WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.800
 Ruth chapter 1, which you'll find up on the screen.

00:00:11.380 --> 00:00:13.700
 We'll read the whole chapter.

00:00:16.080 --> 00:00:20.219
 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land.

00:00:21.080 --> 00:00:25.240
 So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons,

00:00:25.900 --> 00:00:28.879
 went to live for a while in the country of Moab.

00:00:28.879 --> 00:00:33.179
 The man's name was Elimelech, his wife's name was Naomi,

00:00:33.759 --> 00:00:37.219
 and the names of his two sons were Malon and Kilion.

00:00:37.879 --> 00:00:42.200
 They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah, and they went to Moab and lived there.

00:00:43.019 --> 00:00:47.539
 Now Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died and she was left with her two sons.

00:00:48.399 --> 00:00:52.719
 They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth.

00:00:53.560 --> 00:00:58.519
 After they lived there about ten years, both Malon and Kilion also died

00:00:58.520 --> 00:01:02.560
 and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.

00:01:03.680 --> 00:01:09.060
 When Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them,

00:01:09.900 --> 00:01:13.659
 she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there.

00:01:14.400 --> 00:01:18.280
 With her two daughters-in-law, she left the place where she'd been living

00:01:18.280 --> 00:01:21.939
 and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.

00:01:21.939 --> 00:01:25.219
 Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law,

00:01:25.420 --> 00:01:27.439
 Go back, each of you, to your mother's home.

00:01:28.179 --> 00:01:33.120
 May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me.

00:01:33.959 --> 00:01:37.519
 May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.

00:01:38.379 --> 00:01:41.379
 Then she kissed them goodbye, and they wept aloud,

00:01:41.379 --> 00:01:42.920
 and said to her,

00:01:43.439 --> 00:01:45.420
 We will go back with you to your people.

00:01:46.000 --> 00:01:48.319
 But Naomi said, Return home, my daughters.

00:01:48.619 --> 00:01:49.879
 Why would you come with me?

00:01:50.340 --> 00:01:52.920
 Am I going to have any more sons who could become your husbands?

00:01:53.560 --> 00:01:54.819
 Return home, my daughters.

00:01:54.879 --> 00:01:56.459
 I am too old to have another husband.

00:01:57.259 --> 00:01:58.819
 Even if I thought there was still hope for me,

00:01:58.899 --> 00:02:01.859
 even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons,

00:02:02.459 --> 00:02:04.079
 would you wait until they grew up?

00:02:04.519 --> 00:02:06.259
 Would you remain unmarried for them?

00:02:06.759 --> 00:02:07.739
 No, my daughters.

00:02:07.739 --> 00:02:10.879
 It is more bitter for me than for you,

00:02:11.099 --> 00:02:13.639
 because the Lord's hand has turned against me.

00:02:14.400 --> 00:02:15.859
 At this they wept aloud again.

00:02:16.460 --> 00:02:18.159
 Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye,

00:02:18.400 --> 00:02:19.919
 but Ruth clung to her.

00:02:20.639 --> 00:02:21.599
 Look, said Naomi,

00:02:21.859 --> 00:02:25.519
 Your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods.

00:02:26.079 --> 00:02:27.199
 Go back with her.

00:02:28.299 --> 00:02:29.079
 But Ruth replied,

00:02:29.180 --> 00:02:32.259
 Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you.

00:02:32.780 --> 00:02:34.219
 Where you go, I will go,

00:02:34.699 --> 00:02:36.400
 and where you stay, I will stay.

00:02:36.400 --> 00:02:38.719
 Your people will be my people,

00:02:38.920 --> 00:02:41.140
 and your God, my God.

00:02:41.539 --> 00:02:43.300
 Where you die, I will die,

00:02:43.400 --> 00:02:44.879
 and there I will be buried.

00:02:45.480 --> 00:02:46.719
 May the Lord deal with me,

00:02:46.780 --> 00:02:48.020
 be it ever so severely,

00:02:48.439 --> 00:02:51.000
 if even death separates you and me.

00:02:51.920 --> 00:02:54.960
 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her,

00:02:55.540 --> 00:02:56.700
 she stopped urging her.

00:02:57.560 --> 00:03:00.099
 So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem.

00:03:00.420 --> 00:03:01.939
 When they arrived in Bethlehem,

00:03:02.000 --> 00:03:03.819
 the whole town was stirred because of them,

00:03:03.819 --> 00:03:05.139
 and the women exclaimed,

00:03:05.519 --> 00:03:06.579
 Can this be Naomi?

00:03:07.739 --> 00:03:09.799
 Don't call me Naomi, she told them.

00:03:10.479 --> 00:03:11.340
 Call me Mara,

00:03:11.680 --> 00:03:14.199
 because the Almighty has made my life very bitter.

00:03:14.199 --> 00:03:15.979
 I went away full,

00:03:16.479 --> 00:03:18.400
 but the Lord has brought me back empty.

00:03:18.819 --> 00:03:20.299
 Why call me Naomi?

00:03:20.879 --> 00:03:22.719
 The Lord has afflicted me.

00:03:23.299 --> 00:03:26.079
 The Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.

00:03:26.080 --> 00:03:28.840
 So Naomi returned from Moab,

00:03:29.340 --> 00:03:31.180
 accompanied by Ruth the Moabite,

00:03:31.280 --> 00:03:32.100
 her daughter-in-law,

00:03:32.800 --> 00:03:34.540
 arriving in Bethlehem

00:03:34.540 --> 00:03:36.980
 as the barley harvest was beginning.

00:03:37.980 --> 00:03:38.580
 Amen.

00:03:38.920 --> 00:03:40.720
 This is God's word for us.

00:03:41.120 --> 00:03:44.320
 So we're beginning a short study

00:03:44.320 --> 00:03:46.080
 in the book of Ruth,

00:03:46.240 --> 00:03:47.420
 and today we're thinking about

00:03:47.420 --> 00:03:49.560
 the journey or the journeys

00:03:49.560 --> 00:03:54.800
 that we see Naomi's family in particular make.

00:03:54.800 --> 00:03:56.520
 And I hope that it will help us

00:03:56.520 --> 00:04:00.000
 as we reflect on the journey of life

00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:01.180
 that we are all on,

00:04:01.560 --> 00:04:03.320
 the journey of faith

00:04:03.320 --> 00:04:05.719
 that many of us are on.

00:04:05.780 --> 00:04:08.100
 What we see in our story today

00:04:08.100 --> 00:04:09.800
 are probably some realities

00:04:09.800 --> 00:04:10.700
 that we recognize.

00:04:10.900 --> 00:04:12.260
 Sometimes in our lives,

00:04:12.300 --> 00:04:13.020
 in our stories,

00:04:13.100 --> 00:04:15.040
 we come to what we might call

00:04:15.040 --> 00:04:16.340
 crossroads moments.

00:04:17.180 --> 00:04:19.580
 We have important decisions to make,

00:04:20.100 --> 00:04:21.939
 perhaps about the place where we'll live,

00:04:21.939 --> 00:04:23.360
 the job that we might take,

00:04:23.660 --> 00:04:26.319
 an opportunity to pursue or not,

00:04:27.040 --> 00:04:28.779
 a decision that will shape

00:04:28.779 --> 00:04:32.259
 our lives moving forward.

00:04:33.339 --> 00:04:35.579
 It makes me think of the poem

00:04:35.579 --> 00:04:36.879
 by Robert Frost,

00:04:36.939 --> 00:04:38.399
 The Road Not Taken,

00:04:39.000 --> 00:04:40.259
 and that last verse,

00:04:40.319 --> 00:04:42.159
 which perhaps we find ourselves

00:04:42.159 --> 00:04:43.540
 at times resonating with.

00:04:44.379 --> 00:04:45.040
 He says this,

00:04:45.040 --> 00:04:46.740
 I shall be telling this with a sigh

00:04:46.740 --> 00:04:48.580
 somewhere ages and ages hence.

00:04:49.240 --> 00:04:51.100
 Two roads diverse in a wood,

00:04:51.240 --> 00:04:51.680
 and I,

00:04:52.220 --> 00:04:54.040
 I took the one less traveled by,

00:04:54.660 --> 00:04:56.620
 and that has made all the difference.

00:04:57.500 --> 00:05:00.180
 So sometimes our life comes with decisions,

00:05:00.300 --> 00:05:02.600
 and those decisions have consequences,

00:05:02.600 --> 00:05:04.840
 and we see that in this story.

00:05:04.939 --> 00:05:06.860
 But there are other times

00:05:06.860 --> 00:05:07.900
 in our stories

00:05:07.900 --> 00:05:09.780
 where life leaves us no choice,

00:05:10.660 --> 00:05:13.160
 where circumstances come upon us,

00:05:13.160 --> 00:05:15.000
 and if we're thinking about a journey,

00:05:15.100 --> 00:05:17.140
 it's more like perhaps being in a kayak

00:05:17.140 --> 00:05:17.740
 or a canoe,

00:05:17.840 --> 00:05:19.180
 and we're hitting river rapids,

00:05:19.200 --> 00:05:20.680
 and there's only one way we're going.

00:05:22.040 --> 00:05:23.020
 A journey, perhaps,

00:05:23.060 --> 00:05:23.900
 that we wouldn't choose,

00:05:24.020 --> 00:05:25.920
 a situation that we wouldn't desire,

00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:26.960
 but it comes nevertheless.

00:05:27.640 --> 00:05:29.300
 And we see that in this story too.

00:05:30.240 --> 00:05:32.820
 For us, it comes in the form of illness,

00:05:33.080 --> 00:05:33.700
 and loss,

00:05:33.800 --> 00:05:34.640
 and redundancy,

00:05:35.160 --> 00:05:36.220
 and breakup,

00:05:36.220 --> 00:05:39.520
 and how we respond to those

00:05:39.520 --> 00:05:41.760
 as they come across our paths.

00:05:41.759 --> 00:05:44.199
 So the story of Ruth and Naomi,

00:05:45.199 --> 00:05:47.000
 I think is a really helpful one to reflect on

00:05:47.000 --> 00:05:47.560
 at any time,

00:05:47.800 --> 00:05:51.339
 helpful for us at the beginning of a year

00:05:51.339 --> 00:05:52.959
 to remind us

00:05:52.959 --> 00:05:55.659
 that wherever we find ourselves

00:05:55.659 --> 00:05:57.439
 on the journey of life and faith,

00:05:57.779 --> 00:06:01.439
 we need to recognize who our God is.

00:06:02.279 --> 00:06:04.379
 We are presented in the book of Ruth

00:06:04.379 --> 00:06:06.319
 with a God of sovereign grace,

00:06:07.500 --> 00:06:09.339
 a God who is able to sustain,

00:06:09.339 --> 00:06:11.639
 a God who is able to bring hope

00:06:11.639 --> 00:06:12.719
 in the midst of suffering,

00:06:13.719 --> 00:06:15.579
 a God of sovereign grace

00:06:15.579 --> 00:06:16.519
 who's ready to seek

00:06:16.519 --> 00:06:18.579
 and to save those outside of his kingdom,

00:06:18.679 --> 00:06:19.759
 to bring them in,

00:06:19.819 --> 00:06:21.919
 to extend his favor to them,

00:06:22.659 --> 00:06:23.399
 a God who,

00:06:23.879 --> 00:06:25.239
 despite difficult circumstances,

00:06:25.239 --> 00:06:26.579
 continues to work out

00:06:26.579 --> 00:06:27.919
 his plan of redemption,

00:06:29.000 --> 00:06:30.559
 a God of sovereign mercy

00:06:30.559 --> 00:06:31.879
 who's working all things

00:06:31.879 --> 00:06:33.359
 for the good of his people,

00:06:33.360 --> 00:06:35.939
 even when his providence is hard to bear

00:06:35.939 --> 00:06:38.139
 and seems a bitter thing,

00:06:38.480 --> 00:06:41.199
 as we see particularly in chapter 1.

00:06:42.240 --> 00:06:43.420
 So this evening we're going to follow

00:06:43.420 --> 00:06:45.680
 the journeys in order to discover

00:06:45.680 --> 00:06:49.120
 more in particular about our God.

00:06:49.520 --> 00:06:51.180
 So first five verses,

00:06:52.100 --> 00:06:53.560
 we can think about this

00:06:53.560 --> 00:06:55.540
 as Naomi and her family

00:06:55.540 --> 00:06:57.759
 being on the road to nowhere.

00:06:57.759 --> 00:07:01.159
 Verse 1 gives us a setting

00:07:01.159 --> 00:07:03.939
 for our story.

00:07:04.740 --> 00:07:07.159
 In the days when the judges ruled,

00:07:07.879 --> 00:07:09.899
 there was a famine in the land.

00:07:10.379 --> 00:07:11.159
 So this is happening

00:07:11.159 --> 00:07:12.539
 at the time of the judges,

00:07:12.740 --> 00:07:14.620
 and this isn't simply giving us

00:07:14.620 --> 00:07:15.560
 a date stamp.

00:07:16.279 --> 00:07:18.339
 This is also reminding us

00:07:18.339 --> 00:07:20.759
 of the theological description

00:07:21.279 --> 00:07:22.480
 that's behind that,

00:07:22.860 --> 00:07:24.659
 the spiritual circumstances

00:07:24.660 --> 00:07:27.220
 that Israel is experiencing

00:07:27.220 --> 00:07:28.320
 at this time.

00:07:29.080 --> 00:07:31.780
 In the very last sentence

00:07:31.780 --> 00:07:33.439
 in the book of Judges,

00:07:33.939 --> 00:07:34.580
 we read,

00:07:34.760 --> 00:07:36.860
 in those days Israel had no king,

00:07:37.480 --> 00:07:39.980
 everyone did as they saw fit.

00:07:40.660 --> 00:07:42.340
 And to read the book of Judges

00:07:42.340 --> 00:07:43.379
 is to come across

00:07:43.379 --> 00:07:45.140
 this repeating pattern,

00:07:45.560 --> 00:07:47.680
 sometimes called the judges cycle,

00:07:48.280 --> 00:07:50.940
 where the people turn their back on God,

00:07:51.020 --> 00:07:52.480
 perhaps they begin to worship

00:07:52.480 --> 00:07:54.240
 other gods,

00:07:54.780 --> 00:07:56.100
 and God brings judgment

00:07:56.100 --> 00:07:57.100
 on the people,

00:07:57.640 --> 00:07:59.600
 sometimes sending enemies

00:07:59.600 --> 00:08:00.460
 to the land.

00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:01.740
 And after a number of years,

00:08:01.819 --> 00:08:03.420
 the people repent,

00:08:04.140 --> 00:08:05.460
 they cry out to God,

00:08:05.520 --> 00:08:06.420
 God in his mercy

00:08:06.420 --> 00:08:07.860
 sends them a deliverer,

00:08:08.160 --> 00:08:09.319
 the deliverer comes

00:08:09.319 --> 00:08:10.620
 and gives them peace

00:08:10.620 --> 00:08:13.240
 for as long as his life lasts.

00:08:13.780 --> 00:08:15.680
 But then that cycle repeats again.

00:08:16.580 --> 00:08:18.400
 Rebellion, disobedience, judgment,

00:08:18.540 --> 00:08:19.280
 and so on.

00:08:19.319 --> 00:08:21.319
 And by the end of the book of Judges,

00:08:21.319 --> 00:08:23.399
 when we come out of the cycle,

00:08:23.459 --> 00:08:24.420
 what we're left with

00:08:24.420 --> 00:08:26.560
 is a picture of moral

00:08:26.560 --> 00:08:27.540
 and social

00:08:27.540 --> 00:08:28.959
 and political

00:08:28.959 --> 00:08:30.659
 and religious

00:08:30.659 --> 00:08:32.500
 chaos and disaster.

00:08:33.360 --> 00:08:35.279
 It is not a high point

00:08:35.279 --> 00:08:36.840
 in the spiritual life

00:08:36.840 --> 00:08:38.179
 of God's people.

00:08:39.200 --> 00:08:40.480
 And we know that

00:08:40.480 --> 00:08:41.500
 the story of Ruth

00:08:41.500 --> 00:08:43.279
 begins at a low point

00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:44.899
 in the people's spiritual journey

00:08:44.899 --> 00:08:45.539
 because we're told

00:08:45.539 --> 00:08:46.659
 there's a famine in the land.

00:08:46.659 --> 00:08:48.139
 And again,

00:08:48.240 --> 00:08:48.879
 this famine

00:08:48.879 --> 00:08:51.019
 is judgment

00:08:51.019 --> 00:08:52.719
 from God

00:08:52.719 --> 00:08:55.120
 because of the people's

00:08:55.120 --> 00:08:56.639
 disobedience.

00:08:57.480 --> 00:08:59.079
 So even as the story begins,

00:08:59.139 --> 00:09:00.699
 it begins on this very dark

00:09:00.699 --> 00:09:01.559
 backdrop.

00:09:02.620 --> 00:09:03.519
 But it's going to allow

00:09:03.519 --> 00:09:05.079
 the light of God's love

00:09:05.079 --> 00:09:06.079
 and grace to shine

00:09:06.079 --> 00:09:07.559
 really brightly

00:09:07.559 --> 00:09:09.000
 in time

00:09:09.000 --> 00:09:10.799
 in Naomi's family.

00:09:11.899 --> 00:09:12.220
 And in fact,

00:09:12.240 --> 00:09:13.039
 if we get to the end

00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:13.600
 of the story,

00:09:13.699 --> 00:09:14.639
 so if Judges ends,

00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:15.879
 there was no king

00:09:15.879 --> 00:09:16.500
 and everyone's doing

00:09:16.500 --> 00:09:17.299
 as they see fit,

00:09:17.759 --> 00:09:18.840
 by the end of the book of Ruth,

00:09:18.919 --> 00:09:19.840
 we know that it's through

00:09:19.840 --> 00:09:20.460
 Naomi

00:09:20.460 --> 00:09:21.279
 and especially through

00:09:21.279 --> 00:09:21.879
 Ruth's family

00:09:21.879 --> 00:09:23.740
 that ultimately King David

00:09:23.740 --> 00:09:24.539
 will come.

00:09:24.980 --> 00:09:27.139
 God's choice of a king,

00:09:27.559 --> 00:09:28.100
 kingship,

00:09:28.199 --> 00:09:28.819
 is the answer

00:09:28.819 --> 00:09:30.399
 to the sin

00:09:30.399 --> 00:09:31.580
 and rebellion

00:09:31.580 --> 00:09:33.399
 among the people of God.

00:09:33.460 --> 00:09:33.960
 And that, of course,

00:09:34.039 --> 00:09:34.639
 prepares us

00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:35.340
 for the coming

00:09:35.340 --> 00:09:37.519
 of our great King Jesus.

00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:39.840
 So having introduced

00:09:39.840 --> 00:09:41.799
 the time for us

00:09:41.799 --> 00:09:43.500
 when this story happens,

00:09:43.500 --> 00:09:44.379
 we're then introduced

00:09:44.379 --> 00:09:46.340
 to a family.

00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:48.320
 And especially,

00:09:48.440 --> 00:09:49.539
 we can think about Elimelech,

00:09:49.639 --> 00:09:51.159
 the head of this family,

00:09:51.639 --> 00:09:52.679
 married to Naomi,

00:09:53.259 --> 00:09:54.039
 two sons,

00:09:54.200 --> 00:09:55.559
 Malon and Kilion.

00:09:56.460 --> 00:09:57.279
 And immediately,

00:09:57.419 --> 00:09:58.299
 as we're introduced to them,

00:09:58.340 --> 00:09:59.960
 we see that he is faced

00:09:59.960 --> 00:10:01.200
 with a choice.

00:10:01.399 --> 00:10:02.759
 As there is a famine

00:10:02.759 --> 00:10:03.580
 in the land,

00:10:03.960 --> 00:10:05.440
 he has two roads

00:10:05.440 --> 00:10:06.440
 available to him.

00:10:06.500 --> 00:10:06.740
 One,

00:10:07.399 --> 00:10:08.340
 he can stay

00:10:08.340 --> 00:10:09.740
 in Bethlehem.

00:10:10.320 --> 00:10:10.879
 Bethlehem,

00:10:11.100 --> 00:10:11.720
 which means

00:10:11.720 --> 00:10:13.580
 house of bread,

00:10:14.740 --> 00:10:16.899
 in the promised land.

00:10:18.100 --> 00:10:19.539
 What Elimelech could do

00:10:19.539 --> 00:10:20.200
 is he could,

00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:22.600
 with his fellow countrymen,

00:10:22.659 --> 00:10:23.460
 he could lament

00:10:23.460 --> 00:10:24.820
 over their sin,

00:10:24.940 --> 00:10:25.779
 over their turning

00:10:25.779 --> 00:10:27.560
 their backs on God.

00:10:27.680 --> 00:10:29.759
 He could return to God

00:10:29.759 --> 00:10:30.659
 with faith

00:10:30.659 --> 00:10:32.500
 and trust in God

00:10:32.500 --> 00:10:33.659
 to provide.

00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:35.620
 That's one road

00:10:35.620 --> 00:10:37.060
 that's available to him.

00:10:37.059 --> 00:10:38.699
 Or the other one

00:10:38.699 --> 00:10:40.379
 is he can go

00:10:40.379 --> 00:10:42.039
 to Moab.

00:10:42.959 --> 00:10:43.439
 Moab,

00:10:43.539 --> 00:10:44.299
 where evidently

00:10:44.299 --> 00:10:45.459
 there is no famine.

00:10:46.799 --> 00:10:47.759
 Perhaps the grass

00:10:47.759 --> 00:10:48.659
 seems greener

00:10:48.659 --> 00:10:50.439
 on the other side

00:10:50.439 --> 00:10:51.379
 there.

00:10:52.139 --> 00:10:52.839
 And what we need

00:10:52.839 --> 00:10:53.479
 to understand

00:10:53.479 --> 00:10:54.919
 in Elimelech's case,

00:10:55.539 --> 00:10:56.079
 this is not

00:10:56.079 --> 00:10:57.479
 a neutral choice.

00:10:58.639 --> 00:10:59.239
 This isn't,

00:10:59.379 --> 00:10:59.599
 well,

00:11:00.019 --> 00:11:00.439
 the choices,

00:11:00.599 --> 00:11:00.719
 I guess,

00:11:00.759 --> 00:11:01.559
 that most of us have.

00:11:01.659 --> 00:11:02.859
 Will we live in city A

00:11:02.859 --> 00:11:03.439
 or city B?

00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:04.239
 Will we take job A

00:11:04.239 --> 00:11:04.659
 or job B?

00:11:04.919 --> 00:11:05.739
 Unless there is

00:11:05.739 --> 00:11:06.939
 sin involved,

00:11:06.940 --> 00:11:08.200
 there's just a wisdom choice.

00:11:08.600 --> 00:11:09.440
 It's neutral

00:11:09.440 --> 00:11:10.440
 from that point of view.

00:11:10.980 --> 00:11:11.980
 But for Elimelech

00:11:11.980 --> 00:11:13.140
 to leave Bethlehem

00:11:13.140 --> 00:11:14.460
 and to head to Moab

00:11:14.460 --> 00:11:16.400
 is going to

00:11:16.400 --> 00:11:18.720
 show his rejection

00:11:18.720 --> 00:11:20.680
 of God,

00:11:20.800 --> 00:11:21.980
 living in God's place,

00:11:22.400 --> 00:11:23.060
 living among

00:11:23.060 --> 00:11:24.400
 God's people,

00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:25.720
 choosing

00:11:25.720 --> 00:11:27.100
 not to live

00:11:27.100 --> 00:11:27.880
 by faith,

00:11:28.440 --> 00:11:29.440
 but to

00:11:29.440 --> 00:11:30.680
 make his own way

00:11:30.680 --> 00:11:31.960
 in life

00:11:31.960 --> 00:11:32.900
 outside of

00:11:32.900 --> 00:11:33.960
 God's promised land.

00:11:34.060 --> 00:11:34.660
 And that's

00:11:34.660 --> 00:11:35.700
 what he does.

00:11:35.700 --> 00:11:37.700
 end of verse 2,

00:11:38.420 --> 00:11:39.700
 they went to Moab

00:11:39.700 --> 00:11:41.720
 and lived there.

00:11:42.960 --> 00:11:44.340
 And we see

00:11:44.340 --> 00:11:45.660
 the sadness

00:11:45.660 --> 00:11:46.720
 that comes

00:11:46.720 --> 00:11:48.820
 to the family

00:11:48.820 --> 00:11:49.800
 of Elimelech.

00:11:49.900 --> 00:11:50.000
 Well,

00:11:50.100 --> 00:11:50.800
 first we're told

00:11:50.800 --> 00:11:51.460
 in verse 3

00:11:51.460 --> 00:11:53.060
 that he dies.

00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:54.420
 Then,

00:11:55.160 --> 00:11:56.040
 having gone there

00:11:56.040 --> 00:11:56.960
 apparently temporarily,

00:11:57.360 --> 00:11:57.920
 we see that

00:11:57.920 --> 00:11:58.360
 Naomi

00:11:58.360 --> 00:11:59.500
 settles down

00:11:59.500 --> 00:12:00.020
 with her sons.

00:12:00.080 --> 00:12:00.600
 Her sons

00:12:00.600 --> 00:12:01.700
 marry

00:12:01.700 --> 00:12:03.000
 Moabite women

00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:04.340
 and after

00:12:04.340 --> 00:12:05.139
 10 years

00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:06.419
 they also

00:12:06.419 --> 00:12:07.639
 die too.

00:12:07.759 --> 00:12:07.899
 Now,

00:12:07.960 --> 00:12:08.639
 we need to remember

00:12:08.639 --> 00:12:09.120
 as well

00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:09.679
 that Moab

00:12:09.679 --> 00:12:10.299
 was enemy

00:12:10.299 --> 00:12:11.000
 territory.

00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:12.659
 In Deuteronomy 7,

00:12:13.259 --> 00:12:14.179
 verse 3,

00:12:14.620 --> 00:12:15.539
 the people of God

00:12:15.539 --> 00:12:16.200
 were forbidden

00:12:16.200 --> 00:12:17.120
 to marry,

00:12:17.820 --> 00:12:18.700
 but yet here

00:12:18.700 --> 00:12:19.360
 we find them

00:12:19.360 --> 00:12:20.299
 settling down,

00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:21.539
 establishing

00:12:21.539 --> 00:12:22.600
 a family.

00:12:23.720 --> 00:12:24.500
 Elimelech's name

00:12:24.500 --> 00:12:24.820
 means

00:12:24.820 --> 00:12:25.539
 my God

00:12:25.539 --> 00:12:25.860
 is,

00:12:25.960 --> 00:12:27.100
 God is my king,

00:12:28.840 --> 00:12:29.779
 but his name

00:12:29.779 --> 00:12:31.059
 does not reveal

00:12:31.059 --> 00:12:31.439
 his heart,

00:12:31.500 --> 00:12:31.859
 does it?

00:12:32.979 --> 00:12:34.119
 As he chooses

00:12:34.119 --> 00:12:35.659
 his own way

00:12:35.659 --> 00:12:37.199
 apart from God.

00:12:38.099 --> 00:12:38.439
 So,

00:12:38.500 --> 00:12:38.919
 after that

00:12:38.919 --> 00:12:40.139
 crossroads decision,

00:12:40.839 --> 00:12:42.359
 after moving

00:12:42.359 --> 00:12:43.539
 towards Moab,

00:12:44.059 --> 00:12:45.500
 10 years later,

00:12:46.039 --> 00:12:46.799
 verse 5,

00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:47.259
 we find

00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:48.279
 Naomi's world

00:12:48.279 --> 00:12:49.319
 falls apart.

00:12:50.239 --> 00:12:51.199
 She has no husband,

00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:53.119
 she has no sons,

00:12:53.679 --> 00:12:54.779
 she finds herself

00:12:54.779 --> 00:12:56.559
 relatively elderly,

00:12:57.279 --> 00:12:58.019
 a stranger

00:12:58.019 --> 00:12:59.199
 in a strange land,

00:12:59.200 --> 00:13:00.300
 a widow

00:13:00.300 --> 00:13:01.700
 without support

00:13:01.700 --> 00:13:02.780
 or security.

00:13:04.620 --> 00:13:05.540
 This man's

00:13:05.540 --> 00:13:06.160
 journey away

00:13:06.160 --> 00:13:06.860
 from God,

00:13:07.140 --> 00:13:08.180
 from God's place,

00:13:08.259 --> 00:13:09.120
 from God's people,

00:13:09.680 --> 00:13:10.600
 has led

00:13:10.600 --> 00:13:11.680
 this family

00:13:11.680 --> 00:13:13.060
 nowhere,

00:13:14.060 --> 00:13:15.500
 so it seems.

00:13:17.140 --> 00:13:18.540
 Just to pause

00:13:18.540 --> 00:13:19.280
 at this point

00:13:19.280 --> 00:13:20.240
 and to think about

00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:21.440
 this journey

00:13:21.440 --> 00:13:22.379
 in relation

00:13:22.379 --> 00:13:23.400
 to ours,

00:13:24.280 --> 00:13:25.220
 I think it's

00:13:25.220 --> 00:13:26.400
 helpful for us,

00:13:26.640 --> 00:13:28.180
 a caution for us,

00:13:28.179 --> 00:13:28.859
 when we think about

00:13:28.859 --> 00:13:29.559
 Elimelech's

00:13:29.559 --> 00:13:31.019
 decision making.

00:13:32.019 --> 00:13:32.199
 You know,

00:13:32.219 --> 00:13:33.679
 the book of Proverbs,

00:13:34.539 --> 00:13:36.039
 probably a verse

00:13:36.039 --> 00:13:37.219
 that the junior church

00:13:37.219 --> 00:13:37.699
 have learned

00:13:37.699 --> 00:13:38.299
 at some point,

00:13:38.379 --> 00:13:39.079
 trust in the Lord

00:13:39.079 --> 00:13:40.239
 with all your heart

00:13:40.239 --> 00:13:41.000
 and lean not

00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:41.959
 on your own understanding

00:13:41.959 --> 00:13:42.599
 and all your ways

00:13:42.599 --> 00:13:43.319
 acknowledge him

00:13:43.319 --> 00:13:44.000
 and he will make

00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:44.639
 your paths

00:13:44.639 --> 00:13:45.659
 straight.

00:13:45.739 --> 00:13:45.859
 Well,

00:13:46.339 --> 00:13:47.339
 that's not the way

00:13:47.339 --> 00:13:47.859
 of wisdom

00:13:47.859 --> 00:13:48.559
 that Elimelech

00:13:48.559 --> 00:13:49.019
 chooses.

00:13:50.599 --> 00:13:51.519
 The Bible says

00:13:51.519 --> 00:13:52.259
 that we are to walk

00:13:52.259 --> 00:13:52.939
 by faith

00:13:52.939 --> 00:13:53.959
 and not by sight,

00:13:54.079 --> 00:13:55.319
 but Elimelech

00:13:55.319 --> 00:13:56.179
 chooses to live

00:13:56.179 --> 00:13:56.879
 by sight.

00:13:56.879 --> 00:13:57.580
 I can see there's

00:13:57.580 --> 00:13:58.360
 bread and more,

00:13:58.439 --> 00:13:59.340
 so I'm heading there

00:13:59.340 --> 00:14:00.720
 rather than trusting God.

00:14:02.299 --> 00:14:03.419
 We thought this morning

00:14:03.419 --> 00:14:04.580
 about Jesus

00:14:04.580 --> 00:14:05.179
 using the book

00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:06.059
 of Deuteronomy

00:14:06.059 --> 00:14:07.080
 to resist temptation

00:14:07.080 --> 00:14:07.620
 by saying man

00:14:07.620 --> 00:14:08.159
 shall not live

00:14:08.159 --> 00:14:08.860
 by bread alone

00:14:08.860 --> 00:14:09.559
 but by every word

00:14:09.559 --> 00:14:10.080
 that comes from

00:14:10.080 --> 00:14:10.720
 the mouth of God,

00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:11.840
 but Elimelech

00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:13.580
 chooses bread alone.

00:14:15.899 --> 00:14:17.019
 And it's so important

00:14:17.019 --> 00:14:18.179
 for us to reflect

00:14:18.179 --> 00:14:20.460
 on how we make

00:14:20.460 --> 00:14:21.200
 our decisions.

00:14:21.919 --> 00:14:22.740
 Are we making

00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:23.419
 our decisions

00:14:23.419 --> 00:14:24.600
 based on trust

00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:25.500
 in our God?

00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:28.120
 Are we humbly

00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:29.159
 depending on him

00:14:29.159 --> 00:14:30.360
 or are we

00:14:30.360 --> 00:14:31.759
 like Elimelech

00:14:31.759 --> 00:14:32.960
 walking by sight

00:14:32.960 --> 00:14:34.759
 and not by faith?

00:14:36.620 --> 00:14:37.700
 So his action

00:14:37.700 --> 00:14:38.639
 stands as a warning

00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:39.100
 for us,

00:14:39.159 --> 00:14:40.700
 but there's also

00:14:40.700 --> 00:14:41.620
 wonderful hope

00:14:41.620 --> 00:14:43.480
 in this story

00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:44.940
 because of the mercy

00:14:44.940 --> 00:14:46.200
 of God,

00:14:46.920 --> 00:14:47.759
 because of God's

00:14:47.759 --> 00:14:48.700
 sovereign grace.

00:14:48.700 --> 00:14:49.140
 Yes,

00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:51.480
 there is judgment

00:14:51.480 --> 00:14:52.140
 that comes on

00:14:52.140 --> 00:14:52.960
 Elimelech's family

00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:54.140
 just as judgment

00:14:54.140 --> 00:14:55.540
 was falling on all Israel

00:14:55.540 --> 00:14:56.140
 because of their

00:14:56.140 --> 00:14:57.300
 turning away from God,

00:14:57.480 --> 00:14:59.320
 but also there is blessing.

00:15:01.060 --> 00:15:01.500
 Naomi,

00:15:01.700 --> 00:15:02.340
 though she doesn't

00:15:02.340 --> 00:15:02.860
 know it yet,

00:15:02.940 --> 00:15:03.680
 will know much

00:15:03.680 --> 00:15:04.740
 of God's grace

00:15:04.740 --> 00:15:06.020
 and much of God's goodness

00:15:06.020 --> 00:15:07.220
 and much of God's

00:15:07.220 --> 00:15:08.379
 blessing,

00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:10.020
 even though she is

00:15:10.020 --> 00:15:11.060
 part of this foolish

00:15:11.060 --> 00:15:12.360
 decision to walk

00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:13.180
 away

00:15:13.180 --> 00:15:14.520
 to Moab.

00:15:16.220 --> 00:15:17.020
 And there is hope

00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:17.340
 for us,

00:15:17.399 --> 00:15:17.639
 I think,

00:15:17.740 --> 00:15:19.399
 then when we pray

00:15:19.399 --> 00:15:21.199
 for the prodigals

00:15:21.199 --> 00:15:22.240
 in our own lives,

00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:24.079
 for friends and family

00:15:24.079 --> 00:15:25.720
 perhaps who at one time

00:15:25.720 --> 00:15:26.720
 were in church

00:15:26.720 --> 00:15:28.039
 professing faith

00:15:28.039 --> 00:15:29.679
 but have now

00:15:29.679 --> 00:15:30.659
 wandered away.

00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:32.259
 It's so helpful

00:15:32.259 --> 00:15:33.179
 for us to remember

00:15:33.179 --> 00:15:34.179
 the sovereign grace

00:15:34.179 --> 00:15:34.759
 and mercy

00:15:34.759 --> 00:15:36.279
 of God

00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:38.679
 and his loving desire

00:15:38.679 --> 00:15:39.919
 to save and to redeem.

00:15:41.980 --> 00:15:43.179
 When we think about

00:15:43.179 --> 00:15:45.360
 how God is presented

00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:46.500
 in this book,

00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:48.120
 we see here is a God

00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:49.779
 who is in control

00:15:49.779 --> 00:15:51.519
 over the nations

00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:52.500
 and God who will send

00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:53.840
 judgment on a nation

00:15:53.840 --> 00:15:55.220
 but God who also

00:15:55.220 --> 00:15:56.539
 controls the family life

00:15:56.539 --> 00:15:57.379
 of Naomi,

00:15:57.580 --> 00:15:59.659
 turning it for good,

00:15:59.899 --> 00:16:01.080
 ultimately to show

00:16:01.080 --> 00:16:02.559
 redeeming love.

00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:03.940
 And so we are encouraged

00:16:03.940 --> 00:16:05.720
 to place our confidence

00:16:05.720 --> 00:16:07.259
 in this God.

00:16:08.139 --> 00:16:08.840
 This God who,

00:16:08.940 --> 00:16:09.960
 in the midst of all the chaos,

00:16:10.059 --> 00:16:10.919
 has a plan,

00:16:10.980 --> 00:16:12.879
 a plan to establish

00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:14.500
 Ruth's family

00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:15.620
 and to establish

00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:17.419
 David as king

00:16:17.419 --> 00:16:18.379
 and to establish

00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:20.179
 the line of King Jesus.

00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:23.480
 Just before we move

00:16:23.480 --> 00:16:24.860
 from these verses,

00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:26.820
 let's think about

00:16:26.820 --> 00:16:28.200
 the gospel journey

00:16:28.200 --> 00:16:28.980
 and think about

00:16:28.980 --> 00:16:30.019
 the journey of Jesus

00:16:30.019 --> 00:16:31.659
 and see how it compares

00:16:31.659 --> 00:16:32.399
 with Elimelech.

00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:33.799
 So what do we see

00:16:33.799 --> 00:16:34.419
 from Elimelech?

00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:35.299
 We see him leaving

00:16:35.299 --> 00:16:36.059
 his home,

00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:38.519
 seeking his own blessing

00:16:38.519 --> 00:16:40.259
 in disobedience

00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:40.919
 to God.

00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:43.860
 And I compare that

00:16:43.860 --> 00:16:44.399
 with Jesus,

00:16:44.559 --> 00:16:45.539
 leaving his home

00:16:45.539 --> 00:16:46.259
 in glory

00:16:46.259 --> 00:16:48.459
 for the blessing

00:16:48.459 --> 00:16:49.360
 of his people,

00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:51.379
 obeying God

00:16:51.379 --> 00:16:51.840
 all the way

00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:52.620
 to the cross.

00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.360
 That the judgment

00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:55.860
 that falls on Jesus

00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:57.779
 becomes blessing

00:16:57.779 --> 00:16:58.379
 for the people

00:16:58.379 --> 00:16:59.019
 of God

00:16:59.019 --> 00:17:00.399
 because of his

00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:01.139
 faithfulness

00:17:01.139 --> 00:17:02.519
 to God's word.

00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:06.240
 So that was the road

00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:07.000
 to nowhere.

00:17:07.139 --> 00:17:08.160
 But then in verse 6

00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:09.599
 to 17,

00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.279
 we can think about

00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:12.240
 the return journey,

00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:12.799
 we can think about

00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:15.079
 Naomi going home.

00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:17.099
 And look at verse 6

00:17:17.099 --> 00:17:18.259
 to see what prompts

00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:19.559
 her decision to return.

00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:21.740
 When Naomi heard

00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:22.539
 in Moab

00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:23.639
 that the Lord

00:17:23.639 --> 00:17:24.539
 had come to the aid

00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:25.079
 of his people

00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:26.200
 by providing food

00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:26.799
 for them,

00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:28.419
 she and her

00:17:28.419 --> 00:17:29.259
 daughters-in-law

00:17:29.259 --> 00:17:30.419
 prepared to return

00:17:30.419 --> 00:17:31.599
 home from there.

00:17:33.639 --> 00:17:34.519
 So the Lord

00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:35.680
 had come to the aid

00:17:35.680 --> 00:17:36.559
 of his people.

00:17:37.639 --> 00:17:38.399
 Bear in mind

00:17:38.399 --> 00:17:39.019
 that this is

00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:39.579
 in the time

00:17:39.579 --> 00:17:40.159
 of the judges.

00:17:40.919 --> 00:17:41.759
 This presumes

00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.779
 that we're not told

00:17:42.779 --> 00:17:43.619
 that the people of God

00:17:43.619 --> 00:17:45.039
 have repented of sin,

00:17:45.619 --> 00:17:46.279
 that they've looked

00:17:46.279 --> 00:17:47.139
 to God for mercy,

00:17:47.139 --> 00:17:49.099
 and God has shown mercy

00:17:49.099 --> 00:17:49.740
 that is bread

00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:50.480
 once again

00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:51.859
 in the house

00:17:51.859 --> 00:17:52.859
 of bread.

00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:53.379
 And so,

00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:54.379
 Naomi

00:17:54.379 --> 00:17:55.799
 recognizes

00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:57.159
 the Lord's providence

00:17:57.159 --> 00:17:57.680
 in this,

00:17:58.139 --> 00:17:58.740
 and so

00:17:58.740 --> 00:18:00.359
 she and

00:18:00.359 --> 00:18:01.159
 Orpah and Ruth

00:18:01.159 --> 00:18:01.740
 begin

00:18:01.740 --> 00:18:03.980
 the return journey

00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:04.440
 home.

00:18:04.539 --> 00:18:04.919
 Well, of course,

00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:06.359
 it's home for Naomi,

00:18:07.159 --> 00:18:08.019
 it's not home

00:18:08.019 --> 00:18:09.279
 for Orpah

00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:10.279
 and Ruth.

00:18:11.079 --> 00:18:11.960
 And at some point

00:18:11.960 --> 00:18:13.200
 on this journey,

00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:14.519
 having encouraged

00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:15.940
 them to come with her,

00:18:16.839 --> 00:18:17.659
 there is clearly

00:18:17.659 --> 00:18:18.299
 a point where

00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:18.839
 she begins

00:18:18.839 --> 00:18:20.000
 to ask questions

00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:20.539
 of,

00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:21.460
 well,

00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:22.379
 what's really best

00:18:22.379 --> 00:18:23.579
 for my daughters-in-law?

00:18:23.659 --> 00:18:24.240
 How will I

00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:25.659
 provide for them?

00:18:25.660 --> 00:18:26.900
 What kind of welcome

00:18:26.900 --> 00:18:27.920
 will they receive?

00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:29.340
 Where are they most likely

00:18:29.340 --> 00:18:30.140
 to find

00:18:30.140 --> 00:18:31.540
 their security?

00:18:33.080 --> 00:18:33.560
 And so,

00:18:33.640 --> 00:18:34.000
 the journey

00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:34.759
 pauses

00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:36.000
 almost as quickly

00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:36.800
 as it begins,

00:18:37.060 --> 00:18:38.120
 and we come to another

00:18:38.120 --> 00:18:39.240
 crossroads moment,

00:18:39.320 --> 00:18:40.360
 this time for Orpah

00:18:40.360 --> 00:18:41.880
 and for

00:18:41.880 --> 00:18:42.880
 Ruth.

00:18:43.660 --> 00:18:44.360
 Because Naomi,

00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:44.980
 in verse 8,

00:18:45.080 --> 00:18:46.480
 said to her two daughters-in-law,

00:18:47.400 --> 00:18:47.960
 go back,

00:18:48.060 --> 00:18:48.820
 each of you,

00:18:49.640 --> 00:18:50.960
 to your mother's home.

00:18:52.120 --> 00:18:52.840
 She believes

00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:53.779
 that those two

00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:54.419
 young women

00:18:54.419 --> 00:18:55.039
 will have better

00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:55.699
 prospects,

00:18:55.859 --> 00:18:56.679
 greater security

00:18:56.679 --> 00:18:57.439
 in Moab

00:18:57.439 --> 00:18:58.919
 with their families

00:18:58.919 --> 00:18:59.619
 in the place

00:18:59.619 --> 00:19:00.179
 that they know,

00:19:00.299 --> 00:19:00.799
 the culture

00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:02.319
 that they are familiar

00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:02.699
 with.

00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:03.439
 Naomi says,

00:19:03.559 --> 00:19:04.199
 I can't provide

00:19:04.199 --> 00:19:05.740
 husbands for you,

00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:07.059
 so I don't have

00:19:07.059 --> 00:19:07.919
 any prospects

00:19:07.919 --> 00:19:09.779
 to offer.

00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:12.000
 Verse 9's

00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:12.899
 an interesting one

00:19:12.899 --> 00:19:13.720
 because it gives us

00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:14.740
 an understanding

00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:15.419
 of what is

00:19:15.419 --> 00:19:16.839
 driving Naomi,

00:19:16.959 --> 00:19:18.000
 what's Naomi's desire

00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:18.519
 for Orpah

00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:19.039
 and especially

00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:19.680
 for Ruth.

00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:20.859
 May the Lord

00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:21.720
 grant that each

00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.400
 of you will find

00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:24.259
 rest in the home

00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:25.299
 of another husband.

00:19:27.099 --> 00:19:28.019
 A home

00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:28.859
 for Ruth

00:19:28.859 --> 00:19:30.339
 with a husband

00:19:30.339 --> 00:19:31.000
 who will care

00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:31.339
 for her.

00:19:31.400 --> 00:19:32.460
 That's her desire.

00:19:33.639 --> 00:19:34.200
 Now what Naomi

00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:35.059
 doesn't understand

00:19:35.059 --> 00:19:35.900
 is that's also

00:19:35.900 --> 00:19:36.940
 God's desire

00:19:36.940 --> 00:19:37.720
 and God has a much

00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:38.559
 better plan

00:19:38.559 --> 00:19:39.400
 than Naomi's plan.

00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:40.000
 Naomi's plan

00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:40.900
 is go back to Moab

00:19:40.900 --> 00:19:41.420
 and see what you

00:19:41.420 --> 00:19:42.220
 can find there.

00:19:42.700 --> 00:19:43.279
 But God's going

00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:43.980
 to bring Ruth

00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:45.519
 back to Israel

00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:47.099
 to meet Boaz.

00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:48.680
 That God himself

00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:49.180
 will provide

00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:50.279
 a lasting home

00:19:50.279 --> 00:19:51.579
 for Ruth

00:19:51.579 --> 00:19:52.879
 among the people

00:19:52.879 --> 00:19:54.160
 of God.

00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:56.619
 But if we put

00:19:56.619 --> 00:19:57.460
 ourselves in

00:19:57.460 --> 00:19:58.859
 Orpah and Ruth's

00:19:58.859 --> 00:20:00.519
 shoes for a moment,

00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:02.480
 I imagine

00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:03.119
 you like me

00:20:03.119 --> 00:20:03.339
 think,

00:20:03.420 --> 00:20:04.240
 well Naomi's words

00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:05.599
 seem fairly logical.

00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:07.720
 To leave

00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:09.039
 for another country

00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:10.819
 with no one

00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:12.079
 to provide for you,

00:20:12.359 --> 00:20:13.160
 with the possibility

00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:13.980
 of not receiving

00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:14.779
 a warm welcome,

00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:16.059
 you can imagine

00:20:16.059 --> 00:20:18.039
 it might make sense

00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:19.220
 to go back.

00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:20.700
 And so that's

00:20:20.700 --> 00:20:21.740
 exactly what Orpah

00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:22.359
 chooses.

00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:25.799
 Verse 14

00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:27.839
 or verse 13

00:20:27.839 --> 00:20:29.700
 when Naomi

00:20:29.700 --> 00:20:30.119
 says,

00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:30.420
 it's,

00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:32.500
 no my daughters

00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:33.200
 it's more bitter

00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:34.119
 for me than for you

00:20:34.119 --> 00:20:34.859
 because the Lord's

00:20:34.859 --> 00:20:35.480
 hand is turned

00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:36.259
 against me.

00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:37.359
 At this they

00:20:37.359 --> 00:20:38.299
 wept aloud again

00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:38.920
 then Orpah

00:20:38.920 --> 00:20:39.559
 kissed her

00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:40.279
 mother-in-law

00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:41.259
 goodbye.

00:20:41.879 --> 00:20:42.399
 So Orpah

00:20:42.399 --> 00:20:42.879
 chooses

00:20:42.880 --> 00:20:44.160
 to return

00:20:44.160 --> 00:20:44.920
 to Moab

00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:45.980
 and at this point

00:20:45.980 --> 00:20:46.860
 she disappears

00:20:46.860 --> 00:20:48.480
 from the pages

00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:49.020
 of the Bible.

00:20:49.140 --> 00:20:49.820
 We don't know.

00:20:50.380 --> 00:20:51.140
 Did she get married?

00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:52.300
 Did she find that husband

00:20:52.300 --> 00:20:53.040
 and that security?

00:20:53.360 --> 00:20:55.120
 Did she raise a family?

00:20:55.260 --> 00:20:56.340
 Was she happy

00:20:56.340 --> 00:20:57.660
 in her life?

00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:58.540
 We don't know.

00:20:58.800 --> 00:20:59.800
 But even if all those

00:20:59.800 --> 00:21:01.240
 things were true,

00:21:02.340 --> 00:21:03.240
 even if she went home

00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:03.820
 and found

00:21:03.820 --> 00:21:04.700
 a husband

00:21:04.700 --> 00:21:05.960
 and had a family

00:21:05.960 --> 00:21:06.660
 and had a

00:21:06.660 --> 00:21:08.560
 long and satisfying

00:21:08.560 --> 00:21:09.060
 life,

00:21:09.280 --> 00:21:10.400
 she has still

00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:11.480
 turned back

00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:12.600
 from life

00:21:12.600 --> 00:21:13.500
 with God

00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:14.560
 in God's place.

00:21:16.400 --> 00:21:17.240
 It seems

00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:18.160
 that she has

00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:18.740
 missed

00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:19.980
 the ultimate

00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:20.880
 and eternal

00:21:20.880 --> 00:21:22.340
 blessing on offer

00:21:22.340 --> 00:21:23.120
 to her

00:21:23.120 --> 00:21:24.280
 in making

00:21:24.280 --> 00:21:24.900
 that journey

00:21:24.900 --> 00:21:25.820
 to identify

00:21:25.820 --> 00:21:26.420
 herself

00:21:26.420 --> 00:21:26.980
 among

00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:28.100
 the people

00:21:28.100 --> 00:21:28.840
 of God.

00:21:32.560 --> 00:21:33.759
 It seems

00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:34.720
 that perhaps

00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:35.420
 Naomi has

00:21:35.420 --> 00:21:36.240
 lost sight

00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:37.400
 of the reality

00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:38.160
 that the greatest

00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:38.900
 thing anyone

00:21:38.900 --> 00:21:39.420
 can have.

00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:39.880
 The greatest

00:21:39.880 --> 00:21:40.620
 thing that Naomi

00:21:40.620 --> 00:21:41.160
 could offer

00:21:41.160 --> 00:21:42.160
 her daughters-in-law

00:21:42.160 --> 00:21:43.820
 was an invitation

00:21:43.820 --> 00:21:44.560
 to become part

00:21:44.560 --> 00:21:44.960
 of the people

00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:45.300
 of God,

00:21:45.380 --> 00:21:46.100
 to know God

00:21:46.100 --> 00:21:46.740
 and to know

00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:47.320
 his love,

00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:48.320
 to enjoy

00:21:48.320 --> 00:21:48.880
 fellowship

00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:49.580
 with the people

00:21:49.580 --> 00:21:50.240
 of God.

00:21:50.640 --> 00:21:51.340
 There is no

00:21:51.340 --> 00:21:52.000
 question that

00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:52.860
 Naomi loved

00:21:52.860 --> 00:21:53.320
 Orpah

00:21:53.320 --> 00:21:54.019
 as she loved

00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:54.380
 Ruth,

00:21:55.480 --> 00:21:55.980
 but it seemed

00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:56.820
 like she aims

00:21:56.820 --> 00:21:57.620
 too low

00:21:57.620 --> 00:21:59.259
 in her aspiration

00:21:59.259 --> 00:21:59.900
 and desire

00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:01.140
 for her daughter-in-law.

00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:04.340
 To have a

00:22:04.340 --> 00:22:05.519
 happy marriage

00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:06.040
 and a happy

00:22:06.040 --> 00:22:06.800
 family without

00:22:06.800 --> 00:22:07.400
 God

00:22:07.400 --> 00:22:08.300
 is to miss

00:22:08.300 --> 00:22:08.980
 the fullness

00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:09.580
 that God

00:22:09.580 --> 00:22:10.220
 has

00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:11.820
 for any

00:22:11.820 --> 00:22:12.480
 of us.

00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:15.180
 So Orpah

00:22:15.180 --> 00:22:15.620
 chooses

00:22:15.620 --> 00:22:16.860
 at this moment

00:22:16.860 --> 00:22:17.340
 of decision

00:22:17.340 --> 00:22:18.259
 to go home,

00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.300
 but what does it

00:22:19.300 --> 00:22:20.120
 say about Ruth?

00:22:20.640 --> 00:22:21.800
 In verse 14

00:22:21.800 --> 00:22:22.380
 we discover

00:22:22.380 --> 00:22:23.019
 that Ruth

00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:24.980
 clung to her

00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:26.660
 and that's a

00:22:26.660 --> 00:22:27.519
 significant word

00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.040
 because

00:22:28.040 --> 00:22:30.120
 it's the same

00:22:30.120 --> 00:22:30.680
 word that

00:22:30.680 --> 00:22:31.540
 appears in

00:22:31.540 --> 00:22:32.300
 Genesis chapter

00:22:32.300 --> 00:22:33.620
 2 and

00:22:33.620 --> 00:22:34.620
 verse 24.

00:22:35.120 --> 00:22:36.019
 It's a marriage

00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:36.660
 word speaking

00:22:36.660 --> 00:22:37.180
 about the

00:22:37.180 --> 00:22:38.100
 marriage of

00:22:38.100 --> 00:22:38.759
 Adam and

00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:39.200
 Eve as a

00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:40.360
 pattern for

00:22:40.360 --> 00:22:41.180
 all marriages.

00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:42.000
 That's why a

00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:43.220
 man leaves

00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:43.980
 his father and

00:22:43.980 --> 00:22:44.480
 mother and

00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:45.259
 is united

00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:46.120
 to his wife

00:22:46.120 --> 00:22:47.220
 and they

00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:48.540
 become one

00:22:48.540 --> 00:22:49.080
 flesh.

00:22:49.140 --> 00:22:49.380
 There's so

00:22:49.380 --> 00:22:50.800
 much covenant

00:22:50.800 --> 00:22:51.519
 commitment

00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:53.440
 language from

00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:54.040
 Ruth and that

00:22:54.040 --> 00:22:55.720
 continues in

00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:56.980
 her speech

00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:58.200
 in verse 16.

00:22:59.259 --> 00:23:00.460
 Don't urge me

00:23:00.460 --> 00:23:01.040
 to leave you

00:23:01.040 --> 00:23:01.519
 or to turn

00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:02.259
 back from you.

00:23:02.320 --> 00:23:02.860
 Where you go,

00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:03.580
 I will go.

00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:04.480
 Where you stay,

00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:06.140
 I will stay,

00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:07.500
 your people

00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:08.240
 will be my

00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:09.740
 people and

00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:10.579
 your God

00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:12.339
 my God.

00:23:13.599 --> 00:23:14.200
 Words

00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:15.180
 perhaps we

00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:15.819
 hear fairly

00:23:15.819 --> 00:23:16.700
 regularly at

00:23:16.700 --> 00:23:17.140
 weddings.

00:23:18.339 --> 00:23:18.799
 Even the

00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:19.519
 pattern makes

00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.140
 us think of

00:23:20.140 --> 00:23:20.599
 for better,

00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:21.220
 for worse,

00:23:21.299 --> 00:23:21.799
 for richer,

00:23:21.940 --> 00:23:22.440
 for poorer,

00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:23.440
 in sickness and

00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:23.759
 health,

00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:24.539
 till death do

00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:24.920
 us part.

00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:25.339
 That's the

00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:27.299
 idea behind

00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:28.220
 Ruth's words.

00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:28.660
 She is

00:23:28.660 --> 00:23:30.259
 committing to

00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:31.759
 her mother-in-law

00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:33.460
 in undying

00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.299
 love and

00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:34.680
 not just

00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:35.019
 committing

00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:36.099
 herself to

00:23:36.099 --> 00:23:37.019
 Naomi,

00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:38.759
 but more

00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:39.319
 significantly

00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:39.799
 committing

00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:40.400
 herself to

00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:41.000
 Naomi's

00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:41.539
 God.

00:23:43.920 --> 00:23:45.000
 Verse 17,

00:23:45.099 --> 00:23:45.440
 May the

00:23:45.440 --> 00:23:46.119
 Lord deal

00:23:46.119 --> 00:23:46.660
 with me,

00:23:46.779 --> 00:23:47.539
 be it ever

00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:48.779
 so severely,

00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:50.440
 if even

00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:51.079
 death

00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:52.839
 separates you

00:23:52.839 --> 00:23:54.140
 and me.

00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:54.859
 Having said,

00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:55.519
 your God

00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:56.119
 will be my

00:23:56.119 --> 00:23:56.480
 God,

00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:57.720
 she then

00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:58.579
 swears an

00:23:58.579 --> 00:23:59.640
 oath before

00:23:59.640 --> 00:24:00.539
 the Lord,

00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:01.119
 using the

00:24:01.119 --> 00:24:01.500
 covenant

00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:02.299
 name of

00:24:02.299 --> 00:24:02.779
 God,

00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:03.879
 as her

00:24:03.879 --> 00:24:04.599
 witness that

00:24:04.599 --> 00:24:05.119
 she will

00:24:05.119 --> 00:24:06.859
 remain with

00:24:06.859 --> 00:24:07.559
 Naomi,

00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:09.559
 that the

00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:10.039
 people of

00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:11.259
 God are

00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:12.680
 her people.

00:24:14.159 --> 00:24:14.599
 Now what

00:24:14.599 --> 00:24:15.059
 can we learn

00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.700
 from this

00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:17.240
 leg of the

00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:17.720
 journey?

00:24:18.879 --> 00:24:19.599
 Let's think

00:24:19.599 --> 00:24:20.159
 some more

00:24:20.159 --> 00:24:21.220
 about God's

00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:22.500
 sovereign grace,

00:24:22.579 --> 00:24:22.879
 let's think

00:24:22.879 --> 00:24:23.319
 about what's

00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:24.059
 happening in

00:24:24.059 --> 00:24:24.539
 Israel.

00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:25.619
 God in

00:24:25.619 --> 00:24:26.220
 his mercy

00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:27.220
 is restoring

00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:28.379
 wayward

00:24:28.379 --> 00:24:28.879
 Israel,

00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:30.099
 there's bread

00:24:30.099 --> 00:24:30.539
 and not

00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:31.419
 famine because

00:24:31.419 --> 00:24:31.919
 of God's

00:24:31.919 --> 00:24:32.379
 mercy.

00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:34.959
 Naomi is

00:24:34.959 --> 00:24:35.879
 being restored

00:24:35.879 --> 00:24:37.019
 to the

00:24:37.019 --> 00:24:37.779
 people of

00:24:37.779 --> 00:24:38.339
 God by

00:24:38.339 --> 00:24:38.980
 the mercy

00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.659
 of God.

00:24:41.159 --> 00:24:42.059
 For God's

00:24:42.059 --> 00:24:42.299
 people,

00:24:42.459 --> 00:24:43.159
 judgment is

00:24:43.159 --> 00:24:43.679
 not and

00:24:43.679 --> 00:24:44.199
 will never

00:24:44.199 --> 00:24:44.959
 be God's

00:24:44.959 --> 00:24:46.039
 last word.

00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:48.259
 And we

00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:49.019
 discover too

00:24:49.019 --> 00:24:49.699
 that God's

00:24:49.699 --> 00:24:50.819
 grace comes

00:24:50.819 --> 00:24:51.799
 to an

00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:52.339
 outsider,

00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:54.240
 to a

00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:54.699
 Moabite

00:24:54.699 --> 00:24:55.079
 woman.

00:24:57.199 --> 00:24:57.939
 To many

00:24:57.939 --> 00:24:58.579
 within Israel,

00:24:58.679 --> 00:24:59.139
 this would be

00:24:59.139 --> 00:24:59.579
 shocking.

00:25:00.099 --> 00:25:01.419
 God's

00:25:01.419 --> 00:25:02.099
 promise.

00:25:02.099 --> 00:25:02.579
 But it's

00:25:02.579 --> 00:25:03.019
 a reminder

00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:03.379
 to us

00:25:03.379 --> 00:25:03.759
 that God

00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:04.339
 loves to

00:25:04.339 --> 00:25:04.719
 save.

00:25:06.119 --> 00:25:06.659
 That God's

00:25:06.659 --> 00:25:07.219
 plan has

00:25:07.219 --> 00:25:08.000
 always been

00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:08.879
 a redemption

00:25:08.879 --> 00:25:09.379
 that takes

00:25:09.379 --> 00:25:10.459
 in the

00:25:10.459 --> 00:25:11.240
 nations,

00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:13.019
 surprising

00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:13.419
 people,

00:25:13.559 --> 00:25:14.000
 surprising

00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:14.599
 places.

00:25:16.599 --> 00:25:17.000
 And again,

00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:17.279
 it's an

00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:17.959
 encouragement to

00:25:17.959 --> 00:25:18.399
 us not to

00:25:18.399 --> 00:25:19.059
 give up on

00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:19.579
 people, not

00:25:19.579 --> 00:25:20.299
 to give up

00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:21.519
 on mission.

00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:23.839
 God's arm

00:25:23.839 --> 00:25:24.539
 is not short

00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:24.879
 that he

00:25:24.879 --> 00:25:25.779
 cannot save.

00:25:25.779 --> 00:25:27.779
 God's

00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:28.099
 faith.

00:25:28.099 --> 00:25:29.200
 It reminds

00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:29.440
 us

00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:30.079
 encouragingly,

00:25:30.139 --> 00:25:30.339
 I think,

00:25:30.420 --> 00:25:30.759
 that God

00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:31.440
 works through

00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:32.259
 weak faith.

00:25:34.420 --> 00:25:35.259
 Because how

00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:35.779
 is it that

00:25:35.779 --> 00:25:36.799
 Ruth knows

00:25:36.799 --> 00:25:37.319
 about the

00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:37.759
 God of

00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:38.099
 Israel?

00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:38.619
 How does

00:25:38.619 --> 00:25:39.279
 she know

00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:39.720
 about this

00:25:39.720 --> 00:25:40.119
 covenant

00:25:40.119 --> 00:25:40.619
 keeping

00:25:40.619 --> 00:25:41.480
 God?

00:25:41.559 --> 00:25:41.700
 Well,

00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:42.299
 surely it's

00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:43.180
 through her

00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:44.119
 mother-in-law,

00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:44.720
 Naomi.

00:25:45.680 --> 00:25:46.379
 Naomi's

00:25:46.379 --> 00:25:48.039
 faith is

00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:48.660
 weak.

00:25:49.339 --> 00:25:50.059
 She is,

00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:50.639
 at the very

00:25:50.639 --> 00:25:50.920
 least,

00:25:51.099 --> 00:25:51.619
 wrestling with

00:25:51.619 --> 00:25:52.039
 a sense

00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:53.679
 of bitterness

00:25:53.679 --> 00:25:54.839
 towards God,

00:25:54.939 --> 00:25:55.500
 struggling to

00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:56.819
 see God's

00:25:56.819 --> 00:25:57.819
 kindness at

00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:59.179
 any stage.

00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:00.019
 She has

00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:01.039
 walked away

00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:01.519
 from the

00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:02.139
 promised land,

00:26:02.519 --> 00:26:03.199
 but still,

00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:04.179
 Naomi's

00:26:04.179 --> 00:26:04.679
 witness is

00:26:04.679 --> 00:26:05.659
 used for

00:26:05.659 --> 00:26:06.799
 Ruth's

00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:07.619
 salvation.

00:26:10.779 --> 00:26:11.459
 I am

00:26:11.459 --> 00:26:12.000
 sure all

00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:12.359
 of us,

00:26:12.419 --> 00:26:12.639
 when it

00:26:12.639 --> 00:26:13.039
 comes to

00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:13.500
 our witness,

00:26:13.639 --> 00:26:14.000
 feel a

00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:14.399
 sense of

00:26:14.399 --> 00:26:14.759
 our own

00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:15.479
 weakness

00:26:15.479 --> 00:26:16.519
 and inadequacy,

00:26:17.479 --> 00:26:17.839
 feel that

00:26:17.839 --> 00:26:18.239
 there are

00:26:18.239 --> 00:26:18.619
 times when

00:26:18.619 --> 00:26:19.119
 we fail

00:26:19.119 --> 00:26:19.519
 and mess

00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:19.879
 up.

00:26:19.880 --> 00:26:21.260
 Well,

00:26:21.300 --> 00:26:21.500
 he is

00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:22.200
 encouragement

00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:24.100
 that God

00:26:24.100 --> 00:26:24.640
 works through

00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:25.180
 weak people

00:26:25.180 --> 00:26:25.680
 so that he

00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:26.340
 gets the

00:26:26.340 --> 00:26:26.640
 glory,

00:26:26.740 --> 00:26:27.160
 as he

00:26:27.160 --> 00:26:28.500
 does in

00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:29.180
 Ruth's

00:26:29.180 --> 00:26:30.060
 story.

00:26:32.760 --> 00:26:33.760
 Ruth also

00:26:33.760 --> 00:26:35.400
 shows us

00:26:35.400 --> 00:26:36.480
 something of

00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:37.340
 what faith

00:26:37.340 --> 00:26:38.320
 involves,

00:26:38.420 --> 00:26:38.980
 doesn't she?

00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:41.120
 As Ruth

00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:41.880
 begins this

00:26:41.880 --> 00:26:42.620
 journey,

00:26:43.820 --> 00:26:44.300
 this

00:26:44.300 --> 00:26:45.020
 mark by

00:26:45.020 --> 00:26:45.900
 suffering

00:26:45.900 --> 00:26:46.580
 and sacrifice,

00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:47.140
 this is a

00:26:47.140 --> 00:26:47.760
 journey of

00:26:47.760 --> 00:26:48.180
 faith that

00:26:48.180 --> 00:26:49.120
 is costly

00:26:49.120 --> 00:26:49.760
 to her,

00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:50.720
 leaving all

00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.079
 that she

00:26:51.079 --> 00:26:51.359
 knows

00:26:51.359 --> 00:26:52.500
 behind,

00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:53.759
 moving

00:26:53.759 --> 00:26:54.460
 towards a

00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:54.680
 very

00:26:54.680 --> 00:26:55.400
 uncertain

00:26:55.400 --> 00:26:56.980
 future.

00:26:57.640 --> 00:26:58.000
 But she

00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:58.420
 does it

00:26:58.420 --> 00:26:58.799
 because she

00:26:58.799 --> 00:26:59.299
 has committed

00:26:59.299 --> 00:27:00.079
 herself to

00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:00.599
 God.

00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:04.599
 Jesus

00:27:04.599 --> 00:27:05.319
 said,

00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:07.000
 to follow

00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:07.759
 him is

00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:08.839
 to carry

00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:09.740
 a cross.

00:27:10.579 --> 00:27:10.700
 The

00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:11.579
 discipleship

00:27:11.579 --> 00:27:12.140
 is not

00:27:12.140 --> 00:27:13.720
 cheap and

00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.180
 easy,

00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:14.819
 it is

00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:16.160
 costly.

00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:19.080
 perhaps we

00:27:19.080 --> 00:27:19.600
 have known

00:27:19.600 --> 00:27:20.240
 something of

00:27:20.240 --> 00:27:21.620
 that mockery

00:27:21.620 --> 00:27:22.580
 or sense

00:27:22.580 --> 00:27:23.600
 of isolation

00:27:23.600 --> 00:27:24.200
 from people

00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:24.900
 because of

00:27:24.900 --> 00:27:25.680
 our faith.

00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:27.740
 And we

00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:28.480
 certainly know

00:27:28.480 --> 00:27:28.940
 that some of

00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:29.300
 our brothers

00:27:29.300 --> 00:27:29.800
 and sisters

00:27:29.800 --> 00:27:30.440
 in Christ

00:27:30.440 --> 00:27:32.120
 are imprisoned,

00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:33.940
 rejected by

00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:34.900
 their families,

00:27:35.759 --> 00:27:36.160
 will be

00:27:36.160 --> 00:27:36.940
 facing death

00:27:36.940 --> 00:27:38.840
 today because

00:27:38.840 --> 00:27:39.279
 they have

00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:40.759
 chosen to

00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:41.440
 make God

00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:42.940
 their God.

00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:43.620
 God

00:27:43.620 --> 00:27:44.700
 and again

00:27:44.700 --> 00:27:45.019
 when we

00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:45.400
 put that

00:27:45.400 --> 00:27:45.900
 into the

00:27:45.900 --> 00:27:46.820
 story of

00:27:46.820 --> 00:27:47.620
 the gospel,

00:27:48.360 --> 00:27:49.080
 we are

00:27:49.080 --> 00:27:49.460
 following

00:27:49.460 --> 00:27:50.600
 Jesus who

00:27:50.600 --> 00:27:51.960
 walked the

00:27:51.960 --> 00:27:52.440
 way of the

00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:52.960
 cross,

00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:53.680
 who was

00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:54.519
 for us

00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:56.000
 the suffering

00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:56.880
 servant,

00:27:57.380 --> 00:27:58.740
 making that

00:27:58.740 --> 00:28:00.440
 journey of

00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:01.480
 humiliation

00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:03.640
 for the sake

00:28:03.640 --> 00:28:04.100
 of his

00:28:04.100 --> 00:28:04.559
 people.

00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:06.500
 And as

00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:07.019
 we seek

00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:07.579
 to live

00:28:07.579 --> 00:28:08.379
 by faith

00:28:08.379 --> 00:28:08.940
 in him,

00:28:09.579 --> 00:28:10.299
 he tells

00:28:10.299 --> 00:28:10.639
 us that

00:28:10.639 --> 00:28:11.440
 he both

00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:12.179
 goes before

00:28:12.179 --> 00:28:13.079
 us and

00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:14.220
 is with

00:28:14.220 --> 00:28:14.779
 us,

00:28:15.379 --> 00:28:16.299
 giving us

00:28:16.299 --> 00:28:17.200
 strength,

00:28:18.159 --> 00:28:18.619
 sending us

00:28:18.619 --> 00:28:19.240
 the spirit

00:28:19.240 --> 00:28:20.299
 for our

00:28:20.299 --> 00:28:21.139
 journeys

00:28:21.139 --> 00:28:22.339
 of faith.

00:28:25.919 --> 00:28:26.679
 Well,

00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:27.179
 let's look

00:28:27.179 --> 00:28:28.279
 finally at

00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:29.220
 a journey's

00:28:29.220 --> 00:28:31.240
 end and

00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:31.500
 what we

00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:32.059
 can describe

00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:32.599
 as a

00:28:32.599 --> 00:28:33.319
 bitter

00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:34.939
 return.

00:28:36.159 --> 00:28:36.619
 I want

00:28:36.619 --> 00:28:37.500
 to notice

00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:38.519
 something

00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:40.259
 that perhaps

00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:41.399
 seems awkward

00:28:41.399 --> 00:28:41.899
 or even

00:28:41.899 --> 00:28:42.679
 painful

00:28:42.679 --> 00:28:44.299
 in our

00:28:44.299 --> 00:28:44.779
 text.

00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:45.500
 So we

00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:46.700
 read verses

00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:48.200
 16 and

00:28:48.200 --> 00:28:48.839
 17,

00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:50.119
 those wonderful

00:28:50.119 --> 00:28:51.059
 lovely words

00:28:51.059 --> 00:28:51.500
 of Ruth.

00:28:51.619 --> 00:28:51.960
 She just

00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:52.779
 poured out

00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:53.500
 her heart

00:28:53.500 --> 00:28:54.839
 to Naomi

00:28:54.839 --> 00:28:55.220
 in this

00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:56.200
 great expression

00:28:56.200 --> 00:28:56.859
 of undying

00:28:56.859 --> 00:28:57.919
 loyalty and

00:28:57.919 --> 00:28:58.460
 love.

00:28:59.159 --> 00:28:59.899
 These words

00:28:59.899 --> 00:29:00.659
 that are used

00:29:00.659 --> 00:29:01.240
 at weddings,

00:29:01.339 --> 00:29:01.539
 you could

00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:02.119
 easily imagine

00:29:02.119 --> 00:29:02.419
 them being

00:29:02.419 --> 00:29:02.980
 turned into

00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:03.620
 a song

00:29:03.620 --> 00:29:04.019
 or a

00:29:04.019 --> 00:29:04.299
 poem.

00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:05.539
 But how

00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:06.099
 does Naomi

00:29:06.099 --> 00:29:06.960
 respond?

00:29:08.839 --> 00:29:09.559
 In our

00:29:09.559 --> 00:29:10.200
 NIV it

00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:10.599
 says,

00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:11.420
 when Naomi

00:29:11.420 --> 00:29:12.180
 realized that

00:29:12.180 --> 00:29:12.559
 Ruth was

00:29:12.559 --> 00:29:13.200
 determined to

00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:13.700
 go with

00:29:13.700 --> 00:29:13.960
 her,

00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:15.279
 she stopped

00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:16.500
 urging her.

00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:19.319
 That could

00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:19.700
 read,

00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:21.460
 she was

00:29:21.460 --> 00:29:22.599
 silent.

00:29:23.900 --> 00:29:24.759
 Nothing to

00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:25.579
 say in

00:29:25.579 --> 00:29:26.200
 response.

00:29:27.160 --> 00:29:27.620
 And we

00:29:27.620 --> 00:29:28.259
 see more

00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:29.360
 of that

00:29:29.360 --> 00:29:29.940
 pain that

00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:30.500
 Ruth might

00:29:30.500 --> 00:29:31.539
 well have

00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:32.420
 experienced

00:29:32.420 --> 00:29:35.140
 when Naomi

00:29:35.140 --> 00:29:36.400
 begins to

00:29:36.400 --> 00:29:37.839
 share with

00:29:37.839 --> 00:29:38.859
 the women

00:29:38.859 --> 00:29:39.700
 of the

00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:40.200
 village.

00:29:40.640 --> 00:29:41.299
 Don't call

00:29:41.299 --> 00:29:41.940
 me Naomi,

00:29:42.099 --> 00:29:42.720
 Naomi means

00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:43.220
 pleasant.

00:29:43.779 --> 00:29:44.440
 Call me

00:29:44.440 --> 00:29:44.859
 Mara,

00:29:44.940 --> 00:29:45.339
 which means

00:29:45.339 --> 00:29:45.700
 bitter,

00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:46.160
 because the

00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:46.819
 Almighty has

00:29:46.819 --> 00:29:47.220
 made my

00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:47.819
 life very

00:29:47.819 --> 00:29:48.079
 bitter.

00:29:48.180 --> 00:29:48.460
 I went

00:29:48.460 --> 00:29:49.039
 away full,

00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:49.759
 but the

00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:50.119
 Lord has

00:29:50.119 --> 00:29:50.400
 brought me

00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:52.319
 back empty.

00:29:53.480 --> 00:29:54.220
 Ruth's

00:29:54.220 --> 00:29:54.940
 standing right

00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:55.380
 there.

00:29:56.819 --> 00:29:57.119
 God's

00:29:57.119 --> 00:29:57.500
 brought me

00:29:57.500 --> 00:29:58.980
 back empty.

00:30:00.599 --> 00:30:01.039
 There's

00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:01.640
 certainly no

00:30:01.640 --> 00:30:02.500
 sense in

00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:03.019
 Naomi's

00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:03.480
 word that

00:30:03.480 --> 00:30:04.259
 she looks

00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:04.599
 on her

00:30:04.599 --> 00:30:05.240
 daughter-in-law

00:30:05.240 --> 00:30:05.539
 as a

00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:06.079
 source of

00:30:06.079 --> 00:30:07.359
 comfort and

00:30:07.359 --> 00:30:08.920
 blessing,

00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:10.880
 a mercy

00:30:10.880 --> 00:30:11.900
 that she

00:30:11.900 --> 00:30:12.559
 went with

00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:13.119
 her on

00:30:13.119 --> 00:30:13.700
 this

00:30:13.700 --> 00:30:14.420
 journey.

00:30:17.779 --> 00:30:18.339
 Naomi

00:30:18.339 --> 00:30:18.720
 says,

00:30:18.839 --> 00:30:18.880
 well,

00:30:18.920 --> 00:30:19.339
 my name

00:30:19.339 --> 00:30:19.900
 is pleasant,

00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:20.279
 but that's

00:30:20.279 --> 00:30:20.720
 not my

00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:21.299
 experience.

00:30:21.440 --> 00:30:21.619
 My

00:30:21.619 --> 00:30:22.259
 experience

00:30:22.259 --> 00:30:22.839
 at God's

00:30:22.839 --> 00:30:23.240
 hand is

00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:23.619
 one of

00:30:23.619 --> 00:30:24.119
 bitterness.

00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:26.200
 Verse 21,

00:30:26.200 --> 00:30:27.680
 the Lord

00:30:27.680 --> 00:30:27.920
 has

00:30:27.920 --> 00:30:28.600
 afflicted

00:30:28.600 --> 00:30:28.860
 me or

00:30:28.860 --> 00:30:29.140
 the Lord

00:30:29.140 --> 00:30:29.380
 has

00:30:29.380 --> 00:30:30.160
 testified

00:30:30.160 --> 00:30:31.680
 against

00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:32.019
 me.

00:30:32.080 --> 00:30:32.200
 I've

00:30:32.200 --> 00:30:32.319
 been

00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:32.620
 brought

00:30:32.620 --> 00:30:32.980
 into

00:30:32.980 --> 00:30:33.200
 the

00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:33.600
 Lord's

00:30:33.600 --> 00:30:34.080
 courtroom

00:30:34.080 --> 00:30:34.400
 and

00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:34.680
 the

00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:35.140
 judgment

00:30:35.140 --> 00:30:35.440
 has

00:30:35.440 --> 00:30:36.000
 come

00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:36.980
 and

00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:37.180
 I'm

00:30:37.180 --> 00:30:37.539
 under

00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:38.680
 God's

00:30:38.680 --> 00:30:39.700
 hand.

00:30:42.700 --> 00:30:43.640
 I want

00:30:43.640 --> 00:30:44.259
 us again

00:30:44.259 --> 00:30:45.660
 to just

00:30:45.660 --> 00:30:47.240
 see a

00:30:47.240 --> 00:30:48.140
 word of

00:30:48.140 --> 00:30:48.900
 caution

00:30:48.900 --> 00:30:49.559
 here.

00:30:51.380 --> 00:30:52.220
 The

00:30:52.220 --> 00:30:52.759
 danger

00:30:52.759 --> 00:30:53.279
 of

00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:54.380
 bitterness

00:30:54.380 --> 00:30:55.000
 in our

00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:55.500
 lives.

00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:56.480
 That

00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:57.180
 bitterness

00:30:57.180 --> 00:30:58.039
 can

00:30:58.039 --> 00:30:58.480
 mean we

00:30:58.480 --> 00:30:59.120
 miss

00:30:59.120 --> 00:30:59.799
 the

00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:00.519
 blessings,

00:31:01.120 --> 00:31:01.259
 the

00:31:01.259 --> 00:31:01.740
 kindness

00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:02.100
 that

00:31:02.100 --> 00:31:02.480
 God

00:31:02.480 --> 00:31:03.539
 shows.

00:31:04.539 --> 00:31:05.299
 So what's

00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:05.680
 clear in

00:31:05.680 --> 00:31:06.059
 this whole

00:31:06.059 --> 00:31:06.580
 chapter is

00:31:06.580 --> 00:31:06.940
 that Naomi

00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:07.519
 absolutely

00:31:07.519 --> 00:31:08.660
 believes in

00:31:08.660 --> 00:31:09.100
 a God

00:31:09.100 --> 00:31:09.580
 who is

00:31:09.580 --> 00:31:10.259
 sovereign,

00:31:10.420 --> 00:31:10.680
 who is

00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:11.059
 in

00:31:11.059 --> 00:31:11.740
 control,

00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:13.680
 but all

00:31:13.680 --> 00:31:14.080
 she can

00:31:14.080 --> 00:31:15.680
 see is

00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:15.900
 his

00:31:15.900 --> 00:31:16.360
 judgment.

00:31:17.940 --> 00:31:18.240
 And at

00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:18.720
 this stage

00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:18.960
 in her

00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:19.160
 life,

00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:19.519
 she's

00:31:19.519 --> 00:31:20.259
 unable to

00:31:20.259 --> 00:31:20.920
 see his

00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:21.400
 acts of

00:31:21.400 --> 00:31:21.740
 kindness

00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:22.039
 and

00:31:22.039 --> 00:31:22.420
 mercy.

00:31:22.420 --> 00:31:25.680
 And

00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:26.120
 perhaps we

00:31:26.120 --> 00:31:26.660
 can relate

00:31:26.660 --> 00:31:27.220
 to that.

00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:28.960
 Perhaps

00:31:28.960 --> 00:31:29.279
 when

00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:30.000
 suffering

00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:30.480
 comes,

00:31:30.600 --> 00:31:31.080
 when trauma

00:31:31.080 --> 00:31:31.400
 comes,

00:31:31.480 --> 00:31:32.400
 when difficulties

00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:33.039
 come,

00:31:34.120 --> 00:31:34.440
 it can be

00:31:34.440 --> 00:31:35.039
 really hard

00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:35.660
 to see any

00:31:35.660 --> 00:31:36.380
 good purpose

00:31:36.380 --> 00:31:37.200
 in what we

00:31:37.200 --> 00:31:38.400
 are experiencing.

00:31:39.480 --> 00:31:39.960
 Perhaps we

00:31:39.960 --> 00:31:40.560
 can feel the

00:31:40.560 --> 00:31:41.080
 weight of

00:31:41.080 --> 00:31:41.900
 God's hand

00:31:41.900 --> 00:31:42.960
 being against

00:31:42.960 --> 00:31:43.140
 us.

00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:43.600
 Perhaps we

00:31:43.600 --> 00:31:43.840
 have a

00:31:43.840 --> 00:31:44.259
 sense of

00:31:44.259 --> 00:31:44.779
 God being

00:31:44.779 --> 00:31:46.539
 absent in

00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:46.980
 this

00:31:46.980 --> 00:31:47.899
 situation.

00:31:50.440 --> 00:31:51.220
 But to

00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:51.799
 just stop

00:31:51.799 --> 00:31:52.480
 and reflect

00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:53.779
 on Ruth

00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:54.519
 chapter 1

00:31:54.519 --> 00:31:54.980
 and on

00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:55.659
 Naomi's

00:31:55.659 --> 00:31:56.539
 journey,

00:31:57.720 --> 00:31:58.319
 we

00:31:58.319 --> 00:31:58.980
 recognize

00:31:58.980 --> 00:31:59.659
 that she

00:31:59.659 --> 00:32:00.079
 has been

00:32:00.079 --> 00:32:00.839
 gifted with

00:32:00.839 --> 00:32:01.759
 a daughter-in-law

00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:02.099
 of a

00:32:02.099 --> 00:32:02.659
 beautiful

00:32:02.659 --> 00:32:03.159
 and a

00:32:03.159 --> 00:32:03.599
 bold

00:32:03.599 --> 00:32:04.460
 faith.

00:32:05.659 --> 00:32:06.259
 She has

00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:06.779
 been shown

00:32:06.779 --> 00:32:08.200
 mercy in

00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:08.579
 that she's

00:32:08.579 --> 00:32:09.259
 returning to

00:32:09.259 --> 00:32:09.659
 a place

00:32:09.659 --> 00:32:10.019
 where there

00:32:10.019 --> 00:32:10.680
 is bread

00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:11.460
 and not

00:32:11.460 --> 00:32:12.700
 famine.

00:32:14.299 --> 00:32:14.819
 That she

00:32:14.819 --> 00:32:15.220
 will know

00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:16.399
 grace beyond

00:32:16.400 --> 00:32:16.980
 judgment.

00:32:17.120 --> 00:32:17.380
 She is

00:32:17.380 --> 00:32:18.300
 being welcomed

00:32:18.300 --> 00:32:19.600
 back to

00:32:19.600 --> 00:32:21.280
 her community

00:32:21.280 --> 00:32:22.080
 and ultimately

00:32:22.080 --> 00:32:22.860
 she's going to

00:32:22.860 --> 00:32:23.600
 see her family

00:32:23.600 --> 00:32:24.400
 become part of

00:32:24.400 --> 00:32:24.940
 that great

00:32:24.940 --> 00:32:25.540
 story of

00:32:25.540 --> 00:32:25.840
 God's

00:32:25.840 --> 00:32:26.240
 redeeming

00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:26.660
 love for

00:32:26.660 --> 00:32:27.180
 the world.

00:32:29.920 --> 00:32:30.340
 And so

00:32:30.340 --> 00:32:30.840
 even in

00:32:30.840 --> 00:32:31.480
 chapter 1

00:32:31.480 --> 00:32:32.240
 there are

00:32:32.240 --> 00:32:33.120
 reminders

00:32:33.120 --> 00:32:34.680
 to us.

00:32:35.940 --> 00:32:36.880
 Even in

00:32:36.880 --> 00:32:37.759
 the hardship,

00:32:38.680 --> 00:32:39.220
 even when

00:32:39.220 --> 00:32:39.920
 life seems

00:32:39.920 --> 00:32:40.680
 bitter and

00:32:40.680 --> 00:32:41.660
 against us,

00:32:42.440 --> 00:32:43.200
 we are,

00:32:43.360 --> 00:32:43.880
 as people of

00:32:43.880 --> 00:32:44.120
 faith,

00:32:44.259 --> 00:32:44.840
 keep our

00:32:44.840 --> 00:32:45.860
 eyes open

00:32:45.859 --> 00:32:47.339
 for God's

00:32:47.339 --> 00:32:47.759
 kindness

00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:49.199
 because his

00:32:49.199 --> 00:32:49.859
 mercies are

00:32:49.859 --> 00:32:51.279
 new every

00:32:51.279 --> 00:32:51.839
 morning.

00:32:54.879 --> 00:32:55.579
 Let's

00:32:55.579 --> 00:32:56.959
 finish with

00:32:56.959 --> 00:32:58.240
 this.

00:32:58.879 --> 00:32:59.379
 Naomi,

00:32:59.539 --> 00:32:59.939
 at this

00:32:59.939 --> 00:33:00.799
 stage,

00:33:01.259 --> 00:33:02.219
 feels that

00:33:02.219 --> 00:33:03.079
 God is

00:33:03.079 --> 00:33:04.319
 against her,

00:33:04.419 --> 00:33:04.919
 that God's

00:33:04.919 --> 00:33:05.419
 hand is

00:33:05.419 --> 00:33:06.079
 against her.

00:33:06.079 --> 00:33:08.079
 God's

00:33:08.079 --> 00:33:08.599
 God's

00:33:08.599 --> 00:33:09.980
 God's

00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:10.599
 God's

00:33:10.599 --> 00:33:11.500
 question of

00:33:11.500 --> 00:33:12.240
 is God

00:33:12.240 --> 00:33:12.899
 for me

00:33:12.899 --> 00:33:13.960
 or against

00:33:13.960 --> 00:33:14.379
 me?

00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:17.419
 Whatever day,

00:33:17.539 --> 00:33:18.220
 whatever part of

00:33:18.220 --> 00:33:18.879
 our journey of

00:33:18.879 --> 00:33:19.240
 faith.

00:33:20.919 --> 00:33:21.659
 Again, we

00:33:21.659 --> 00:33:22.099
 need the

00:33:22.099 --> 00:33:23.819
 gospel and

00:33:23.819 --> 00:33:24.419
 the gospel

00:33:24.419 --> 00:33:26.159
 journey to

00:33:26.159 --> 00:33:26.839
 help us to

00:33:26.839 --> 00:33:27.639
 answer that.

00:33:28.339 --> 00:33:29.019
 To think

00:33:29.019 --> 00:33:29.419
 about the

00:33:29.419 --> 00:33:29.699
 loving

00:33:29.699 --> 00:33:30.599
 commitment of

00:33:30.599 --> 00:33:31.039
 our God

00:33:31.039 --> 00:33:31.740
 towards us,

00:33:31.799 --> 00:33:32.519
 that God

00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:33.279
 sent his

00:33:33.279 --> 00:33:33.899
 son Jesus,

00:33:33.900 --> 00:33:34.540
 and Jesus

00:33:34.540 --> 00:33:35.019
 the son

00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:35.460
 willingly

00:33:35.460 --> 00:33:36.240
 left his

00:33:36.240 --> 00:33:37.420
 home in

00:33:37.420 --> 00:33:37.980
 glory to

00:33:37.980 --> 00:33:38.980
 become one

00:33:38.980 --> 00:33:39.540
 of us and

00:33:39.540 --> 00:33:41.440
 to live here

00:33:41.440 --> 00:33:42.120
 to be God

00:33:42.120 --> 00:33:43.040
 with us.

00:33:43.720 --> 00:33:44.120
 And we need

00:33:44.120 --> 00:33:44.780
 to see Jesus

00:33:44.780 --> 00:33:45.560
 and not just

00:33:45.560 --> 00:33:46.019
 making that

00:33:46.019 --> 00:33:46.540
 journey to

00:33:46.540 --> 00:33:46.780
 earth,

00:33:46.860 --> 00:33:47.220
 but making

00:33:47.220 --> 00:33:47.720
 that journey

00:33:47.720 --> 00:33:48.280
 to earth so

00:33:48.280 --> 00:33:48.820
 he could make

00:33:48.820 --> 00:33:49.360
 that journey

00:33:49.360 --> 00:33:50.060
 to the cross,

00:33:50.140 --> 00:33:50.940
 taking judgment

00:33:50.940 --> 00:33:52.000
 for sin,

00:33:52.100 --> 00:33:52.980
 for our sin,

00:33:53.759 --> 00:33:55.560
 for the sake

00:33:55.560 --> 00:33:56.280
 of his people,

00:33:57.680 --> 00:33:58.400
 dying so we

00:33:58.400 --> 00:33:58.980
 might live,

00:33:59.920 --> 00:34:00.960
 knowing condemnation

00:34:00.960 --> 00:34:01.700
 so we might be

00:34:01.700 --> 00:34:02.299
 forgiven and

00:34:02.299 --> 00:34:03.360
 reconciled.

00:34:04.700 --> 00:34:05.700
 Jesus is the

00:34:05.700 --> 00:34:06.340
 one who came

00:34:06.340 --> 00:34:06.819
 as our

00:34:06.819 --> 00:34:07.400
 Emmanuel,

00:34:07.580 --> 00:34:07.920
 came as

00:34:07.920 --> 00:34:09.199
 God with

00:34:09.199 --> 00:34:09.539
 us,

00:34:09.659 --> 00:34:10.619
 totally committed

00:34:10.619 --> 00:34:11.720
 to us in

00:34:11.720 --> 00:34:12.559
 covenant love,

00:34:12.880 --> 00:34:14.280
 in undying

00:34:14.280 --> 00:34:15.139
 love.

00:34:17.179 --> 00:34:18.220
 And it's as we

00:34:18.220 --> 00:34:19.179
 understand the

00:34:19.179 --> 00:34:19.940
 gospel and as

00:34:19.940 --> 00:34:20.860
 our faith is in

00:34:20.860 --> 00:34:21.559
 Jesus that we

00:34:21.559 --> 00:34:22.679
 can say with

00:34:22.679 --> 00:34:23.380
 confidence that

00:34:23.380 --> 00:34:23.980
 nothing can

00:34:23.980 --> 00:34:25.860
 separate us from

00:34:25.860 --> 00:34:26.420
 the love of

00:34:26.420 --> 00:34:26.840
 God.

00:34:30.159 --> 00:34:31.059
 It's as we

00:34:31.059 --> 00:34:32.460
 come to know

00:34:32.460 --> 00:34:33.719
 the God of

00:34:33.719 --> 00:34:34.659
 redeeming love

00:34:34.659 --> 00:34:35.320
 that we are

00:34:35.320 --> 00:34:36.639
 able to

00:34:36.639 --> 00:34:37.380
 trust that

00:34:37.380 --> 00:34:38.519
 all things

00:34:38.519 --> 00:34:40.719
 will in

00:34:40.719 --> 00:34:41.400
 God's hands

00:34:41.400 --> 00:34:42.079
 and in God's

00:34:42.079 --> 00:34:43.199
 time work

00:34:43.199 --> 00:34:44.639
 together for

00:34:44.639 --> 00:34:45.539
 his glory

00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:47.139
 and for our

00:34:47.139 --> 00:34:47.559
 good.

00:34:48.699 --> 00:34:49.519
 Let's pray

00:34:49.519 --> 00:34:50.440
 to our God

00:34:50.440 --> 00:34:50.880
 together.

00:34:52.799 --> 00:34:54.440
 Father God,

00:34:54.519 --> 00:34:55.199
 we thank you

00:34:55.199 --> 00:34:57.019
 for the book

00:34:57.019 --> 00:34:58.179
 of Ruth and

00:34:58.179 --> 00:34:58.699
 we thank you

00:34:58.699 --> 00:34:59.139
 for what it

00:34:59.139 --> 00:34:59.679
 can teach

00:34:59.679 --> 00:35:01.000
 us of

00:35:01.000 --> 00:35:01.679
 your sovereign

00:35:01.679 --> 00:35:03.019
 grace and

00:35:03.019 --> 00:35:03.839
 mercy,

00:35:04.980 --> 00:35:05.639
 that you are

00:35:05.639 --> 00:35:06.299
 able to

00:35:06.299 --> 00:35:07.379
 work beyond

00:35:07.379 --> 00:35:08.599
 sin and

00:35:08.599 --> 00:35:10.199
 beyond bad

00:35:10.199 --> 00:35:10.960
 decisions.

00:35:11.699 --> 00:35:12.460
 You are able

00:35:12.460 --> 00:35:13.440
 to work in a

00:35:13.440 --> 00:35:14.000
 way that

00:35:14.000 --> 00:35:15.460
 highlights your

00:35:15.460 --> 00:35:16.519
 grace and

00:35:16.519 --> 00:35:17.299
 gains you the

00:35:17.299 --> 00:35:18.099
 glory that you

00:35:18.099 --> 00:35:18.659
 deserve.

00:35:19.799 --> 00:35:20.659
 We thank you

00:35:20.659 --> 00:35:21.960
 that your

00:35:21.960 --> 00:35:24.119
 desire is to

00:35:24.119 --> 00:35:25.079
 redeem a

00:35:25.079 --> 00:35:25.799
 people for

00:35:25.799 --> 00:35:26.359
 yourself,

00:35:26.360 --> 00:35:28.039
 that Jesus

00:35:28.039 --> 00:35:29.660
 came to

00:35:29.660 --> 00:35:30.360
 carry out

00:35:30.360 --> 00:35:30.880
 that great

00:35:30.880 --> 00:35:31.660
 work of

00:35:31.660 --> 00:35:32.280
 redemption.

00:35:33.640 --> 00:35:33.860
 And Lord,

00:35:33.880 --> 00:35:34.500
 we thank you

00:35:34.500 --> 00:35:35.640
 for where the

00:35:35.640 --> 00:35:36.400
 story of Ruth

00:35:36.400 --> 00:35:37.400
 fits into

00:35:37.400 --> 00:35:38.500
 that storyline,

00:35:38.760 --> 00:35:39.800
 that through

00:35:39.800 --> 00:35:40.940
 this family

00:35:40.940 --> 00:35:41.579
 would come

00:35:41.579 --> 00:35:42.660
 King David

00:35:42.660 --> 00:35:43.360
 and all those

00:35:43.360 --> 00:35:44.280
 promises of

00:35:44.280 --> 00:35:45.000
 an eternal

00:35:45.000 --> 00:35:46.400
 king who

00:35:46.400 --> 00:35:46.860
 would rule

00:35:46.860 --> 00:35:47.480
 and reign in

00:35:47.480 --> 00:35:47.900
 righteousness

00:35:47.900 --> 00:35:48.519
 forever,

00:35:49.160 --> 00:35:49.800
 would find

00:35:49.800 --> 00:35:50.599
 their fulfillment

00:35:50.599 --> 00:35:52.679
 in King

00:35:52.679 --> 00:35:53.179
 Jesus.

00:35:54.519 --> 00:35:55.440
 Please help

00:35:55.440 --> 00:35:56.400
 us to be

00:35:56.400 --> 00:35:56.880
 those who

00:35:56.880 --> 00:35:57.360
 would walk

00:35:57.360 --> 00:35:58.299
 by faith

00:35:58.299 --> 00:35:59.679
 and not

00:35:59.679 --> 00:36:00.380
 by sight.

00:36:01.519 --> 00:36:02.259
 Please help

00:36:02.259 --> 00:36:02.779
 us to be

00:36:02.779 --> 00:36:03.299
 those who

00:36:03.299 --> 00:36:03.980
 would count

00:36:03.980 --> 00:36:05.139
 our blessings,

00:36:06.139 --> 00:36:07.599
 that even in

00:36:07.599 --> 00:36:08.259
 the hardships

00:36:08.259 --> 00:36:09.299
 that we face,

00:36:10.299 --> 00:36:10.819
 that we would

00:36:10.819 --> 00:36:11.519
 be able to

00:36:11.519 --> 00:36:13.920
 see glimpses

00:36:13.920 --> 00:36:14.420
 of your

00:36:14.420 --> 00:36:15.819
 mercy and

00:36:15.819 --> 00:36:16.599
 your sustaining

00:36:16.599 --> 00:36:17.259
 grace.

00:36:18.519 --> 00:36:19.059
 Lord, we

00:36:19.059 --> 00:36:20.259
 pray to

00:36:20.259 --> 00:36:20.960
 have that

00:36:20.960 --> 00:36:21.739
 strong

00:36:21.739 --> 00:36:22.599
 sacrificial

00:36:22.599 --> 00:36:24.079
 faith that

00:36:24.079 --> 00:36:24.960
 Ruth had,

00:36:25.659 --> 00:36:26.679
 determining at

00:36:26.679 --> 00:36:27.639
 all costs

00:36:27.639 --> 00:36:29.960
 that you

00:36:29.960 --> 00:36:30.480
 would be

00:36:30.480 --> 00:36:31.380
 our God

00:36:31.380 --> 00:36:32.420
 and that

00:36:32.420 --> 00:36:33.159
 your people

00:36:33.159 --> 00:36:33.579
 would be

00:36:33.579 --> 00:36:34.340
 our people.

00:36:36.059 --> 00:36:36.559
 So please

00:36:36.559 --> 00:36:37.259
 help us,

00:36:37.799 --> 00:36:38.460
 please answer

00:36:38.460 --> 00:36:38.940
 our prayers,

00:36:39.059 --> 00:36:39.579
 we ask in

00:36:39.579 --> 00:36:40.360
 Jesus' name.

00:36:40.960 --> 00:36:41.299
 Amen.