779 --> 00:09:04.220 And so Naomi, along with her daughter-in-law, Ruth, this most unlikely of pairing, this unlikely couple, 00:09:04.600 --> 00:09:07.120 they journeyed to Bethlehem in search of food. 00:09:07.120 --> 00:09:13.279 And it just so happened that they arrived in Bethlehem in the early spring, just at the right time. 00:09:15.139 --> 00:09:20.299 And so today, as we dive into this chapter, chapter 2, we will see how God displayed, 00:09:21.439 --> 00:09:25.679 we'll see how Ruth's great faith led her into the dangerous field. 00:09:25.779 --> 00:09:31.199 And we'll see that God led her right into the hands of this kind and godly man, Boaz, 00:09:31.360 --> 00:09:34.919 who showered her with great favor and kindness. 00:09:35.879 --> 00:09:38.679 And so we'll look at chapter 2 in four parts. 00:09:40.179 --> 00:09:46.799 Providential kindness, tangible kindness, finding refuge, and a hint of more. 00:09:47.220 --> 00:09:47.980 Don't tell Kevin. 00:09:48.159 --> 00:09:50.179 He tells you that every good sermon should have three parts. 00:09:50.179 --> 00:09:52.379 But, you know, he's not here, so we're going to have four today. 00:09:52.519 --> 00:09:52.659 Okay? 00:09:52.739 --> 00:09:53.459 Four parts today. 00:09:53.739 --> 00:09:53.959 All right? 00:09:55.000 --> 00:09:55.859 Let's try to stick with me. 00:09:57.139 --> 00:10:00.139 So chapter 2 starts off with an introduction to Boaz. 00:10:00.359 --> 00:10:05.899 We learn that he is a worthy man, a relative of Naomi's deceased husband, Elimelech. 00:10:07.379 --> 00:10:12.039 Naomi, meanwhile, she's returned to Bethlehem with Ruth by her side. 00:10:12.039 --> 00:10:20.120 And one day, Ruth decides to go glean in the fields because, well, she and Naomi had no food. 00:10:20.459 --> 00:10:21.139 They were hungry. 00:10:21.259 --> 00:10:22.099 They needed to eat. 00:10:23.139 --> 00:10:29.639 Now, in God's law, God instructed farmers not to farm to the edge of the field. 00:10:29.959 --> 00:10:30.699 Leave that aside. 00:10:30.700 --> 00:10:37.100 And also, if grain fell to the ground during harvesting, not to pick up those grains. 00:10:37.500 --> 00:10:38.580 Leave them there. 00:10:39.080 --> 00:10:45.000 Those were for people that could not care for themselves, that did not own land. 00:10:46.200 --> 00:10:50.040 Those were for the poor, the foreigners in Israel. 00:10:50.180 --> 00:10:51.879 Those were for widows and orphans. 00:10:51.879 --> 00:11:04.779 And in this way, God showed his kindness towards people because God's heart is always to show kindness to people through his people. 00:11:06.379 --> 00:11:11.220 But this was a time in Israel where everyone did what was right in his own eyes. 00:11:12.679 --> 00:11:14.840 Crime was rampant in Israel. 00:11:14.840 --> 00:11:23.180 And as a Moabite foreigner and as a woman and a widow, Ruth was a prime target for abuse in those fields. 00:11:23.840 --> 00:11:27.759 And so, it was dangerous for her to go into the fields. 00:11:28.100 --> 00:11:32.120 And in her own words, she needed to find favor from a landowner. 00:11:32.399 --> 00:11:37.120 Or, in other words, she needed protection from a sponsor in order to safely glean. 00:11:38.320 --> 00:11:41.180 And in verse 3, I think it will be up there. 00:11:41.179 --> 00:11:49.379 Amazingly, we read that she, Ruth, happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech. 00:11:49.899 --> 00:11:52.479 And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem. 00:11:53.379 --> 00:12:00.399 I love this phrase that she happened to come to Boaz's field as if it was just totally random chance. 00:12:00.479 --> 00:12:10.379 That of all the fields she could have stumbled upon in Bethlehem or outside Bethlehem, she happened to stumble upon Boaz's fields. 00:12:11.179 --> 00:12:15.519 And exactly at the time when Boaz returned from the city. 00:12:16.639 --> 00:12:17.500 What are the odds? 00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:32.659 As we walk through Ruth chapter 2 and throughout this book, we'll see that there isn't even one instance of God speaking or causing things to happen in a very tangible or obvious way. 00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:41.480 God didn't speak audibly to Naomi, to Ruth, or to Boaz like he did in other parts of the Old Testament, to Abraham or to Moses. 00:12:42.120 --> 00:12:45.600 There weren't any obvious miracles or a burning bush. 00:12:46.360 --> 00:12:52.899 And yet, God was very much still at work, guiding the steps of Ruth. 00:12:52.899 --> 00:13:01.159 Of all the bodily fields outside Bethlehem, God led Ruth right to Boaz's field at the exact time that he showed up. 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:05.500 Now, of course, Ruth wasn't passive. 00:13:06.199 --> 00:13:10.279 As we discussed last week, Ruth is someone with incredible faith. 00:13:10.639 --> 00:13:21.319 And her faith led her to action, to go into the fields in spite of the risks and danger, to honor the promise that she made to her mother-in-law, Naomi. 00:13:21.320 --> 00:13:23.879 But Ruth was never alone. 00:13:24.680 --> 00:13:30.680 God was there, directing her steps, guiding her way, and leading her right to Boaz. 00:13:33.020 --> 00:13:34.860 Proverbs 16, 9. 00:13:35.440 --> 00:13:36.640 I love this verse. 00:13:37.720 --> 00:13:39.200 In many ways, it's a verse that I live by. 00:13:39.760 --> 00:13:44.400 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. 00:13:44.399 --> 00:13:54.340 It is wonderful when God does speak to us in a clear, audible voice, through a word of knowledge or through a dream or a vision. 00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:55.620 And he does do that. 00:13:56.079 --> 00:13:59.379 But oftentimes, God doesn't speak to us that clearly. 00:13:59.379 --> 00:14:13.480 And yet, his spirit is at work in the ordinary day-to-day parts of life, directing our steps, guiding our words, opening doors, and closing doors. 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:22.200 Our challenge, perhaps, is that maybe we don't really believe that God cares about the small day-to-day things. 00:14:22.779 --> 00:14:24.120 Big things, yes. 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:30.560 When a family member is very sick or we lose our job, we'll ask for prayer. 00:14:31.139 --> 00:14:37.360 But in the small things, in the day-to-day, we don't think God really has time for that. 00:14:37.420 --> 00:14:39.820 He's too busy doing other things. 00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:42.240 That is not true at all. 00:14:42.240 --> 00:14:48.539 In Ruth, we see that God in his kindness cares about even the mundane small things of life. 00:14:49.639 --> 00:15:03.039 And like Ruth, our role is to press on, to be faithful, to trust God, to love like Ruth loved Naomi, which oftentimes means taking action. 00:15:03.340 --> 00:15:06.600 Because real faith always leads to action. 00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:15.220 But the beautiful part is that even when we step out in faith and honor God and love people, we're never alone. 00:15:16.220 --> 00:15:21.899 Our God is always there, behind the scenes, intervening on our behalf. 00:15:22.580 --> 00:15:28.139 If we stop and reflect, we will see his providential kindness to us. 00:15:28.139 --> 00:15:33.960 And sometimes God brings people into our lives to show us his kindness. 00:15:34.600 --> 00:15:37.100 For Naomi, that was Ruth. 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:41.699 And for Ruth, that person was Boaz. 00:15:41.700 --> 00:15:45.860 Going back to verse 1 of this chapter. 00:15:46.920 --> 00:15:52.740 Now, Naomi had a relative of her husband's, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. 00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:57.680 So he's a relative of Naomi's deceased husband from the same clan. 00:15:57.679 --> 00:16:04.079 In Israel, there were 12 tribes of Israel, the sons of Jacob. 00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:07.139 And then below that, there were the clans. 00:16:07.239 --> 00:16:08.559 And below that were the families. 00:16:08.899 --> 00:16:12.539 So Elimelech and Boaz were from the same clan. 00:16:14.239 --> 00:16:19.319 And verse 1 tells us that he is a worthy man or a man of standing. 00:16:20.139 --> 00:16:23.059 He was a landowner, so Boaz was a wealthy man. 00:16:23.059 --> 00:16:28.959 But if you look at the Hebrew translation of a worthy man, it's not just that he was wealthy. 00:16:29.419 --> 00:16:34.039 He also was a man who had character and integrity. 00:16:34.779 --> 00:16:37.899 He was a man that loved and feared God. 00:16:38.979 --> 00:16:43.119 And it was through Boaz that God showed remarkable kindness to Ruth. 00:16:43.739 --> 00:16:48.199 In verse 5, Boaz notices her in the barley fields. 00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:56.440 And when he realizes who she is, this Moabite widow and the daughter-in-law of Naomi, he showers her with kindness. 00:16:57.420 --> 00:16:59.640 And we see that in three main ways. 00:17:01.180 --> 00:17:06.240 First, as we discussed, Ruth needed protection. 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:07.440 He protects Ruth. 00:17:08.340 --> 00:17:13.600 As we discussed, Ruth needed someone to protect her as she gathered food for herself and Naomi. 00:17:13.599 --> 00:17:20.359 And Boaz offered that protection, not just for one day, but for the entire harvest season. 00:17:22.419 --> 00:17:26.599 And second, Boaz accepted Ruth. 00:17:27.659 --> 00:17:31.519 Boaz didn't just tell Ruth, hey, come and glean in my fields. 00:17:31.719 --> 00:17:33.259 My people will take care of you. 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:35.699 And I'm going to take a hike and go play golf. 00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:36.959 You're on your own. 00:17:37.379 --> 00:17:37.759 No. 00:17:38.299 --> 00:17:39.919 He takes one step further. 00:17:39.919 --> 00:17:42.339 He invites Ruth to the midday meal. 00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:46.319 Maybe you invite people into your home. 00:17:46.500 --> 00:17:55.279 When you invite someone to dine with you at your table, you project a sense of belonging and acceptance and inclusion. 00:17:56.459 --> 00:18:02.799 I would imagine Boaz would often dine with other landowners, people perhaps of the same class as him. 00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:06.779 Or maybe with customers he would want to sell his grain to. 00:18:06.779 --> 00:18:14.539 But he invites Ruth, a Moabite foreign widow, into his home, into his table to dine with him. 00:18:15.819 --> 00:18:22.559 And third, abundant sustenance, which is just a fancy way of saying he gave her a lot more food. 00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:28.500 As we just saw at the midday meal, Ruth ate at the boss's table. 00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:34.279 Verse 14 tells us that she ate all she wanted and had some left over. 00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:48.559 But then, on top of that, after the meal in verses 15 and 16, Boaz tells his men to pull some stalks of barley from the bundles and leave them on the ground for Ruth to pick up. 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:55.599 It doesn't just allow Ruth to glean in the sort of traditional sense according to the letter of the law. 00:18:56.440 --> 00:19:01.299 Boaz works behind the scenes to give her abundantly more than she expected. 00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:16.819 And at the end of that first day, in verse 17, we read that Ruth gleaned about an epa of barley, which is roughly 10 to 15 times more than one person's portion for one day. 00:19:18.079 --> 00:19:20.740 And God didn't just bless Ruth for one day. 00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:27.799 Through Boaz's favor and protection, she was able to safely glean for an entire season. 00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:32.240 For both the barley and the wheat harvest, which was about seven weeks. 00:19:32.839 --> 00:19:37.940 And therefore, at the end of that time, she had about eight months worth of food. 00:19:38.519 --> 00:19:40.559 What favor and blessing. 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:43.240 What undeserved favor and blessing. 00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:48.180 And this is a picture of God's heart for us. 00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:51.440 God's desire is to protect us. 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:57.519 His desire is to welcome and accept us into his family. 00:19:58.160 --> 00:20:01.120 And his desire is to abundantly sustain us. 00:20:01.559 --> 00:20:04.360 To give us more than we deserve or even desire. 00:20:05.940 --> 00:20:08.799 God does provide for our material needs. 00:20:09.380 --> 00:20:11.420 He gives us our daily bread. 00:20:11.860 --> 00:20:15.080 He knows what we need even before we ask him. 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:17.160 Matthew 6, 8. 00:20:17.160 --> 00:20:27.380 The challenge, I think, for us, perhaps, is that in our consumption-driven culture, we want more. 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:36.400 Or we only think of God's blessing as something material, like money or a job or even a relationship. 00:20:37.080 --> 00:20:43.980 Or maybe we think we're entitled to something material because of all the hard work or effort we've put in. 00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:50.339 But God has given us so much more than just material things. 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:56.759 He's given us his Bible, his word, which speaks to the very inner workings of our heart. 00:20:57.400 --> 00:21:06.500 God has given us his Holy Spirit, which even in times of tragedy and loss, we can still experience joy and peace. 00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:14.740 He's given us this wonderful, beautiful church community, a picture of heaven, you guys all are. 00:21:15.700 --> 00:21:27.519 And most beautifully, above all, of course, God the Father has given us his only son, Jesus, where one day we can experience his eternal kindness in heaven. 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:40.519 And as followers of Jesus, as we receive his kindness for us, God calls us to also be agents of his kindness to our circles of influence. 00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:54.700 Just like God showed kindness to people through the landowners, just how God showed kindness to Naomi through Ruth, how he showed kindness to Ruth through Boaz. 00:21:54.819 --> 00:22:05.619 God calls us as well to show kindness as we've received it to our neighbors, our colleagues, our friends, our family members, and to strangers, to all people. 00:22:05.619 --> 00:22:12.279 Now going back to Ruth, let's now look at verse 10. 00:22:12.979 --> 00:22:15.199 I love this response of Ruth here. 00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:20.819 Ruth, in response to the favor she receives, asks Boaz, 00:22:21.579 --> 00:22:27.099 Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I'm a foreigner? 00:22:28.239 --> 00:22:31.500 Was it because Boaz was attracted to Ruth? 00:22:31.879 --> 00:22:33.259 He had some ulterior motive. 00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:36.400 He wanted to win her over, so to speak. 00:22:37.900 --> 00:22:38.759 Well, I don't think so. 00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:46.140 Nowhere in the entire book of Ruth does it say explicitly that Ruth was outwardly beautiful or attractive. 00:22:48.119 --> 00:22:48.900 It's true. 00:22:49.079 --> 00:22:54.259 But make no mistake, the Bible is quite liberal with its compliments of a person's attractiveness. 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:55.119 Right? 00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:57.859 Esther, Sarah, Rebecca. 00:22:59.160 --> 00:23:01.940 They're pretty, they're pretty, let's not go there. 00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:04.879 Oh, men as well. 00:23:04.940 --> 00:23:06.819 Daniel, he was a stud, right? 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:08.660 David was ruggedly handsome. 00:23:09.599 --> 00:23:10.980 Many other men as well. 00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:13.000 But not Ruth. 00:23:14.879 --> 00:23:21.359 In fact, if you're Boaz, a God-fearing man who followed the Jewish law, 00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:27.660 you were told from a young age to marry an Israelite woman, not a Moabite widow. 00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:32.880 So why did Ruth find favor in the eyes of Boaz? 00:23:33.920 --> 00:23:39.460 It was because Ruth sought refuge in the God of Israel. 00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:44.320 Because Ruth sought refuge in the God of Israel. 00:23:45.340 --> 00:23:47.620 Boaz tells her in verses 11 and 12, 00:23:47.619 --> 00:24:04.559 As Ruth was, as she gleaned in Boaz's field, 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:08.220 full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, 00:24:08.339 --> 00:24:12.019 under whose wings you have come to take refuge. 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:16.579 As Ruth was, as she gleaned in Boaz's field, 00:24:16.859 --> 00:24:19.879 she thought that she was coming under the protection of Boaz. 00:24:20.379 --> 00:24:24.500 She was actually coming under the protection of God, 00:24:25.460 --> 00:24:27.179 under the wings of God. 00:24:27.180 --> 00:24:34.860 The image of taking shelter under wings is sort of like picture a hen 00:24:34.860 --> 00:24:37.019 in the midst of a storm or in danger. 00:24:37.580 --> 00:24:39.980 A hen opens up her wings and grabs her chicks 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:42.320 and puts them under her wings to protect them. 00:24:43.460 --> 00:24:46.519 For Ruth, after losing her husband and with no son, 00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:48.100 she had no one to protect her. 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:54.480 She could have stayed in Moab and perhaps had a comfortable life, 00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:56.819 but by faith she believed that Naomi's God, 00:24:57.180 --> 00:25:01.299 the God of Israel, the true God, would be her protector. 00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:05.059 She believed God would be her refuge in her storm. 00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:10.839 But there were conditions to this protection. 00:25:11.620 --> 00:25:14.120 She had to stay in Boaz's field. 00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:17.940 She had to remain close to Boaz's harvesters 00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:20.420 in order to stay safe for an entire season. 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:23.319 It was a lawless time in Israel. 00:25:23.319 --> 00:25:27.299 In another landowner's field, Ruth would be in grave danger. 00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:32.859 And look at Ruth's response to Boaz's favor. 00:25:33.720 --> 00:25:36.619 She bows low to the ground in verse 10, 00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:41.519 showing such deep humility and also great appreciation 00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:45.019 for this unmerited and undeserved favor. 00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:47.039 She knows she hasn't earned it. 00:25:47.659 --> 00:25:49.519 She doesn't feel entitled to it. 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:52.099 Ruth, she says in verse 13, 00:25:52.619 --> 00:26:02.759 Ruth knows her place. 00:26:03.319 --> 00:26:04.480 I'm just a foreigner. 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:05.980 I'm a nobody. 00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:09.160 I actually bring nothing to this table. 00:26:09.160 --> 00:26:11.519 I'm a widow. 00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:14.900 Someone unworthy of even being called a servant girl. 00:26:15.420 --> 00:26:18.759 Someone who's broken and in desperate need 00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:21.640 of unmerited favor and grace. 00:26:21.640 --> 00:26:26.740 And like Ruth, in front of the sovereign God, 00:26:27.180 --> 00:26:28.560 we're just like that. 00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:33.440 There is nothing that we can offer God that he needs. 00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:38.680 And yet, God invites us to eat with him at his table, 00:26:39.020 --> 00:26:41.040 to come into his family. 00:26:41.360 --> 00:26:44.100 He desires that in the midst of our brokenness and pain, 00:26:44.100 --> 00:26:47.620 in the midst of all that we've done in our life 00:26:47.619 --> 00:26:48.879 that we are not proud of. 00:26:50.619 --> 00:26:54.799 God beckons us to take refuge under his wings. 00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:56.979 So let's be like Ruth. 00:26:57.319 --> 00:26:59.139 In difficult times, in tragic times, 00:26:59.419 --> 00:27:01.819 run to God and take refuge under his wings. 00:27:02.439 --> 00:27:05.799 He desires to protect you and shower you with his favor. 00:27:06.459 --> 00:27:07.639 Stay close to God. 00:27:08.419 --> 00:27:09.879 Stay close to God's people. 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:12.099 Stay close to God's heart. 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:13.399 How? 00:27:13.400 --> 00:27:15.240 Now, of course, stay in community, 00:27:15.680 --> 00:27:16.900 but get in God's word. 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:20.220 Pray unceasingly. 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:21.960 Repent. 00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:26.780 Give up that which you are prioritizing more than God. 00:27:28.320 --> 00:27:32.519 And if you are not a follower yet of Jesus this morning, 00:27:32.920 --> 00:27:33.680 know this. 00:27:34.320 --> 00:27:37.900 God invites you to take refuge in him today. 00:27:38.640 --> 00:27:41.900 To do that, you don't have to fix yourself. 00:27:41.900 --> 00:27:47.420 You simply need to admit that, like Ruth, you're broken, 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:49.640 and you need Jesus. 00:27:50.220 --> 00:27:52.280 For it is through Jesus and him alone 00:27:52.280 --> 00:27:56.600 that we experience this kindness and favor of God. 00:27:57.580 --> 00:28:00.259 We experience it through looking at his life, 00:28:00.620 --> 00:28:01.780 looking at his words, 00:28:02.180 --> 00:28:03.519 and, of course, most importantly, 00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:06.720 through his death and resurrection on the cross. 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:10.819 For when we take refuge in the God of the Bible, 00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:13.579 he showers us with his kindness. 00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:16.420 And finally, 00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:18.740 a hint of more. 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.319 And for Ruth, 00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:23.400 there was more to God's kindness 00:28:23.400 --> 00:28:25.680 than just barley and wheat. 00:28:26.920 --> 00:28:27.839 In verse 18, 00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:29.640 Ruth returns to Naomi. 00:28:29.880 --> 00:28:32.000 You can imagine Naomi sitting there all day, 00:28:32.440 --> 00:28:32.799 restless, 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:36.259 wondering how did Ruth make out in those fields. 00:28:36.879 --> 00:28:38.480 Did she find any success? 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:42.200 She then sees Ruth coming to the door 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:44.680 with this massive bounty of barley, 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:46.159 and her jaw just drops. 00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:47.119 Wow, what happened? 00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:49.720 That's an amazing amount of grain. 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:52.259 Naomi immediately asks Ruth, 00:28:52.339 --> 00:28:52.940 where she's been, 00:28:53.079 --> 00:28:56.339 and in whose field did she find favor and find work? 00:28:56.339 --> 00:28:58.419 And Ruth tells her, 00:28:59.379 --> 00:29:01.500 I worked in Boaz's field today. 00:29:02.819 --> 00:29:04.019 Naomi was shocked. 00:29:05.159 --> 00:29:06.119 Look at her response. 00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:08.799 The combination of a blessing on Boaz 00:29:08.799 --> 00:29:12.179 and praise to the Lord God for his kindness. 00:29:14.679 --> 00:29:16.319 See, think back. 00:29:16.659 --> 00:29:17.399 In chapter 1, 00:29:18.019 --> 00:29:18.439 Naomi, 00:29:19.399 --> 00:29:20.339 in her darkest moments, 00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:22.419 after the death 00:29:22.420 --> 00:29:24.940 of her beloved husband 00:29:24.940 --> 00:29:26.380 and her sons, 00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:28.380 she's full of despair. 00:29:28.580 --> 00:29:28.980 She says, 00:29:29.320 --> 00:29:30.720 don't call me Naomi anymore. 00:29:30.820 --> 00:29:31.539 Don't call me Naomi, 00:29:31.680 --> 00:29:32.440 which means pleasant. 00:29:32.980 --> 00:29:33.900 Call me Mara, 00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:35.100 which means bitter. 00:29:35.800 --> 00:29:37.220 For the hand of the Lord 00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:38.380 has gone out 00:29:38.380 --> 00:29:39.539 against me. 00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:41.180 But now, 00:29:41.820 --> 00:29:42.720 after seeing 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:44.120 how Boaz 00:29:44.120 --> 00:29:44.800 has blessed 00:29:44.800 --> 00:29:45.539 Ruth, 00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:46.779 she acknowledges 00:29:46.779 --> 00:29:47.640 this gracious, 00:29:47.840 --> 00:29:49.279 providential hand of God 00:29:49.279 --> 00:29:50.720 upon both of them. 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:52.059 And she says, 00:29:52.140 --> 00:29:52.779 in verse 20, 00:29:53.620 --> 00:29:54.259 may he, 00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:55.339 Boaz, 00:29:55.660 --> 00:29:56.279 be blessed 00:29:56.279 --> 00:29:57.339 by the Lord, 00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:58.400 whose kindness 00:29:58.400 --> 00:29:59.400 has not forsaken 00:29:59.400 --> 00:29:59.920 the living 00:29:59.920 --> 00:30:00.839 or the dead. 00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:02.920 It's a beautiful turnaround 00:30:02.920 --> 00:30:04.400 for Naomi 00:30:04.400 --> 00:30:05.559 from bitterness 00:30:05.559 --> 00:30:06.759 and despair 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:08.019 to blessing 00:30:08.019 --> 00:30:09.740 and praise. 00:30:10.900 --> 00:30:12.059 But there's more. 00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:14.460 It's not just that Boaz 00:30:14.460 --> 00:30:15.740 is a good guy 00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:17.420 who will protect Ruth 00:30:17.420 --> 00:30:18.740 and provide food 00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:19.539 for a season. 00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:21.279 there was a hint 00:30:21.279 --> 00:30:22.579 of something more 00:30:22.579 --> 00:30:24.200 in Boaz. 00:30:25.599 --> 00:30:26.500 Reading on 00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:27.279 in verse 20, 00:30:27.659 --> 00:30:28.279 Naomi says, 00:30:28.700 --> 00:30:29.960 this man is a close relative 00:30:29.960 --> 00:30:31.099 of ours, 00:30:31.259 --> 00:30:32.379 one of our redeemers. 00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:34.839 The glimmer of hope 00:30:34.839 --> 00:30:36.500 has turned into a hint 00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:37.859 of something more. 00:30:40.180 --> 00:30:42.000 Quick background 00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:42.500 on this 00:30:42.500 --> 00:30:43.859 redeemer concept. 00:30:44.359 --> 00:30:45.299 It comes from 00:30:45.299 --> 00:30:46.039 the Jewish law 00:30:46.039 --> 00:30:47.220 in Leviticus 25. 00:30:47.220 --> 00:30:48.860 There are some verses 00:30:48.860 --> 00:30:49.660 up on the screen. 00:30:50.600 --> 00:30:51.420 Let me summarize it 00:30:51.420 --> 00:30:51.960 if I can. 00:30:53.039 --> 00:30:53.720 Under the law, 00:30:54.100 --> 00:30:55.600 certain close relatives 00:30:55.600 --> 00:30:56.720 could help 00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:58.100 their family members 00:30:58.100 --> 00:30:58.880 in their time 00:30:58.880 --> 00:30:59.460 of need, 00:31:00.079 --> 00:31:00.680 but at 00:31:00.680 --> 00:31:02.100 great personal cost 00:31:02.100 --> 00:31:03.259 to the redeemer. 00:31:04.519 --> 00:31:05.259 Two examples 00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:05.900 of this 00:31:05.900 --> 00:31:06.600 would be, 00:31:07.039 --> 00:31:07.559 number one, 00:31:08.279 --> 00:31:09.519 if a relative 00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:10.259 fell into 00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:11.299 extreme poverty 00:31:11.299 --> 00:31:12.700 such that they 00:31:12.700 --> 00:31:13.160 would have to 00:31:13.160 --> 00:31:14.440 sell their land 00:31:14.440 --> 00:31:15.240 to repay 00:31:15.240 --> 00:31:16.240 a debt, 00:31:17.120 --> 00:31:18.360 a close relative, 00:31:18.480 --> 00:31:19.039 a redeemer, 00:31:19.200 --> 00:31:20.340 could buy back 00:31:20.340 --> 00:31:20.940 or redeem 00:31:20.940 --> 00:31:21.640 that land 00:31:21.640 --> 00:31:23.380 and hand it back 00:31:23.380 --> 00:31:25.440 to that relative. 00:31:26.279 --> 00:31:26.960 Or, 00:31:27.519 --> 00:31:28.420 if a relative 00:31:28.420 --> 00:31:29.000 fell into 00:31:29.000 --> 00:31:29.920 extreme poverty 00:31:29.920 --> 00:31:31.299 and had to 00:31:31.299 --> 00:31:32.220 sell themselves 00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:33.480 as a slave 00:31:33.480 --> 00:31:34.960 to perhaps 00:31:34.960 --> 00:31:36.019 repay a debt, 00:31:37.200 --> 00:31:37.660 that close, 00:31:37.820 --> 00:31:38.880 the redeemer 00:31:38.880 --> 00:31:40.580 could buy back 00:31:40.580 --> 00:31:41.700 their relative 00:31:41.700 --> 00:31:43.120 and restore 00:31:43.120 --> 00:31:44.000 them. 00:31:45.080 --> 00:31:45.360 And so, 00:31:45.440 --> 00:31:45.819 the heart 00:31:45.819 --> 00:31:46.620 behind this 00:31:46.620 --> 00:31:47.860 kinsman 00:31:47.860 --> 00:31:48.539 redeemer 00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:50.319 was twofold. 00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:52.700 Number one, 00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:54.380 within God's people, 00:31:54.500 --> 00:31:55.019 if you fell 00:31:55.019 --> 00:31:56.080 on hard times, 00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:57.140 you could get 00:31:57.140 --> 00:31:58.440 back on your feet. 00:31:58.980 --> 00:31:59.900 No financial 00:31:59.900 --> 00:32:00.420 loss, 00:32:00.779 --> 00:32:01.380 no personal 00:32:01.380 --> 00:32:01.960 shame 00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:02.900 was too ugly 00:32:02.900 --> 00:32:04.160 or too great 00:32:04.160 --> 00:32:05.299 to overcome. 00:32:06.059 --> 00:32:06.460 Anyone 00:32:06.460 --> 00:32:06.860 could be 00:32:06.860 --> 00:32:07.460 restored 00:32:07.460 --> 00:32:08.620 because God 00:32:08.620 --> 00:32:09.319 cares about 00:32:09.319 --> 00:32:09.900 the restoration 00:32:09.900 --> 00:32:11.340 of a person's 00:32:11.340 --> 00:32:12.100 name and 00:32:12.100 --> 00:32:12.560 honor. 00:32:13.740 --> 00:32:14.400 And second, 00:32:15.060 --> 00:32:15.600 the redeemer 00:32:15.600 --> 00:32:16.240 had to be 00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:17.360 someone in 00:32:17.360 --> 00:32:18.180 your family, 00:32:18.580 --> 00:32:19.440 but it would 00:32:19.440 --> 00:32:20.360 come at 00:32:20.360 --> 00:32:21.120 great cost. 00:32:22.700 --> 00:32:23.660 This is a 00:32:23.660 --> 00:32:24.620 shadow of 00:32:24.620 --> 00:32:25.620 Jesus and 00:32:25.620 --> 00:32:26.140 the gospel. 00:32:27.160 --> 00:32:27.600 Jesus said, 00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:28.019 it doesn't 00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:28.620 matter what 00:32:28.620 --> 00:32:29.200 you've done. 00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:30.580 You may be 00:32:30.580 --> 00:32:31.160 living with 00:32:31.160 --> 00:32:32.380 great personal 00:32:32.380 --> 00:32:33.620 shame at 00:32:33.620 --> 00:32:34.460 your past. 00:32:34.980 --> 00:32:35.460 Maybe you're 00:32:35.460 --> 00:32:36.460 still mired 00:32:36.460 --> 00:32:37.200 in some 00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:38.480 behavior that 00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:39.019 you really 00:32:39.019 --> 00:32:39.539 hate, 00:32:40.079 --> 00:32:41.220 some sin, 00:32:41.519 --> 00:32:41.740 but you 00:32:41.740 --> 00:32:42.339 just can't 00:32:42.339 --> 00:32:43.379 stop doing 00:32:43.379 --> 00:32:43.720 it. 00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:45.019 But no 00:32:45.019 --> 00:32:46.240 sin is 00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:46.859 too ugly 00:32:46.859 --> 00:32:47.700 or too 00:32:47.700 --> 00:32:48.119 great. 00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:49.420 All can 00:32:49.420 --> 00:32:50.480 be restored. 00:32:51.259 --> 00:32:51.839 All can 00:32:51.839 --> 00:32:52.539 be redeemed. 00:32:53.099 --> 00:32:54.019 But only 00:32:54.019 --> 00:32:55.119 because Jesus 00:32:55.119 --> 00:32:55.759 paid this 00:32:55.759 --> 00:32:56.660 price at 00:32:56.660 --> 00:32:57.559 great cost 00:32:57.559 --> 00:32:58.559 to himself. 00:32:59.799 --> 00:33:00.079 And so if 00:33:00.079 --> 00:33:00.359 you put your 00:33:00.359 --> 00:33:00.680 love and 00:33:00.680 --> 00:33:01.240 trust in 00:33:01.240 --> 00:33:02.460 him and 00:33:02.460 --> 00:33:02.980 run to 00:33:02.980 --> 00:33:03.500 him daily 00:33:03.500 --> 00:33:04.259 as your 00:33:04.259 --> 00:33:04.900 refuge, 00:33:05.240 --> 00:33:05.920 he welcomes 00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:07.139 you into 00:33:07.139 --> 00:33:07.759 his family. 00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:09.799 Naomi 00:33:09.799 --> 00:33:10.799 recognized that 00:33:10.799 --> 00:33:11.559 Boaz was a 00:33:11.559 --> 00:33:12.200 relative of 00:33:12.200 --> 00:33:12.480 her dead 00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:13.019 husband, 00:33:13.400 --> 00:33:13.879 Elimelech, 00:33:13.960 --> 00:33:14.400 and therefore 00:33:14.400 --> 00:33:15.200 was one of 00:33:15.200 --> 00:33:16.420 her family's 00:33:16.420 --> 00:33:17.279 redeemers. 00:33:17.640 --> 00:33:18.099 You can 00:33:18.099 --> 00:33:18.879 sense the 00:33:18.879 --> 00:33:20.000 excitement and 00:33:20.000 --> 00:33:20.480 anticipation 00:33:20.480 --> 00:33:22.180 from Naomi. 00:33:22.859 --> 00:33:23.240 Could it 00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:23.519 be? 00:33:24.460 --> 00:33:25.000 Could God 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:25.640 be calling 00:33:25.640 --> 00:33:26.640 this kind 00:33:26.640 --> 00:33:27.099 and good 00:33:27.099 --> 00:33:27.940 man Boaz, 00:33:28.299 --> 00:33:28.879 our close 00:33:28.879 --> 00:33:29.319 relative, 00:33:29.319 --> 00:33:30.819 to restore 00:33:30.819 --> 00:33:31.559 our dignity, 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:32.900 to give us 00:33:32.900 --> 00:33:33.599 back our 00:33:33.599 --> 00:33:34.079 honor, 00:33:34.660 --> 00:33:35.339 to somehow 00:33:35.339 --> 00:33:36.700 save us? 00:33:36.700 --> 00:33:38.799 you see, 00:33:39.279 --> 00:33:40.019 God wasn't 00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:41.080 finished showing 00:33:41.080 --> 00:33:42.640 his favor and 00:33:42.640 --> 00:33:44.120 showering his 00:33:44.120 --> 00:33:45.019 favor on 00:33:45.019 --> 00:33:45.580 Ruth and 00:33:45.580 --> 00:33:46.000 Naomi. 00:33:47.000 --> 00:33:47.960 His kindness 00:33:47.960 --> 00:33:49.799 would extend 00:33:49.799 --> 00:33:51.340 past just 00:33:51.340 --> 00:33:52.740 food. 00:33:53.240 --> 00:33:55.259 It would be 00:33:55.259 --> 00:33:56.080 past not just 00:33:56.080 --> 00:33:56.600 for food, 00:33:56.660 --> 00:33:56.940 it would be 00:33:56.940 --> 00:33:57.559 past that. 00:33:58.100 --> 00:33:58.559 And God 00:33:58.559 --> 00:33:59.319 isn't finished 00:33:59.319 --> 00:34:00.259 showering his 00:34:00.259 --> 00:34:01.759 favor on us 00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:02.400 either. 00:34:03.740 --> 00:34:04.500 Today, he 00:34:04.500 --> 00:34:05.180 calls us to 00:34:05.180 --> 00:34:05.960 find refuge 00:34:05.960 --> 00:34:06.779 in him, 00:34:07.180 --> 00:34:07.980 to submit 00:34:07.980 --> 00:34:08.900 more of our 00:34:08.900 --> 00:34:09.800 lives to 00:34:09.800 --> 00:34:10.039 him, 00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:11.260 to experience 00:34:11.260 --> 00:34:11.860 more of the 00:34:11.860 --> 00:34:12.460 deep peace 00:34:12.460 --> 00:34:13.320 and joy in 00:34:13.320 --> 00:34:13.920 knowing him, 00:34:14.180 --> 00:34:14.940 and for more 00:34:14.940 --> 00:34:15.519 of our hearts 00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:16.320 to understand 00:34:16.320 --> 00:34:17.619 the height and 00:34:17.619 --> 00:34:18.059 the depth, 00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:19.159 the length and 00:34:19.159 --> 00:34:19.940 the breadth of 00:34:19.940 --> 00:34:20.460 his great 00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:21.220 love. 00:34:21.219 --> 00:34:21.279 love. 00:34:23.659 --> 00:34:24.459 So in 00:34:24.459 --> 00:34:26.119 closing, at 00:34:26.119 --> 00:34:26.779 the beginning 00:34:26.779 --> 00:34:27.279 of chapter 00:34:27.279 --> 00:34:28.559 one, Naomi 00:34:28.559 --> 00:34:29.480 was totally 00:34:29.480 --> 00:34:29.919 empty. 00:34:30.679 --> 00:34:31.359 Everything she 00:34:31.359 --> 00:34:31.980 held dear, 00:34:32.839 --> 00:34:33.459 she lost. 00:34:34.279 --> 00:34:34.819 But God 00:34:34.819 --> 00:34:35.799 brought her a 00:34:35.799 --> 00:34:36.359 glimmer of 00:34:36.359 --> 00:34:36.639 hope. 00:34:37.379 --> 00:34:37.759 He brought 00:34:37.759 --> 00:34:39.759 food back to 00:34:39.759 --> 00:34:41.000 Bethlehem and 00:34:41.000 --> 00:34:41.379 he brought 00:34:41.379 --> 00:34:42.759 Naomi to 00:34:42.759 --> 00:34:43.000 her. 00:34:44.119 --> 00:34:44.659 In chapter 00:34:44.659 --> 00:34:45.559 two, God 00:34:45.559 --> 00:34:46.859 continued showing 00:34:46.859 --> 00:34:47.919 his kindness to 00:34:47.919 --> 00:34:49.179 Naomi through 00:34:49.179 --> 00:34:50.299 Boaz's kindness 00:34:50.299 --> 00:34:51.039 to Ruth. 00:34:52.219 --> 00:34:52.679 But it was 00:34:52.679 --> 00:34:53.440 only because 00:34:53.440 --> 00:34:54.559 Ruth stayed 00:34:54.559 --> 00:34:55.960 close to 00:34:55.960 --> 00:34:56.500 Boaz. 00:34:57.399 --> 00:34:57.659 And it was 00:34:57.659 --> 00:34:58.359 only because 00:34:58.359 --> 00:34:59.039 Ruth sought 00:34:59.039 --> 00:34:59.940 refuge under 00:34:59.940 --> 00:35:01.000 the wings of 00:35:01.000 --> 00:35:01.359 the God of 00:35:01.359 --> 00:35:02.159 Israel that 00:35:02.159 --> 00:35:02.839 she received 00:35:02.839 --> 00:35:04.159 such favor and 00:35:04.159 --> 00:35:04.719 kindness. 00:35:06.579 --> 00:35:06.919 And so this 00:35:06.919 --> 00:35:08.039 week, as we 00:35:08.039 --> 00:35:09.179 head back out 00:35:09.179 --> 00:35:09.960 into the fields 00:35:09.960 --> 00:35:11.299 of Hong Kong, 00:35:11.599 --> 00:35:12.419 whatever comes 00:35:12.419 --> 00:35:13.379 your way, good 00:35:13.379 --> 00:35:14.859 or bad, stay 00:35:14.859 --> 00:35:15.779 close to Jesus. 00:35:16.599 --> 00:35:17.039 Find your 00:35:17.039 --> 00:35:18.500 refuge in him. 00:35:19.179 --> 00:35:20.199 Get into his 00:35:20.199 --> 00:35:20.739 word. 00:35:22.139 --> 00:35:22.440 Be in 00:35:22.440 --> 00:35:22.960 community. 00:35:23.899 --> 00:35:24.699 Be praying 00:35:24.699 --> 00:35:25.399 always. 00:35:26.079 --> 00:35:26.619 Acknowledge that 00:35:26.619 --> 00:35:27.460 you don't deserve 00:35:27.460 --> 00:35:28.779 his grace and 00:35:28.779 --> 00:35:29.279 kindness. 00:35:29.759 --> 00:35:30.419 Yet, if you 00:35:30.419 --> 00:35:31.359 seek refuge in 00:35:31.359 --> 00:35:31.899 him, God 00:35:31.899 --> 00:35:32.699 desires to 00:35:32.699 --> 00:35:33.559 shower so 00:35:33.559 --> 00:35:34.099 much more 00:35:34.099 --> 00:35:35.239 kindness than 00:35:35.239 --> 00:35:35.819 you and I 00:35:35.819 --> 00:35:36.219 could ever 00:35:36.219 --> 00:35:36.679 imagine. 00:35:37.799 --> 00:35:38.440 And as we 00:35:38.440 --> 00:35:39.819 receive the 00:35:39.819 --> 00:35:40.759 kindness of 00:35:40.759 --> 00:35:41.480 God in our 00:35:41.480 --> 00:35:42.940 lives, let us 00:35:42.940 --> 00:35:44.679 be agents of 00:35:44.679 --> 00:35:46.059 that kindness to 00:35:46.059 --> 00:35:46.619 people around 00:35:46.619 --> 00:35:46.980 us. 00:35:47.980 --> 00:35:48.419 Let's pray. 00:35:49.179 --> 00:35:53.819 Father, thank 00:35:53.819 --> 00:35:55.719 you for this 00:35:55.719 --> 00:35:56.259 chapter of 00:35:56.259 --> 00:35:56.500 Ruth. 00:35:56.659 --> 00:35:57.019 Thank you for 00:35:57.019 --> 00:35:58.579 showing us this 00:35:58.579 --> 00:35:59.339 great picture, 00:35:59.460 --> 00:35:59.919 this beautiful 00:35:59.919 --> 00:36:01.099 illustration, the 00:36:01.099 --> 00:36:03.000 story of your 00:36:03.000 --> 00:36:03.519 kindness. 00:36:05.019 --> 00:36:07.119 In spite of our 00:36:07.119 --> 00:36:08.319 brokenness, in 00:36:08.319 --> 00:36:08.919 spite of our 00:36:08.919 --> 00:36:10.039 many imperfections, 00:36:10.119 --> 00:36:10.759 in spite of the 00:36:10.759 --> 00:36:11.419 darkness which 00:36:11.419 --> 00:36:13.159 still resides in 00:36:13.159 --> 00:36:15.940 our hearts, you 00:36:15.940 --> 00:36:18.539 beckon us to 00:36:18.539 --> 00:36:19.200 come to you. 00:36:20.079 --> 00:36:21.380 You accept us 00:36:21.380 --> 00:36:22.840 into your 00:36:22.840 --> 00:36:25.179 family and you 00:36:25.179 --> 00:36:26.280 love us so 00:36:26.280 --> 00:36:27.059 dearly. 00:36:28.820 --> 00:36:30.400 Help us, God, as 00:36:30.400 --> 00:36:32.599 we continue on in 00:36:32.599 --> 00:36:33.340 this service today 00:36:33.340 --> 00:36:34.400 and throughout this 00:36:34.400 --> 00:36:35.599 week, Lord, to 00:36:35.599 --> 00:36:37.480 remember, recognize 00:36:37.480 --> 00:36:38.619 your kindness, to 00:36:38.619 --> 00:36:39.480 be like Ruth who 00:36:39.480 --> 00:36:40.860 is not entitled, 00:36:41.159 --> 00:36:42.059 doesn't feel entitled 00:36:42.059 --> 00:36:43.659 to anything. 00:36:43.659 --> 00:36:45.000 Help us to be 00:36:45.000 --> 00:36:46.500 like Ruth in 00:36:46.500 --> 00:36:48.699 humility, appreciating 00:36:48.699 --> 00:36:49.239 even the little 00:36:49.239 --> 00:36:50.480 things that you 00:36:50.480 --> 00:36:51.879 give us, God, our 00:36:51.879 --> 00:36:53.420 closest friends, our 00:36:53.420 --> 00:36:54.879 daily bread, a 00:36:54.879 --> 00:36:55.420 home above our 00:36:55.420 --> 00:36:56.779 heads, the air we 00:36:56.779 --> 00:36:57.179 breathe. 00:36:57.339 --> 00:36:58.339 Help us to be 00:36:58.339 --> 00:36:59.699 thankful always to 00:36:59.699 --> 00:37:00.079 you, Lord. 00:37:00.279 --> 00:37:01.219 And I pray, God, 00:37:01.319 --> 00:37:03.339 finally, that as we 00:37:03.339 --> 00:37:04.440 go out, help us to 00:37:04.440 --> 00:37:05.399 have the eyes to see 00:37:05.399 --> 00:37:07.079 people around us, to 00:37:07.079 --> 00:37:07.920 be your agents of 00:37:07.920 --> 00:37:09.779 kindness in the city 00:37:09.779 --> 00:37:10.420 that we live in, 00:37:10.500 --> 00:37:10.619 Lord. 00:37:10.619 --> 00:37:12.599 Lord, thank you 00:37:12.599 --> 00:37:13.019 for your word. 00:37:14.480 --> 00:37:15.480 In Jesus' name, 00:37:16.559 --> 00:37:16.819 Amen.