WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.660 Last two weeks, we've been looking at the book of Ruth. 00:00:05.820 --> 00:00:07.820 Two weeks ago, we looked at Ruth chapter 1. 00:00:09.480 --> 00:00:11.480 Last week, we looked at Ruth chapter 2. 00:00:11.640 --> 00:00:16.260 And this week, we're going to look combined at chapters 3 and 4. 00:00:18.600 --> 00:00:24.140 And so as a result, we're going to move a little bit more quickly through these chapters 00:00:24.140 --> 00:00:26.940 and summarize some things. 00:00:26.940 --> 00:00:32.420 Our natural tendency is to think only about ourselves. 00:00:35.359 --> 00:00:39.120 We tend to twist everything for our own benefit. 00:00:40.679 --> 00:00:43.060 And yet, we want there to be good in the world. 00:00:43.340 --> 00:00:44.100 Everyone wants that. 00:00:44.420 --> 00:00:46.880 Everyone wants people to treat each other well. 00:00:47.960 --> 00:00:49.299 And we want to be good ourselves. 00:00:49.760 --> 00:00:51.960 We want there to be some basis for our ethics. 00:00:52.020 --> 00:00:52.840 But why should we? 00:00:52.840 --> 00:00:58.280 We've been exploring the answer to that question in the book of Ruth over the last couple of weeks. 00:00:58.360 --> 00:01:05.960 And the answer that we've found so far is that God's people are good because God is good. 00:01:06.420 --> 00:01:09.340 That God's people reflect God's character. 00:01:09.540 --> 00:01:13.340 And in hard times when it's not easy to do the right thing, 00:01:14.100 --> 00:01:16.780 when our true character sort of comes to the surface, 00:01:16.780 --> 00:01:19.920 God's people treat each other like God has treated them. 00:01:20.879 --> 00:01:22.340 And they reflect His character. 00:01:25.320 --> 00:01:27.340 So today, we're going to look at chapters 3 and 4. 00:01:27.460 --> 00:01:30.000 And the story is long, and we're not going to read the whole thing. 00:01:30.079 --> 00:01:32.159 So we're going to summarize some parts of it 00:01:32.159 --> 00:01:36.760 and then talk in detail about some other parts and draw some conclusions at the end. 00:01:36.760 --> 00:01:37.760 So would you turn there with me? 00:01:37.840 --> 00:01:42.540 Ruth chapter 3 follows Joshua and Judges. 00:01:42.640 --> 00:01:43.359 It's a small book. 00:01:44.820 --> 00:01:47.160 And let's review where we are while we turn there. 00:01:48.080 --> 00:01:49.700 It's the period of the book of Judges. 00:01:49.820 --> 00:01:52.100 It's a very dark time in Israel's history. 00:01:52.240 --> 00:01:55.600 In those days, everyone did what was right in their own eyes. 00:01:56.960 --> 00:01:58.320 There's a woman named Naomi. 00:01:58.660 --> 00:02:02.800 She's from Israel, but she's traveled to the nearby enemy country of Moab 00:02:02.800 --> 00:02:05.800 with her husband and her two sons in a time of famine. 00:02:06.760 --> 00:02:11.480 And the sons married Moabite girls, and then all three of the husbands died. 00:02:12.580 --> 00:02:17.599 And that left three widows in a very, very vulnerable and precarious situation 00:02:17.599 --> 00:02:19.800 without any means of taking care of themselves. 00:02:20.540 --> 00:02:24.939 And not only that, but over the course of ten years, there were no children. 00:02:25.659 --> 00:02:30.319 And so the family line is going to end, which is a great tragedy. 00:02:31.540 --> 00:02:35.340 When Naomi decides to go back to Bethlehem, because she hears there's food there, 00:02:35.340 --> 00:02:38.340 she urges her daughters-in-law not to come with her, 00:02:38.439 --> 00:02:40.099 because there's no future for them there. 00:02:41.400 --> 00:02:47.080 There is no possible way that these two Moabite girls are going to find a husband in Israel. 00:02:47.280 --> 00:02:51.120 I mean, after all, who would ever marry a Moabite girl? 00:02:52.159 --> 00:02:55.599 And Orpah, one of her daughters-in-law, realizes that Naomi is right. 00:02:55.680 --> 00:02:57.699 And so she heads back to her mother-in-law. 00:02:57.699 --> 00:03:00.099 But Ruth clings to Naomi, and she says, 00:03:00.539 --> 00:03:04.560 No matter what, I am with you, and we are going to die together, 00:03:05.419 --> 00:03:07.339 even if it's in the side of a ditch somewhere. 00:03:07.519 --> 00:03:08.879 And not only that, but she says, 00:03:09.179 --> 00:03:10.739 Your God is my God. 00:03:13.079 --> 00:03:14.879 It's nice for Ruth to come along, 00:03:14.979 --> 00:03:18.239 but by the time Naomi comes back to Bethlehem, she is angry. 00:03:19.739 --> 00:03:22.719 She's angry at God for all of the pain that she's experienced. 00:03:22.719 --> 00:03:26.819 She thinks that God is against her, and he has made her way very bitter. 00:03:28.080 --> 00:03:30.520 Back in Bethlehem, it's the time of the barley harvest, 00:03:30.800 --> 00:03:32.500 and Ruth goes out to the field to glean. 00:03:32.659 --> 00:03:38.180 She's going to go after the harvesters to try and pick up some scraps of food left in the field. 00:03:38.520 --> 00:03:40.579 It's a very dangerous thing for her to do. 00:03:40.740 --> 00:03:41.460 She's a foreigner. 00:03:42.500 --> 00:03:43.699 She doesn't have any protection. 00:03:44.819 --> 00:03:45.579 She's alone. 00:03:45.580 --> 00:03:52.480 And there's as good a chance as any that the Israelite men will sexually or physically assault her, 00:03:53.240 --> 00:03:57.640 or they just might kick her out and not allow her to get any food at all. 00:03:57.760 --> 00:04:01.240 But she comes to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, and he is kind to her. 00:04:01.939 --> 00:04:06.200 He protects her and welcomes her, and he gives her food and water, 00:04:06.200 --> 00:04:13.000 and he even, in an extreme act, tells his servants to just pull out some of the grain out of the bundles 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:14.920 and just leave it in the field for her to pick up. 00:04:16.120 --> 00:04:20.840 And so as a result, she goes home with a huge haul, a huge bag of grain on her back, 00:04:21.379 --> 00:04:24.379 probably two weeks' worth of work after one day, 00:04:24.939 --> 00:04:27.879 and Naomi blesses Boaz for his kindness. 00:04:28.160 --> 00:04:31.960 And then we wonder, maybe there's hope for them after all. 00:04:33.379 --> 00:04:36.000 And now our story continues in Ruth chapter 3. 00:04:36.160 --> 00:04:37.759 This is the word of the Lord. 00:04:39.960 --> 00:04:41.460 Ruth chapter 3, verse 1. 00:04:41.540 --> 00:04:43.180 Then Naomi, her mother-in-law, said to her, 00:04:43.180 --> 00:05:04.000 Here's the story from my daughter. 00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:09.339 finished eating and drinking. But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies, then go 00:05:09.339 --> 00:05:14.600 and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do. And Ruth replied, all that 00:05:14.600 --> 00:05:22.860 you say I will do. Now the barley and the wheat harvests are no longer than seven weeks, so it 00:05:22.860 --> 00:05:30.959 hasn't been any longer than two months since chapter two when Boaz had shown incredible kindness to 00:05:30.959 --> 00:05:38.219 Ruth when she first met him. And remember, we said last week that Boaz went way above and beyond 00:05:38.219 --> 00:05:43.839 even what scripture commanded, even what the law commanded in the ways that he had provided for 00:05:43.839 --> 00:05:49.159 Ruth. But gleaning will only get you so far. You can go out in the field and kind of pick up the 00:05:49.159 --> 00:05:54.599 scraps, and that will only get you so far. There is not a future in gleaning. And so Naomi decides to 00:05:54.600 --> 00:06:01.080 try to secure a long-term solution for Ruth. Back in chapter one, verse nine, if you remember, 00:06:01.240 --> 00:06:07.320 as Naomi was saying goodbye to Ruth and Orpah, she blessed them and she said, may the Lord grant you 00:06:07.320 --> 00:06:15.580 rest each in the house of her husband. Now in that society, their future depended upon them having a 00:06:15.580 --> 00:06:23.340 husband who would provide for them and anchor them in society. Now she uses that word rest again in 00:06:23.339 --> 00:06:28.560 chapter three, verse one. She says, should I not seek rest for you that it may be well for you? 00:06:29.439 --> 00:06:35.719 She wants a secure home and a husband to provide for Ruth. And she has an idea that this husband could 00:06:35.719 --> 00:06:43.179 be Boaz. He's been very kind to her. He's been a relative, which means that he might feel some sense 00:06:43.179 --> 00:06:51.239 of obligation to take care of Ruth. And so Naomi hatches a scheme. She says in verse two, look, Boaz is 00:06:51.240 --> 00:06:57.519 winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. Now a threshing floor was an area out by the fields. 00:06:57.660 --> 00:07:04.019 It was a large area of very flat rock, often on high ground where there was a breeze or some wind 00:07:04.019 --> 00:07:10.120 going across. And the farmers would take their sheaves of grain after they had beat on them a 00:07:10.120 --> 00:07:16.400 little bit to loosen them up and they would toss them into the air and the wind would carry away the 00:07:16.399 --> 00:07:21.679 chaff and the stuff they didn't want and the heavier grain would fall back onto the smooth rock surface 00:07:21.679 --> 00:07:29.500 where they could sweep it up. Because the threshing floor was somewhat secluded and because that's 00:07:29.500 --> 00:07:33.899 where all the grain was that they had harvested, they would spend the night there and protect the 00:07:33.899 --> 00:07:41.339 grain. But because it was a place where there were a lot of men alone at night out there sleeping 00:07:41.339 --> 00:07:48.339 in a secluded area, that's also a place that was known where prostitutes would come and visit. 00:07:50.579 --> 00:07:58.079 Hosea chapter nine verse one says, you have loved the prostitutes wages on all the threshing floors. 00:07:59.000 --> 00:08:06.699 Yikes. So Naomi tells Ruth to wash and anoint herself with perfumed oil and put on her cloak. She 00:08:06.699 --> 00:08:11.519 probably wants Ruth to be as attractive as possible, but it also, this change of clothing, might be a 00:08:11.519 --> 00:08:16.899 signal that the period of mourning is over. Ruth mourning for her dead husband and it might be a 00:08:16.899 --> 00:08:22.919 way of saying, I'm available. She's supposed to go under the threshing floor, but she is not supposed 00:08:22.919 --> 00:08:34.879 to let Boaz see her until he is finished eating and drinking. Now, Ruth is a Moabite. Remember what we 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:41.059 know about the Moabites? In Genesis 19, Lot's daughter got him drunk and had intercourse with 00:08:41.059 --> 00:08:48.980 him and the Moabites came from that act of incense. In Numbers 25, the Moabite women came and seduced 00:08:48.980 --> 00:08:55.960 the Israelite men. They whored with them and introduced them to false gods. So, I mean, at this point, 00:08:56.019 --> 00:09:04.159 we're getting a little nervous. Ruth is supposed to wash, put on perfume, go down to the threshing 00:09:04.159 --> 00:09:10.679 floor, which already doesn't have a great reputation, at night, but only after Boaz has been eating and 00:09:10.679 --> 00:09:18.219 drinking. Then Naomi gives her more instructions. She should uncover his feet. Now, if you're reading 00:09:18.219 --> 00:09:24.679 this passage in Hebrew, that makes you even more nervous because the word uncover is often a euphemism 00:09:24.679 --> 00:09:33.039 in the Old Testament for uncovering someone's nakedness. And the word feet in Hebrew is often a 00:09:33.039 --> 00:09:40.480 euphemism for genitals. And then she is supposed to lie down. And just like in English, in Hebrew, 00:09:40.639 --> 00:09:47.480 to lie is often a euphemism for intercourse. And Naomi says at the end of her instructions, 00:09:47.899 --> 00:09:55.759 he will tell you what to do. Yeah, I'll bet. I'll bet he will. So, are you feeling nervous yet? 00:09:55.759 --> 00:10:03.960 I mean, what is Naomi asking Ruth to do here? Here is Ruth, a typical Moabite. They have their 00:10:03.960 --> 00:10:09.319 reputations of their own. And she's, you know, we're just assuming, okay, it had to happen sooner 00:10:09.319 --> 00:10:14.120 or later. Her true character had to come out. Sooner or later, here we go, a Moabite woman, 00:10:14.220 --> 00:10:20.960 once again, going out to seduce a good, upstanding Israelite man. Here it is, Numbers chapter 25, 00:10:20.960 --> 00:10:25.960 all over again. The question is, how is Boaz going to respond to this? It seems like he has two 00:10:25.960 --> 00:10:32.300 options. He can either wake up sort of groggy and then treat her like a prostitute, or he can wake up 00:10:32.300 --> 00:10:36.639 and maintain his own integrity and sort of kick her out and say, get out of here. We don't want 00:10:36.639 --> 00:10:43.620 your kind, right? That would be better, I guess. So, Ruth goes down to the threshing floor and she does 00:10:43.620 --> 00:10:48.540 exactly what Naomi had told her. She waits until Boaz is in a good mood and has gone to sleep. She 00:10:48.539 --> 00:10:54.379 uncovers the place of his feet, the lower portion of his legs, and she lays down nearby. 00:10:56.899 --> 00:11:01.659 And as the night goes on, the air gets cooler and his legs are uncovered and he gets cold. 00:11:02.139 --> 00:11:08.120 And so, he wakes up. Oh. Turns out that whole uncovering the feet business was just like an 00:11:08.120 --> 00:11:12.679 alarm clock, right? You uncover his feet, he gets cold down there in the night air and he wakes up. 00:11:12.679 --> 00:11:16.439 At midnight, it says in chapter 3, verse 8, 00:11:18.339 --> 00:11:22.939 the man was startled and turned over and behold, a woman lay at his feet and he said, who are you? 00:11:23.159 --> 00:11:28.259 It's dark. And she answered, I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, 00:11:28.399 --> 00:11:34.879 for you are a redeemer. And Boaz said, may you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:41.039 last kindness greater than the first, in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. 00:11:41.039 --> 00:11:45.699 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do all that you ask, for my fellow townsmen know 00:11:45.699 --> 00:11:52.879 that you are a worthy woman. Boaz wakes up in the middle of the night. He feels around down there 00:11:52.879 --> 00:11:57.139 for the covers and instead he finds a girl and he doesn't know who it is. It's pitch dark. And he 00:11:57.139 --> 00:12:03.459 says, who are you? And she says, I am, first of all, Ruth. Notice this time she does not say the 00:12:03.459 --> 00:12:08.899 Moabite. We keep seeing that through the book, but not this time. She says, I am your servant. 00:12:08.899 --> 00:12:15.519 Remember last week in chapter 2, when she said, I am not one of your servants, she used the word 00:12:15.519 --> 00:12:21.559 for servant that is the lowest, bottom rung of society, the women that were only used for manual 00:12:21.559 --> 00:12:27.439 labor. But now she uses a different word for servant. Now when she says, I am Ruth, your servant, 00:12:27.539 --> 00:12:34.559 she uses a word for servant that could become a wife. It's a different status. And she says, 00:12:34.559 --> 00:12:41.359 spread your wings over your servant. The word wing could refer to the edge of his cloak. And if so, 00:12:41.679 --> 00:12:48.239 then it would have a triple meaning. First, she might be saying, it's cold, please cover me too. 00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:55.939 Second, she might be saying, protect me. Because remember in chapter 2, Boaz said, 00:12:56.059 --> 00:13:02.559 you have come to take refuge under the wings of the Lord. Now she's asking Boaz to be a means of that 00:13:02.559 --> 00:13:09.819 protection. And number three, she's asking him to marry her. Because in the ancient world, 00:13:09.899 --> 00:13:15.939 when a man spread his garment over a woman, that was related to marriage. And then she says one more 00:13:15.939 --> 00:13:26.219 thing in verse 9. She says, for you are a redeemer. This was an official role that a member of the 00:13:26.219 --> 00:13:31.359 family took on behalf of needy and vulnerable relatives. There are several passages in the Old 00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:36.279 Testament law that explain what a redeemer is supposed to do. Number one, he might purchase 00:13:36.279 --> 00:13:43.759 land to keep hereditary property in the family. Number two, he might buy back relatives who have 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:49.860 been sold into slavery. He might track down and execute someone who had murdered a family member. 00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:56.539 In other words, the redeemer was supposed to deliver a needy relative from any kind of harm or 00:13:56.539 --> 00:14:01.740 misfortune. And so when Naomi sent Ruth to the threshing floor, she did not say anything about 00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:09.959 a redeemer. That's Ruth's word. Now Ruth is asking Boaz to function as a redeemer by marrying her, 00:14:10.279 --> 00:14:15.939 which will restore the broken family line of her dead husband and take care of Naomi as well. 00:14:17.539 --> 00:14:23.360 So Ruth isn't seducing Boaz at all. She's not acting like a typical Moabite woman. 00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:31.200 And Boaz says to her, may you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. Boaz doesn't treat Ruth like a 00:14:31.200 --> 00:14:36.360 prostitute. He blesses her and he calls her my daughter. And I think what is happening here is 00:14:36.360 --> 00:14:41.500 that the author is choosing words that are intentionally playing on our stereotypes of 00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:48.120 Moabites. He's intentionally making us a little bit nervous. He's making us think, oh, here we go again. 00:14:48.200 --> 00:14:53.159 We know how these Moabites are. And then he turns those expectations on their head because 00:14:53.159 --> 00:15:00.980 these people are good. Ruth is not trying to seduce Boaz. She's trying to take care of Naomi and the 00:15:00.980 --> 00:15:08.079 family line. And Boaz isn't trying to take advantage of Ruth. He's impressed that Ruth is showing kindness 00:15:08.079 --> 00:15:15.620 to Naomi by her request. And Boaz says something very interesting in verse 10. He says, you have made 00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:23.440 this last kindness greater than the first one. This word kindness is the word chesed. It's the same word that we 00:15:23.440 --> 00:15:29.379 saw in chapter 1 and in chapter 2. The first time Ruth showed chesed or kindness, it was when she 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:35.279 sacrificially decided to come back to Israel with Naomi, even at the cost of her own future. 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:44.439 Now, Boaz says that by asking him to marry her, she is showing a kindness toward Naomi that is even 00:15:44.439 --> 00:15:53.019 greater than the first one. How can that be? The first kindness was a sacrifice of Ruth's future. So 00:15:53.019 --> 00:15:59.419 how can Ruth asking Boaz to marry her be an even greater kindness than that? I mean, he seems like a 00:15:59.419 --> 00:16:09.719 great catch. He's rich. He's established. He's kind. He's been good to her. He's got a great reputation. 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:15.699 He follows the Lord. Why wouldn't he be the greatest catch in town that she can think of? I think there's 00:16:15.699 --> 00:16:22.360 possibly two reasons why he thinks that this is sacrificial on the part of Ruth. First, he says, 00:16:22.360 --> 00:16:31.259 you could have gone after the younger men, but you didn't. You came after me. I think that's because 00:16:31.259 --> 00:16:35.919 Boaz is probably quite a bit older than Ruth. Remember, he keeps calling her my daughter. 00:16:37.919 --> 00:16:45.919 And second, the reason that she is pursuing Boaz rather than the young men is because he's a relative 00:16:45.919 --> 00:16:52.419 and because she wants it to be a marriage of redemption, which will raise up a child for Naomi's 00:16:52.419 --> 00:17:01.579 family. When Ruth asks Boaz to marry her, he says, wow, I thought you were kind to Naomi before. 00:17:02.599 --> 00:17:10.319 This kindness is even greater than the first one. And Boaz agrees. He says, I will do for you all that 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:17.980 you ask for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman. He calls Ruth a worthy woman. 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:24.000 This is amazing because remember in chapter two, the narrator said that Boaz was a worthy man. He was 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:32.899 significant. There was gravitas to him. He had character. Two months ago, Ruth was a destitute woman 00:17:32.899 --> 00:17:40.059 from Moab, scavenging around in the fields, looking for food to keep from starving. And now Boaz says to her, 00:17:40.059 --> 00:17:46.259 you are a worthy woman. She doesn't have wealth or any kind of social standing. It's because of her 00:17:46.259 --> 00:17:54.039 character and her reputation that has impressed him so much. But unfortunately, there's a complication 00:17:54.039 --> 00:18:02.639 here. There is someone who is a nearer kinsman, a relative who is first in line. And Boaz tells Ruth 00:18:02.639 --> 00:18:08.559 that he is committed to helping her. And in the morning, he's going to see if that nearer redeemer 00:18:08.559 --> 00:18:15.500 will redeem Ruth. But if not, he'll do it. So in the morning, Boaz goes to Naomi, goes home to 00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:21.839 Bethlehem. And meanwhile, Boaz goes to the city gate. This was the front of the town, the busiest 00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:27.599 part of the town. And this is where the official business was conducted. Boaz sat down and the nearer 00:18:27.599 --> 00:18:33.740 redeemer comes wandering by. We're not told his name. And Boaz calls out to him. He comes over and 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:38.039 they get 10 of the town elders and they all sit down and they begin to have this conversation. 00:18:39.120 --> 00:18:44.099 Look with me at chapter 4. Let me skip ahead a little bit here. Chapter 4, verse 3. 00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:50.620 Boaz says to the nearer redeemer, to so-and-so, that's what they call him, 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:59.299 that Naomi has put land up for sale. She's allowing it to be transferred to a relative who will function 00:18:59.299 --> 00:19:06.720 as a redeemer. Widows couldn't own property. See how Boaz says in verse 3, the parcel of land 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:13.579 that belonged to our relative Elimelech. That was Naomi's husband. The nearer redeemer is first in 00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:19.639 line. So he says in verse 4, okay, I'll redeem it. I'll redeem the land. And it's just kind of like, 00:19:19.919 --> 00:19:23.220 oh, you know, that's not what we were hoping would happen. 00:19:23.220 --> 00:19:30.440 But Boaz responds in verse 5 with a statement that we can understand in two different ways. He says, 00:19:30.640 --> 00:19:37.579 the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the 00:19:37.579 --> 00:19:44.160 dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance. Now, most English versions say, 00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:51.059 on the day you acquire the field, you also acquire Ruth in order to perpetuate the name of the dead. 00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:53.740 But I don't think this is the right translation. 00:19:55.839 --> 00:20:00.659 There's two reasons for that. First, actually, there's three reasons for that. First of all, 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:07.119 this is a type of leveret marriage. A marriage when a man marries a widow of his brother. 00:20:08.279 --> 00:20:14.980 A man marries the widow of his brother and they have a child to carry on the family name of the dead 00:20:14.980 --> 00:20:23.539 brother. That's in Deuteronomy chapter 25. But that was not required for any relative. It was only 00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:29.259 required for the brother of the dead man. So it seems funny here that Boaz would be telling him he 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:35.880 has an obligation to do this. I don't know why that would be true. Second, in verse 6, that seems to be 00:20:35.880 --> 00:20:40.880 new information. That's something that the other guy doesn't know about. That seems strange. How could 00:20:40.880 --> 00:20:48.760 he not have known about Ruth and her status in such a small town? Third, the nearer Redeemer says that 00:20:48.760 --> 00:20:58.540 marrying Ruth would impair his own inheritance. But why would that be? There's another version in the 00:20:58.540 --> 00:21:08.880 Hebrew text, another tradition that reads, on the day you acquire the field, I am taking Ruth as my wife. 00:21:08.880 --> 00:21:16.700 And I think that is actually the correct translation. These are two separate acts. There's a field and 00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:23.060 there's a girl. Two separate acts. The Redeemer can buy the land if he wants. He can redeem Naomi's land, 00:21:23.220 --> 00:21:30.580 but Boaz is going to marry Ruth. And that might produce an error for Elimelech's family. In fact, 00:21:30.620 --> 00:21:37.960 that's the whole point. And then the Redeemer says, eh, no thanks. I can't redeem the land because that would 00:21:37.960 --> 00:21:45.620 damage my own assets. I think he's worried that if he pays all that money to redeem the land, 00:21:45.620 --> 00:21:53.799 and then Ruth and Boaz have a son, and that son grows up, then he'll be the heir. And then that land 00:21:53.799 --> 00:22:00.279 will revert over to them, and then he'll be left with nothing. So why would he pay good money only to 00:22:00.279 --> 00:22:08.180 have the land go to somebody else's heir? He would damage his own estate. So Boaz is going to do both. 00:22:09.099 --> 00:22:13.960 He's going to redeem the land, and he's going to marry Ruth. Look at chapter 4, verse 9. 00:22:14.099 --> 00:22:20.359 You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech. 00:22:20.359 --> 00:22:27.079 He has redeemed the land. And, verse 10, also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Machlon, 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:32.059 I have acquired as my wife to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance. 00:22:33.579 --> 00:22:39.859 He is marrying Ruth to continue the family line of Elimelech. And now Boaz has taken care of 00:22:39.859 --> 00:22:44.139 everything. He has, just like he did in chapter 2, when he went above and beyond, 00:22:44.140 --> 00:22:50.340 he has gone above and beyond here and given Ruth and Naomi more than they could have ever hoped for. 00:22:53.160 --> 00:22:56.960 Why are the people in this book so good to each other? 00:22:58.780 --> 00:23:03.000 Why does Naomi look out for Ruth and try to get rest for her? 00:23:04.600 --> 00:23:10.400 Why does Ruth show concern for Naomi first, even when she's trying to secure her own future? 00:23:10.400 --> 00:23:13.160 Why is she prioritizing Naomi like that? 00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:18.240 Why does Boaz spring into action when he sees a need, 00:23:19.100 --> 00:23:23.880 working not only to be a redeemer for Naomi, but also to marry Ruth in order to 00:23:23.880 --> 00:23:27.100 raise up an heir for someone else's family line? 00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:30.400 It's because they follow the Lord. 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:37.400 It's because the values of God have shaped their values, and this is just what they do. 00:23:37.400 --> 00:23:44.100 It's simply in their nature to care for each other and redeem each other, 00:23:44.380 --> 00:23:46.580 because that is also God's nature. 00:23:48.259 --> 00:23:53.880 The word kindness, chesed, occurs three times in the book of Ruth. 00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:55.460 We keep saying this over and over. 00:23:55.580 --> 00:23:59.420 It describes how God acts toward his people because of who he is, 00:23:59.420 --> 00:24:07.900 and it's his faithfulness, it's his mercy, it's his grace, his loyalty, his benevolence, his goodness. 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:12.039 God acts on behalf of his people, not because they deserve it, 00:24:12.279 --> 00:24:16.980 and not because he's going to get anything in return, but because that is his nature. 00:24:18.420 --> 00:24:21.460 He wants his people to treat each other that way as well. 00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:26.600 And so in chapter 1, verse 8, Naomi blesses her daughter-in-law, and she says, 00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:32.360 May the Lord deal kindly, that's that word, kindly with you as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:36.160 Naomi links good character with God's character. 00:24:36.340 --> 00:24:38.860 Ruth is sacrificially going to care for Naomi. 00:24:40.059 --> 00:24:42.819 And the second time the word appears, in chapter 2, verse 20, 00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:45.180 Naomi blesses Boaz this time. 00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:51.279 She says, May Boaz be blessed by the Lord whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead. 00:24:51.900 --> 00:24:58.180 When Boaz accepted Ruth and protected her and welcomed her and gave her food, 00:24:59.779 --> 00:25:02.840 Naomi says that was the kindness of God. 00:25:04.900 --> 00:25:09.640 And the third time, in chapter 3, verse 10, that we read today, Boaz blesses Ruth, 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:12.060 and he says, May you be blessed by the Lord. 00:25:12.059 --> 00:25:16.139 This last instance of your kindness is even better than the first, 00:25:16.399 --> 00:25:19.960 because you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. 00:25:21.099 --> 00:25:23.919 Here it is Ruth again showing chesed. 00:25:24.059 --> 00:25:28.500 She is asking to marry Boaz not only because it will secure her own future, 00:25:28.859 --> 00:25:33.339 but because it will help Naomi as well and the entire family line of Elimelech. 00:25:34.599 --> 00:25:36.639 And Boaz interprets it as a sacrifice. 00:25:36.640 --> 00:25:42.759 In his view, Ruth is acting in some way, even though it sounds crazy to us, 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:48.640 in some way against her own interests here in order to help Naomi again. 00:25:50.140 --> 00:25:53.080 So here, I think, is the main point of chapter 3 and 4. 00:25:55.080 --> 00:26:01.040 God's people act redemptively because God is a redeemer. 00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:05.619 People in this story just go around redeeming each other. 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:09.720 Naomi is destitute, but she doesn't even mention her own need for a redeemer. 00:26:09.879 --> 00:26:13.379 She sends Ruth to the threshing floor so that Ruth will find rest. 00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:17.279 And Ruth agrees and chooses Boaz instead of a younger man 00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:19.740 in the hope that he will rescue Naomi as well. 00:26:20.099 --> 00:26:25.039 And Boaz redeems the land for Naomi and he'll marry Ruth and raise up an heir for Elimelech. 00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:27.460 Everything these people do is kindness. 00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:32.299 They just keep redeeming the broken and the hurting and the helpless 00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:35.740 because their values have been shaped by God. 00:26:38.340 --> 00:26:39.840 Let's stay on this for just a minute. 00:26:40.079 --> 00:26:44.100 Look at the way that these three people have been redeemed. 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:47.100 First of all, Ruth has been redeemed. 00:26:48.460 --> 00:26:50.539 Look at chapter 4, verse 13. 00:26:50.660 --> 00:26:51.700 We're going to keep going here. 00:26:51.880 --> 00:26:52.940 4, verse 13. 00:26:52.940 --> 00:26:58.980 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife and he went into her 00:26:58.980 --> 00:27:02.120 and the Lord gave her conception and she bore a son. 00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:06.200 If we recall back in chapter 1, verse 11, 00:27:06.360 --> 00:27:11.279 Naomi told Ruth and Orpah that they would never possibly find husbands in Israel. 00:27:11.660 --> 00:27:12.660 In fact, she said, 00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:13.400 What? 00:27:14.400 --> 00:27:19.140 Do I have husbands in my womb right now that they're going to grow up and become husbands for you? 00:27:19.559 --> 00:27:20.759 No, of course not. 00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:25.379 This is the same wording, except they're reversed. 00:27:26.240 --> 00:27:26.579 It says, 00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:28.420 Ruth became his wife. 00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:32.059 And the Lord gave her conception. 00:27:32.299 --> 00:27:34.019 Remember in chapter 1, verse 4, 00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:37.019 Ruth had been married to Machlon for 10 years 00:27:37.019 --> 00:27:38.500 and they had never had any children 00:27:38.500 --> 00:27:40.980 and now the Lord graciously intervenes. 00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:51.819 Deuteronomy 23.3 says that no Moabite will ever be allowed into the assembly of the Lord 00:27:51.819 --> 00:27:54.980 because of how they had treated Israel. 00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:58.620 But now Boaz calls Ruth worthy. 00:28:00.059 --> 00:28:02.539 She is significant in Israel. 00:28:03.539 --> 00:28:04.799 She has a good reputation 00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:07.559 and Boaz marries her. 00:28:07.559 --> 00:28:10.679 Moabites were the enemy. 00:28:11.819 --> 00:28:14.359 Moabite women were associated with idolatry 00:28:14.359 --> 00:28:16.759 and all kinds of deviant sexual immorality. 00:28:16.940 --> 00:28:19.539 Isn't it interesting that Boaz would marry her 00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:21.319 and bring her into his family? 00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:22.379 Why would he do that? 00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:26.079 I think it's because 00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:28.879 he was acquainted with grace. 00:28:28.880 --> 00:28:32.900 Do you remember Tamar in the book of Genesis? 00:28:35.680 --> 00:28:37.540 After Tamar's husband died, 00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:40.600 she was cast aside and isolated with no future. 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:43.140 She waits 00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:46.320 and she is not going to be taken care of 00:28:46.320 --> 00:28:48.580 and so finally she's desperate. 00:28:49.920 --> 00:28:51.940 She dresses up as a prostitute 00:28:51.940 --> 00:28:55.760 and tricks her father-in-law Judah 00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:58.799 into coming in and having intercourse with her 00:28:58.799 --> 00:29:01.359 and she gives birth to a child named Perez. 00:29:02.480 --> 00:29:04.180 And that child, Perez, 00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:06.480 is Boaz's 00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:11.740 great, great, great grandfather. 00:29:13.940 --> 00:29:15.039 Which means 00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:17.119 that Tamar 00:29:17.119 --> 00:29:21.119 is one of Boaz's great grandmothers. 00:29:21.119 --> 00:29:23.839 and Perez 00:29:23.839 --> 00:29:26.039 is in the promised line of God, 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:27.019 the line of David. 00:29:29.039 --> 00:29:30.319 Do you remember Rahab 00:29:30.319 --> 00:29:31.219 in the book of Joshua? 00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:34.319 She was a Canaanite woman. 00:29:34.819 --> 00:29:35.639 She was also 00:29:35.639 --> 00:29:37.679 probably a prostitute. 00:29:38.919 --> 00:29:40.879 She was devoted to destruction. 00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:42.179 The Israelites had been given 00:29:42.179 --> 00:29:44.619 explicit instructions to kill her 00:29:44.619 --> 00:29:46.179 when they entered Jericho. 00:29:46.399 --> 00:29:48.500 No one was allowed to be left alive. 00:29:49.599 --> 00:29:51.000 But she converted to the Lord. 00:29:51.839 --> 00:29:52.819 She hid the spies. 00:29:53.859 --> 00:29:55.139 She joined Israel 00:29:55.139 --> 00:29:56.079 and Israel's God. 00:29:56.199 --> 00:29:57.619 And so instead of being killed, 00:29:57.759 --> 00:29:58.819 the Canaanite woman 00:29:58.819 --> 00:30:01.219 joined the promised line 00:30:01.219 --> 00:30:02.199 of God's salvation 00:30:02.199 --> 00:30:03.699 in the line of David. 00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:05.000 And Rahab 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:07.119 is Boaz's 00:30:07.119 --> 00:30:08.139 mother. 00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:11.099 Rahab 00:30:11.099 --> 00:30:12.399 is Boaz's 00:30:12.399 --> 00:30:13.019 mother. 00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:15.839 So imagine the conversations 00:30:15.839 --> 00:30:18.359 that Boaz had around the dinner table 00:30:18.359 --> 00:30:19.000 as a boy. 00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:22.779 of God's grace 00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:24.059 shown to sinners. 00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:26.839 Of God's grace 00:30:26.839 --> 00:30:27.940 shown to outsiders 00:30:27.940 --> 00:30:29.380 and foreigners 00:30:29.380 --> 00:30:30.420 who did not belong. 00:30:31.779 --> 00:30:33.000 Of God's grace 00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:34.579 shown to desperate women. 00:30:34.579 --> 00:30:38.000 It's no wonder 00:30:38.000 --> 00:30:38.759 he married Ruth 00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:40.720 and took care of her 00:30:40.720 --> 00:30:41.619 because he knew 00:30:41.619 --> 00:30:43.579 in his own family history 00:30:43.579 --> 00:30:46.259 that God had done 00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:47.039 the same thing 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:48.379 again and again. 00:30:48.379 --> 00:30:49.480 Boaz married 00:30:49.480 --> 00:30:50.259 a Moabite 00:30:50.259 --> 00:30:51.099 because God 00:30:51.099 --> 00:30:52.259 had saved his mother 00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:53.839 and she was a Canaanite. 00:30:55.359 --> 00:30:56.740 It's trickle-down grace. 00:30:57.539 --> 00:30:59.619 It's trickle-down grace. 00:31:00.059 --> 00:31:01.159 Captured by God's 00:31:01.159 --> 00:31:02.000 incredible mercy 00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:03.399 it just spills 00:31:03.399 --> 00:31:04.579 into Boaz's life 00:31:04.579 --> 00:31:06.000 and he can't help himself 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:07.179 he's just acting 00:31:07.179 --> 00:31:07.799 like God. 00:31:10.239 --> 00:31:11.759 We might ask ourselves 00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:12.819 who are the Ruths 00:31:12.819 --> 00:31:13.839 in our society? 00:31:15.239 --> 00:31:16.539 Who are the people 00:31:16.539 --> 00:31:17.719 who are tainted? 00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:21.740 They're associated 00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:22.980 with a particular sin 00:31:22.980 --> 00:31:23.819 that is just not 00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:24.759 going to work around here. 00:31:26.880 --> 00:31:28.759 They have a certain reputation. 00:31:28.920 --> 00:31:29.500 We don't want that 00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:31.440 to rub off on us. 00:31:32.940 --> 00:31:33.920 They're from a certain 00:31:33.920 --> 00:31:34.660 ethnic group. 00:31:37.920 --> 00:31:38.740 They're enemies 00:31:38.740 --> 00:31:39.720 of the church. 00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:42.700 That's okay. 00:31:43.960 --> 00:31:44.940 Because if we've been 00:31:44.940 --> 00:31:46.259 captured by God's grace 00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:47.720 then we love and accept 00:31:47.720 --> 00:31:48.720 and include people. 00:31:48.839 --> 00:31:49.339 That doesn't mean 00:31:49.339 --> 00:31:50.140 we change our mind 00:31:50.140 --> 00:31:50.900 about their sin. 00:31:51.039 --> 00:31:51.940 We love them 00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:53.119 no matter who they are 00:31:53.119 --> 00:31:55.160 and we love them tangibly. 00:31:56.779 --> 00:31:57.900 Because we understand 00:31:57.900 --> 00:31:58.940 that it isn't the healthy 00:31:58.940 --> 00:31:59.740 who need a doctor 00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:00.779 but the sick. 00:32:01.680 --> 00:32:02.859 It isn't the righteous 00:32:02.859 --> 00:32:03.859 who need the gospel 00:32:03.859 --> 00:32:05.299 but sinners. 00:32:08.599 --> 00:32:09.079 Second, 00:32:09.259 --> 00:32:10.500 Naomi has been redeemed. 00:32:11.960 --> 00:32:12.599 Do you remember 00:32:12.599 --> 00:32:13.920 how bitter and angry 00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:15.319 she was back in chapter 1? 00:32:16.259 --> 00:32:17.940 She had lived 00:32:17.940 --> 00:32:18.700 through famine 00:32:18.700 --> 00:32:21.059 in an enemy country. 00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:22.319 Her husband had died. 00:32:22.420 --> 00:32:23.920 Her sickly sons had died. 00:32:24.119 --> 00:32:25.220 She had no grandchildren. 00:32:25.539 --> 00:32:26.879 She was a destitute woman 00:32:26.879 --> 00:32:27.700 with no future. 00:32:29.039 --> 00:32:30.420 She told Ruth and Orpah, 00:32:30.680 --> 00:32:30.720 look, 00:32:30.779 --> 00:32:32.279 I just have this big target 00:32:32.279 --> 00:32:33.019 on my back. 00:32:33.720 --> 00:32:34.480 God just keeps 00:32:34.480 --> 00:32:35.720 striking me down. 00:32:35.960 --> 00:32:37.099 He keeps hurting me. 00:32:37.319 --> 00:32:37.960 You better leave 00:32:37.960 --> 00:32:38.640 and get outside 00:32:38.640 --> 00:32:39.779 of the blast radius. 00:32:39.779 --> 00:32:43.680 But in his providence, 00:32:43.799 --> 00:32:44.940 the Lord has been working 00:32:44.940 --> 00:32:46.720 and just as Ruth 00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:47.599 has been faithful 00:32:47.599 --> 00:32:49.299 and Boaz has acted 00:32:49.299 --> 00:32:50.299 as her redeemer, 00:32:50.579 --> 00:32:52.220 God is using those things 00:32:52.220 --> 00:32:53.279 to redeem Naomi. 00:32:54.039 --> 00:32:55.139 Look at chapter 4, 00:32:55.180 --> 00:32:55.879 verse 14. 00:32:57.220 --> 00:32:58.319 Then the women said 00:32:58.319 --> 00:32:58.799 to Naomi, 00:32:59.000 --> 00:33:00.519 blessed be the Lord 00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:01.819 who has not left you 00:33:01.819 --> 00:33:03.180 this day without a redeemer. 00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:03.660 See, 00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:04.980 now it's Naomi's redeemer. 00:33:04.980 --> 00:33:07.180 May his name 00:33:07.180 --> 00:33:08.700 be renowned in Israel. 00:33:10.099 --> 00:33:12.400 The Lord has not left Naomi. 00:33:12.559 --> 00:33:13.779 He has restored her. 00:33:15.420 --> 00:33:16.700 Back in chapter 1, 00:33:17.000 --> 00:33:18.039 Naomi said to the women 00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:18.620 of Bethlehem, 00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:19.880 I went away full 00:33:19.880 --> 00:33:20.420 and the Lord 00:33:20.420 --> 00:33:21.759 has brought me back empty. 00:33:22.120 --> 00:33:22.960 He brought me back 00:33:22.960 --> 00:33:24.079 without my sons. 00:33:25.160 --> 00:33:26.019 But now the women 00:33:26.019 --> 00:33:27.160 have seen a change. 00:33:28.259 --> 00:33:29.380 These same women, 00:33:29.480 --> 00:33:30.120 the same women 00:33:30.120 --> 00:33:31.019 of this little town 00:33:31.019 --> 00:33:32.000 of Bethlehem say, 00:33:32.120 --> 00:33:33.059 blessed be the Lord 00:33:33.059 --> 00:33:34.180 who has not left you 00:33:34.180 --> 00:33:34.660 this day, 00:33:34.660 --> 00:33:35.840 without a redeemer. 00:33:37.660 --> 00:33:38.560 In chapter 1, 00:33:38.620 --> 00:33:39.100 verse 5, 00:33:39.160 --> 00:33:40.180 when her sons died, 00:33:40.340 --> 00:33:41.120 the narrator said, 00:33:41.440 --> 00:33:42.440 the woman was left 00:33:42.440 --> 00:33:44.140 without her two children 00:33:44.140 --> 00:33:45.380 and her husband. 00:33:46.300 --> 00:33:47.300 And now the narrator 00:33:47.300 --> 00:33:48.480 uses the same word, 00:33:48.640 --> 00:33:48.960 child, 00:33:49.120 --> 00:33:50.080 here in chapter 4, 00:33:50.160 --> 00:33:51.060 verse 16. 00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:53.340 Naomi took the child 00:33:53.340 --> 00:33:55.259 and laid him on her lap 00:33:55.259 --> 00:33:56.400 and became his nurse. 00:33:57.960 --> 00:33:59.560 Things have come full circle 00:33:59.560 --> 00:34:01.019 in a beautiful character arc. 00:34:01.120 --> 00:34:02.480 She had lost her sons, 00:34:02.480 --> 00:34:04.320 she had been intensely bitter, 00:34:04.660 --> 00:34:06.180 and then she began to hope 00:34:06.180 --> 00:34:07.700 and God had worked 00:34:07.700 --> 00:34:08.900 and at the end of the story, 00:34:09.000 --> 00:34:11.019 she takes her child 00:34:11.019 --> 00:34:13.960 and she lays him on her lap 00:34:13.960 --> 00:34:16.039 that God had given to her. 00:34:18.840 --> 00:34:19.280 Finally, 00:34:19.420 --> 00:34:19.720 in chapter, 00:34:20.159 --> 00:34:21.659 the third way 00:34:21.659 --> 00:34:22.960 that someone has been redeemed 00:34:22.960 --> 00:34:24.059 is a limeleck. 00:34:25.119 --> 00:34:26.280 Or maybe we should say 00:34:26.280 --> 00:34:27.820 the family line of a limeleck. 00:34:27.820 --> 00:34:31.720 If we go back a couple of verses, 00:34:31.920 --> 00:34:32.640 we're in 416, 00:34:32.760 --> 00:34:33.320 if we just go back 00:34:33.320 --> 00:34:33.980 a couple of verses 00:34:33.980 --> 00:34:35.080 to chapter 4, 00:34:35.120 --> 00:34:36.120 verse 12, 00:34:38.120 --> 00:34:39.539 the people at the gate say, 00:34:40.059 --> 00:34:41.559 the people at the gate of Bethlehem, 00:34:42.059 --> 00:34:42.860 may your house 00:34:42.860 --> 00:34:44.360 be like the house of Perez, 00:34:45.380 --> 00:34:46.980 whom Tamar bore to Judah 00:34:46.980 --> 00:34:48.720 because of the offspring 00:34:48.720 --> 00:34:49.920 that the Lord will give you 00:34:49.920 --> 00:34:50.620 by this woman. 00:34:52.300 --> 00:34:52.920 This word, 00:34:53.100 --> 00:34:53.460 offspring, 00:34:53.460 --> 00:34:55.679 is an important word 00:34:55.679 --> 00:34:56.420 in the Old Testament. 00:34:56.599 --> 00:34:57.059 It's the word 00:34:57.059 --> 00:34:58.840 that we sometimes translate seed. 00:35:00.320 --> 00:35:01.500 The word seed 00:35:01.500 --> 00:35:02.199 or offspring 00:35:02.199 --> 00:35:04.059 is a very important word 00:35:04.059 --> 00:35:05.139 in the book of Genesis 00:35:05.139 --> 00:35:06.519 because it describes 00:35:06.519 --> 00:35:08.460 God's promised plan 00:35:09.579 --> 00:35:10.400 of salvation 00:35:10.400 --> 00:35:12.760 through a particular line. 00:35:12.920 --> 00:35:14.400 It's going to be Abraham. 00:35:15.360 --> 00:35:16.559 It's going to be Isaac, 00:35:16.699 --> 00:35:17.699 but not Ishmael. 00:35:17.800 --> 00:35:18.880 It's going to be Jacob, 00:35:19.039 --> 00:35:20.000 but not Esau. 00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:22.300 It's going to be Judah. 00:35:23.659 --> 00:35:25.019 It's going to be Perez 00:35:25.019 --> 00:35:26.559 from Judah and Tamar. 00:35:27.480 --> 00:35:28.599 God has been preserving 00:35:28.599 --> 00:35:30.360 this special line 00:35:30.360 --> 00:35:31.099 of redemption 00:35:31.099 --> 00:35:32.719 throughout the book 00:35:32.719 --> 00:35:33.340 of Genesis 00:35:33.340 --> 00:35:34.340 and Exodus 00:35:34.340 --> 00:35:35.360 and Numbers 00:35:35.360 --> 00:35:36.139 and Joshua. 00:35:37.119 --> 00:35:38.619 And it's through this line 00:35:38.619 --> 00:35:39.500 that he's going to bring 00:35:39.500 --> 00:35:41.900 about his final promised solution 00:35:41.900 --> 00:35:43.820 to the problem of sin. 00:35:45.079 --> 00:35:46.260 But the problem is 00:35:46.260 --> 00:35:47.639 that when Elimelech 00:35:47.639 --> 00:35:49.659 and his two sons died, 00:35:50.000 --> 00:35:51.860 that cut the line. 00:35:54.000 --> 00:35:55.139 And when Boaz 00:35:55.139 --> 00:35:57.119 raised up the dead man's name 00:35:57.119 --> 00:35:58.079 over his inheritance, 00:35:58.380 --> 00:35:59.679 then there's a new offspring 00:35:59.679 --> 00:36:01.420 and that seed, 00:36:01.719 --> 00:36:02.960 that offspring continues 00:36:02.960 --> 00:36:03.920 the promised line. 00:36:04.880 --> 00:36:06.059 So look at 417. 00:36:06.059 --> 00:36:07.420 The women of the neighborhood 00:36:07.420 --> 00:36:08.559 gave him a name. 00:36:08.820 --> 00:36:09.820 They named the child 00:36:09.820 --> 00:36:10.340 and they said, 00:36:10.559 --> 00:36:12.460 a son has been born to Naomi. 00:36:12.960 --> 00:36:13.739 That's an interesting way 00:36:13.739 --> 00:36:14.159 of putting it. 00:36:15.099 --> 00:36:16.280 They named him Obed. 00:36:17.000 --> 00:36:18.599 He was the father of Jesse, 00:36:18.599 --> 00:36:20.099 the father of David. 00:36:21.559 --> 00:36:22.259 And then, 00:36:22.500 --> 00:36:24.259 this very interesting story 00:36:24.259 --> 00:36:26.480 with all the fascinating characters 00:36:26.480 --> 00:36:27.119 and events 00:36:27.119 --> 00:36:27.880 concludes 00:36:27.880 --> 00:36:29.960 with the genealogy. 00:36:31.119 --> 00:36:32.539 And that means it's important. 00:36:33.940 --> 00:36:35.019 Look at 418. 00:36:35.239 --> 00:36:36.500 Now these are the generations 00:36:36.500 --> 00:36:37.159 of Perez. 00:36:37.599 --> 00:36:39.239 Perez fathered Hezron. 00:36:39.500 --> 00:36:40.980 Hezron fathered Ram. 00:36:41.339 --> 00:36:42.599 Ram fathered Aminadab. 00:36:43.380 --> 00:36:44.940 Aminadab fathered Nashon. 00:36:45.179 --> 00:36:46.599 Nashon fathered Salmon. 00:36:46.599 --> 00:36:48.440 Salmon fathered Boaz. 00:36:48.679 --> 00:36:49.940 Boaz fathered Obed. 00:36:50.360 --> 00:36:51.559 Obed fathered Jesse. 00:36:52.059 --> 00:36:53.380 And Jesse fathered David. 00:36:54.759 --> 00:36:55.799 The book of Ruth 00:36:55.799 --> 00:36:57.839 ends by pointing forward. 00:37:00.099 --> 00:37:01.259 Ruth's son 00:37:01.259 --> 00:37:04.239 is King David's grandfather. 00:37:05.699 --> 00:37:06.799 And King David, 00:37:07.559 --> 00:37:08.799 most of all, 00:37:09.519 --> 00:37:11.759 represents God's promised plan 00:37:11.759 --> 00:37:12.480 of salvation. 00:37:12.480 --> 00:37:15.260 Even in these days 00:37:15.260 --> 00:37:16.360 of the book of Judges, 00:37:16.460 --> 00:37:17.159 of despair 00:37:17.159 --> 00:37:18.740 and all kinds of immorality, 00:37:19.119 --> 00:37:20.300 God's promised plan 00:37:20.300 --> 00:37:21.019 of salvation 00:37:21.019 --> 00:37:22.820 going through King David 00:37:22.820 --> 00:37:24.000 into the New Testament 00:37:24.000 --> 00:37:25.000 is still intact. 00:37:25.860 --> 00:37:26.719 He is working 00:37:26.719 --> 00:37:27.619 to bring about 00:37:27.619 --> 00:37:28.380 his Messiah 00:37:28.380 --> 00:37:29.780 who will ultimately 00:37:29.780 --> 00:37:31.159 redeem his people. 00:37:32.599 --> 00:37:33.159 Amazingly, 00:37:33.599 --> 00:37:34.719 Ruth's chesed 00:37:34.719 --> 00:37:36.860 and her decision 00:37:36.860 --> 00:37:37.480 to seek refuge 00:37:38.059 --> 00:37:39.400 under the wings of God 00:37:39.400 --> 00:37:40.240 has played a part 00:37:40.239 --> 00:37:42.299 in God's redemptive program. 00:37:43.579 --> 00:37:44.239 In time, 00:37:45.359 --> 00:37:46.319 God's Messiah 00:37:46.319 --> 00:37:47.619 would come 00:37:47.619 --> 00:37:48.399 to save people 00:37:48.399 --> 00:37:49.799 just like her. 00:37:51.419 --> 00:37:52.639 The destitute, 00:37:53.439 --> 00:37:55.179 the needy, 00:37:56.199 --> 00:37:57.459 the poor, 00:37:58.839 --> 00:38:00.259 even foreign people 00:38:00.259 --> 00:38:01.339 who come from outside 00:38:01.339 --> 00:38:02.279 the land of Israel 00:38:02.279 --> 00:38:04.379 and come to take refuge 00:38:04.379 --> 00:38:05.779 under the wings of God. 00:38:07.299 --> 00:38:08.719 This is the gospel 00:38:08.719 --> 00:38:09.779 of the book of Ruth. 00:38:11.339 --> 00:38:12.279 God's redemption 00:38:12.279 --> 00:38:13.639 in history, 00:38:13.980 --> 00:38:14.539 in the lives 00:38:14.539 --> 00:38:15.679 of these nobodies, 00:38:16.259 --> 00:38:16.779 in the lives 00:38:16.779 --> 00:38:17.459 of these people 00:38:17.459 --> 00:38:17.879 in a little 00:38:17.879 --> 00:38:19.119 backwoods community, 00:38:19.480 --> 00:38:20.219 peasant farmers 00:38:20.219 --> 00:38:21.419 that nobody knows about, 00:38:21.559 --> 00:38:22.279 God's redemption 00:38:22.279 --> 00:38:23.419 in history, 00:38:23.559 --> 00:38:24.379 in their lives, 00:38:24.599 --> 00:38:25.439 is a pattern 00:38:25.439 --> 00:38:26.299 and a picture 00:38:26.299 --> 00:38:28.199 of a spiritual redemption 00:38:28.199 --> 00:38:28.959 that he offers 00:38:28.959 --> 00:38:30.000 to all people 00:38:30.000 --> 00:38:30.779 everywhere 00:38:30.779 --> 00:38:31.739 in the death 00:38:31.739 --> 00:38:32.299 and resurrection 00:38:32.299 --> 00:38:33.419 of Jesus Christ. 00:38:34.379 --> 00:38:35.539 He brings people 00:38:35.539 --> 00:38:37.159 from hopelessness 00:38:37.159 --> 00:38:38.039 to hope. 00:38:39.420 --> 00:38:40.239 He brings people 00:38:40.239 --> 00:38:41.519 from a death sentence 00:38:41.519 --> 00:38:43.179 like Ruth 00:38:43.179 --> 00:38:43.960 and Naomi 00:38:43.960 --> 00:38:44.639 to a life 00:38:44.639 --> 00:38:45.440 of flourishing. 00:38:45.899 --> 00:38:46.779 He restores 00:38:46.779 --> 00:38:47.699 the poor 00:38:47.699 --> 00:38:48.500 and heals 00:38:48.500 --> 00:38:49.259 the brokenhearted. 00:38:51.619 --> 00:38:52.500 The people 00:38:52.500 --> 00:38:53.379 in this story 00:38:53.379 --> 00:38:55.119 act in chesed, 00:38:55.420 --> 00:38:56.099 in kindness, 00:38:56.239 --> 00:38:56.799 because they are 00:38:56.799 --> 00:38:57.940 like a mirror 00:38:57.940 --> 00:38:59.679 that is reflecting 00:38:59.679 --> 00:39:00.940 who God is. 00:39:01.079 --> 00:39:01.819 And we are learning 00:39:01.819 --> 00:39:02.859 what God is like 00:39:02.859 --> 00:39:03.859 with this picture 00:39:03.859 --> 00:39:04.719 that's been presented 00:39:04.719 --> 00:39:05.259 to us. 00:39:05.759 --> 00:39:07.159 God is sacrificial 00:39:07.159 --> 00:39:08.500 and that is why 00:39:08.500 --> 00:39:09.259 Naomi and Ruth 00:39:09.259 --> 00:39:10.039 were sacrificial 00:39:10.039 --> 00:39:10.959 toward each other. 00:39:12.219 --> 00:39:13.079 Because God 00:39:13.079 --> 00:39:13.919 is sacrificial, 00:39:14.119 --> 00:39:14.639 he was willing 00:39:14.639 --> 00:39:15.159 to provide 00:39:15.159 --> 00:39:16.459 his own son, 00:39:17.139 --> 00:39:17.500 Jesus, 00:39:18.039 --> 00:39:18.619 as a payment 00:39:18.619 --> 00:39:19.359 for our sin 00:39:19.359 --> 00:39:20.279 at a great cost 00:39:20.279 --> 00:39:20.980 to himself. 00:39:22.859 --> 00:39:23.879 God provides 00:39:23.879 --> 00:39:24.679 for the needy. 00:39:24.759 --> 00:39:25.179 We saw that 00:39:25.179 --> 00:39:25.819 in chapter 2. 00:39:25.939 --> 00:39:26.839 That's why Ruth, 00:39:27.059 --> 00:39:27.919 that's why Boaz 00:39:27.919 --> 00:39:28.899 provided for Ruth 00:39:28.899 --> 00:39:29.259 in the way 00:39:29.259 --> 00:39:29.679 that he did 00:39:29.679 --> 00:39:30.439 in chapter 2. 00:39:31.879 --> 00:39:33.039 God does for us 00:39:33.039 --> 00:39:33.579 what we cannot 00:39:33.579 --> 00:39:34.579 do for ourselves. 00:39:34.739 --> 00:39:35.380 He forgives 00:39:35.380 --> 00:39:35.980 our sin 00:39:35.980 --> 00:39:37.059 because Jesus 00:39:37.059 --> 00:39:39.599 has died for us 00:39:39.599 --> 00:39:40.119 and gives us 00:39:40.119 --> 00:39:40.880 the gift of mercy 00:39:40.880 --> 00:39:41.480 even though we're 00:39:41.480 --> 00:39:42.880 completely helpless. 00:39:45.039 --> 00:39:45.779 And God 00:39:45.779 --> 00:39:46.599 is a redeemer. 00:39:47.820 --> 00:39:48.360 That's why 00:39:48.360 --> 00:39:48.880 Boaz 00:39:48.880 --> 00:39:49.880 redeemed Ruth 00:39:49.880 --> 00:39:50.860 and Naomi 00:39:50.860 --> 00:39:51.739 and the family 00:39:51.739 --> 00:39:52.320 of Elimelech. 00:39:52.420 --> 00:39:53.500 He finds people 00:39:53.500 --> 00:39:54.400 like us 00:39:54.400 --> 00:39:56.460 who are broken 00:39:56.460 --> 00:39:57.320 and needy 00:39:57.320 --> 00:39:58.440 without any hope 00:39:58.440 --> 00:40:00.400 and he brings us 00:40:00.400 --> 00:40:01.519 into his family 00:40:01.519 --> 00:40:02.420 forgiven 00:40:02.420 --> 00:40:03.880 and free 00:40:03.880 --> 00:40:05.119 with nothing 00:40:05.119 --> 00:40:06.000 to look forward to 00:40:06.000 --> 00:40:06.619 but a glorious 00:40:06.619 --> 00:40:07.500 future with him. 00:40:10.920 --> 00:40:11.460 This 00:40:11.460 --> 00:40:12.960 is a God 00:40:12.960 --> 00:40:14.180 worth following. 00:40:16.159 --> 00:40:17.059 He has 00:40:17.059 --> 00:40:17.840 what we need. 00:40:21.260 --> 00:40:22.539 He's the only one 00:40:22.539 --> 00:40:23.440 who has 00:40:23.440 --> 00:40:24.039 what we need 00:40:24.039 --> 00:40:28.420 and he has 00:40:28.420 --> 00:40:29.139 the one thing 00:40:29.139 --> 00:40:30.099 we really need. 00:40:30.099 --> 00:40:32.559 God 00:40:32.559 --> 00:40:33.199 if you don't 00:40:33.199 --> 00:40:33.659 know him 00:40:33.659 --> 00:40:35.759 if you have 00:40:35.759 --> 00:40:36.339 not committed 00:40:36.339 --> 00:40:37.599 your life 00:40:37.599 --> 00:40:38.219 to him 00:40:38.219 --> 00:40:39.819 let me tell you 00:40:39.819 --> 00:40:40.719 he's worth it. 00:40:41.639 --> 00:40:42.659 He is a good 00:40:42.659 --> 00:40:43.059 God. 00:40:44.500 --> 00:40:45.360 If he has 00:40:45.360 --> 00:40:45.980 not redeemed 00:40:45.980 --> 00:40:46.440 you 00:40:46.440 --> 00:40:47.259 the way that 00:40:47.259 --> 00:40:47.659 he redeemed 00:40:47.659 --> 00:40:48.059 Ruth 00:40:48.059 --> 00:40:50.219 or if you're 00:40:50.219 --> 00:40:50.719 not sure 00:40:50.719 --> 00:40:52.759 then I encourage 00:40:52.759 --> 00:40:53.239 you when the 00:40:53.239 --> 00:40:54.000 service is over 00:40:54.000 --> 00:40:54.599 to come down 00:40:54.599 --> 00:40:54.920 here 00:40:54.920 --> 00:40:56.259 and talk to 00:40:56.259 --> 00:40:57.059 Pastor Mike 00:40:57.059 --> 00:40:57.759 or myself 00:40:57.759 --> 00:40:58.639 or Brian 00:40:58.639 --> 00:40:59.980 or someone 00:40:59.980 --> 00:41:00.360 else 00:41:00.360 --> 00:41:02.179 we want to 00:41:02.179 --> 00:41:02.880 talk to you 00:41:02.880 --> 00:41:04.219 and pray with you 00:41:04.219 --> 00:41:06.000 and introduce you 00:41:06.000 --> 00:41:06.639 to this God 00:41:06.639 --> 00:41:07.579 who is so good. 00:41:09.619 --> 00:41:10.759 Come this morning 00:41:10.759 --> 00:41:12.239 whether you're just 00:41:12.239 --> 00:41:13.259 getting to know him 00:41:13.259 --> 00:41:13.880 or have known him 00:41:13.880 --> 00:41:14.539 for a long time 00:41:14.539 --> 00:41:15.299 come to him 00:41:15.299 --> 00:41:16.099 this kind 00:41:16.099 --> 00:41:17.639 and redeeming God 00:41:17.639 --> 00:41:18.960 who we've been 00:41:18.960 --> 00:41:19.539 reading about 00:41:19.539 --> 00:41:21.000 in the book of Ruth. 00:41:22.079 --> 00:41:22.699 Let's pray. 00:41:22.699 --> 00:41:31.480 Father at the end 00:41:31.480 --> 00:41:32.279 of a book like this 00:41:32.279 --> 00:41:32.759 there's nothing 00:41:32.759 --> 00:41:33.419 to do 00:41:33.419 --> 00:41:37.439 but to praise you 00:41:37.439 --> 00:41:38.259 for who you are 00:41:38.259 --> 00:41:40.519 reminded once again 00:41:40.519 --> 00:41:41.659 of your great grace 00:41:41.659 --> 00:41:45.559 the 00:41:45.559 --> 00:41:48.119 the power 00:41:48.119 --> 00:41:49.579 that created 00:41:49.579 --> 00:41:50.239 the world 00:41:50.239 --> 00:41:52.759 mixed with the 00:41:52.759 --> 00:41:53.379 kindness 00:41:53.379 --> 00:41:55.479 and the care 00:41:55.479 --> 00:41:56.159 that you show 00:41:56.159 --> 00:41:56.939 toward the people 00:41:56.939 --> 00:41:57.500 who are broken 00:41:57.500 --> 00:41:58.039 and needy 00:41:58.039 --> 00:42:00.399 and Lord 00:42:00.399 --> 00:42:00.839 we know 00:42:00.839 --> 00:42:01.500 that it isn't 00:42:01.500 --> 00:42:01.899 the broken 00:42:01.899 --> 00:42:02.379 and needy 00:42:02.379 --> 00:42:02.639 that 00:42:02.639 --> 00:42:04.859 you pick up 00:42:04.859 --> 00:42:05.479 along the way 00:42:05.479 --> 00:42:06.319 as leftovers 00:42:06.319 --> 00:42:07.199 but they are 00:42:07.199 --> 00:42:08.279 of considerable 00:42:08.279 --> 00:42:09.739 concern to you 00:42:09.739 --> 00:42:11.239 we know 00:42:11.239 --> 00:42:11.859 that's us 00:42:11.859 --> 00:42:13.599 we're helpless 00:42:13.599 --> 00:42:14.599 without your grace 00:42:14.599 --> 00:42:16.859 lost in our sins 00:42:16.859 --> 00:42:19.479 headed for nothing 00:42:19.480 --> 00:42:20.219 but destruction 00:42:20.219 --> 00:42:20.860 and death 00:42:20.860 --> 00:42:21.500 and pain 00:42:21.500 --> 00:42:24.840 but at the right 00:42:24.840 --> 00:42:25.619 time you sent 00:42:25.619 --> 00:42:26.079 Christ 00:42:26.079 --> 00:42:27.740 to die on the cross 00:42:27.740 --> 00:42:28.380 for our sins 00:42:28.380 --> 00:42:29.159 and rise again 00:42:29.159 --> 00:42:29.619 in victory 00:42:29.619 --> 00:42:30.420 and we pray 00:42:30.420 --> 00:42:31.460 that you would 00:42:31.460 --> 00:42:32.619 help us anew 00:42:32.619 --> 00:42:33.719 to understand 00:42:33.719 --> 00:42:34.480 the implications 00:42:34.480 --> 00:42:35.139 of what you have 00:42:35.139 --> 00:42:35.800 done for us 00:42:35.800 --> 00:42:38.840 help this story 00:42:38.840 --> 00:42:39.800 to be an encouragement 00:42:39.800 --> 00:42:40.400 to us 00:42:40.400 --> 00:42:40.960 that the God 00:42:40.960 --> 00:42:41.619 that we follow 00:42:41.619 --> 00:42:43.440 is worth following 00:42:43.440 --> 00:42:46.559 that we can trust you 00:42:46.559 --> 00:42:47.760 that we can commit 00:42:47.760 --> 00:42:48.699 our lives to you 00:42:48.699 --> 00:42:51.279 and that it's also 00:42:51.279 --> 00:42:52.179 worth reflecting 00:42:52.179 --> 00:42:52.960 your character 00:42:52.960 --> 00:42:53.500 in the lives 00:42:53.500 --> 00:42:53.939 of the people 00:42:53.939 --> 00:42:54.559 around us 00:42:54.559 --> 00:42:57.039 we worship you 00:42:57.039 --> 00:42:57.500 this morning 00:42:57.500 --> 00:42:58.099 great God 00:42:58.099 --> 00:42:58.539 and King 00:42:58.539 --> 00:43:00.359 in your name 00:43:00.359 --> 00:43:00.839 we pray 00:43:00.839 --> 00:43:02.279 Amen 00:43:02.340 --> 00:43:06.560 to have you 00:43:06.560 --> 00:43:09.600 on the 00:43:09.600 --> 00:43:11.760 on the 00:43:11.760 --> 00:43:14.180 amazing 00:43:18.700 --> 00:43:18.840 I