WEBVTT

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 My name is Ed, one of the pastors here at Trinity Church. Such a joy. Really excited to dig into God's word this morning.

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! If we want to open up our Bibles, we're going to continue on in the book of Ruth.

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 We're in Act 3, Chapter 3.

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 So open up our Bibles. If you are in need of a Bible, feel free to raise your hand and we're happy to give you a Bible as our gift.

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 If you could keep it and take it home with you.

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 Again, we are in Ruth, Chapter 3. Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's word this morning.

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 Heavenly Father,

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 I'm trying to do something that is impossible by my own strength,

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 by my own wisdom,

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 by myself to do.

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 I want to

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 faithfully deliver your word

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 and to build up your church,

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 encourage your people, your bride,

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 whom you love.

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 I know you love them dearly,

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 that they are very precious in your sight.

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 So Lord, won't you please use this time,

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 use me as your servant, speak through me,

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 so that I may be able to build your people up,

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 encourage them, help them to really know your heart,

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 to know a heart that loves them and fights for them,

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 a heart that accepts them

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 and delights in them.

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 Lord, as we read about this beautiful story in Ruth,

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 convict us to the heart that we have a great Redeemer.

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 Just as Ruth has a great Redeemer in Boaz,

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 we have an even greater Redeemer in Christ.

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 Expand our vision of Him.

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 Help us to see Him rightly,

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 that we would worship Him and love Him all the more.

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 Convict us, cut us to the heart.

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 Do what only you can do.

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 Fill us with your Spirit today.

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 Help us, O God.

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 In Jesus' name we pray.

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 Amen.

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 Please rise as we honor the Lord,

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 as we read from Him.

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 We're going to read all of Ruth chapter 3,

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 starting in verse 1.

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 Then Naomi, her mother-in-law, said to her,

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 My daughter, should I not seek rest for you?

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 Then it may be well with you.

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 Is not Boaz our relative

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 with whose young women you were?

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 See, he is winnowing barley tonight

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 at the threshing floor.

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 Wash, therefore, and anoint yourself,

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 and put on your cloak,

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 and go down to the threshing floor.

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 But do not make yourself known to the man

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 until he has finished eating and drinking.

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 But when he lies down,

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 observe the place where he lies.

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 Then go and uncover his feet and lie down,

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 and he will tell you what to do.

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 And she replied,

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 All that you say I will do.

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 So she went down to the threshing floor

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 and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her.

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 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk

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 and his heart was merry,

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 he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain.

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 Then she came softly

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 and uncovered his feet and lay down.

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 At midnight, the man was startled

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 and turned over.

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 And behold, a woman lay at his feet.

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 He said, Who are you?

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 And she answered,

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 I am Ruth, your servant.

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 Spread your wings over your servant,

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 for you are a redeemer.

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 And he said,

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 May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter,

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 for you have made this last kindness

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 greater than the first.

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 You have not gone after young men,

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 whether poor or rich.

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 And now, my daughter,

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 do not fear.

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 I will do for you all that you ask.

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 For all my fellow townsmen

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 know that you are a worthy woman.

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 And now it is true that I am a redeemer.

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 Yet, there is a redeemer nearer than I.

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 Remain tonight.

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 And in the morning,

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 if he will redeem you, good.

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 Let him do it.

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 But if he is not willing to redeem you,

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 then, as the Lord lives,

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 I will redeem you.

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 He will redeem you.

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 He will redeem you.

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 He will redeem you.

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 He will redeem you.

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 So, she lay at his feet until the morning.

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 But a rose or one could recognize another.

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 And he said,

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 Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.

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 And he said,

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 Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out.

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 So she held it.

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 And he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her.

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 Then she went into the city.

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 And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said,

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 How did you fare, my daughter?

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 Then she told her all that the man had done for her,

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 saying,

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 These six measures of barley he gave to me,

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 for he said to me,

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 You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law.

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 She replied,

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 Wait, my daughter,

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 until you learn how the matter turns out.

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 For the man will not rest,

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 but will settle the matter today.

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 This is God's holy and authoritative word.

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 Please be seated.

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 Everyone loves a good proposal story.

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 Let me tell you about the most persistent one that I know.

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 And in fact,

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 give you some insight into some Kang family lore.

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 When they were dating,

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 my dad asked my mom to marry him six times.

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 And got rejected six times.

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 My mom said that she was shocked the first time,

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 but even more shocked that he asked another time,

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 and then another time,

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 and then another time.

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 I think he just bombarded her,

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 beat her down with these proposals,

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 so that she had eventually just said yes.

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 Have you ever noticed that genuine surprise during proposals

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 rarely happens today?

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 We plan, quote-unquote, surprise proposals.

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 Staging photographers,

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 hiding expensive rings,

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 even organizing flash mobs.

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 Did you know that you can even hire

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 a professional proposal planner these days?

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 But we know it's all just a bit of a ruse, right?

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 We know it's not fully a surprise.

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 Almost always,

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 the couple has already agreed.

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 They have already talked about it in getting married.

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 So what is a surprise?

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 It's not that you ask,

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 but how you ask.

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 A real surprise proposal

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 is one where the parties haven't even talked about getting married yet.

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 A real surprise proposal

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 is one where you actually have a chance of getting rejected.

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 And as I remind you,

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 like my dad did,

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 six times.

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 In Ruth 3,

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 we have a surprise proposal,

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 if there ever was one.

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 Ruth was young.

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 Boaz was old.

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 She was poor.

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 He was rich.

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 She was a foreigner.

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 He was an Israelite.

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 They're not a thing.

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 They're not talking.

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 They're not a relationship.

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 They're not dating.

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 And to top it all off,

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 she asks him,

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 in the middle of the night,

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 after waking him up from a deep sleep,

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 this is the surprise proposals

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 of all surprise proposals.

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 But the only thing more surprising

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 than her proposal

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 is the fact that he says yes.

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 In incredible compassion

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 and covenantal loyalty,

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 and really,

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 in a unique biblical masculinity,

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 that he uses his power and position

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 to be able to lift up others

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 instead of for self-gain,

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 in that he promises to redeem her.

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 Ruth chapter 3 is a beautiful,

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 beautiful proposal story

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 of sacrifice,

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 of love,

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 of redemption.

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 And in particular,

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 we ought to pay attention this morning

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 because this is our story.

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 Like Ruth,

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 all we sinners were poor and needy,

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 sick and sore,

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 undeserving and helpless,

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 without any options

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 to secure our future.

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 But in remarkable kindness

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 that goes beyond all comprehension,

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 Christ has agreed to redeem us.

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 This chapter opens up

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 with Naomi seeking rest for Ruth.

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 And then it closes

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 with Naomi telling Ruth

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 that she can now rest.

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 Why?

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 Because Boaz won't.

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 He won't rest

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 until the matter is settled.

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 And so we too,

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 when we have the promise

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 that Christ will redeem us,

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 we,

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 brothers and sisters,

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 can now rest.

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 Rest

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 because Christ won't.

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 That's my main encouragement

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 for you this morning,

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 is to find rest

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 in your Redeemer

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 who will not rest

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 until we can.

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 In turn,

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 we're going to talk about

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 how these three main characters

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 relate to rest.

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 How Naomi first seeks rest,

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 then Booth requests rest,

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 and then finally,

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 how Boaz,

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 he secures rest.

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 We're weeks after the events

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 of chapter two,

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 but chapter three

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 has a very similar literary structure.

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 Both start with

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 Naomi and Ruth

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 in the home,

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 really planning

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 how to survive

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 given their scenario.

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 Then the scene

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 transitions

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 to the field

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 where Ruth and Boaz,

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 they interact.

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 And then finally,

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 third scene

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 is back in the home

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 where Ruth comes home

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 and tells Naomi

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 all that that happened.

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 So both chapters

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 two and three

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 have this clear

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 chiascic ABA structure,

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 but there's one

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 major difference

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 between these two chapters,

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 between chapters two and three.

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 And it's found

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 in the very first verse

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 of this chapter.

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 Do you see it?

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 In chapter two,

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 Ruth boldly initiates

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 a plan

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 to go out

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 gleaning among the fields

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 for sustenance,

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 for survival,

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 to provide

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 for her mother-in-law Naomi.

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 But in chapter three,

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 it is Naomi,

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 Naomi,

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 who initiates

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 an arguably

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 even bolder plan

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 to be able

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 to provide rest,

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 seek rest

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 for the good

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 of her daughter-in-law,

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 Ruth.

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 It's flipped here.

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 Do you see that?

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 She asks,

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 my daughter,

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 should I not

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 seek rest for you

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 that it may be

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 well with you?

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 What's the rest

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 that she is seeking?

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 It's the rest

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 that could be found

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 in the house

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 of a husband.

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 That's a clear echo

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 for her desire

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 in Ruth,

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 for Ruth in chapter one,

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 where she prays

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 in verse nine,

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 may the Lord deal

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 kindly with you.

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 The Lord grant

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 that you may find rest

00:12:07.080 --> 00:12:07.920
 each of you

00:12:07.920 --> 00:12:08.600
 in the house

00:12:08.600 --> 00:12:09.960
 of her husband.

00:12:11.620 --> 00:12:12.520
 Two widows,

00:12:13.240 --> 00:12:14.580
 no husbands,

00:12:15.300 --> 00:12:16.140
 no sons,

00:12:16.140 --> 00:12:17.680
 no stable income,

00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:19.100
 no future,

00:12:19.260 --> 00:12:20.480
 and no way

00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:21.800
 to secure one.

00:12:21.799 --> 00:12:24.439
 if their situation

00:12:24.439 --> 00:12:25.859
 did not change,

00:12:26.259 --> 00:12:27.559
 it's possible,

00:12:27.799 --> 00:12:28.579
 it's very possible

00:12:28.579 --> 00:12:29.139
 that they even

00:12:29.139 --> 00:12:29.979
 would have to sell

00:12:29.979 --> 00:12:31.620
 themselves into slavery

00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:34.899
 just to make ends meet.

00:12:36.919 --> 00:12:38.559
 So Naomi wants Ruth

00:12:38.559 --> 00:12:40.419
 to find rest,

00:12:40.519 --> 00:12:41.799
 find rest in a husband

00:12:41.799 --> 00:12:43.699
 who can finally provide,

00:12:43.919 --> 00:12:44.339
 protect,

00:12:44.839 --> 00:12:45.859
 and produce an heir

00:12:45.859 --> 00:12:46.219
 for her.

00:12:47.059 --> 00:12:47.620
 So what's her

00:12:47.620 --> 00:12:48.799
 big, bold plan then?

00:12:49.199 --> 00:12:50.399
 Her big, bold plan

00:12:50.399 --> 00:12:51.120
 to get a man.

00:12:52.539 --> 00:12:53.360
 She wants her

00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:54.919
 to find Boaz

00:12:54.919 --> 00:12:56.759
 and ask him

00:12:56.759 --> 00:12:57.919
 to marry her.

00:12:59.279 --> 00:13:00.240
 So first,

00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:01.240
 she tells Ruth

00:13:01.240 --> 00:13:02.799
 to wash up,

00:13:03.860 --> 00:13:05.779
 put some perfume on,

00:13:06.480 --> 00:13:07.019
 make herself

00:13:07.019 --> 00:13:07.959
 look presentable.

00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:10.720
 It sounds very reasonable,

00:13:10.919 --> 00:13:11.939
 sounds a lot like us,

00:13:12.079 --> 00:13:12.299
 right?

00:13:12.459 --> 00:13:13.659
 Rare is the girl

00:13:13.659 --> 00:13:14.980
 who goes to that

00:13:14.980 --> 00:13:15.819
 friend's hangout

00:13:15.819 --> 00:13:16.799
 in just a raggedy

00:13:16.799 --> 00:13:17.259
 t-shirt,

00:13:17.799 --> 00:13:18.419
 sweatpants,

00:13:18.479 --> 00:13:19.099
 when she knows

00:13:19.099 --> 00:13:20.599
 that that guy

00:13:20.599 --> 00:13:21.120
 will be there.

00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:22.139
 Right?

00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:23.159
 Her crush will be there.

00:13:23.919 --> 00:13:24.959
 It's very natural,

00:13:25.219 --> 00:13:25.339
 right?

00:13:25.359 --> 00:13:25.899
 We all,

00:13:26.539 --> 00:13:27.199
 both men and women,

00:13:27.299 --> 00:13:27.859
 want to present

00:13:27.859 --> 00:13:29.039
 our very best

00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:30.339
 to get the attention

00:13:30.339 --> 00:13:31.059
 of others.

00:13:31.579 --> 00:13:32.759
 And that very much

00:13:32.759 --> 00:13:33.779
 could be the part,

00:13:33.859 --> 00:13:34.919
 part of what

00:13:34.919 --> 00:13:36.359
 Naomi is planning

00:13:36.359 --> 00:13:37.519
 for Ruth here.

00:13:38.379 --> 00:13:39.319
 But there may be

00:13:39.319 --> 00:13:40.079
 even more

00:13:40.079 --> 00:13:41.019
 to this suggestion.

00:13:42.179 --> 00:13:43.259
 In the ancient

00:13:43.259 --> 00:13:44.179
 Near East,

00:13:44.179 --> 00:13:45.739
 it was customary

00:13:45.739 --> 00:13:46.639
 for widows

00:13:46.639 --> 00:13:47.539
 who just recently

00:13:47.539 --> 00:13:48.879
 lost a spouse,

00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:50.059
 lost their husbands,

00:13:50.259 --> 00:13:51.939
 to wear special garments

00:13:51.939 --> 00:13:53.479
 that signified

00:13:53.479 --> 00:13:54.239
 mourning

00:13:54.239 --> 00:13:55.519
 and loss.

00:13:57.500 --> 00:13:58.279
 Ruth very much

00:13:58.279 --> 00:13:58.839
 could have been

00:13:58.839 --> 00:14:00.639
 wearing these special garments

00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:01.939
 since the death

00:14:01.939 --> 00:14:02.519
 of her husband.

00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:04.559
 So Naomi may be

00:14:04.559 --> 00:14:05.719
 telling her it's time

00:14:05.719 --> 00:14:07.299
 to put off

00:14:07.299 --> 00:14:08.019
 these garments

00:14:08.019 --> 00:14:09.459
 and it's time

00:14:09.459 --> 00:14:10.719
 to present yourself

00:14:10.719 --> 00:14:11.740
 as available again.

00:14:11.740 --> 00:14:14.100
 So far,

00:14:14.200 --> 00:14:15.299
 we track

00:14:15.299 --> 00:14:16.180
 with this plan

00:14:16.180 --> 00:14:16.899
 to get a man.

00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:20.120
 But this next part

00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:20.919
 is where it gets

00:14:20.919 --> 00:14:21.500
 interesting,

00:14:21.680 --> 00:14:22.360
 to say the least.

00:14:23.299 --> 00:14:23.480
 All right,

00:14:23.480 --> 00:14:24.399
 let's just read it

00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:24.840
 exactly.

00:14:25.840 --> 00:14:26.560
 Go down

00:14:26.560 --> 00:14:27.680
 to the threshing floor,

00:14:27.879 --> 00:14:28.820
 but do not make

00:14:28.820 --> 00:14:29.539
 yourself known

00:14:29.539 --> 00:14:30.039
 to the man

00:14:30.039 --> 00:14:30.899
 until he has finished

00:14:30.899 --> 00:14:32.039
 eating and drinking.

00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:34.200
 But when he lies down,

00:14:34.320 --> 00:14:35.220
 observe the place

00:14:35.220 --> 00:14:36.259
 where he lies.

00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:37.680
 Then go

00:14:37.680 --> 00:14:39.100
 and uncover his feet

00:14:39.100 --> 00:14:40.159
 and lie down,

00:14:40.159 --> 00:14:41.480
 and he will tell you

00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:42.059
 what to do.

00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:45.079
 What in the world?

00:14:46.059 --> 00:14:47.379
 What is this all about?

00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:49.879
 She's telling Ruth

00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:51.579
 to go to the place,

00:14:51.799 --> 00:14:52.439
 his workplace,

00:14:53.419 --> 00:14:54.219
 watch him,

00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:56.019
 don't let him see you,

00:14:56.199 --> 00:14:56.839
 but watch him,

00:14:56.899 --> 00:14:57.879
 essentially stalk him

00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:59.959
 until he eats and drinks

00:14:59.959 --> 00:15:01.219
 and then falls asleep.

00:15:01.939 --> 00:15:03.659
 And then go up to him,

00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:05.120
 uncover his feet,

00:15:05.159 --> 00:15:06.299
 and lay next to him.

00:15:06.299 --> 00:15:08.459
 We clearly need

00:15:08.459 --> 00:15:09.679
 some historical context

00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:10.699
 to make sense

00:15:10.699 --> 00:15:11.500
 of this plan.

00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:14.379
 Unfortunately,

00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:15.919
 the text doesn't make

00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:17.399
 it exactly clear

00:15:17.399 --> 00:15:18.639
 of the rationale

00:15:18.639 --> 00:15:20.019
 that Naomi has

00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:20.539
 for Ruth,

00:15:21.019 --> 00:15:21.559
 so it's hard

00:15:21.559 --> 00:15:22.240
 to know exactly,

00:15:22.439 --> 00:15:23.699
 but I think that

00:15:23.699 --> 00:15:24.579
 there are two

00:15:24.579 --> 00:15:25.599
 main things,

00:15:25.719 --> 00:15:26.459
 main needs

00:15:26.459 --> 00:15:27.759
 that this plan addresses.

00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:28.639
 Right,

00:15:28.699 --> 00:15:29.219
 number one,

00:15:29.359 --> 00:15:30.059
 the plan for,

00:15:30.139 --> 00:15:31.099
 the need for privacy,

00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:32.839
 and two,

00:15:32.919 --> 00:15:34.000
 the need for respect.

00:15:34.919 --> 00:15:35.379
 Number one,

00:15:35.419 --> 00:15:36.200
 the need for privacy.

00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:37.419
 This isn't in,

00:15:37.460 --> 00:15:37.700
 like,

00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:38.759
 our modern times

00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:39.320
 where you could just

00:15:39.320 --> 00:15:40.220
 DM somebody,

00:15:40.720 --> 00:15:41.340
 text somebody,

00:15:41.399 --> 00:15:41.879
 where you can have

00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:43.399
 a private conversation

00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:43.940
 that way.

00:15:45.019 --> 00:15:46.700
 Boaz is a busy man

00:15:46.700 --> 00:15:48.019
 with a lot of servants

00:15:48.019 --> 00:15:49.100
 around him continually.

00:15:49.320 --> 00:15:50.980
 It's likely a small community

00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:51.559
 where everybody

00:15:51.559 --> 00:15:52.299
 knows everybody.

00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:54.259
 It's probably hard

00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:55.240
 to have a truly

00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:56.740
 private conversation

00:15:56.740 --> 00:15:57.279
 with him,

00:15:57.759 --> 00:15:58.840
 one where no one

00:15:58.840 --> 00:15:59.659
 would be watching

00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:01.120
 and then spreading rumors.

00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:02.299
 Did you see that

00:16:02.299 --> 00:16:03.179
 Ruth was talking

00:16:03.179 --> 00:16:04.159
 to Boaz?

00:16:05.979 --> 00:16:07.199
 And even if Ruth

00:16:07.199 --> 00:16:08.379
 could find a small

00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:09.859
 sliver of time

00:16:09.859 --> 00:16:11.079
 to talk to Boaz,

00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:13.199
 at the end of Ruth 2,

00:16:13.279 --> 00:16:13.899
 we read that

00:16:13.899 --> 00:16:14.740
 it was the end

00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:15.399
 of the barley

00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:16.659
 and wheat harvests

00:16:16.659 --> 00:16:18.019
 in verse 23.

00:16:19.099 --> 00:16:20.359
 So if those harvests

00:16:20.359 --> 00:16:21.159
 were ending,

00:16:21.839 --> 00:16:22.759
 it very much

00:16:22.759 --> 00:16:23.439
 could have meant

00:16:23.439 --> 00:16:24.719
 that there wasn't

00:16:24.719 --> 00:16:25.259
 going to be

00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:26.500
 much more opportunity

00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:27.240
 for Ruth

00:16:27.240 --> 00:16:28.179
 to naturally

00:16:28.179 --> 00:16:30.059
 interact with Boaz

00:16:30.059 --> 00:16:31.000
 on the fields.

00:16:32.299 --> 00:16:32.919
 So Naomi

00:16:32.919 --> 00:16:34.079
 tells Ruth

00:16:34.079 --> 00:16:35.240
 to approach

00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:35.979
 Boaz

00:16:35.979 --> 00:16:37.299
 privately

00:16:37.299 --> 00:16:38.459
 at a time

00:16:38.459 --> 00:16:39.299
 where everyone else

00:16:39.299 --> 00:16:40.079
 would be asleep

00:16:40.079 --> 00:16:41.199
 so that they could

00:16:41.199 --> 00:16:41.959
 truly have

00:16:41.959 --> 00:16:43.399
 a private conversation.

00:16:44.699 --> 00:16:45.339
 Secondly,

00:16:45.479 --> 00:16:46.919
 the need for respect.

00:16:47.839 --> 00:16:48.759
 Given women

00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:49.639
 back then

00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:50.659
 were not

00:16:50.659 --> 00:16:51.979
 the ones

00:16:51.979 --> 00:16:52.939
 to propose,

00:16:53.939 --> 00:16:54.559
 it could have been

00:16:54.559 --> 00:16:55.559
 a very great

00:16:55.559 --> 00:16:56.219
 offense,

00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:59.339
 an act of dishonor

00:16:59.340 --> 00:17:00.899
 for Boaz

00:17:00.899 --> 00:17:01.560
 if she just

00:17:01.560 --> 00:17:02.820
 stomped into

00:17:02.820 --> 00:17:03.360
 the field,

00:17:04.120 --> 00:17:04.960
 shook him awake,

00:17:05.360 --> 00:17:06.160
 and demanded

00:17:06.160 --> 00:17:08.059
 that he marry her.

00:17:09.259 --> 00:17:10.559
 So she teaches

00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:11.519
 Ruth to wake him up

00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:12.680
 in a most delicate

00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:13.460
 way,

00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:15.019
 just by exposing

00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:15.640
 his feet

00:17:15.640 --> 00:17:16.240
 so that he'd just

00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:17.299
 wake up from the cold

00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:18.059
 more naturally.

00:17:19.860 --> 00:17:20.440
 And then finally,

00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:21.240
 he tells her

00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:22.480
 to follow his lead

00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:23.480
 when she says,

00:17:23.600 --> 00:17:24.380
 he will tell you

00:17:24.380 --> 00:17:24.920
 what to do.

00:17:24.920 --> 00:17:26.920
 In her plan,

00:17:27.019 --> 00:17:27.759
 Naomi seems

00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:28.440
 to try to

00:17:28.440 --> 00:17:29.500
 toe this line

00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:30.000
 between

00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:31.580
 boldly taking

00:17:31.580 --> 00:17:32.080
 the initiative

00:17:32.080 --> 00:17:33.360
 and while

00:17:33.360 --> 00:17:34.160
 respectfully

00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:34.680
 submitting

00:17:34.680 --> 00:17:35.500
 to his leadership.

00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:38.560
 But while

00:17:38.560 --> 00:17:39.420
 Naomi is

00:17:39.420 --> 00:17:40.660
 trying to

00:17:40.660 --> 00:17:41.120
 preserve

00:17:41.120 --> 00:17:41.740
 as much

00:17:41.740 --> 00:17:42.340
 respect

00:17:42.340 --> 00:17:43.000
 possible

00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:43.920
 for Boaz,

00:17:44.320 --> 00:17:45.320
 this really

00:17:45.320 --> 00:17:45.779
 nonetheless

00:17:45.779 --> 00:17:47.320
 is an extremely

00:17:47.320 --> 00:17:48.460
 bold plan.

00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:50.560
 At her core,

00:17:50.800 --> 00:17:51.860
 it's a plan

00:17:51.860 --> 00:17:52.560
 to get a

00:17:52.560 --> 00:17:53.539
 menial,

00:17:53.539 --> 00:17:54.879
 marginal,

00:17:55.259 --> 00:17:55.960
 Moabite woman

00:17:55.960 --> 00:17:57.299
 married to

00:17:57.299 --> 00:17:58.079
 a worthy,

00:17:58.599 --> 00:17:59.000
 wealthy,

00:17:59.159 --> 00:18:00.119
 Israelite man.

00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:02.039
 Just seeing

00:18:02.039 --> 00:18:03.980
 how bold

00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:04.680
 this plan

00:18:04.680 --> 00:18:05.180
 is then,

00:18:05.899 --> 00:18:07.220
 we must

00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:07.700
 observe.

00:18:07.819 --> 00:18:08.159
 I want us

00:18:08.159 --> 00:18:08.899
 to slow down

00:18:08.899 --> 00:18:10.619
 and see

00:18:10.619 --> 00:18:11.359
 how the

00:18:11.359 --> 00:18:12.059
 lamenting,

00:18:13.019 --> 00:18:13.379
 bitter

00:18:13.379 --> 00:18:14.159
 Mara

00:18:14.159 --> 00:18:14.779
 in chapter

00:18:14.779 --> 00:18:15.319
 one is

00:18:15.319 --> 00:18:15.720
 gone.

00:18:16.859 --> 00:18:17.599
 Here now

00:18:17.599 --> 00:18:18.039
 is the

00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:18.720
 daring,

00:18:19.619 --> 00:18:20.079
 bold,

00:18:20.299 --> 00:18:20.859
 hoping

00:18:20.859 --> 00:18:21.339
 Naomi

00:18:21.339 --> 00:18:22.159
 who is

00:18:22.159 --> 00:18:22.440
 seeking

00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:23.119
 the welfare

00:18:23.119 --> 00:18:23.599
 of her

00:18:23.599 --> 00:18:24.239
 daughter-in-law.

00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:25.459
 Do you

00:18:25.459 --> 00:18:25.819
 remember what

00:18:25.819 --> 00:18:26.259
 happened in

00:18:26.259 --> 00:18:27.279
 chapter one?

00:18:28.159 --> 00:18:28.839
 Who Naomi

00:18:28.839 --> 00:18:29.239
 is,

00:18:29.319 --> 00:18:29.579
 how she

00:18:29.579 --> 00:18:30.059
 describes

00:18:30.059 --> 00:18:30.459
 herself.

00:18:31.399 --> 00:18:31.859
 She says,

00:18:32.099 --> 00:18:32.659
 don't call

00:18:32.659 --> 00:18:33.279
 me Naomi,

00:18:33.439 --> 00:18:33.779
 don't call

00:18:33.779 --> 00:18:34.339
 me pleasant,

00:18:34.539 --> 00:18:35.019
 call me

00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:35.799
 Mara,

00:18:35.899 --> 00:18:36.259
 call me

00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:36.699
 bitter.

00:18:38.439 --> 00:18:38.799
 Biblical

00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:39.359
 counselors

00:18:39.359 --> 00:18:40.399
 have pointed

00:18:40.399 --> 00:18:41.379
 to Naomi

00:18:41.379 --> 00:18:42.559
 in chapter

00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:43.079
 one as an

00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:43.799
 example in

00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:44.099
 scripture

00:18:44.099 --> 00:18:44.939
 of someone

00:18:44.939 --> 00:18:45.579
 who is

00:18:45.579 --> 00:18:46.699
 depressed.

00:18:48.179 --> 00:18:48.959
 She struggles

00:18:48.959 --> 00:18:49.559
 with an

00:18:49.559 --> 00:18:50.339
 overwhelming

00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:50.899
 sense of

00:18:50.899 --> 00:18:51.299
 loss,

00:18:51.459 --> 00:18:51.839
 that's the

00:18:51.839 --> 00:18:52.439
 first sign.

00:18:52.440 --> 00:18:53.580
 as a

00:18:53.580 --> 00:18:53.900
 result,

00:18:54.059 --> 00:18:54.759
 her heart,

00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:56.380
 her speech

00:18:56.380 --> 00:18:57.519
 is continually

00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:58.440
 bitter,

00:18:58.940 --> 00:18:59.799
 downcast.

00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:01.180
 You see it

00:19:01.180 --> 00:19:01.559
 in how she

00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:02.200
 just tells the

00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:03.180
 whole neighborhood

00:19:03.180 --> 00:19:04.220
 of how much

00:19:04.220 --> 00:19:04.880
 God has taken

00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:05.259
 away from

00:19:05.259 --> 00:19:05.420
 her.

00:19:06.860 --> 00:19:08.259
 She also

00:19:08.259 --> 00:19:09.160
 isn't able

00:19:09.160 --> 00:19:09.820
 to give

00:19:09.820 --> 00:19:10.500
 thanks for

00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:11.340
 anything good

00:19:11.340 --> 00:19:11.900
 in her life.

00:19:12.860 --> 00:19:13.980
 She's able

00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:14.660
 to return

00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:15.759
 from Moab

00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:16.460
 back to

00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:16.840
 Israel,

00:19:17.600 --> 00:19:18.279
 back to her

00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:18.620
 homeland,

00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:19.259
 something to

00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:20.000
 praise God

00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:20.279
 for.

00:19:21.079 --> 00:19:21.920
 There's also

00:19:21.920 --> 00:19:23.200
 the fact

00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:23.559
 that the

00:19:23.559 --> 00:19:24.299
 famine is

00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:24.700
 over,

00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:25.700
 something else

00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:26.339
 to praise

00:19:26.339 --> 00:19:26.640
 for.

00:19:27.259 --> 00:19:27.779
 And most

00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:28.480
 significantly,

00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:29.299
 she has

00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:30.180
 Ruth,

00:19:31.099 --> 00:19:31.920
 a devoted

00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:32.940
 and worthy

00:19:32.940 --> 00:19:33.460
 woman,

00:19:33.559 --> 00:19:34.619
 a woman who's

00:19:34.619 --> 00:19:35.059
 worth more

00:19:35.059 --> 00:19:35.500
 than ten

00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:35.980
 sons.

00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:37.140
 And she's

00:19:37.140 --> 00:19:38.019
 committed to

00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:38.279
 her,

00:19:38.859 --> 00:19:39.299
 sticking by

00:19:39.299 --> 00:19:39.839
 her side.

00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:41.839
 But even

00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:42.359
 when there are

00:19:42.359 --> 00:19:43.859
 blessings in

00:19:43.859 --> 00:19:44.579
 God's hand

00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:45.240
 that he's

00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:45.880
 granting her,

00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:47.220
 she isn't able

00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:47.740
 to see any

00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:48.120
 of that.

00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:49.740
 And then

00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:50.460
 worst of all,

00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:51.740
 she accuses

00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:52.799
 the Lord of

00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:53.620
 dealing very

00:19:53.620 --> 00:19:54.940
 bitterly with

00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:55.120
 her.

00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:56.599
 She's become

00:19:56.599 --> 00:19:57.759
 very angry

00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:58.680
 against the

00:19:58.680 --> 00:19:58.900
 Lord,

00:19:59.099 --> 00:19:59.660
 seeing him

00:19:59.660 --> 00:20:00.700
 as a divine

00:20:00.700 --> 00:20:01.299
 bully,

00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:02.480
 not as a

00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:02.680
 heavenly

00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:03.120
 father.

00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:05.380
 Yet,

00:20:05.880 --> 00:20:07.160
 even after

00:20:07.160 --> 00:20:07.960
 that wrongful

00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:08.859
 accusation

00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:09.640
 against the

00:20:09.640 --> 00:20:09.920
 Lord,

00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:11.460
 in his

00:20:11.460 --> 00:20:11.920
 kindness,

00:20:12.160 --> 00:20:12.900
 he does not

00:20:12.900 --> 00:20:13.680
 give up on

00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:13.839
 her.

00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:16.259
 God doesn't

00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:17.359
 come charging

00:20:17.359 --> 00:20:17.919
 toward her

00:20:17.919 --> 00:20:18.839
 with his

00:20:18.839 --> 00:20:19.639
 finger pointed

00:20:19.639 --> 00:20:19.839
 at her.

00:20:19.879 --> 00:20:20.500
 How dare

00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:21.000
 you say

00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:21.199
 that

00:20:21.199 --> 00:20:21.779
 against me?

00:20:23.859 --> 00:20:24.379
 But in

00:20:24.379 --> 00:20:25.399
 his compassion,

00:20:25.659 --> 00:20:26.519
 he does not

00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.479
 give up on

00:20:27.479 --> 00:20:27.719
 her.

00:20:28.439 --> 00:20:29.379
 He does not

00:20:29.379 --> 00:20:30.139
 abandon the

00:20:30.139 --> 00:20:30.859
 good plan

00:20:30.859 --> 00:20:31.479
 that he has

00:20:31.479 --> 00:20:31.879
 for her,

00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:32.659
 to not just

00:20:32.659 --> 00:20:33.179
 leave her

00:20:33.179 --> 00:20:33.559
 empty,

00:20:33.819 --> 00:20:34.219
 but to

00:20:34.219 --> 00:20:34.599
 bring her

00:20:34.599 --> 00:20:35.459
 back full.

00:20:36.939 --> 00:20:37.759
 God is so

00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:38.759
 kind to deal

00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:39.379
 with Naomi,

00:20:39.539 --> 00:20:40.179
 not as she

00:20:40.179 --> 00:20:40.579
 deserves,

00:20:40.699 --> 00:20:41.359
 but works

00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:42.439
 in her life

00:20:42.439 --> 00:20:43.179
 to redeem

00:20:43.179 --> 00:20:43.799
 her once

00:20:43.799 --> 00:20:44.240
 again,

00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:45.240
 in ways

00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:46.099
 she's never

00:20:46.099 --> 00:20:47.119
 even expected.

00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:48.699
 In chapter

00:20:48.699 --> 00:20:48.979
 two,

00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:49.539
 Sean talked

00:20:49.539 --> 00:20:49.879
 about how

00:20:49.879 --> 00:20:51.039
 one random

00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:51.500
 day,

00:20:52.339 --> 00:20:52.779
 Ruth just

00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:53.519
 so happens

00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:54.179
 to stumble

00:20:54.179 --> 00:20:54.719
 upon the

00:20:54.719 --> 00:20:55.059
 field of

00:20:55.059 --> 00:20:55.459
 Boaz,

00:20:55.639 --> 00:20:56.099
 who just

00:20:56.099 --> 00:20:56.779
 so happens

00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:57.539
 to be a

00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:57.939
 kinsman

00:20:57.939 --> 00:20:58.399
 redeemer.

00:20:59.599 --> 00:21:00.059
 And from

00:21:00.059 --> 00:21:00.319
 there,

00:21:00.419 --> 00:21:00.740
 you see,

00:21:01.099 --> 00:21:02.000
 little by

00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:02.339
 little,

00:21:03.159 --> 00:21:03.740
 day by

00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:04.039
 day,

00:21:04.179 --> 00:21:05.099
 she begins

00:21:05.099 --> 00:21:05.759
 to change.

00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:07.079
 At the end

00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:07.559
 of chapter

00:21:07.559 --> 00:21:08.019
 two,

00:21:08.139 --> 00:21:08.639
 she observes

00:21:08.639 --> 00:21:09.299
 that Boaz

00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:09.659
 is a

00:21:09.659 --> 00:21:10.079
 redeemer.

00:21:10.719 --> 00:21:11.119
 It sounds

00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:11.679
 a lot like

00:21:11.679 --> 00:21:12.439
 maybe there's

00:21:12.439 --> 00:21:12.819
 a tinge

00:21:12.819 --> 00:21:13.279
 of hope

00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:13.539
 there.

00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:15.519
 And then

00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:16.099
 weeks later,

00:21:16.159 --> 00:21:16.420
 look at

00:21:16.420 --> 00:21:16.980
 this bold

00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:17.579
 plan that

00:21:17.579 --> 00:21:18.059
 she's coming

00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:18.599
 up with.

00:21:19.159 --> 00:21:19.879
 So she's

00:21:19.879 --> 00:21:20.879
 changed,

00:21:20.960 --> 00:21:21.639
 she's released

00:21:21.639 --> 00:21:22.119
 from this

00:21:22.119 --> 00:21:22.720
 crippling

00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:23.399
 depression,

00:21:23.399 --> 00:21:24.359
 and she

00:21:24.359 --> 00:21:25.139
 now is

00:21:25.139 --> 00:21:25.659
 taking the

00:21:25.659 --> 00:21:26.059
 initiative,

00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:26.839
 thinking about

00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:27.339
 the welfare

00:21:27.339 --> 00:21:27.759
 of her

00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.359
 daughter-in-law,

00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:29.619
 and she's

00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:30.259
 daring to

00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:30.919
 hope again.

00:21:32.219 --> 00:21:33.240
 When God

00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:34.439
 intervenes,

00:21:35.219 --> 00:21:36.039
 the depressed,

00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:37.959
 the disappointed,

00:21:38.579 --> 00:21:39.579
 the downcast,

00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:40.579
 they truly

00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:41.519
 can hope

00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:41.959
 again.

00:21:43.479 --> 00:21:44.319
 Maybe that's

00:21:44.319 --> 00:21:45.259
 you this

00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:45.539
 morning.

00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:47.299
 You feel

00:21:47.299 --> 00:21:47.799
 stuck.

00:21:49.019 --> 00:21:49.479
 You feel

00:21:49.479 --> 00:21:50.339
 lost in

00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:50.639
 life.

00:21:51.479 --> 00:21:51.919
 You see

00:21:51.919 --> 00:21:52.639
 nothing to

00:21:52.639 --> 00:21:53.119
 be thankful

00:21:53.119 --> 00:21:53.500
 for.

00:21:54.339 --> 00:21:54.699
 You don't

00:21:54.699 --> 00:21:55.359
 think anything

00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:56.279
 will change.

00:21:56.439 --> 00:21:57.459
 Your health

00:21:57.459 --> 00:21:58.199
 won't change.

00:21:58.359 --> 00:21:59.119
 Your marriage

00:21:59.119 --> 00:21:59.919
 won't change.

00:22:00.219 --> 00:22:01.039
 Your joblessness

00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:01.859
 won't change.

00:22:02.219 --> 00:22:03.099
 You won't

00:22:03.099 --> 00:22:03.839
 change.

00:22:05.379 --> 00:22:05.979
 Friends,

00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:07.399
 that is the

00:22:07.399 --> 00:22:07.979
 voice of

00:22:07.979 --> 00:22:08.500
 Satan.

00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.379
 That is the

00:22:10.379 --> 00:22:11.019
 devil trying

00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:11.679
 to keep you

00:22:11.679 --> 00:22:12.159
 down,

00:22:13.079 --> 00:22:13.559
 keeping you

00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:14.319
 from trusting

00:22:14.319 --> 00:22:15.079
 in the Lord.

00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:16.419
 Change is

00:22:16.419 --> 00:22:17.379
 possible because

00:22:17.379 --> 00:22:18.439
 he is working

00:22:18.439 --> 00:22:19.139
 for you,

00:22:19.199 --> 00:22:19.639
 and he will

00:22:19.639 --> 00:22:20.319
 not rest

00:22:20.319 --> 00:22:21.619
 until you

00:22:21.619 --> 00:22:22.459
 are at rest.

00:22:23.939 --> 00:22:24.559
 If it could

00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:25.219
 happen to

00:22:25.219 --> 00:22:25.639
 Mara,

00:22:25.699 --> 00:22:26.399
 it can happen

00:22:26.399 --> 00:22:27.240
 to you.

00:22:28.359 --> 00:22:29.240
 Today,

00:22:29.359 --> 00:22:29.819
 we may

00:22:29.819 --> 00:22:30.679
 be Mara,

00:22:30.779 --> 00:22:31.059
 but in

00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:31.579
 ways that

00:22:31.579 --> 00:22:32.059
 we don't

00:22:32.059 --> 00:22:32.839
 understand or

00:22:32.839 --> 00:22:33.339
 comprehend,

00:22:34.219 --> 00:22:34.759
 in ways we

00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:35.219
 don't even

00:22:35.219 --> 00:22:35.939
 control,

00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:37.419
 one day by

00:22:37.419 --> 00:22:37.959
 God's

00:22:37.959 --> 00:22:38.639
 mysterious

00:22:38.639 --> 00:22:39.559
 providence,

00:22:39.679 --> 00:22:40.379
 we can

00:22:40.379 --> 00:22:41.599
 find ourselves

00:22:41.599 --> 00:22:42.439
 like Naomi,

00:22:43.139 --> 00:22:43.979
 full of life,

00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:44.859
 full of hope

00:22:44.859 --> 00:22:45.179
 again,

00:22:45.879 --> 00:22:46.659
 planning and

00:22:46.659 --> 00:22:47.079
 dreaming,

00:22:47.299 --> 00:22:48.179
 big plans,

00:22:48.459 --> 00:22:49.179
 hoping again,

00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:51.319
 taking it

00:22:51.319 --> 00:22:52.599
 one day at a

00:22:52.599 --> 00:22:53.240
 time then,

00:22:54.059 --> 00:22:55.419
 cling to the

00:22:55.419 --> 00:22:56.159
 hope in the

00:22:56.160 --> 00:22:56.680
 Lord that he

00:22:56.680 --> 00:22:57.240
 has provided

00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:57.700
 for you,

00:22:58.380 --> 00:22:59.060
 the Lord who

00:22:59.060 --> 00:22:59.600
 will not

00:22:59.600 --> 00:23:00.040
 rest,

00:23:01.140 --> 00:23:01.840
 taking it

00:23:01.840 --> 00:23:02.560
 one day at

00:23:02.560 --> 00:23:03.120
 a time,

00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:04.340
 by the strength

00:23:04.340 --> 00:23:05.500
 that he provides

00:23:05.500 --> 00:23:05.840
 for you,

00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:06.800
 preach the gospel

00:23:06.800 --> 00:23:07.440
 to yourself.

00:23:08.120 --> 00:23:08.580
 Don't just

00:23:08.580 --> 00:23:09.279
 listen to

00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:09.720
 yourself.

00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:10.640
 Say,

00:23:10.740 --> 00:23:11.540
 why are you

00:23:11.540 --> 00:23:12.220
 downcast,

00:23:12.320 --> 00:23:12.779
 oh my soul,

00:23:12.880 --> 00:23:14.120
 hope in God?

00:23:16.040 --> 00:23:17.100
 And one day

00:23:17.100 --> 00:23:17.720
 at a time,

00:23:17.820 --> 00:23:18.560
 trust that he

00:23:18.560 --> 00:23:19.920
 is providentially

00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:21.160
 working all

00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:22.360
 things for your

00:23:22.360 --> 00:23:23.000
 good.

00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:24.460
 through that

00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:25.680
 stacked obedience

00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:26.160
 then,

00:23:26.720 --> 00:23:28.180
 Mara will

00:23:28.180 --> 00:23:29.299
 turn into

00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:29.759
 Naomi.

00:23:31.680 --> 00:23:32.599
 By the

00:23:32.599 --> 00:23:34.099
 grace of God,

00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:35.259
 it is remarkable

00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:36.759
 to see Naomi

00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:37.819
 bounce back,

00:23:38.920 --> 00:23:39.700
 bounce back

00:23:39.700 --> 00:23:40.259
 on our feet

00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:41.299
 and offer this

00:23:41.299 --> 00:23:42.079
 plan to Ruth.

00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:43.359
 But again,

00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:44.500
 what's even more

00:23:44.500 --> 00:23:45.799
 remarkable is how

00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:47.279
 Ruth agrees

00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:47.900
 to it.

00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:49.220
 Because though

00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:50.160
 this is a bold

00:23:50.160 --> 00:23:50.599
 plan,

00:23:50.599 --> 00:23:52.439
 it's also an

00:23:52.439 --> 00:23:53.699
 incredibly risky

00:23:53.699 --> 00:23:54.159
 plan.

00:23:55.439 --> 00:23:56.099
 For one,

00:23:56.219 --> 00:23:57.339
 she puts her

00:23:57.339 --> 00:23:58.419
 reputation on

00:23:58.419 --> 00:23:58.779
 the line.

00:23:59.939 --> 00:24:00.779
 What if she's

00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:02.679
 caught in the

00:24:02.679 --> 00:24:03.159
 middle of the

00:24:03.159 --> 00:24:03.519
 night,

00:24:04.359 --> 00:24:05.199
 alone with

00:24:05.199 --> 00:24:05.759
 Boaz?

00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:06.799
 Do you know

00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:07.139
 what that would

00:24:07.139 --> 00:24:07.959
 mean for her

00:24:07.959 --> 00:24:08.740
 and for her

00:24:08.740 --> 00:24:09.299
 reputation?

00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:10.899
 What kind of

00:24:10.899 --> 00:24:11.619
 rumors would

00:24:11.619 --> 00:24:12.079
 spread?

00:24:13.639 --> 00:24:14.159
 What kind of

00:24:14.159 --> 00:24:14.519
 things would

00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:15.159
 they call her?

00:24:17.199 --> 00:24:18.059
 In that kind

00:24:18.059 --> 00:24:18.619
 of society,

00:24:18.819 --> 00:24:19.500
 it would have

00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:20.579
 all but ruined

00:24:20.579 --> 00:24:21.379
 her future

00:24:21.379 --> 00:24:22.159
 chances of

00:24:22.159 --> 00:24:22.559
 getting married

00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:23.240
 to anybody.

00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:25.159
 So in

00:24:25.159 --> 00:24:26.599
 the truest

00:24:26.599 --> 00:24:26.939
 sense,

00:24:27.439 --> 00:24:27.980
 this is an

00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:28.779
 all or nothing

00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.179
 gamble.

00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:31.119
 And not just

00:24:31.119 --> 00:24:31.839
 a gamble with

00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:32.899
 her reputation,

00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:34.319
 but she gambles

00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:35.539
 with her own

00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:36.059
 life,

00:24:36.159 --> 00:24:36.480
 her own

00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:37.159
 well-being.

00:24:38.179 --> 00:24:38.899
 She already

00:24:38.899 --> 00:24:39.460
 did that in

00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:40.259
 chapter two,

00:24:40.919 --> 00:24:41.679
 but now the

00:24:41.679 --> 00:24:42.399
 stakes are even

00:24:42.399 --> 00:24:43.059
 higher.

00:24:43.199 --> 00:24:43.419
 Why?

00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:44.899
 Because she's

00:24:44.899 --> 00:24:45.460
 going out in

00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:45.960
 the middle of

00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:46.539
 the night.

00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:48.899
 For all our

00:24:48.899 --> 00:24:50.099
 cultural advancement,

00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:52.079
 women still

00:24:52.079 --> 00:24:52.740
 today know

00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:53.439
 the particular

00:24:53.439 --> 00:24:54.299
 fear of going

00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:55.059
 out alone

00:24:55.059 --> 00:24:55.879
 at night.

00:24:57.799 --> 00:24:58.720
 Constantly aware

00:24:58.720 --> 00:24:59.019
 of your

00:24:59.019 --> 00:24:59.460
 surroundings,

00:24:59.899 --> 00:25:00.740
 trying to read

00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:01.519
 the body

00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:02.379
 language of

00:25:02.379 --> 00:25:02.919
 all these men

00:25:02.919 --> 00:25:03.439
 around you.

00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:04.879
 You feel the

00:25:04.879 --> 00:25:05.779
 need to hold

00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:06.579
 your keys in a

00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:07.519
 fist just in

00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:07.879
 case you have

00:25:07.879 --> 00:25:08.379
 to fight your

00:25:08.379 --> 00:25:08.899
 way out.

00:25:11.099 --> 00:25:12.159
 How much

00:25:12.159 --> 00:25:13.519
 more then

00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:14.659
 in a time

00:25:14.659 --> 00:25:15.259
 when men

00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:16.220
 did whatever

00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:17.119
 they saw fit,

00:25:17.119 --> 00:25:18.259
 and frankly

00:25:18.259 --> 00:25:19.079
 the wicked

00:25:19.079 --> 00:25:19.939
 debauchery of

00:25:19.939 --> 00:25:20.439
 the time of

00:25:20.439 --> 00:25:20.879
 the judges?

00:25:21.779 --> 00:25:22.399
 How much

00:25:22.399 --> 00:25:23.239
 more is

00:25:23.239 --> 00:25:23.919
 Ruth than

00:25:23.919 --> 00:25:25.379
 risking by

00:25:25.379 --> 00:25:26.039
 being alone

00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:26.659
 in the dark?

00:25:28.099 --> 00:25:28.899
 Where Ruth

00:25:28.899 --> 00:25:29.539
 is going is

00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:29.959
 not an

00:25:29.959 --> 00:25:31.000
 isolated place

00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:31.339
 either.

00:25:32.419 --> 00:25:33.199
 The threshing

00:25:33.199 --> 00:25:33.899
 floor back

00:25:33.899 --> 00:25:34.319
 then was

00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:34.879
 known to be

00:25:34.879 --> 00:25:35.339
 a very

00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:36.599
 public place.

00:25:38.039 --> 00:25:38.799
 So Boaz,

00:25:38.959 --> 00:25:39.479
 he wouldn't

00:25:39.479 --> 00:25:39.939
 be the only

00:25:39.939 --> 00:25:40.500
 man there

00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:41.459
 that night.

00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:43.600
 Not only

00:25:43.600 --> 00:25:44.200
 that, but

00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:44.799
 threshing

00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:46.279
 floors at

00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:46.860
 that time

00:25:46.860 --> 00:25:47.799
 often became

00:25:47.799 --> 00:25:48.559
 a place of

00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:49.960
 illicit sexual

00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:50.460
 behavior.

00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:52.600
 Knowing that

00:25:52.600 --> 00:25:53.019
 men would

00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:53.660
 spend the

00:25:53.660 --> 00:25:54.200
 night in

00:25:54.200 --> 00:25:54.640
 the fields

00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:55.180
 alone,

00:25:55.740 --> 00:25:56.480
 prostitutes,

00:25:56.579 --> 00:25:56.860
 they would

00:25:56.860 --> 00:25:58.200
 regularly offer

00:25:58.200 --> 00:25:59.039
 their services

00:25:59.039 --> 00:25:59.600
 to these

00:25:59.600 --> 00:25:59.980
 men.

00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:02.400
 The prophet

00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:04.000
 Hosea rebukes

00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:04.539
 Israel for

00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:05.039
 this very

00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:05.799
 behavior in

00:26:05.799 --> 00:26:06.980
 Hosea 9.1.

00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:09.640
 So what if

00:26:09.640 --> 00:26:10.880
 men found her

00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:11.320
 in those

00:26:11.320 --> 00:26:11.680
 fields?

00:26:13.300 --> 00:26:14.000
 What would

00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:14.380
 they think

00:26:14.380 --> 00:26:14.820
 to do?

00:26:16.860 --> 00:26:17.720
 What would

00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:19.560
 Boaz think

00:26:19.560 --> 00:26:19.940
 to do?

00:26:21.400 --> 00:26:22.320
 In order for

00:26:22.320 --> 00:26:23.060
 this plan to

00:26:23.060 --> 00:26:24.100
 work, Ruth

00:26:24.100 --> 00:26:24.620
 has to be

00:26:24.620 --> 00:26:25.780
 alone with

00:26:25.780 --> 00:26:26.660
 Boaz, right?

00:26:27.700 --> 00:26:28.420
 But that

00:26:28.420 --> 00:26:28.960
 privacy

00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:29.960
 unavoidably

00:26:29.960 --> 00:26:31.160
 also creates

00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:31.960
 vulnerability.

00:26:33.580 --> 00:26:34.280
 What if

00:26:34.280 --> 00:26:35.060
 Boaz got the

00:26:35.060 --> 00:26:35.720
 wrong idea

00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:37.120
 and he

00:26:37.120 --> 00:26:37.620
 treated her

00:26:37.620 --> 00:26:38.320
 inappropriately?

00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:39.900
 Would there

00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:40.520
 be anyone

00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.059
 to save

00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:41.259
 her?

00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:44.079
 This plan

00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:44.460
 could have

00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:45.079
 gone wrong

00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:46.480
 in a million

00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:47.539
 different ways.

00:26:48.099 --> 00:26:48.539
 She has

00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:49.680
 every excuse

00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:50.619
 in the book

00:26:50.619 --> 00:26:51.119
 to say,

00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:52.579
 nah, I'm

00:26:52.579 --> 00:26:52.960
 not going to

00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:53.400
 do that.

00:26:54.680 --> 00:26:55.500
 But to this

00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:56.740
 big, bold

00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:57.740
 plan, she

00:26:57.740 --> 00:26:59.059
 simply agrees.

00:26:59.200 --> 00:26:59.559
 Don't just

00:26:59.559 --> 00:27:00.339
 move past this

00:27:00.339 --> 00:27:00.779
 in the narrative.

00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:02.019
 There are no

00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:02.839
 ifs, no

00:27:02.839 --> 00:27:03.460
 buts, no

00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:04.579
 conditions, but

00:27:04.579 --> 00:27:05.200
 just a simple,

00:27:05.319 --> 00:27:05.980
 I will do

00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:06.620
 as you

00:27:06.620 --> 00:27:07.099
 say.

00:27:09.799 --> 00:27:10.660
 She is

00:27:10.660 --> 00:27:12.180
 remarkably

00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:12.759
 brave.

00:27:14.360 --> 00:27:14.940
 Some of

00:27:14.940 --> 00:27:15.319
 these women

00:27:15.319 --> 00:27:15.920
 in scripture,

00:27:16.860 --> 00:27:17.259
 man, they

00:27:17.259 --> 00:27:18.500
 are absolutely

00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:19.259
 courageous,

00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:19.980
 valiant,

00:27:20.180 --> 00:27:20.500
 fearless.

00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:20.900
 They put

00:27:20.900 --> 00:27:21.279
 some of the

00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:21.680
 men in

00:27:21.680 --> 00:27:22.140
 scripture to

00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:22.779
 shame.

00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:24.440
 love for

00:27:24.440 --> 00:27:25.119
 Naomi.

00:27:25.119 --> 00:27:25.259
 But it's

00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:25.599
 not just

00:27:25.599 --> 00:27:27.000
 being courageous

00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:28.279
 for her own

00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:28.619
 sake.

00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:30.460
 She is

00:27:30.460 --> 00:27:31.379
 courageous in

00:27:31.379 --> 00:27:32.019
 the name of

00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:33.480
 love for

00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:33.940
 Naomi.

00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:36.119
 She, of

00:27:36.119 --> 00:27:36.619
 course, has

00:27:36.619 --> 00:27:37.319
 much to

00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:37.980
 gain by

00:27:37.980 --> 00:27:38.940
 marrying Boaz.

00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.399
 Don't get me

00:27:39.399 --> 00:27:39.619
 wrong.

00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:40.099
 He's a rich

00:27:40.099 --> 00:27:40.399
 guy.

00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:40.899
 She's a poor

00:27:40.899 --> 00:27:41.139
 girl.

00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:41.480
 She has

00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:41.859
 much to

00:27:41.859 --> 00:27:42.079
 gain.

00:27:43.220 --> 00:27:43.639
 But it

00:27:43.639 --> 00:27:44.399
 seems like

00:27:44.399 --> 00:27:46.000
 Ruth primarily

00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:47.279
 does this out

00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:48.039
 of love for

00:27:48.039 --> 00:27:48.480
 Naomi.

00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:48.559
 Naomi.

00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:50.180
 That's how

00:27:50.180 --> 00:27:51.400
 Boaz comments

00:27:51.400 --> 00:27:51.860
 on her

00:27:51.860 --> 00:27:52.380
 proposal.

00:27:53.160 --> 00:27:53.480
 In verse

00:27:53.480 --> 00:27:54.500
 10, he

00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:55.059
 interprets it

00:27:55.059 --> 00:27:55.360
 as a

00:27:55.360 --> 00:27:56.420
 kindness to

00:27:56.420 --> 00:27:57.039
 Naomi,

00:27:57.599 --> 00:27:58.360
 greater than

00:27:58.360 --> 00:27:58.779
 the last,

00:27:58.900 --> 00:27:59.339
 not by

00:27:59.339 --> 00:28:00.519
 pursuing younger

00:28:00.519 --> 00:28:01.059
 men, whether

00:28:01.059 --> 00:28:01.740
 rich or

00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.140
 poor.

00:28:03.380 --> 00:28:03.839
 An older

00:28:03.839 --> 00:28:04.220
 man was

00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:04.960
 probably not

00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:05.620
 the first

00:28:05.620 --> 00:28:06.839
 ideal choice

00:28:06.839 --> 00:28:07.480
 for a

00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:07.920
 young woman,

00:28:08.640 --> 00:28:09.440
 especially for

00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:09.759
 a widow.

00:28:10.579 --> 00:28:11.019
 That means she

00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:11.259
 could have

00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:11.720
 been widowed

00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.640
 twice in

00:28:12.640 --> 00:28:13.059
 her life.

00:28:14.360 --> 00:28:14.839
 But she

00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:15.720
 does it out

00:28:15.720 --> 00:28:17.079
 of covenantal

00:28:17.079 --> 00:28:18.400
 loyalty to

00:28:18.400 --> 00:28:19.259
 her mother-in-law

00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:20.300
 because she

00:28:20.300 --> 00:28:21.080
 knows that

00:28:21.080 --> 00:28:23.820
 Boaz is a

00:28:23.820 --> 00:28:24.600
 kinsman

00:28:24.600 --> 00:28:25.240
 redeemer.

00:28:26.320 --> 00:28:26.880
 There's a

00:28:26.880 --> 00:28:28.060
 provision in

00:28:28.060 --> 00:28:28.360
 the Old

00:28:28.360 --> 00:28:29.080
 Testament law

00:28:29.080 --> 00:28:29.860
 that's called

00:28:29.860 --> 00:28:30.840
 leveret marriage.

00:28:30.940 --> 00:28:31.140
 It's an

00:28:31.140 --> 00:28:31.840
 important fact

00:28:31.840 --> 00:28:32.300
 to know here.

00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:34.180
 In which

00:28:34.180 --> 00:28:35.300
 when a man

00:28:35.300 --> 00:28:36.259
 with no

00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:37.000
 children, he

00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:38.360
 dies, his

00:28:38.360 --> 00:28:39.440
 brothers can

00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:40.300
 and should

00:28:40.300 --> 00:28:40.900
 marry his

00:28:40.900 --> 00:28:41.759
 widow to

00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:42.380
 produce an

00:28:42.380 --> 00:28:42.720
 heir to

00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:43.240
 carry on

00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:43.700
 the family

00:28:43.700 --> 00:28:44.080
 name.

00:28:44.820 --> 00:28:45.060
 And so

00:28:45.060 --> 00:28:45.380
 through

00:28:45.380 --> 00:28:46.680
 marrying Boaz,

00:28:46.980 --> 00:28:47.380
 who is

00:28:47.380 --> 00:28:48.040
 again a

00:28:48.039 --> 00:28:48.779
 redeemer,

00:28:49.619 --> 00:28:50.220
 Ruth knows

00:28:50.220 --> 00:28:50.579
 that she

00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:51.399
 can continue

00:28:51.399 --> 00:28:51.940
 on the

00:28:51.940 --> 00:28:52.460
 lineage of

00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:52.940
 Elimelech

00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:53.839
 and to

00:28:53.839 --> 00:28:54.460
 produce an

00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:55.159
 heir for

00:28:55.159 --> 00:28:55.920
 Naomi's

00:28:55.920 --> 00:28:57.139
 family, knowing

00:28:57.139 --> 00:28:57.680
 that that would

00:28:57.680 --> 00:28:59.180
 completely change

00:28:59.180 --> 00:29:00.099
 her future,

00:29:00.259 --> 00:29:00.859
 her fate.

00:29:02.299 --> 00:29:02.720
 So in

00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:03.440
 sum, it

00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:04.539
 really is a

00:29:04.539 --> 00:29:05.379
 beautiful picture

00:29:05.379 --> 00:29:06.480
 of these two

00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:07.259
 women seeking

00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:08.319
 to outdo one

00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:08.759
 another and

00:29:08.759 --> 00:29:09.339
 showing honor.

00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:11.259
 Naomi is

00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:11.759
 seeking the

00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:12.440
 welfare of

00:29:12.440 --> 00:29:13.099
 Ruth by

00:29:13.099 --> 00:29:13.539
 helping her

00:29:13.539 --> 00:29:13.920
 to get a

00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:14.259
 husband.

00:29:15.099 --> 00:29:15.559
 Ruth is

00:29:15.559 --> 00:29:16.000
 seeking the

00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:16.619
 welfare of

00:29:16.619 --> 00:29:17.399
 Naomi by

00:29:17.399 --> 00:29:18.059
 raising up

00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:18.859
 an heir for

00:29:18.859 --> 00:29:19.259
 her.

00:29:20.079 --> 00:29:20.659
 It is a

00:29:20.659 --> 00:29:22.000
 great reminder

00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:22.439
 that we

00:29:22.439 --> 00:29:22.879
 advance

00:29:22.879 --> 00:29:24.059
 ourselves, not

00:29:24.059 --> 00:29:25.079
 by primarily

00:29:25.079 --> 00:29:25.779
 advancing our

00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:26.479
 own agenda,

00:29:26.619 --> 00:29:27.079
 looking out

00:29:27.079 --> 00:29:27.639
 only for

00:29:27.639 --> 00:29:29.059
 ourselves, but

00:29:29.059 --> 00:29:29.819
 seeking the

00:29:29.819 --> 00:29:30.639
 betterment of

00:29:30.639 --> 00:29:31.059
 others.

00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:33.579
 So she

00:29:33.579 --> 00:29:35.379
 goes, she

00:29:35.379 --> 00:29:36.039
 goes to the

00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:36.679
 threshing floor

00:29:36.679 --> 00:29:37.479
 and she does

00:29:37.479 --> 00:29:39.459
 everything that

00:29:39.459 --> 00:29:40.579
 Naomi commanded.

00:29:41.719 --> 00:29:42.379
 She watches

00:29:42.379 --> 00:29:43.239
 him sleep

00:29:43.239 --> 00:29:43.939
 after he

00:29:43.940 --> 00:29:45.160
 eats and

00:29:45.160 --> 00:29:45.960
 drinks merrily

00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:47.900
 and she

00:29:47.900 --> 00:29:48.500
 creeps up

00:29:48.500 --> 00:29:49.140
 behind him,

00:29:49.559 --> 00:29:50.200
 uncovers his

00:29:50.200 --> 00:29:51.200
 feet, lays

00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:51.880
 next to him.

00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:53.660
 Bethlehem

00:29:53.660 --> 00:29:54.559
 sits on an

00:29:54.559 --> 00:29:55.500
 elevated ridge

00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:57.000
 and so nights

00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:58.039
 are considerably

00:29:58.039 --> 00:29:59.840
 cool and in

00:29:59.840 --> 00:30:00.200
 particular,

00:30:00.480 --> 00:30:01.299
 threshing floors

00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:02.220
 were chosen in

00:30:02.220 --> 00:30:03.960
 particularly windy

00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:04.580
 places.

00:30:05.580 --> 00:30:06.920
 So exposing

00:30:06.920 --> 00:30:08.840
 his feet was a

00:30:08.840 --> 00:30:09.460
 sure way to

00:30:09.460 --> 00:30:10.039
 wake him up.

00:30:10.039 --> 00:30:13.799
 perhaps he

00:30:13.799 --> 00:30:15.039
 shifts his

00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:15.659
 legs around,

00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:16.379
 right?

00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:17.619
 Trying to

00:30:17.619 --> 00:30:17.980
 kick the

00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:18.920
 blanket right

00:30:18.920 --> 00:30:19.599
 back over his

00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:19.859
 feet.

00:30:20.420 --> 00:30:21.039
 He's cold,

00:30:21.920 --> 00:30:23.859
 but he

00:30:23.859 --> 00:30:24.139
 touches

00:30:24.139 --> 00:30:24.519
 something.

00:30:26.519 --> 00:30:27.200
 What?

00:30:27.839 --> 00:30:28.779
 What's that?

00:30:29.539 --> 00:30:31.139
 He sits

00:30:31.139 --> 00:30:32.619
 up and is

00:30:32.619 --> 00:30:33.139
 immediately

00:30:33.139 --> 00:30:34.079
 jump-scared

00:30:34.079 --> 00:30:34.460
 awake.

00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:35.940
 Someone was

00:30:35.940 --> 00:30:36.839
 lying at his

00:30:36.839 --> 00:30:37.240
 feet,

00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:39.579
 startled awake,

00:30:39.579 --> 00:30:40.919
 Boaz asks,

00:30:41.619 --> 00:30:42.339
 who are you?

00:30:43.139 --> 00:30:43.980
 Who are you?

00:30:45.179 --> 00:30:45.919
 So she

00:30:45.919 --> 00:30:46.799
 humbly,

00:30:47.339 --> 00:30:48.000
 submissively

00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:48.579
 replies,

00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:49.960
 I am Ruth,

00:30:50.139 --> 00:30:50.899
 your servant.

00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:52.399
 And then she

00:30:52.399 --> 00:30:53.299
 makes her

00:30:53.299 --> 00:30:53.839
 request,

00:30:54.839 --> 00:30:55.480
 spread your

00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:56.119
 wings.

00:30:57.779 --> 00:30:58.339
 Spread your

00:30:58.339 --> 00:30:59.000
 wings over

00:30:59.000 --> 00:30:59.799
 your servant,

00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:00.779
 for you are

00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:01.480
 a redeemer.

00:31:02.799 --> 00:31:03.299
 She's

00:31:03.299 --> 00:31:03.980
 hearkening

00:31:03.980 --> 00:31:05.579
 back to

00:31:05.579 --> 00:31:06.339
 what Boaz

00:31:06.339 --> 00:31:07.059
 told her in

00:31:07.059 --> 00:31:07.859
 chapter 2,

00:31:07.859 --> 00:31:09.119
 that she's

00:31:09.119 --> 00:31:09.639
 come under

00:31:09.639 --> 00:31:10.259
 the wings of

00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:10.879
 the Lord

00:31:10.879 --> 00:31:11.579
 to find

00:31:11.579 --> 00:31:12.159
 refuge.

00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:14.019
 So in

00:31:14.019 --> 00:31:14.240
 essence,

00:31:14.379 --> 00:31:15.059
 she's asking

00:31:15.059 --> 00:31:16.019
 him to be

00:31:16.019 --> 00:31:16.439
 the very

00:31:16.439 --> 00:31:17.259
 answer of

00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:17.799
 the blessing

00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:18.139
 that he

00:31:18.139 --> 00:31:18.519
 gave in

00:31:18.519 --> 00:31:19.339
 chapter 2.

00:31:20.579 --> 00:31:21.519
 He's asking

00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:21.859
 her to

00:31:21.859 --> 00:31:22.899
 cover her,

00:31:23.379 --> 00:31:24.099
 shelter her,

00:31:24.299 --> 00:31:25.099
 protect her

00:31:25.099 --> 00:31:25.939
 under his

00:31:25.939 --> 00:31:26.719
 wings in

00:31:26.719 --> 00:31:27.240
 the covenant

00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:28.519
 of marriage.

00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:30.599
 God also

00:31:30.599 --> 00:31:31.480
 uses similar

00:31:31.480 --> 00:31:32.039
 language when

00:31:32.039 --> 00:31:32.400
 he uses

00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:34.359
 his phrase,

00:31:34.460 --> 00:31:35.180
 he describes

00:31:35.180 --> 00:31:35.599
 his marriage

00:31:35.599 --> 00:31:36.839
 with Israel

00:31:36.839 --> 00:31:37.539
 in Ezekiel

00:31:37.539 --> 00:31:38.099
 16,

00:31:38.099 --> 00:31:38.579
 8.

00:31:39.079 --> 00:31:39.319
 When I

00:31:39.319 --> 00:31:40.099
 passed by

00:31:40.099 --> 00:31:40.759
 you again

00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:41.299
 and saw

00:31:41.299 --> 00:31:41.539
 you,

00:31:41.660 --> 00:31:42.079
 behold,

00:31:42.180 --> 00:31:42.440
 you were

00:31:42.440 --> 00:31:42.700
 at the

00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:43.099
 age of

00:31:43.099 --> 00:31:43.440
 love,

00:31:43.619 --> 00:31:44.079
 and I

00:31:44.079 --> 00:31:44.539
 spread the

00:31:44.539 --> 00:31:45.220
 corner of

00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:45.720
 my garment

00:31:45.720 --> 00:31:46.079
 over you,

00:31:46.119 --> 00:31:46.460
 which is

00:31:46.460 --> 00:31:47.139
 literally in

00:31:47.139 --> 00:31:47.519
 the Hebrew,

00:31:47.819 --> 00:31:48.220
 to spread

00:31:48.220 --> 00:31:48.980
 my wings

00:31:48.980 --> 00:31:49.559
 over you,

00:31:50.039 --> 00:31:50.619
 and covered

00:31:50.619 --> 00:31:51.420
 your nakedness.

00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:51.839
 I made

00:31:51.839 --> 00:31:52.559
 my vow to

00:31:52.559 --> 00:31:52.920
 you and

00:31:52.920 --> 00:31:53.619
 entered into

00:31:53.619 --> 00:31:54.180
 a covenant

00:31:54.180 --> 00:31:54.619
 with you,

00:31:54.859 --> 00:31:55.420
 declares the

00:31:55.420 --> 00:31:55.900
 Lord God,

00:31:56.200 --> 00:31:56.599
 and you

00:31:56.599 --> 00:31:57.440
 became mine.

00:31:58.519 --> 00:32:00.079
 marriage is

00:32:00.079 --> 00:32:00.319
 one of

00:32:00.319 --> 00:32:02.200
 those very,

00:32:02.359 --> 00:32:03.079
 very rare

00:32:03.079 --> 00:32:03.859
 lifelong

00:32:03.859 --> 00:32:04.879
 commitments that

00:32:04.879 --> 00:32:05.420
 we make in

00:32:05.420 --> 00:32:05.720
 life.

00:32:06.879 --> 00:32:07.359
 You can

00:32:07.359 --> 00:32:09.059
 find another

00:32:09.059 --> 00:32:09.500
 job.

00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:11.160
 You can

00:32:11.160 --> 00:32:12.680
 find other

00:32:12.680 --> 00:32:13.160
 friends.

00:32:13.779 --> 00:32:14.079
 You can

00:32:14.079 --> 00:32:14.379
 go to

00:32:14.379 --> 00:32:14.700
 another

00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:15.299
 church.

00:32:17.019 --> 00:32:17.839
 You can

00:32:17.839 --> 00:32:18.720
 never find

00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:19.139
 another

00:32:19.139 --> 00:32:19.619
 spouse.

00:32:21.119 --> 00:32:21.460
 Consider

00:32:21.460 --> 00:32:22.299
 the weight

00:32:22.299 --> 00:32:23.119
 of the

00:32:23.119 --> 00:32:23.680
 commitment

00:32:23.680 --> 00:32:24.319
 that she

00:32:24.319 --> 00:32:25.059
 is asking

00:32:25.059 --> 00:32:25.559
 him.

00:32:27.559 --> 00:32:27.940
 So to

00:32:27.940 --> 00:32:28.160
 this

00:32:28.160 --> 00:32:28.600
 question,

00:32:28.720 --> 00:32:29.279
 if Boaz

00:32:29.279 --> 00:32:29.820
 says,

00:32:30.539 --> 00:32:30.759
 no,

00:32:31.360 --> 00:32:31.840
 I'm

00:32:31.840 --> 00:32:32.080
 good,

00:32:33.460 --> 00:32:33.820
 no one

00:32:33.820 --> 00:32:34.220
 would blame

00:32:34.220 --> 00:32:34.460
 him.

00:32:36.019 --> 00:32:36.420
 In fact,

00:32:36.580 --> 00:32:36.759
 Boaz

00:32:36.759 --> 00:32:37.680
 had every

00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:38.640
 right to

00:32:38.640 --> 00:32:39.180
 say no.

00:32:40.600 --> 00:32:40.920
 Ruth,

00:32:41.340 --> 00:32:41.860
 when she

00:32:41.860 --> 00:32:42.580
 makes this

00:32:42.580 --> 00:32:43.039
 appeal,

00:32:43.160 --> 00:32:44.100
 she specifically

00:32:44.100 --> 00:32:45.360
 appeals to

00:32:45.360 --> 00:32:46.080
 the laws of

00:32:46.080 --> 00:32:46.660
 redemption,

00:32:47.160 --> 00:32:47.539
 which are

00:32:47.539 --> 00:32:48.680
 outlined most

00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:49.259
 clearly in

00:32:49.259 --> 00:32:50.200
 Leviticus 25,

00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:50.880
 when she

00:32:50.880 --> 00:32:51.660
 calls him a

00:32:51.660 --> 00:32:52.140
 redeemer.

00:32:53.100 --> 00:32:53.779
 But those

00:32:53.779 --> 00:32:54.299
 laws actually

00:32:54.299 --> 00:32:54.880
 had nothing

00:32:54.880 --> 00:32:55.460
 to do with

00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:56.039
 marriage.

00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:57.859
 all that

00:32:57.859 --> 00:32:58.579
 redeemers had

00:32:58.579 --> 00:32:58.980
 to do was

00:32:58.980 --> 00:32:59.539
 just give a

00:32:59.539 --> 00:33:00.059
 little money

00:33:00.059 --> 00:33:00.819
 to a

00:33:00.819 --> 00:33:01.240
 financially

00:33:01.240 --> 00:33:01.799
 struggling

00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:02.619
 family member.

00:33:02.700 --> 00:33:02.980
 It was just

00:33:02.980 --> 00:33:03.519
 money that

00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:03.899
 they had to

00:33:03.899 --> 00:33:04.119
 give.

00:33:05.159 --> 00:33:05.700
 So technically

00:33:05.700 --> 00:33:06.159
 speaking,

00:33:06.599 --> 00:33:06.960
 he's not

00:33:06.960 --> 00:33:08.539
 obligated to

00:33:08.539 --> 00:33:09.079
 marry her.

00:33:10.559 --> 00:33:11.059
 And I also

00:33:11.059 --> 00:33:11.680
 mentioned already

00:33:11.680 --> 00:33:12.500
 the practice of

00:33:12.500 --> 00:33:13.519
 leveret marriage,

00:33:13.819 --> 00:33:14.599
 but I must be

00:33:14.599 --> 00:33:15.359
 clear, as far as

00:33:15.359 --> 00:33:16.180
 we know it and

00:33:16.180 --> 00:33:16.859
 what's really

00:33:16.859 --> 00:33:17.799
 clearly written

00:33:17.799 --> 00:33:18.279
 in scripture,

00:33:18.799 --> 00:33:20.019
 it only obligates

00:33:20.019 --> 00:33:21.099
 a dead man's

00:33:21.099 --> 00:33:23.000
 brother, a

00:33:23.000 --> 00:33:23.680
 brother to

00:33:23.680 --> 00:33:24.259
 marry his

00:33:24.259 --> 00:33:24.839
 widow and

00:33:24.839 --> 00:33:25.359
 raise an

00:33:25.359 --> 00:33:25.639
 heir.

00:33:26.339 --> 00:33:27.659
 Boaz is not

00:33:27.659 --> 00:33:29.199
 Malon's, Ruth's

00:33:29.199 --> 00:33:30.000
 husband's brother.

00:33:31.019 --> 00:33:31.579
 And as we

00:33:31.579 --> 00:33:32.059
 found out later,

00:33:32.179 --> 00:33:33.039
 Boaz isn't even

00:33:33.039 --> 00:33:33.599
 the closest

00:33:33.599 --> 00:33:34.099
 relative.

00:33:34.879 --> 00:33:35.899
 So these laws

00:33:35.899 --> 00:33:37.659
 do not directly

00:33:37.659 --> 00:33:38.959
 obligate him to

00:33:38.959 --> 00:33:39.459
 do this.

00:33:40.939 --> 00:33:42.679
 So to recap,

00:33:43.379 --> 00:33:44.279
 Boaz is half

00:33:44.279 --> 00:33:46.219
 asleep, shivering

00:33:46.219 --> 00:33:48.379
 cold, blindsided

00:33:48.379 --> 00:33:50.219
 by this ask to

00:33:50.219 --> 00:33:51.079
 take care of a

00:33:51.079 --> 00:33:52.099
 poor Moabite

00:33:52.099 --> 00:33:52.740
 woman for the

00:33:52.740 --> 00:33:53.359
 rest of his

00:33:53.359 --> 00:33:53.799
 life.

00:33:53.799 --> 00:33:54.859
 and then

00:33:54.859 --> 00:33:55.599
 finally to

00:33:55.599 --> 00:33:56.059
 raise a

00:33:56.059 --> 00:33:56.599
 child that

00:33:56.599 --> 00:33:57.299
 wouldn't legally

00:33:57.299 --> 00:33:58.059
 be his.

00:34:00.460 --> 00:34:01.119
 And yet, when

00:34:01.119 --> 00:34:02.119
 he is put to

00:34:02.119 --> 00:34:02.700
 the sudden

00:34:02.700 --> 00:34:05.919
 test, Boaz's

00:34:05.919 --> 00:34:08.199
 character, his

00:34:08.199 --> 00:34:09.579
 kindness, shine

00:34:09.579 --> 00:34:11.159
 through as he

00:34:11.159 --> 00:34:13.300
 assuages all of

00:34:13.300 --> 00:34:13.940
 her potential

00:34:13.940 --> 00:34:14.519
 fears.

00:34:15.539 --> 00:34:16.699
 And in this, I

00:34:16.699 --> 00:34:17.179
 want us to pay

00:34:17.179 --> 00:34:18.099
 attention because

00:34:18.099 --> 00:34:19.039
 you really get a

00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:20.099
 model of what a

00:34:20.099 --> 00:34:21.079
 man is like.

00:34:21.079 --> 00:34:22.980
 a true biblical

00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:23.699
 man.

00:34:24.380 --> 00:34:25.039
 There are a lot

00:34:25.039 --> 00:34:26.079
 of bad examples,

00:34:26.319 --> 00:34:27.299
 a lot of bad

00:34:27.299 --> 00:34:28.139
 role models out

00:34:28.139 --> 00:34:28.940
 there where

00:34:28.940 --> 00:34:29.579
 younger men are

00:34:29.579 --> 00:34:30.239
 looking up to

00:34:30.239 --> 00:34:30.699
 modeling.

00:34:31.539 --> 00:34:32.139
 We need to look

00:34:32.139 --> 00:34:33.500
 at Boaz for

00:34:33.500 --> 00:34:34.420
 what a man truly

00:34:34.420 --> 00:34:35.039
 is like.

00:34:35.920 --> 00:34:36.579
 What it looks

00:34:36.579 --> 00:34:37.380
 like for a man

00:34:37.380 --> 00:34:38.539
 to use his power

00:34:38.539 --> 00:34:39.779
 and position for

00:34:39.779 --> 00:34:40.539
 the betterment of

00:34:40.539 --> 00:34:40.880
 others.

00:34:42.500 --> 00:34:43.239
 She could have

00:34:43.239 --> 00:34:44.739
 wondered whether

00:34:44.739 --> 00:34:45.579
 he would be

00:34:45.579 --> 00:34:45.940
 angry.

00:34:45.940 --> 00:34:49.240
 But immediately,

00:34:49.559 --> 00:34:50.340
 his opening

00:34:50.340 --> 00:34:52.179
 words break all

00:34:52.179 --> 00:34:52.720
 the tension

00:34:52.720 --> 00:34:53.559
 because he begins

00:34:53.559 --> 00:34:55.079
 by blessing her.

00:34:56.320 --> 00:34:57.260
 In a scenario

00:34:57.260 --> 00:34:57.960
 where he could

00:34:57.960 --> 00:34:58.619
 have very much

00:34:58.619 --> 00:34:59.500
 been annoyed,

00:35:00.039 --> 00:35:00.820
 angry, why'd

00:35:00.820 --> 00:35:01.539
 you wake me up?

00:35:02.420 --> 00:35:03.260
 He begins by

00:35:03.260 --> 00:35:04.500
 blessing her.

00:35:05.619 --> 00:35:06.559
 In a time where

00:35:06.559 --> 00:35:07.960
 many other men

00:35:07.960 --> 00:35:09.099
 might have cursed

00:35:09.099 --> 00:35:09.900
 Ruth as a

00:35:09.900 --> 00:35:10.980
 Moabite dog,

00:35:11.179 --> 00:35:12.159
 as an immoral

00:35:12.159 --> 00:35:13.940
 prostitute, he

00:35:13.940 --> 00:35:14.900
 begins by blessing

00:35:14.900 --> 00:35:15.460
 her.

00:35:15.940 --> 00:35:17.639
 She could have

00:35:17.639 --> 00:35:19.700
 been afraid that

00:35:19.700 --> 00:35:20.340
 he would look

00:35:20.340 --> 00:35:21.480
 down on her.

00:35:22.260 --> 00:35:23.179
 But instead, he

00:35:23.179 --> 00:35:24.720
 honors, he

00:35:24.720 --> 00:35:25.659
 admires her,

00:35:26.579 --> 00:35:27.119
 tells her that

00:35:27.119 --> 00:35:28.260
 everyone can see

00:35:28.260 --> 00:35:29.579
 that she is a

00:35:29.579 --> 00:35:30.860
 worthy woman.

00:35:32.220 --> 00:35:32.820
 It's a reference

00:35:32.820 --> 00:35:35.740
 to Proverbs 31,

00:35:36.039 --> 00:35:37.179
 an excellent wife

00:35:37.179 --> 00:35:38.000
 who can find.

00:35:38.740 --> 00:35:39.860
 She is far more

00:35:39.860 --> 00:35:40.519
 precious than

00:35:40.519 --> 00:35:40.900
 jewels.

00:35:41.840 --> 00:35:42.619
 Many women have

00:35:42.619 --> 00:35:43.380
 done excellently,

00:35:43.380 --> 00:35:44.639
 but you surpassed

00:35:44.639 --> 00:35:45.079
 them all.

00:35:45.940 --> 00:35:47.360
 Why does he

00:35:47.360 --> 00:35:48.659
 heap praise and

00:35:48.659 --> 00:35:49.420
 praise and

00:35:49.420 --> 00:35:50.300
 praise upon her?

00:35:51.099 --> 00:35:51.960
 Is it because of

00:35:51.960 --> 00:35:53.480
 her charm, her

00:35:53.480 --> 00:35:53.920
 beauty?

00:35:55.220 --> 00:35:56.200
 He's saying that

00:35:56.200 --> 00:35:56.800
 she is this

00:35:56.800 --> 00:35:58.500
 precious jewel of

00:35:58.500 --> 00:35:59.780
 a woman because of

00:35:59.780 --> 00:36:01.139
 her godly character,

00:36:01.639 --> 00:36:02.519
 because of her love

00:36:02.519 --> 00:36:03.200
 for Naomi.

00:36:04.320 --> 00:36:05.440
 Really, in a world

00:36:05.440 --> 00:36:06.980
 that is deceived by

00:36:06.980 --> 00:36:08.139
 outward beauty,

00:36:08.139 --> 00:36:10.719
 women who feel the

00:36:10.719 --> 00:36:12.799
 need to dress up and

00:36:12.799 --> 00:36:13.659
 be always put

00:36:13.659 --> 00:36:14.119
 together.

00:36:14.799 --> 00:36:16.679
 It takes godliness

00:36:16.679 --> 00:36:17.779
 to appreciate

00:36:17.779 --> 00:36:18.299
 godliness.

00:36:19.639 --> 00:36:20.719
 Not only that, but

00:36:20.719 --> 00:36:21.940
 he is also incredibly

00:36:21.940 --> 00:36:22.539
 humble.

00:36:23.599 --> 00:36:24.480
 There's not a whiff

00:36:24.480 --> 00:36:25.460
 of arrogance to him.

00:36:26.519 --> 00:36:27.799
 He's rich,

00:36:28.440 --> 00:36:28.920
 influential,

00:36:29.279 --> 00:36:30.219
 powerful, a lot of

00:36:30.219 --> 00:36:31.000
 people working for

00:36:31.000 --> 00:36:31.179
 him.

00:36:31.179 --> 00:36:32.139
 And now he even

00:36:32.139 --> 00:36:33.239
 has women flocking

00:36:33.239 --> 00:36:34.399
 to him, asking

00:36:34.399 --> 00:36:35.399
 to marry her.

00:36:36.379 --> 00:36:37.299
 But he doesn't let

00:36:37.299 --> 00:36:38.399
 any of that go to

00:36:38.399 --> 00:36:38.759
 his head.

00:36:39.940 --> 00:36:40.659
 Instead, he points

00:36:40.659 --> 00:36:41.379
 to the stuff that

00:36:41.379 --> 00:36:41.940
 makes him an

00:36:41.940 --> 00:36:43.259
 unattractive suitor.

00:36:44.039 --> 00:36:45.059
 He says, how kind

00:36:45.059 --> 00:36:45.779
 you are to Naomi,

00:36:45.960 --> 00:36:46.819
 because you're

00:36:46.819 --> 00:36:47.359
 marrying an old

00:36:47.359 --> 00:36:47.639
 guy.

00:36:49.219 --> 00:36:50.759
 But even that, he

00:36:50.759 --> 00:36:52.359
 exaggerates his age.

00:36:53.099 --> 00:36:54.000
 He's clearly young

00:36:54.000 --> 00:36:55.419
 enough to work all

00:36:55.419 --> 00:36:56.059
 day in the field.

00:36:56.179 --> 00:36:56.980
 He's young enough to

00:36:56.980 --> 00:36:57.879
 spend the night in the

00:36:57.879 --> 00:36:58.199
 fields.

00:36:58.199 --> 00:37:00.759
 In great humility,

00:37:01.000 --> 00:37:02.759
 then, he draws all

00:37:02.759 --> 00:37:03.859
 the attention to

00:37:03.859 --> 00:37:05.639
 Ruth, honors her

00:37:05.639 --> 00:37:07.239
 and her sacrifice

00:37:07.239 --> 00:37:08.259
 instead of being

00:37:08.259 --> 00:37:09.039
 puffed up with

00:37:09.039 --> 00:37:09.439
 pride.

00:37:11.159 --> 00:37:11.739
 She could have

00:37:11.739 --> 00:37:12.299
 been afraid,

00:37:12.699 --> 00:37:13.539
 finally, that he

00:37:13.539 --> 00:37:15.159
 would say, no.

00:37:16.519 --> 00:37:17.599
 So in compassion,

00:37:18.619 --> 00:37:19.779
 in great compassion,

00:37:19.899 --> 00:37:21.059
 he finally puts

00:37:21.059 --> 00:37:22.099
 himself in her

00:37:22.099 --> 00:37:23.379
 shoes and knows

00:37:23.379 --> 00:37:24.239
 how terrifying

00:37:24.239 --> 00:37:25.719
 this whole ordeal

00:37:25.719 --> 00:37:26.559
 must have been for

00:37:26.559 --> 00:37:26.779
 her.

00:37:26.780 --> 00:37:29.560
 So he assures

00:37:29.560 --> 00:37:31.140
 her, do not

00:37:31.140 --> 00:37:31.560
 fear.

00:37:32.180 --> 00:37:32.860
 Do not fear.

00:37:33.840 --> 00:37:34.820
 And finally, makes

00:37:34.820 --> 00:37:35.480
 his vow.

00:37:35.680 --> 00:37:37.200
 As the Lord lives,

00:37:37.820 --> 00:37:38.880
 I will do all

00:37:38.880 --> 00:37:39.960
 that you ask.

00:37:40.780 --> 00:37:42.480
 He says, yes.

00:37:43.980 --> 00:37:45.420
 In an extraordinary

00:37:45.420 --> 00:37:46.580
 turn of events,

00:37:47.040 --> 00:37:48.340
 when Naomi commanded

00:37:48.340 --> 00:37:49.100
 Ruth to do

00:37:49.100 --> 00:37:49.740
 everything that

00:37:49.740 --> 00:37:50.760
 Boaz tells her in

00:37:50.760 --> 00:37:51.740
 verse four,

00:37:52.380 --> 00:37:53.620
 Boaz is now telling

00:37:53.620 --> 00:37:55.200
 her that he will do

00:37:55.199 --> 00:37:56.319
 everything that Ruth

00:37:56.319 --> 00:37:56.960
 has asked.

00:37:58.199 --> 00:37:59.239
 Ruth has introduced

00:37:59.239 --> 00:38:00.539
 herself as her

00:38:00.539 --> 00:38:01.480
 servant, as his

00:38:01.480 --> 00:38:01.879
 servant.

00:38:02.359 --> 00:38:03.980
 But here he is

00:38:03.980 --> 00:38:04.939
 serving her.

00:38:05.759 --> 00:38:06.419
 And he does it

00:38:06.419 --> 00:38:07.139
 really with a

00:38:07.139 --> 00:38:08.119
 God-fearing,

00:38:08.980 --> 00:38:10.179
 law-abiding

00:38:10.179 --> 00:38:10.819
 righteousness,

00:38:11.019 --> 00:38:11.739
 a commitment

00:38:11.739 --> 00:38:13.719
 to obey God

00:38:13.719 --> 00:38:14.399
 in all things.

00:38:14.400 --> 00:38:16.639
 A lot of people

00:38:16.639 --> 00:38:19.160
 read Ruth as a

00:38:19.160 --> 00:38:20.280
 romance story.

00:38:21.139 --> 00:38:22.320
 And I certainly

00:38:22.320 --> 00:38:23.000
 did for a long

00:38:23.000 --> 00:38:23.300
 time.

00:38:25.460 --> 00:38:26.440
 Maybe there is

00:38:26.440 --> 00:38:27.619
 some romance

00:38:27.619 --> 00:38:29.180
 here, but it's

00:38:29.180 --> 00:38:30.960
 certainly not the

00:38:30.960 --> 00:38:31.760
 kind of romance

00:38:31.760 --> 00:38:32.539
 story that we're

00:38:32.539 --> 00:38:33.039
 used to.

00:38:33.740 --> 00:38:35.059
 We're used to the

00:38:35.059 --> 00:38:36.440
 Romeo and Juliet,

00:38:37.160 --> 00:38:39.320
 the all-encompassing,

00:38:39.320 --> 00:38:41.340
 all-consuming

00:38:41.340 --> 00:38:43.940
 love that must

00:38:43.940 --> 00:38:44.740
 have one another

00:38:44.740 --> 00:38:45.960
 no matter what,

00:38:45.980 --> 00:38:46.640
 no matter what

00:38:46.640 --> 00:38:47.480
 the rules are,

00:38:48.320 --> 00:38:48.940
 even if they're

00:38:48.940 --> 00:38:50.039
 God's good rules.

00:38:51.760 --> 00:38:52.800
 I think that

00:38:52.800 --> 00:38:54.300
 easily then turns

00:38:54.300 --> 00:38:55.620
 to this wrong

00:38:55.620 --> 00:38:56.200
 application.

00:38:56.460 --> 00:38:57.220
 We easily

00:38:57.220 --> 00:38:58.200
 excuse

00:38:58.200 --> 00:39:00.160
 adulterous

00:39:00.160 --> 00:39:01.140
 relationships,

00:39:02.400 --> 00:39:02.900
 homosexual

00:39:02.900 --> 00:39:03.740
 relationships,

00:39:04.900 --> 00:39:05.400
 unequally

00:39:05.400 --> 00:39:05.940
 yoked

00:39:05.940 --> 00:39:06.660
 relationships,

00:39:06.659 --> 00:39:08.819
 all in the

00:39:08.819 --> 00:39:09.279
 name of

00:39:09.279 --> 00:39:09.679
 love.

00:39:10.960 --> 00:39:11.399
 We have

00:39:11.399 --> 00:39:12.279
 idolized

00:39:12.279 --> 00:39:13.319
 romantic love

00:39:13.319 --> 00:39:14.539
 so much,

00:39:14.639 --> 00:39:15.739
 placed so much

00:39:15.739 --> 00:39:16.460
 value on it,

00:39:16.920 --> 00:39:18.039
 and placed it

00:39:18.039 --> 00:39:18.719
 above the need

00:39:18.719 --> 00:39:19.739
 to submit to

00:39:19.739 --> 00:39:20.519
 God's good

00:39:20.519 --> 00:39:20.980
 laws.

00:39:22.199 --> 00:39:22.759
 Sean has said

00:39:22.759 --> 00:39:23.179
 before,

00:39:23.500 --> 00:39:24.019
 it's helpful,

00:39:24.480 --> 00:39:25.159
 that too many

00:39:25.159 --> 00:39:25.779
 of us see

00:39:25.779 --> 00:39:26.819
 God's laws

00:39:26.819 --> 00:39:27.559
 as a

00:39:27.559 --> 00:39:28.500
 straitjacket

00:39:28.500 --> 00:39:29.960
 limiting us,

00:39:30.259 --> 00:39:30.980
 binding us,

00:39:31.119 --> 00:39:31.719
 preventing us

00:39:31.719 --> 00:39:32.039
 from getting

00:39:32.039 --> 00:39:33.000
 what we want,

00:39:33.619 --> 00:39:34.039
 when in

00:39:34.039 --> 00:39:34.779
 actuality,

00:39:34.839 --> 00:39:35.359
 it is a

00:39:35.359 --> 00:39:36.179
 life jacket.

00:39:36.659 --> 00:39:37.579
 It gives

00:39:37.579 --> 00:39:38.500
 us life

00:39:38.500 --> 00:39:39.460
 when we

00:39:39.460 --> 00:39:40.299
 obey God's

00:39:40.299 --> 00:39:41.000
 good laws,

00:39:41.119 --> 00:39:41.940
 good plans.

00:39:43.219 --> 00:39:43.579
 Boaz

00:39:43.579 --> 00:39:44.319
 understands

00:39:44.319 --> 00:39:45.359
 this rightly,

00:39:45.739 --> 00:39:46.519
 so he is

00:39:46.519 --> 00:39:47.299
 willing to

00:39:47.299 --> 00:39:48.019
 redeem her,

00:39:48.659 --> 00:39:49.159
 but he

00:39:49.159 --> 00:39:49.899
 patiently,

00:39:50.899 --> 00:39:51.420
 carefully

00:39:51.420 --> 00:39:52.179
 wants to

00:39:52.179 --> 00:39:52.799
 follow the

00:39:52.799 --> 00:39:53.399
 order and

00:39:53.399 --> 00:39:53.879
 the pattern

00:39:53.879 --> 00:39:54.339
 that God

00:39:54.339 --> 00:39:54.980
 has established.

00:39:55.899 --> 00:39:56.239
 And when he

00:39:56.239 --> 00:39:56.960
 does that by

00:39:56.960 --> 00:39:57.819
 letting her know

00:39:57.819 --> 00:39:58.599
 there is a

00:39:58.599 --> 00:39:59.539
 nearer redeemer

00:39:59.539 --> 00:40:00.019
 than me,

00:40:00.460 --> 00:40:01.199
 we have to

00:40:01.199 --> 00:40:01.899
 give him the

00:40:01.899 --> 00:40:02.659
 first opportunity.

00:40:05.199 --> 00:40:05.799
 She could

00:40:05.799 --> 00:40:05.960
 have been

00:40:05.960 --> 00:40:06.460
 afraid,

00:40:06.659 --> 00:40:07.799
 moving on

00:40:07.799 --> 00:40:08.179
 to another

00:40:08.179 --> 00:40:08.759
 fear of

00:40:08.759 --> 00:40:09.599
 being taken

00:40:09.599 --> 00:40:10.659
 advantage of,

00:40:11.980 --> 00:40:13.239
 but Boaz

00:40:13.239 --> 00:40:13.699
 is also

00:40:13.699 --> 00:40:14.819
 righteous in

00:40:14.819 --> 00:40:15.359
 maintaining

00:40:15.359 --> 00:40:16.739
 total purity.

00:40:18.239 --> 00:40:18.659
 There are,

00:40:18.819 --> 00:40:18.920
 again,

00:40:19.019 --> 00:40:19.519
 some who

00:40:19.519 --> 00:40:20.599
 interpret this

00:40:20.599 --> 00:40:21.460
 encounter in

00:40:21.460 --> 00:40:22.299
 Ruth 3 to

00:40:22.299 --> 00:40:23.279
 be actually

00:40:23.279 --> 00:40:24.039
 an illicit

00:40:24.039 --> 00:40:25.099
 counter between

00:40:25.099 --> 00:40:26.039
 Ruth and

00:40:26.039 --> 00:40:26.559
 Boaz.

00:40:27.339 --> 00:40:27.980
 They say

00:40:27.980 --> 00:40:28.819
 that Naomi

00:40:28.819 --> 00:40:30.139
 made Ruth

00:40:30.139 --> 00:40:30.819
 look sexually

00:40:30.819 --> 00:40:31.219
 available.

00:40:32.359 --> 00:40:32.759
 It's at

00:40:32.759 --> 00:40:33.119
 night.

00:40:34.000 --> 00:40:34.420
 Boaz has

00:40:34.420 --> 00:40:35.019
 been drinking,

00:40:35.019 --> 00:40:36.239
 and a lot

00:40:36.239 --> 00:40:36.579
 of Hebrew

00:40:36.579 --> 00:40:37.380
 words actually

00:40:37.380 --> 00:40:37.679
 in this

00:40:37.679 --> 00:40:38.380
 passage could

00:40:38.380 --> 00:40:39.159
 be understood

00:40:39.159 --> 00:40:39.900
 to have more

00:40:39.900 --> 00:40:40.920
 kind of sexual

00:40:40.920 --> 00:40:41.599
 overtones,

00:40:42.059 --> 00:40:42.539
 like the

00:40:42.539 --> 00:40:43.059
 word for

00:40:43.059 --> 00:40:44.699
 feet actually

00:40:44.699 --> 00:40:45.179
 could be a

00:40:45.179 --> 00:40:46.039
 euphemism for

00:40:46.039 --> 00:40:47.019
 the male sexual

00:40:47.019 --> 00:40:47.380
 organ.

00:40:48.539 --> 00:40:49.579
 But I just

00:40:49.579 --> 00:40:50.219
 don't think that

00:40:50.219 --> 00:40:50.880
 this is the

00:40:50.880 --> 00:40:51.579
 case here,

00:40:51.800 --> 00:40:53.179
 mainly because of

00:40:53.179 --> 00:40:54.099
 what Boaz

00:40:54.099 --> 00:40:54.679
 says here.

00:40:54.739 --> 00:40:55.139
 He's saying,

00:40:55.340 --> 00:40:56.000
 I'm willing to

00:40:56.000 --> 00:40:57.039
 marry you,

00:40:57.179 --> 00:40:58.559
 but I'm just

00:40:58.559 --> 00:40:59.739
 not sure if

00:40:59.739 --> 00:41:00.599
 another will have

00:41:00.599 --> 00:41:01.159
 you instead.

00:41:01.159 --> 00:41:03.119
 So I just

00:41:03.119 --> 00:41:04.219
 don't see that

00:41:04.219 --> 00:41:04.859
 Boaz,

00:41:04.980 --> 00:41:06.859
 worthy Boaz,

00:41:06.940 --> 00:41:07.699
 is engaging

00:41:07.699 --> 00:41:08.699
 with an act

00:41:08.699 --> 00:41:09.559
 with someone he

00:41:09.559 --> 00:41:10.199
 just doesn't

00:41:10.199 --> 00:41:11.739
 know will be

00:41:11.739 --> 00:41:12.319
 his wife yet.

00:41:13.319 --> 00:41:14.920
 So even in a

00:41:14.920 --> 00:41:15.879
 possibly tempting

00:41:15.879 --> 00:41:16.960
 situation for him,

00:41:17.000 --> 00:41:17.719
 when they're all

00:41:17.719 --> 00:41:19.719
 alone, Boaz

00:41:19.719 --> 00:41:20.920
 maintains total

00:41:20.920 --> 00:41:22.279
 purity and total

00:41:22.279 --> 00:41:23.059
 innocence before

00:41:23.059 --> 00:41:23.480
 the Lord.

00:41:24.559 --> 00:41:25.319
 And then finally

00:41:25.319 --> 00:41:25.899
 when she could

00:41:25.899 --> 00:41:26.619
 have been afraid

00:41:26.619 --> 00:41:28.019
 for her safety

00:41:28.019 --> 00:41:28.599
 and her

00:41:28.599 --> 00:41:29.320
 reputation,

00:41:30.539 --> 00:41:32.460
 he protects

00:41:32.460 --> 00:41:32.880
 her.

00:41:34.119 --> 00:41:35.219
 Even if she

00:41:35.219 --> 00:41:35.840
 may not be

00:41:35.840 --> 00:41:36.400
 his wife,

00:41:36.440 --> 00:41:37.519
 as a godly

00:41:37.519 --> 00:41:37.880
 man,

00:41:38.719 --> 00:41:39.280
 observe how

00:41:39.280 --> 00:41:40.059
 Boaz leads

00:41:40.059 --> 00:41:40.679
 in protecting

00:41:40.679 --> 00:41:40.940
 her.

00:41:41.699 --> 00:41:42.079
 First, he

00:41:42.079 --> 00:41:42.500
 doesn't just

00:41:42.500 --> 00:41:43.460
 drive her out

00:41:43.460 --> 00:41:44.059
 to go home

00:41:44.059 --> 00:41:44.460
 in the middle

00:41:44.460 --> 00:41:44.900
 of the night

00:41:44.900 --> 00:41:45.380
 where there

00:41:45.380 --> 00:41:45.659
 could be

00:41:45.659 --> 00:41:46.500
 dangerous men

00:41:46.500 --> 00:41:47.219
 lurking around.

00:41:48.239 --> 00:41:48.960
 He tells her

00:41:48.960 --> 00:41:49.900
 to find shelter

00:41:49.900 --> 00:41:50.579
 under his

00:41:50.579 --> 00:41:51.800
 wings in that

00:41:51.800 --> 00:41:52.059
 night.

00:41:53.519 --> 00:41:54.960
 Then once it's

00:41:54.960 --> 00:41:56.179
 near dawn,

00:41:56.179 --> 00:41:57.919
 the danger

00:41:57.919 --> 00:41:58.539
 of the dark

00:41:58.539 --> 00:41:59.519
 has mostly

00:41:59.519 --> 00:42:00.039
 passed,

00:42:00.440 --> 00:42:01.319
 but now

00:42:01.319 --> 00:42:03.219
 being caught

00:42:03.219 --> 00:42:04.019
 with Boaz

00:42:04.019 --> 00:42:04.379
 in the

00:42:04.379 --> 00:42:04.699
 threshing

00:42:04.699 --> 00:42:04.899
 floor,

00:42:04.960 --> 00:42:05.419
 that's the

00:42:05.419 --> 00:42:05.980
 main problem.

00:42:07.299 --> 00:42:07.960
 So Boaz

00:42:07.960 --> 00:42:09.079
 tells himself,

00:42:09.719 --> 00:42:10.500
 let the

00:42:10.500 --> 00:42:11.000
 woman not

00:42:11.000 --> 00:42:11.500
 be seen,

00:42:12.139 --> 00:42:12.619
 and gives

00:42:12.619 --> 00:42:13.219
 her six

00:42:13.219 --> 00:42:14.019
 measures of

00:42:14.019 --> 00:42:14.319
 barley.

00:42:15.579 --> 00:42:16.139
 Definitely

00:42:16.139 --> 00:42:17.259
 a generous

00:42:17.259 --> 00:42:18.379
 provision for

00:42:18.379 --> 00:42:19.079
 a poor widow

00:42:19.079 --> 00:42:19.480
 and her

00:42:19.480 --> 00:42:19.980
 mother-in-law,

00:42:20.579 --> 00:42:21.359
 but also a

00:42:21.359 --> 00:42:22.480
 possible alibi

00:42:22.480 --> 00:42:23.699
 to give reason

00:42:23.699 --> 00:42:24.299
 why she was

00:42:24.299 --> 00:42:24.940
 at the field,

00:42:24.940 --> 00:42:26.139
 lest anyone

00:42:26.139 --> 00:42:26.679
 find her on

00:42:26.679 --> 00:42:26.900
 the way

00:42:26.900 --> 00:42:27.200
 home.

00:42:27.619 --> 00:42:27.820
 She could

00:42:27.820 --> 00:42:28.159
 just say,

00:42:28.240 --> 00:42:28.900
 oh, I was

00:42:28.900 --> 00:42:29.220
 just picking

00:42:29.220 --> 00:42:29.619
 up food.

00:42:31.220 --> 00:42:31.659
 So in

00:42:31.659 --> 00:42:32.900
 some, he

00:42:32.900 --> 00:42:34.420
 is kind,

00:42:35.400 --> 00:42:35.980
 empathetic,

00:42:36.700 --> 00:42:37.099
 humble,

00:42:37.780 --> 00:42:38.159
 comforting,

00:42:38.780 --> 00:42:39.320
 encouraging,

00:42:39.760 --> 00:42:40.119
 righteous,

00:42:40.519 --> 00:42:40.860
 generous,

00:42:41.340 --> 00:42:41.740
 wise,

00:42:41.960 --> 00:42:42.420
 protecting.

00:42:42.700 --> 00:42:43.300
 This is

00:42:43.300 --> 00:42:43.900
 a man.

00:42:46.480 --> 00:42:47.380
 There's one

00:42:47.380 --> 00:42:48.059
 more fear

00:42:48.059 --> 00:42:48.659
 to address.

00:42:50.039 --> 00:42:50.840
 Will he

00:42:50.840 --> 00:42:51.720
 follow through?

00:42:51.719 --> 00:42:55.000
 Ruth returns

00:42:55.000 --> 00:42:55.619
 to Naomi

00:42:55.619 --> 00:42:56.939
 to share

00:42:56.939 --> 00:42:57.719
 all that

00:42:57.719 --> 00:42:58.119
 had happened

00:42:58.119 --> 00:42:58.579
 that night.

00:42:59.459 --> 00:43:00.059
 She tells

00:43:00.059 --> 00:43:00.959
 her everything

00:43:00.959 --> 00:43:02.159
 Boaz said

00:43:02.159 --> 00:43:03.099
 and shows

00:43:03.099 --> 00:43:03.379
 her the

00:43:03.379 --> 00:43:03.679
 barley,

00:43:04.719 --> 00:43:05.779
 and the

00:43:05.779 --> 00:43:06.379
 barley should

00:43:06.379 --> 00:43:06.859
 be proof

00:43:06.859 --> 00:43:07.719
 enough of

00:43:07.719 --> 00:43:08.559
 Boaz's

00:43:08.559 --> 00:43:09.039
 commitment

00:43:09.039 --> 00:43:09.919
 to her.

00:43:11.379 --> 00:43:11.839
 But I

00:43:11.839 --> 00:43:12.879
 bet a lot

00:43:12.879 --> 00:43:13.139
 of us

00:43:13.139 --> 00:43:13.699
 could relate

00:43:13.699 --> 00:43:14.039
 to this

00:43:14.039 --> 00:43:14.419
 feeling.

00:43:15.359 --> 00:43:15.980
 Maybe as

00:43:15.980 --> 00:43:16.480
 she's telling

00:43:16.480 --> 00:43:17.119
 this story,

00:43:17.779 --> 00:43:18.279
 anxious

00:43:18.279 --> 00:43:19.000
 anticipation

00:43:19.000 --> 00:43:19.599
 starts to

00:43:19.599 --> 00:43:20.000
 creep in.

00:43:20.000 --> 00:43:21.400
 maybe she

00:43:21.400 --> 00:43:21.940
 starts to

00:43:21.940 --> 00:43:23.079
 pace around,

00:43:24.079 --> 00:43:24.760
 wondering how

00:43:24.760 --> 00:43:25.059
 it all

00:43:25.059 --> 00:43:25.659
 played out.

00:43:25.840 --> 00:43:26.159
 Will he

00:43:26.159 --> 00:43:26.539
 actually

00:43:26.539 --> 00:43:27.079
 follow

00:43:27.079 --> 00:43:27.900
 through?

00:43:29.139 --> 00:43:29.500
 That's

00:43:29.500 --> 00:43:30.179
 why Naomi

00:43:30.179 --> 00:43:30.679
 tells her

00:43:30.679 --> 00:43:31.579
 to wait,

00:43:32.460 --> 00:43:33.159
 or more

00:43:33.159 --> 00:43:33.480
 literally,

00:43:33.780 --> 00:43:34.420
 sit down.

00:43:35.159 --> 00:43:35.739
 Sit down.

00:43:36.940 --> 00:43:37.340
 It's a

00:43:37.340 --> 00:43:37.860
 complete

00:43:37.860 --> 00:43:38.599
 contrast

00:43:38.599 --> 00:43:39.519
 to the

00:43:39.519 --> 00:43:40.059
 first scene.

00:43:40.599 --> 00:43:41.239
 First scene,

00:43:41.360 --> 00:43:42.099
 she has a

00:43:42.099 --> 00:43:42.539
 bunch of

00:43:42.539 --> 00:43:42.980
 things that

00:43:42.980 --> 00:43:43.280
 she needs

00:43:43.280 --> 00:43:43.539
 to do.

00:43:43.780 --> 00:43:44.320
 Go wash

00:43:44.320 --> 00:43:44.539
 up,

00:43:44.619 --> 00:43:45.260
 go change,

00:43:45.420 --> 00:43:45.880
 go ask

00:43:45.880 --> 00:43:46.239
 this,

00:43:46.739 --> 00:43:47.300
 do this

00:43:47.300 --> 00:43:47.679
 and that

00:43:47.679 --> 00:43:48.019
 and this

00:43:48.019 --> 00:43:48.500
 and that.

00:43:48.500 --> 00:43:49.980
 now,

00:43:50.099 --> 00:43:50.400
 what's

00:43:50.400 --> 00:43:50.519
 the

00:43:50.519 --> 00:43:50.760
 command?

00:43:50.880 --> 00:43:51.119
 It's

00:43:51.119 --> 00:43:51.420
 to

00:43:51.420 --> 00:43:52.139
 sit.

00:43:53.099 --> 00:43:53.420
 Wait.

00:43:54.860 --> 00:43:55.159
 She

00:43:55.159 --> 00:43:55.780
 has the

00:43:55.780 --> 00:43:56.199
 utmost

00:43:56.199 --> 00:43:57.119
 trust

00:43:57.119 --> 00:43:57.880
 in Boaz

00:43:57.880 --> 00:43:58.260
 and his

00:43:58.260 --> 00:43:58.619
 character

00:43:58.619 --> 00:43:59.219
 that he

00:43:59.219 --> 00:44:00.019
 will not

00:44:00.019 --> 00:44:00.780
 renege

00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:01.280
 on his

00:44:01.280 --> 00:44:01.860
 promise

00:44:01.860 --> 00:44:02.360
 to her.

00:44:03.500 --> 00:44:03.920
 In fact,

00:44:03.980 --> 00:44:04.400
 he will

00:44:04.400 --> 00:44:04.780
 not

00:44:04.780 --> 00:44:05.460
 rest.

00:44:05.739 --> 00:44:06.119
 He will

00:44:06.119 --> 00:44:06.860
 not rest

00:44:06.860 --> 00:44:07.420
 until the

00:44:07.420 --> 00:44:07.820
 matter

00:44:07.820 --> 00:44:08.340
 is

00:44:08.340 --> 00:44:09.219
 complete.

00:44:10.519 --> 00:44:11.019
 In this,

00:44:11.239 --> 00:44:12.159
 she bookends,

00:44:12.260 --> 00:44:12.800
 like I said,

00:44:13.119 --> 00:44:13.860
 this entire

00:44:13.860 --> 00:44:14.340
 chapter,

00:44:14.920 --> 00:44:15.739
 which opens

00:44:15.739 --> 00:44:16.360
 with Naomi

00:44:16.360 --> 00:44:17.360
 seeking rest

00:44:17.360 --> 00:44:18.640
 and now

00:44:18.640 --> 00:44:19.539
 Ruth can

00:44:19.539 --> 00:44:21.260
 sit down.

00:44:21.900 --> 00:44:22.260
 She can

00:44:22.260 --> 00:44:22.840
 now rest

00:44:22.840 --> 00:44:23.240
 because she

00:44:23.240 --> 00:44:23.780
 has found

00:44:23.780 --> 00:44:24.440
 a redeemer

00:44:24.440 --> 00:44:25.460
 who will

00:44:25.460 --> 00:44:26.320
 not rest

00:44:26.320 --> 00:44:26.980
 until she

00:44:26.980 --> 00:44:27.260
 can.

00:44:29.260 --> 00:44:30.220
 All this

00:44:30.220 --> 00:44:30.680
 about

00:44:30.680 --> 00:44:31.320
 Boaz

00:44:31.320 --> 00:44:32.640
 ought to

00:44:32.640 --> 00:44:33.180
 remind you

00:44:33.180 --> 00:44:33.620
 of another

00:44:33.620 --> 00:44:34.019
 man,

00:44:35.200 --> 00:44:35.760
 another

00:44:35.760 --> 00:44:36.400
 willing

00:44:36.400 --> 00:44:37.059
 redeemer

00:44:37.059 --> 00:44:38.860
 who's

00:44:38.860 --> 00:44:39.940
 redeeming

00:44:39.940 --> 00:44:40.400
 a people

00:44:40.400 --> 00:44:41.180
 who cannot

00:44:41.180 --> 00:44:41.980
 save

00:44:41.980 --> 00:44:42.559
 themselves.

00:44:42.559 --> 00:44:44.619
 is not

00:44:44.619 --> 00:44:45.599
 Ruth 3

00:44:45.599 --> 00:44:46.699
 simply a

00:44:46.699 --> 00:44:47.219
 version of

00:44:47.219 --> 00:44:47.739
 our own

00:44:47.739 --> 00:44:48.340
 stories?

00:44:49.320 --> 00:44:50.219
 We live

00:44:50.219 --> 00:44:50.519
 in a

00:44:50.519 --> 00:44:50.759
 different

00:44:50.759 --> 00:44:51.199
 culture

00:44:51.199 --> 00:44:51.799
 and time,

00:44:52.000 --> 00:44:52.400
 most of

00:44:52.400 --> 00:44:52.639
 us in

00:44:52.639 --> 00:44:52.960
 a very

00:44:52.960 --> 00:44:53.480
 different

00:44:53.480 --> 00:44:54.420
 socioeconomic

00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.880
 status.

00:44:55.259 --> 00:44:55.539
 We don't

00:44:55.539 --> 00:44:55.779
 need to

00:44:55.779 --> 00:44:56.420
 be redeemed

00:44:56.420 --> 00:44:56.820
 in that

00:44:56.820 --> 00:44:57.539
 same sense

00:44:57.539 --> 00:44:58.079
 that Ruth

00:44:58.079 --> 00:44:58.519
 and Naomi

00:44:58.519 --> 00:44:58.880
 did,

00:45:00.079 --> 00:45:01.460
 but does

00:45:01.460 --> 00:45:01.840
 that mean

00:45:01.840 --> 00:45:02.179
 that we

00:45:02.179 --> 00:45:02.599
 are any

00:45:02.599 --> 00:45:03.619
 more stable

00:45:03.619 --> 00:45:04.480
 or secure?

00:45:06.840 --> 00:45:07.719
 It doesn't

00:45:07.719 --> 00:45:08.119
 mean that

00:45:08.119 --> 00:45:08.440
 we are

00:45:08.440 --> 00:45:09.119
 finally at

00:45:09.119 --> 00:45:09.619
 rest.

00:45:09.619 --> 00:45:10.219
 rest.

00:45:10.579 --> 00:45:11.559
 We need

00:45:11.559 --> 00:45:12.400
 rest.

00:45:12.619 --> 00:45:12.900
 We are

00:45:12.900 --> 00:45:13.519
 tired.

00:45:14.619 --> 00:45:14.940
 We need

00:45:14.940 --> 00:45:15.400
 rest from

00:45:15.400 --> 00:45:16.219
 the desperate

00:45:16.219 --> 00:45:17.139
 toil of

00:45:17.139 --> 00:45:17.980
 always trying

00:45:17.980 --> 00:45:18.839
 to prove

00:45:18.839 --> 00:45:19.839
 ourselves to

00:45:19.839 --> 00:45:20.219
 others.

00:45:21.460 --> 00:45:22.019
 Rest from

00:45:22.019 --> 00:45:22.759
 the constant

00:45:22.759 --> 00:45:23.779
 anxiety about

00:45:23.779 --> 00:45:24.139
 our own

00:45:24.139 --> 00:45:24.719
 health and

00:45:24.719 --> 00:45:25.219
 the way

00:45:25.219 --> 00:45:25.500
 that we

00:45:25.500 --> 00:45:25.920
 look.

00:45:26.679 --> 00:45:27.480
 Rest from

00:45:27.480 --> 00:45:28.199
 the constant

00:45:28.199 --> 00:45:28.880
 attack from

00:45:28.880 --> 00:45:29.319
 the enemy.

00:45:30.119 --> 00:45:30.420
 We need

00:45:30.420 --> 00:45:31.619
 rest from

00:45:31.619 --> 00:45:32.259
 always trying

00:45:32.259 --> 00:45:32.859
 to hold

00:45:32.859 --> 00:45:33.599
 our lives

00:45:33.599 --> 00:45:34.179
 together by

00:45:34.179 --> 00:45:35.279
 the little

00:45:35.279 --> 00:45:35.940
 strength that

00:45:35.940 --> 00:45:36.579
 we have.

00:45:37.920 --> 00:45:38.339
 Are you

00:45:38.339 --> 00:45:39.480
 tired this

00:45:39.480 --> 00:45:39.940
 morning?

00:45:40.659 --> 00:45:41.219
 Are you

00:45:41.219 --> 00:45:42.460
 at rest,

00:45:42.619 --> 00:45:43.059
 brothers and

00:45:43.059 --> 00:45:43.320
 sisters?

00:45:45.579 --> 00:45:46.780
 We know

00:45:46.780 --> 00:45:47.599
 we need

00:45:47.599 --> 00:45:48.159
 the help

00:45:48.159 --> 00:45:49.619
 that we

00:45:49.619 --> 00:45:50.360
 can't find

00:45:50.360 --> 00:45:51.099
 in ourselves.

00:45:51.400 --> 00:45:52.079
 We need

00:45:52.079 --> 00:45:52.579
 the help

00:45:52.579 --> 00:45:53.119
 of a

00:45:53.119 --> 00:45:53.699
 redeemer.

00:45:54.880 --> 00:45:56.219
 But like

00:45:56.219 --> 00:45:57.320
 Ruth and

00:45:57.320 --> 00:45:58.420
 Naomi, we

00:45:58.420 --> 00:45:58.920
 know that we

00:45:58.920 --> 00:45:59.579
 have no

00:45:59.579 --> 00:46:00.300
 right to

00:46:00.300 --> 00:46:00.860
 this man.

00:46:01.340 --> 00:46:01.860
 We have

00:46:01.860 --> 00:46:02.460
 nothing to

00:46:02.460 --> 00:46:03.340
 offer this

00:46:03.340 --> 00:46:03.679
 man.

00:46:04.539 --> 00:46:04.960
 In fact,

00:46:05.039 --> 00:46:05.659
 we are even

00:46:05.659 --> 00:46:06.679
 worse off

00:46:06.679 --> 00:46:08.179
 because Ruth,

00:46:08.599 --> 00:46:09.059
 she's never

00:46:09.059 --> 00:46:09.799
 even sinned

00:46:09.799 --> 00:46:10.159
 against

00:46:10.159 --> 00:46:10.719
 Boaz.

00:46:11.420 --> 00:46:12.840
 But our

00:46:12.840 --> 00:46:13.299
 redeemer,

00:46:13.739 --> 00:46:14.500
 he knows

00:46:14.500 --> 00:46:14.860
 us.

00:46:15.860 --> 00:46:16.279
 He knows

00:46:16.279 --> 00:46:17.179
 exactly who

00:46:17.179 --> 00:46:17.539
 we are,

00:46:17.659 --> 00:46:18.320
 exactly what

00:46:18.320 --> 00:46:18.579
 we have

00:46:18.579 --> 00:46:18.880
 done.

00:46:19.360 --> 00:46:19.860
 He knows

00:46:19.860 --> 00:46:20.239
 we have

00:46:20.239 --> 00:46:20.880
 wronged him

00:46:20.880 --> 00:46:21.860
 in countless

00:46:21.860 --> 00:46:22.500
 ways.

00:46:23.799 --> 00:46:24.199
 And Hebrews

00:46:24.199 --> 00:46:25.340
 3 tells us

00:46:25.340 --> 00:46:25.639
 that the

00:46:25.639 --> 00:46:25.960
 wilderness

00:46:25.960 --> 00:46:26.840
 generation of

00:46:26.840 --> 00:46:27.159
 Israel,

00:46:27.599 --> 00:46:28.159
 they weren't

00:46:28.159 --> 00:46:28.579
 able to

00:46:28.579 --> 00:46:29.079
 enter into

00:46:29.079 --> 00:46:29.799
 God's rest.

00:46:29.900 --> 00:46:30.039
 Why?

00:46:30.139 --> 00:46:30.519
 Because of

00:46:30.519 --> 00:46:31.460
 their sin.

00:46:33.079 --> 00:46:33.980
 So what

00:46:33.980 --> 00:46:35.179
 will this

00:46:35.179 --> 00:46:36.079
 redeemer say

00:46:36.079 --> 00:46:36.739
 to us?

00:46:38.759 --> 00:46:39.239
 Against

00:46:39.239 --> 00:46:40.880
 all odds,

00:46:41.599 --> 00:46:42.199
 even when

00:46:42.199 --> 00:46:42.779
 God would

00:46:42.779 --> 00:46:43.019
 have been

00:46:43.019 --> 00:46:43.980
 perfectly

00:46:43.980 --> 00:46:45.139
 righteous to

00:46:45.139 --> 00:46:46.099
 reject us,

00:46:46.819 --> 00:46:47.779
 he immediately

00:46:47.779 --> 00:46:49.179
 bursts forth

00:46:49.179 --> 00:46:49.900
 with blessing.

00:46:51.559 --> 00:46:52.539
 Just like

00:46:52.539 --> 00:46:53.139
 Boaz,

00:46:53.319 --> 00:46:53.900
 immediately

00:46:53.900 --> 00:46:54.840
 bursts forth

00:46:54.840 --> 00:46:55.340
 in blessing.

00:46:55.440 --> 00:46:55.920
 We can't

00:46:55.920 --> 00:46:56.840
 ever catch

00:46:56.840 --> 00:46:57.779
 God off

00:46:57.779 --> 00:46:58.059
 guard.

00:46:58.579 --> 00:46:58.960
 We can't

00:46:58.960 --> 00:46:59.380
 catch him

00:46:59.380 --> 00:46:59.840
 sleeping.

00:47:00.579 --> 00:47:01.059
 But even

00:47:01.059 --> 00:47:01.599
 if we

00:47:01.599 --> 00:47:02.239
 could,

00:47:02.440 --> 00:47:02.980
 God's

00:47:02.980 --> 00:47:03.719
 immediate

00:47:03.719 --> 00:47:04.699
 reaction is

00:47:04.699 --> 00:47:05.279
 to burst

00:47:05.280 --> 00:47:06.480
 forth with

00:47:06.480 --> 00:47:07.060
 divine

00:47:07.060 --> 00:47:07.519
 blessing.

00:47:08.680 --> 00:47:09.140
 Hear this

00:47:09.140 --> 00:47:09.480
 quote,

00:47:09.620 --> 00:47:10.180
 God is

00:47:10.180 --> 00:47:10.740
 slow to

00:47:10.740 --> 00:47:11.019
 anger.

00:47:11.540 --> 00:47:11.920
 He doesn't

00:47:11.920 --> 00:47:12.440
 have his

00:47:12.440 --> 00:47:13.040
 finger on

00:47:13.040 --> 00:47:13.500
 the trigger.

00:47:14.240 --> 00:47:15.560
 It takes

00:47:15.560 --> 00:47:16.040
 much

00:47:16.040 --> 00:47:17.400
 accumulated

00:47:17.400 --> 00:47:18.220
 provoking

00:47:18.220 --> 00:47:18.840
 to draw

00:47:18.840 --> 00:47:19.200
 out his

00:47:19.200 --> 00:47:19.640
 ire.

00:47:20.440 --> 00:47:20.760
 Unlike

00:47:20.760 --> 00:47:21.380
 us,

00:47:21.519 --> 00:47:21.900
 who are

00:47:21.900 --> 00:47:22.220
 often

00:47:22.220 --> 00:47:22.820
 emotional

00:47:22.820 --> 00:47:23.380
 dams,

00:47:23.480 --> 00:47:23.940
 ready to

00:47:23.940 --> 00:47:24.240
 break,

00:47:24.380 --> 00:47:24.800
 God can

00:47:24.800 --> 00:47:25.180
 put up

00:47:25.180 --> 00:47:25.500
 with a

00:47:25.500 --> 00:47:25.840
 lot.

00:47:26.600 --> 00:47:27.000
 This is

00:47:27.000 --> 00:47:27.540
 why the

00:47:27.540 --> 00:47:28.120
 Old Testament

00:47:28.120 --> 00:47:28.620
 speaks of

00:47:28.620 --> 00:47:29.060
 God being

00:47:29.060 --> 00:47:29.800
 provoked to

00:47:29.800 --> 00:47:30.420
 anger by

00:47:30.420 --> 00:47:31.060
 his people

00:47:31.060 --> 00:47:31.740
 dozens of

00:47:31.740 --> 00:47:32.160
 times,

00:47:32.800 --> 00:47:33.540
 especially in

00:47:33.540 --> 00:47:34.019
 Deuteronomy,

00:47:34.180 --> 00:47:34.660
 1 and 2

00:47:34.660 --> 00:47:34.980
 Kings,

00:47:34.980 --> 00:47:35.539
 and Jeremiah.

00:47:36.539 --> 00:47:37.059
 But not

00:47:37.059 --> 00:47:37.980
 once are

00:47:37.980 --> 00:47:38.539
 we told

00:47:38.539 --> 00:47:39.179
 that God

00:47:39.179 --> 00:47:39.940
 is provoked

00:47:39.940 --> 00:47:40.539
 to love

00:47:40.539 --> 00:47:41.199
 or provoked

00:47:41.199 --> 00:47:41.900
 to mercy.

00:47:42.340 --> 00:47:43.340
 His anger

00:47:43.340 --> 00:47:44.019
 requires

00:47:44.019 --> 00:47:44.800
 provocation.

00:47:45.519 --> 00:47:46.340
 His mercy

00:47:46.340 --> 00:47:47.320
 is pent

00:47:47.320 --> 00:47:47.820
 up,

00:47:48.119 --> 00:47:48.699
 ready

00:47:48.699 --> 00:47:50.300
 to gush

00:47:50.300 --> 00:47:50.840
 forth.

00:47:51.579 --> 00:47:52.099
 We tend

00:47:52.099 --> 00:47:52.579
 to think

00:47:52.579 --> 00:47:54.360
 divine anger

00:47:54.360 --> 00:47:54.740
 is pent

00:47:54.740 --> 00:47:54.980
 up,

00:47:55.280 --> 00:47:56.179
 spring-loaded.

00:47:57.579 --> 00:47:57.940
 Divine

00:47:57.940 --> 00:47:58.559
 mercy is

00:47:58.559 --> 00:47:59.059
 slow to

00:47:59.059 --> 00:47:59.420
 build.

00:47:59.940 --> 00:48:00.960
 It's just

00:48:00.960 --> 00:48:01.639
 the opposite.

00:48:02.420 --> 00:48:02.920
 Divine

00:48:02.920 --> 00:48:03.639
 mercy is

00:48:03.639 --> 00:48:04.680
 ready to

00:48:04.680 --> 00:48:05.400
 burst

00:48:05.400 --> 00:48:05.940
 forth

00:48:05.940 --> 00:48:06.820
 at the

00:48:06.820 --> 00:48:07.260
 slightest

00:48:07.260 --> 00:48:07.740
 prick.

00:48:09.000 --> 00:48:09.740
 He needs

00:48:09.740 --> 00:48:10.700
 not time

00:48:10.700 --> 00:48:11.619
 to muster

00:48:11.619 --> 00:48:11.940
 up the

00:48:11.940 --> 00:48:12.280
 willingness

00:48:12.280 --> 00:48:13.320
 to save

00:48:13.320 --> 00:48:13.460
 you,

00:48:13.539 --> 00:48:14.000
 to redeem

00:48:14.000 --> 00:48:14.400
 you.

00:48:14.960 --> 00:48:15.240
 How do

00:48:15.240 --> 00:48:15.539
 we know

00:48:15.539 --> 00:48:15.880
 this?

00:48:16.380 --> 00:48:17.360
 John 6,

00:48:17.440 --> 00:48:17.860
 37,

00:48:18.220 --> 00:48:18.420
 whoever

00:48:18.420 --> 00:48:19.420
 comes to

00:48:19.420 --> 00:48:19.700
 me,

00:48:20.059 --> 00:48:20.360
 whoever

00:48:20.360 --> 00:48:21.139
 comes to

00:48:21.139 --> 00:48:21.300
 me,

00:48:21.480 --> 00:48:21.920
 I will

00:48:21.920 --> 00:48:22.240
 never

00:48:22.240 --> 00:48:22.659
 cast

00:48:22.659 --> 00:48:23.000
 out,

00:48:23.280 --> 00:48:23.460
 Jesus

00:48:23.460 --> 00:48:23.860
 says.

00:48:24.800 --> 00:48:25.240
 Christ,

00:48:25.380 --> 00:48:25.760
 in fact,

00:48:26.159 --> 00:48:26.659
 he is the

00:48:26.659 --> 00:48:26.980
 one who

00:48:26.980 --> 00:48:27.240
 has been

00:48:27.240 --> 00:48:27.740
 in search

00:48:27.740 --> 00:48:28.480
 of you.

00:48:29.300 --> 00:48:29.940
 He is

00:48:29.940 --> 00:48:30.519
 the good

00:48:30.519 --> 00:48:31.019
 shepherd

00:48:31.019 --> 00:48:32.099
 that leaves

00:48:32.099 --> 00:48:32.820
 the 99

00:48:32.820 --> 00:48:33.880
 to go

00:48:33.880 --> 00:48:34.380
 in search

00:48:34.380 --> 00:48:34.740
 of the

00:48:34.740 --> 00:48:35.139
 one.

00:48:35.599 --> 00:48:35.960
 In a

00:48:35.960 --> 00:48:36.500
 frantic

00:48:36.500 --> 00:48:37.460
 and desperate

00:48:37.460 --> 00:48:37.940
 search,

00:48:38.000 --> 00:48:38.320
 he is

00:48:38.320 --> 00:48:38.940
 searching

00:48:38.940 --> 00:48:40.219
 for you.

00:48:41.800 --> 00:48:42.219
 Jesus,

00:48:42.579 --> 00:48:43.079
 he is

00:48:43.079 --> 00:48:43.840
 the father

00:48:43.840 --> 00:48:45.619
 who constantly

00:48:45.619 --> 00:48:46.820
 is anxious

00:48:46.820 --> 00:48:47.519
 looking out

00:48:47.519 --> 00:48:47.900
 of his

00:48:47.900 --> 00:48:48.719
 window to

00:48:48.719 --> 00:48:49.260
 see if his

00:48:49.260 --> 00:48:50.039
 prodigal son

00:48:50.039 --> 00:48:50.559
 will return

00:48:50.559 --> 00:48:50.880
 home.

00:48:51.340 --> 00:48:51.740
 He is

00:48:51.740 --> 00:48:52.300
 not at

00:48:52.300 --> 00:48:52.699
 rest.

00:48:54.380 --> 00:48:54.699
 And then

00:48:54.699 --> 00:48:55.240
 once he

00:48:55.240 --> 00:48:56.039
 sees his

00:48:56.039 --> 00:48:56.860
 son return,

00:48:56.860 --> 00:48:58.039
 he is

00:48:58.039 --> 00:48:58.720
 launched

00:48:58.720 --> 00:48:59.320
 into a

00:48:59.320 --> 00:49:00.019
 full-on

00:49:00.019 --> 00:49:00.500
 sprint

00:49:00.500 --> 00:49:01.380
 to run

00:49:01.380 --> 00:49:02.019
 after

00:49:02.019 --> 00:49:03.180
 a broken

00:49:03.180 --> 00:49:04.019
 and prodigal

00:49:04.019 --> 00:49:04.420
 people.

00:49:05.559 --> 00:49:06.360
 The father

00:49:06.360 --> 00:49:07.180
 was not

00:49:07.180 --> 00:49:07.660
 at rest

00:49:07.660 --> 00:49:08.840
 until we

00:49:08.840 --> 00:49:09.680
 are at

00:49:09.680 --> 00:49:10.079
 rest.

00:49:11.180 --> 00:49:12.039
 So when

00:49:12.039 --> 00:49:12.920
 Jesus came

00:49:12.920 --> 00:49:13.300
 to the

00:49:13.300 --> 00:49:13.620
 earth,

00:49:13.740 --> 00:49:14.980
 he didn't

00:49:14.980 --> 00:49:15.500
 come

00:49:15.500 --> 00:49:17.000
 just to

00:49:17.000 --> 00:49:17.280
 rest,

00:49:17.380 --> 00:49:17.800
 just to

00:49:17.800 --> 00:49:19.000
 be served,

00:49:19.079 --> 00:49:19.380
 but he

00:49:19.380 --> 00:49:20.120
 came to

00:49:20.120 --> 00:49:20.539
 work,

00:49:20.680 --> 00:49:21.320
 to serve,

00:49:21.400 --> 00:49:21.640
 and to

00:49:21.640 --> 00:49:22.000
 give his

00:49:22.000 --> 00:49:22.720
 life as

00:49:22.720 --> 00:49:23.260
 a ransom

00:49:23.260 --> 00:49:24.380
 for many.

00:49:25.320 --> 00:49:25.800
 That's

00:49:25.800 --> 00:49:26.120
 ultimately

00:49:26.120 --> 00:49:26.800
 shown in

00:49:26.800 --> 00:49:27.620
 the cross.

00:49:28.760 --> 00:49:29.480
 The greatest

00:49:29.480 --> 00:49:30.720
 sacrifice in

00:49:30.720 --> 00:49:31.080
 which he

00:49:31.080 --> 00:49:32.620
 dies in

00:49:32.620 --> 00:49:33.080
 the stead

00:49:33.080 --> 00:49:34.060
 of sinners.

00:49:35.400 --> 00:49:35.960
 He

00:49:35.960 --> 00:49:36.820
 resurrected

00:49:36.820 --> 00:49:37.560
 on the

00:49:37.560 --> 00:49:38.320
 third day

00:49:38.320 --> 00:49:38.700
 and he's

00:49:38.700 --> 00:49:39.420
 now seated

00:49:39.420 --> 00:49:40.200
 on the

00:49:40.200 --> 00:49:40.800
 right hand

00:49:40.800 --> 00:49:41.360
 of the

00:49:41.360 --> 00:49:42.140
 Most High.

00:49:42.860 --> 00:49:43.420
 But even

00:49:43.420 --> 00:49:44.300
 in heaven,

00:49:44.440 --> 00:49:45.000
 he is not

00:49:45.000 --> 00:49:45.380
 idle.

00:49:45.960 --> 00:49:46.500
 He is not

00:49:46.500 --> 00:49:46.840
 idle.

00:49:47.680 --> 00:49:48.600
 He is

00:49:48.600 --> 00:49:49.320
 laboring.

00:49:49.460 --> 00:49:49.920
 Hebrew tells

00:49:49.920 --> 00:49:50.320
 us that he

00:49:50.320 --> 00:49:51.320
 still labors,

00:49:52.300 --> 00:49:53.160
 interceding,

00:49:53.360 --> 00:49:54.039
 praying on

00:49:54.039 --> 00:49:55.060
 your behalf.

00:49:55.059 --> 00:49:56.880
 He will

00:49:56.880 --> 00:49:58.320
 not rest

00:49:58.320 --> 00:49:59.480
 until he

00:49:59.480 --> 00:50:00.159
 has brought

00:50:00.159 --> 00:50:00.860
 you into

00:50:00.860 --> 00:50:01.900
 his rest.

00:50:03.239 --> 00:50:03.840
 Friends,

00:50:03.960 --> 00:50:04.460
 we are

00:50:04.460 --> 00:50:05.719
 tired

00:50:05.719 --> 00:50:06.719
 and we

00:50:06.719 --> 00:50:07.539
 need rest,

00:50:07.820 --> 00:50:08.299
 don't we?

00:50:09.519 --> 00:50:10.659
 We have

00:50:10.659 --> 00:50:11.019
 that.

00:50:11.420 --> 00:50:12.579
 We have

00:50:12.579 --> 00:50:13.179
 that in

00:50:13.179 --> 00:50:13.639
 Jesus.

00:50:15.019 --> 00:50:15.299
 Now,

00:50:15.420 --> 00:50:15.980
 it means

00:50:15.980 --> 00:50:16.900
 we won't

00:50:16.900 --> 00:50:17.840
 experience full

00:50:17.840 --> 00:50:18.639
 Sabbath rest,

00:50:18.799 --> 00:50:19.019
 no.

00:50:20.019 --> 00:50:20.840
 Living on

00:50:20.840 --> 00:50:21.400
 this side of

00:50:21.400 --> 00:50:21.820
 heaven means

00:50:21.820 --> 00:50:22.400
 we still get

00:50:22.400 --> 00:50:22.900
 tired,

00:50:23.019 --> 00:50:23.739
 we still wage

00:50:23.739 --> 00:50:24.319
 war with

00:50:24.319 --> 00:50:24.839
 our sin,

00:50:25.799 --> 00:50:27.059
 but today,

00:50:28.339 --> 00:50:29.159
 today we

00:50:29.159 --> 00:50:29.959
 can enter

00:50:29.959 --> 00:50:30.799
 into rest.

00:50:31.279 --> 00:50:31.679
 We can

00:50:31.679 --> 00:50:32.659
 sit down

00:50:32.659 --> 00:50:33.839
 and rest

00:50:33.839 --> 00:50:34.559
 because our

00:50:34.559 --> 00:50:35.739
 redeemer is

00:50:35.739 --> 00:50:36.399
 working.

00:50:37.299 --> 00:50:37.719
 You can

00:50:37.719 --> 00:50:38.479
 rest from

00:50:38.479 --> 00:50:39.439
 earning God's

00:50:39.439 --> 00:50:40.059
 favor because

00:50:40.059 --> 00:50:41.259
 Christ has

00:50:41.259 --> 00:50:41.839
 earned it

00:50:41.839 --> 00:50:42.659
 for you.

00:50:43.000 --> 00:50:43.519
 You can

00:50:43.519 --> 00:50:44.179
 rest from

00:50:44.179 --> 00:50:44.819
 seeking the

00:50:44.819 --> 00:50:45.579
 approval of

00:50:45.579 --> 00:50:46.799
 man because

00:50:46.799 --> 00:50:47.779
 Christ already

00:50:47.779 --> 00:50:48.339
 thinks the

00:50:48.339 --> 00:50:48.899
 world of

00:50:48.899 --> 00:50:49.000
 you.

00:50:49.099 --> 00:50:49.399
 He thinks

00:50:49.399 --> 00:50:49.699
 you are

00:50:49.699 --> 00:50:50.739
 precious and

00:50:50.739 --> 00:50:51.179
 he loves

00:50:51.179 --> 00:50:51.459
 you.

00:50:51.460 --> 00:50:52.760
 you can

00:50:52.760 --> 00:50:53.460
 rest from

00:50:53.460 --> 00:50:54.320
 the exhausting

00:50:54.320 --> 00:50:54.960
 work of

00:50:54.960 --> 00:50:55.579
 holding your

00:50:55.579 --> 00:50:56.400
 life together

00:50:56.400 --> 00:50:57.480
 because you

00:50:57.480 --> 00:50:58.539
 are held

00:50:58.539 --> 00:50:59.320
 by him.

00:51:01.519 --> 00:51:02.320
 Brothers and

00:51:02.320 --> 00:51:02.559
 sisters,

00:51:02.720 --> 00:51:03.159
 we have a

00:51:03.159 --> 00:51:04.119
 champion fighting

00:51:04.119 --> 00:51:04.679
 for us.

00:51:05.539 --> 00:51:06.220
 You have a

00:51:06.220 --> 00:51:07.159
 husband committed

00:51:07.159 --> 00:51:07.780
 to you,

00:51:08.220 --> 00:51:09.159
 a redeemer

00:51:09.159 --> 00:51:10.720
 who's working

00:51:10.720 --> 00:51:11.340
 for you.

00:51:12.159 --> 00:51:12.780
 So we

00:51:12.780 --> 00:51:13.740
 ought to

00:51:13.740 --> 00:51:14.400
 find rest

00:51:14.400 --> 00:51:15.420
 in that

00:51:15.420 --> 00:51:15.720
 man,

00:51:17.139 --> 00:51:17.720
 the man who

00:51:17.720 --> 00:51:18.280
 will not rest

00:51:18.280 --> 00:51:18.720
 until we

00:51:18.720 --> 00:51:18.880
 can.

00:51:18.880 --> 00:51:20.579
 let's

00:51:20.579 --> 00:51:20.800
 pray.

00:51:21.579 --> 00:51:22.019
 Heavenly

00:51:22.019 --> 00:51:22.280
 Father,

00:51:22.440 --> 00:51:23.960
 we pray for

00:51:23.960 --> 00:51:24.539
 that kind

00:51:24.539 --> 00:51:25.420
 of rest

00:51:25.420 --> 00:51:26.360
 more and

00:51:26.360 --> 00:51:26.660
 more in

00:51:26.660 --> 00:51:27.240
 our lives.

00:51:27.920 --> 00:51:28.360
 Help us to

00:51:28.360 --> 00:51:29.019
 experience it

00:51:29.019 --> 00:51:29.519
 fully.

00:51:30.700 --> 00:51:31.480
 Help us to

00:51:31.480 --> 00:51:34.780
 release control.

00:51:35.039 --> 00:51:35.340
 We are a

00:51:35.340 --> 00:51:35.700
 people that

00:51:35.700 --> 00:51:36.280
 is obsessed

00:51:36.280 --> 00:51:36.940
 with control,

00:51:37.640 --> 00:51:37.940
 a people

00:51:37.940 --> 00:51:41.400
 that don't

00:51:41.400 --> 00:51:42.000
 trust you

00:51:42.000 --> 00:51:42.340
 enough,

00:51:42.500 --> 00:51:42.740
 that you

00:51:42.740 --> 00:51:44.920
 have our

00:51:44.920 --> 00:51:45.880
 best intentions

00:51:45.880 --> 00:51:46.519
 in mind.

00:51:47.119 --> 00:51:47.980
 Make us a

00:51:47.980 --> 00:51:48.500
 people that

00:51:48.500 --> 00:51:50.400
 will submit

00:51:50.400 --> 00:51:50.960
 all things

00:51:50.960 --> 00:51:51.300
 to you,

00:51:51.440 --> 00:51:52.039
 trust you

00:51:52.039 --> 00:51:52.739
 entirely,

00:51:53.019 --> 00:51:53.500
 and know

00:51:53.500 --> 00:51:53.800
 that we

00:51:53.800 --> 00:51:54.400
 are held

00:51:54.400 --> 00:51:55.519
 by you,

00:51:55.579 --> 00:51:55.980
 oh God.

00:51:56.739 --> 00:51:57.219
 We look

00:51:57.219 --> 00:51:57.559
 to you.

00:51:57.960 --> 00:51:58.340
 In Jesus'

00:51:58.480 --> 00:51:58.940
 name we

00:51:58.940 --> 00:51:59.199
 pray.

00:51:59.599 --> 00:51:59.880
 Amen.