WEBVTT

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 Let's pray together as we look at God's Word this morning.

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 Father, we come before you and we are thankful for your Word, your Word which gives life,

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 your Word which tells us about you, and your Word which reveals the wonder of salvation

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 and the wonder of the God that so many of us have come to know and love.

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 Father, this morning we pray that as we look at your Word, you will speak to us.

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 And we pray, Holy Spirit, that you'll take the words on these pages and you'll apply it to our hearts.

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 God, won't you cause us to love you more and to trust you more, to obey you more and to fear you more

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 because of your Word this morning.

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 Bring this time before you in your wonderful name.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Okay.

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 So this morning we come to the end of our study of the book of Ruth, the Old Testament book.

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 And for me personally, it has been such a wonderful journey.

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 And I hope it has for you too.

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 It's been challenging studying the book of Ruth, trying to get my head around some things.

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 As Leah was saying, I'm sure there have been some fiery discussions in the CG.

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 But over the last few weeks as we've been going through the book of Ruth,

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 two lines have stood out to me.

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 The one is found in Ruth chapter 2 where Boaz says to Ruth,

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 And then in chapter 3, Ruth almost demonstrates what that means when she goes to Boaz and she says,

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 Boaz, spread the wings of your garment over me.

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 And I found myself over the last few weeks saying,

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 God, won't you make me a person that comes to take refuge and safety and security under the shadow of your wings.

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 Won't you spread your arms over me.

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 God, make me someone that comes to find my identity and my rest in you.

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 And I hope it's been encouraging for us as a church as well.

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 Now let's just recap the story for those of us that maybe have missed parts of it or some of it.

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 The story goes like this.

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 In Ruth chapter 1, we meet this family.

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 Elimelech and his wife Naomi and their two sons, Marlon and Chilian.

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 And they leave Israel because there's famine in the land of Israel.

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 They go up north to the country of Moab.

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 And this all takes place in what we are told is the time of the judges,

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 which was a very ungodly time in the nation of Israel.

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 It's a time when everybody did what was right in their own eyes,

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 which meant that nobody did what was right.

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 And so they leave Israel.

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 They go to Moab.

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 And Moab is an even more ungodly place.

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 And in Moab, tragedy strikes.

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 First, Elimelech dies.

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 And then Naomi's two sons marry a local Moabite woman.

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 And then the two sons die.

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 And so Naomi, an Israelite, is in a foreign land, foreign country,

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 with no land of her own, no sons, no husband,

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 no one to farm the land or to go and work in the fields.

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 And she's left with no security, just her two foreign daughter-in-laws.

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 And so Naomi, the one day, hears that the famine in Israel has broken.

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 And so she decides to go back to Judah, to Bethlehem.

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 And Ruth, the one daughter-in-law, decides to come with her.

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 The other decides to stay.

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 When Ruth and Naomi come back to Bethlehem in Israel,

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 they've got land which belongs to the family,

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 but the land hasn't been worked for decades.

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 And so it's lying fallow.

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 And so Ruth says, I better go out and find some work.

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 And so Ruth goes and works in the field of a man called Boaz,

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 who unbeknownst to her is a very godly man,

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 but he's also a relative of her late husband, Marlon.

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 And she just so happens to work in the field of this relative, Boaz.

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 And Boaz is incredibly kind to her.

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 He says to her, stay close to me.

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 I will look after you.

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 Don't go wandering away.

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 I will do you good.

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 And Boaz is incredibly kind.

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 He's generous to her.

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 He lavishly blesses her.

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 And so at the end of chapter one,

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 Naomi, when they come back, say, I've come back empty.

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 God has been bitter to me.

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 God has dealt unfairly with me.

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 I've got nothing left.

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 And just one day later at the end of chapter two,

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 because of Boaz's kindness,

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 Ruth and Naomi are now overflowing with provisions, with food.

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 And so they come to a place where they say,

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 God has been kind to us because of this man, Boaz.

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 Now, key to understanding the book of Ruth

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 is to understand the ancient Hebrew practice of redemption,

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 of redeeming a widow.

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 And the way it worked was like this.

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 If somebody in Israel fell on hard times,

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 maybe your husband died or you got into excessive debt,

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 the closest male relative, called the kinsman redeemer,

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 it is his obligation to buy you out of your tragic situation,

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 even at great personal cost to himself,

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 and to look after you.

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 So for instance, if a man dies,

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 his wife is left a widow,

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 maybe with children or no children,

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 this kinsman redeemer,

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 this family relative,

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 would buy the family land,

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 but marry this widow to do three things.

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 One, to look after her and provide for her.

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 Two, to look after the family land.

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 Land, remember, was a family safety and security.

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 In those days, you didn't have RAs and pension funds.

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 Your land was your provision.

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 But three, the redeemer would marry this widow

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 and then have children with her

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 in order to continue the name.

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 The children would be in the late husband's name

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 so that his family line wouldn't die out

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 but would continue.

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 Okay?

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 And so this was the obligation

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 of the closest male relative,

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 the kinsman redeemer.

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 So at the end of chapter two,

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 Ruth, after working in Boaz's field,

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 comes back to her mother-in-law, Naomi,

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 and Naomi says,

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 where did you work today?

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 And she says,

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 I worked in the field of Boaz.

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 And Naomi says,

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 Boaz, that man's a close relative of ours.

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 And her mind starts to think,

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 I wonder if this man can redeem us.

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 And so then in chapter three,

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 we saw that last week,

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 Boaz takes notice of Ruth.

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 She's a good-looking young lady.

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 And he spots her out,

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 but he doesn't make any moves on her

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 because Ruth is still wearing the mourning gear.

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 She's mourning her late husband.

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 And Naomi says to Ruth,

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 it's time to put away your mourning clothes.

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 It's time to prepare yourself for marriage.

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 And Naomi realizes that Ruth needs

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 not just Boaz's kindness,

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 she needs his love.

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 What Ruth needs is not just Boaz's provision,

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 she needs his loving protection.

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 And so Naomi prepares her daughter-in-law

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 and then at great risk to herself,

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 Ruth, in the middle of night,

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 goes to Boaz and she says,

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 marry me.

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 In this great act of vulnerability

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 and surrender and submission,

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 she goes to Boaz and says,

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 you are my Redeemer.

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 You are my rescuer.

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 Marry me.

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 Redeem me with your love.

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 And we saw that in many ways,

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 this is what it means to be a Christian.

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 A Christian is someone

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 who has recognized their emptiness,

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 recognized their need for a Savior,

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 recognized their need for redemption,

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 and come to the great Redeemer, Christ,

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 and says,

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 God, marry me.

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 Rescue me.

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 Redeem me with your love.

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 And so at the end of chapter three,

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 Ruth comes to Boaz in the middle of the night

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 and says,

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 rescue me.

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 Redeem me with your great love.

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 And Boaz says,

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 absolutely.

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 He's noticed Ruth, right?

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 He says,

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 sure thing.

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 Tomorrow I'm going to make it happen.

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 Except there's a problem.

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 And the problem is,

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 there's another guy.

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 I know that feeling.

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 When I first noticed Claire,

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 there was another guy.

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 And I had to get rid of him.

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 He's still alive.

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 I didn't get rid of him like that.

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 He's still alive.

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 So Ruth and Boaz

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 kind of make this arrangement.

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 Okay.

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 We want to get married.

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 But there's another guy.

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 There's another family relative,

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 a closer relative

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 that has first rights

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 on redeeming Ruth.

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 And so Boaz says,

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 tomorrow I'll go and talk to him

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 and let's see if we can arrange it.

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 And that's where chapter three ends.

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 And so today we get to Ruth chapter four.

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 Now today's passage,

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 there's three things I think

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 we're going to see.

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 Three things to learn.

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 We're going to learn that God's ways

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 are counterintuitive.

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 God's ways are grounded in grace.

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 And God's ways are all inclusive.

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 Okay.

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 Counterintuitive,

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 grounded in grace,

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 and all inclusive.

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 So first thing,

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 God's ways are counterintuitive.

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 Now chapter four starts off

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 with Boaz going down

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 to the city gates.

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 This is where business

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 and civil affairs

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 and transactions take place.

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 And so Boaz goes down

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 to the city gates

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 to meet this redeemer,

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 this family relative, right?

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 And look at verse one with me.

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 What does verse one say?

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 It says,

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 Boaz went to the gates

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 and he sat down.

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 And behold,

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 the redeemer of whom

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 Boaz had spoken

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 came by.

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 So Boaz said to him,

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 turn aside,

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 my friend.

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 Sit down here.

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 And he turned aside

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 and he sat down.

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 Now quick question.

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 This other redeemer,

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 what is his name?

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 Anyone know?

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 You shouldn't know

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 because nobody knows his name.

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 In fact,

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 the man that wrote

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 the book of Ruth

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 a couple of decades later

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 doesn't even know his name.

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 His name is lost

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 for all eternity.

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 In fact,

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 in the original Hebrew,

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 it actually says,

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 such a person.

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 It's kind of like,

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 it says,

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 Boaz says to him,

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 turn aside,

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 such a person.

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 It's kind of like

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 this catch-out phrase.

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 They don't know

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 what to call him.

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 It's like Mr. So-and-so.

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 Or I guess you'd say like,

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 sit down, Guilo.

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 You know,

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 it's like,

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 it's just this,

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 I don't know

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 if that's offensive,

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 but it's like

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 this kind of phrase

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 that we don't know

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 what to call him.

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 He's just this

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 Mr. So-and-so,

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 right?

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 And so Mr. So-and-so

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 comes along

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 and Boaz explains to him

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 that Naomi,

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 who's returned from Moab,

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 is selling her land

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 that belonged

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 to her husband,

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 Elimelech,

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 and that he,

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 Mr. So-and-so,

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 is the nearest relative

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 and has the first rights

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 to buy it

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 and to redeem it.

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 Now,

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 Boaz doesn't mention Ruth,

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 right?

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 He just talks about the land.

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 And so this relative,

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 Mr. So-and-so,

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 says,

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 sure,

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 sounds great.

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 I would like to buy the land.

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 Count me in.

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 And at that point,

00:10:18.759 --> 00:10:20.399
 Boaz's heart drops,

00:10:20.480 --> 00:10:20.759
 right?

00:10:21.379 --> 00:10:22.279
 He loves Ruth.

00:10:22.819 --> 00:10:23.599
 Ruth loves him.

00:10:24.419 --> 00:10:25.319
 Ruth doesn't want to marry

00:10:25.319 --> 00:10:26.120
 Mr. So-and-so.

00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:27.860
 Ruth wants to marry Boaz.

00:10:28.500 --> 00:10:30.240
 And so at that point,

00:10:30.579 --> 00:10:31.159
 he's like,

00:10:31.379 --> 00:10:31.719
 ah,

00:10:32.079 --> 00:10:32.980
 I was hoping

00:10:32.980 --> 00:10:34.099
 it wasn't going to work out.

00:10:35.079 --> 00:10:37.360
 And here's this guy

00:10:37.360 --> 00:10:38.019
 that's messed up

00:10:38.019 --> 00:10:38.740
 their whole plans.

00:10:39.360 --> 00:10:40.240
 And so then Boaz

00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:42.659
 very gently reminds him

00:10:42.659 --> 00:10:43.099
 and says,

00:10:43.100 --> 00:10:43.560
 well,

00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:45.000
 the day that you

00:10:45.000 --> 00:10:46.259
 buy the land,

00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:47.680
 you also get to inherit,

00:10:47.779 --> 00:10:48.820
 you also get to marry

00:10:48.820 --> 00:10:49.440
 Ruth,

00:10:50.100 --> 00:10:51.060
 the Moabite.

00:10:51.980 --> 00:10:52.159
 Now,

00:10:52.200 --> 00:10:53.420
 you see what's going on here?

00:10:54.159 --> 00:10:55.180
 Mr. So-and-so,

00:10:55.379 --> 00:10:56.379
 when he redeems

00:10:56.379 --> 00:10:57.360
 Naomi's land

00:10:57.360 --> 00:10:57.980
 and property,

00:10:58.420 --> 00:10:59.700
 he also gets

00:10:59.700 --> 00:11:00.879
 to marry the widow

00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:02.500
 in order to protect her,

00:11:02.580 --> 00:11:03.259
 but in order to

00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:04.379
 perpetuate the name

00:11:04.379 --> 00:11:06.040
 of the late husband

00:11:06.040 --> 00:11:07.120
 so that his line

00:11:07.120 --> 00:11:07.680
 will continue.

00:11:08.160 --> 00:11:08.399
 Now,

00:11:08.440 --> 00:11:09.480
 Naomi is too old

00:11:09.480 --> 00:11:10.779
 to be married

00:11:10.779 --> 00:11:11.720
 and to have children,

00:11:11.720 --> 00:11:12.879
 and so Ruth

00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:13.540
 will now become

00:11:13.540 --> 00:11:14.500
 this man's wife

00:11:14.500 --> 00:11:17.139
 in order to continue

00:11:17.139 --> 00:11:18.139
 the family line.

00:11:18.920 --> 00:11:19.779
 And so Boaz

00:11:19.779 --> 00:11:21.420
 reminds this Mr. So-and-so

00:11:21.420 --> 00:11:22.120
 about Ruth

00:11:22.120 --> 00:11:23.160
 and suddenly

00:11:23.160 --> 00:11:24.279
 he starts to back off.

00:11:24.360 --> 00:11:24.620
 He says,

00:11:24.720 --> 00:11:24.920
 ah,

00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:25.320
 actually,

00:11:25.360 --> 00:11:26.160
 I just forgot.

00:11:26.379 --> 00:11:27.540
 I ran out of money

00:11:27.540 --> 00:11:28.540
 and I would love to,

00:11:28.639 --> 00:11:29.840
 but it's not going to work out,

00:11:29.879 --> 00:11:30.120
 right?

00:11:30.320 --> 00:11:32.060
 He starts to backtrack a bit

00:11:32.060 --> 00:11:32.920
 and he says,

00:11:33.040 --> 00:11:34.320
 but you marry him.

00:11:35.040 --> 00:11:36.019
 And Boaz jumps to it

00:11:36.019 --> 00:11:36.399
 and says,

00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:37.360
 I would love to.

00:11:37.800 --> 00:11:38.220
 Now,

00:11:39.060 --> 00:11:40.700
 why does Mr. So-and-so

00:11:40.700 --> 00:11:41.340
 back off?

00:11:41.720 --> 00:11:42.899
 Why does he not want

00:11:42.899 --> 00:11:44.040
 to marry Ruth?

00:11:44.580 --> 00:11:44.759
 Well,

00:11:44.779 --> 00:11:45.500
 he tells us.

00:11:45.680 --> 00:11:46.560
 He tells us what happens.

00:11:46.660 --> 00:11:46.980
 He says,

00:11:47.120 --> 00:11:48.379
 I don't want to impair

00:11:48.379 --> 00:11:49.680
 my own inheritance.

00:11:50.200 --> 00:11:51.060
 And the way it worked

00:11:51.060 --> 00:11:51.759
 was like this.

00:11:52.200 --> 00:11:53.019
 Remember in the nation

00:11:53.019 --> 00:11:53.540
 of Israel,

00:11:53.660 --> 00:11:54.399
 there's this law

00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:55.700
 called the law of Jubilee,

00:11:55.940 --> 00:11:56.180
 right?

00:11:56.600 --> 00:11:57.940
 So every 50 years,

00:11:58.100 --> 00:11:59.279
 all the land

00:11:59.279 --> 00:12:00.100
 that was sold,

00:12:00.220 --> 00:12:01.160
 any transactions

00:12:01.160 --> 00:12:02.300
 had to be returned

00:12:02.300 --> 00:12:03.680
 to the family of origin

00:12:03.680 --> 00:12:05.019
 every 50 years.

00:12:05.320 --> 00:12:06.779
 And the reason this happened

00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:07.779
 was so that to stop

00:12:07.779 --> 00:12:08.800
 the rich getting richer

00:12:08.800 --> 00:12:10.060
 and the poor getting poorer.

00:12:10.059 --> 00:12:11.219
 So if you fall

00:12:11.219 --> 00:12:12.239
 in difficult times,

00:12:12.379 --> 00:12:13.979
 you can sell some land,

00:12:14.099 --> 00:12:15.639
 but rather than people

00:12:15.639 --> 00:12:16.979
 taking advantage of that,

00:12:17.099 --> 00:12:18.099
 every 50 years,

00:12:18.239 --> 00:12:19.500
 all the land is returned

00:12:19.500 --> 00:12:20.719
 to the family of origin.

00:12:21.339 --> 00:12:22.319
 So when this man

00:12:22.319 --> 00:12:23.859
 buys Naomi's land,

00:12:24.279 --> 00:12:25.239
 he knows that,

00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:25.619
 hey,

00:12:25.659 --> 00:12:26.819
 in a couple of years' time,

00:12:26.919 --> 00:12:27.899
 maybe 20 years

00:12:27.899 --> 00:12:28.799
 or 30 years

00:12:28.799 --> 00:12:29.559
 or 40 years,

00:12:29.639 --> 00:12:30.399
 the land is going

00:12:30.399 --> 00:12:31.139
 to be returned

00:12:31.139 --> 00:12:32.279
 to the family.

00:12:32.759 --> 00:12:33.879
 If I take the land

00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:34.939
 and I marry Ruth

00:12:34.939 --> 00:12:35.899
 and we have children,

00:12:36.299 --> 00:12:37.179
 these children belong

00:12:37.179 --> 00:12:37.859
 to Elimelech,

00:12:37.899 --> 00:12:38.739
 that family line,

00:12:39.079 --> 00:12:40.699
 this land will be returned

00:12:40.699 --> 00:12:41.159
 to them.

00:12:41.699 --> 00:12:42.939
 So he buys the land,

00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:43.799
 but not forever,

00:12:44.019 --> 00:12:45.159
 just for a time period.

00:12:45.699 --> 00:12:47.199
 But he takes on two women,

00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:48.379
 Ruth and Naomi,

00:12:48.899 --> 00:12:49.319
 forever.

00:12:49.939 --> 00:12:50.659
 And so in a sense,

00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:51.539
 his estate,

00:12:51.679 --> 00:12:52.339
 his wealth,

00:12:52.599 --> 00:12:53.699
 now needs to support

00:12:53.699 --> 00:12:54.859
 these extra people,

00:12:55.059 --> 00:12:55.959
 but he doesn't get

00:12:55.959 --> 00:12:56.819
 the land forever.

00:12:57.519 --> 00:12:58.479
 And so when he has

00:12:58.479 --> 00:12:59.620
 children with Ruth,

00:13:00.120 --> 00:13:01.279
 now his inheritance

00:13:01.279 --> 00:13:02.539
 is no longer split,

00:13:02.719 --> 00:13:03.099
 let's say,

00:13:03.179 --> 00:13:03.799
 three ways

00:13:03.799 --> 00:13:04.539
 with his children

00:13:04.539 --> 00:13:05.319
 and now might be

00:13:05.319 --> 00:13:06.159
 split five ways

00:13:06.159 --> 00:13:06.899
 or six ways

00:13:06.899 --> 00:13:07.679
 or seven ways.

00:13:08.199 --> 00:13:09.259
 And so he realizes

00:13:09.259 --> 00:13:10.459
 my inheritance

00:13:10.459 --> 00:13:11.620
 is going to be diluted.

00:13:12.199 --> 00:13:12.980
 But furthermore,

00:13:13.059 --> 00:13:13.799
 he realizes

00:13:13.799 --> 00:13:14.839
 that he's going

00:13:14.839 --> 00:13:15.879
 to create children

00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:17.579
 not in his own name,

00:13:17.839 --> 00:13:18.419
 but in the name

00:13:18.419 --> 00:13:20.120
 of Ruth's late husband,

00:13:20.319 --> 00:13:21.379
 Elimelech and Marlon,

00:13:21.519 --> 00:13:21.779
 right?

00:13:22.360 --> 00:13:23.360
 And so he starts

00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:24.399
 to back off.

00:13:24.480 --> 00:13:24.740
 He says,

00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:25.259
 no thanks,

00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:26.279
 you marry her.

00:13:27.019 --> 00:13:27.639
 Now in the nation

00:13:27.639 --> 00:13:28.679
 of Israel at the time,

00:13:28.779 --> 00:13:29.559
 there was a law,

00:13:29.679 --> 00:13:30.139
 well actually not

00:13:30.139 --> 00:13:30.919
 at the time,

00:13:30.959 --> 00:13:31.419
 in the Bible

00:13:31.419 --> 00:13:32.219
 there's this law

00:13:32.219 --> 00:13:33.480
 that if a lady

00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:34.279
 was widowed,

00:13:34.539 --> 00:13:35.779
 she goes to her

00:13:35.779 --> 00:13:36.799
 kinsman redeemer,

00:13:36.939 --> 00:13:37.519
 this relative,

00:13:37.719 --> 00:13:38.039
 and says,

00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:38.779
 marry me,

00:13:39.199 --> 00:13:39.839
 protect me,

00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:41.339
 cover me with your wings,

00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:42.539
 put your redeeming love

00:13:42.539 --> 00:13:43.000
 around me.

00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:43.980
 And he says,

00:13:44.139 --> 00:13:44.480
 no.

00:13:45.139 --> 00:13:46.120
 Then she takes him

00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:47.199
 down to the city gates

00:13:47.199 --> 00:13:48.159
 and once again

00:13:48.159 --> 00:13:49.360
 in front of all the elders

00:13:49.360 --> 00:13:49.980
 and the leaders,

00:13:50.079 --> 00:13:50.500
 she says,

00:13:50.959 --> 00:13:52.199
 this man is my redeemer,

00:13:52.339 --> 00:13:53.079
 I'm asking him

00:13:53.079 --> 00:13:53.719
 to marry me.

00:13:54.099 --> 00:13:55.539
 And if he still refused,

00:13:55.899 --> 00:13:57.240
 she takes off his sandal,

00:13:57.639 --> 00:13:58.480
 she slaps him

00:13:58.480 --> 00:13:59.339
 and then she spits

00:13:59.339 --> 00:14:00.000
 in his face,

00:14:00.179 --> 00:14:00.439
 okay?

00:14:00.839 --> 00:14:01.860
 That was the law.

00:14:02.319 --> 00:14:03.539
 And the reason was

00:14:03.539 --> 00:14:04.339
 because it was

00:14:04.340 --> 00:14:05.680
 considered

00:14:05.680 --> 00:14:07.940
 extremely offensive.

00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:09.480
 It was extremely selfish

00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:10.620
 not to care

00:14:10.620 --> 00:14:11.620
 for your family member,

00:14:11.759 --> 00:14:12.540
 not to look after

00:14:12.540 --> 00:14:13.399
 your family member.

00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:15.540
 So Mr. So-and-so

00:14:15.540 --> 00:14:16.740
 says no

00:14:16.740 --> 00:14:17.500
 and he says no

00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:18.100
 because he wants

00:14:18.100 --> 00:14:18.680
 to protect

00:14:18.680 --> 00:14:19.480
 his own inheritance

00:14:19.480 --> 00:14:20.379
 and he wants

00:14:20.379 --> 00:14:20.840
 to protect

00:14:20.840 --> 00:14:21.600
 his own family

00:14:21.600 --> 00:14:22.379
 and he wants

00:14:22.379 --> 00:14:22.899
 to protect

00:14:22.899 --> 00:14:23.660
 his own name.

00:14:24.660 --> 00:14:25.780
 Now look what happens here.

00:14:26.980 --> 00:14:28.160
 Three and a half thousand

00:14:28.160 --> 00:14:28.879
 years later,

00:14:29.540 --> 00:14:30.379
 whose name

00:14:30.379 --> 00:14:31.879
 do we remember?

00:14:31.879 --> 00:14:33.820
 whose name

00:14:33.820 --> 00:14:34.480
 is recorded

00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:35.379
 under the inspiration

00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:36.179
 of the Holy Spirit

00:14:36.179 --> 00:14:36.919
 for all time

00:14:36.919 --> 00:14:37.439
 in the Bible?

00:14:38.019 --> 00:14:39.120
 Not Mr. So-and-so,

00:14:39.720 --> 00:14:41.080
 nobody knows his name.

00:14:41.899 --> 00:14:42.279
 And yet,

00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:43.860
 Boaz,

00:14:43.980 --> 00:14:44.840
 this man who does

00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:45.759
 the exact opposite,

00:14:46.340 --> 00:14:47.899
 the man who marries Ruth,

00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:48.759
 what does he say?

00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:50.439
 In order to perpetuate

00:14:50.439 --> 00:14:51.580
 the name of the dead,

00:14:52.200 --> 00:14:53.500
 Boaz who marries Ruth

00:14:53.500 --> 00:14:54.960
 knowing that her children

00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:55.720
 will technically

00:14:55.720 --> 00:14:57.379
 not carry his name

00:14:57.379 --> 00:14:58.179
 but carry the name

00:14:58.179 --> 00:14:59.000
 of her late husband,

00:14:59.580 --> 00:15:00.559
 Boaz who gives up

00:15:00.559 --> 00:15:01.539
 his own reputation

00:15:01.539 --> 00:15:02.820
 and marries Ruth

00:15:02.820 --> 00:15:03.779
 to protect her

00:15:03.779 --> 00:15:04.559
 and care for her

00:15:04.559 --> 00:15:05.240
 and make children

00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:06.179
 in the line of Marlon

00:15:06.179 --> 00:15:07.200
 and Elimlich's family,

00:15:07.700 --> 00:15:08.679
 his name is recorded

00:15:08.679 --> 00:15:09.600
 for all time

00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:10.720
 in the scriptures.

00:15:11.639 --> 00:15:12.019
 Now friends,

00:15:12.120 --> 00:15:12.820
 this is the way

00:15:12.820 --> 00:15:13.580
 that God's,

00:15:13.840 --> 00:15:14.639
 this is the way

00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:15.320
 of God's ways.

00:15:15.419 --> 00:15:15.980
 This is the way

00:15:15.980 --> 00:15:16.820
 that God works.

00:15:16.899 --> 00:15:18.000
 This is the upside down

00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:19.899
 nature of God's ways

00:15:19.899 --> 00:15:20.379
 in the world.

00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:21.740
 That those who try

00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:23.200
 to save their lives

00:15:23.200 --> 00:15:24.519
 end up losing them.

00:15:25.059 --> 00:15:25.600
 Those who try

00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:26.779
 to save their name

00:15:26.779 --> 00:15:28.179
 end up losing them.

00:15:28.679 --> 00:15:29.379
 Dietrich Bonhoeffer

00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:30.120
 said it like this,

00:15:30.219 --> 00:15:31.559
 the gospel tells us

00:15:31.559 --> 00:15:33.339
 that the infinite worth

00:15:33.339 --> 00:15:34.519
 of that which seems

00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:35.439
 so worthless

00:15:35.439 --> 00:15:38.000
 and the infinite worthlessness

00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:39.299
 of everything

00:15:39.299 --> 00:15:40.239
 that is seemingly

00:15:40.239 --> 00:15:42.239
 so valuable.

00:15:42.919 --> 00:15:44.000
 And this is the way

00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:44.439
 of God.

00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:45.239
 This is the way

00:15:45.239 --> 00:15:45.819
 of the Bible.

00:15:46.239 --> 00:15:47.439
 Throughout the whole story

00:15:47.439 --> 00:15:48.339
 of the Bible,

00:15:48.459 --> 00:15:48.979
 those who try

00:15:48.979 --> 00:15:49.919
 to save themselves

00:15:49.919 --> 00:15:51.120
 end up losing themselves.

00:15:51.439 --> 00:15:52.219
 And those who say,

00:15:52.539 --> 00:15:53.559
 God it's not about me,

00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:54.359
 have your way,

00:15:54.439 --> 00:15:55.099
 actually end up

00:15:55.099 --> 00:15:55.799
 saving themselves.

00:15:56.439 --> 00:15:56.979
 We see this

00:15:56.980 --> 00:15:58.200
 in the book of Genesis,

00:15:58.379 --> 00:15:58.539
 right?

00:15:58.580 --> 00:15:59.500
 Right in the beginning,

00:15:59.779 --> 00:16:00.560
 Adam and Eve

00:16:00.560 --> 00:16:01.560
 are in the garden

00:16:01.560 --> 00:16:02.600
 with God's presence

00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:04.399
 and the devil comes to them

00:16:04.399 --> 00:16:04.680
 and says,

00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:05.700
 you want to be like God,

00:16:05.740 --> 00:16:06.159
 don't you?

00:16:06.560 --> 00:16:07.360
 I know God said,

00:16:07.440 --> 00:16:08.100
 don't do this,

00:16:08.180 --> 00:16:09.480
 but God doesn't really

00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:10.740
 want you to be powerful

00:16:10.740 --> 00:16:11.379
 and majestic.

00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:12.580
 Listen to me.

00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:13.820
 You eat that fruit,

00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:15.560
 you will be made like God.

00:16:16.080 --> 00:16:16.920
 What do they want to do?

00:16:17.139 --> 00:16:18.340
 They want to be like God.

00:16:18.680 --> 00:16:19.539
 And so they eat the fruit

00:16:19.539 --> 00:16:20.120
 and they listen.

00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:21.360
 And what happens?

00:16:21.720 --> 00:16:22.399
 They end up being

00:16:22.399 --> 00:16:24.080
 expelled from God's presence,

00:16:24.279 --> 00:16:25.600
 expelled from God's paradise.

00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:27.200
 And the end is death

00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:28.300
 and destruction.

00:16:29.240 --> 00:16:30.480
 They sought to be like God

00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:31.420
 and they ended up

00:16:31.420 --> 00:16:32.560
 losing God entirely.

00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:34.200
 A couple of chapters later,

00:16:34.920 --> 00:16:36.320
 the people of God

00:16:36.320 --> 00:16:37.399
 decide to build

00:16:37.399 --> 00:16:38.259
 this massive tower

00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:38.800
 to heaven.

00:16:39.159 --> 00:16:39.700
 They're going to build

00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:40.220
 this tower

00:16:40.220 --> 00:16:42.120
 to the praise of their name

00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:43.320
 and to their own glory.

00:16:43.800 --> 00:16:44.540
 And what happens?

00:16:44.940 --> 00:16:46.220
 The result is tribalism,

00:16:46.940 --> 00:16:47.360
 racism,

00:16:48.180 --> 00:16:48.500
 death,

00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:49.700
 and destruction.

00:16:50.240 --> 00:16:51.519
 And all throughout the Bible,

00:16:51.660 --> 00:16:52.680
 throughout the Old Testament

00:16:52.680 --> 00:16:53.480
 and the New Testament,

00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.960
 whenever the people of God

00:16:54.960 --> 00:16:56.259
 try to save their lives,

00:16:56.360 --> 00:16:58.060
 try to pursue their own glory,

00:16:58.200 --> 00:16:59.399
 try to live for themselves,

00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:01.080
 the result is always

00:17:01.080 --> 00:17:02.500
 death and destruction.

00:17:03.080 --> 00:17:04.400
 And whenever the people of God

00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:05.220
 in humility

00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:06.740
 would come and say,

00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:08.220
 God, not my way,

00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:09.519
 would come and die

00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:10.220
 to themselves,

00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:11.180
 say, Father,

00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:11.880
 have your way.

00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:12.759
 In that place,

00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:13.620
 they found life.

00:17:14.160 --> 00:17:14.779
 And we see this

00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:15.440
 in our own lives,

00:17:15.460 --> 00:17:15.880
 don't we?

00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:17.220
 We see this in our marriages.

00:17:17.380 --> 00:17:18.460
 We see this in our parenting.

00:17:19.099 --> 00:17:20.160
 You want a happy marriage?

00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:20.900
 The secret is,

00:17:21.079 --> 00:17:21.579
 not my will,

00:17:21.640 --> 00:17:22.180
 but your will.

00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:23.060
 Love, right?

00:17:23.840 --> 00:17:24.840
 Anyone that tries

00:17:24.840 --> 00:17:25.400
 in their marriage

00:17:25.400 --> 00:17:25.700
 to say,

00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:25.900
 hey,

00:17:26.060 --> 00:17:27.259
 fight for their own will,

00:17:27.400 --> 00:17:28.200
 fight for their way,

00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:29.340
 ends up losing it.

00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:30.799
 But when you come and say,

00:17:30.940 --> 00:17:31.720
 not about me,

00:17:32.360 --> 00:17:32.900
 about you,

00:17:33.180 --> 00:17:34.100
 let's have your way,

00:17:34.460 --> 00:17:35.180
 that's the way

00:17:35.180 --> 00:17:36.680
 to find a happy marriage.

00:17:37.420 --> 00:17:37.779
 And friends,

00:17:38.140 --> 00:17:39.400
 this is the way of God.

00:17:39.880 --> 00:17:41.240
 This is the counterintuitive

00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:42.100
 nature of God,

00:17:42.180 --> 00:17:42.860
 that those who try

00:17:42.860 --> 00:17:43.700
 and hold on

00:17:43.700 --> 00:17:44.720
 and find their life

00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:45.920
 actually end up losing it.

00:17:46.500 --> 00:17:46.940
 And of course,

00:17:46.980 --> 00:17:47.960
 the greatest expression

00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:48.539
 of this

00:17:48.539 --> 00:17:49.700
 is found

00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:51.720
 in the carpenter.

00:17:52.180 --> 00:17:52.840
 The man who came

00:17:52.840 --> 00:17:53.580
 from Bethlehem.

00:17:54.039 --> 00:17:54.880
 The man who was born

00:17:54.880 --> 00:17:55.900
 to a teenage mom,

00:17:56.600 --> 00:17:57.380
 born in the back

00:17:57.380 --> 00:17:59.039
 waters of Israel,

00:17:59.779 --> 00:18:00.680
 born in an animal

00:18:00.680 --> 00:18:01.700
 feeding trough

00:18:01.700 --> 00:18:02.340
 in a stable.

00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:03.880
 The man who was born

00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:04.400
 to die.

00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:05.779
 The man who came

00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:07.380
 to lay down his life

00:18:07.380 --> 00:18:08.860
 so that we could live.

00:18:09.500 --> 00:18:10.000
 Jesus said,

00:18:10.120 --> 00:18:10.519
 all who try

00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:11.100
 to hang on

00:18:11.100 --> 00:18:11.740
 to their lives,

00:18:11.840 --> 00:18:12.620
 their reputation

00:18:12.620 --> 00:18:13.420
 and their pride

00:18:13.420 --> 00:18:14.400
 will end up losing it.

00:18:14.460 --> 00:18:15.580
 But if you come to me,

00:18:16.019 --> 00:18:17.100
 if you trust me,

00:18:17.480 --> 00:18:18.880
 if you come open-handed,

00:18:19.019 --> 00:18:19.600
 you'll find,

00:18:19.680 --> 00:18:20.580
 you'll find life.

00:18:20.579 --> 00:18:21.740
 You'll gain your life.

00:18:22.439 --> 00:18:22.759
 And friends,

00:18:22.799 --> 00:18:23.939
 what is true for us

00:18:23.939 --> 00:18:25.079
 was equally true

00:18:25.079 --> 00:18:25.619
 for Jesus.

00:18:26.299 --> 00:18:27.240
 That Jesus who came

00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:28.720
 to lay down his life

00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:30.599
 ended up getting life.

00:18:31.079 --> 00:18:31.919
 But the difference is

00:18:31.919 --> 00:18:32.960
 where we lay down

00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:33.319
 our lives,

00:18:33.419 --> 00:18:34.179
 we find our lives.

00:18:34.379 --> 00:18:35.419
 Jesus died

00:18:35.419 --> 00:18:36.399
 not so that he could

00:18:36.399 --> 00:18:36.919
 find life,

00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:37.839
 but that we could

00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:38.419
 find life.

00:18:38.859 --> 00:18:39.859
 This is the ways

00:18:39.859 --> 00:18:40.359
 of God.

00:18:40.839 --> 00:18:41.099
 Friends,

00:18:41.199 --> 00:18:42.399
 this is the good news

00:18:42.399 --> 00:18:42.899
 of Jesus.

00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:43.559
 And this is what

00:18:43.559 --> 00:18:44.720
 the Bible is all about.

00:18:44.819 --> 00:18:45.319
 That though we have

00:18:45.319 --> 00:18:46.319
 fallen short

00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:47.139
 of God's standards,

00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:47.919
 though we've fallen

00:18:47.919 --> 00:18:49.399
 short of the wonder

00:18:49.400 --> 00:18:50.840
 of Jesus and who he is,

00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:51.880
 though our loves

00:18:51.880 --> 00:18:52.519
 are distorted

00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:53.560
 and we follow

00:18:53.560 --> 00:18:54.360
 other gods,

00:18:54.860 --> 00:18:56.280
 Jesus came to lay down

00:18:56.280 --> 00:18:57.380
 his life for creation.

00:18:58.060 --> 00:18:58.860
 And he tells us

00:18:58.860 --> 00:18:59.560
 to do the same.

00:19:00.019 --> 00:19:00.519
 He tells us

00:19:00.519 --> 00:19:01.580
 not to live for ourselves,

00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:02.160
 but to say,

00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:02.840
 not to us,

00:19:02.900 --> 00:19:03.220
 oh God,

00:19:03.280 --> 00:19:04.200
 but to your name

00:19:04.200 --> 00:19:04.940
 give the glory.

00:19:05.440 --> 00:19:06.580
 And in that place

00:19:06.580 --> 00:19:08.140
 we find life.

00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:09.680
 And this is what we see

00:19:09.680 --> 00:19:10.280
 with Boaz

00:19:10.280 --> 00:19:11.259
 and Mr. So-and-so.

00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:12.620
 Mr. So-and-so,

00:19:12.759 --> 00:19:13.840
 this man,

00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:14.980
 tried to protect

00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:15.940
 his own reputation

00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:16.860
 and in the end

00:19:16.860 --> 00:19:18.380
 lost it.

00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:19.420
 And Boaz,

00:19:19.460 --> 00:19:20.360
 who gives it up,

00:19:20.900 --> 00:19:21.820
 his name is preserved

00:19:21.820 --> 00:19:22.519
 for all time.

00:19:23.080 --> 00:19:23.680
 First point,

00:19:23.840 --> 00:19:25.420
 the counterintuitive

00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:26.299
 ways of God.

00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:27.759
 Second thing is this.

00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:28.779
 The thing that we see

00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:30.360
 is that God's ways

00:19:30.360 --> 00:19:31.080
 are grounded

00:19:31.080 --> 00:19:32.059
 in grace.

00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:33.420
 Grounded in grace.

00:19:34.160 --> 00:19:34.480
 Now,

00:19:35.400 --> 00:19:36.360
 when we listen

00:19:36.360 --> 00:19:37.440
 to the first point,

00:19:38.059 --> 00:19:39.000
 you might be tempted

00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:39.559
 to think,

00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:40.000
 okay,

00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:40.920
 I get it.

00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:41.420
 I understand

00:19:41.420 --> 00:19:42.279
 the way it works.

00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:43.920
 Those who deny

00:19:43.920 --> 00:19:44.680
 themselves,

00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:46.420
 those who punish

00:19:46.420 --> 00:19:47.080
 themselves,

00:19:47.539 --> 00:19:48.200
 those who make

00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:49.460
 themselves lowly,

00:19:49.799 --> 00:19:50.920
 earn God's love

00:19:50.920 --> 00:19:51.519
 and acceptance,

00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:52.019
 right?

00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:53.360
 So you might be tempted

00:19:53.360 --> 00:19:53.799
 to think,

00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:55.000
 I know how to get

00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:56.140
 God's love and acceptance.

00:19:56.380 --> 00:19:57.539
 I've got to deny myself.

00:19:57.660 --> 00:19:58.799
 I've got to punish myself.

00:19:58.900 --> 00:19:59.820
 I've got to fast

00:19:59.820 --> 00:20:00.420
 and I've got to

00:20:00.420 --> 00:20:01.620
 go through hardship.

00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:02.880
 And if I do that,

00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:04.279
 God will reward me

00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:05.140
 with good life.

00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:06.299
 But look at what

00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:07.380
 happens next.

00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:10.240
 Mr. So-and-so says,

00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:10.539
 sorry,

00:20:10.680 --> 00:20:11.200
 I don't want,

00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:11.740
 you know,

00:20:11.820 --> 00:20:12.440
 Ruth anymore.

00:20:12.600 --> 00:20:13.220
 You take it.

00:20:13.380 --> 00:20:13.880
 Boaz says,

00:20:13.880 --> 00:20:14.840
 I would love her.

00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:16.300
 And so they get married.

00:20:16.780 --> 00:20:17.960
 And they get married

00:20:17.960 --> 00:20:18.800
 and they live happily

00:20:18.800 --> 00:20:19.520
 ever after.

00:20:19.820 --> 00:20:19.960
 Okay?

00:20:20.520 --> 00:20:21.860
 And the Lord blesses

00:20:21.860 --> 00:20:22.680
 them with a son.

00:20:23.360 --> 00:20:24.400
 Now look what happens

00:20:24.400 --> 00:20:26.220
 in verse 13 to 17.

00:20:27.220 --> 00:20:27.740
 Naomi,

00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:30.360
 not Ruth,

00:20:30.640 --> 00:20:31.240
 is called

00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:32.600
 blessed by the Lord.

00:20:33.120 --> 00:20:33.780
 And Naomi

00:20:33.780 --> 00:20:34.540
 is the one

00:20:34.540 --> 00:20:35.420
 that the townsfolk

00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:36.800
 say is redeemed.

00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:38.260
 And in verse 17,

00:20:38.260 --> 00:20:39.280
 it said of Naomi,

00:20:39.840 --> 00:20:41.160
 she has a son.

00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:42.660
 Now remember,

00:20:43.300 --> 00:20:44.040
 this son,

00:20:44.180 --> 00:20:44.940
 called Obed,

00:20:45.400 --> 00:20:46.340
 has none

00:20:46.340 --> 00:20:47.320
 of Naomi's blood

00:20:47.320 --> 00:20:47.759
 in it.

00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:48.360
 Right?

00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:49.220
 Remember,

00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:50.180
 it's the son

00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:51.440
 of Ruth and Boaz.

00:20:51.560 --> 00:20:52.160
 Ruth is not

00:20:52.160 --> 00:20:53.019
 Naomi's descendant.

00:20:53.100 --> 00:20:54.080
 She's her daughter-in-law.

00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:55.320
 Boaz is not

00:20:55.320 --> 00:20:56.200
 Naomi's descendant.

00:20:56.279 --> 00:20:58.120
 This is a relative

00:20:58.120 --> 00:20:59.040
 of her late husband.

00:20:59.580 --> 00:21:00.400
 So their son

00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:01.279
 has zero

00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:02.440
 of Naomi's blood

00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:02.860
 in it.

00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:03.920
 And yet,

00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:05.180
 the townsfolk say,

00:21:05.180 --> 00:21:06.180
 a son has been

00:21:06.180 --> 00:21:07.040
 born to Naomi.

00:21:07.600 --> 00:21:08.259
 And later on,

00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:09.140
 in verse 15,

00:21:09.900 --> 00:21:11.559
 this grandson,

00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:12.220
 which is actually

00:21:12.220 --> 00:21:13.220
 a step-grandson,

00:21:13.640 --> 00:21:14.660
 is said to Naomi,

00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:14.980
 he says,

00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:15.799
 he will be

00:21:15.799 --> 00:21:17.220
 a restorer of life

00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:18.140
 and a nourisher

00:21:18.140 --> 00:21:19.400
 of your old age.

00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:20.599
 So Naomi,

00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:21.460
 who came back

00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:22.200
 in chapter 1

00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:22.440
 saying,

00:21:22.619 --> 00:21:23.359
 God has been

00:21:23.359 --> 00:21:24.460
 unfair to me.

00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:25.359
 God has dealt

00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:26.200
 bitterly with me.

00:21:26.359 --> 00:21:27.200
 God has given me

00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:27.660
 nothing.

00:21:28.140 --> 00:21:29.259
 I went away full

00:21:29.259 --> 00:21:29.980
 and I've come back

00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:30.400
 empty.

00:21:31.140 --> 00:21:31.480
 Now,

00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:33.119
 this Naomi

00:21:33.119 --> 00:21:34.099
 is given

00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:34.799
 a grandson

00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:35.839
 who is told

00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:36.700
 that this son,

00:21:36.900 --> 00:21:37.460
 this grandson,

00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:38.539
 will nourish you

00:21:38.539 --> 00:21:39.120
 in your old age,

00:21:39.180 --> 00:21:39.860
 will restore

00:21:39.860 --> 00:21:40.799
 your life to you.

00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:41.680
 And remember,

00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:42.480
 she comes back

00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:43.340
 and Ruth is

00:21:43.340 --> 00:21:44.140
 standing next to her

00:21:44.140 --> 00:21:44.539
 and she says,

00:21:44.600 --> 00:21:45.299
 I've got nothing.

00:21:45.900 --> 00:21:46.620
 God has taken

00:21:46.620 --> 00:21:47.799
 everything from me.

00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:48.500
 And as Chris

00:21:48.500 --> 00:21:49.160
 reminded us

00:21:49.160 --> 00:21:49.840
 three weeks ago,

00:21:50.360 --> 00:21:50.960
 Ruth is standing

00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:51.900
 right next to her

00:21:51.900 --> 00:21:53.039
 as if to say,

00:21:53.180 --> 00:21:54.220
 Ruth is nothing to me.

00:21:54.880 --> 00:21:55.640
 And now look at

00:21:55.640 --> 00:21:56.440
 how the townsfolk

00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.100
 speak of Ruth.

00:21:57.180 --> 00:21:57.460
 They say,

00:21:57.460 --> 00:21:57.759
 Ruth,

00:21:57.860 --> 00:21:58.640
 your daughter-in-law

00:21:58.640 --> 00:21:59.480
 who loves you,

00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:00.460
 who has become

00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:01.160
 more to you

00:22:01.160 --> 00:22:02.400
 than seven sons.

00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:03.779
 That's quite a statement

00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:04.420
 in a culture

00:22:04.420 --> 00:22:05.180
 that pries

00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:06.100
 the birth of sons,

00:22:06.200 --> 00:22:06.420
 right?

00:22:07.460 --> 00:22:09.140
 And so here

00:22:09.140 --> 00:22:10.539
 is God's amazing

00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:11.620
 blessing to Naomi.

00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:12.759
 Now,

00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:14.420
 in the book of Ruth,

00:22:15.059 --> 00:22:15.940
 Naomi is quite

00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:17.079
 a tricky character,

00:22:17.360 --> 00:22:17.660
 right?

00:22:18.200 --> 00:22:19.019
 If you've been following

00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:20.079
 the last few weeks,

00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:20.420
 it's like,

00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:21.220
 it's hard to get

00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:22.259
 your hands on Naomi.

00:22:22.400 --> 00:22:23.460
 Is Naomi good

00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:24.720
 or is she bad?

00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:25.900
 Is she faithful

00:22:25.900 --> 00:22:27.180
 or is she a schemer?

00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:28.600
 Is she deceptive?

00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:29.900
 What's going on

00:22:29.900 --> 00:22:30.500
 with Naomi?

00:22:30.660 --> 00:22:31.180
 It's kind of like,

00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:31.920
 it's hard to get

00:22:31.920 --> 00:22:32.700
 our hands on her,

00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:33.000
 right?

00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:34.319
 And I think

00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:34.960
 the truth is

00:22:34.960 --> 00:22:35.599
 that Naomi

00:22:35.599 --> 00:22:36.519
 is conflicted.

00:22:37.299 --> 00:22:37.920
 There's a part

00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:38.180
 of her

00:22:38.180 --> 00:22:38.920
 that wants

00:22:38.920 --> 00:22:39.839
 to trust God

00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:41.019
 and there's a part

00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:41.259
 of her

00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:42.259
 that also wants

00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:43.140
 what's good

00:22:43.140 --> 00:22:43.619
 for her,

00:22:43.680 --> 00:22:43.940
 right?

00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:44.859
 There's a part

00:22:44.859 --> 00:22:45.039
 of her

00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:45.440
 that wants

00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:46.119
 to be faithful

00:22:46.119 --> 00:22:46.680
 and kind of

00:22:46.680 --> 00:22:47.700
 wants to serve God

00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:48.299
 but there's a part

00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:48.599
 of her

00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:49.900
 that also wants

00:22:49.900 --> 00:22:50.920
 to organize

00:22:50.920 --> 00:22:51.819
 things that work

00:22:51.819 --> 00:22:52.200
 out well

00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:53.019
 for her own life.

00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:54.019
 In a sense,

00:22:54.359 --> 00:22:55.160
 Naomi is quite

00:22:55.160 --> 00:22:55.960
 a conflicted

00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:56.839
 human being.

00:22:58.279 --> 00:22:58.720
 Friends,

00:22:58.759 --> 00:22:59.259
 if we're honest

00:22:59.259 --> 00:23:00.079
 with ourselves,

00:23:01.099 --> 00:23:02.420
 though we more

00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:03.400
 readily like to

00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:04.779
 associate with Ruth,

00:23:05.099 --> 00:23:05.839
 the beautiful,

00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:06.680
 young,

00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:07.740
 obedient,

00:23:08.379 --> 00:23:09.559
 attractive young lady,

00:23:10.420 --> 00:23:11.079
 if we're honest

00:23:11.079 --> 00:23:11.740
 with ourselves,

00:23:11.859 --> 00:23:12.960
 we're probably far

00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:14.259
 closer to Naomi

00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:15.299
 than we are to Ruth,

00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:15.599
 right?

00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:16.920
 If we're honest

00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:17.500
 with ourselves,

00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:18.299
 we're all a little

00:23:18.299 --> 00:23:19.000
 conflicted.

00:23:19.559 --> 00:23:20.220
 If you're a follower

00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:21.200
 of Jesus this morning,

00:23:21.279 --> 00:23:22.579
 there's enough goodness

00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:23.259
 inside of you,

00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:24.019
 there's enough of the

00:23:24.019 --> 00:23:25.099
 Holy Spirit inside of you

00:23:25.099 --> 00:23:26.379
 to want to please God

00:23:26.379 --> 00:23:27.660
 and to want to honor Him

00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:28.860
 but if we're honest

00:23:28.860 --> 00:23:29.320
 with ourselves,

00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:30.240
 there's also enough

00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:31.080
 selfishness,

00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:32.300
 there's enough self-love,

00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:34.019
 there's enough self-glory

00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:35.060
 in us that actually

00:23:35.060 --> 00:23:35.820
 we often find

00:23:35.820 --> 00:23:37.000
 ourselves conflicted,

00:23:37.140 --> 00:23:38.200
 not too dissimilar

00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:39.279
 to Naomi.

00:23:40.040 --> 00:23:40.720
 And remember

00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:41.620
 the Apostle Paul

00:23:41.620 --> 00:23:43.019
 in Romans chapter 7,

00:23:43.540 --> 00:23:44.620
 the great Apostle Paul,

00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:45.279
 he says this,

00:23:45.680 --> 00:23:46.640
 I do not understand

00:23:46.640 --> 00:23:47.180
 myself.

00:23:47.600 --> 00:23:48.980
 That which I do not

00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:49.640
 want to do,

00:23:49.900 --> 00:23:50.759
 I end up doing.

00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:51.900
 The very things

00:23:51.900 --> 00:23:52.360
 I hate.

00:23:52.820 --> 00:23:54.040
 And so I realize

00:23:54.040 --> 00:23:54.980
 that it's no longer

00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:56.259
 I who do these things

00:23:56.259 --> 00:23:56.600
 merely,

00:23:56.599 --> 00:23:57.939
 but there's this sin

00:23:57.939 --> 00:23:59.259
 that dwells inside of me.

00:23:59.679 --> 00:24:00.599
 I have the desire

00:24:00.599 --> 00:24:01.500
 to do what's right

00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:02.399
 but I somehow

00:24:02.399 --> 00:24:03.519
 don't have the ability

00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:04.579
 to carry it out.

00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:06.099
 For I do not do

00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:07.139
 the things that I want

00:24:07.139 --> 00:24:07.539
 to do

00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:08.879
 and the evil things

00:24:08.879 --> 00:24:10.039
 that I don't want to do,

00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:11.059
 I find myself

00:24:11.059 --> 00:24:11.839
 keep on doing.

00:24:12.399 --> 00:24:13.740
 Even the great Apostle Paul

00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:14.539
 finds himself

00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:15.579
 conflicted.

00:24:16.079 --> 00:24:17.139
 And then what does he say?

00:24:17.659 --> 00:24:17.939
 He says,

00:24:18.139 --> 00:24:19.639
 Wretched man that I am,

00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:21.539
 who will deliver me

00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:23.299
 from such a body of death?

00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:24.519
 Friends,

00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:25.219
 I find myself

00:24:25.219 --> 00:24:25.919
 agreeing with Paul.

00:24:26.680 --> 00:24:27.400
 Wretched man

00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:28.060
 that I am,

00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:29.500
 who will deliver me

00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:30.960
 from this confliction

00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:31.820
 of my soul?

00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:33.779
 And then he says this,

00:24:34.060 --> 00:24:35.820
 Thanks be to God

00:24:35.820 --> 00:24:38.019
 through the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:39.060
 And friends,

00:24:39.680 --> 00:24:40.580
 I want to say that

00:24:40.580 --> 00:24:41.980
 if you're a human being,

00:24:42.320 --> 00:24:43.539
 which chances are you are,

00:24:44.080 --> 00:24:44.980
 every one of us

00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:46.300
 are slightly conflicted.

00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:47.700
 Every one of us,

00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:48.460
 there'll be times

00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:49.000
 in our life

00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:50.120
 where there's a pull

00:24:50.120 --> 00:24:50.580
 and a heart

00:24:50.580 --> 00:24:51.460
 to do the right thing

00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:52.519
 but there's a self-love

00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:53.240
 that wants to look

00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:54.120
 after ourselves.

00:24:54.119 --> 00:24:55.839
 And very often,

00:24:55.919 --> 00:24:56.679
 even the good things

00:24:56.679 --> 00:24:57.219
 that we do,

00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:58.739
 our motives are mixed up

00:24:58.739 --> 00:24:59.379
 and our motives

00:24:59.379 --> 00:25:00.739
 are partly good

00:25:00.739 --> 00:25:02.339
 but partly self-preserving.

00:25:03.139 --> 00:25:03.399
 Oh,

00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:04.619
 wretched man that I am,

00:25:04.679 --> 00:25:05.779
 who will deliver me

00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:07.599
 from such a turmoil?

00:25:08.439 --> 00:25:09.659
 Thanks be to God

00:25:09.659 --> 00:25:10.779
 through Jesus Christ,

00:25:10.839 --> 00:25:11.659
 our great Redeemer.

00:25:12.439 --> 00:25:12.879
 And friends,

00:25:12.939 --> 00:25:13.500
 when you hear

00:25:13.500 --> 00:25:14.599
 that the way to life

00:25:14.599 --> 00:25:15.979
 is to deny ourselves,

00:25:16.179 --> 00:25:16.779
 those of us

00:25:16.779 --> 00:25:17.919
 that are more religious

00:25:17.919 --> 00:25:19.899
 might think to ourselves,

00:25:19.979 --> 00:25:20.579
 might be tempted

00:25:20.579 --> 00:25:21.039
 to think,

00:25:21.399 --> 00:25:22.559
 if I do the right things,

00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:23.919
 if I deny myself,

00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:25.619
 if I behave the right way,

00:25:26.619 --> 00:25:27.839
 then I'll be sorted.

00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:29.460
 If I make the right decisions,

00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:30.699
 God will look after me.

00:25:31.099 --> 00:25:31.399
 Friends,

00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:32.379
 don't believe the lie.

00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:34.379
 Don't believe the lie

00:25:34.379 --> 00:25:36.059
 that God is on the side

00:25:36.059 --> 00:25:36.480
 of those

00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:38.139
 who've got their religious credentials

00:25:38.139 --> 00:25:39.059
 all in order.

00:25:39.679 --> 00:25:40.559
 Don't believe the lie

00:25:40.559 --> 00:25:41.500
 that if you just do

00:25:41.500 --> 00:25:42.119
 the right things

00:25:42.119 --> 00:25:43.119
 and make the right choices

00:25:43.119 --> 00:25:44.119
 and everything's

00:25:44.119 --> 00:25:45.139
 going to work out fine.

00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:47.199
 God rewards Boaz

00:25:47.199 --> 00:25:48.539
 with the amazing girl,

00:25:48.659 --> 00:25:48.859
 right?

00:25:48.859 --> 00:25:50.079
 He gets the girl.

00:25:50.679 --> 00:25:51.859
 And Boaz is faithful

00:25:51.859 --> 00:25:52.379
 and righteous.

00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:54.719
 And Boaz is blessed by God.

00:25:54.979 --> 00:25:56.519
 And Ruth is blessed by God.

00:25:56.879 --> 00:25:57.899
 But so is Naomi.

00:25:58.579 --> 00:26:00.579
 The conflicted mother-in-law

00:26:00.579 --> 00:26:01.859
 is also extremely,

00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:02.759
 abundantly,

00:26:02.959 --> 00:26:04.799
 extravagantly blessed by God.

00:26:04.879 --> 00:26:05.159
 Why?

00:26:05.619 --> 00:26:07.159
 Not because of her faithfulness.

00:26:07.500 --> 00:26:08.879
 Not because she's the perfect

00:26:08.879 --> 00:26:10.099
 God-fearing woman.

00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:11.099
 Not because she's got

00:26:11.099 --> 00:26:12.339
 all her credentials in order.

00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:14.319
 But because of the unprecedented

00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:15.899
 grace and kindness

00:26:15.899 --> 00:26:17.979
 and the mercy of God.

00:26:18.859 --> 00:26:20.559
 Robert Deffenboer,

00:26:20.679 --> 00:26:21.319
 I think that's how

00:26:21.319 --> 00:26:21.959
 you say his name,

00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:23.019
 said this,

00:26:23.079 --> 00:26:23.859
 The book of Ruth

00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:24.740
 is not written

00:26:24.740 --> 00:26:25.899
 so that we can glory

00:26:25.899 --> 00:26:27.199
 in the goodness of man.

00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:28.419
 It is written

00:26:28.419 --> 00:26:29.779
 to reveal the glory

00:26:29.779 --> 00:26:31.159
 of our righteous God.

00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:32.519
 Ruth shows us

00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:33.399
 that the fulfillment

00:26:33.399 --> 00:26:34.559
 of God's purposes

00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:35.299
 and promises

00:26:35.299 --> 00:26:37.019
 depends on the goodness

00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:38.259
 and the greatness

00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:39.179
 of our God,

00:26:39.359 --> 00:26:40.319
 not on the goodness

00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:40.939
 of man.

00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:42.899
 God is able to cause

00:26:42.899 --> 00:26:44.559
 all things to work together

00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:45.459
 for our good,

00:26:46.039 --> 00:26:46.679
 but primarily

00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:48.400
 for his glory.

00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:50.299
 Friends,

00:26:51.120 --> 00:26:51.960
 those of us

00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:52.460
 that are followers

00:26:52.460 --> 00:26:53.620
 of Jesus this morning,

00:26:54.620 --> 00:26:55.880
 I hope you realize

00:26:55.880 --> 00:26:57.420
 the profound,

00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:59.740
 the gravity

00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.940
 of the grace of God.

00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:03.080
 That everything God does,

00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:03.840
 the way that he,

00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:05.660
 the way that he treats you

00:27:05.660 --> 00:27:05.900
 and I

00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:06.700
 is grounded

00:27:06.700 --> 00:27:08.700
 on not our goodness

00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:09.440
 or our righteousness,

00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:10.340
 but of the grace

00:27:10.340 --> 00:27:11.360
 and the mercy of God.

00:27:11.799 --> 00:27:13.100
 And this should cause us

00:27:13.100 --> 00:27:13.720
 to sing.

00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:14.960
 This should cause

00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:16.220
 our hearts to rejoice.

00:27:16.380 --> 00:27:17.559
 This should put a song

00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:18.180
 in our hearts

00:27:18.180 --> 00:27:19.019
 as we realize

00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:20.440
 the great mercy

00:27:20.440 --> 00:27:21.160
 and the kindness

00:27:21.160 --> 00:27:22.620
 of our God.

00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:23.900
 God's ways

00:27:23.900 --> 00:27:25.160
 are counterintuitive.

00:27:25.840 --> 00:27:26.259
 God's ways

00:27:26.259 --> 00:27:27.440
 are always grounded

00:27:27.440 --> 00:27:28.660
 in grace.

00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:30.259
 Third thing is this.

00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:31.480
 God's ways

00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:32.720
 are all inclusive.

00:27:34.380 --> 00:27:34.720
 Now,

00:27:35.160 --> 00:27:36.240
 look at how

00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:37.900
 the story of Ruth ends.

00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:38.940
 If you've got your bulletin

00:27:38.940 --> 00:27:39.380
 or your Bible,

00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:40.420
 look at verse 17

00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:41.059
 with me.

00:27:42.120 --> 00:27:42.740
 It says this,

00:27:42.740 --> 00:27:43.839
 the woman of the neighborhood

00:27:43.839 --> 00:27:45.960
 gave this boy

00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:46.799
 a name

00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:47.579
 saying,

00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:49.059
 a son has been born

00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:49.660
 to Naomi.

00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:51.620
 They named him Obed.

00:27:52.140 --> 00:27:53.059
 He was the father

00:27:53.059 --> 00:27:53.640
 of Jesse,

00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:55.460
 the father of David.

00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:56.799
 And then the book

00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:57.940
 ends with this

00:27:57.940 --> 00:27:59.480
 seven generations

00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:01.160
 talking about Perez

00:28:01.160 --> 00:28:02.660
 through the family line

00:28:02.660 --> 00:28:03.319
 of Boaz

00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:04.299
 and ultimately

00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:04.900
 it ends

00:28:04.900 --> 00:28:05.680
 in David.

00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:06.940
 Now,

00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:08.079
 let's just zoom out

00:28:08.079 --> 00:28:08.660
 a little book,

00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:09.740
 a little bit.

00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:11.839
 the book of Ruth

00:28:11.839 --> 00:28:13.500
 is a hinge,

00:28:13.599 --> 00:28:14.299
 it's a pivot

00:28:14.299 --> 00:28:16.299
 in the history

00:28:16.299 --> 00:28:16.960
 of Israel.

00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:18.559
 Remember chapter one,

00:28:18.620 --> 00:28:19.339
 the first sentence

00:28:19.339 --> 00:28:19.960
 of chapter one

00:28:19.960 --> 00:28:20.839
 started like this,

00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:21.880
 in the time

00:28:21.880 --> 00:28:22.599
 of the judges,

00:28:23.000 --> 00:28:23.240
 right?

00:28:23.859 --> 00:28:24.099
 So,

00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:25.180
 before the book of Ruth,

00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:27.000
 it's an era

00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:27.940
 or an epoch

00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:29.180
 in Israel's history

00:28:29.180 --> 00:28:29.759
 which is known

00:28:29.759 --> 00:28:30.299
 as the time

00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:30.819
 of the judges.

00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:31.740
 They didn't have kings,

00:28:31.859 --> 00:28:32.980
 they had these rulers,

00:28:33.140 --> 00:28:33.720
 these prophets,

00:28:33.900 --> 00:28:34.940
 these men and women

00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:35.299
 of God

00:28:35.299 --> 00:28:36.120
 called these judges.

00:28:36.779 --> 00:28:37.359
 And then the book

00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:38.120
 of Ruth ends,

00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:39.019
 the last verse

00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:39.500
 of Ruth,

00:28:39.859 --> 00:28:41.119
 talks about David.

00:28:41.579 --> 00:28:42.359
 And David was

00:28:42.359 --> 00:28:43.160
 the great king

00:28:43.160 --> 00:28:43.700
 of Israel.

00:28:44.160 --> 00:28:44.420
 And so,

00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:45.519
 sandwiched in between

00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:46.639
 these two epochs,

00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:47.420
 these eras

00:28:47.420 --> 00:28:48.819
 in Israel's history

00:28:48.819 --> 00:28:50.420
 stands this little book,

00:28:50.539 --> 00:28:51.579
 this hinge of a book,

00:28:51.920 --> 00:28:52.680
 the book of Ruth,

00:28:52.799 --> 00:28:53.079
 right?

00:28:54.339 --> 00:28:54.819
 Now,

00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:56.000
 following on

00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:57.000
 from the book of Ruth,

00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:57.960
 we get to the time

00:28:57.960 --> 00:28:58.599
 of the kings,

00:28:58.819 --> 00:28:59.000
 okay?

00:28:59.039 --> 00:28:59.619
 We've just spoken

00:28:59.619 --> 00:29:00.180
 about that.

00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:00.940
 Now,

00:29:01.019 --> 00:29:01.879
 you might remember

00:29:01.879 --> 00:29:03.059
 in 1 Samuel,

00:29:03.220 --> 00:29:04.079
 1 Samuel is the next

00:29:04.079 --> 00:29:04.740
 book in the Bible,

00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:06.799
 in 1 Samuel chapter 8,

00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:08.359
 the people of Israel

00:29:08.359 --> 00:29:09.319
 come to Samuel,

00:29:09.419 --> 00:29:09.839
 the prophet,

00:29:09.919 --> 00:29:10.259
 and they say,

00:29:10.339 --> 00:29:11.019
 give us a king.

00:29:11.619 --> 00:29:12.319
 We want a king

00:29:12.319 --> 00:29:13.319
 like the other nations.

00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:15.240
 And God answers them

00:29:15.240 --> 00:29:16.339
 through Samuel saying,

00:29:16.699 --> 00:29:17.539
 why do you want a king?

00:29:17.959 --> 00:29:18.819
 I'll be your king.

00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:20.159
 Everything you want

00:29:20.159 --> 00:29:20.699
 from a king,

00:29:20.819 --> 00:29:21.759
 I will be with you.

00:29:21.859 --> 00:29:22.719
 I will lead you.

00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:23.719
 I will guide you.

00:29:23.799 --> 00:29:24.839
 I will protect you.

00:29:25.219 --> 00:29:25.799
 I'll go out

00:29:25.799 --> 00:29:26.740
 before you in battle.

00:29:27.139 --> 00:29:28.559
 I will be your great king.

00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:30.139
 And the people of God

00:29:30.139 --> 00:29:30.379
 say,

00:29:30.500 --> 00:29:30.740
 no,

00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:31.399
 we want a king

00:29:31.399 --> 00:29:32.279
 that we can see,

00:29:32.399 --> 00:29:33.399
 a king that we can touch,

00:29:33.399 --> 00:29:34.699
 a king that we can revere,

00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:36.399
 a king that we can worship,

00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:36.799
 right?

00:29:37.379 --> 00:29:38.039
 And so God says,

00:29:38.139 --> 00:29:38.319
 okay,

00:29:38.379 --> 00:29:39.099
 I'll give you a king.

00:29:39.220 --> 00:29:39.960
 And so he gives them

00:29:39.960 --> 00:29:40.720
 the king Saul.

00:29:41.379 --> 00:29:42.379
 And Saul starts off

00:29:42.379 --> 00:29:42.799
 a right,

00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:44.259
 but pretty quickly

00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:45.960
 things get out of hand.

00:29:46.579 --> 00:29:48.319
 Saul's own conflicted self

00:29:48.319 --> 00:29:49.399
 gets in the way

00:29:49.399 --> 00:29:50.940
 and things go wrong.

00:29:51.619 --> 00:29:52.440
 And so King Saul,

00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:53.539
 the first king of Israel,

00:29:54.259 --> 00:29:55.299
 he actually spends

00:29:55.299 --> 00:29:58.099
 kind of the last 15 years,

00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:58.980
 the last decade

00:29:58.980 --> 00:30:00.279
 and a half of his life,

00:30:00.619 --> 00:30:02.399
 his rule is marked

00:30:02.399 --> 00:30:03.259
 by jealousy,

00:30:03.700 --> 00:30:04.619
 by anger,

00:30:04.619 --> 00:30:05.619
 murder,

00:30:05.619 --> 00:30:06.699
 by murder.

00:30:07.379 --> 00:30:08.500
 And so King Saul

00:30:08.500 --> 00:30:09.539
 spends the last

00:30:09.539 --> 00:30:11.219
 kind of half of his rule

00:30:11.219 --> 00:30:12.919
 trying to annihilate

00:30:12.919 --> 00:30:13.939
 this young man

00:30:13.939 --> 00:30:14.639
 in his temple,

00:30:14.819 --> 00:30:16.239
 this military leader,

00:30:16.379 --> 00:30:16.919
 this young man

00:30:16.919 --> 00:30:17.519
 in his palace,

00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:19.439
 who's also his chief of staff

00:30:19.439 --> 00:30:20.599
 and his military general,

00:30:20.959 --> 00:30:21.579
 this young man

00:30:21.579 --> 00:30:22.199
 called David.

00:30:22.959 --> 00:30:23.619
 And so Saul

00:30:23.619 --> 00:30:24.639
 tries to take him out.

00:30:24.719 --> 00:30:25.779
 He chases him down

00:30:25.779 --> 00:30:26.879
 all over the country

00:30:26.879 --> 00:30:27.739
 to try and kill

00:30:27.739 --> 00:30:28.719
 this young man

00:30:28.719 --> 00:30:29.259
 called David.

00:30:29.259 --> 00:30:30.799
 Now ironically,

00:30:31.859 --> 00:30:32.720
 the counterintuitive

00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:33.660
 nature of God,

00:30:34.220 --> 00:30:35.420
 Saul dies in battle

00:30:35.420 --> 00:30:36.480
 and the man

00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:37.519
 who takes the throne

00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:38.720
 is this young man,

00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:39.319
 David.

00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:40.619
 And David sits

00:30:40.619 --> 00:30:41.379
 on the throne

00:30:41.379 --> 00:30:42.319
 that Saul

00:30:42.319 --> 00:30:43.079
 once occupied.

00:30:43.819 --> 00:30:44.720
 And David becomes

00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:45.599
 the greatest king

00:30:45.599 --> 00:30:46.720
 that Israel ever had.

00:30:46.819 --> 00:30:47.400
 In many ways,

00:30:47.460 --> 00:30:48.240
 he's like Boaz.

00:30:48.319 --> 00:30:49.180
 He's not perfect.

00:30:49.640 --> 00:30:50.700
 He has his own issues.

00:30:51.160 --> 00:30:52.279
 He has to deal with sin.

00:30:52.640 --> 00:30:53.480
 But in many ways,

00:30:53.539 --> 00:30:54.940
 his heart is after God.

00:30:55.039 --> 00:30:56.119
 He really does want

00:30:56.119 --> 00:30:57.000
 the things of God.

00:30:57.339 --> 00:30:58.160
 And he forgives

00:30:58.160 --> 00:30:58.720
 his enemies.

00:30:59.180 --> 00:31:00.140
 He forgives the people

00:31:00.140 --> 00:31:00.820
 that try and make

00:31:00.820 --> 00:31:01.759
 his life difficult.

00:31:03.100 --> 00:31:04.180
 David, like Boaz,

00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:05.640
 really is a God-fearing man.

00:31:06.100 --> 00:31:07.240
 And he's a righteous king.

00:31:07.320 --> 00:31:07.920
 And under him,

00:31:08.240 --> 00:31:09.320
 Israel flourishes.

00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:10.400
 Israel grows

00:31:10.400 --> 00:31:11.320
 and prospers.

00:31:12.100 --> 00:31:13.900
 And who is this man,

00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:14.240
 David?

00:31:14.880 --> 00:31:15.420
 Well, we read,

00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:16.840
 he's the great-grandson

00:31:16.840 --> 00:31:19.080
 of Naomi and Boaz, right?

00:31:19.940 --> 00:31:22.279
 And so from this wrangled,

00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:24.420
 kind of twisted family tree

00:31:24.420 --> 00:31:26.180
 of Naomi and Elimelech,

00:31:26.660 --> 00:31:27.700
 Boaz and Ruth,

00:31:27.700 --> 00:31:29.039
 remember Boaz and Ruth,

00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:29.980
 half Jewish,

00:31:30.140 --> 00:31:31.039
 half Moabite,

00:31:31.480 --> 00:31:32.340
 half God-fearing,

00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:33.460
 half foreigner,

00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:34.080
 half Jew,

00:31:34.180 --> 00:31:34.880
 half Gentile.

00:31:35.299 --> 00:31:36.120
 From this kind of

00:31:36.120 --> 00:31:37.799
 twisted family tree

00:31:37.799 --> 00:31:39.200
 of Naomi and Elimelech,

00:31:39.340 --> 00:31:39.960
 Boaz and Ruth,

00:31:40.400 --> 00:31:42.100
 comes Israel's greatest king.

00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:43.480
 And during his time,

00:31:43.559 --> 00:31:43.860
 Israel,

00:31:44.059 --> 00:31:44.600
 prosperous,

00:31:44.740 --> 00:31:45.360
 they flourish,

00:31:45.580 --> 00:31:46.819
 it's a time of safety,

00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:48.220
 it's a time of great blessing.

00:31:48.940 --> 00:31:50.080
 And because of David,

00:31:50.440 --> 00:31:51.580
 for all his faults,

00:31:52.120 --> 00:31:54.039
 because David is a God-fearing man,

00:31:54.200 --> 00:31:55.299
 God makes him a promise.

00:31:55.940 --> 00:31:57.379
 And God promises David this,

00:31:57.419 --> 00:31:57.839
 he says,

00:31:58.339 --> 00:32:00.059
 as long as you trust me,

00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:02.799
 there will forever be one of your descendants

00:32:02.799 --> 00:32:03.720
 on the throne.

00:32:04.359 --> 00:32:05.279
 For all time,

00:32:05.599 --> 00:32:06.740
 one of your descendants

00:32:06.740 --> 00:32:07.879
 will sit on the throne

00:32:07.879 --> 00:32:09.339
 of the nation of Israel.

00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:13.079
 Unfortunately,

00:32:13.399 --> 00:32:14.980
 that doesn't solve things,

00:32:15.099 --> 00:32:16.720
 because David eventually dies,

00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:19.279
 and things in Israel start to unravel.

00:32:20.099 --> 00:32:22.399
 And things get really bad,

00:32:22.839 --> 00:32:23.379
 and eventually,

00:32:23.480 --> 00:32:24.460
 after 400 years,

00:32:24.559 --> 00:32:25.000
 God says,

00:32:25.059 --> 00:32:25.859
 enough is enough.

00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:27.579
 He brings the Babylonians,

00:32:27.639 --> 00:32:28.920
 and he attacks Israel.

00:32:29.599 --> 00:32:30.899
 The Babylonians take Israel

00:32:30.899 --> 00:32:33.019
 into exile for 70 years.

00:32:33.579 --> 00:32:33.899
 Eventually,

00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:34.559
 they come back,

00:32:34.619 --> 00:32:36.299
 but Israel is never the same.

00:32:36.980 --> 00:32:38.160
 Civil war breaks out

00:32:38.160 --> 00:32:39.180
 after David's life,

00:32:39.299 --> 00:32:40.599
 the north attacks the south,

00:32:40.599 --> 00:32:41.279
 they fight,

00:32:41.759 --> 00:32:43.799
 and Israel is never the same again.

00:32:44.559 --> 00:32:44.839
 And so,

00:32:45.099 --> 00:32:46.240
 throughout Israel's history,

00:32:46.359 --> 00:32:47.259
 the people of God

00:32:47.259 --> 00:32:48.440
 are looking for this king,

00:32:49.019 --> 00:32:49.839
 this great king

00:32:49.839 --> 00:32:51.359
 that will rule them in righteousness,

00:32:51.579 --> 00:32:52.259
 this great king

00:32:52.259 --> 00:32:53.619
 who will rule them in truth.

00:32:54.119 --> 00:32:54.519
 Forever,

00:32:54.680 --> 00:32:55.559
 Israel's looking,

00:32:55.819 --> 00:32:56.180
 longing,

00:32:56.379 --> 00:32:57.240
 waiting for the king

00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:58.240
 that will redeem them,

00:32:58.619 --> 00:32:59.759
 the king who will buy them

00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:01.259
 out of their tragic situation,

00:33:01.400 --> 00:33:03.039
 even at great cost to themselves.

00:33:03.539 --> 00:33:04.960
 And they're waiting for this king,

00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:06.200
 and when will this king arrive?

00:33:06.700 --> 00:33:08.119
 And one king dies,

00:33:08.180 --> 00:33:09.379
 and the next king arises,

00:33:09.379 --> 00:33:10.259
 and suddenly you think,

00:33:10.379 --> 00:33:11.259
 this will be the king.

00:33:11.379 --> 00:33:12.539
 He will rescue us.

00:33:12.920 --> 00:33:13.579
 And eventually,

00:33:13.700 --> 00:33:14.140
 he dies,

00:33:14.220 --> 00:33:15.259
 and things go wrong again.

00:33:15.619 --> 00:33:16.920
 And then another king emerges,

00:33:16.920 --> 00:33:17.700
 and then we think,

00:33:18.019 --> 00:33:19.620
 this will be the one to save us.

00:33:20.140 --> 00:33:21.820
 And things just get worse again.

00:33:22.300 --> 00:33:22.820
 And forever,

00:33:22.940 --> 00:33:23.960
 Israel's waiting,

00:33:24.240 --> 00:33:25.259
 longing for the king

00:33:25.259 --> 00:33:26.220
 who will rescue them

00:33:26.220 --> 00:33:27.000
 and redeem them.

00:33:27.880 --> 00:33:28.820
 Until such time

00:33:28.820 --> 00:33:29.720
 is one of David's

00:33:29.720 --> 00:33:30.140
 great,

00:33:30.259 --> 00:33:30.840
 great,

00:33:30.840 --> 00:33:32.060
 great descendants,

00:33:32.900 --> 00:33:33.880
 born in a town

00:33:33.880 --> 00:33:35.120
 called the town of David,

00:33:35.880 --> 00:33:37.039
 the town of Bethlehem.

00:33:37.740 --> 00:33:38.660
 This descendant

00:33:38.660 --> 00:33:40.200
 is true king of Israel,

00:33:40.860 --> 00:33:41.759
 the king that Israel's

00:33:41.759 --> 00:33:42.640
 always waited for.

00:33:43.240 --> 00:33:44.920
 This is the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:46.800
 And not only is the true

00:33:46.800 --> 00:33:47.620
 and better David,

00:33:47.900 --> 00:33:49.340
 being a descendant of Boaz,

00:33:49.420 --> 00:33:49.960
 he's the true

00:33:49.960 --> 00:33:50.860
 and better redeemer.

00:33:51.279 --> 00:33:51.920
 He's the one

00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:52.700
 who came to redeem

00:33:52.700 --> 00:33:54.220
 not just Ruth and Naomi

00:33:54.220 --> 00:33:55.620
 out of their tragic situation,

00:33:56.039 --> 00:33:57.180
 not just Israel

00:33:57.180 --> 00:33:58.640
 out of their tragic situation.

00:33:59.039 --> 00:33:59.820
 He's the redeemer

00:33:59.820 --> 00:34:00.800
 who came to redeem

00:34:00.800 --> 00:34:02.180
 the whole world.

00:34:03.019 --> 00:34:04.700
 And notice the scandal

00:34:04.700 --> 00:34:06.259
 of this great redeemer.

00:34:06.640 --> 00:34:07.640
 This great redeemer,

00:34:07.759 --> 00:34:08.539
 the Lord Jesus Christ,

00:34:08.639 --> 00:34:09.680
 the scandal is what?

00:34:09.740 --> 00:34:10.820
 That his ancestors

00:34:10.820 --> 00:34:12.260
 aren't even fully Jewish.

00:34:12.840 --> 00:34:13.380
 His great,

00:34:13.480 --> 00:34:14.300
 great grandmother

00:34:14.300 --> 00:34:14.980
 is what?

00:34:15.180 --> 00:34:16.080
 A Moabite,

00:34:16.540 --> 00:34:18.000
 a pagan Gentile,

00:34:18.540 --> 00:34:19.700
 someone from the land of Moab

00:34:19.700 --> 00:34:20.600
 that they were enemies

00:34:20.600 --> 00:34:21.560
 of God's people.

00:34:22.060 --> 00:34:23.480
 And this great ancestor

00:34:23.480 --> 00:34:24.840
 of Jesus and of David

00:34:24.840 --> 00:34:26.720
 is not one of God's people.

00:34:27.240 --> 00:34:28.520
 And yet God includes her

00:34:28.520 --> 00:34:29.240
 in the bloodline

00:34:29.240 --> 00:34:30.520
 of Israel's greatest king,

00:34:30.600 --> 00:34:31.080
 King David,

00:34:31.420 --> 00:34:32.040
 and ultimately

00:34:32.040 --> 00:34:33.840
 in the bloodline of Jesus.

00:34:34.560 --> 00:34:34.840
 Friends,

00:34:34.880 --> 00:34:35.540
 you see what God

00:34:35.540 --> 00:34:36.200
 is saying here?

00:34:36.720 --> 00:34:37.360
 God is saying

00:34:37.360 --> 00:34:39.100
 no matter what your past,

00:34:39.580 --> 00:34:40.040
 doesn't matter

00:34:40.040 --> 00:34:41.040
 where you come from,

00:34:41.039 --> 00:34:41.480
 it doesn't matter

00:34:41.480 --> 00:34:42.860
 what your background is.

00:34:43.019 --> 00:34:44.179
 You can be Jewish,

00:34:44.279 --> 00:34:45.259
 you can be Gentile,

00:34:45.380 --> 00:34:46.239
 you can be Buddhist,

00:34:46.400 --> 00:34:47.159
 you can be Hindu,

00:34:47.300 --> 00:34:47.679
 you can be,

00:34:47.960 --> 00:34:49.539
 your background can be Taoist,

00:34:49.599 --> 00:34:50.559
 you can be agnostic,

00:34:50.920 --> 00:34:51.539
 it doesn't matter

00:34:51.539 --> 00:34:53.199
 what your background is,

00:34:53.719 --> 00:34:55.179
 heaven and earth's true king,

00:34:55.340 --> 00:34:56.739
 heaven and earth's true redeemer

00:34:56.739 --> 00:34:58.739
 has come for you.

00:34:59.619 --> 00:35:00.599
 If you'll come to him,

00:35:01.579 --> 00:35:02.719
 if you'll bow down to him,

00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:04.420
 if you'll come to him

00:35:04.420 --> 00:35:05.199
 like Ruth did

00:35:05.199 --> 00:35:06.400
 and said,

00:35:06.619 --> 00:35:08.219
 let your people be my people,

00:35:08.900 --> 00:35:10.619
 let your God be my God,

00:35:11.039 --> 00:35:12.360
 if you'll come to him

00:35:12.360 --> 00:35:13.719
 like Ruth came to Boaz

00:35:13.719 --> 00:35:14.099
 and said,

00:35:14.219 --> 00:35:15.480
 cover me with your wings,

00:35:16.079 --> 00:35:17.239
 come and rescue me,

00:35:17.940 --> 00:35:18.579
 redeem me

00:35:18.579 --> 00:35:20.059
 with your redeeming love.

00:35:20.940 --> 00:35:21.920
 And so what Boaz says

00:35:21.920 --> 00:35:23.300
 to Ruth in chapter two,

00:35:23.960 --> 00:35:24.239
 he says,

00:35:24.440 --> 00:35:25.059
 don't go anywhere,

00:35:25.599 --> 00:35:26.739
 stay close to me,

00:35:27.440 --> 00:35:28.159
 I will make sure

00:35:28.159 --> 00:35:29.000
 that you looked after,

00:35:29.639 --> 00:35:30.559
 is what this redeemer

00:35:30.559 --> 00:35:31.639
 says to all of us.

00:35:32.219 --> 00:35:33.519
 He invites us to his table,

00:35:34.539 --> 00:35:35.039
 he invites us

00:35:35.039 --> 00:35:35.860
 to come and eat with him,

00:35:36.500 --> 00:35:37.679
 he gives us bread

00:35:37.679 --> 00:35:38.340
 and wine,

00:35:38.980 --> 00:35:39.960
 he gives us food,

00:35:39.960 --> 00:35:42.000
 and when we accept it,

00:35:42.039 --> 00:35:42.559
 when we come

00:35:42.559 --> 00:35:43.260
 and we lie down

00:35:43.260 --> 00:35:43.800
 at his feet,

00:35:43.880 --> 00:35:44.460
 when we come

00:35:44.460 --> 00:35:45.340
 and take shelter

00:35:45.340 --> 00:35:46.320
 under the shadow

00:35:46.320 --> 00:35:47.220
 of his wings,

00:35:47.920 --> 00:35:48.559
 he comes

00:35:48.559 --> 00:35:49.760
 and he rescues us,

00:35:50.280 --> 00:35:50.720
 he comes

00:35:50.720 --> 00:35:51.639
 and gives us rest.

00:35:52.639 --> 00:35:52.980
 Friends,

00:35:53.599 --> 00:35:55.019
 the story of the gospel

00:35:55.019 --> 00:35:56.280
 is not

00:35:56.280 --> 00:35:57.559
 that God

00:35:57.559 --> 00:35:58.460
 looks after those

00:35:58.460 --> 00:35:59.579
 who look after themselves.

00:36:00.420 --> 00:36:01.159
 The message

00:36:01.159 --> 00:36:01.800
 of the gospel

00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:02.500
 is not that

00:36:02.500 --> 00:36:03.079
 the religious

00:36:03.079 --> 00:36:04.059
 and the pious

00:36:04.059 --> 00:36:04.699
 and that those

00:36:04.699 --> 00:36:05.280
 that have got it

00:36:05.280 --> 00:36:05.780
 all together

00:36:05.780 --> 00:36:06.740
 win in the end.

00:36:07.380 --> 00:36:07.860
 The story

00:36:07.860 --> 00:36:08.500
 of the gospel

00:36:08.500 --> 00:36:09.179
 is not that

00:36:09.179 --> 00:36:09.940
 the good guys

00:36:09.940 --> 00:36:10.599
 always come out

00:36:10.599 --> 00:36:11.039
 on top.

00:36:11.579 --> 00:36:12.119
 The message

00:36:12.119 --> 00:36:12.739
 of the gospel

00:36:12.739 --> 00:36:13.260
 is that though

00:36:13.260 --> 00:36:14.019
 all of us

00:36:14.019 --> 00:36:14.659
 are like Ruth,

00:36:14.900 --> 00:36:15.340
 foreigners

00:36:15.340 --> 00:36:16.539
 and outcasts,

00:36:16.739 --> 00:36:17.500
 though all of us

00:36:17.500 --> 00:36:18.300
 are like Naomi,

00:36:18.559 --> 00:36:19.280
 conflicted

00:36:19.280 --> 00:36:19.860
 and broken,

00:36:20.300 --> 00:36:21.079
 though all of us

00:36:21.079 --> 00:36:22.219
 may be like David

00:36:22.219 --> 00:36:22.920
 and Boaz,

00:36:23.159 --> 00:36:24.219
 trying to serve God

00:36:24.219 --> 00:36:25.280
 but conflicted

00:36:25.280 --> 00:36:26.199
 with our own sin,

00:36:26.699 --> 00:36:27.719
 though we are

00:36:27.719 --> 00:36:28.960
 like these people

00:36:28.960 --> 00:36:29.659
 conflicted

00:36:29.659 --> 00:36:30.219
 and broken,

00:36:30.599 --> 00:36:31.099
 the gospel

00:36:31.099 --> 00:36:31.780
 tells us that

00:36:31.780 --> 00:36:32.159
 though we have

00:36:32.159 --> 00:36:32.760
 fallen short

00:36:32.760 --> 00:36:33.659
 of God's standards,

00:36:33.980 --> 00:36:34.679
 both Jew

00:36:34.679 --> 00:36:35.619
 and Gentile,

00:36:35.780 --> 00:36:36.219
 religious

00:36:36.219 --> 00:36:37.339
 and secular,

00:36:37.899 --> 00:36:38.359
 conservative

00:36:38.359 --> 00:36:39.239
 and liberal,

00:36:39.379 --> 00:36:39.980
 the Ruths

00:36:39.980 --> 00:36:40.539
 of this world

00:36:40.539 --> 00:36:41.439
 and the Naomi's

00:36:41.439 --> 00:36:41.959
 of this world

00:36:41.959 --> 00:36:43.159
 and the Boaz's

00:36:43.159 --> 00:36:43.919
 of this world

00:36:43.919 --> 00:36:44.899
 are invited

00:36:44.899 --> 00:36:45.500
 to come

00:36:45.500 --> 00:36:46.559
 to the great

00:36:46.559 --> 00:36:46.959
 Redeemer,

00:36:47.699 --> 00:36:48.480
 invited to come

00:36:48.480 --> 00:36:49.099
 to his table,

00:36:49.859 --> 00:36:50.759
 invited to come

00:36:50.759 --> 00:36:51.679
 and find shelter

00:36:51.679 --> 00:36:52.919
 and safety

00:36:52.919 --> 00:36:54.199
 under the shadow

00:36:54.199 --> 00:36:55.819
 of his wings.

00:36:56.659 --> 00:36:56.919
 Friends,

00:36:56.980 --> 00:36:57.459
 can we come

00:36:57.459 --> 00:36:58.299
 to him this morning?

00:36:59.099 --> 00:36:59.639
 Can we come

00:36:59.639 --> 00:37:00.199
 to our great

00:37:00.199 --> 00:37:00.579
 Redeemer?

00:37:01.319 --> 00:37:01.859
 Can we come

00:37:01.859 --> 00:37:02.259
 to the one

00:37:02.259 --> 00:37:02.739
 who not just

00:37:02.739 --> 00:37:03.659
 redeemed Naomi

00:37:03.659 --> 00:37:04.179
 and Ruth,

00:37:04.579 --> 00:37:05.399
 not just redeemed

00:37:05.399 --> 00:37:06.039
 Israel,

00:37:06.219 --> 00:37:06.759
 the one

00:37:06.759 --> 00:37:07.399
 who's redeeming

00:37:07.399 --> 00:37:08.079
 the whole world,

00:37:08.299 --> 00:37:09.659
 Jew and Gentile alike,

00:37:10.159 --> 00:37:11.099
 the one who came

00:37:11.099 --> 00:37:11.659
 for sinners

00:37:11.659 --> 00:37:12.359
 like you

00:37:12.359 --> 00:37:13.319
 and me?

00:37:13.819 --> 00:37:14.299
 Let's come

00:37:14.299 --> 00:37:15.219
 to him this morning.

00:37:15.679 --> 00:37:16.480
 Let's pray together.

00:37:17.199 --> 00:37:17.899
 Can I invite you

00:37:17.899 --> 00:37:18.759
 to stand with me?

00:37:24.059 --> 00:37:24.719
 Let's come

00:37:24.719 --> 00:37:25.259
 to Christ,

00:37:25.339 --> 00:37:26.039
 our great Redeemer

00:37:26.039 --> 00:37:26.579
 this morning.

00:37:27.519 --> 00:37:28.019
 Maybe let's

00:37:28.019 --> 00:37:28.839
 close our eyes

00:37:28.839 --> 00:37:29.119
 and

00:37:29.119 --> 00:37:35.099
 if you're

00:37:35.099 --> 00:37:35.579
 comfortable

00:37:35.579 --> 00:37:35.719
 will,

00:37:36.319 --> 00:37:38.059
 I encourage you

00:37:38.059 --> 00:37:39.380
 to maybe

00:37:39.380 --> 00:37:40.840
 take a posture

00:37:40.840 --> 00:37:41.539
 that reflects it.

00:37:41.579 --> 00:37:42.019
 Maybe open

00:37:42.019 --> 00:37:42.679
 your hands.

00:37:45.460 --> 00:37:46.460
 It's a posture

00:37:46.460 --> 00:37:48.019
 that communicates,

00:37:48.179 --> 00:37:48.360
 God,

00:37:48.420 --> 00:37:49.199
 I come to you.

00:37:49.739 --> 00:37:50.460
 I'm open.

00:37:50.559 --> 00:37:51.259
 I'm not close

00:37:51.259 --> 00:37:51.699
 to you.

00:37:52.579 --> 00:37:53.400
 I'm not holding

00:37:53.400 --> 00:37:54.159
 on to my

00:37:54.159 --> 00:37:56.179
 pride and reputation.

00:37:56.299 --> 00:37:56.900
 I come empty.

00:37:57.860 --> 00:37:59.039
 I come vulnerable.

00:37:59.039 --> 00:38:01.119
 I come in a posture

00:38:01.119 --> 00:38:01.699
 of surrender.

00:38:04.480 --> 00:38:04.960
 Friends,

00:38:05.000 --> 00:38:05.440
 this morning

00:38:05.440 --> 00:38:05.980
 let's come

00:38:05.980 --> 00:38:07.639
 to our great

00:38:07.639 --> 00:38:08.119
 Redeemer

00:38:08.119 --> 00:38:09.420
 for his mercy

00:38:09.420 --> 00:38:10.199
 and his kindness.

00:38:11.880 --> 00:38:12.679
 Let's acknowledge

00:38:12.679 --> 00:38:13.179
 our need

00:38:13.179 --> 00:38:13.860
 for his mercy

00:38:13.860 --> 00:38:14.480
 and his kindness.

00:38:18.519 --> 00:38:19.000
 Friends,

00:38:19.000 --> 00:38:19.440
 this morning

00:38:19.440 --> 00:38:20.219
 let's acknowledge

00:38:20.219 --> 00:38:20.800
 that

00:38:20.800 --> 00:38:23.320
 though we might

00:38:23.320 --> 00:38:23.820
 be tempted

00:38:23.820 --> 00:38:24.599
 to think of ourselves

00:38:24.599 --> 00:38:25.279
 like Ruth.

00:38:26.539 --> 00:38:27.219
 There's probably

00:38:27.219 --> 00:38:27.739
 a lot more

00:38:27.739 --> 00:38:28.279
 of Naomi

00:38:28.279 --> 00:38:28.819
 in us

00:38:28.819 --> 00:38:29.579
 than we like

00:38:29.579 --> 00:38:30.259
 to acknowledge.

00:38:30.460 --> 00:38:31.299
 Let's acknowledge

00:38:31.299 --> 00:38:31.980
 that this morning.

00:38:34.659 --> 00:38:35.139
 Friends,

00:38:35.199 --> 00:38:35.500
 this morning

00:38:35.500 --> 00:38:36.199
 let's revel

00:38:36.199 --> 00:38:37.000
 in the unbelievable

00:38:37.000 --> 00:38:37.559
 kindness

00:38:37.559 --> 00:38:38.159
 and the mercy

00:38:38.159 --> 00:38:38.699
 of God.

00:38:42.079 --> 00:38:42.719
 The fact

00:38:42.719 --> 00:38:43.420
 that God's

00:38:43.420 --> 00:38:44.279
 kindness

00:38:44.279 --> 00:38:44.799
 to us

00:38:44.799 --> 00:38:46.159
 is extravagantly

00:38:46.159 --> 00:38:47.119
 more than

00:38:47.119 --> 00:38:47.699
 we could ask

00:38:47.699 --> 00:38:48.319
 or imagine.

00:38:48.320 --> 00:38:53.800
 this morning

00:38:53.800 --> 00:38:54.460
 let's revel

00:38:54.460 --> 00:38:55.000
 in the fact

00:38:55.000 --> 00:38:55.539
 that God's

00:38:55.539 --> 00:38:56.180
 hand is

00:38:56.180 --> 00:38:57.660
 all over history

00:38:57.660 --> 00:38:58.300
 working out

00:38:58.300 --> 00:38:59.000
 his purposes

00:38:59.000 --> 00:38:59.620
 generation

00:38:59.620 --> 00:39:00.780
 after generation

00:39:00.780 --> 00:39:01.720
 after generation.

00:39:10.240 --> 00:39:10.680
 God,

00:39:10.760 --> 00:39:11.460
 we come to you.

00:39:14.580 --> 00:39:15.480
 We come to you

00:39:15.480 --> 00:39:15.940
 this morning,

00:39:16.080 --> 00:39:16.320
 God,

00:39:16.380 --> 00:39:17.000
 and we acknowledge

00:39:17.000 --> 00:39:18.240
 that we need you.

00:39:18.320 --> 00:39:22.559
 God,

00:39:22.600 --> 00:39:23.019
 this morning

00:39:23.019 --> 00:39:23.640
 we don't come

00:39:23.640 --> 00:39:23.880
 to you

00:39:23.880 --> 00:39:24.180
 with our

00:39:24.180 --> 00:39:24.500
 religious

00:39:24.500 --> 00:39:25.080
 credentials.

00:39:26.100 --> 00:39:26.900
 We don't come

00:39:26.900 --> 00:39:27.220
 with our

00:39:27.220 --> 00:39:27.860
 accolades.

00:39:28.059 --> 00:39:28.760
 We don't come

00:39:28.760 --> 00:39:33.760
 deserving

00:39:33.760 --> 00:39:34.280
 or earning

00:39:34.280 --> 00:39:34.860
 your grace.

00:39:35.019 --> 00:39:35.519
 We come

00:39:35.519 --> 00:39:36.559
 as humble

00:39:36.559 --> 00:39:37.039
 recipients

00:39:37.039 --> 00:39:37.740
 of your grace.

00:39:39.440 --> 00:39:40.140
 And we say,

00:39:40.220 --> 00:39:40.480
 Jesus,

00:39:40.620 --> 00:39:40.920
 won't you

00:39:40.920 --> 00:39:41.620
 rescue us?

00:39:42.180 --> 00:39:42.740
 Won't you

00:39:42.740 --> 00:39:43.420
 redeem us?

00:39:43.519 --> 00:39:43.800
 Won't you

00:39:43.800 --> 00:39:44.580
 cover us

00:39:44.580 --> 00:39:47.100
 with your wings,

00:39:47.220 --> 00:39:47.420
 God?

00:39:47.460 --> 00:39:47.860
 We've come

00:39:47.860 --> 00:39:48.240
 to take

00:39:48.240 --> 00:39:48.700
 shelter

00:39:48.700 --> 00:39:49.720
 and safety

00:39:49.720 --> 00:39:50.620
 and refuge

00:39:50.620 --> 00:39:51.960
 in the shadow

00:39:51.960 --> 00:39:52.680
 of the almighty.

00:39:55.680 --> 00:39:56.059
 Jesus,

00:39:56.200 --> 00:39:56.640
 come and have

00:39:56.640 --> 00:39:57.079
 your way.

00:40:04.420 --> 00:40:05.160
 And Jesus,

00:40:05.280 --> 00:40:05.920
 we pray

00:40:05.920 --> 00:40:06.780
 that as you

00:40:06.780 --> 00:40:07.480
 rescue us,

00:40:07.559 --> 00:40:07.860
 won't you

00:40:07.860 --> 00:40:08.660
 also change

00:40:08.660 --> 00:40:09.160
 us to make

00:40:09.160 --> 00:40:10.000
 us more like you?

00:40:10.960 --> 00:40:11.380
 Won't you

00:40:11.380 --> 00:40:12.380
 settle our hearts,

00:40:12.500 --> 00:40:12.720
 God?

00:40:12.719 --> 00:40:15.980
 won't you

00:40:15.980 --> 00:40:16.359
 give us

00:40:16.359 --> 00:40:17.259
 great rest.

00:40:19.699 --> 00:40:20.059
 Father,

00:40:20.179 --> 00:40:20.799
 pray for those

00:40:20.799 --> 00:40:21.059
 of us

00:40:21.059 --> 00:40:21.379
 that are

00:40:21.379 --> 00:40:21.879
 anxious,

00:40:22.819 --> 00:40:23.599
 those of us

00:40:23.599 --> 00:40:24.319
 that carry

00:40:24.319 --> 00:40:25.399
 turmoil in our

00:40:25.399 --> 00:40:25.719
 hearts,

00:40:25.859 --> 00:40:26.279
 those of us

00:40:26.279 --> 00:40:26.879
 that are scared

00:40:26.879 --> 00:40:27.379
 and fearful.

00:40:28.439 --> 00:40:28.799
 I pray,

00:40:28.939 --> 00:40:29.159
 Christ,

00:40:29.219 --> 00:40:29.699
 that we come

00:40:29.699 --> 00:40:30.099
 and find

00:40:30.099 --> 00:40:30.619
 our refuge

00:40:30.619 --> 00:40:31.059
 in you.

00:40:32.699 --> 00:40:33.539
 I pray for us,

00:40:33.579 --> 00:40:33.739
 God,

00:40:33.779 --> 00:40:34.199
 those of us

00:40:34.199 --> 00:40:34.639
 that feel

00:40:34.639 --> 00:40:35.459
 conflicted.

00:40:36.459 --> 00:40:36.779
 God,

00:40:36.839 --> 00:40:37.099
 won't you

00:40:37.099 --> 00:40:37.779
 open the eyes

00:40:37.780 --> 00:40:38.380
 of our hearts

00:40:38.380 --> 00:40:39.200
 to see you

00:40:39.200 --> 00:40:40.220
 and to trust you?

00:40:46.120 --> 00:40:46.540
 God,

00:40:46.580 --> 00:40:47.320
 I pray for those

00:40:47.320 --> 00:40:47.560
 of us

00:40:47.560 --> 00:40:48.200
 that maybe

00:40:48.200 --> 00:40:51.060
 our hearts

00:40:51.060 --> 00:40:51.340
 have grown

00:40:51.340 --> 00:40:52.300
 cold towards you

00:40:52.300 --> 00:40:54.320
 and worship

00:40:54.320 --> 00:40:55.180
 has become hard.

00:40:55.280 --> 00:40:55.400
 Oh,

00:40:55.500 --> 00:40:55.800
 God,

00:40:55.880 --> 00:40:56.180
 won't you

00:40:56.180 --> 00:40:57.680
 ban the flame

00:40:57.680 --> 00:40:58.100
 of worship

00:40:58.100 --> 00:40:58.620
 in our hearts

00:40:58.620 --> 00:40:58.960
 again?

00:41:00.260 --> 00:41:00.800
 Won't you

00:41:00.800 --> 00:41:01.280
 cause us

00:41:01.280 --> 00:41:01.900
 to rejoice?

00:41:02.120 --> 00:41:02.340
 Won't you

00:41:02.340 --> 00:41:02.720
 cause us

00:41:02.720 --> 00:41:03.360
 to sing?

00:41:04.440 --> 00:41:04.580
 God,

00:41:04.600 --> 00:41:04.840
 won't you

00:41:04.840 --> 00:41:05.620
 cause our hearts

00:41:05.620 --> 00:41:07.240
 to overflow

00:41:07.239 --> 00:41:08.019
 with worship

00:41:08.019 --> 00:41:08.500
 for you,

00:41:08.559 --> 00:41:08.779
 God,

00:41:08.839 --> 00:41:09.279
 I pray.

00:41:12.339 --> 00:41:12.779
 Oh,

00:41:12.819 --> 00:41:13.319
 Holy Spirit,

00:41:13.439 --> 00:41:13.659
 come,

00:41:13.739 --> 00:41:14.159
 we pray.