WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.600 Amen, amen. Children, we are ready for Children's Church at this time. You may make your way to the frontier with Miss Savannah. 00:00:08.279 --> 00:00:11.519 ! What a joy it is to be gathering here today. 00:00:11.519 --> 00:00:20.839 And I just want to say again how thankful I am for this church and your patience in our construction process. We are almost there. 00:00:21.199 --> 00:00:27.480 They are telling us we get to move into this new part that they're currently working on here in just a couple of weeks. 00:00:27.480 --> 00:00:35.840 And we're thankful for that. Also, thank you for your patience with us as we're trying to get all the heat on. 00:00:36.039 --> 00:00:40.920 Part of tying in this to the new system, the old system, it all works together. 00:00:41.000 --> 00:00:45.780 And they said it's going to be great when we're there, when we're done. But we're still working on getting to that point. 00:00:45.880 --> 00:00:52.120 So thank you so much for your patience with us through this process. We truly are grateful for that. 00:00:52.799 --> 00:00:56.060 This week we're going to continue in our study of the book of Ruth. 00:00:56.060 --> 00:01:02.980 And so if you want, you can go ahead and make your way there. We'll be reading from it brief in just a few moments. 00:01:03.420 --> 00:01:08.560 But as we get ready to look at Ruth, I want to ask you a question. 00:01:09.140 --> 00:01:12.640 And this is a deep, deep theological question. 00:01:13.159 --> 00:01:14.820 Who likes to watch TV shows? 00:01:16.020 --> 00:01:23.500 Who in here has a problem sometimes of getting to the end of a show and it leaves you with a cliffhanger, right? 00:01:23.500 --> 00:01:26.400 And you're just like, you know what? I'm going to watch a little bit more. 00:01:26.459 --> 00:01:28.680 I'm going to watch another episode. 00:01:28.900 --> 00:01:30.900 And this is kind of a new phenomenon for us, right? 00:01:31.200 --> 00:01:32.599 I can remember growing up. 00:01:32.719 --> 00:01:34.079 You get to the end of a show. 00:01:34.200 --> 00:01:35.780 It leaves you in suspense. 00:01:35.920 --> 00:01:37.340 It leaves you with this cliffhanger. 00:01:37.640 --> 00:01:42.659 And you have to wait all week long thinking about what's going to happen next. 00:01:43.099 --> 00:01:46.980 And in the worst case scenario, they do this at the end of a season. 00:01:46.980 --> 00:01:51.859 And you've got to wait until the next season comes out before you'll get to figure out what happens. 00:01:52.040 --> 00:01:54.800 But now today, we get to the end of a show. 00:01:54.920 --> 00:01:55.680 We're like, you know what? 00:01:56.159 --> 00:01:59.180 I'm just going to watch five more minutes of the next show. 00:01:59.460 --> 00:02:01.800 I'm just going to watch five more minutes, see what happens. 00:02:01.920 --> 00:02:02.900 Then I'll cut it off. 00:02:03.500 --> 00:02:05.480 Problem is, we don't usually cut it off after that. 00:02:05.600 --> 00:02:10.400 But we all love to know what is going to happen next. 00:02:10.400 --> 00:02:16.319 Last week in Ruth, we ended with kind of a cliffhanger. 00:02:17.020 --> 00:02:21.280 We have seen Naomi and Elimelech and her sons. 00:02:21.400 --> 00:02:22.599 They go off to Moab. 00:02:22.700 --> 00:02:23.960 They're trying to find food. 00:02:24.240 --> 00:02:25.960 There's a famine in Bethlehem. 00:02:26.280 --> 00:02:31.879 All of these things that are going on while in Moab, Elimelech and their sons, they all die. 00:02:31.879 --> 00:02:37.780 And so all of a sudden, Naomi is left with just her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. 00:02:37.780 --> 00:02:41.080 And they begin this journey back to Bethlehem. 00:02:41.580 --> 00:02:44.420 For Naomi, it was going back to Bethlehem. 00:02:44.539 --> 00:02:46.900 For Ruth and Orpah, it was going to a foreign land. 00:02:46.960 --> 00:02:49.360 It was going to a place they haven't been before. 00:02:49.780 --> 00:02:52.319 And so they begin this process of going back. 00:02:52.439 --> 00:02:59.020 And somewhere along the way, in this journey back, Naomi turns to her daughters-in-law and says, 00:02:59.139 --> 00:03:01.240 Look, girls, you really need to go back. 00:03:01.719 --> 00:03:03.740 I don't have anything to offer you. 00:03:04.120 --> 00:03:07.659 There's nothing that I have for you in Bethlehem. 00:03:07.659 --> 00:03:11.719 In fact, the best thing for you would probably be to just go home. 00:03:12.159 --> 00:03:13.400 Go back to your families. 00:03:13.599 --> 00:03:15.099 Maybe you can start over. 00:03:15.539 --> 00:03:16.819 Maybe you can find husbands. 00:03:17.079 --> 00:03:19.579 Maybe you can just kind of start over and have a do-over. 00:03:19.800 --> 00:03:22.319 That's probably going to be the best thing for you. 00:03:22.560 --> 00:03:23.819 That's what you need to do. 00:03:24.340 --> 00:03:26.400 Well, Orpah takes her up on this. 00:03:26.659 --> 00:03:28.120 And she makes her way home. 00:03:28.519 --> 00:03:35.039 But we ended with Ruth having this determination to go with Naomi. 00:03:35.419 --> 00:03:37.000 To continue with her. 00:03:37.000 --> 00:03:39.620 And so that's kind of where we left off. 00:03:39.620 --> 00:03:45.800 And I love how Tony Marita describes this determination from Ruth. 00:03:45.879 --> 00:03:46.680 He says this. 00:03:47.159 --> 00:03:47.520 He says, 00:03:47.939 --> 00:03:49.240 Ruth has counted the cost. 00:03:49.659 --> 00:03:53.120 And she is following Yahweh and joining his people. 00:03:53.439 --> 00:03:55.699 The Hebrew literally reads, 00:03:56.280 --> 00:03:57.840 Your God, my God. 00:03:58.139 --> 00:03:59.860 Your people, my people. 00:04:00.520 --> 00:04:03.120 Ruth is not pledging something in the future. 00:04:03.120 --> 00:04:07.060 But stating something that has already been done. 00:04:07.060 --> 00:04:10.840 A faith and an identity that she already has. 00:04:11.439 --> 00:04:12.180 She is saying, 00:04:12.500 --> 00:04:15.420 Naomi, because your God is my God, 00:04:15.740 --> 00:04:17.459 and your people are my people, 00:04:17.780 --> 00:04:20.040 I will go with you. 00:04:20.680 --> 00:04:24.240 Ruth's declaration is not primarily about her commitment to Naomi. 00:04:24.240 --> 00:04:27.860 It is about her commitment to Yahweh. 00:04:28.360 --> 00:04:38.860 So we ended last week with this bold faith of Ruth determining herself to follow with Naomi and go back to Bethlehem. 00:04:38.860 --> 00:04:40.560 This bold faith. 00:04:40.560 --> 00:04:43.420 Ruth has counted the cost and is saying, 00:04:44.480 --> 00:04:46.319 Because of my faith in Yahweh, 00:04:46.699 --> 00:04:49.720 it doesn't matter that you have nothing to offer me, 00:04:49.900 --> 00:04:52.180 because God is the real treasure. 00:04:52.900 --> 00:04:53.580 She's saying, 00:04:53.579 --> 00:04:56.279 Because of my faith in God, 00:04:56.719 --> 00:04:57.979 from what you have shown me, 00:04:58.079 --> 00:04:59.680 from what I have learned, 00:04:59.879 --> 00:05:01.599 I am following God. 00:05:01.839 --> 00:05:05.659 And it doesn't matter that the future in front of me is uncertain. 00:05:06.219 --> 00:05:09.680 It doesn't matter that I don't know what that next step is going to be. 00:05:09.719 --> 00:05:14.199 It doesn't matter that you don't have anything to offer me right now that I know about. 00:05:14.459 --> 00:05:18.360 I'm having faith in God that I'm going to continue with you. 00:05:18.360 --> 00:05:21.000 And so because God is my God, 00:05:21.160 --> 00:05:23.980 I am going to continue following. 00:05:24.800 --> 00:05:27.300 And so we finished last week with this statement. 00:05:27.780 --> 00:05:30.780 And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, 00:05:31.199 --> 00:05:32.080 she said, 00:05:32.460 --> 00:05:33.379 No more. 00:05:33.780 --> 00:05:38.560 So we left off with Ruth's determination to go and continue with Naomi. 00:05:39.240 --> 00:05:41.520 And like a good cliffhanger to a show, 00:05:42.340 --> 00:05:45.480 we're excited to jump into this next chapter, right? 00:05:45.580 --> 00:05:46.500 We want to see, 00:05:46.620 --> 00:05:48.340 Well, what does that end up looking like? 00:05:48.600 --> 00:05:50.560 What's that next step for Ruth? 00:05:50.740 --> 00:05:52.199 What's going to happen to Ruth? 00:05:52.240 --> 00:05:54.280 What's going to come of her in Bethlehem? 00:05:54.319 --> 00:06:00.139 And so we immediately want to jump from there and go straight into life in Bethlehem, right? 00:06:00.460 --> 00:06:02.580 What is life looking like for Ruth in Bethlehem? 00:06:02.759 --> 00:06:04.460 What comes of this decision? 00:06:04.879 --> 00:06:06.680 But before we get there, 00:06:07.180 --> 00:06:08.720 before we get to that point, 00:06:08.720 --> 00:06:11.860 I think there's something very important for us to see in this passage. 00:06:12.300 --> 00:06:15.520 And there's a truth that we need to remind ourselves of 00:06:15.520 --> 00:06:17.360 and that we need to consider this morning, 00:06:17.480 --> 00:06:18.319 and it is this. 00:06:18.800 --> 00:06:19.960 As believers, 00:06:20.480 --> 00:06:23.720 we can and should be honest with God. 00:06:24.280 --> 00:06:25.379 As believers, 00:06:25.620 --> 00:06:29.139 we can and should be honest with God. 00:06:29.819 --> 00:06:32.280 Listen to the end of chapter 1, 00:06:32.360 --> 00:06:33.460 starting in verse 19. 00:06:33.459 --> 00:06:34.979 This is what the Word of the Lord says. 00:06:34.979 --> 00:06:36.739 It says, 00:06:36.740 --> 00:06:40.259 And so the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. 00:06:40.259 --> 00:06:42.079 And when they came to Bethlehem, 00:06:42.139 --> 00:06:44.920 the whole town was stirred because of them. 00:06:45.360 --> 00:06:46.560 And the women said, 00:06:46.680 --> 00:06:47.780 Is this Naomi? 00:06:48.400 --> 00:06:49.280 She said to them, 00:06:49.400 --> 00:06:50.840 Do not call me Naomi. 00:06:51.400 --> 00:06:52.379 Call me Mara, 00:06:52.579 --> 00:06:55.540 for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 00:06:55.920 --> 00:06:57.000 I went away full, 00:06:57.000 --> 00:06:59.060 and the Lord has brought me back empty. 00:06:59.060 --> 00:07:03.360 Why call me Naomi when the Lord has testified against me, 00:07:03.480 --> 00:07:06.699 and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me? 00:07:07.220 --> 00:07:08.439 So Naomi returned, 00:07:08.560 --> 00:07:09.439 and Ruth the Moabite, 00:07:09.500 --> 00:07:10.740 her daughter-in-law with her, 00:07:11.040 --> 00:07:13.000 who returned from the country of Moab, 00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:14.959 and they came to Bethlehem 00:07:14.959 --> 00:07:18.800 at the beginning of the barley harvest. 00:07:19.959 --> 00:07:21.019 Ruth and Naomi, 00:07:21.139 --> 00:07:23.220 as they make their way into Bethlehem, 00:07:23.540 --> 00:07:25.120 they cause quite a scene, right? 00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:26.939 It says in here that it says 00:07:26.939 --> 00:07:30.279 that the whole town was stirred because of them. 00:07:30.540 --> 00:07:33.100 There's this buzz that is happening in Bethlehem 00:07:33.100 --> 00:07:34.899 as they make their way in, 00:07:35.100 --> 00:07:36.800 and all of a sudden people notice them. 00:07:36.939 --> 00:07:37.939 Who is this guy? 00:07:38.139 --> 00:07:39.180 Is this Naomi? 00:07:39.339 --> 00:07:40.959 Is this Naomi coming back? 00:07:40.959 --> 00:07:42.939 And who is this girl with her? 00:07:43.060 --> 00:07:45.160 So they cause quite a stir 00:07:45.160 --> 00:07:46.959 as they make their way back into town. 00:07:47.319 --> 00:07:48.240 Barry Webb says, 00:07:48.319 --> 00:07:48.579 he says, 00:07:48.660 --> 00:07:52.139 Naomi and Ruth are like storm-battered ships 00:07:52.139 --> 00:07:53.600 limping into the harbor. 00:07:54.399 --> 00:07:55.920 Neither of them are in good shape 00:07:55.920 --> 00:07:57.060 after their long journey. 00:07:57.759 --> 00:07:59.899 Ruth is a complete stranger in Bethlehem, 00:07:59.939 --> 00:08:02.439 and Naomi, while still herself, 00:08:03.459 --> 00:08:05.540 is also not herself. 00:08:06.420 --> 00:08:07.480 And the truth is, 00:08:07.519 --> 00:08:08.920 Naomi realizes this. 00:08:09.240 --> 00:08:11.560 She understands this very clearly. 00:08:11.560 --> 00:08:14.459 In fact, when people ask her if she's Naomi, 00:08:14.660 --> 00:08:15.280 she replies, 00:08:15.780 --> 00:08:16.959 do not call me Naomi. 00:08:17.720 --> 00:08:18.560 Call me Mara. 00:08:19.100 --> 00:08:21.819 For the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 00:08:22.540 --> 00:08:23.500 I went away full, 00:08:23.920 --> 00:08:26.319 and the Lord has brought me back empty. 00:08:27.040 --> 00:08:28.819 You see, Naomi, 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:30.879 it means pleasant or sweet. 00:08:31.399 --> 00:08:32.879 And so when the people are asking, 00:08:33.019 --> 00:08:33.639 is this Naomi? 00:08:33.799 --> 00:08:35.139 Is this pleasant? 00:08:35.279 --> 00:08:35.960 Is this sweetheart? 00:08:35.960 --> 00:08:38.139 Is she coming back to us? 00:08:38.500 --> 00:08:39.040 And she says, 00:08:39.139 --> 00:08:40.340 don't call me that. 00:08:41.080 --> 00:08:41.960 Call me Mara, 00:08:41.980 --> 00:08:45.400 because the Lord has dealt with me very bitterly. 00:08:45.620 --> 00:08:48.080 The woman who went away sweet and pleasant 00:08:48.080 --> 00:08:49.820 is now returning very different. 00:08:50.139 --> 00:08:51.519 She is the same person, 00:08:51.720 --> 00:08:52.860 but she's not. 00:08:53.660 --> 00:08:55.600 And so Naomi has been through a lot 00:08:55.600 --> 00:08:58.220 over the last 10 years or so in Moab. 00:08:58.740 --> 00:08:59.480 And from this, 00:08:59.540 --> 00:09:00.600 it seems pretty clear 00:09:00.600 --> 00:09:02.300 that Naomi realized 00:09:02.300 --> 00:09:03.879 leaving was wrong. 00:09:04.500 --> 00:09:05.440 Now she believes 00:09:05.440 --> 00:09:07.060 the Almighty is dealing with her 00:09:07.060 --> 00:09:08.300 very bitterly 00:09:08.300 --> 00:09:09.600 for this disobedience. 00:09:09.960 --> 00:09:11.240 And so there's this struggle 00:09:11.240 --> 00:09:12.399 that she's going through. 00:09:12.779 --> 00:09:14.220 It seems from the way 00:09:14.220 --> 00:09:15.120 that she's telling people 00:09:15.120 --> 00:09:16.139 to refer to her, 00:09:16.480 --> 00:09:17.440 she understands 00:09:17.440 --> 00:09:19.180 that what she did was wrong 00:09:19.180 --> 00:09:20.899 as far as going away, 00:09:21.040 --> 00:09:22.080 leaving Bethlehem, 00:09:22.120 --> 00:09:23.240 and going into Moab. 00:09:23.480 --> 00:09:24.759 She realizes this is wrong, 00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:26.440 but here's the thing. 00:09:27.379 --> 00:09:28.560 Does she really have 00:09:28.560 --> 00:09:30.060 much of a choice in the matter? 00:09:30.600 --> 00:09:32.700 This is being a patriarchal society 00:09:32.700 --> 00:09:34.800 where if the husband goes, 00:09:34.920 --> 00:09:35.960 if the sons are going, 00:09:36.019 --> 00:09:37.139 if the whole family's going, 00:09:37.740 --> 00:09:39.639 the wife really doesn't have 00:09:39.639 --> 00:09:41.240 much of a choice in this matter. 00:09:41.700 --> 00:09:44.120 And so she leaves with her family, 00:09:44.120 --> 00:09:45.620 but she also realizes 00:09:45.620 --> 00:09:47.740 she doesn't start making excuses. 00:09:48.320 --> 00:09:49.580 She doesn't start telling everybody, 00:09:49.920 --> 00:09:50.800 well, we went away, 00:09:50.899 --> 00:09:53.320 but I told Elimelech not to do this. 00:09:53.600 --> 00:09:54.560 I told my sons 00:09:54.560 --> 00:09:55.560 we shouldn't be doing this. 00:09:55.620 --> 00:09:56.940 No, she takes responsibility 00:09:56.940 --> 00:09:57.379 and says, 00:09:57.639 --> 00:09:59.940 what we did was wrong. 00:09:59.940 --> 00:10:01.120 We went away 00:10:01.120 --> 00:10:02.340 and we are, 00:10:02.480 --> 00:10:03.360 and now the Lord 00:10:03.360 --> 00:10:05.780 is judging for this. 00:10:06.260 --> 00:10:07.440 Others may have been able 00:10:07.440 --> 00:10:08.260 to make a decision, 00:10:08.480 --> 00:10:09.420 possibly the sons, 00:10:09.540 --> 00:10:10.540 depending on their ages, 00:10:11.000 --> 00:10:12.060 may have been able 00:10:12.060 --> 00:10:12.680 to make a decision, 00:10:12.800 --> 00:10:14.240 but Naomi was bound 00:10:14.240 --> 00:10:16.600 to go with her husband and sons. 00:10:16.960 --> 00:10:18.460 But she takes responsibility 00:10:18.460 --> 00:10:19.520 for this 00:10:19.520 --> 00:10:21.940 and she shows very clearly 00:10:21.940 --> 00:10:23.100 the struggle 00:10:23.100 --> 00:10:25.080 that she is facing. 00:10:25.080 --> 00:10:27.360 And I think all too often 00:10:27.360 --> 00:10:28.120 we're afraid 00:10:28.120 --> 00:10:29.740 to be honest with God. 00:10:30.360 --> 00:10:31.160 And I realize 00:10:31.160 --> 00:10:32.500 that sounds crazy, right? 00:10:33.080 --> 00:10:34.540 Because God knows all things, 00:10:34.620 --> 00:10:35.139 so He knows 00:10:35.139 --> 00:10:36.300 when we're not being honest 00:10:36.300 --> 00:10:36.580 with Him. 00:10:36.600 --> 00:10:37.580 But many times, 00:10:37.680 --> 00:10:38.600 we're afraid 00:10:38.600 --> 00:10:40.520 to be honest with Him. 00:10:41.740 --> 00:10:42.600 But the thing is, 00:10:42.639 --> 00:10:43.759 it can be very helpful 00:10:43.759 --> 00:10:44.360 at times 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:44.960 to be honest 00:10:44.960 --> 00:10:45.700 with our feelings 00:10:45.700 --> 00:10:46.480 towards God. 00:10:46.960 --> 00:10:47.620 Now again, 00:10:48.080 --> 00:10:49.980 Naomi didn't abandon God. 00:10:50.060 --> 00:10:51.120 She didn't turn her back on Him, 00:10:51.180 --> 00:10:52.240 say that He's not there, 00:10:52.240 --> 00:10:54.259 that He's not real 00:10:54.259 --> 00:10:55.440 or anything like that, 00:10:55.539 --> 00:10:56.820 but she was very open 00:10:56.820 --> 00:10:57.259 and honest. 00:10:57.360 --> 00:10:57.659 In fact, 00:10:57.700 --> 00:10:58.980 it tells us over and over again 00:10:58.980 --> 00:11:00.600 that she talks about God 00:11:00.600 --> 00:11:01.620 as the Almighty. 00:11:02.139 --> 00:11:03.320 He's dealt with her. 00:11:03.659 --> 00:11:04.659 The Lord has brought her. 00:11:04.740 --> 00:11:05.399 Again, the Lord 00:11:05.399 --> 00:11:06.320 and again, the Almighty. 00:11:06.460 --> 00:11:06.899 In fact, 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:08.879 going back to when they're in Moab, 00:11:09.139 --> 00:11:10.600 she still remembers the Lord. 00:11:11.019 --> 00:11:12.279 Because what we see 00:11:12.279 --> 00:11:13.759 as she begins 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:14.700 to make her way back 00:11:14.700 --> 00:11:15.840 in verse 6, 00:11:15.919 --> 00:11:16.180 it says, 00:11:16.299 --> 00:11:16.919 then she arose 00:11:16.919 --> 00:11:17.899 with her daughters-in-law 00:11:17.899 --> 00:11:19.259 to return home 00:11:19.259 --> 00:11:20.799 from the country of Moab. 00:11:20.799 --> 00:11:22.079 For she had heard 00:11:22.079 --> 00:11:23.359 in the fields of Moab 00:11:23.359 --> 00:11:24.740 that the Lord 00:11:24.740 --> 00:11:26.519 had visited His people 00:11:26.519 --> 00:11:27.519 and given them food. 00:11:28.120 --> 00:11:29.379 She recognizes 00:11:29.379 --> 00:11:31.039 the Lord is there. 00:11:31.399 --> 00:11:32.299 She recognizes 00:11:32.299 --> 00:11:34.599 Naomi may not be seeing 00:11:34.599 --> 00:11:35.459 things clearly 00:11:35.459 --> 00:11:36.639 in her life, 00:11:36.759 --> 00:11:38.659 but she does see God 00:11:38.659 --> 00:11:39.919 in her situation. 00:11:40.839 --> 00:11:41.799 And this is true 00:11:41.799 --> 00:11:43.019 of many other people 00:11:43.019 --> 00:11:43.599 in Scripture. 00:11:44.299 --> 00:11:45.539 Many of the Psalms 00:11:45.539 --> 00:11:46.819 of David that you read, 00:11:47.099 --> 00:11:47.959 you'll see David 00:11:47.959 --> 00:11:49.199 struggling with something 00:11:49.199 --> 00:11:50.339 in his feelings for God 00:11:50.340 --> 00:11:52.040 of how God is judging, 00:11:52.180 --> 00:11:53.040 how God is working, 00:11:53.139 --> 00:11:53.899 how God is moving. 00:11:54.220 --> 00:11:55.460 And he'll be very open 00:11:55.460 --> 00:11:57.200 and he'll be very honest 00:11:57.200 --> 00:11:57.899 in these Psalms 00:11:57.899 --> 00:11:58.720 of this struggle 00:11:58.720 --> 00:11:59.840 that he's going through. 00:12:00.540 --> 00:12:01.480 But it's not just 00:12:01.480 --> 00:12:02.280 David in the Psalms. 00:12:02.360 --> 00:12:03.000 You see this 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:04.440 in Abraham's life. 00:12:04.500 --> 00:12:05.100 You see this 00:12:05.100 --> 00:12:06.560 in Moses' life, 00:12:06.620 --> 00:12:07.560 in Jeremiah's life, 00:12:07.620 --> 00:12:08.340 in Paul's life, 00:12:08.340 --> 00:12:09.259 and many others. 00:12:09.399 --> 00:12:10.840 We're very honest 00:12:10.840 --> 00:12:11.740 with God. 00:12:12.340 --> 00:12:13.240 We see examples 00:12:13.240 --> 00:12:14.220 all throughout Scripture, 00:12:14.420 --> 00:12:15.160 but perhaps 00:12:15.160 --> 00:12:16.639 one of the clearest places 00:12:16.639 --> 00:12:18.180 that we can see this 00:12:18.179 --> 00:12:19.199 is in the book 00:12:19.199 --> 00:12:20.079 of Lamentations. 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:21.959 In this book, 00:12:22.039 --> 00:12:22.959 in Lamentations 3 00:12:22.959 --> 00:12:23.779 in particular, 00:12:24.279 --> 00:12:24.819 it gives us 00:12:24.819 --> 00:12:25.919 a great example 00:12:25.919 --> 00:12:27.279 of people being real 00:12:27.279 --> 00:12:27.919 with God, 00:12:28.099 --> 00:12:29.419 but also understanding 00:12:29.419 --> 00:12:30.299 truth. 00:12:31.299 --> 00:12:32.000 In chapter 3, 00:12:32.079 --> 00:12:32.659 starting in verse 1, 00:12:32.699 --> 00:12:33.199 it says this, 00:12:33.200 --> 00:12:34.180 I am the man 00:12:34.180 --> 00:12:35.820 who has seen affliction 00:12:35.820 --> 00:12:36.680 under the rod 00:12:36.680 --> 00:12:37.440 of his wrath. 00:12:38.360 --> 00:12:39.300 He has driven me 00:12:39.300 --> 00:12:39.960 and brought me 00:12:39.960 --> 00:12:40.660 into darkness 00:12:40.660 --> 00:12:41.920 without any light. 00:12:42.400 --> 00:12:43.460 Surely against me 00:12:43.460 --> 00:12:44.520 he turns his hand 00:12:44.520 --> 00:12:45.500 and again and again 00:12:45.500 --> 00:12:47.240 the whole day long. 00:12:47.980 --> 00:12:48.520 Verse 7, 00:12:48.560 --> 00:12:48.780 it says, 00:12:48.860 --> 00:12:49.980 He has walled me about 00:12:49.980 --> 00:12:51.400 so that I cannot escape. 00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:53.780 He has made my chains heavy. 00:12:54.200 --> 00:12:55.200 Though I call 00:12:55.200 --> 00:12:56.860 and cry out for help, 00:12:57.060 --> 00:12:58.720 he shuts out my prayer. 00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:01.240 He has blocked my ways 00:13:01.240 --> 00:13:02.420 with blocks of stones, 00:13:02.419 --> 00:13:03.539 and he has made 00:13:03.539 --> 00:13:04.719 my paths crooked. 00:13:05.379 --> 00:13:05.759 You see, 00:13:05.839 --> 00:13:08.819 Jeremiah is at a very low point 00:13:08.819 --> 00:13:09.679 in his life here. 00:13:10.399 --> 00:13:11.819 The nation that he loves, 00:13:11.919 --> 00:13:13.379 the people that he loves, 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:14.799 they're all rightly 00:13:14.799 --> 00:13:16.860 experiencing the wrath of God. 00:13:17.439 --> 00:13:18.299 They're all rightly 00:13:18.299 --> 00:13:18.899 experiencing this, 00:13:18.979 --> 00:13:20.500 but he's struggling with it. 00:13:20.939 --> 00:13:21.439 And he says, 00:13:21.539 --> 00:13:22.860 in the midst of this, 00:13:23.099 --> 00:13:24.659 it feels like God 00:13:24.659 --> 00:13:25.799 doesn't even hear me 00:13:25.799 --> 00:13:27.039 when I call out to him. 00:13:27.399 --> 00:13:28.339 It feels like God 00:13:28.339 --> 00:13:28.839 doesn't even, 00:13:29.079 --> 00:13:30.299 is not even there 00:13:30.299 --> 00:13:32.559 when I reach out to him. 00:13:33.019 --> 00:13:34.419 But also in the midst 00:13:34.419 --> 00:13:35.359 of the frustration, 00:13:36.319 --> 00:13:37.799 in Lamentations chapter 3, 00:13:38.659 --> 00:13:40.679 Jeremiah reminds himself 00:13:40.679 --> 00:13:42.620 of a powerful truth. 00:13:43.419 --> 00:13:44.139 He says, 00:13:44.259 --> 00:13:45.759 But this I call to mind, 00:13:46.379 --> 00:13:47.599 and therefore I have hope. 00:13:48.459 --> 00:13:49.919 The steadfast love 00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:51.279 of the Lord never ceases. 00:13:52.279 --> 00:13:54.399 His mercies never come to an end. 00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:56.279 They are new every morning. 00:13:56.419 --> 00:13:57.639 Great is your faithfulness. 00:13:57.639 --> 00:13:59.179 The Lord is my portion, 00:13:59.319 --> 00:13:59.860 says my soul, 00:14:00.059 --> 00:14:01.960 and therefore I will hope in him. 00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:03.720 The Lord is good 00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:04.919 to those who wait for him, 00:14:04.960 --> 00:14:06.319 to the soul who seeks him. 00:14:06.539 --> 00:14:07.460 It is good that one 00:14:07.460 --> 00:14:08.299 should wait quietly 00:14:08.299 --> 00:14:10.500 for the salvation of the Lord. 00:14:11.419 --> 00:14:12.519 Sometimes we need 00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:13.580 to remind ourselves 00:14:13.580 --> 00:14:15.319 of truth that we already know. 00:14:16.179 --> 00:14:17.259 Sometimes we just have 00:14:17.259 --> 00:14:17.960 to tell ourselves. 00:14:18.139 --> 00:14:19.080 Sometimes we need to 00:14:19.080 --> 00:14:20.240 go to God's word 00:14:20.240 --> 00:14:21.100 and open it up 00:14:21.100 --> 00:14:23.379 and to see it with fresh eyes. 00:14:23.899 --> 00:14:25.120 Sometimes we need people 00:14:25.120 --> 00:14:26.159 in our lives 00:14:26.159 --> 00:14:27.799 who will speak truth 00:14:27.799 --> 00:14:28.700 into our life 00:14:28.700 --> 00:14:30.060 when it's hard for us 00:14:30.060 --> 00:14:31.620 to even see it ourselves. 00:14:32.560 --> 00:14:33.560 For Jeremiah, 00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:35.500 it seems that this is something 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:37.399 that he would call to mind. 00:14:38.220 --> 00:14:38.620 He says, 00:14:38.980 --> 00:14:40.240 This I call to mind, 00:14:40.659 --> 00:14:42.200 and therefore I have hope. 00:14:42.600 --> 00:14:44.340 The steadfast love 00:14:44.340 --> 00:14:45.740 of the Lord never ceases. 00:14:46.659 --> 00:14:48.399 His mercies never come to an end. 00:14:48.440 --> 00:14:48.799 He says, 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:49.940 These mercies, 00:14:50.259 --> 00:14:52.220 they're new every morning. 00:14:52.220 --> 00:14:53.600 For Naomi, 00:14:53.680 --> 00:14:55.019 it was difficult to see 00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:55.720 in the moment. 00:14:56.519 --> 00:14:57.420 She felt as though 00:14:57.420 --> 00:14:58.320 she were empty. 00:14:58.519 --> 00:14:58.879 She says, 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:01.480 The Lord has brought me back empty. 00:15:02.160 --> 00:15:03.580 But this was not true. 00:15:04.220 --> 00:15:05.500 She was not empty. 00:15:05.860 --> 00:15:06.340 In fact, 00:15:06.399 --> 00:15:07.340 we see in chapter 4 00:15:07.340 --> 00:15:08.519 that she had some land 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:09.600 that she was left with. 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:11.820 But more importantly than this, 00:15:12.160 --> 00:15:13.779 she has a daughter-in-law 00:15:13.779 --> 00:15:15.420 who loves the Lord, 00:15:15.800 --> 00:15:16.940 who is there with her, 00:15:17.220 --> 00:15:18.060 who says, 00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:18.800 You know what? 00:15:18.860 --> 00:15:20.080 Your people are my people. 00:15:20.080 --> 00:15:22.180 Because your God is my God, 00:15:22.259 --> 00:15:23.340 your people will be my people. 00:15:23.460 --> 00:15:24.320 And because of that, 00:15:24.360 --> 00:15:25.460 I'm going to be there. 00:15:25.639 --> 00:15:26.980 I'm going to go with you. 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:28.420 I'm not going to leave you. 00:15:28.560 --> 00:15:31.020 I'm going to continue going with you. 00:15:31.940 --> 00:15:33.520 And so what Naomi needed 00:15:33.520 --> 00:15:36.320 was to see God's faithfulness again. 00:15:37.660 --> 00:15:38.800 All she could see 00:15:38.800 --> 00:15:40.220 was what she was going through. 00:15:40.440 --> 00:15:41.759 She could only see her poverty, 00:15:41.940 --> 00:15:43.460 her lack of husband and sons, 00:15:43.540 --> 00:15:44.620 her lack of security. 00:15:45.259 --> 00:15:45.920 Rita notes, 00:15:45.920 --> 00:15:46.300 she says, 00:15:46.299 --> 00:15:48.279 She pits herself against God 00:15:48.279 --> 00:15:49.859 even though 00:15:49.859 --> 00:15:51.799 it is part of God's character 00:15:51.799 --> 00:15:53.039 to care for widows. 00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:56.120 She pits herself against God 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:57.779 even though 00:15:57.779 --> 00:15:59.240 it's a part of His character 00:15:59.240 --> 00:16:01.179 to care for widows. 00:16:01.719 --> 00:16:02.859 What she needed 00:16:02.859 --> 00:16:04.879 was to see God's faithfulness again. 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:07.620 That faithfulness never changed, 00:16:08.079 --> 00:16:10.059 but she needed to see it again. 00:16:10.779 --> 00:16:11.939 And I want to encourage you 00:16:11.939 --> 00:16:12.939 this morning 00:16:12.939 --> 00:16:14.139 to be honest with God. 00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:15.699 Let's face it, 00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:16.840 He knows the truth already. 00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:19.220 He knows what we're going through. 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:21.759 But be encouraged 00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:23.000 that He is a big God, 00:16:23.080 --> 00:16:24.539 a powerful and strong God, 00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:25.939 a good Father 00:16:25.939 --> 00:16:27.419 that loves His children. 00:16:27.539 --> 00:16:29.220 So don't be afraid 00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:31.139 to be open and honest with Him. 00:16:31.379 --> 00:16:33.080 You're not going to catch Him off guard. 00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:35.120 You're not going to share something with Him 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:35.340 that says, 00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:36.799 Wow, I didn't know 00:16:36.799 --> 00:16:38.220 that you were going through this. 00:16:38.559 --> 00:16:39.379 Wow, I didn't know 00:16:39.379 --> 00:16:40.439 that you were experiencing this. 00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:41.939 He knows exactly 00:16:41.939 --> 00:16:42.759 what we're going through. 00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:44.200 He knows our heart. 00:16:44.500 --> 00:16:45.279 And so it's best 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:46.179 if we're just open 00:16:46.179 --> 00:16:47.439 and honest with Him 00:16:47.439 --> 00:16:48.559 as we come to Him. 00:16:48.939 --> 00:16:50.000 There may be times 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:51.200 when we feel very bitter 00:16:51.200 --> 00:16:51.960 like Naomi. 00:16:52.799 --> 00:16:53.720 And I encourage you 00:16:53.720 --> 00:16:55.419 to share that with God. 00:16:55.939 --> 00:16:58.059 And in those moments, 00:16:58.720 --> 00:17:00.240 be reminded of His grace. 00:17:01.100 --> 00:17:02.299 When you feel abandoned, 00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:04.400 cry out to God 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:06.980 and remember His mercy. 00:17:07.400 --> 00:17:08.960 When you doubt His love 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:10.379 for you tell Him that 00:17:10.380 --> 00:17:11.960 and set your gaze, 00:17:12.160 --> 00:17:13.920 fix your eyes on the cross. 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:16.200 Because as we look to the cross, 00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:18.960 we are reminded of God's love for us. 00:17:19.300 --> 00:17:20.980 We can't think about the cross. 00:17:21.080 --> 00:17:22.760 We can't fix our eyes on the cross 00:17:22.760 --> 00:17:24.120 without being reminded 00:17:24.120 --> 00:17:25.080 that we have a God 00:17:25.080 --> 00:17:26.260 who loves us, 00:17:26.580 --> 00:17:28.560 who saw our greatest need, 00:17:28.960 --> 00:17:30.700 stepped from the glory of heaven, 00:17:31.020 --> 00:17:32.340 a very humble birth, 00:17:32.760 --> 00:17:33.740 lived a humble life, 00:17:33.900 --> 00:17:35.540 lived the life that we couldn't live, 00:17:35.660 --> 00:17:37.000 died the death that we deserve 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:39.160 so that we can have new life in Him. 00:17:39.460 --> 00:17:41.079 We set our gaze, 00:17:41.200 --> 00:17:42.819 we fixed our eyes on the cross 00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:45.259 and we're reminded of that love 00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:46.599 that He has for us. 00:17:46.599 --> 00:17:49.160 But not only should we be honest with God, 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:52.400 this next scene of life in Bethlehem 00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:53.859 and the barley harvest 00:17:53.859 --> 00:17:57.019 reminds us of another very important truth. 00:17:57.619 --> 00:17:59.980 Yes, we should be open and honest with God, 00:18:00.359 --> 00:18:01.740 but we're also reminded 00:18:01.740 --> 00:18:04.579 that the Lord is our provider. 00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:06.559 He's our provider. 00:18:07.819 --> 00:18:11.319 Verses 1 through 7 of chapter 2 says this, 00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:14.579 Now Naomi had a relative of her husband's, 00:18:14.859 --> 00:18:17.099 a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, 00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:18.519 whose name was Boaz. 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:21.200 And Ruth, the Moabite, said to Naomi, 00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:23.079 Let me go to the field 00:18:23.079 --> 00:18:25.759 and glean among the ears of grain after him 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:28.279 whose sight I might find favor. 00:18:28.839 --> 00:18:29.859 And she said to her, 00:18:30.099 --> 00:18:31.059 Go, my daughter. 00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:32.779 And so she set out 00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:34.559 and went and gleaned in the fields 00:18:34.559 --> 00:18:35.519 after the reapers. 00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:37.539 And she happened to come 00:18:37.539 --> 00:18:38.619 to the part of the field 00:18:38.619 --> 00:18:40.000 belonging to Boaz, 00:18:40.160 --> 00:18:42.180 who was of the clan of Elimelech. 00:18:43.099 --> 00:18:46.139 And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem. 00:18:46.379 --> 00:18:47.680 And he said to the reapers, 00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:49.619 The Lord be with you. 00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:50.759 And they all answered, 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:52.379 The Lord bless you. 00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:54.900 Then Boaz said to his young man 00:18:54.900 --> 00:18:56.259 who was in charge of the reapers, 00:18:56.619 --> 00:18:58.319 Whose young woman is this? 00:18:58.319 --> 00:19:00.460 And the servant who was in charge 00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:01.599 of the reapers answered, 00:19:02.099 --> 00:19:03.619 She is the young Moabite woman 00:19:03.619 --> 00:19:05.839 who came back with Naomi 00:19:05.839 --> 00:19:07.240 from the country of Moab. 00:19:07.859 --> 00:19:08.439 She said, 00:19:08.559 --> 00:19:10.240 Please let me glean and gather 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:12.119 among the sheaves after the reapers. 00:19:12.439 --> 00:19:13.519 And so she came, 00:19:13.619 --> 00:19:14.720 and she has continued 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:16.879 from early morning until now, 00:19:16.939 --> 00:19:19.319 except for a short rest. 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:22.939 Now, before we even get into 00:19:22.939 --> 00:19:25.139 how the Lord provides through Boaz, 00:19:25.439 --> 00:19:27.339 we can see how the Lord provided 00:19:27.339 --> 00:19:29.759 for widows, for the poor, 00:19:29.879 --> 00:19:31.599 for sojourners, for the fatherless, 00:19:31.639 --> 00:19:33.599 all of those things right here 00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:35.819 just by with what Ruth is doing. 00:19:36.379 --> 00:19:37.419 We are told that Ruth 00:19:37.419 --> 00:19:38.899 was going out to glean. 00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:40.960 And gleaning consisted of 00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:42.399 gathering dropped grain 00:19:42.399 --> 00:19:43.799 or grain that was left standing 00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:46.579 or the corners of the fields of grain. 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:48.220 They would leave these 00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:49.779 for people who were in need, 00:19:50.199 --> 00:19:51.919 for the weak, the poor, 00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:54.439 the widows, the sojourners, 00:19:54.559 --> 00:19:55.199 the fatherless. 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:57.240 All of those people were able to go 00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:58.960 and gather for themselves. 00:19:59.539 --> 00:20:00.740 In fact, this wasn't just 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:02.819 a customary practice they did. 00:20:02.879 --> 00:20:03.980 It was something that the Lord 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:04.980 told them to do. 00:20:05.419 --> 00:20:07.319 Back in Deuteronomy chapter 24, 00:20:07.619 --> 00:20:08.939 we read these words. 00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:09.279 It says, 00:20:09.379 --> 00:20:10.619 When you reap your harvest 00:20:10.619 --> 00:20:11.439 in your field 00:20:11.439 --> 00:20:13.199 and forget a sheaf in the field, 00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:15.199 you shall not go back to get it. 00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:17.960 It shall be for the sojourner, 00:20:18.400 --> 00:20:19.580 the fatherless, 00:20:19.720 --> 00:20:20.319 and the widow, 00:20:20.860 --> 00:20:22.120 that the Lord your God 00:20:22.120 --> 00:20:22.880 may bless you 00:20:22.880 --> 00:20:24.360 in all of your work of your hands. 00:20:24.880 --> 00:20:25.180 It says, 00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:26.620 When you reap your olive trees, 00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:28.920 you shall not go over them again. 00:20:29.360 --> 00:20:31.120 It shall be for the sojourner, 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:32.700 for the fatherless, 00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:33.380 and the widow. 00:20:33.940 --> 00:20:35.259 When you gather the grapes 00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:35.960 of the vineyard, 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:37.640 you shall not strip it afterward. 00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:40.200 It shall be for the sojourner, 00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:41.259 the fatherless, 00:20:41.799 --> 00:20:42.400 and the widow. 00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:45.120 So before we even get 00:20:45.120 --> 00:20:46.960 into the Lord's provision 00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:47.940 with Boaz, 00:20:48.080 --> 00:20:49.440 we clearly see 00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:50.200 that the Lord 00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:52.160 has a heart for the hurting. 00:20:53.040 --> 00:20:54.280 And since God is immutable, 00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:55.540 meaning he doesn't change, 00:20:55.580 --> 00:20:56.740 he's the same yesterday, 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:58.000 today, and forever, 00:20:58.340 --> 00:21:00.240 we can safely say 00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:02.519 that God still has a heart 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:03.259 for the hurting. 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:05.160 And what we're going to see 00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:05.880 in this passage 00:21:05.880 --> 00:21:08.040 is that he allows us 00:21:08.040 --> 00:21:09.019 to be a part 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:10.559 of what he's doing 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.680 to meet needs 00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:12.639 in this world. 00:21:13.299 --> 00:21:14.400 And so getting back 00:21:14.400 --> 00:21:16.119 into who Boaz is. 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.519 Now verse 1, 00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:18.940 it tells us 00:21:18.940 --> 00:21:20.359 some pretty significant things 00:21:20.359 --> 00:21:21.579 about Boaz. 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:23.200 And so for us, 00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:24.720 we can read verse 1 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:25.940 and we just see 00:21:25.940 --> 00:21:26.779 a few descriptions 00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:27.480 of Boaz, 00:21:27.579 --> 00:21:28.879 but they really don't carry 00:21:28.879 --> 00:21:30.559 significant weight for us 00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:32.480 because of our cultural context 00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:33.700 reading this. 00:21:34.059 --> 00:21:34.960 But I want us to take 00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:35.500 just a minute 00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:36.799 to look at verse 1 00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:39.200 and see the significant details 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:39.819 it tells us 00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:41.159 about who Boaz is. 00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:42.559 To begin with, 00:21:42.619 --> 00:21:43.419 it says here, 00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:45.259 now Naomi had a relative 00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:46.559 of her husband's. 00:21:46.919 --> 00:21:48.299 So the first thing we see 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:49.819 is that this is a relative. 00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:51.299 Now for us, 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:52.720 that's just a description. 00:21:52.899 --> 00:21:54.399 It doesn't really mean anything, 00:21:54.399 --> 00:21:55.680 but for the readers 00:21:55.680 --> 00:21:56.480 who were reading this, 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.539 for the original audience 00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:59.119 who was reading this, 00:21:59.419 --> 00:22:01.059 they would have immediately thought, 00:22:01.220 --> 00:22:01.899 oh my goodness, 00:22:02.379 --> 00:22:03.359 I wonder, 00:22:04.139 --> 00:22:05.460 I wonder if this man's 00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:06.340 going to be 00:22:06.340 --> 00:22:07.799 a kinsman redeemer. 00:22:08.120 --> 00:22:09.500 I wonder if this man's 00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:09.980 going to be 00:22:09.980 --> 00:22:11.720 a family redeemer 00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:13.519 for Ruth and Naomi. 00:22:13.799 --> 00:22:15.039 I wonder if this is 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:16.559 the answer to their problem. 00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:18.519 And so he says 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:19.940 he was a relative, 00:22:20.100 --> 00:22:21.299 but then it also says 00:22:21.299 --> 00:22:24.120 that he was a worthy man. 00:22:24.440 --> 00:22:26.140 He was a worthy man. 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:27.819 Now the Hebrew phrase 00:22:27.819 --> 00:22:28.720 that gets translated 00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:30.059 worthy man 00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:32.039 has many layers to it. 00:22:32.140 --> 00:22:33.279 In some contexts, 00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:34.940 it actually deals with 00:22:34.940 --> 00:22:37.600 someone who's in the military. 00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:39.600 It means a mighty man of valor, 00:22:39.799 --> 00:22:41.100 a noble warrior, 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:42.720 or a military hero. 00:22:43.400 --> 00:22:44.740 And it's the same phrase 00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:47.500 that is used in Judges chapter 6 00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:48.799 talking about Gideon, 00:22:48.880 --> 00:22:51.019 that he was a mighty man of valor. 00:22:51.600 --> 00:22:52.980 In different contexts, 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:55.080 it speaks of a person's character. 00:22:55.600 --> 00:22:56.759 But at the simplest, 00:22:56.880 --> 00:22:58.180 most basic level, 00:22:58.580 --> 00:22:59.759 it simply means 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:01.860 that he's a man of substance, 00:23:01.859 --> 00:23:03.740 or a man of wealth. 00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:05.919 And I think the CSB, 00:23:06.659 --> 00:23:07.759 if you have a copy of that, 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:09.359 has one of the best translations 00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:10.979 when it tells us 00:23:10.979 --> 00:23:12.559 that he was a prominent man 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:14.019 of noble character. 00:23:14.859 --> 00:23:16.359 This Boaz was a worthy man. 00:23:16.399 --> 00:23:17.699 He was a prominent man 00:23:17.699 --> 00:23:18.979 of noble character. 00:23:19.139 --> 00:23:21.500 Boaz was no run-of-the-mill Israelite. 00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:23.279 He was a worthy man 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:24.079 of noble character. 00:23:24.199 --> 00:23:25.159 He was a prominent man. 00:23:25.199 --> 00:23:26.259 He was a wealthy man. 00:23:26.940 --> 00:23:28.740 Boaz is introduced to us 00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:30.140 as someone who is both 00:23:30.140 --> 00:23:32.019 strong financially 00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:34.180 and strong morally. 00:23:34.839 --> 00:23:36.359 And so there's a lot of build-up 00:23:36.359 --> 00:23:37.660 to this introduction, right? 00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:38.779 We're told that, 00:23:39.119 --> 00:23:39.599 okay, well, 00:23:39.640 --> 00:23:40.259 there's going to be 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:42.279 this relative of Elimelech. 00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:43.859 Okay, we're listening. 00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:45.920 And this relative of Elimelech, 00:23:45.980 --> 00:23:47.259 he is a worthy man. 00:23:47.339 --> 00:23:48.299 He's a prominent man, 00:23:48.359 --> 00:23:49.180 a man of character, 00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:50.400 a man of wealth. 00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:50.879 And we're thinking, 00:23:51.220 --> 00:23:51.819 okay, well, 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:53.619 maybe this is going to be 00:23:53.619 --> 00:23:54.359 the answer. 00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:56.459 Maybe he's going to be 00:23:56.459 --> 00:23:57.959 the one who comes in 00:23:57.959 --> 00:23:58.839 on the scene. 00:23:58.939 --> 00:24:00.639 And all of this is significant 00:24:00.639 --> 00:24:02.659 because we're able to see 00:24:02.659 --> 00:24:03.659 from this story 00:24:03.659 --> 00:24:04.819 the conditions 00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:06.479 to being a redeemer, 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:08.319 to being this family, 00:24:08.799 --> 00:24:10.279 this kinsman redeemer. 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:12.039 And there's three qualifications 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:13.319 that must be present 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:14.279 in order for this to happen. 00:24:14.419 --> 00:24:15.979 One must be a relative. 00:24:16.619 --> 00:24:19.039 Chapter two, verse one, 00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:19.579 tells us, 00:24:19.859 --> 00:24:20.859 check, he's a relative. 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:22.379 Well, he must be, 00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:23.799 have the means, 00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:25.039 he must have the ability 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:25.740 to redeem. 00:24:26.119 --> 00:24:27.139 Well, he's a worthy man. 00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:27.819 He's prominent. 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:29.079 He's wealthy. 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:30.359 He has the means. 00:24:30.440 --> 00:24:31.379 He can do this. 00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:32.819 And then the final thing 00:24:32.819 --> 00:24:33.819 that must be present 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:34.680 in order for this to be 00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:35.740 a redeemer 00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.919 is this willingness 00:24:36.919 --> 00:24:37.799 to do so. 00:24:38.099 --> 00:24:38.919 Well, it tells us 00:24:38.919 --> 00:24:40.099 he's a man of character. 00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:41.419 He's a man 00:24:41.419 --> 00:24:42.799 who is strong morally. 00:24:42.940 --> 00:24:43.899 So our hope 00:24:43.899 --> 00:24:46.379 is that this is going to be 00:24:46.379 --> 00:24:48.079 the redeemer for Ruth 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:48.720 and Naomi. 00:24:48.879 --> 00:24:49.599 So it appears 00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:50.419 that Boaz 00:24:50.419 --> 00:24:52.159 could possibly be 00:24:52.159 --> 00:24:53.639 this redeemer. 00:24:54.360 --> 00:24:55.300 And so what we see 00:24:55.300 --> 00:24:56.540 as we continue to read 00:24:56.540 --> 00:24:57.680 is that the Lord 00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:58.759 continues to provide. 00:24:58.920 --> 00:25:00.759 Now, spoiler alert, 00:25:01.360 --> 00:25:01.880 of course, 00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:03.220 Boaz gets to be 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:04.259 the kinsman redeemer. 00:25:04.460 --> 00:25:05.600 That's going to happen. 00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:06.880 If I just ruined Ruth 00:25:06.880 --> 00:25:07.240 for you, 00:25:07.280 --> 00:25:07.759 I'm sorry, 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:09.460 but it's only four chapters long. 00:25:09.520 --> 00:25:10.060 You could have easily 00:25:10.060 --> 00:25:11.520 seen that coming. 00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:13.860 But he's going to be 00:25:13.860 --> 00:25:15.280 that kinsman redeemer. 00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:16.300 He's going to do that. 00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:18.140 But even before 00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:19.560 he enters into 00:25:19.560 --> 00:25:20.820 that relationship 00:25:20.819 --> 00:25:22.319 relationship with Ruth, 00:25:22.439 --> 00:25:23.619 there are ways 00:25:23.619 --> 00:25:24.839 that he provides 00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:25.279 for her, 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:26.720 even just from 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:27.919 a standpoint 00:25:27.919 --> 00:25:29.559 of someone looking on. 00:25:29.879 --> 00:25:30.659 So I want you to listen 00:25:30.659 --> 00:25:32.139 to verses 8 through 13. 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:34.000 It says this. 00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:35.960 Listen to the ways 00:25:35.960 --> 00:25:36.740 that the Lord 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:37.880 provided through Boaz. 00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:39.259 Then Boaz said to Ruth, 00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:40.180 Now listen, 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:40.740 my daughter, 00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:42.980 do not go glean 00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:43.859 in another field 00:25:43.859 --> 00:25:44.779 or leave this one, 00:25:44.859 --> 00:25:46.059 but keep close 00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:47.599 to my young women. 00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:49.140 Let your eyes 00:25:49.140 --> 00:25:49.960 be on the field 00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:51.099 that they are reaping 00:25:51.099 --> 00:25:52.519 and go after them. 00:25:52.779 --> 00:25:54.019 Have I not charged 00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:55.019 that the young men 00:25:55.019 --> 00:25:56.660 are not to touch you? 00:25:56.660 --> 00:25:57.740 And so the first thing 00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.620 he provides right here, 00:25:58.720 --> 00:26:00.540 Boaz provides security. 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:03.120 Going out for a young woman 00:26:03.120 --> 00:26:04.180 gleaning in the fields 00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:05.800 could be a very dangerous thing. 00:26:06.300 --> 00:26:07.180 There's a very little 00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:08.440 overwatch people 00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:09.140 that are out there. 00:26:09.300 --> 00:26:10.019 It could be a very 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:11.060 dangerous place. 00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:11.920 And so Boaz 00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:13.120 is told the young men 00:26:13.120 --> 00:26:14.460 who are working the fields, 00:26:14.940 --> 00:26:16.360 don't touch her. 00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:17.820 And so he provides 00:26:17.820 --> 00:26:19.240 security for her. 00:26:19.279 --> 00:26:19.580 And he says, 00:26:19.940 --> 00:26:20.940 And when you are thirsty, 00:26:21.080 --> 00:26:21.800 go to the vessels 00:26:21.800 --> 00:26:23.019 and drink what the young men 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:23.560 have drawn. 00:26:23.820 --> 00:26:25.180 He provides nourishment 00:26:25.180 --> 00:26:25.779 for her. 00:26:25.779 --> 00:26:28.879 Then she fell on her face, 00:26:29.339 --> 00:26:30.359 bowing to the ground 00:26:30.359 --> 00:26:31.359 and said to him, 00:26:31.660 --> 00:26:32.639 Why have I found 00:26:32.639 --> 00:26:33.839 favor in your eyes? 00:26:34.339 --> 00:26:35.240 That you should take 00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:36.000 notice of me 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:37.039 since I am a foreigner. 00:26:37.639 --> 00:26:39.200 But Boaz answered her, 00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:41.019 All that you have done 00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:41.960 for your mother-in-law 00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:42.759 since the death 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:43.379 of your husband 00:26:43.379 --> 00:26:45.579 has been fully told to me 00:26:45.579 --> 00:26:46.980 and how you left 00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:48.019 your father and mother 00:26:48.019 --> 00:26:48.960 in your native land 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:50.339 and came to a people 00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:51.599 that you did not know. 00:26:52.599 --> 00:26:53.379 And so he provides 00:26:53.379 --> 00:26:54.660 encouragement for her. 00:26:54.660 --> 00:26:55.960 And he says, 00:26:56.040 --> 00:26:57.360 The Lord repay you 00:26:57.360 --> 00:26:58.460 for what you have done 00:26:58.460 --> 00:27:00.000 and a full reward 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:02.360 for what was given you 00:27:02.360 --> 00:27:03.240 by the Lord, 00:27:03.320 --> 00:27:04.180 the God of Israel, 00:27:04.360 --> 00:27:05.759 under whose wings 00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:06.500 you have come 00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:07.640 to take refuge. 00:27:08.600 --> 00:27:09.940 Provides a blessing for her. 00:27:09.940 --> 00:27:11.100 Then she said, 00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:12.140 I have found favor 00:27:12.140 --> 00:27:13.560 in your eyes, 00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:14.300 my Lord, 00:27:14.380 --> 00:27:15.820 for you have comforted me 00:27:15.820 --> 00:27:17.279 and spoken kindly 00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:17.960 to your servant, 00:27:18.060 --> 00:27:18.700 though I am not 00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:19.620 one of your servants. 00:27:20.140 --> 00:27:21.240 He provides kindness 00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:21.840 and encouragement 00:27:21.840 --> 00:27:22.700 to her again. 00:27:22.700 --> 00:27:24.740 And so over and over again, 00:27:24.819 --> 00:27:26.200 we see that Boaz 00:27:26.200 --> 00:27:28.160 is providing things for. 00:27:28.779 --> 00:27:30.019 But what we're also able 00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:32.160 to see in this passage 00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:32.920 right here 00:27:32.920 --> 00:27:34.220 is an encouragement 00:27:34.220 --> 00:27:35.600 for us in our faith. 00:27:36.340 --> 00:27:37.840 Both Boaz and Ruth 00:27:37.840 --> 00:27:38.880 give us an example 00:27:38.880 --> 00:27:40.279 to follow with our faith. 00:27:41.120 --> 00:27:42.460 Ruth gives us an example 00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:44.400 of great faith 00:27:44.400 --> 00:27:45.920 in the midst of suffering. 00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:47.960 She understands 00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:49.500 that the Lord provides. 00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:51.279 She understands that there's ways 00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:52.319 that the Lord provides. 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:53.099 And one of the ways 00:27:53.099 --> 00:27:53.839 that He's providing 00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:56.039 is to be a gleaner 00:27:56.039 --> 00:27:56.660 in this field. 00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:57.960 The Lord has commanded them 00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:59.859 to leave this grain back, 00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:00.660 not to go back 00:28:00.660 --> 00:28:01.200 and pick it up 00:28:01.200 --> 00:28:01.799 if they drop it, 00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:02.359 but to make sure 00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:03.160 they leave the corners 00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:04.440 so that those 00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:05.160 who are hurting 00:28:05.160 --> 00:28:06.240 like she is 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:07.619 can be provided for. 00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.940 The Lord is providing this. 00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:10.220 And so her faith 00:28:10.220 --> 00:28:11.680 allows her to step out 00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:13.119 and work boldly 00:28:13.119 --> 00:28:13.879 and faithfully 00:28:13.879 --> 00:28:14.480 for that. 00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:15.399 She goes out 00:28:15.399 --> 00:28:15.920 to the fields 00:28:15.920 --> 00:28:17.099 early in the morning 00:28:17.099 --> 00:28:18.079 and works 00:28:18.079 --> 00:28:18.579 without, 00:28:18.899 --> 00:28:20.639 with very little breaks. 00:28:20.640 --> 00:28:22.160 And so she has 00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:23.360 this great faith. 00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:24.360 But Boaz, 00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:26.300 he also is an example 00:28:26.300 --> 00:28:26.960 for us. 00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:28.660 Boaz is not 00:28:28.660 --> 00:28:29.680 in a critical point 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:30.460 of his life 00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:32.620 where he is suffering. 00:28:32.780 --> 00:28:33.120 In fact, 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:34.060 things seem to be going 00:28:34.060 --> 00:28:35.280 pretty well for Boaz. 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:37.480 He has plenty of wealth, 00:28:37.600 --> 00:28:38.420 good relationships 00:28:38.420 --> 00:28:39.360 with his workers, 00:28:39.700 --> 00:28:41.660 and yet he shows us 00:28:41.660 --> 00:28:42.380 the importance 00:28:42.380 --> 00:28:43.620 of living out 00:28:43.620 --> 00:28:44.380 our faith 00:28:44.380 --> 00:28:45.840 in our everyday 00:28:45.840 --> 00:28:47.860 ordinary lives. 00:28:47.859 --> 00:28:49.779 to be honest, 00:28:49.839 --> 00:28:50.500 there's difficulties 00:28:50.500 --> 00:28:51.219 with both of these 00:28:51.219 --> 00:28:52.159 situations, right? 00:28:52.639 --> 00:28:53.219 Of course, 00:28:53.299 --> 00:28:54.000 there's difficulties 00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:55.179 of living out 00:28:55.179 --> 00:28:55.699 your faith 00:28:55.699 --> 00:28:56.539 in the midst 00:28:56.539 --> 00:28:57.240 of suffering 00:28:57.240 --> 00:28:58.139 like Ruth 00:28:58.139 --> 00:28:59.579 because many times 00:28:59.579 --> 00:29:00.240 in the suffering 00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:01.159 it's hard to see 00:29:01.159 --> 00:29:02.359 past the pain. 00:29:02.579 --> 00:29:03.479 It's hard to see 00:29:03.479 --> 00:29:04.759 past the difficulties. 00:29:05.119 --> 00:29:05.939 It's hard to see 00:29:05.939 --> 00:29:07.179 past the suffering. 00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:08.919 But sometimes 00:29:08.919 --> 00:29:09.899 the bigger struggle 00:29:09.899 --> 00:29:10.679 is when things 00:29:10.679 --> 00:29:11.579 are going well, 00:29:12.139 --> 00:29:13.319 when we have 00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:13.879 an abundance 00:29:13.879 --> 00:29:15.240 in our refrigerators, 00:29:15.240 --> 00:29:16.500 when we have 00:29:16.500 --> 00:29:17.039 an abundance 00:29:17.039 --> 00:29:18.680 in our bank accounts, 00:29:18.819 --> 00:29:19.339 in the number 00:29:19.339 --> 00:29:19.839 of rooms 00:29:19.839 --> 00:29:20.920 in our houses, 00:29:21.380 --> 00:29:22.400 it can sometimes 00:29:22.400 --> 00:29:23.279 be hard 00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:25.519 to live by faith. 00:29:26.519 --> 00:29:27.539 But Boaz 00:29:27.539 --> 00:29:28.319 shows us 00:29:28.319 --> 00:29:28.980 the importance 00:29:28.980 --> 00:29:29.980 of doing this 00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:30.819 by showing 00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:32.380 that living by faith 00:29:32.380 --> 00:29:34.099 means that we live 00:29:34.099 --> 00:29:35.279 out justice 00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:36.019 and mercy 00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:37.180 and seek 00:29:37.180 --> 00:29:38.180 to be a blessing 00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:39.059 to others. 00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:40.779 Ruth was a 00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:41.880 Moabite widow. 00:29:42.819 --> 00:29:43.420 And for us, 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:43.779 again, 00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:44.779 that's just a description. 00:29:44.779 --> 00:29:45.980 But for them 00:29:45.980 --> 00:29:46.819 in this context, 00:29:46.819 --> 00:29:47.480 that was saying 00:29:47.480 --> 00:29:48.200 something pretty 00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:48.879 significant. 00:29:49.639 --> 00:29:51.039 She had no one 00:29:51.039 --> 00:29:52.180 except Naomi 00:29:52.180 --> 00:29:53.200 in Bethlehem. 00:29:53.799 --> 00:29:54.740 She was about 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:55.420 as helpless 00:29:55.420 --> 00:29:56.500 as she could 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:57.519 possibly be. 00:29:58.220 --> 00:29:59.859 But Boaz's faith 00:29:59.859 --> 00:30:01.519 allowed him 00:30:01.519 --> 00:30:03.079 to use his blessing 00:30:03.079 --> 00:30:04.420 as a way 00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:05.539 to bless others. 00:30:06.420 --> 00:30:07.519 Boaz's faith 00:30:07.519 --> 00:30:08.180 allowed him, 00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:09.160 even before he 00:30:09.160 --> 00:30:10.059 entered a relationship 00:30:10.059 --> 00:30:10.779 with Ruth, 00:30:11.339 --> 00:30:12.799 even before we see 00:30:12.799 --> 00:30:13.539 what comes 00:30:13.539 --> 00:30:14.440 in chapters 00:30:14.440 --> 00:30:15.299 three and four. 00:30:15.599 --> 00:30:16.159 Even before 00:30:16.159 --> 00:30:17.000 all of those things 00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:17.279 came, 00:30:17.639 --> 00:30:18.539 his faith 00:30:18.539 --> 00:30:19.119 allowed him 00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:20.379 to use his blessing 00:30:20.379 --> 00:30:21.180 to be a blessing 00:30:21.180 --> 00:30:21.819 to others. 00:30:22.299 --> 00:30:23.099 And this is what 00:30:23.099 --> 00:30:24.180 God has called us 00:30:24.180 --> 00:30:25.440 to do as well. 00:30:26.639 --> 00:30:27.339 Right now, 00:30:27.399 --> 00:30:27.899 we have many 00:30:27.899 --> 00:30:28.460 opportunities 00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:29.339 that we can use 00:30:29.339 --> 00:30:30.019 our voice 00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:31.180 to give a voice 00:30:31.180 --> 00:30:31.899 to those who are 00:30:31.899 --> 00:30:32.319 struggling. 00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:33.859 We're getting ready 00:30:33.859 --> 00:30:34.639 to start back 00:30:34.639 --> 00:30:35.440 with Reed Georgia. 00:30:35.579 --> 00:30:36.259 Reed Georgia is 00:30:36.259 --> 00:30:36.799 something we've been 00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:37.539 doing for a couple 00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:38.039 of years 00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:38.940 where we, 00:30:39.339 --> 00:30:40.000 in the past couple 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:40.319 of years, 00:30:40.379 --> 00:30:40.940 we've gone into 00:30:40.940 --> 00:30:42.139 one elementary school. 00:30:42.700 --> 00:30:43.599 And in that elementary 00:30:43.599 --> 00:30:43.980 school, 00:30:44.079 --> 00:30:44.779 we come alongside 00:30:44.779 --> 00:30:45.639 children who need 00:30:45.639 --> 00:30:46.240 a little help 00:30:46.240 --> 00:30:46.779 with reading, 00:30:47.180 --> 00:30:48.059 who may not be 00:30:48.059 --> 00:30:48.980 quite on par 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:50.159 at the same grade 00:30:50.159 --> 00:30:50.980 level as everybody 00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:51.240 else, 00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:52.079 but just need a little 00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:52.960 bit of encouragement. 00:30:53.960 --> 00:30:54.519 Did you know 00:30:54.519 --> 00:30:55.680 that in many states 00:30:55.680 --> 00:30:58.019 that the government 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.740 will look at 00:30:58.740 --> 00:30:59.759 the reading scores 00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:00.639 and the reading level 00:31:00.639 --> 00:31:01.359 of students 00:31:01.359 --> 00:31:02.700 in elementary school 00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:03.539 to determine 00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:04.500 how much space 00:31:04.500 --> 00:31:05.420 they'll need in prisons 00:31:05.420 --> 00:31:06.159 in the next 10 00:31:06.159 --> 00:31:07.059 to 15 years? 00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:09.200 Reading, 00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:10.399 literacy is something 00:31:10.399 --> 00:31:11.299 that's significant 00:31:11.299 --> 00:31:12.339 to being able 00:31:12.339 --> 00:31:14.399 to be in this society. 00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:15.639 And so we want 00:31:15.639 --> 00:31:17.240 to come alongside them. 00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:18.399 But this year, 00:31:18.519 --> 00:31:19.240 not only do we have 00:31:19.240 --> 00:31:19.639 an opportunity 00:31:19.639 --> 00:31:20.299 to go into one 00:31:20.299 --> 00:31:20.920 of the schools, 00:31:21.359 --> 00:31:22.279 the door is seeming 00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:22.759 to be open 00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.940 to all of our schools 00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:24.960 to be able to go into, 00:31:25.279 --> 00:31:26.119 all the schools 00:31:26.119 --> 00:31:26.579 in our county. 00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:27.420 So that means 00:31:27.420 --> 00:31:28.519 we need people 00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:29.079 who are willing 00:31:29.079 --> 00:31:29.779 to step up 00:31:29.779 --> 00:31:30.399 and do this. 00:31:30.899 --> 00:31:31.559 This week, 00:31:31.619 --> 00:31:32.240 we're getting ready 00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:33.940 to send some finances. 00:31:34.200 --> 00:31:34.299 You know, 00:31:34.339 --> 00:31:34.559 we've, 00:31:34.839 --> 00:31:35.500 as a church, 00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:37.359 set aside $100,000 00:31:37.359 --> 00:31:38.459 that we've been having 00:31:38.459 --> 00:31:38.859 in a bank 00:31:38.859 --> 00:31:39.500 and some investments 00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:40.879 to be invested 00:31:40.879 --> 00:31:41.639 in missions, 00:31:42.059 --> 00:31:43.000 to be invested 00:31:43.000 --> 00:31:44.119 in North American missions, 00:31:44.259 --> 00:31:45.219 international missions. 00:31:45.459 --> 00:31:46.159 This week, 00:31:46.179 --> 00:31:46.859 we get an opportunity 00:31:46.859 --> 00:31:47.699 to start sending 00:31:47.699 --> 00:31:49.299 some of those finances. 00:31:49.439 --> 00:31:50.039 We're going to send 00:31:50.039 --> 00:31:51.479 some to Kenya 00:31:51.479 --> 00:31:52.619 to work with 00:31:52.619 --> 00:31:53.799 an organization 00:31:53.799 --> 00:31:55.039 that is building a well. 00:31:55.319 --> 00:31:56.099 We're going to send 00:31:56.099 --> 00:31:57.299 some to South Asia 00:31:57.299 --> 00:31:59.019 to help with the relief 00:31:59.019 --> 00:32:00.439 of one of our partners 00:32:00.439 --> 00:32:00.939 and the work 00:32:00.939 --> 00:32:01.639 that they're doing 00:32:01.640 --> 00:32:04.100 with some significant flooding 00:32:04.100 --> 00:32:06.240 that has happened 00:32:06.240 --> 00:32:07.520 in their country 00:32:07.520 --> 00:32:08.259 of residence. 00:32:08.640 --> 00:32:09.580 We're going to be sending 00:32:09.580 --> 00:32:10.640 some of that to Mexico 00:32:10.640 --> 00:32:11.980 to work with Pastor Felipe 00:32:11.980 --> 00:32:13.320 who is working 00:32:13.320 --> 00:32:14.320 to love on 00:32:14.320 --> 00:32:14.940 and minister 00:32:14.940 --> 00:32:16.540 to so many children 00:32:16.540 --> 00:32:17.440 in his neighborhood. 00:32:18.360 --> 00:32:19.020 We're going to be 00:32:19.020 --> 00:32:19.660 sending those things, 00:32:19.740 --> 00:32:20.440 but here's the thing. 00:32:21.780 --> 00:32:22.500 Sending money, 00:32:22.920 --> 00:32:23.980 that's the easy part. 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:26.140 That makes us feel 00:32:26.140 --> 00:32:27.200 real good sometimes 00:32:27.200 --> 00:32:27.920 to send money. 00:32:27.980 --> 00:32:28.180 Oh, 00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:28.660 well, 00:32:28.680 --> 00:32:29.400 we're doing our part. 00:32:29.480 --> 00:32:30.040 We're just sending 00:32:30.040 --> 00:32:30.840 some money there. 00:32:31.640 --> 00:32:33.120 But what we're also called 00:32:33.120 --> 00:32:34.800 to do is to go ourselves, 00:32:35.620 --> 00:32:37.400 to use how God 00:32:37.400 --> 00:32:38.420 has blessed us 00:32:38.420 --> 00:32:39.660 to be a blessing 00:32:39.660 --> 00:32:40.240 to others, 00:32:40.280 --> 00:32:41.540 to speak up for those 00:32:41.540 --> 00:32:42.340 who are hurting 00:32:42.340 --> 00:32:42.820 and going through. 00:32:43.020 --> 00:32:44.360 This is part of what it means 00:32:44.360 --> 00:32:45.400 to love our neighbor. 00:32:45.820 --> 00:32:46.940 The mission of God 00:32:46.940 --> 00:32:48.220 involves speaking up 00:32:48.220 --> 00:32:49.780 for those who have no voice. 00:32:50.120 --> 00:32:51.280 This is a vital part 00:32:51.280 --> 00:32:52.320 of sharing the gospel. 00:32:52.980 --> 00:32:53.700 May we never 00:32:53.700 --> 00:32:55.400 over-spiritualize missions 00:32:55.400 --> 00:32:56.060 and reduce it 00:32:56.060 --> 00:32:57.600 to only being concerned 00:32:57.600 --> 00:32:59.120 about a person's eternity 00:32:59.120 --> 00:33:00.240 and not what they're going 00:33:00.240 --> 00:33:01.120 through right now. 00:33:01.640 --> 00:33:02.540 When you look 00:33:02.540 --> 00:33:03.700 at Jesus' life 00:33:03.700 --> 00:33:05.340 and as he went around 00:33:05.340 --> 00:33:06.140 from town to town, 00:33:06.360 --> 00:33:07.200 you see him 00:33:07.200 --> 00:33:08.540 meeting physical needs. 00:33:09.020 --> 00:33:09.740 You see him 00:33:09.740 --> 00:33:10.380 telling people 00:33:10.380 --> 00:33:11.100 about the ultimate 00:33:11.100 --> 00:33:11.880 greatest need 00:33:11.880 --> 00:33:13.200 and when you look at it, 00:33:13.520 --> 00:33:14.180 comparing them, 00:33:15.040 --> 00:33:15.620 telling people 00:33:15.620 --> 00:33:16.600 about who Jesus is 00:33:16.600 --> 00:33:17.720 and the spiritual part 00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:18.100 of missions 00:33:18.100 --> 00:33:19.280 is far greater 00:33:19.280 --> 00:33:20.420 than the physical part 00:33:20.420 --> 00:33:21.560 because that has 00:33:21.560 --> 00:33:22.860 a far greater impact 00:33:22.860 --> 00:33:24.120 forever and ever 00:33:24.120 --> 00:33:25.200 and ever and ever. 00:33:25.200 --> 00:33:27.700 but may we never 00:33:27.700 --> 00:33:30.580 forget about the real needs 00:33:30.580 --> 00:33:31.900 that people are going through. 00:33:32.700 --> 00:33:33.960 Needs that prevent them 00:33:33.960 --> 00:33:35.319 from seeing God's grace. 00:33:35.880 --> 00:33:37.000 Needs that prevent them 00:33:37.000 --> 00:33:37.819 from understanding 00:33:37.819 --> 00:33:38.980 the gospel message. 00:33:39.120 --> 00:33:41.319 I love how Charles Spurgeon 00:33:41.319 --> 00:33:42.940 pleaded with his congregation. 00:33:43.720 --> 00:33:44.500 He said this, 00:33:44.539 --> 00:33:44.860 he says, 00:33:44.859 --> 00:34:14.859 00:34:14.860 --> 00:34:19.740 If any of you can do anything 00:34:19.740 --> 00:34:22.440 to help the toil-worn workers, 00:34:22.820 --> 00:34:25.559 I pray that you do it. 00:34:26.260 --> 00:34:28.160 Let us do all that we can 00:34:28.160 --> 00:34:30.620 to alleviate their present suffering. 00:34:31.519 --> 00:34:32.839 Let us open our eyes 00:34:32.839 --> 00:34:33.759 to see suffering 00:34:33.759 --> 00:34:35.319 that is around us 00:34:35.319 --> 00:34:36.279 here in this community 00:34:36.279 --> 00:34:37.579 and this nation 00:34:37.579 --> 00:34:38.579 around the world. 00:34:38.880 --> 00:34:40.299 Let us do all we can 00:34:40.299 --> 00:34:41.239 to alleviate that 00:34:41.239 --> 00:34:43.359 and let us do all we can 00:34:43.359 --> 00:34:45.679 to tell them of a Savior 00:34:45.679 --> 00:34:47.179 who made a way 00:34:47.179 --> 00:34:48.799 where there was no way. 00:34:49.219 --> 00:34:50.359 Who left heaven 00:34:50.359 --> 00:34:51.519 and lived a life 00:34:51.519 --> 00:34:52.900 that we couldn't 00:34:52.900 --> 00:34:54.079 and died a death 00:34:54.079 --> 00:34:54.980 that we deserve 00:34:54.980 --> 00:34:56.639 so that we all can have 00:34:56.639 --> 00:34:58.259 new life in Him. 00:34:58.960 --> 00:34:59.940 And so as we close, 00:34:59.940 --> 00:35:01.440 I want to ask you 00:35:01.440 --> 00:35:02.420 to pray today. 00:35:03.260 --> 00:35:04.420 Thank God for the ways 00:35:04.420 --> 00:35:05.240 that He has provided 00:35:05.240 --> 00:35:07.159 for you over and over again 00:35:07.159 --> 00:35:08.159 and ask Him 00:35:08.159 --> 00:35:09.340 to clearly help you 00:35:09.340 --> 00:35:11.099 see needs that are around us. 00:35:11.599 --> 00:35:12.900 Ask Him to help us 00:35:12.900 --> 00:35:14.179 clearly be a light 00:35:14.179 --> 00:35:15.619 to those around us, 00:35:15.940 --> 00:35:17.900 pointing them to Jesus 00:35:17.900 --> 00:35:19.139 as the source of hope 00:35:19.139 --> 00:35:20.280 not only in this life 00:35:20.280 --> 00:35:21.320 but the life to come. 00:35:21.820 --> 00:35:23.760 Let us love those around us 00:35:23.760 --> 00:35:24.940 with genuine love. 00:35:25.300 --> 00:35:26.119 Genuine love 00:35:26.119 --> 00:35:27.679 that is compassion 00:35:27.679 --> 00:35:29.099 that leads to action. 00:35:29.099 --> 00:35:30.619 And so I want to encourage you 00:35:30.619 --> 00:35:31.779 this morning to pray. 00:35:32.559 --> 00:35:33.440 In just a moment, 00:35:33.519 --> 00:35:34.460 we're going to stand together 00:35:34.460 --> 00:35:35.179 and we're going to sing 00:35:35.179 --> 00:35:36.219 a song of invitation. 00:35:37.420 --> 00:35:38.139 This morning, 00:35:38.239 --> 00:35:39.179 you may need to just 00:35:39.179 --> 00:35:41.079 stay right where you are 00:35:41.079 --> 00:35:42.119 and pray 00:35:42.119 --> 00:35:44.239 and then be honest with God 00:35:44.239 --> 00:35:44.500 and say, 00:35:44.599 --> 00:35:46.099 Lord, I'm suffering. 00:35:46.239 --> 00:35:46.920 I'm struggling. 00:35:47.579 --> 00:35:49.099 I'm struggling to see 00:35:49.099 --> 00:35:49.960 who you are. 00:35:50.460 --> 00:35:52.219 I'm struggling in the midst of this 00:35:52.219 --> 00:35:52.739 but Lord, 00:35:53.199 --> 00:35:54.819 remind me of your faithfulness. 00:35:55.179 --> 00:35:56.639 Remind me of who you are. 00:35:56.639 --> 00:35:58.699 put those people in my life 00:35:58.699 --> 00:36:00.159 that will point me to you. 00:36:00.960 --> 00:36:02.179 But maybe you're at a place 00:36:02.179 --> 00:36:02.719 right now 00:36:02.719 --> 00:36:05.119 where living by faith 00:36:05.119 --> 00:36:06.079 means that you're going 00:36:06.079 --> 00:36:07.119 to use the ways 00:36:07.119 --> 00:36:08.500 that God has blessed you 00:36:08.500 --> 00:36:10.279 to be a blessing to others. 00:36:10.920 --> 00:36:11.859 So I want to encourage you 00:36:11.859 --> 00:36:12.699 to pray to Him 00:36:12.699 --> 00:36:13.379 and say, 00:36:13.519 --> 00:36:13.799 Lord, 00:36:13.980 --> 00:36:15.279 open the doors 00:36:15.279 --> 00:36:16.599 and help me 00:36:16.599 --> 00:36:17.879 to be honest with you. 00:36:18.219 --> 00:36:19.000 Help me to walk 00:36:19.000 --> 00:36:19.799 through those doors 00:36:19.799 --> 00:36:21.719 and be a light for you 00:36:21.719 --> 00:36:23.480 wherever you call me to go. 00:36:24.119 --> 00:36:24.539 Father, 00:36:24.659 --> 00:36:25.559 thank you so much 00:36:25.559 --> 00:36:26.960 for your word. 00:36:27.619 --> 00:36:28.900 Thank you for what it teaches us 00:36:28.900 --> 00:36:29.420 about you. 00:36:29.559 --> 00:36:30.860 Thank you for the story 00:36:30.860 --> 00:36:32.300 of Ruth 00:36:32.300 --> 00:36:33.159 and Boaz 00:36:33.159 --> 00:36:33.719 and Naomi 00:36:33.719 --> 00:36:34.400 and Elimelech 00:36:34.400 --> 00:36:34.960 and these sons. 00:36:35.059 --> 00:36:35.159 Lord, 00:36:35.199 --> 00:36:35.960 we thank you 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:37.300 for this story. 00:36:37.860 --> 00:36:39.420 A story that we're familiar with 00:36:39.420 --> 00:36:39.780 but Lord, 00:36:39.860 --> 00:36:41.039 I pray that we see it 00:36:41.039 --> 00:36:41.900 with fresh eyes 00:36:41.900 --> 00:36:42.880 being reminded 00:36:42.880 --> 00:36:44.300 of the faith 00:36:44.300 --> 00:36:45.099 of Ruth, 00:36:45.199 --> 00:36:46.320 the faith of Boaz. 00:36:46.440 --> 00:36:46.559 Lord, 00:36:46.699 --> 00:36:48.099 give us faith like them 00:36:48.099 --> 00:36:49.240 to praise you 00:36:49.240 --> 00:36:50.139 in the midst of suffering, 00:36:50.219 --> 00:36:50.880 to praise you 00:36:50.880 --> 00:36:51.820 when things are going well, 00:36:51.820 --> 00:36:53.740 to be a blessing to others 00:36:53.740 --> 00:36:55.700 with what you have blessed us with. 00:36:56.059 --> 00:36:56.460 So Lord, 00:36:56.580 --> 00:36:57.559 open our eyes 00:36:57.559 --> 00:36:58.880 to see you more clearly 00:36:58.880 --> 00:37:00.820 so that we can serve you 00:37:00.820 --> 00:37:01.680 more fully. 00:37:02.240 --> 00:37:02.460 Lord, 00:37:02.500 --> 00:37:03.519 we ask all these things 00:37:03.519 --> 00:37:04.360 in Jesus' name. 00:37:04.860 --> 00:37:05.160 Amen. 00:37:06.059 --> 00:37:06.960 I'm going to invite you 00:37:06.960 --> 00:37:08.600 to take your singing hymnal 00:37:08.600 --> 00:37:10.960 and turn to one of my favorite hymns, 00:37:11.120 --> 00:37:13.059 hymn number 362, 00:37:13.580 --> 00:37:15.440 Jesus Strong and Kind. 00:37:15.820 --> 00:37:17.280 If the Lord is speaking to you 00:37:17.280 --> 00:37:17.700 this morning, 00:37:17.800 --> 00:37:18.320 I want you to respond 00:37:18.320 --> 00:37:19.400 as we stand together 00:37:19.400 --> 00:37:20.380 and sing. 00:37:21.820 --> 00:37:22.820 Thanks. 00:37:22.900 --> 00:37:23.240 Bye. 00:37:23.400 --> 00:37:23.620 Bye. 00:37:23.700 --> 00:37:23.820 Bye. 00:37:24.000 --> 00:37:24.080 Bye. 00:37:24.240 --> 00:37:24.340 Bye. 00:37:24.519 --> 00:37:24.600 Bye. 00:37:24.680 --> 00:37:24.800 Bye. 00:37:24.920 --> 00:37:25.100 Bye. 00:37:25.180 --> 00:37:25.500 Bye. 00:37:25.600 --> 00:37:25.740 Bye. 00:37:25.780 --> 00:37:26.080 Bye. 00:37:26.180 --> 00:37:26.400 Bye. 00:37:26.519 --> 00:37:26.660 Bye. 00:37:26.740 --> 00:37:26.840 Bye. 00:37:26.920 --> 00:37:27.140 Bye. 00:37:27.240 --> 00:37:27.460 Bye. 00:37:27.559 --> 00:37:27.640 Bye. 00:37:27.740 --> 00:37:27.780 Bye. 00:37:27.860 --> 00:37:27.940 Bye. 00:37:28.039 --> 00:37:28.180 Bye. 00:37:28.280 --> 00:37:28.460 Bye. 00:37:28.559 --> 00:37:28.660 Bye. 00:37:28.720 --> 00:37:28.860 Bye. 00:37:28.960 --> 00:37:29.140 Bye. 00:37:29.240 --> 00:37:29.539 Bye. 00:37:29.640 --> 00:37:29.740 Bye. 00:37:29.820 --> 00:37:30.000 Bye. 00:37:30.080 --> 00:37:30.500 Bye. 00:37:30.620 --> 00:37:30.700 Bye. 00:37:30.780 --> 00:37:30.940 Bye. 00:37:31.059 --> 00:37:31.380 Bye. 00:37:31.519 --> 00:37:31.640 Bye. 00:37:31.700 --> 00:37:31.700 00:37:31.780 --> 00:37:31.820 Bye. 00:37:31.940 --> 00:37:32.080 Bye. 00:37:32.160 --> 00:37:32.360 Bye. 00:37:32.460 --> 00:37:32.600 Bye. 00:37:32.680 --> 00:37:32.760 Bye. 00:37:32.840 --> 00:37:33.080 Bye. 00:37:33.180 --> 00:37:33.580 Bye. 00:37:33.680 --> 00:37:33.800 Bye. 00:37:33.900 --> 00:37:34.180 Bye. 00:37:34.260 --> 00:37:34.539 Bye. 00:37:34.620 --> 00:37:34.680 Bye. 00:37:34.740 --> 00:37:34.780 Bye. 00:37:34.840 --> 00:37:34.880 Bye. 00:37:34.980 --> 00:37:35.240 Bye. 00:37:35.380 --> 00:37:35.600 Bye. 00:37:35.680 --> 00:37:35.700 Bye. 00:37:35.800 --> 00:37:35.940 Bye. 00:37:36.039 --> 00:37:36.400 Bye. 00:37:36.519 --> 00:37:36.700 Bye. 00:37:36.800 --> 00:37:37.000 Bye. 00:37:37.080 --> 00:37:37.640 Bye.