WEBVTT

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 124.

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 It's the season of Advent.

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 We're looking at the book of Ruth.

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 Today we come to the conclusion of our series.

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 The book of Ruth is set in a dark time.

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 In a society of turmoil.

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 Due to violent attacks.

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 Family brokenness.

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 Cross-cultural suspicions.

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 The time of God's people.

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 Individually and corporately battled

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 depression, grief,

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 and loneliness.

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 This is a world not

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 so different.

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 But in the midst of this dark and broken world

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 we see God's merciful intervention

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 on behalf of three otherwise unknown people.

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 Naomi,

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 Ruth,

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 and Boaz.

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 But God's provision for these three

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 otherwise unknown people

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 is part of the larger story of God's provision

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 for his people as a whole.

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 God brings life and hope to a broken family

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 and God's also bringing life and hope

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 to his broken people.

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 And as we see through the events of this book

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 God was raising up a king

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 to lead his people Israel,

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 David.

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 But God was also preparing the way

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 to the greatest king of all

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 for the Messiah,

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 Jesus.

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 Who came from the lineage

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 of Ruth and Boaz.

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 So we've entitled this sermon series

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 Prelude to the King.

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 If you enjoy this series,

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 if you want to dig deeper,

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 if you want to share

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 the message of this book

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 with someone you love

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 and care about,

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 I want to recommend

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 the book I recommended

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 three weeks ago,

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 Paul Miller's book,

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 A Loving Life.

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 It sold out,

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 but we ordered more copies.

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 So they're down in the book stall,

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 five bucks each.

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 They're more expensive online.

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 But it's,

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 I just found a really insightful book

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 into looking into the book of Ruth

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 and meditating on what it means

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 to live a life of love

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 as Christ has loved us

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 and has broken the world.

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 Alright,

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 let's read Ruth chapter four.

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 We're going to be looking,

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 I'm going to sort of take

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 a big picture approach today

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 to the book of Ruth.

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 So we're not only going to be looking

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 at chapter four,

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 but this is the conclusion

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 to the story

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 and what we haven't read already.

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 So,

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 Ruth chapter four.

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 Now,

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 Boaz had gone up to the gate

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 and sat down there

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 and behold,

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 the Redeemer,

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 of whom Boaz had spoken,

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 came by.

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 So Boaz said,

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 turn aside,

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 Fred,

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 sit down here.

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 And he turned aside

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 and sat down

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 and he took ten men

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 to the elders of the city

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 and said,

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 sit down here.

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 So they sat down.

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 Then he said to the Redeemer,

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 Naomi,

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 who has come back

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 from the country of Moab,

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 is selling the parcel of land

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 that belonged to our relative

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 Elimelech.

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 So I thought I would tell you

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 of it and say,

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 buy it in the presence

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 of those sitting here

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 and in the presence

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 of the elders of my people.

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 If you will redeem it,

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 redeem it.

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 But if you will not tell me

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 that I may know,

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 for there is no one

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 beside you to redeem it

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 and I come after you.

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 And he said,

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 I will redeem it.

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 Then Boaz said,

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 the day you buy the field

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 from the hand of Naomi,

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 you also acquire

00:02:58.560 --> 00:03:00.259
 Ruth the Moabite,

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 the widow of the dead,

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 in order to perpetuate

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 the name of the dead

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 and his inheritance.

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 Then the Redeemer said,

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 I cannot redeem it

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 for myself.

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 Lest I impair

00:03:11.479 --> 00:03:12.259
 my own inheritance,

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 take my right of redemption

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 yourself,

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 for I cannot redeem it.

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 Now this was the custom

00:03:17.299 --> 00:03:18.560
 in former times in Israel,

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 concerning redeeming

00:03:19.959 --> 00:03:20.599
 and exchanging.

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 To confirm a transaction,

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 the one threw off his sandal

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 and gave it to the other

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 and this was the matter

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 of attesting in Israel.

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 So when the Redeemer

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 said to Boaz,

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 buy it for yourself,

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 he drew off his sandal.

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 Then Boaz said to the elders

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 and all the people,

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 you are witnesses this day

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 that I have bought

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 from the hand of Naomi

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 all that belong to Elimelech

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 and all that belong

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 to Kilion and to Malon,

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 also Ruth the Moabite,

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 the widow of Malon,

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 I have bought to be my wife

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 to perpetuate the name

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 of the dead

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 and his inheritance.

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 That the name of the dead

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 may not be cut off

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 from among his brothers

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 and from the gate

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 of his native place

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 to your witnesses this day.

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 Then all the people

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 who were at the gate,

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 the elders said,

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 we are witnesses.

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 May the Lord make this woman

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 who is coming into your house

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 like Rachel and Leah

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 who together built

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 the house of Israel.

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 May her back worthily

00:04:11.079 --> 00:04:11.639
 in Ephrata

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 and be renowned

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 in Bethlehem

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 and may your house

00:04:14.079 --> 00:04:14.839
 be like the house

00:04:14.840 --> 00:04:15.500
 Perez

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 who take our war

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 to Judah

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 because of the offspring

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 that the Lord

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 will give you

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 by this young woman.

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 So Boaz took Ruth

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 and she became his wife

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 and he went into her

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 and the Lord

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 gave her conception

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 and she bore a son.

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 And the woman said to Naomi,

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 blessed be the Lord

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 who has not left you

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 this day

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 without a redeem.

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 And may his name

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 be renowned in Israel.

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 He shall be to you

00:04:40.199 --> 00:04:41.979
 a restorer of life

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 and a nourisher

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 of your old age.

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 For your daughter-in-law

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 who loves you,

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 who is more to you

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 than seven sons

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 has given birth to him.

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 Then Naomi took the child

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 and laid him on her lap

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 and became his nurse.

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 And the women

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 of the neighborhood

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 gave him a name,

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 saying,

00:04:58.500 --> 00:04:59.919
 a son has been born to Naomi.

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 They named him Obed.

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 He was the father of Jesse,

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 the father of David.

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 Now these are the generations

00:05:06.060 --> 00:05:06.719
 of Perez.

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 Perez fathered Hezron,

00:05:09.359 --> 00:05:10.639
 Hezron fathered Ram,

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 Ram fathered Aminadab,

00:05:13.279 --> 00:05:14.839
 Aminadab fathered Nashon,

00:05:15.379 --> 00:05:16.680
 Nashon fathered Solomon,

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 Solomon fathered Boaz,

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 Boaz fathered Obed,

00:05:20.939 --> 00:05:21.919
 Obed fathered Jesse,

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 and Jesse fathered David.

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 The book of Ruth begins

00:05:28.439 --> 00:05:29.740
 with famine,

00:05:30.679 --> 00:05:31.179
 death,

00:05:31.799 --> 00:05:32.379
 and bitterness.

00:05:33.959 --> 00:05:34.639
 If you look back

00:05:34.639 --> 00:05:35.019
 at the beginning

00:05:35.019 --> 00:05:35.919
 of chapter one,

00:05:36.539 --> 00:05:37.399
 we see a famine

00:05:37.399 --> 00:05:38.199
 in the land.

00:05:39.239 --> 00:05:40.539
 In the town of Bethlehem,

00:05:40.599 --> 00:05:42.039
 which means house of bread,

00:05:43.560 --> 00:05:44.680
 the baskets were empty.

00:05:45.959 --> 00:05:46.620
 And the famine,

00:05:46.759 --> 00:05:47.199
 as we saw,

00:05:47.279 --> 00:05:47.859
 was a sign

00:05:47.859 --> 00:05:49.519
 of the spiritual dryness

00:05:49.519 --> 00:05:50.859
 and chaos

00:05:50.859 --> 00:05:51.979
 of the time of the judges.

00:05:53.219 --> 00:05:54.000
 What everyone did

00:05:54.000 --> 00:05:54.979
 is they saw fit

00:05:54.979 --> 00:05:57.319
 when there were no

00:05:57.319 --> 00:05:59.219
 moral and spiritual boundaries.

00:06:00.659 --> 00:06:01.539
 We also see

00:06:01.539 --> 00:06:02.899
 a family dying off.

00:06:03.959 --> 00:06:05.139
 first,

00:06:05.639 --> 00:06:06.659
 the family of Malemalem,

00:06:06.739 --> 00:06:07.620
 first spiritually

00:06:07.620 --> 00:06:08.819
 as they left

00:06:08.819 --> 00:06:09.959
 the promised land,

00:06:10.859 --> 00:06:11.979
 settled in Moab,

00:06:12.620 --> 00:06:13.639
 gradually lost

00:06:13.639 --> 00:06:14.839
 their distinctive identity

00:06:14.839 --> 00:06:16.060
 as a people of God,

00:06:16.719 --> 00:06:17.719
 and then physically

00:06:17.719 --> 00:06:18.500
 as the husband

00:06:18.500 --> 00:06:19.719
 and the two sons

00:06:19.719 --> 00:06:21.500
 passed away.

00:06:23.179 --> 00:06:23.979
 And then we see

00:06:23.979 --> 00:06:24.919
 a bitter old woman,

00:06:26.019 --> 00:06:26.359
 Naomi,

00:06:27.599 --> 00:06:28.299
 left alone,

00:06:28.439 --> 00:06:28.939
 destitute,

00:06:29.099 --> 00:06:29.699
 invulnerable,

00:06:29.839 --> 00:06:31.299
 far away from her native land,

00:06:31.300 --> 00:06:32.780
 complaining against God.

00:06:35.340 --> 00:06:36.900
 But the book of Ruth ends,

00:06:38.060 --> 00:06:38.860
 not with famine,

00:06:40.180 --> 00:06:40.579
 death,

00:06:40.780 --> 00:06:41.139
 bitterness,

00:06:41.460 --> 00:06:42.819
 but with blessing,

00:06:43.420 --> 00:06:43.860
 life,

00:06:44.340 --> 00:06:44.960
 and fullness.

00:06:45.720 --> 00:06:46.259
 Bitter Naomi

00:06:46.259 --> 00:06:47.480
 is now blessed.

00:06:48.300 --> 00:06:49.220
 Her empty hands

00:06:49.220 --> 00:06:50.120
 are now full

00:06:50.120 --> 00:06:51.460
 as she nurses

00:06:51.460 --> 00:06:52.180
 her grandson,

00:06:52.460 --> 00:06:52.879
 Moab.

00:06:53.759 --> 00:06:54.680
 Where she had once

00:06:54.680 --> 00:06:55.500
 been a destitute

00:06:55.500 --> 00:06:56.420
 and vulnerable widow,

00:06:56.420 --> 00:06:57.319
 she was now

00:06:57.319 --> 00:06:58.800
 honored as mother

00:06:58.800 --> 00:06:59.580
 in Israel.

00:07:00.540 --> 00:07:01.540
 And instead of bitterly

00:07:01.540 --> 00:07:03.020
 complaining against God,

00:07:03.879 --> 00:07:04.580
 she's the recipient

00:07:04.580 --> 00:07:05.740
 of a joyful blessing.

00:07:07.120 --> 00:07:07.759
 We also see

00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:08.840
 that the dying family

00:07:08.840 --> 00:07:09.540
 of Malemalek

00:07:09.540 --> 00:07:10.240
 has been restored

00:07:10.240 --> 00:07:10.920
 to life

00:07:10.920 --> 00:07:11.960
 and hope.

00:07:12.960 --> 00:07:13.500
 Chapter 4,

00:07:13.560 --> 00:07:14.160
 verse 10,

00:07:15.259 --> 00:07:16.120
 Boaz promises

00:07:16.120 --> 00:07:16.420
 to perpetuate

00:07:16.420 --> 00:07:18.180
 the name of the dead,

00:07:18.420 --> 00:07:19.000
 that is,

00:07:19.060 --> 00:07:19.740
 Malemalek,

00:07:20.240 --> 00:07:21.280
 in his inheritance,

00:07:21.780 --> 00:07:22.620
 that his name

00:07:22.620 --> 00:07:23.840
 may not be cut off.

00:07:23.839 --> 00:07:25.599
 To the family

00:07:25.599 --> 00:07:26.259
 that once seemed

00:07:26.259 --> 00:07:27.339
 to have no future,

00:07:27.839 --> 00:07:28.619
 now has a future

00:07:28.619 --> 00:07:29.159
 with hope.

00:07:30.819 --> 00:07:31.739
 There's also a future

00:07:31.739 --> 00:07:33.019
 for God's people.

00:07:34.439 --> 00:07:34.979
 His family,

00:07:35.119 --> 00:07:35.759
 the stricken people,

00:07:35.859 --> 00:07:36.419
 have been provided

00:07:36.419 --> 00:07:37.539
 not only with food,

00:07:38.359 --> 00:07:39.159
 not only with a good

00:07:39.159 --> 00:07:39.959
 barley harvest,

00:07:40.719 --> 00:07:41.620
 and all the rejoicing

00:07:41.620 --> 00:07:42.199
 that resulted

00:07:42.199 --> 00:07:42.879
 from consuming

00:07:42.879 --> 00:07:43.779
 barley products,

00:07:44.679 --> 00:07:45.620
 but with a new leader,

00:07:45.979 --> 00:07:46.299
 David.

00:07:47.699 --> 00:07:48.359
 The book begins

00:07:48.359 --> 00:07:48.779
 with the name

00:07:48.779 --> 00:07:49.500
 of the Malemalek

00:07:49.500 --> 00:07:50.199
 and his family,

00:07:51.259 --> 00:07:51.939
 who die off

00:07:51.939 --> 00:07:52.559
 of Moab.

00:07:53.839 --> 00:07:54.639
 The book ends

00:07:54.639 --> 00:07:55.099
 with the name

00:07:55.099 --> 00:07:55.859
 of Perez

00:07:55.859 --> 00:07:57.099
 and his descendants,

00:07:58.099 --> 00:07:59.699
 prophetly Boaz,

00:08:00.359 --> 00:08:01.719
 and culminating

00:08:01.719 --> 00:08:02.199
 with David,

00:08:02.319 --> 00:08:02.979
 the son of Jesse.

00:08:04.000 --> 00:08:05.119
 So we see a journey

00:08:05.119 --> 00:08:05.699
 from bitterness

00:08:05.699 --> 00:08:06.939
 to blessing,

00:08:07.819 --> 00:08:08.979
 from despair

00:08:08.979 --> 00:08:10.079
 to hope,

00:08:10.939 --> 00:08:11.679
 from famine

00:08:11.679 --> 00:08:12.719
 to fullness.

00:08:14.719 --> 00:08:15.279
 But of course

00:08:15.279 --> 00:08:16.139
 the question is,

00:08:16.279 --> 00:08:18.579
 how do we get

00:08:18.579 --> 00:08:19.939
 from bitterness

00:08:19.939 --> 00:08:21.120
 to blessing,

00:08:22.120 --> 00:08:22.819
 from despair

00:08:22.819 --> 00:08:23.439
 to hope,

00:08:24.199 --> 00:08:24.839
 from famine

00:08:24.839 --> 00:08:25.759
 to fullness?

00:08:26.959 --> 00:08:27.639
 Maybe you're asking

00:08:27.639 --> 00:08:28.259
 that question

00:08:28.259 --> 00:08:29.040
 on an individual

00:08:29.040 --> 00:08:30.620
 level like Naomi.

00:08:31.959 --> 00:08:32.939
 Maybe you feel like

00:08:32.939 --> 00:08:33.939
 you can relate to her

00:08:33.939 --> 00:08:35.600
 in some way

00:08:35.600 --> 00:08:36.019
 or other.

00:08:37.480 --> 00:08:38.000
 At the beginning

00:08:38.000 --> 00:08:38.360
 of the book

00:08:38.360 --> 00:08:39.279
 she was emptied out,

00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:41.279
 embittered,

00:08:41.620 --> 00:08:42.179
 vulnerable,

00:08:42.860 --> 00:08:43.259
 grieving,

00:08:44.259 --> 00:08:44.679
 alone.

00:08:46.000 --> 00:08:46.720
 Maybe the world

00:08:46.720 --> 00:08:47.419
 looks bleak,

00:08:48.279 --> 00:08:48.860
 like some of the

00:08:48.860 --> 00:08:50.039
 cloudy, foggy days

00:08:50.039 --> 00:08:50.919
 we've had this week.

00:08:50.919 --> 00:08:52.699
 Maybe you're getting

00:08:52.699 --> 00:08:53.099
 older.

00:08:54.379 --> 00:08:54.860
 You look back

00:08:54.860 --> 00:08:55.500
 on your life

00:08:55.500 --> 00:08:57.240
 and there are

00:08:57.240 --> 00:08:57.740
 regrets

00:08:57.740 --> 00:08:59.759
 and unfulfilled

00:08:59.759 --> 00:09:00.699
 desires.

00:09:01.579 --> 00:09:02.240
 For one reason

00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:02.679
 or another

00:09:02.679 --> 00:09:03.459
 some opportunities

00:09:03.459 --> 00:09:04.039
 seem to have

00:09:04.039 --> 00:09:04.719
 come and gone

00:09:04.719 --> 00:09:05.819
 and there doesn't

00:09:05.819 --> 00:09:06.479
 seem to be much

00:09:06.479 --> 00:09:07.719
 hope of a bright

00:09:07.719 --> 00:09:08.179
 future.

00:09:10.360 --> 00:09:11.000
 Maybe you're asking

00:09:11.000 --> 00:09:11.479
 that question

00:09:11.479 --> 00:09:12.419
 not just for yourself

00:09:12.419 --> 00:09:14.319
 but for your family.

00:09:15.939 --> 00:09:16.799
 If your family

00:09:16.799 --> 00:09:17.599
 has been inflicted

00:09:17.600 --> 00:09:18.139
 by sickness

00:09:18.139 --> 00:09:18.899
 or loss.

00:09:20.379 --> 00:09:20.899
 Maybe it's

00:09:20.899 --> 00:09:22.040
 relational conflict,

00:09:22.759 --> 00:09:24.159
 emotional baggage

00:09:24.159 --> 00:09:25.759
 that has a long

00:09:25.759 --> 00:09:26.320
 and unresolved

00:09:26.320 --> 00:09:26.759
 history.

00:09:26.879 --> 00:09:27.540
 Maybe you weep

00:09:27.540 --> 00:09:28.060
 and pray

00:09:28.060 --> 00:09:29.120
 over your

00:09:29.120 --> 00:09:29.899
 prodigal sons

00:09:29.899 --> 00:09:30.580
 and daughters

00:09:30.580 --> 00:09:32.480
 who have drifted

00:09:32.480 --> 00:09:33.240
 so far away

00:09:33.240 --> 00:09:34.580
 from the Lord.

00:09:35.840 --> 00:09:36.560
 Maybe you struggle

00:09:36.560 --> 00:09:37.100
 to honor your

00:09:37.100 --> 00:09:37.540
 parents

00:09:37.540 --> 00:09:39.300
 when their flaws

00:09:39.300 --> 00:09:39.879
 are painfully

00:09:39.879 --> 00:09:40.259
 evident.

00:09:41.620 --> 00:09:42.240
 Maybe you wonder

00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:43.019
 what does it mean

00:09:43.019 --> 00:09:43.779
 to be an agent

00:09:43.779 --> 00:09:44.759
 of God's redemption

00:09:44.759 --> 00:09:45.720
 in my family.

00:09:48.200 --> 00:09:49.039
 Maybe you've

00:09:49.039 --> 00:09:49.439
 stopped

00:09:49.439 --> 00:09:50.779
 weeping,

00:09:51.220 --> 00:09:51.620
 praying,

00:09:52.299 --> 00:09:52.740
 struggling

00:09:52.740 --> 00:09:54.179
 and wondering.

00:09:55.340 --> 00:09:55.819
 You simply

00:09:55.819 --> 00:09:56.720
 resigned yourself.

00:09:57.600 --> 00:09:58.539
 It is what it is.

00:10:00.480 --> 00:10:01.379
 I'll just keep

00:10:01.379 --> 00:10:02.039
 my distance.

00:10:04.500 --> 00:10:04.960
 Maybe you're

00:10:04.960 --> 00:10:05.939
 asking that question

00:10:05.939 --> 00:10:06.580
 about church.

00:10:08.480 --> 00:10:09.439
 Is it possible

00:10:09.439 --> 00:10:10.360
 to move from

00:10:10.360 --> 00:10:12.059
 famine to fullness?

00:10:12.240 --> 00:10:12.879
 Maybe you've seen

00:10:12.879 --> 00:10:13.779
 churches literally

00:10:13.779 --> 00:10:14.879
 self-destruct

00:10:14.879 --> 00:10:16.720
 due to internal

00:10:16.720 --> 00:10:17.339
 conflict.

00:10:18.259 --> 00:10:18.779
 Maybe you've been

00:10:18.779 --> 00:10:19.339
 burned out

00:10:19.339 --> 00:10:19.879
 from serving

00:10:19.879 --> 00:10:20.779
 in church ministries

00:10:20.779 --> 00:10:21.399
 where you've been

00:10:21.399 --> 00:10:22.399
 frequently criticized

00:10:22.399 --> 00:10:23.879
 and rarely encouraged.

00:10:25.139 --> 00:10:26.159
 Maybe you're weary

00:10:26.159 --> 00:10:26.939
 of superficial

00:10:26.939 --> 00:10:27.919
 small groups,

00:10:30.199 --> 00:10:30.939
 close friends

00:10:30.939 --> 00:10:31.919
 have all moved away

00:10:31.919 --> 00:10:33.779
 or passed away

00:10:33.779 --> 00:10:35.259
 or had babies

00:10:35.259 --> 00:10:36.659
 or just don't seem

00:10:36.659 --> 00:10:37.399
 interested in spending

00:10:37.399 --> 00:10:38.379
 time with you anymore.

00:10:39.860 --> 00:10:40.860
 So your inclination

00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:41.620
 is to withdraw,

00:10:41.620 --> 00:10:43.820
 to remain

00:10:43.820 --> 00:10:44.500
 at arm's length

00:10:44.500 --> 00:10:45.580
 in the local church.

00:10:46.580 --> 00:10:47.100
 Maybe you were

00:10:47.100 --> 00:10:48.000
 once a church leader

00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:48.980
 and you have vowed

00:10:48.980 --> 00:10:50.259
 never again.

00:10:51.940 --> 00:10:52.519
 Maybe you're happy

00:10:52.519 --> 00:10:53.220
 to attend

00:10:53.220 --> 00:10:55.980
 but you resist

00:10:55.980 --> 00:10:57.220
 that step

00:10:57.220 --> 00:10:57.840
 of joining

00:10:57.840 --> 00:10:59.480
 and committing.

00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:01.779
 Maybe you float

00:11:01.779 --> 00:11:02.840
 around from one church

00:11:02.840 --> 00:11:03.419
 to another

00:11:03.419 --> 00:11:05.460
 every couple of years

00:11:05.460 --> 00:11:07.320
 but you never really

00:11:07.320 --> 00:11:08.419
 settle down anywhere

00:11:08.419 --> 00:11:09.199
 looking for

00:11:09.199 --> 00:11:10.279
 an elusive fullness

00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:11.860
 for love

00:11:11.860 --> 00:11:12.379
 and truth

00:11:12.379 --> 00:11:13.000
 and glory

00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:14.059
 for the spirit

00:11:14.059 --> 00:11:14.639
 of the word

00:11:14.639 --> 00:11:14.919
 but

00:11:14.919 --> 00:11:17.319
 just doesn't seem

00:11:17.319 --> 00:11:18.039
 to be there

00:11:18.039 --> 00:11:19.939
 or anywhere.

00:11:21.860 --> 00:11:23.059
 Is there a path

00:11:23.059 --> 00:11:25.219
 for individuals,

00:11:25.539 --> 00:11:26.099
 for families,

00:11:26.299 --> 00:11:26.860
 for churches,

00:11:27.099 --> 00:11:27.579
 from bitterness

00:11:27.579 --> 00:11:28.259
 to blessing,

00:11:29.259 --> 00:11:30.259
 from despair

00:11:30.259 --> 00:11:30.879
 to hope,

00:11:31.419 --> 00:11:33.559
 from family

00:11:33.559 --> 00:11:34.219
 to fullness?

00:11:34.220 --> 00:11:37.720
 the book of Ruth

00:11:37.720 --> 00:11:39.800
 addresses this

00:11:39.800 --> 00:11:40.560
 very question

00:11:40.560 --> 00:11:43.300
 and it gives

00:11:43.300 --> 00:11:43.879
 the answer

00:11:43.879 --> 00:11:44.680
 yes.

00:11:45.540 --> 00:11:46.160
 It shows us

00:11:46.160 --> 00:11:46.620
 the path

00:11:46.620 --> 00:11:47.060
 that God

00:11:47.060 --> 00:11:47.759
 and his province

00:11:47.759 --> 00:11:48.460
 laid out

00:11:48.460 --> 00:11:49.660
 for Naomi,

00:11:51.040 --> 00:11:51.560
 for a little

00:11:51.560 --> 00:11:52.340
 lunch family

00:11:52.340 --> 00:11:53.980
 and for the people

00:11:53.980 --> 00:11:54.980
 of God as a whole

00:11:54.980 --> 00:11:55.600
 during the time

00:11:55.600 --> 00:11:56.160
 of the judges.

00:11:58.200 --> 00:11:59.060
 And this very

00:11:59.060 --> 00:11:59.620
 same God

00:11:59.620 --> 00:12:00.120
 who made

00:12:00.120 --> 00:12:00.940
 a path

00:12:00.940 --> 00:12:02.420
 way back

00:12:02.419 --> 00:12:02.899
 then

00:12:02.899 --> 00:12:04.939
 made a way

00:12:04.939 --> 00:12:05.719
 for us today

00:12:05.719 --> 00:12:07.399
 in his son

00:12:07.399 --> 00:12:08.120
 Jesus Christ.

00:12:08.539 --> 00:12:09.099
 So what I want

00:12:09.099 --> 00:12:09.759
 to do this morning

00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:10.259
 is I want to

00:12:10.259 --> 00:12:11.379
 trace the path

00:12:11.379 --> 00:12:13.360
 from bitterness,

00:12:14.059 --> 00:12:14.539
 despair,

00:12:15.679 --> 00:12:16.259
 and famine

00:12:16.259 --> 00:12:18.179
 to blessing,

00:12:19.379 --> 00:12:19.740
 fullness,

00:12:20.159 --> 00:12:20.599
 and hope.

00:12:21.479 --> 00:12:22.159
 I want to trace

00:12:22.159 --> 00:12:22.599
 the path

00:12:22.599 --> 00:12:23.279
 through the storyline

00:12:23.279 --> 00:12:23.860
 of Ruth.

00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:25.679
 If you weren't

00:12:25.679 --> 00:12:26.299
 here in the last

00:12:26.299 --> 00:12:26.819
 three weeks

00:12:26.819 --> 00:12:27.459
 this will serve

00:12:27.459 --> 00:12:28.539
 as a review.

00:12:28.959 --> 00:12:29.439
 If you weren't

00:12:29.439 --> 00:12:30.379
 here I hope

00:12:30.379 --> 00:12:30.919
 this will put

00:12:30.919 --> 00:12:31.740
 the whole book

00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:32.379
 in perspective.

00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:34.899
 So I want to

00:12:34.899 --> 00:12:35.959
 sort of do

00:12:35.959 --> 00:12:36.459
 an overview

00:12:36.459 --> 00:12:37.740
 of the storyline

00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:38.159
 of reason

00:12:38.159 --> 00:12:38.719
 and progression.

00:12:39.860 --> 00:12:40.639
 Second I want

00:12:40.639 --> 00:12:41.120
 to consider

00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:42.839
 the implications

00:12:42.839 --> 00:12:43.360
 for us

00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:44.059
 as individuals

00:12:44.059 --> 00:12:44.719
 and families

00:12:44.719 --> 00:12:46.299
 and as a church.

00:12:47.120 --> 00:12:47.719
 So first

00:12:47.719 --> 00:12:49.419
 what's the path

00:12:49.419 --> 00:12:50.159
 that we see

00:12:50.159 --> 00:12:51.679
 throughout the

00:12:51.679 --> 00:12:52.639
 storyline of this book?

00:12:53.860 --> 00:12:54.519
 Well from beginning

00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:55.480
 to end in this book

00:12:55.480 --> 00:12:56.039
 there are four

00:12:56.039 --> 00:12:56.699
 movements

00:12:56.699 --> 00:12:58.240
 that correspond

00:12:58.240 --> 00:12:59.219
 to the four chapters.

00:12:59.220 --> 00:13:00.740
 Now the chapter

00:13:00.740 --> 00:13:01.139
 of the first

00:13:01.139 --> 00:13:01.540
 divisions

00:13:01.540 --> 00:13:02.840
 in the Bible

00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:04.220
 were added

00:13:04.220 --> 00:13:04.980
 hundreds of years

00:13:04.980 --> 00:13:06.139
 after the Bible

00:13:06.139 --> 00:13:06.600
 was written.

00:13:07.399 --> 00:13:07.779
 So they were

00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:09.019
 added in the

00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:09.399
 Middle Ages

00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:09.940
 for the sake

00:13:09.940 --> 00:13:10.940
 of easy reference

00:13:10.940 --> 00:13:12.220
 so you could

00:13:12.220 --> 00:13:13.019
 easily find

00:13:13.019 --> 00:13:13.700
 the same spot

00:13:13.700 --> 00:13:14.460
 as someone else.

00:13:15.940 --> 00:13:16.820
 And sometimes

00:13:16.820 --> 00:13:17.620
 you know the

00:13:17.620 --> 00:13:18.100
 chapters and

00:13:18.100 --> 00:13:18.560
 verses just

00:13:18.560 --> 00:13:19.200
 sort of divide

00:13:19.200 --> 00:13:19.720
 up the text

00:13:19.720 --> 00:13:20.320
 into manageable

00:13:20.320 --> 00:13:20.820
 chunks.

00:13:21.480 --> 00:13:22.139
 But here

00:13:22.139 --> 00:13:22.600
 in Ruth

00:13:22.600 --> 00:13:23.080
 the chapters

00:13:23.080 --> 00:13:23.720
 and divisions

00:13:23.720 --> 00:13:24.560
 are exactly

00:13:24.560 --> 00:13:25.019
 where they

00:13:25.019 --> 00:13:25.420
 should be

00:13:25.420 --> 00:13:26.000
 to mark

00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:27.080
 the progression

00:13:27.080 --> 00:13:27.800
 of the story.

00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:29.540
 There are four

00:13:29.540 --> 00:13:30.680
 clearly defined

00:13:30.680 --> 00:13:32.100
 episodes in this

00:13:32.100 --> 00:13:33.700
 story and so

00:13:33.700 --> 00:13:35.080
 it's nice.

00:13:35.160 --> 00:13:35.840
 Now if you read

00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:36.340
 each of the four

00:13:36.340 --> 00:13:37.200
 chapters carefully

00:13:37.200 --> 00:13:38.620
 what you will

00:13:38.620 --> 00:13:39.420
 notice is that

00:13:39.420 --> 00:13:40.139
 in each chapter

00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:40.920
 there is a key

00:13:40.920 --> 00:13:43.139
 word that appears

00:13:43.139 --> 00:13:44.480
 over and over

00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:45.200
 in that chapter

00:13:45.200 --> 00:13:46.440
 but not at all

00:13:46.440 --> 00:13:47.180
 or not much

00:13:47.180 --> 00:13:47.759
 in the rest of

00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:48.120
 the book.

00:13:49.360 --> 00:13:49.960
 And if you're

00:13:49.960 --> 00:13:50.879
 reading the ESB

00:13:50.879 --> 00:13:52.400
 the Bible

00:13:52.400 --> 00:13:53.140
 translation that's

00:13:53.140 --> 00:13:53.560
 in the pews

00:13:53.560 --> 00:13:54.400
 it's very consistent

00:13:54.400 --> 00:13:54.920
 in how it

00:13:54.920 --> 00:13:55.820
 translates the words

00:13:55.820 --> 00:13:56.860
 so you can see

00:13:56.860 --> 00:13:57.560
 it without having

00:13:57.560 --> 00:13:58.040
 to read Hebrew

00:13:58.040 --> 00:13:59.320
 just by reading

00:13:59.320 --> 00:13:59.800
 your English

00:13:59.800 --> 00:14:00.540
 Bible

00:14:00.540 --> 00:14:02.980
 we can see

00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:03.600
 these things.

00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:04.940
 So I'm going

00:14:04.940 --> 00:14:05.260
 to point out

00:14:05.260 --> 00:14:05.980
 these four key

00:14:05.980 --> 00:14:06.379
 words

00:14:06.379 --> 00:14:07.980
 which will see

00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:08.660
 the progression

00:14:08.660 --> 00:14:09.080
 of the story.

00:14:09.200 --> 00:14:09.800
 Chapter 1

00:14:09.800 --> 00:14:11.040
 you remember

00:14:11.040 --> 00:14:11.240
 right?

00:14:11.300 --> 00:14:11.720
 Chapter 1

00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:12.340
 the key word

00:14:12.340 --> 00:14:13.600
 is return

00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:15.680
 12 times

00:14:15.680 --> 00:14:16.360
 in this chapter

00:14:16.360 --> 00:14:17.180
 only 3 times

00:14:17.180 --> 00:14:17.560
 in the rest

00:14:17.560 --> 00:14:17.960
 of the book.

00:14:18.879 --> 00:14:19.500
 Chapter 1

00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:20.760
 emphasizes God's

00:14:20.760 --> 00:14:21.240
 initiative.

00:14:22.860 --> 00:14:23.500
 Naomi's far

00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:24.340
 away in Moab

00:14:24.340 --> 00:14:25.300
 but God's

00:14:25.300 --> 00:14:25.780
 kindness

00:14:25.780 --> 00:14:26.860
 leads Naomi

00:14:26.860 --> 00:14:27.680
 to return

00:14:27.680 --> 00:14:28.720
 home

00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:30.500
 from exile.

00:14:30.740 --> 00:14:31.320
 Chapter 1

00:14:31.320 --> 00:14:32.000
 verse 6

00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:34.060
 Naomi arose

00:14:34.060 --> 00:14:34.399
 with her

00:14:34.399 --> 00:14:35.160
 daughters-in-law

00:14:35.160 --> 00:14:36.000
 to return

00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:38.139
 for

00:14:38.139 --> 00:14:40.000
 why does she

00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:40.320
 return?

00:14:40.800 --> 00:14:41.519
 She had heard

00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:42.100
 in the fields

00:14:42.100 --> 00:14:42.680
 of Moab

00:14:42.680 --> 00:14:43.660
 that the Lord

00:14:43.660 --> 00:14:44.160
 had visited

00:14:44.160 --> 00:14:44.700
 his people

00:14:44.700 --> 00:14:45.180
 and given

00:14:45.180 --> 00:14:45.879
 them food.

00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:46.899
 It's God's

00:14:46.899 --> 00:14:47.340
 kindness

00:14:47.340 --> 00:14:48.900
 that leads Naomi

00:14:48.900 --> 00:14:49.580
 to return

00:14:49.580 --> 00:14:50.379
 God's initiative

00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:51.900
 that gets the

00:14:51.900 --> 00:14:52.379
 whole story

00:14:52.379 --> 00:14:52.800
 going.

00:14:52.799 --> 00:14:57.439
 in fact

00:14:57.439 --> 00:14:58.159
 Naomi says

00:14:58.159 --> 00:14:58.939
 in verse 21

00:14:58.939 --> 00:14:59.639
 chapter 1

00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:00.019
 she says

00:15:00.019 --> 00:15:00.859
 I went away

00:15:00.859 --> 00:15:01.559
 and the Lord

00:15:01.559 --> 00:15:02.179
 has brought me

00:15:02.179 --> 00:15:02.539
 back.

00:15:03.299 --> 00:15:03.699
 It's actually

00:15:03.699 --> 00:15:04.279
 the same word

00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:04.659
 the Lord

00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:05.599
 has returned

00:15:05.599 --> 00:15:06.319
 to me.

00:15:06.479 --> 00:15:06.839
 So we see

00:15:06.839 --> 00:15:07.620
 God's initiative

00:15:07.620 --> 00:15:08.979
 to return

00:15:08.979 --> 00:15:09.719
 Naomi back

00:15:09.719 --> 00:15:10.139
 home.

00:15:10.740 --> 00:15:11.240
 Now Naomi

00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:12.039
 at this point

00:15:12.039 --> 00:15:13.219
 she's empty

00:15:13.219 --> 00:15:14.359
 she's bitter

00:15:14.359 --> 00:15:15.579
 she's vulnerable

00:15:15.579 --> 00:15:16.500
 she's grieving

00:15:16.500 --> 00:15:18.059
 she probably

00:15:18.059 --> 00:15:18.799
 wasn't the easiest

00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:19.519
 person to hang

00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:20.179
 around with

00:15:20.179 --> 00:15:22.159
 because she

00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:22.639
 was prompted

00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:23.179
 by the good

00:15:23.179 --> 00:15:23.639
 news of

00:15:23.639 --> 00:15:24.459
 God's kindness

00:15:24.459 --> 00:15:25.620
 so she

00:15:25.620 --> 00:15:26.339
 returned home

00:15:26.339 --> 00:15:26.799
 to God's

00:15:26.799 --> 00:15:27.199
 people

00:15:27.199 --> 00:15:28.599
 and the land

00:15:28.599 --> 00:15:28.959
 of God's

00:15:28.959 --> 00:15:29.399
 promises.

00:15:30.899 --> 00:15:31.279
 We also

00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:31.739
 saw that

00:15:31.739 --> 00:15:32.979
 in her return

00:15:32.979 --> 00:15:33.879
 God's steadfast

00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:34.359
 love didn't

00:15:34.359 --> 00:15:34.859
 leave Naomi

00:15:34.859 --> 00:15:35.419
 alone.

00:15:36.419 --> 00:15:36.699
 Ruth

00:15:36.699 --> 00:15:37.319
 returned

00:15:37.319 --> 00:15:38.239
 with her.

00:15:39.019 --> 00:15:39.500
 Chapter 1

00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:40.079
 verse 22

00:15:40.079 --> 00:15:40.879
 Ruth returns

00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:41.259
 swearing

00:15:41.259 --> 00:15:41.599
 in holy

00:15:41.599 --> 00:15:42.039
 loyalty

00:15:42.039 --> 00:15:42.519
 not only

00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:43.039
 to Naomi

00:15:43.039 --> 00:15:44.519
 but also

00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:45.179
 to Yahweh

00:15:45.179 --> 00:15:45.939
 to the God

00:15:45.939 --> 00:15:46.519
 of Israel

00:15:46.519 --> 00:15:47.120
 who made

00:15:47.120 --> 00:15:47.899
 promises

00:15:47.899 --> 00:15:50.500
 that through

00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:51.100
 this one

00:15:51.100 --> 00:15:51.740
 nation

00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:52.120
 he would

00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:52.379
 bless

00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:52.740
 all the

00:15:52.740 --> 00:15:52.980
 peoples

00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:53.259
 of the

00:15:53.259 --> 00:15:53.439
 earth.

00:15:54.980 --> 00:15:55.399
 What we

00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:55.759
 see in

00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:56.179
 chapter 1

00:15:56.179 --> 00:15:56.459
 is that

00:15:56.459 --> 00:15:56.819
 Ruth is

00:15:56.819 --> 00:15:57.159
 a living

00:15:57.159 --> 00:15:57.879
 embodiment

00:15:57.879 --> 00:15:58.980
 to Naomi

00:15:58.980 --> 00:15:59.399
 of the

00:15:59.399 --> 00:15:59.980
 steadfast

00:15:59.980 --> 00:16:00.759
 love

00:16:00.759 --> 00:16:01.480
 and covenant

00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:02.159
 mercy

00:16:02.159 --> 00:16:03.100
 of God

00:16:03.100 --> 00:16:03.819
 himself.

00:16:03.919 --> 00:16:04.199
 So that's

00:16:04.199 --> 00:16:04.579
 the first

00:16:04.579 --> 00:16:05.000
 move in

00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:05.459
 the story

00:16:05.459 --> 00:16:06.139
 return.

00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:08.559
 Chapter 2

00:16:08.559 --> 00:16:09.759
 the key

00:16:09.759 --> 00:16:10.539
 word is

00:16:10.539 --> 00:16:11.379
 glean.

00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:13.319
 He appears

00:16:13.319 --> 00:16:14.120
 12 times

00:16:14.120 --> 00:16:15.199
 only in this

00:16:15.199 --> 00:16:15.559
 chapter.

00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:17.500
 Now this

00:16:17.500 --> 00:16:18.519
 chapter 1

00:16:18.519 --> 00:16:19.100
 emphasizes

00:16:19.100 --> 00:16:19.879
 God's

00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:20.259
 initiative

00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:20.639
 bringing

00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:20.960
 Naomi

00:16:20.960 --> 00:16:21.279
 home.

00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:21.840
 Chapter 2

00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:22.179
 we see

00:16:22.179 --> 00:16:22.720
 Ruth's

00:16:22.720 --> 00:16:23.220
 initiative

00:16:23.220 --> 00:16:24.679
 in going

00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:25.100
 out to

00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:25.559
 the field

00:16:25.559 --> 00:16:26.120
 to glean.

00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:26.460
 Now the

00:16:26.460 --> 00:16:27.159
 word glean

00:16:27.159 --> 00:16:28.539
 simply means

00:16:28.539 --> 00:16:29.220
 to gather

00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:30.000
 leftover

00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:30.700
 grain

00:16:30.700 --> 00:16:31.700
 during

00:16:31.700 --> 00:16:32.200
 harvest

00:16:32.200 --> 00:16:32.779
 time

00:16:32.779 --> 00:16:34.080
 out from

00:16:34.080 --> 00:16:34.480
 someone's

00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:34.820
 field.

00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:37.340
 And it

00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:37.879
 was hard

00:16:37.879 --> 00:16:38.200
 work.

00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:38.700
 Ruth left

00:16:38.700 --> 00:16:39.039
 the house

00:16:39.039 --> 00:16:39.580
 early in

00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:39.919
 the morning.

00:16:40.019 --> 00:16:40.299
 She probably

00:16:40.299 --> 00:16:40.659
 left the

00:16:40.659 --> 00:16:40.960
 house at

00:16:40.960 --> 00:16:41.620
 6 a.m.

00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:41.899
 and says

00:16:41.899 --> 00:16:42.320
 she worked

00:16:42.320 --> 00:16:43.200
 until sundown

00:16:43.200 --> 00:16:44.320
 gathering

00:16:44.320 --> 00:16:45.259
 grain

00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:46.340
 in Boaz's

00:16:46.340 --> 00:16:46.860
 field

00:16:46.860 --> 00:16:48.080
 leading

00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:48.600
 over.

00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:49.060
 It was

00:16:49.060 --> 00:16:49.379
 back

00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:49.680
 breaking

00:16:49.680 --> 00:16:50.139
 work.

00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:51.019
 And then

00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:51.740
 she beat

00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:52.879
 out the

00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:53.539
 grain

00:16:53.539 --> 00:16:54.220
 to separate

00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:55.980
 the part

00:16:55.980 --> 00:16:56.240
 that we

00:16:56.240 --> 00:16:56.639
 really want

00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:56.980
 to keep

00:16:56.980 --> 00:16:57.580
 from just

00:16:57.580 --> 00:16:58.240
 the stocks.

00:16:58.240 --> 00:17:00.259
 and she

00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:00.539
 carried

00:17:00.539 --> 00:17:01.200
 up home

00:17:01.200 --> 00:17:02.340
 30 pounds

00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:03.740
 of stuff

00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:04.480
 all the

00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:05.299
 way in

00:17:05.299 --> 00:17:05.640
 the dark

00:17:05.640 --> 00:17:06.200
 by herself.

00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:07.240
 She probably

00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:07.579
 left the

00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:07.839
 house at

00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:08.299
 6 a.m.

00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:08.500
 and got

00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:08.920
 home around

00:17:08.920 --> 00:17:09.259
 9 or

00:17:09.259 --> 00:17:09.519
 10 at

00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:09.759
 night.

00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:11.019
 It was a

00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:11.620
 long hard

00:17:11.620 --> 00:17:12.180
 day of work.

00:17:12.359 --> 00:17:12.819
 Ruth went

00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:13.180
 out to

00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:13.480
 glean,

00:17:13.579 --> 00:17:14.019
 to gather,

00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:15.000
 to seek

00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:16.740
 food for

00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:17.059
 her and

00:17:17.059 --> 00:17:18.180
 Naomi to

00:17:18.180 --> 00:17:18.579
 sustain

00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:18.799
 them.

00:17:19.880 --> 00:17:20.319
 And in

00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:20.740
 this chapter

00:17:20.740 --> 00:17:21.259
 we saw

00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:21.660
 how God

00:17:21.660 --> 00:17:22.200
 provided.

00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:23.920
 God provided

00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:24.460
 for Ruth and

00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:24.980
 Naomi from

00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:25.519
 his law

00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:26.460
 which explicitly

00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:27.220
 allowed

00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:28.620
 foreigners

00:17:28.620 --> 00:17:29.400
 and widows

00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:29.900
 and the

00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:30.720
 poor to

00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:31.400
 glean in

00:17:31.400 --> 00:17:31.819
 people's

00:17:31.819 --> 00:17:32.579
 fields.

00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:34.059
 To pick

00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:34.339
 up the

00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:34.720
 leftovers

00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:36.240
 in order

00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:36.660
 to have

00:17:36.660 --> 00:17:37.299
 enough food

00:17:37.299 --> 00:17:38.039
 for them

00:17:38.039 --> 00:17:38.380
 to live

00:17:38.380 --> 00:17:38.640
 on.

00:17:39.660 --> 00:17:40.120
 But we

00:17:40.120 --> 00:17:40.440
 see that

00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:41.019
 God provided

00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:41.460
 not just

00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:41.759
 what they

00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.180
 needed for

00:17:42.180 --> 00:17:42.680
 that day.

00:17:42.779 --> 00:17:43.240
 God provided

00:17:43.240 --> 00:17:43.799
 generously

00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:44.400
 through

00:17:44.400 --> 00:17:45.299
 Boaz.

00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:47.319
 By his

00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:47.839
 providence

00:17:47.839 --> 00:17:48.220
 he brought

00:17:48.220 --> 00:17:48.839
 her Boaz's

00:17:48.839 --> 00:17:49.240
 field.

00:17:50.880 --> 00:17:51.500
 By Boaz's

00:17:51.500 --> 00:17:51.920
 kindness,

00:17:52.839 --> 00:17:53.120
 she went

00:17:53.120 --> 00:17:54.400
 home with

00:17:54.400 --> 00:17:54.880
 two weeks

00:17:54.880 --> 00:17:55.480
 worth food.

00:17:56.760 --> 00:17:56.980
 There's

00:17:56.980 --> 00:17:57.580
 another sign

00:17:57.580 --> 00:17:57.920
 that God

00:17:57.920 --> 00:17:58.300
 was beginning

00:17:58.300 --> 00:17:59.060
 to fill

00:17:59.060 --> 00:18:00.220
 Ruth and

00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:00.660
 Naomi's

00:18:00.660 --> 00:18:01.080
 emptiness.

00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:03.480
 We see

00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:04.480
 these glimmers

00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:04.960
 of hope

00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:05.640
 from famine

00:18:05.640 --> 00:18:06.540
 to fullness

00:18:06.540 --> 00:18:07.100
 there now.

00:18:07.520 --> 00:18:07.980
 They have

00:18:07.980 --> 00:18:08.740
 enough to

00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:09.360
 eat and

00:18:09.360 --> 00:18:09.900
 more to

00:18:09.900 --> 00:18:10.280
 spare.

00:18:11.660 --> 00:18:12.040
 A sign

00:18:12.040 --> 00:18:12.400
 of hope

00:18:12.400 --> 00:18:12.660
 for the

00:18:12.660 --> 00:18:12.980
 future.

00:18:14.260 --> 00:18:14.580
 Chapter

00:18:14.580 --> 00:18:15.040
 3,

00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:16.520
 moving on,

00:18:17.620 --> 00:18:18.080
 we've seen

00:18:18.080 --> 00:18:18.480
 God's

00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:19.060
 initiative to

00:18:19.060 --> 00:18:19.720
 return Naomi

00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:20.100
 home,

00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:20.440
 Ruth's

00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:21.060
 initiative to

00:18:21.060 --> 00:18:21.520
 glean.

00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:22.320
 Chapter

00:18:22.320 --> 00:18:23.080
 3 we see

00:18:23.080 --> 00:18:24.020
 Naomi's

00:18:24.020 --> 00:18:24.520
 initiative.

00:18:24.880 --> 00:18:26.580
 Naomi

00:18:26.580 --> 00:18:27.340
 proposes

00:18:27.340 --> 00:18:28.540
 an elaborate

00:18:28.540 --> 00:18:29.380
 and unconventional

00:18:29.380 --> 00:18:30.100
 plan to

00:18:30.100 --> 00:18:30.560
 send Ruth

00:18:30.560 --> 00:18:30.920
 up with

00:18:30.920 --> 00:18:31.540
 Boaz.

00:18:32.640 --> 00:18:33.160
 Go to

00:18:33.160 --> 00:18:33.600
 the threshing

00:18:33.600 --> 00:18:34.640
 floor late

00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:35.080
 at night,

00:18:35.920 --> 00:18:36.440
 notice where

00:18:36.440 --> 00:18:37.360
 he lies down,

00:18:38.040 --> 00:18:38.740
 uncover his

00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:39.100
 feet,

00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:40.160
 lie down

00:18:40.160 --> 00:18:41.200
 near him

00:18:41.200 --> 00:18:41.860
 and wait

00:18:41.860 --> 00:18:42.220
 and see

00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:42.880
 what happens.

00:18:44.060 --> 00:18:44.360
 Ooh,

00:18:45.580 --> 00:18:46.100
 if you've

00:18:46.100 --> 00:18:46.400
 listened to

00:18:46.400 --> 00:18:46.880
 last week's

00:18:46.880 --> 00:18:47.100
 sermon,

00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:47.440
 you want to

00:18:47.440 --> 00:18:47.680
 hear more

00:18:47.680 --> 00:18:48.100
 about that.

00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:48.840
 Now the

00:18:48.840 --> 00:18:49.440
 key word

00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:50.280
 in chapter

00:18:50.280 --> 00:18:52.100
 3 is

00:18:52.099 --> 00:18:54.039
 lie down.

00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:55.419
 Here's

00:18:55.419 --> 00:18:55.980
 eight times

00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:56.339
 only in

00:18:56.339 --> 00:18:56.839
 this chapter.

00:18:58.779 --> 00:18:59.599
 Lie down

00:18:59.599 --> 00:18:59.879
 at his

00:18:59.879 --> 00:19:00.199
 feet.

00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:02.099
 But we

00:19:02.099 --> 00:19:02.519
 can summarize

00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:03.159
 the theme

00:19:03.159 --> 00:19:04.079
 as petition.

00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:06.059
 In the

00:19:06.059 --> 00:19:06.740
 ancient world,

00:19:07.939 --> 00:19:08.679
 man's feet

00:19:08.679 --> 00:19:09.559
 represented his

00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:10.099
 authority.

00:19:11.219 --> 00:19:11.839
 Bowing down

00:19:11.839 --> 00:19:12.699
 before someone's

00:19:12.699 --> 00:19:14.219
 feet was a

00:19:14.219 --> 00:19:15.179
 recognized gesture

00:19:15.179 --> 00:19:15.879
 of humble

00:19:15.879 --> 00:19:17.000
 supplication

00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:17.740
 and submission

00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:18.500
 and petition.

00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:21.119
 Boaz awoke

00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:21.480
 in the middle

00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:21.980
 of the night

00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:22.920
 and saw

00:19:22.920 --> 00:19:23.460
 Ruth lying

00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:23.680
 at his

00:19:23.680 --> 00:19:24.099
 feet and

00:19:24.099 --> 00:19:24.240
 said,

00:19:24.279 --> 00:19:24.460
 Who are

00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:24.779
 you?

00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:26.099
 Ruth boldly

00:19:26.099 --> 00:19:26.640
 made her

00:19:26.640 --> 00:19:27.420
 petition clear.

00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:27.900
 She said,

00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:28.480
 Spread your

00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:29.220
 wings over

00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:29.799
 your sermon

00:19:29.799 --> 00:19:30.299
 for you

00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:31.059
 are a

00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:31.519
 redeemer.

00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:32.619
 Chapter

00:19:32.619 --> 00:19:32.839
 3,

00:19:32.920 --> 00:19:33.380
 verse 9.

00:19:33.660 --> 00:19:34.460
 Ruth wasn't

00:19:34.460 --> 00:19:35.059
 simply asking

00:19:35.059 --> 00:19:35.740
 for Boaz's

00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:36.480
 general protection.

00:19:36.680 --> 00:19:36.960
 She was

00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:37.460
 asking for

00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:38.119
 his particular

00:19:38.119 --> 00:19:39.460
 loyalty in

00:19:39.460 --> 00:19:39.900
 marriage.

00:19:40.839 --> 00:19:41.240
 Of course,

00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:41.559
 it was a

00:19:41.559 --> 00:19:42.240
 risky plan.

00:19:42.359 --> 00:19:42.539
 It was an

00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:43.259
 uncertain outcome.

00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:46.200
 But it was

00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:47.099
 motivated by

00:19:47.099 --> 00:19:48.179
 well-founded

00:19:48.179 --> 00:19:48.719
 hope.

00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:50.719
 You see,

00:19:50.799 --> 00:19:51.240
 Naomi had

00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:52.919
 seen how

00:19:52.919 --> 00:19:53.419
 God had

00:19:53.419 --> 00:19:54.139
 honored Ruth's

00:19:54.139 --> 00:19:55.199
 initiative to

00:19:55.199 --> 00:19:56.159
 seek food,

00:19:56.279 --> 00:19:56.679
 to seek

00:19:56.679 --> 00:19:58.319
 nourishment for

00:19:58.319 --> 00:19:58.959
 her family,

00:19:59.179 --> 00:19:59.559
 for her

00:19:59.559 --> 00:19:59.959
 Naomi.

00:20:00.699 --> 00:20:01.179
 And God

00:20:01.179 --> 00:20:01.759
 had abundantly

00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:03.019
 provided even

00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:03.459
 more than

00:20:03.459 --> 00:20:03.899
 they needed.

00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:05.819
 Naomi had

00:20:05.819 --> 00:20:06.559
 also seen

00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:07.819
 evidence of

00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:08.259
 Boaz's

00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:08.759
 character.

00:20:10.119 --> 00:20:10.819
 Ruth wasn't

00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:12.159
 just pursuing

00:20:12.159 --> 00:20:12.939
 some guy who

00:20:12.939 --> 00:20:13.319
 she barely

00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:13.699
 knew.

00:20:15.459 --> 00:20:16.159
 Naomi saw

00:20:16.159 --> 00:20:16.639
 Boaz's

00:20:16.639 --> 00:20:17.039
 loyalty,

00:20:17.099 --> 00:20:17.419
 to the

00:20:17.419 --> 00:20:17.740
 Lord,

00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:18.459
 his

00:20:18.459 --> 00:20:19.179
 diligence to

00:20:19.179 --> 00:20:20.259
 protect a

00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:21.119
 vulnerable young

00:20:21.119 --> 00:20:21.919
 foreign woman,

00:20:22.859 --> 00:20:23.339
 for being

00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:23.959
 part of his

00:20:23.959 --> 00:20:24.679
 kindness in

00:20:24.679 --> 00:20:25.419
 inviting Ruth

00:20:25.419 --> 00:20:26.240
 to join him,

00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:28.179
 and to join

00:20:28.179 --> 00:20:28.559
 his young

00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:28.919
 women,

00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:30.500
 and then his

00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:30.879
 table.

00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:33.319
 So Naomi's

00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:34.059
 plan wasn't a

00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:34.839
 foolish risk.

00:20:36.199 --> 00:20:37.000
 It wasn't just

00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:37.759
 wishful thinking.

00:20:37.899 --> 00:20:38.419
 Sometimes our

00:20:38.419 --> 00:20:39.579
 hopes are

00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:40.219
 actually not

00:20:40.219 --> 00:20:40.879
 well-founded,

00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:41.639
 but Naomi's

00:20:41.639 --> 00:20:43.599
 hope here was

00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:44.359
 a bold risk

00:20:44.359 --> 00:20:45.119
 motivated by

00:20:45.119 --> 00:20:46.079
 well-founded hope,

00:20:46.079 --> 00:20:46.779
 what we see is

00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:47.179
 that God

00:20:47.179 --> 00:20:47.799
 honors his

00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:48.779
 people when

00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:49.199
 they take

00:20:49.199 --> 00:20:49.859
 bold and

00:20:49.859 --> 00:20:50.460
 unconventional

00:20:50.460 --> 00:20:51.960
 risks that

00:20:51.960 --> 00:20:52.519
 are motivated

00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:53.359
 by well-founded

00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:53.799
 hope.

00:20:54.839 --> 00:20:55.659
 Like Tamar,

00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:56.859
 Genesis 38,

00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:57.819
 though that's

00:20:57.819 --> 00:20:58.299
 another story

00:20:58.299 --> 00:20:58.659
 for another

00:20:58.659 --> 00:20:59.000
 day,

00:20:59.480 --> 00:21:00.500
 and Brahab and

00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:01.139
 Joshua 2,

00:21:01.659 --> 00:21:02.419
 also another story

00:21:02.419 --> 00:21:02.919
 for another day,

00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:03.419
 but they're both

00:21:03.419 --> 00:21:03.759
 the same

00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:04.179
 principle.

00:21:05.339 --> 00:21:05.779
 They take

00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:06.659
 bold risks

00:21:06.659 --> 00:21:08.059
 motivated by

00:21:08.059 --> 00:21:09.000
 well-founded hope

00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:09.699
 in God,

00:21:09.799 --> 00:21:10.119
 and his

00:21:10.119 --> 00:21:10.500
 promises.

00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:12.680
 So even by

00:21:12.680 --> 00:21:13.000
 the end of

00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:13.660
 chapter 3,

00:21:14.119 --> 00:21:14.579
 we see the

00:21:14.579 --> 00:21:15.019
 movement in

00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:15.660
 Naomi from

00:21:15.660 --> 00:21:17.079
 despair and

00:21:17.079 --> 00:21:17.920
 inaction to

00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:19.220
 hopeful action.

00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.299
 And you see

00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:22.279
 this process

00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:22.720
 from bitterness

00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:23.400
 to blessing,

00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:24.200
 from despair

00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:24.720
 to hope,

00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:25.339
 from famine

00:21:25.339 --> 00:21:25.819
 to fullness,

00:21:26.380 --> 00:21:26.839
 but we're not

00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:27.420
 done yet.

00:21:28.579 --> 00:21:29.059
 Now we come

00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:29.779
 to chapter 4.

00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:32.319
 We see God's

00:21:32.319 --> 00:21:32.799
 initiative to

00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:33.400
 return Naomi

00:21:33.400 --> 00:21:33.799
 home,

00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:34.660
 Ruth's initiative

00:21:34.660 --> 00:21:35.240
 to glean,

00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:36.359
 Naomi's initiative

00:21:36.359 --> 00:21:37.500
 to set Ruth's

00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:37.740
 up,

00:21:37.740 --> 00:21:39.160
 and 4.

00:21:39.339 --> 00:21:39.640
 We see

00:21:39.640 --> 00:21:40.900
 Boaz's initiative

00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:42.000
 to redeem.

00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:44.059
 The word

00:21:44.059 --> 00:21:44.720
 redeem or

00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.559
 redeemer appears

00:21:45.559 --> 00:21:46.579
 13 times in

00:21:46.579 --> 00:21:47.259
 chapter 4,

00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:48.680
 8 times earlier

00:21:48.680 --> 00:21:49.160
 in the book.

00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:50.940
 Now what does

00:21:50.940 --> 00:21:51.779
 redeeming mean?

00:21:51.880 --> 00:21:52.420
 Probably when I

00:21:52.420 --> 00:21:52.920
 read this at the

00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:53.339
 beginning of the

00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:53.819
 passage,

00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:55.059
 thinking what

00:21:55.059 --> 00:21:55.819
 exactly does this

00:21:55.819 --> 00:21:56.059
 mean?

00:21:56.140 --> 00:21:56.359
 Do you know

00:21:56.359 --> 00:21:56.759
 redeeming,

00:21:56.819 --> 00:21:57.200
 redeeming,

00:21:57.279 --> 00:21:57.359
 redeeming,

00:21:57.359 --> 00:21:57.880
 the redeemer?

00:21:58.180 --> 00:21:59.200
 What's going on?

00:21:59.940 --> 00:22:00.599
 Sometimes we

00:22:00.599 --> 00:22:00.940
 think of

00:22:00.940 --> 00:22:01.400
 redeemer,

00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:03.559
 I think probably

00:22:03.559 --> 00:22:04.160
 the most common

00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:04.980
 way we define

00:22:04.980 --> 00:22:05.960
 redeem is to

00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:06.559
 purchase someone

00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:07.279
 out of slavery.

00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:09.240
 But that doesn't

00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:09.920
 completely make

00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:10.460
 sense in this

00:22:10.460 --> 00:22:10.819
 context.

00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:11.660
 Nobody's a slave

00:22:11.660 --> 00:22:13.059
 here who's

00:22:13.059 --> 00:22:13.720
 involved in the

00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:14.019
 story.

00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:16.079
 And in the

00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:17.039
 multisput context,

00:22:17.140 --> 00:22:17.660
 the meaning of

00:22:17.660 --> 00:22:18.460
 redemption or

00:22:18.460 --> 00:22:20.039
 redeeming was

00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:20.940
 even broader and

00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:21.660
 richer than that.

00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:23.460
 So Paul Miller

00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:24.460
 summarizes it this

00:22:24.460 --> 00:22:24.960
 way.

00:22:25.880 --> 00:22:26.240
 He says a

00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:28.000
 redeemer was a

00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:28.819
 male member of

00:22:28.819 --> 00:22:30.140
 the clan who

00:22:30.140 --> 00:22:31.039
 rescued another

00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:32.859
 member, often a

00:22:32.859 --> 00:22:33.880
 woman, who had

00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:34.700
 fallen on hard

00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:35.220
 times.

00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:37.000
 A redeemer could

00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:38.000
 restore property,

00:22:38.660 --> 00:22:39.099
 for example,

00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:39.799
 property that

00:22:39.799 --> 00:22:40.500
 had been sold

00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:41.059
 in order to

00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:41.619
 pay a debt.

00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:43.220
 A redeemer could

00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:43.900
 purchase a relative

00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:44.619
 out of slavery.

00:22:45.680 --> 00:22:46.519
 A redeemer could

00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:47.279
 marry a brother's

00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:48.859
 widow in order to

00:22:48.859 --> 00:22:49.599
 raise him a child

00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:50.380
 bearing a brother's

00:22:50.380 --> 00:22:50.759
 name.

00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:52.460
 A redeemer could

00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:53.380
 avenge a relative's

00:22:53.380 --> 00:22:54.319
 killing, assist in a

00:22:54.319 --> 00:22:55.240
 lawsuit, and ensure

00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:56.279
 that justice is served

00:22:56.279 --> 00:22:56.880
 for a relative.

00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:58.720
 Now, interestingly,

00:22:59.039 --> 00:22:59.900
 as far as we know,

00:23:00.720 --> 00:23:01.720
 this idea of a

00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:03.460
 redeemer was unique

00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:04.480
 to ancient Israel.

00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:06.299
 It wasn't a common

00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:07.380
 thing in the ancient

00:23:07.380 --> 00:23:07.720
 world.

00:23:07.819 --> 00:23:08.599
 It was a specific

00:23:08.599 --> 00:23:10.220
 provision of God's

00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:10.599
 law.

00:23:12.120 --> 00:23:13.120
 And the key aspect

00:23:13.120 --> 00:23:14.019
 that distinguished the

00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:15.460
 redeemer from other

00:23:15.460 --> 00:23:17.279
 kinds of helpers was

00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:18.620
 that the redeemer took

00:23:18.620 --> 00:23:20.640
 personal ownership of

00:23:20.640 --> 00:23:21.680
 the situation of the

00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:23.420
 person in need and of

00:23:23.420 --> 00:23:24.160
 their problems.

00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:25.920
 So a redeemer didn't

00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:26.640
 just give someone

00:23:26.640 --> 00:23:29.220
 advice or tell them

00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:29.900
 where they could get

00:23:29.900 --> 00:23:30.259
 help.

00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:31.259
 A redeemer didn't just

00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:33.940
 make referrals or

00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:34.579
 write a one-time

00:23:34.579 --> 00:23:35.039
 check.

00:23:35.660 --> 00:23:36.420
 A redeemer could

00:23:36.420 --> 00:23:38.859
 sustain ownership of

00:23:38.859 --> 00:23:40.099
 a person in distress

00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:41.900
 and all their

00:23:41.900 --> 00:23:42.519
 problems.

00:23:44.579 --> 00:23:45.759
 Now, in Boaz's case,

00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:47.119
 Ruth asked him to

00:23:47.119 --> 00:23:48.200
 marry her, and she

00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:50.240
 said, and she asked

00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:51.079
 him to do that on the

00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:53.539
 basis that you are a

00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:53.920
 redeemer.

00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:56.059
 In other words, it was

00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:57.319
 a relative in the clan

00:23:57.319 --> 00:23:59.420
 who was eligible to

00:23:59.420 --> 00:24:01.320
 fulfill this office,

00:24:01.440 --> 00:24:03.340
 this responsibility of

00:24:03.340 --> 00:24:04.240
 redeeming.

00:24:07.840 --> 00:24:09.980
 Now, as we saw last

00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:10.920
 week, Boaz's initial

00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:12.500
 response was, if I

00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:13.019
 could, I would.

00:24:13.380 --> 00:24:14.279
 But there's a

00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:15.000
 redeemer nearer than

00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:15.200
 I.

00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:15.860
 In other words, there's

00:24:15.860 --> 00:24:17.380
 a closer relative who

00:24:17.380 --> 00:24:18.820
 by law or custom has

00:24:18.820 --> 00:24:19.560
 first dibs.

00:24:20.600 --> 00:24:21.880
 And so, finally we get

00:24:21.880 --> 00:24:22.560
 to chapter 4.

00:24:24.340 --> 00:24:24.779
 Right?

00:24:24.900 --> 00:24:25.779
 Chapter 4, verse 1

00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:26.440
 through 6, we have

00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:26.940
 this extended

00:24:26.940 --> 00:24:27.860
 conversation between

00:24:27.860 --> 00:24:28.680
 Boaz and this

00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:29.480
 potential redeemer.

00:24:30.440 --> 00:24:31.160
 And you might, again,

00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:31.900
 you might wonder what

00:24:31.900 --> 00:24:32.799
 is going on here.

00:24:34.360 --> 00:24:35.160
 But remember back to

00:24:35.160 --> 00:24:35.720
 chapter 1.

00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:37.980
 There's this extended

00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:38.960
 contrast between

00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:40.720
 Orpah and Ruth,

00:24:41.600 --> 00:24:43.039
 the two Moabite

00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:44.980
 widows of

00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:45.960
 Naomi's sons.

00:24:47.259 --> 00:24:48.060
 At first, Orpah

00:24:48.060 --> 00:24:50.259
 says, Naomi, I'll

00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:51.000
 go back with you to

00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:51.500
 Bethlehem.

00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:53.160
 I'll join you on your

00:24:53.160 --> 00:24:53.440
 journey.

00:24:54.680 --> 00:24:55.680
 And then Naomi says,

00:24:56.700 --> 00:24:57.360
 well, that's very

00:24:57.359 --> 00:24:57.819
 generous.

00:24:58.259 --> 00:24:59.179
 But you realize what

00:24:59.179 --> 00:25:00.000
 it's going to cost you.

00:25:01.319 --> 00:25:02.279
 You'll probably never

00:25:02.279 --> 00:25:02.799
 get married.

00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:04.659
 You'll never have the

00:25:04.659 --> 00:25:06.419
 security of a husband

00:25:06.419 --> 00:25:07.219
 or the hope of a

00:25:07.219 --> 00:25:08.039
 legacy through having

00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:08.419
 children.

00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:09.619
 You'll be alone and

00:25:09.619 --> 00:25:10.639
 vulnerable in a foreign

00:25:10.639 --> 00:25:11.099
 land.

00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:15.039
 Go back home to your

00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:15.939
 mom and dad's house

00:25:15.939 --> 00:25:17.679
 and you'll have a bright

00:25:17.679 --> 00:25:18.039
 future.

00:25:19.919 --> 00:25:20.959
 And so Orpah sees what

00:25:20.959 --> 00:25:21.939
 the cost is and Orpah

00:25:21.939 --> 00:25:22.979
 makes the sensible,

00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:24.880
 reasonable, logical

00:25:24.880 --> 00:25:25.480
 choice.

00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:29.400
 She weeps, kisses

00:25:29.400 --> 00:25:30.380
 Naomi goodbye, and

00:25:30.380 --> 00:25:31.319
 goes back to Moab.

00:25:33.620 --> 00:25:35.680
 Now the Redeemer here

00:25:35.680 --> 00:25:37.259
 in chapter 4 is very

00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:38.160
 similar to Orpah.

00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:41.140
 At first, he's very

00:25:41.140 --> 00:25:42.599
 happy to buy the land,

00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:44.799
 take care of elderly

00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:45.880
 widow Naomi for

00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:47.059
 probably a few more

00:25:47.059 --> 00:25:47.900
 years, the rest of her

00:25:47.900 --> 00:25:48.259
 life.

00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:50.059
 And it's not a bad

00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:50.799
 deal for him in the

00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:51.299
 long run.

00:25:51.379 --> 00:25:52.359
 When Naomi dies, the

00:25:52.359 --> 00:25:53.059
 land will belong to

00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:53.339
 him.

00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:56.119
 But then Boaz says in

00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:56.859
 verse 5, do you

00:25:56.859 --> 00:25:57.599
 realize what it will

00:25:57.599 --> 00:25:58.159
 cost you?

00:25:59.879 --> 00:26:00.720
 The day goodbye the

00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:02.359
 field from the hand of

00:26:02.359 --> 00:26:03.279
 Naomi, who also

00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:04.720
 acquired Ruth the

00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:06.460
 Moabite, the widow of

00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:07.200
 the dead, in order to

00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:08.319
 perpetuate the name of

00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:08.940
 the dead and his

00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:09.299
 inheritance.

00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:11.839
 Now what does that

00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:12.059
 mean?

00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:14.680
 That means if he

00:26:14.680 --> 00:26:16.700
 marries Ruth, he

00:26:16.700 --> 00:26:17.680
 supports Ruth for the

00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.480
 rest of her life.

00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:19.779
 He supports her

00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.079
 children.

00:26:20.799 --> 00:26:21.779
 Her children get

00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:23.599
 Ruth's dead husband's

00:26:23.599 --> 00:26:25.819
 last name, not his.

00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:27.220
 And when the children

00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:29.480
 are grown, this guy

00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:29.940
 would have to give

00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:30.460
 them the land.

00:26:31.779 --> 00:26:32.619
 He doesn't come out

00:26:32.619 --> 00:26:33.799
 with anything for

00:26:33.799 --> 00:26:34.539
 himself in the long

00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:34.779
 run.

00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:38.039
 And so suddenly, he

00:26:38.039 --> 00:26:38.559
 backs down.

00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:41.899
 He sees the cost, and

00:26:41.899 --> 00:26:43.819
 he says, hmm, not

00:26:43.819 --> 00:26:44.440
 quite worth it.

00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.819
 And Boaz steps up to

00:26:46.819 --> 00:26:47.339
 steal the deed.

00:26:48.859 --> 00:26:49.720
 See, in both of these

00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:50.720
 cases, why is there

00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:52.160
 this extended contract,

00:26:52.880 --> 00:26:53.740
 right, this long

00:26:53.740 --> 00:26:54.259
 dialogue?

00:26:55.779 --> 00:26:56.620
 It's about the

00:26:56.620 --> 00:26:57.900
 costliness of

00:26:57.900 --> 00:26:58.299
 redemption.

00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:00.980
 The costliness of

00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:02.120
 redeeming love.

00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:03.460
 In chapter one,

00:27:03.559 --> 00:27:04.279
 Ruth counted the

00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:04.740
 cost.

00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.460
 She made the rare,

00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:09.079
 risky, restrictive

00:27:09.079 --> 00:27:10.299
 decision to be loyal

00:27:10.299 --> 00:27:11.160
 to Naomi and to

00:27:11.160 --> 00:27:12.400
 Naomi's God, leaving

00:27:12.400 --> 00:27:13.720
 everything behind in

00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:15.000
 in order to go with

00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:19.400
 her to Bethlehem, and

00:27:19.400 --> 00:27:20.000
 God honored her

00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:20.440
 decision.

00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:22.819
 Chapter four, here,

00:27:22.920 --> 00:27:24.000
 Boaz is counted the

00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:24.480
 cost.

00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:26.759
 And he chooses to

00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:28.100
 redeem Naomi, to

00:27:28.100 --> 00:27:29.779
 marry Ruth, and carry

00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:31.360
 on the name of the

00:27:31.360 --> 00:27:31.940
 family of a little

00:27:31.940 --> 00:27:32.279
 life.

00:27:33.460 --> 00:27:34.319
 He's not just

00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:35.420
 pursuing what will be

00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:36.180
 good for himself.

00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:37.940
 He's not even just

00:27:37.940 --> 00:27:40.000
 pursuing what he and

00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:40.640
 Ruth would enjoy

00:27:40.640 --> 00:27:41.080
 with the others.

00:27:41.200 --> 00:27:42.940
 And Eric, he's

00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:45.220
 carrying, he's

00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:46.300
 stepping into this

00:27:46.300 --> 00:27:47.240
 responsibility of

00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:49.280
 being a redeemer for

00:27:49.280 --> 00:27:49.980
 the family, for the

00:27:49.980 --> 00:27:50.460
 whole family.

00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:52.820
 God honors Boaz's

00:27:52.820 --> 00:27:53.259
 decision.

00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:55.840
 I threw Boaz

00:27:55.840 --> 00:27:56.160
 and Ruth.

00:27:56.300 --> 00:27:58.380
 God came to

00:27:58.380 --> 00:27:59.540
 redeem his people by

00:27:59.540 --> 00:28:00.580
 raising up a son who

00:28:00.580 --> 00:28:00.900
 would be the

00:28:00.900 --> 00:28:01.720
 grandfather of King

00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:01.980
 David.

00:28:03.420 --> 00:28:04.020
 And of course, we

00:28:04.020 --> 00:28:04.840
 can see in hindsight,

00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:05.680
 God was preparing the

00:28:05.680 --> 00:28:06.400
 way for a greater

00:28:06.400 --> 00:28:07.240
 redeemer to come.

00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:09.160
 For Jesus, the Son of

00:28:09.160 --> 00:28:10.480
 God, who became our

00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:11.960
 brother, to deliver

00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:12.860
 us from bondage, to

00:28:12.860 --> 00:28:14.940
 redeem us in every

00:28:14.940 --> 00:28:17.640
 sense of the word, to

00:28:17.640 --> 00:28:20.940
 take ownership of

00:28:20.940 --> 00:28:25.140
 our deepest problem, to

00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:26.920
 bind himself to us in

00:28:26.920 --> 00:28:27.860
 covenant love and

00:28:27.860 --> 00:28:29.519
 faithfulness, and say,

00:28:29.599 --> 00:28:30.660
 I will be yours and

00:28:30.660 --> 00:28:32.299
 you will be mine, and

00:28:32.299 --> 00:28:33.299
 I will give you all

00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:36.319
 that I have, all my

00:28:36.319 --> 00:28:37.700
 riches and

00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:38.640
 righteousness and

00:28:38.640 --> 00:28:40.099
 joy, and I will take

00:28:40.099 --> 00:28:42.919
 all of your sin and

00:28:42.919 --> 00:28:44.199
 all of your despair and

00:28:44.199 --> 00:28:45.019
 all of your bitterness,

00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:49.480
 and I will be yours and

00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:50.359
 you will be mine forever.

00:28:51.819 --> 00:28:52.759
 So we come to the

00:28:52.759 --> 00:28:53.399
 conclusion of our

00:28:53.399 --> 00:28:53.719
 story.

00:28:55.119 --> 00:28:56.119
 Forbitterness, despair,

00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:57.459
 famine, to blessing,

00:28:57.599 --> 00:28:58.199
 hope, and fullness.

00:28:59.139 --> 00:29:00.139
 God's initiative to

00:29:00.139 --> 00:29:01.679
 return Naomi, Ruth's

00:29:01.679 --> 00:29:02.659
 initiative to glean,

00:29:03.339 --> 00:29:05.019
 Naomi's initiative to

00:29:05.019 --> 00:29:07.019
 petition, and Boaz's

00:29:07.019 --> 00:29:09.200
 initiative to redeem, and

00:29:09.200 --> 00:29:12.359
 God's blessing at the

00:29:12.359 --> 00:29:12.619
 end.

00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:14.039
 So that's the

00:29:14.039 --> 00:29:14.859
 storyline of Ruth in

00:29:14.859 --> 00:29:15.240
 a nutshell.

00:29:17.079 --> 00:29:19.480
 Now, what are the

00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:20.500
 implications for us?

00:29:22.420 --> 00:29:25.119
 I want to consider some

00:29:25.119 --> 00:29:26.099
 implications of this

00:29:26.099 --> 00:29:27.720
 storyline for us as

00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:29.019
 individuals in our

00:29:29.019 --> 00:29:30.799
 family relationships, and

00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:33.579
 for us as members of

00:29:33.579 --> 00:29:34.559
 God's church as people

00:29:34.559 --> 00:29:36.399
 who belong to Jesus.

00:29:38.039 --> 00:29:40.339
 So first, as

00:29:40.339 --> 00:29:41.139
 individuals and as

00:29:41.139 --> 00:29:42.139
 families, how do we

00:29:42.139 --> 00:29:45.019
 move from bitterness to

00:29:45.019 --> 00:29:45.759
 blessing and from

00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:46.099
 despair?

00:29:47.579 --> 00:29:48.759
 Now, one of the things

00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:49.579
 that the book of Ruth

00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:51.899
 shows us is that this

00:29:51.899 --> 00:29:53.439
 is an ongoing process,

00:29:53.899 --> 00:29:54.839
 not an instantaneous

00:29:54.839 --> 00:29:55.679
 transformation.

00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:58.519
 Naomi's journey from

00:29:58.519 --> 00:29:59.379
 bitterness to blessing

00:29:59.379 --> 00:30:00.939
 does not happen in one

00:30:00.940 --> 00:30:03.100
 night, or one week.

00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:09.180
 It takes a year, right?

00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:10.019
 And when she arrives

00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:10.740
 home at the beginning

00:30:10.740 --> 00:30:11.759
 of barley harvest, that

00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:13.640
 will be April, to the

00:30:13.640 --> 00:30:14.640
 end of barley wheat

00:30:14.640 --> 00:30:16.200
 harvest, when she plots

00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:16.980
 to set up a roof with

00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:18.259
 Boaz, probably late

00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:21.720
 June, and then at least

00:30:21.720 --> 00:30:23.019
 nine more months after

00:30:23.019 --> 00:30:24.259
 they get married, until

00:30:24.259 --> 00:30:27.799
 baby Obed is born, and

00:30:27.799 --> 00:30:29.460
 she's precipitating this

00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:30.299
 blessing at the end.

00:30:30.940 --> 00:30:32.100
 And even at the end, if

00:30:32.100 --> 00:30:33.279
 you read chapter 4, verse

00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:35.680
 15, there may be a

00:30:35.680 --> 00:30:36.779
 subtle hint that Naomi's

00:30:36.779 --> 00:30:37.660
 journey isn't quite

00:30:37.660 --> 00:30:38.279
 finished yet.

00:30:38.360 --> 00:30:40.160
 She still doesn't fully

00:30:40.160 --> 00:30:42.380
 recognize the depth of

00:30:42.380 --> 00:30:44.019
 Ruth's sacrificial love.

00:30:44.980 --> 00:30:45.799
 And so the women of the

00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:47.700
 town have to remind her

00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:50.320
 of that, and how valuable

00:30:50.320 --> 00:30:51.140
 Ruth has been to her.

00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:53.400
 But let me point out four

00:30:53.400 --> 00:30:54.480
 steps along Naomi's

00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:55.600
 journey that might be

00:30:55.600 --> 00:30:57.100
 helpful for us to keep

00:30:57.100 --> 00:30:57.539
 in mind.

00:30:57.539 --> 00:31:01.500
 journey at an individual

00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:02.279
 and family level.

00:31:02.379 --> 00:31:03.599
 So first, repentance.

00:31:05.379 --> 00:31:06.839
 Naomi's journey began with

00:31:06.839 --> 00:31:07.980
 God's kindness leading her

00:31:07.980 --> 00:31:08.659
 to repentance.

00:31:09.339 --> 00:31:10.920
 She felt bitter toward God.

00:31:12.079 --> 00:31:13.220
 She was angry at her

00:31:13.220 --> 00:31:15.879
 misfortunes, perhaps, but she

00:31:15.879 --> 00:31:18.940
 immediately left behind the

00:31:18.940 --> 00:31:21.899
 paganism of Moab and returned

00:31:21.899 --> 00:31:23.940
 home to God's people and God's

00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:24.339
 promises.

00:31:24.339 --> 00:31:27.439
 See, the path of bitterness

00:31:27.439 --> 00:31:29.799
 to blessing begins with

00:31:29.799 --> 00:31:31.659
 repentance prompted by God's

00:31:31.659 --> 00:31:32.119
 grace.

00:31:33.939 --> 00:31:36.299
 Returning to God's promises

00:31:36.299 --> 00:31:39.579
 and God's people, even if

00:31:39.579 --> 00:31:40.980
 there's still a lot of

00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:42.779
 bitterness and questions and

00:31:42.779 --> 00:31:44.000
 doubts there.

00:31:46.419 --> 00:31:47.000
 So repentance.

00:31:47.539 --> 00:31:49.539
 Second, Naomi's journey

00:31:49.539 --> 00:31:51.699
 continued with God's provision

00:31:51.699 --> 00:31:53.339
 of a loyal relative, Ruth.

00:31:53.339 --> 00:31:54.859
 Ruth's loyalty.

00:31:56.419 --> 00:31:57.720
 At first, we saw that Naomi

00:31:57.720 --> 00:31:58.500
 didn't even acknowledge

00:31:58.500 --> 00:31:59.379
 Ruth's presence.

00:32:01.419 --> 00:32:03.119
 But Ruth kept on loving her

00:32:03.119 --> 00:32:03.599
 nonetheless.

00:32:04.619 --> 00:32:06.019
 Despite Naomi's expressions

00:32:06.019 --> 00:32:07.619
 of bitterness and hopelessness,

00:32:08.220 --> 00:32:09.199
 Ruth stuck with her.

00:32:09.740 --> 00:32:11.079
 At the beginning of chapter 2,

00:32:12.399 --> 00:32:13.559
 Ruth and Naomi have come back

00:32:13.559 --> 00:32:14.199
 to Bethlehem.

00:32:14.299 --> 00:32:15.579
 This is Naomi's home turf.

00:32:17.179 --> 00:32:18.519
 Naomi knows how things work

00:32:18.519 --> 00:32:18.839
 here.

00:32:20.019 --> 00:32:22.000
 But Naomi, but Ruth, has to

00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:22.700
 take the initiative.

00:32:24.619 --> 00:32:26.380
 Even though she's a foreigner,

00:32:27.220 --> 00:32:28.339
 Ruth has to get up and say,

00:32:28.440 --> 00:32:30.259
 let me go to the field and

00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:30.579
 glean.

00:32:30.940 --> 00:32:32.960
 Let me seek food for us so that

00:32:32.960 --> 00:32:34.519
 we can live and survive.

00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:39.579
 Naomi's despair fostered idleness.

00:32:40.119 --> 00:32:41.859
 Ruth's initiative became a means of

00:32:41.859 --> 00:32:43.480
 God's sustaining grace.

00:32:43.480 --> 00:32:44.480
 Ruth's prayer.

00:32:44.480 --> 00:32:44.860
 Ruth's prayer.

00:32:44.860 --> 00:32:46.319
 Brothers and sisters, let me

00:32:46.319 --> 00:32:49.140
 encourage you not to give up

00:32:49.140 --> 00:32:52.160
 loving someone who is stuck

00:32:52.160 --> 00:32:54.279
 in a season of bitterness and

00:32:54.279 --> 00:32:54.720
 despair.

00:32:55.839 --> 00:32:57.599
 They may not thank you now,

00:32:58.960 --> 00:33:01.360
 but you are a means of God's

00:33:01.360 --> 00:33:02.720
 sustaining grace for them,

00:33:03.420 --> 00:33:04.799
 as Ruth was, or named.

00:33:04.799 --> 00:33:09.359
 Third, there's repentance.

00:33:09.639 --> 00:33:10.680
 Naomi's repentance for his

00:33:10.680 --> 00:33:11.039
 loyalty.

00:33:11.960 --> 00:33:13.680
 Third, there's surprising

00:33:13.680 --> 00:33:14.139
 provision.

00:33:14.319 --> 00:33:16.940
 Boaz's surprising generosity.

00:33:18.659 --> 00:33:19.759
 And we actually see that God

00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:23.419
 releases Naomi from at least some

00:33:23.419 --> 00:33:26.379
 of her cloud of bitterness by

00:33:26.379 --> 00:33:27.680
 surprising her with generous

00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:29.000
 provision in a time of great

00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:29.220
 need.

00:33:29.299 --> 00:33:30.680
 When Ruth came home that day,

00:33:30.680 --> 00:33:34.880
 carried 30 pounds of barley and

00:33:34.880 --> 00:33:36.700
 a whole plate of leftovers from

00:33:36.700 --> 00:33:39.759
 dinner with Boaz and his family,

00:33:41.400 --> 00:33:42.720
 Naomi's spirit revived.

00:33:44.180 --> 00:33:45.420
 Chapter 2, verse 19, she says,

00:33:45.539 --> 00:33:46.700
 Blessed be the man who did

00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:47.360
 notice of you.

00:33:47.580 --> 00:33:49.220
 May he be blessed by the Lord,

00:33:49.680 --> 00:33:50.960
 whose kindness is not for

00:33:50.960 --> 00:33:51.920
 sake from the living and the

00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:52.120
 dead.

00:33:52.340 --> 00:33:54.940
 Naomi begins to see beyond

00:33:54.940 --> 00:33:55.480
 herself.

00:33:57.720 --> 00:33:59.279
 Instead of merely lamenting her

00:33:59.279 --> 00:34:00.340
 emptiness for Naomi,

00:34:00.339 --> 00:34:02.579
 blesses God for somebody else's

00:34:02.579 --> 00:34:03.299
 kindness.

00:34:06.679 --> 00:34:08.219
 Sometimes God's surprising,

00:34:08.819 --> 00:34:13.340
 generous provision releases us

00:34:13.340 --> 00:34:14.759
 from bitterness and despair.

00:34:15.199 --> 00:34:17.460
 It gives us new joy and hope.

00:34:19.279 --> 00:34:20.460
 There's been a few times in the

00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:22.799
 past year when someone or some

00:34:22.799 --> 00:34:24.679
 group of people has caught me off

00:34:24.679 --> 00:34:27.500
 guard as an unexpectedly generous

00:34:27.500 --> 00:34:28.599
 and undeserved gift.

00:34:28.599 --> 00:34:32.019
 These expressions of generosity have

00:34:32.019 --> 00:34:34.119
 lifted my spirits and renewed my

00:34:34.119 --> 00:34:34.519
 joy.

00:34:35.179 --> 00:34:36.779
 Sometimes they tend to come to miss

00:34:36.779 --> 00:34:37.980
 the most stressful times.

00:34:40.259 --> 00:34:41.179
 But brothers and sisters, maybe

00:34:41.179 --> 00:34:42.719
 delight in surprising others.

00:34:45.079 --> 00:34:46.980
 Consider if you can surprise with an

00:34:46.980 --> 00:34:50.339
 expression of generosity that's not

00:34:50.339 --> 00:34:52.420
 just the bare minimum of what they

00:34:52.420 --> 00:34:55.380
 need, but as Boaz did for Ruth,

00:34:55.380 --> 00:34:58.000
 laugh is provisional.

00:35:00.000 --> 00:35:01.960
 Because this is part of how God

00:35:01.960 --> 00:35:03.840
 releases his people from bitterness

00:35:03.840 --> 00:35:06.700
 and fills us with hope.

00:35:09.200 --> 00:35:12.440
 Fourth, unselfish love.

00:35:15.240 --> 00:35:16.720
 Naomi's journey from bitterness to

00:35:16.720 --> 00:35:18.300
 blessing continued as she looked

00:35:18.300 --> 00:35:21.320
 outside of herself, as she considered

00:35:21.320 --> 00:35:23.500
 Ruth's future more highly than her own.

00:35:23.500 --> 00:35:25.239
 You see, the journey from bitterness to

00:35:25.239 --> 00:35:29.400
 blessing is not just about God

00:35:29.400 --> 00:35:31.440
 changing our external circumstances,

00:35:32.000 --> 00:35:34.639
 or even bringing surprisingly generous

00:35:34.639 --> 00:35:35.760
 people into our life.

00:35:36.400 --> 00:35:38.880
 It's also a developing internal

00:35:38.880 --> 00:35:42.380
 resolve, nourished by the Holy Spirit

00:35:42.380 --> 00:35:46.280
 to love as Christ has loved us.

00:35:46.280 --> 00:35:49.519
 And we see that in Naomi's initiative on

00:35:49.519 --> 00:35:50.960
 Ruth's behalf in chapter 3.

00:35:53.160 --> 00:35:55.240
 Naomi said, should I not seek rest for you?

00:35:56.040 --> 00:35:57.420
 That it may be well with you.

00:35:58.780 --> 00:36:00.840
 Naomi wasn't plotting to advance her own

00:36:00.840 --> 00:36:01.420
 status.

00:36:02.840 --> 00:36:06.340
 She wasn't clinging to Ruth and saying,

00:36:06.400 --> 00:36:07.500
 don't you ever dare leave me.

00:36:08.660 --> 00:36:11.160
 She was seeking what would be best for

00:36:11.160 --> 00:36:11.480
 Ruth.

00:36:11.480 --> 00:36:14.599
 looking outside herself

00:36:14.599 --> 00:36:17.539
 and loving unselfishly,

00:36:17.539 --> 00:36:19.159
 even when her own future

00:36:19.159 --> 00:36:21.460
 was precarious and uncertain.

00:36:24.059 --> 00:36:26.300
 You see, the basic pattern of Scripture is this.

00:36:27.039 --> 00:36:29.760
 Our faith is rooted in the love of God for us.

00:36:31.139 --> 00:36:32.099
 That's where it starts.

00:36:32.139 --> 00:36:33.619
 It doesn't start with us loving God.

00:36:33.699 --> 00:36:34.880
 It starts with God loving us.

00:36:34.960 --> 00:36:36.579
 We love because He first loved us.

00:36:36.579 --> 00:36:39.860
 But our faith matures in part

00:36:39.860 --> 00:36:43.219
 when we extend ourselves in Christ's love to others.

00:36:44.039 --> 00:36:45.599
 Jesus said, the one who loves me

00:36:45.599 --> 00:36:47.599
 will be loved by my Father

00:36:47.599 --> 00:36:48.779
 and I will love him

00:36:48.779 --> 00:36:50.900
 and manifest myself to him.

00:36:52.539 --> 00:36:55.079
 Paul Miller put it this way.

00:36:56.219 --> 00:36:58.940
 He said, love deepens faith.

00:37:01.319 --> 00:37:02.139
 And he says this.

00:37:02.960 --> 00:37:03.819
 He says, many Christians,

00:37:03.819 --> 00:37:04.420
 which I found,

00:37:04.420 --> 00:37:06.300
 I thought it was quite insightful,

00:37:06.460 --> 00:37:07.920
 he said, many Christians get stuck

00:37:07.920 --> 00:37:09.860
 trying to grow their faith

00:37:09.860 --> 00:37:10.960
 by growing their faith.

00:37:12.860 --> 00:37:14.019
 Practically, this means

00:37:14.019 --> 00:37:16.180
 combining spiritual disciplines,

00:37:17.280 --> 00:37:17.980
 reading the Word,

00:37:18.180 --> 00:37:18.539
 praying,

00:37:18.659 --> 00:37:20.639
 with reflecting on the love of God for them.

00:37:21.639 --> 00:37:22.220
 But he says,

00:37:22.280 --> 00:37:23.780
 that will only get you so far.

00:37:24.800 --> 00:37:26.320
 In fact, sometimes it can lead

00:37:26.320 --> 00:37:27.639
 to spiritual moodiness,

00:37:27.960 --> 00:37:30.380
 where you're constantly taking your calls,

00:37:30.780 --> 00:37:31.840
 wondering how much you know

00:37:31.840 --> 00:37:33.099
 the love of God for you.

00:37:33.099 --> 00:37:36.579
 Or you go on an endless idle hunt,

00:37:36.940 --> 00:37:38.420
 trying to uncover

00:37:38.420 --> 00:37:39.900
 ever deeper layers of sin,

00:37:40.019 --> 00:37:40.779
 oddly enough.

00:37:41.219 --> 00:37:42.159
 He says this can lead to

00:37:42.159 --> 00:37:43.739
 a kind of spiritual narcissism,

00:37:44.400 --> 00:37:45.319
 self-centeredness.

00:37:46.339 --> 00:37:46.799
 But he says,

00:37:46.860 --> 00:37:49.259
 Naomi and Ruth discover God's blessing

00:37:49.259 --> 00:37:52.219
 and grow in their knowledge of him

00:37:52.219 --> 00:37:53.139
 as they obey.

00:37:54.679 --> 00:37:56.039
 As they extend themselves

00:37:56.039 --> 00:37:57.940
 in unselfish love

00:37:57.940 --> 00:37:59.339
 for the other people

00:37:59.339 --> 00:38:01.940
 that God has put right in their lives.

00:38:01.940 --> 00:38:04.099
 So he says,

00:38:04.159 --> 00:38:04.840
 instead of running

00:38:04.840 --> 00:38:06.179
 from the really hard thing

00:38:06.179 --> 00:38:06.840
 in your life,

00:38:07.420 --> 00:38:09.200
 embrace it as a gift from God

00:38:09.200 --> 00:38:10.920
 to draw you more deeply

00:38:10.920 --> 00:38:12.500
 into his life.

00:38:13.500 --> 00:38:14.880
 Into the life of Christ.

00:38:17.000 --> 00:38:18.880
 So these are four parts

00:38:18.880 --> 00:38:19.820
 of Naomi's journey.

00:38:21.820 --> 00:38:22.260
 Repentance,

00:38:22.619 --> 00:38:23.639
 her own repentance,

00:38:24.599 --> 00:38:26.940
 Ruth's steadfast loyalty,

00:38:27.340 --> 00:38:29.340
 Boaz's surprising generosity,

00:38:29.340 --> 00:38:31.460
 and God's work in her heart

00:38:31.460 --> 00:38:33.780
 to make her a person

00:38:33.780 --> 00:38:35.000
 of unselfish love.

00:38:37.800 --> 00:38:40.079
 So that's some of the individual

00:38:40.079 --> 00:38:41.360
 and family journey.

00:38:42.100 --> 00:38:43.180
 What about as a church?

00:38:44.780 --> 00:38:46.059
 What's the path of family

00:38:46.059 --> 00:38:46.620
 to fullness?

00:38:48.680 --> 00:38:48.920
 You know,

00:38:48.940 --> 00:38:49.760
 we live in a time,

00:38:50.700 --> 00:38:51.559
 in many ways,

00:38:51.620 --> 00:38:52.480
 it's increasingly like

00:38:52.480 --> 00:38:53.340
 the time of the judges

00:38:53.340 --> 00:38:55.920
 when Ruth and Boaz

00:38:55.920 --> 00:38:57.220
 and Boaz lived.

00:38:58.280 --> 00:38:59.180
 In some people's minds,

00:38:59.300 --> 00:39:00.180
 the future of the church

00:39:00.180 --> 00:39:01.300
 in the West is bleak.

00:39:03.440 --> 00:39:04.760
 What does the book of Ruth

00:39:04.760 --> 00:39:05.480
 have to say to us

00:39:05.480 --> 00:39:06.039
 as a church?

00:39:07.920 --> 00:39:08.340
 Well,

00:39:08.380 --> 00:39:08.900
 at one level,

00:39:09.640 --> 00:39:10.340
 it reminds us

00:39:10.340 --> 00:39:10.920
 that renewal,

00:39:11.300 --> 00:39:11.760
 revival,

00:39:11.940 --> 00:39:12.980
 is a gift from God.

00:39:14.360 --> 00:39:16.039
 There are two explicit statements

00:39:16.039 --> 00:39:17.019
 of God's action

00:39:17.019 --> 00:39:17.680
 in this book.

00:39:18.180 --> 00:39:18.720
 At the beginning,

00:39:18.880 --> 00:39:19.340
 chapter 1,

00:39:19.400 --> 00:39:19.840
 verse 6,

00:39:19.920 --> 00:39:20.559
 the Lord visited

00:39:20.559 --> 00:39:21.000
 his people

00:39:21.000 --> 00:39:22.139
 and gave them food.

00:39:22.679 --> 00:39:23.320
 God's kindness

00:39:23.320 --> 00:39:24.760
 sets the whole story in motion.

00:39:25.260 --> 00:39:26.559
 If the famine hadn't ended,

00:39:26.820 --> 00:39:27.639
 Naomi would have stayed

00:39:27.639 --> 00:39:28.239
 in Moab

00:39:28.239 --> 00:39:28.980
 and none of this

00:39:28.980 --> 00:39:29.579
 would have happened.

00:39:30.719 --> 00:39:31.400
 At the end,

00:39:31.480 --> 00:39:31.980
 chapter 4,

00:39:32.039 --> 00:39:32.659
 verse 13,

00:39:33.059 --> 00:39:34.079
 the Lord gave Ruth

00:39:34.079 --> 00:39:34.539
 conception

00:39:34.539 --> 00:39:35.539
 and she bore a son.

00:39:36.599 --> 00:39:37.000
 Again,

00:39:37.119 --> 00:39:37.760
 if Ruth had remained

00:39:37.760 --> 00:39:38.480
 childless

00:39:38.480 --> 00:39:39.519
 and it seems

00:39:39.519 --> 00:39:40.320
 that she had been married

00:39:40.320 --> 00:39:41.559
 for 10 years in Moab

00:39:41.559 --> 00:39:43.059
 and had no children there,

00:39:44.480 --> 00:39:45.260
 if she had remained

00:39:45.260 --> 00:39:45.920
 childless,

00:39:46.440 --> 00:39:47.420
 the family of the limelight

00:39:47.420 --> 00:39:48.300
 would have died off

00:39:48.300 --> 00:39:49.039
 and King David

00:39:49.039 --> 00:39:49.940
 never would have been born.

00:39:51.440 --> 00:39:52.599
 As the psalmist says,

00:39:52.679 --> 00:39:53.340
 if the Lord doesn't

00:39:53.340 --> 00:39:54.079
 build the house,

00:39:54.639 --> 00:39:55.320
 the builders labor

00:39:55.320 --> 00:39:55.780
 and vain.

00:39:58.000 --> 00:39:58.579
 But while the book

00:39:58.579 --> 00:39:59.500
 of Ruth affirms

00:39:59.500 --> 00:40:00.219
 God's sovereignty

00:40:00.219 --> 00:40:01.239
 over all things

00:40:01.239 --> 00:40:02.219
 and our utter dependence

00:40:02.219 --> 00:40:02.639
 on Him,

00:40:02.699 --> 00:40:03.880
 the emphasis of Ruth

00:40:03.880 --> 00:40:05.360
 is that God

00:40:05.360 --> 00:40:07.059
 accomplishes His purposes

00:40:07.059 --> 00:40:08.800
 through people who love

00:40:08.800 --> 00:40:10.320
 and people who pray.

00:40:11.820 --> 00:40:12.820
 That God works

00:40:12.820 --> 00:40:15.039
 through human agents.

00:40:16.179 --> 00:40:16.780
 God's activity

00:40:16.780 --> 00:40:17.519
 is hidden,

00:40:18.880 --> 00:40:19.980
 yet He is continuously

00:40:19.980 --> 00:40:21.500
 present and continuously

00:40:21.500 --> 00:40:22.639
 working out His purposes

00:40:22.639 --> 00:40:23.960
 through the initiative

00:40:23.960 --> 00:40:26.240
 of Ruth to glean,

00:40:26.360 --> 00:40:27.079
 through the initiative

00:40:27.079 --> 00:40:27.719
 of Naomi

00:40:27.719 --> 00:40:29.840
 to petition Boaz,

00:40:29.940 --> 00:40:31.539
 through Boaz's initiative

00:40:31.539 --> 00:40:32.159
 to redeem.

00:40:34.539 --> 00:40:35.699
 The story is framed

00:40:35.699 --> 00:40:36.360
 by two,

00:40:36.719 --> 00:40:37.920
 only two statements

00:40:37.920 --> 00:40:39.300
 of God's explicit action,

00:40:39.659 --> 00:40:40.559
 the beginning and the end,

00:40:40.619 --> 00:40:42.039
 not because God is absent

00:40:42.039 --> 00:40:43.639
 from the rest of the story,

00:40:43.639 --> 00:40:46.619
 but to show that the whole story

00:40:46.619 --> 00:40:47.440
 is framed

00:40:47.440 --> 00:40:49.440
 by God's guiding presence

00:40:49.440 --> 00:40:50.179
 and sovereignty.

00:40:51.920 --> 00:40:52.879
 In all these things,

00:40:52.960 --> 00:40:53.579
 God is at work

00:40:53.579 --> 00:40:54.519
 for the good of His people.

00:40:56.299 --> 00:40:57.379
 We also see

00:40:57.379 --> 00:40:58.079
 in the book of Ruth,

00:40:58.159 --> 00:40:59.319
 God's plan is carried forward

00:40:59.319 --> 00:41:00.039
 by prayer.

00:41:02.099 --> 00:41:03.179
 There's not a lot of statements

00:41:03.179 --> 00:41:04.259
 that explicitly talk about

00:41:04.259 --> 00:41:05.039
 what God does,

00:41:05.099 --> 00:41:06.079
 but there's a lot of statements,

00:41:06.139 --> 00:41:07.199
 there's a lot of expressions

00:41:07.199 --> 00:41:08.639
 calling on God

00:41:08.639 --> 00:41:09.480
 to bless people.

00:41:10.599 --> 00:41:11.199
 Chapter 1,

00:41:11.319 --> 00:41:12.119
 Naomi blesses

00:41:12.119 --> 00:41:12.920
 Ruth in Orpah.

00:41:14.000 --> 00:41:15.539
 May the Lord deal kindly with you,

00:41:15.619 --> 00:41:16.219
 the Lord grant

00:41:16.219 --> 00:41:17.179
 that you may find rest.

00:41:18.880 --> 00:41:19.480
 Chapter 2,

00:41:19.579 --> 00:41:20.619
 Boaz blesses Ruth.

00:41:20.739 --> 00:41:21.659
 The Lord repay you

00:41:21.659 --> 00:41:22.480
 for what you've done.

00:41:24.119 --> 00:41:25.380
 A full reward be given you

00:41:25.380 --> 00:41:25.940
 by the Lord

00:41:25.940 --> 00:41:26.819
 under whose wings

00:41:26.819 --> 00:41:27.380
 you have come

00:41:27.380 --> 00:41:28.059
 to take refuge.

00:41:28.960 --> 00:41:29.559
 Chapter 2,

00:41:29.639 --> 00:41:30.980
 Naomi blesses Boaz.

00:41:31.039 --> 00:41:31.779
 May he be blessed

00:41:31.779 --> 00:41:32.400
 by the Lord.

00:41:33.880 --> 00:41:34.719
 Chapter 4,

00:41:34.960 --> 00:41:35.599
 verse 11,

00:41:36.400 --> 00:41:38.460
 the elders of Bethlehem

00:41:38.460 --> 00:41:38.940
 and the people

00:41:38.940 --> 00:41:39.819
 at the city gate

00:41:39.819 --> 00:41:41.500
 bless Ruth and Boaz.

00:41:42.119 --> 00:41:45.699
 was a blessing

00:41:45.699 --> 00:41:47.000
 that through them

00:41:47.000 --> 00:41:48.000
 the house of Israel

00:41:48.000 --> 00:41:48.859
 would be built up.

00:41:51.039 --> 00:41:51.799
 And finally,

00:41:51.900 --> 00:41:52.659
 the women of Bethlehem

00:41:52.659 --> 00:41:53.339
 blessed Naomi

00:41:53.339 --> 00:41:55.480
 in 4, 14 and 15.

00:41:57.319 --> 00:41:58.279
 Now what's the point

00:41:58.279 --> 00:41:59.199
 of all these prayers

00:41:59.199 --> 00:41:59.659
 of blessing?

00:42:01.239 --> 00:42:01.940
 You know that

00:42:01.940 --> 00:42:03.339
 every one of these prayers

00:42:03.339 --> 00:42:04.559
 in the book of Ruth

00:42:04.559 --> 00:42:05.420
 is answered.

00:42:08.420 --> 00:42:09.440
 Naomi's prayer

00:42:09.440 --> 00:42:10.079
 for Ruth

00:42:10.079 --> 00:42:12.019
 and Orpah.

00:42:14.340 --> 00:42:15.220
 Boaz's prayer

00:42:15.220 --> 00:42:15.780
 for Ruth

00:42:15.780 --> 00:42:16.340
 that she would

00:42:16.340 --> 00:42:17.659
 be rewarded

00:42:17.659 --> 00:42:18.400
 by the Lord

00:42:18.400 --> 00:42:19.119
 under whose wings

00:42:19.119 --> 00:42:19.519
 she's come

00:42:19.519 --> 00:42:20.159
 to take refuge.

00:42:20.300 --> 00:42:21.119
 Naomi's blessing

00:42:21.119 --> 00:42:21.900
 on Boaz

00:42:21.900 --> 00:42:23.000
 that he would be blessed.

00:42:23.679 --> 00:42:24.940
 The elders of Bethlehem's

00:42:24.940 --> 00:42:26.440
 blessing on Boaz's

00:42:26.440 --> 00:42:27.880
 and Ruth's marriage

00:42:27.880 --> 00:42:28.980
 and the blessing

00:42:28.980 --> 00:42:29.440
 of the women

00:42:29.440 --> 00:42:29.980
 of Bethlehem

00:42:29.980 --> 00:42:30.519
 on Naomi

00:42:30.519 --> 00:42:31.920
 that God would

00:42:31.920 --> 00:42:32.920
 restore her life

00:42:32.920 --> 00:42:34.559
 and nourish her

00:42:34.559 --> 00:42:35.400
 in her old age.

00:42:35.400 --> 00:42:37.260
 every one of these

00:42:37.260 --> 00:42:38.820
 prayers is answered.

00:42:41.500 --> 00:42:42.460
 So the book of Ruth

00:42:42.460 --> 00:42:43.420
 encourages us to pray.

00:42:45.440 --> 00:42:45.880
 In the midst

00:42:45.880 --> 00:42:46.700
 of troubled times

00:42:46.700 --> 00:42:47.480
 in our own life

00:42:47.480 --> 00:42:48.119
 and our family

00:42:48.119 --> 00:42:48.840
 and the church

00:42:48.840 --> 00:42:51.619
 and the world

00:42:51.619 --> 00:42:53.960
 let us call upon

00:42:53.960 --> 00:42:54.500
 the Lord

00:42:54.500 --> 00:42:56.980
 to shower his blessing

00:42:56.980 --> 00:42:57.619
 upon us

00:42:57.619 --> 00:42:58.300
 and our families

00:42:58.300 --> 00:42:59.539
 and our future generations.

00:43:00.660 --> 00:43:01.400
 Sometimes we'll see

00:43:01.400 --> 00:43:01.840
 the answers

00:43:01.840 --> 00:43:02.700
 to our prayers.

00:43:04.019 --> 00:43:05.059
 Sometimes like Boaz

00:43:05.059 --> 00:43:05.920
 we won't become

00:43:05.920 --> 00:43:07.019
 part of the answer

00:43:07.019 --> 00:43:07.699
 to our prayers.

00:43:07.860 --> 00:43:08.599
 Boaz prays

00:43:08.599 --> 00:43:09.219
 that God would

00:43:09.219 --> 00:43:10.739
 protect Ruth

00:43:10.739 --> 00:43:11.579
 under his wings

00:43:11.579 --> 00:43:13.279
 and then in the next chapter

00:43:13.279 --> 00:43:13.980
 Ruth says

00:43:13.980 --> 00:43:15.119
 spread your weight

00:43:15.119 --> 00:43:15.639
 over me.

00:43:17.400 --> 00:43:18.239
 Boaz becomes

00:43:18.239 --> 00:43:19.179
 part of God's

00:43:19.179 --> 00:43:20.860
 answer to his own prayer.

00:43:22.960 --> 00:43:24.039
 Sometimes our prayers

00:43:24.039 --> 00:43:24.799
 will be answered

00:43:24.799 --> 00:43:26.799
 long after we have

00:43:26.799 --> 00:43:27.360
 finished our

00:43:27.360 --> 00:43:28.099
 earthly pilgrimage.

00:43:29.679 --> 00:43:29.900
 You see,

00:43:29.960 --> 00:43:30.759
 Obed was the grandfather

00:43:30.759 --> 00:43:31.460
 of King David

00:43:31.460 --> 00:43:32.719
 but Ruth and Boaz

00:43:32.719 --> 00:43:33.759
 didn't live to see that.

00:43:35.059 --> 00:43:36.880
 often it's only

00:43:36.880 --> 00:43:37.460
 in hindsight

00:43:37.460 --> 00:43:38.299
 that we can see

00:43:38.299 --> 00:43:38.900
 what the Lord

00:43:38.900 --> 00:43:39.679
 has been doing

00:43:39.679 --> 00:43:41.320
 and given the shortness

00:43:41.320 --> 00:43:41.880
 of our lives

00:43:41.880 --> 00:43:42.360
 on earth

00:43:42.360 --> 00:43:43.820
 most of our hindsight

00:43:43.820 --> 00:43:46.059
 will come

00:43:46.059 --> 00:43:46.799
 from the perspective

00:43:46.799 --> 00:43:47.519
 of eternity.

00:43:49.599 --> 00:43:50.599
 Brothers and sisters,

00:43:50.739 --> 00:43:51.400
 let us pray.

00:43:53.179 --> 00:43:54.000
 When we're in the middle,

00:43:54.079 --> 00:43:54.579
 when we're still

00:43:54.579 --> 00:43:55.039
 in the middle

00:43:55.039 --> 00:43:55.880
 of that journey

00:43:55.880 --> 00:43:57.159
 and we haven't

00:43:57.159 --> 00:43:57.960
 yet arrived

00:43:57.960 --> 00:44:00.119
 at the fullness

00:44:00.119 --> 00:44:00.860
 of blessing

00:44:00.860 --> 00:44:01.679
 and hope

00:44:01.679 --> 00:44:03.719
 and renewed life

00:44:03.719 --> 00:44:05.440
 and joy

00:44:05.440 --> 00:44:07.000
 and peace

00:44:07.000 --> 00:44:09.799
 and fullness,

00:44:10.299 --> 00:44:13.099
 let us pray.

00:44:13.960 --> 00:44:14.659
 Let us call

00:44:14.659 --> 00:44:15.239
 upon the Lord

00:44:15.239 --> 00:44:15.940
 to bless

00:44:15.940 --> 00:44:17.399
 one another.

00:44:21.399 --> 00:44:22.319
 Let us trust

00:44:22.319 --> 00:44:23.039
 that the same God

00:44:23.039 --> 00:44:23.519
 will answer

00:44:23.519 --> 00:44:26.139
 the prayers

00:44:26.139 --> 00:44:27.199
 of those of this book.

00:44:28.319 --> 00:44:29.579
 Here's our prayers

00:44:29.579 --> 00:44:30.359
 through His Son,

00:44:30.419 --> 00:44:31.039
 Jesus Christ.

00:44:31.679 --> 00:44:32.159
 You see,

00:44:32.359 --> 00:44:32.839
 what we see

00:44:32.839 --> 00:44:33.579
 in the book of Ruth

00:44:33.579 --> 00:44:34.679
 is that God

00:44:34.679 --> 00:44:35.460
 brought Naomi,

00:44:36.519 --> 00:44:37.980
 the family of Lebelech

00:44:37.980 --> 00:44:38.980
 and the people

00:44:38.980 --> 00:44:39.500
 of Israel

00:44:39.500 --> 00:44:40.239
 as a whole

00:44:40.239 --> 00:44:41.799
 from bitterness,

00:44:42.399 --> 00:44:45.059
 despair,

00:44:46.139 --> 00:44:46.759
 and famine

00:44:46.760 --> 00:44:48.500
 to blessing,

00:44:49.020 --> 00:44:49.440
 hope,

00:44:49.760 --> 00:44:50.420
 and fullness.

00:44:51.520 --> 00:44:52.320
 And a thousand years

00:44:52.320 --> 00:44:52.660
 later,

00:44:52.740 --> 00:44:53.600
 God would once again

00:44:53.600 --> 00:44:54.240
 intervene

00:44:54.240 --> 00:44:56.280
 and come to a woman

00:44:56.280 --> 00:44:57.320
 in Bethlehem

00:44:57.320 --> 00:44:59.180
 in a time

00:44:59.180 --> 00:44:59.840
 when God's people

00:44:59.840 --> 00:45:00.480
 were wondering,

00:45:00.640 --> 00:45:01.680
 has He left us alone?

00:45:02.740 --> 00:45:03.740
 Has He abandoned us

00:45:03.740 --> 00:45:05.240
 to our own sin?

00:45:06.620 --> 00:45:07.940
 Will we ever be delivered

00:45:07.940 --> 00:45:09.180
 from our oppressors?

00:45:10.300 --> 00:45:11.120
 Is there hope

00:45:11.120 --> 00:45:11.920
 for me?

00:45:11.920 --> 00:45:12.900
 Is there hope

00:45:12.900 --> 00:45:14.980
 for the church?

00:45:17.340 --> 00:45:18.460
 And into that world

00:45:18.460 --> 00:45:19.480
 God sent His Son.

00:45:21.480 --> 00:45:22.559
 God sent His promise

00:45:22.559 --> 00:45:23.139
 and blessing

00:45:23.139 --> 00:45:25.099
 and His messengers

00:45:25.099 --> 00:45:25.840
 say to Mary,

00:45:26.900 --> 00:45:29.000
 nothing is impossible

00:45:29.000 --> 00:45:30.180
 with God.

00:45:32.579 --> 00:45:33.619
 And the New Testament

00:45:33.619 --> 00:45:34.099
 closes

00:45:34.099 --> 00:45:35.779
 with a prayer,

00:45:36.860 --> 00:45:37.880
 come Lord Jesus.

00:45:39.539 --> 00:45:40.500
 Because we're still waiting.

00:45:40.839 --> 00:45:41.400
 He's come.

00:45:42.400 --> 00:45:43.319
 He came for Ruth

00:45:43.319 --> 00:45:43.719
 and Naomi

00:45:43.719 --> 00:45:44.219
 and Moaz.

00:45:44.299 --> 00:45:44.860
 He came

00:45:44.860 --> 00:45:48.380
 as God's Son

00:45:48.380 --> 00:45:49.019
 and our Savior

00:45:49.019 --> 00:45:51.239
 to redeem us.

00:45:51.920 --> 00:45:52.719
 And He will come again.

00:45:54.719 --> 00:45:55.319
 Brothers and sisters,

00:45:55.480 --> 00:45:56.659
 don't tire

00:45:56.659 --> 00:45:58.619
 in the meantime

00:45:58.619 --> 00:45:59.839
 of praying

00:45:59.839 --> 00:46:00.799
 and loving

00:46:00.799 --> 00:46:01.900
 and waiting

00:46:01.900 --> 00:46:02.839
 and trusting

00:46:02.840 --> 00:46:04.600
 that He will fulfill

00:46:04.600 --> 00:46:05.260
 His promises.

00:46:06.400 --> 00:46:07.220
 He will bring us

00:46:07.220 --> 00:46:07.960
 from bitterness

00:46:07.960 --> 00:46:08.640
 to blessing.

00:46:08.860 --> 00:46:09.420
 He will bring us

00:46:09.420 --> 00:46:09.940
 from despair

00:46:09.940 --> 00:46:10.460
 to hope.

00:46:10.780 --> 00:46:11.320
 He will bring us

00:46:11.320 --> 00:46:11.740
 from famine

00:46:11.740 --> 00:46:12.380
 to fullness.

00:46:13.460 --> 00:46:13.900
 Let's pray.

00:46:19.380 --> 00:46:19.820
 God,

00:46:19.940 --> 00:46:20.500
 we thank You

00:46:20.500 --> 00:46:23.980
 for Your steadfast love.

00:46:25.120 --> 00:46:25.640
 We thank You

00:46:25.640 --> 00:46:26.460
 for Your faithfulness

00:46:26.460 --> 00:46:27.160
 to Your promises

00:46:27.160 --> 00:46:29.340
 to Naomi

00:46:29.340 --> 00:46:33.059
 to a live-lunched family

00:46:33.059 --> 00:46:35.140
 to Your people

00:46:35.140 --> 00:46:35.780
 as a whole.

00:46:36.780 --> 00:46:37.620
 We thank You

00:46:37.620 --> 00:46:38.019
 that You are

00:46:38.019 --> 00:46:39.280
 the same God

00:46:39.280 --> 00:46:39.860
 yesterday,

00:46:40.079 --> 00:46:40.480
 today,

00:46:40.620 --> 00:46:41.059
 and forever.

00:46:42.140 --> 00:46:43.059
 We thank You

00:46:43.059 --> 00:46:43.300
 that

00:46:43.300 --> 00:46:45.240
 we have

00:46:45.240 --> 00:46:49.400
 the even greater

00:46:49.400 --> 00:46:50.019
 assurance

00:46:50.019 --> 00:46:52.280
 because You have

00:46:52.280 --> 00:46:52.960
 sent Your Son.

00:46:54.260 --> 00:46:54.920
 Because He

00:46:54.920 --> 00:46:55.559
 has accomplished

00:46:55.559 --> 00:46:56.220
 our redemption

00:46:56.220 --> 00:46:57.519
 through His death

00:46:57.519 --> 00:46:58.139
 and resurrection.

00:46:59.360 --> 00:46:59.579
 Lord,

00:46:59.639 --> 00:47:00.380
 we pray that You

00:47:00.380 --> 00:47:01.480
 would fill us

00:47:01.480 --> 00:47:02.599
 with blessing

00:47:02.599 --> 00:47:03.920
 for You,

00:47:04.119 --> 00:47:04.739
 that we bless

00:47:04.739 --> 00:47:05.259
 Your name

00:47:05.259 --> 00:47:06.259
 and bless one another

00:47:06.259 --> 00:47:06.960
 in Your name.

00:47:08.219 --> 00:47:08.759
 You would fill us

00:47:08.759 --> 00:47:09.259
 with hope,

00:47:10.159 --> 00:47:11.800
 renew our hope

00:47:11.800 --> 00:47:12.420
 for the future,

00:47:14.599 --> 00:47:14.960
 and that You

00:47:14.960 --> 00:47:15.579
 would fill us

00:47:15.579 --> 00:47:17.219
 with the fullness

00:47:17.219 --> 00:47:19.500
 of Your Holy Spirit

00:47:19.500 --> 00:47:21.699
 that comes from

00:47:21.699 --> 00:47:22.739
 being united

00:47:22.739 --> 00:47:23.320
 to Christ.

00:47:25.039 --> 00:47:25.340
 Lord,

00:47:25.400 --> 00:47:26.199
 make us messengers,

00:47:26.199 --> 00:47:28.519
 of that blessing

00:47:28.519 --> 00:47:29.059
 and hope

00:47:29.059 --> 00:47:29.639
 and fullness

00:47:29.639 --> 00:47:31.119
 in this Christmas

00:47:31.119 --> 00:47:31.619
 season

00:47:31.619 --> 00:47:33.919
 these weeks ahead.

00:47:35.619 --> 00:47:36.299
 We pray this

00:47:36.299 --> 00:47:36.939
 in Jesus' name.

00:47:37.239 --> 00:47:37.480
 Amen.

00:47:38.039 --> 00:47:38.239
 Amen.

00:47:38.239 --> 00:47:38.679
 Amen.

00:47:38.679 --> 00:47:38.719
 Amen.

00:47:38.719 --> 00:47:38.859
 Amen.

00:47:38.859 --> 00:47:38.919
 Amen.

00:47:38.919 --> 00:47:39.139
 Amen.

00:47:39.139 --> 00:47:39.279
 Amen.

00:47:39.279 --> 00:47:39.500
 Amen.

00:47:39.500 --> 00:47:39.599
 Amen.

00:47:39.599 --> 00:47:39.659
 Amen.

00:47:39.659 --> 00:47:39.719
 Amen.

00:47:39.719 --> 00:47:40.059
 Amen.

00:47:40.059 --> 00:47:40.299
 Amen.

00:47:40.299 --> 00:47:40.659
 Amen.

00:47:40.659 --> 00:47:41.059
 Amen.

00:47:41.059 --> 00:47:41.259
 Amen.

00:47:41.259 --> 00:47:41.699
 Amen.