WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.459 We get there because we lie that the institution of marriage is not going to change, and that is a lie. 00:00:07.000 --> 00:00:09.700 The institution of marriage is going to change, and it should change. 00:00:09.980 --> 00:00:12.500 And again, I don't think it exists. 00:00:12.620 --> 00:00:17.440 So as Christians, as much as we want to be countercultural, 00:00:18.199 --> 00:00:21.460 marriage is something that is very countercultural today, 00:00:21.539 --> 00:00:26.960 that we can make a stand at what it means to be Christians and to be married if we are married. 00:00:27.320 --> 00:00:29.560 That's not to say that we can't be single and be Christians. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.840 But if we are married, that is an opportunity to reflect something different back into the culture. 00:00:36.280 --> 00:00:42.840 And I just say that by passing, because we are talking about marriage here this morning. 00:00:47.980 --> 00:00:49.840 But let's look at the text. 00:00:54.359 --> 00:00:57.179 And so we're going to see here the cost. 00:00:57.920 --> 00:01:02.899 We're also going to see it happens at a gate, and it also happens in a seat, 00:01:03.140 --> 00:01:04.640 and it also has to do with a shoe. 00:01:06.560 --> 00:01:08.519 You say, what do all those things mean? 00:01:08.519 --> 00:01:09.700 Well, in verse 1 it says, 00:01:09.700 --> 00:01:25.800 So the gate in Bethlehem, as in the gates in Israel at the time, 00:01:26.400 --> 00:01:29.400 where basically you would have had the town behind the gate, 00:01:29.400 --> 00:01:31.500 so everybody's protected behind the wall. 00:01:31.500 --> 00:01:33.440 And all the streets are going to be really narrow, 00:01:33.640 --> 00:01:36.560 to the point where actually sunlight might not even get behind the streets. 00:01:36.920 --> 00:01:41.620 So the only open space is at the space in behind, directly in behind the gate. 00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:45.080 And that's where obviously you would have had all your commerce, your shopkeepers. 00:01:45.680 --> 00:01:48.640 It was also basically a metaphorical town hall. 00:01:48.760 --> 00:01:50.640 It's where the elders of the town sat. 00:01:50.640 --> 00:01:52.959 It's where they discussed matters of importance. 00:01:53.700 --> 00:01:58.000 And it's also where they decided legal matters. 00:01:58.180 --> 00:01:59.379 Matters like marriage. 00:01:59.540 --> 00:02:01.340 Matters like the selling of property. 00:02:01.560 --> 00:02:05.019 And so that is why Boaz heads for the gate. 00:02:06.400 --> 00:02:08.319 And it just so happens that when he gets there, 00:02:09.080 --> 00:02:12.420 the person who he's looking for just also happens just to come by, 00:02:12.500 --> 00:02:13.539 just at the right moment. 00:02:13.539 --> 00:02:20.199 Because that's, God is involved and Boaz doesn't have long to wait. 00:02:21.719 --> 00:02:23.799 And here he is, the man is coming. 00:02:25.199 --> 00:02:28.599 If you want to do a little survey of what gates mean in the Old Testament, 00:02:28.739 --> 00:02:35.340 you can have a look at Proverbs 8.3 or 22.22 or 1 Kings 22.10. 00:02:35.419 --> 00:02:38.659 And it talks about, you know, kings sitting, making decisions at the gate. 00:02:38.659 --> 00:02:44.719 Or, you know, your husband being well known and well respected at the gate of your people. 00:02:45.939 --> 00:02:47.740 So it's the place where the elders have sat. 00:02:48.479 --> 00:02:51.019 And he says, he finds this guy. 00:02:51.099 --> 00:02:53.300 It says, come over here, my friend, and sit down. 00:02:55.199 --> 00:02:59.079 And that maybe disguises a little bit what the text actually is trying to say. 00:02:59.159 --> 00:03:00.560 And so I'm going to ask you a question. 00:03:00.939 --> 00:03:02.099 Please don't raise your hand. 00:03:02.419 --> 00:03:04.319 But you can maybe nod to me if you know the answer. 00:03:04.800 --> 00:03:07.340 Does anybody know who Randolph Peter Best is? 00:03:08.659 --> 00:03:09.379 Okay. 00:03:09.879 --> 00:03:11.439 Well, you know, that's good. 00:03:12.400 --> 00:03:14.620 Because if you do know, it spoils the conclusion. 00:03:15.099 --> 00:03:19.079 But if I was to mention John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, 00:03:19.139 --> 00:03:21.979 and I was to say to you, does anybody know who Randolph Peter Best is? 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:26.800 You might make a guess that it was the drummer before Ringo Starr, 00:03:26.939 --> 00:03:28.539 before the Beatles became famous. 00:03:29.539 --> 00:03:31.000 He's the nobody. 00:03:31.300 --> 00:03:36.419 He's that guy over there that missed out on being world famous. 00:03:36.419 --> 00:03:41.459 And that's a little bit here what the text is maybe hiding here in the NIV. 00:03:41.919 --> 00:03:45.159 It's more like saying, hey, you there, Mr. So-and-so. 00:03:45.759 --> 00:03:48.479 Him over there, that guy, the guy with no name. 00:03:49.339 --> 00:03:50.599 Come over here and sit down. 00:03:50.679 --> 00:03:55.839 The text doesn't actually give this man, this other guardian redeemer, a name. 00:03:55.840 --> 00:04:01.039 In fact, as we see in the text, he's actually more concerned about his own name, 00:04:01.420 --> 00:04:03.020 and yet the Bible forgets his name. 00:04:04.740 --> 00:04:08.159 Maybe it's a lesson there to us that, you know, 00:04:08.219 --> 00:04:12.000 if we're concerned with our own life and our own inheritance, we might lose it. 00:04:13.379 --> 00:04:14.580 Isn't that what Jesus said? 00:04:15.699 --> 00:04:18.879 He who loves his own life in this world will lose it. 00:04:18.879 --> 00:04:24.279 But if you give up your life in this world, you will have one through him. 00:04:25.100 --> 00:04:30.300 So in contrast to that, I want to ask you, does anybody know who Oscar Schindler is? 00:04:32.319 --> 00:04:35.120 And hopefully there's some educated people at least who have seen a film, 00:04:35.240 --> 00:04:37.240 and they know that, you know, Oscar Schindler, 00:04:37.360 --> 00:04:41.300 he's credited with saving the lives of 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust. 00:04:41.300 --> 00:04:44.199 He's someone that did a great deed. 00:04:44.600 --> 00:04:45.800 He's someone that did a good thing, 00:04:45.900 --> 00:04:48.340 and as a result, history, rightly and correctly, 00:04:48.860 --> 00:04:52.579 remembers him as being someone that at great personal cost 00:04:52.579 --> 00:04:56.639 rescued people from their death. 00:05:00.780 --> 00:05:03.439 And then Sir Boaz has his redeemer. 00:05:03.600 --> 00:05:04.620 He has the other person. 00:05:04.699 --> 00:05:07.740 He has the other person who you flagged up to Ruth 00:05:07.740 --> 00:05:11.900 that was a problem in the whole idea of marriage and redeeming the land. 00:05:14.000 --> 00:05:15.939 And so Boaz then, in verse 2, 00:05:16.040 --> 00:05:19.240 Boaz took ten of the elders of the town and said, 00:05:19.360 --> 00:05:20.840 sit here, and they did so. 00:05:25.120 --> 00:05:29.040 So to me, Boaz must have been someone who was well-respected 00:05:29.040 --> 00:05:32.040 to early in the morning go and lynch ten elders and say, 00:05:32.180 --> 00:05:34.100 you know, come on, you need to sit down. 00:05:34.160 --> 00:05:35.360 I've got something to sort out. 00:05:35.439 --> 00:05:36.740 And they were to say, oh, yes, Boaz. 00:05:36.740 --> 00:05:38.579 And they came and they sat down. 00:05:39.920 --> 00:05:41.860 And this other individual, whoever he is, 00:05:41.939 --> 00:05:43.240 he came and he sat down. 00:05:44.379 --> 00:05:46.060 So they went to the gates, 00:05:46.139 --> 00:05:48.019 the place of where authority, 00:05:48.139 --> 00:05:49.439 and they came and they sat down 00:05:49.439 --> 00:05:52.259 where power would be brokered 00:05:52.259 --> 00:05:55.100 and they would be able to create a legal transaction. 00:05:56.780 --> 00:05:58.420 So Boaz shows that he's respected 00:05:58.420 --> 00:06:00.600 and that everybody agrees just to come and sit down. 00:06:01.740 --> 00:06:03.579 And he came and they had to have it. 00:06:03.579 --> 00:06:04.859 It numbers ten. 00:06:05.399 --> 00:06:12.519 There's no information that says that ten is a legally required number around this time. 00:06:12.699 --> 00:06:14.819 But history, as it goes on, 00:06:14.899 --> 00:06:17.159 so if you are going to have a synagogue 00:06:17.159 --> 00:06:20.819 and you want to constitute a Jewish prayer meeting, 00:06:21.199 --> 00:06:23.139 you need today what they call a mignon. 00:06:23.279 --> 00:06:24.379 You need ten men. 00:06:24.379 --> 00:06:27.519 So there is a historical context of this, 00:06:27.560 --> 00:06:28.379 this number ten, 00:06:28.740 --> 00:06:31.719 that it's an important number to be able to clarify 00:06:31.719 --> 00:06:34.439 or make the transaction legal. 00:06:35.300 --> 00:06:36.120 So here we are. 00:06:36.199 --> 00:06:37.459 And he's going to then bring about, 00:06:37.620 --> 00:06:39.159 why are we here, Boaz? 00:06:39.319 --> 00:06:40.399 They're all sitting down. 00:06:40.500 --> 00:06:40.980 They're all eager. 00:06:41.100 --> 00:06:43.600 They want to find out what on earth this is all about. 00:06:43.600 --> 00:06:46.660 So then in verse 3 he says, 00:06:46.980 --> 00:06:48.860 then he said to the guardian redeemer, 00:06:49.020 --> 00:06:51.100 Naomi, who has come back from Moab, 00:06:51.160 --> 00:06:54.860 is selling the piece of land that belonged to our relative Elimelech. 00:06:57.120 --> 00:06:59.700 And so the text there is an idea, 00:06:59.860 --> 00:07:01.540 has sold or is selling. 00:07:02.260 --> 00:07:06.020 There is the prospect that the land is actually owned by someone else 00:07:06.020 --> 00:07:08.040 and it needs to be purchased back again. 00:07:08.360 --> 00:07:09.580 That's the idea of the text. 00:07:10.460 --> 00:07:12.540 Undoubtedly the land is probably in use. 00:07:12.540 --> 00:07:15.080 Nobody is going to leave a nice piece of land 00:07:15.080 --> 00:07:18.640 in an agricultural economy. 00:07:18.800 --> 00:07:20.220 They're not just going to leave it lying there. 00:07:20.280 --> 00:07:21.500 They're going to take it and use it. 00:07:22.020 --> 00:07:23.300 And so it's interesting. 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:24.600 It's at the end of the harvest 00:07:24.600 --> 00:07:28.140 when all of the crops would come in 00:07:28.140 --> 00:07:31.180 that this legal transaction is coming to take place. 00:07:32.580 --> 00:07:34.259 And so he goes on and he says, 00:07:34.640 --> 00:07:36.800 because I thought I should bring the matter to your attention 00:07:36.800 --> 00:07:39.720 and suggest that you buy it in the presence of these seated here 00:07:39.720 --> 00:07:41.980 and in the presence of the elders of my people 00:07:41.980 --> 00:07:43.819 and if you redeem it, do so. 00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:47.060 But if you will not, tell me so that I will know, 00:07:47.180 --> 00:07:49.080 for no one has the right to do it except you 00:07:49.080 --> 00:07:50.500 and I'm nixed in line. 00:07:51.480 --> 00:07:52.860 So he goes on and he says, 00:07:52.939 --> 00:07:54.860 look, here's the fact. 00:07:55.379 --> 00:07:57.879 You are the legal person. 00:07:58.040 --> 00:07:59.900 You're the person that needs to reject 00:07:59.900 --> 00:08:02.439 before I can purchase it. 00:08:02.439 --> 00:08:04.920 And so he gives him the offer and says, 00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:07.019 do you want to accept it? 00:08:07.699 --> 00:08:09.240 And of course, he says, 00:08:09.719 --> 00:08:11.600 quite heartily, very quickly, he says, 00:08:11.800 --> 00:08:13.600 I will redeem it, he said. 00:08:14.639 --> 00:08:15.680 He's a man of few words, 00:08:15.959 --> 00:08:17.259 is Mr. So-and-so. 00:08:18.319 --> 00:08:20.000 But he has good financial sense. 00:08:20.360 --> 00:08:22.360 It's the prospect of being a hero 00:08:22.360 --> 00:08:25.159 and also expanding his portfolio. 00:08:25.899 --> 00:08:26.939 He's going to gain land. 00:08:27.939 --> 00:08:29.839 He's going to gain land from a widow 00:08:29.839 --> 00:08:31.480 who has no prospect of offspring. 00:08:31.719 --> 00:08:33.159 He's going to gain land from a widow. 00:08:33.659 --> 00:08:34.659 And so that's going to be, 00:08:35.039 --> 00:08:35.539 if you like, 00:08:35.580 --> 00:08:37.799 it's going to expand his own estate. 00:08:37.960 --> 00:08:41.600 It's going to expand his own piece of real estate. 00:08:41.740 --> 00:08:44.039 And it means that he's going to pass that on 00:08:44.039 --> 00:08:45.740 to his own children. 00:08:45.980 --> 00:08:48.340 And so he sees it as a great financial opportunity 00:08:48.340 --> 00:08:50.220 and it makes good sense. 00:08:50.279 --> 00:08:50.960 And to be honest, 00:08:51.299 --> 00:08:53.440 I think if we put ourselves in that situation, 00:08:53.440 --> 00:08:55.300 that's exactly what our response would be. 00:08:55.620 --> 00:08:57.240 I don't think he's doing anything wrong 00:08:57.240 --> 00:08:58.680 by wanting to do this. 00:09:01.580 --> 00:09:02.700 Naomi's going to have money. 00:09:02.940 --> 00:09:04.480 He's going to seem like a good guy. 00:09:05.320 --> 00:09:08.820 He's going to keep the land in the tribe. 00:09:10.440 --> 00:09:13.560 But sadly, Naomi and Elimelech's name 00:09:13.560 --> 00:09:15.860 is going to be, if you like, 00:09:15.980 --> 00:09:17.380 blotted out from the history of Israel. 00:09:17.500 --> 00:09:19.000 He's going to lose his inheritance. 00:09:20.880 --> 00:09:22.760 But Boaz isn't prepared for that. 00:09:23.440 --> 00:09:27.440 So Boaz rightly then 00:09:27.440 --> 00:09:30.380 tells him about the other side of the bargain 00:09:30.380 --> 00:09:32.860 and he decides to throw a spanner in the works. 00:09:34.180 --> 00:09:35.520 In verse 5 it says, 00:09:35.760 --> 00:09:36.700 Then Boaz said, 00:09:36.760 --> 00:09:38.700 On the day that you buy the land from Naomi, 00:09:38.960 --> 00:09:40.800 you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, 00:09:41.060 --> 00:09:41.960 the dead man's widow, 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:43.660 in order to maintain the name 00:09:43.660 --> 00:09:45.520 of the dead with his property. 00:09:45.519 --> 00:09:54.379 I'll highlight to you, 00:09:54.439 --> 00:09:56.360 it doesn't really affect the text, 00:09:56.500 --> 00:10:00.439 but I highlight it to you just for the purposes. 00:10:01.679 --> 00:10:04.759 It's not completely clear in the original text 00:10:04.759 --> 00:10:06.360 whether Boaz is saying, 00:10:06.740 --> 00:10:08.159 You go ahead and redeem the land. 00:10:08.159 --> 00:10:09.219 I'm going to marry 00:10:09.219 --> 00:10:13.480 Ruth the Moabite. 00:10:14.219 --> 00:10:15.620 And the reality of that is, 00:10:15.719 --> 00:10:17.339 if Boaz marries Ruth the Moabite 00:10:17.339 --> 00:10:18.379 and produces an heir, 00:10:18.659 --> 00:10:20.159 then the land that he's just bought 00:10:20.159 --> 00:10:21.620 is going to have to revert back 00:10:21.620 --> 00:10:23.579 to the heir. 00:10:24.719 --> 00:10:26.000 Or whether or not he's saying 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:27.339 that you're going to have to marry 00:10:27.339 --> 00:10:28.539 Ruth the NIV, 00:10:28.639 --> 00:10:30.199 in a lot of translations that's what they take. 00:10:30.419 --> 00:10:32.120 I just highlight that to you in passing, 00:10:32.240 --> 00:10:34.039 just in case you come across it 00:10:34.039 --> 00:10:34.639 in your studies. 00:10:37.079 --> 00:10:38.839 But it doesn't affect the outcome 00:10:38.839 --> 00:10:42.319 or the overall meaning of the text. 00:10:44.959 --> 00:10:46.519 So the whole purpose here then 00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:48.620 that is being raised then by Boaz 00:10:48.620 --> 00:10:49.399 is saying that, 00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:51.360 okay, buy the land today, 00:10:51.459 --> 00:10:52.819 but you're going to have this other issue 00:10:52.819 --> 00:10:54.139 to sort out in the future 00:10:54.139 --> 00:10:56.939 with Ruth the Moabite 00:10:56.939 --> 00:10:58.980 and her potential offspring. 00:11:01.439 --> 00:11:04.000 And so what then is the Redeemer going to do? 00:11:04.039 --> 00:11:08.360 So at this the Guardian Redeemer said, 00:11:09.240 --> 00:11:10.500 then I cannot redeem it 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:12.819 because I might endanger my own estate. 00:11:12.959 --> 00:11:14.039 You redeem it yourself. 00:11:14.439 --> 00:11:15.259 I cannot do it. 00:11:16.699 --> 00:11:18.279 And so he backs out of the whole deal. 00:11:19.240 --> 00:11:20.899 He says, the cost is too great. 00:11:20.980 --> 00:11:22.079 I can't do this. 00:11:23.519 --> 00:11:23.860 You know, 00:11:24.039 --> 00:11:27.419 I have my own inheritance to think about. 00:11:27.519 --> 00:11:29.299 I have my own family line to think about. 00:11:29.299 --> 00:11:29.899 If I do this, 00:11:29.959 --> 00:11:31.539 this might mess that whole thing up. 00:11:31.719 --> 00:11:32.879 And so he says, I'm out. 00:11:33.679 --> 00:11:34.299 Deal or no deal? 00:11:34.379 --> 00:11:35.080 He says, no deal. 00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:39.879 So he was a Guardian Redeemer. 00:11:40.019 --> 00:11:42.419 He only wanted to go so far. 00:11:43.100 --> 00:11:46.320 He only wanted what was in it for himself. 00:11:46.480 --> 00:11:47.899 He only liked the deal 00:11:47.899 --> 00:11:49.539 while he was benefiting from it. 00:11:49.539 --> 00:11:53.959 I think there's a lesson here to us also 00:11:53.959 --> 00:11:55.839 in terms of there's lots of things out there 00:11:55.839 --> 00:11:57.240 that say to us 00:11:57.240 --> 00:11:59.799 that they are the answer to our solutions. 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:01.740 There's lots of self-help books. 00:12:01.839 --> 00:12:03.519 There's lots of religious ways. 00:12:03.799 --> 00:12:05.439 There's lots of people that say 00:12:05.439 --> 00:12:06.439 that if you do this, 00:12:06.539 --> 00:12:07.899 if you exercise more, 00:12:08.039 --> 00:12:08.879 meditate more, 00:12:09.740 --> 00:12:09.959 you know, 00:12:10.019 --> 00:12:11.399 be positive in your thinking 00:12:11.399 --> 00:12:13.159 or worship this God 00:12:13.159 --> 00:12:14.240 or have that philosophy, 00:12:14.799 --> 00:12:16.079 that you will have a better life. 00:12:16.080 --> 00:12:18.800 But really and truly, 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:20.280 they're a little bit like this 00:12:20.280 --> 00:12:21.360 Mr. So-and-so, 00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:22.520 this Guardian Redeemer 00:12:22.520 --> 00:12:22.840 who, 00:12:24.400 --> 00:12:25.020 it's really 00:12:25.020 --> 00:12:27.160 only surface. 00:12:27.500 --> 00:12:28.700 It's really only beneficial 00:12:28.700 --> 00:12:29.980 to the people 00:12:29.980 --> 00:12:31.879 selling the philosophy. 00:12:31.879 --> 00:12:34.919 So, 00:12:35.799 --> 00:12:37.159 just as Orpah, 00:12:37.240 --> 00:12:38.340 if you remember in chapter 1, 00:12:38.519 --> 00:12:40.259 highlights the great, 00:12:43.259 --> 00:12:44.840 shows that Ruth 00:12:44.840 --> 00:12:47.779 is making such a great sacrifice 00:12:47.779 --> 00:12:50.299 to go with Naomi 00:12:50.299 --> 00:12:51.519 and to choose 00:12:51.519 --> 00:12:54.899 Israel's God 00:12:54.899 --> 00:12:56.220 over the God of the Moabites. 00:12:56.919 --> 00:12:57.419 If you like, 00:12:57.679 --> 00:12:58.820 Orpah is the foil 00:12:58.820 --> 00:12:59.679 that highlights 00:12:59.679 --> 00:13:01.779 Ruth's great transaction. 00:13:02.460 --> 00:13:03.059 So here, 00:13:03.519 --> 00:13:04.279 we have 00:13:04.279 --> 00:13:07.399 Mr. No-name. 00:13:08.120 --> 00:13:09.480 And what is he highlighting for us? 00:13:09.500 --> 00:13:10.120 He's highlighting 00:13:10.120 --> 00:13:11.840 what great cost 00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:12.759 Boaz is making 00:13:12.759 --> 00:13:15.139 to his own personal account. 00:13:17.659 --> 00:13:18.820 But before we get to that, 00:13:18.899 --> 00:13:20.620 we have this little strange 00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:21.740 transaction 00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:22.899 to deal with. 00:13:22.980 --> 00:13:23.620 In verse 7, 00:13:23.700 --> 00:13:23.980 it says, 00:13:23.980 --> 00:13:25.399 Now in earlier times in Israel, 00:13:25.799 --> 00:13:26.460 for the redemption 00:13:26.460 --> 00:13:27.799 and the transfer of property 00:13:27.799 --> 00:13:28.679 to become final, 00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:30.519 one party took off his sandal 00:13:30.519 --> 00:13:31.559 and gave it to the other. 00:13:32.379 --> 00:13:33.340 This was the method 00:13:33.340 --> 00:13:35.039 of legalizing transaction 00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:35.519 in Israel. 00:13:37.939 --> 00:13:38.419 So, 00:13:38.779 --> 00:13:39.399 please don't, 00:13:40.279 --> 00:13:40.519 you know, 00:13:40.580 --> 00:13:41.379 if you're selling anything, 00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:42.179 take off your shoe 00:13:42.179 --> 00:13:43.019 and hand it to someone. 00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:43.879 Today, 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:45.039 that doesn't mean anything 00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:46.439 and it won't do anything. 00:13:46.899 --> 00:13:47.779 There is the idea 00:13:47.779 --> 00:13:48.240 that, you know, 00:13:48.279 --> 00:13:49.279 it's where you place 00:13:49.279 --> 00:13:50.500 your foot is yours. 00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:55.279 The idea of walking into the land 00:13:55.279 --> 00:13:56.159 and owning the land. 00:13:56.799 --> 00:13:57.460 Some people think 00:13:57.460 --> 00:13:58.580 the idea is coming back 00:13:58.580 --> 00:13:59.019 from that. 00:13:59.139 --> 00:13:59.299 And so, 00:13:59.360 --> 00:14:00.279 by giving the sandal, 00:14:00.360 --> 00:14:00.799 you're saying, 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:01.039 you know, 00:14:01.080 --> 00:14:02.799 what was mine 00:14:02.799 --> 00:14:03.940 or what is mine by right, 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:05.899 I'm now passing on to you. 00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:08.000 I'm not sure I like this idea 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:09.700 of holding somebody's dusty sandal 00:14:09.700 --> 00:14:10.519 and, you know, 00:14:10.539 --> 00:14:11.519 having to take it. 00:14:11.620 --> 00:14:12.240 But anyway, 00:14:12.360 --> 00:14:13.299 that's what they were doing. 00:14:14.059 --> 00:14:14.399 And so, 00:14:14.440 --> 00:14:15.340 that's the meaning here. 00:14:15.420 --> 00:14:16.180 I suppose today 00:14:16.180 --> 00:14:17.180 it's like a handshake 00:14:17.180 --> 00:14:17.899 or, you know, 00:14:17.940 --> 00:14:19.160 a spit and a handshake 00:14:19.160 --> 00:14:20.100 or I don't know whether you, 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:20.780 you know, 00:14:20.840 --> 00:14:22.259 children do pinky promises, 00:14:22.460 --> 00:14:22.620 you know, 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:23.680 they have witnesses here. 00:14:23.940 --> 00:14:25.420 Please witness this transaction, 00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:26.340 you know. 00:14:27.220 --> 00:14:27.580 Today, 00:14:27.700 --> 00:14:28.940 we go into the solicitor's office 00:14:28.940 --> 00:14:29.420 and, you know, 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:30.120 we buy a house. 00:14:30.220 --> 00:14:30.860 We sign our name, 00:14:30.980 --> 00:14:31.420 sign here, 00:14:31.540 --> 00:14:32.040 sign here, 00:14:32.379 --> 00:14:33.220 please sign here, 00:14:33.560 --> 00:14:34.600 please sign here 00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:35.120 and you end up, 00:14:35.200 --> 00:14:35.340 you know, 00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:35.920 you've signed, 00:14:36.360 --> 00:14:36.600 you know, 00:14:36.600 --> 00:14:37.780 I don't know how many signatures 00:14:37.780 --> 00:14:39.360 if you've ever bought a house. 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:41.759 You will understand that. 00:14:41.860 --> 00:14:42.879 You have to sign for the mortgage. 00:14:43.139 --> 00:14:43.600 You have to sign, 00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:44.060 sign, 00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:44.519 sign, 00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:45.019 sign. 00:14:46.180 --> 00:14:46.940 There we go. 00:14:47.420 --> 00:14:47.580 So, 00:14:47.680 --> 00:14:48.680 this is the signing, 00:14:48.820 --> 00:14:50.019 this is the legalizing here, 00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:51.519 that's why he needed the ten elders 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:53.560 and so they're all here. 00:14:54.420 --> 00:14:54.740 So, 00:14:54.800 --> 00:14:56.460 the guardian redeemer said to Boaz, 00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:57.320 buy it yourself 00:14:57.320 --> 00:14:58.639 and he removed his sandal. 00:14:59.440 --> 00:14:59.920 Off you go. 00:15:02.019 --> 00:15:02.720 And so, 00:15:02.820 --> 00:15:03.480 we have the shoe, 00:15:04.060 --> 00:15:05.160 the transfer of rights, 00:15:05.160 --> 00:15:06.440 the purchase of property. 00:15:07.320 --> 00:15:07.399 So, 00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:09.019 he is free to marry Ruth, 00:15:09.100 --> 00:15:11.040 he's free to purchase Naomi's property 00:15:11.040 --> 00:15:14.019 and the deal is confirmed. 00:15:15.340 --> 00:15:18.660 And so, 00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:19.340 there was 00:15:19.340 --> 00:15:20.940 the great cost 00:15:20.940 --> 00:15:22.620 to Boaz. 00:15:23.320 --> 00:15:23.680 So, 00:15:23.680 --> 00:15:25.820 everything that the other redeemer 00:15:25.820 --> 00:15:26.620 was rejecting, 00:15:26.780 --> 00:15:28.100 Boaz is saying, 00:15:28.780 --> 00:15:29.240 I'll pay. 00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:32.800 I don't mind if it infects my inheritance, 00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:33.519 I don't mind. 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:35.700 See, 00:15:35.960 --> 00:15:37.759 Boaz is thinking with his heart, 00:15:37.899 --> 00:15:38.780 he's thinking with 00:15:38.779 --> 00:15:43.379 the law behind him, 00:15:43.419 --> 00:15:45.259 he's saying that this is the right thing to do. 00:15:45.639 --> 00:15:46.620 If you're ever stuck 00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:48.600 and you wonder what thing you should do, 00:15:49.339 --> 00:15:50.259 be like Boaz. 00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:52.740 I think I can, 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:54.799 the wee stick man that runs around Facebook, 00:15:55.019 --> 00:15:55.220 you know, 00:15:55.559 --> 00:15:57.039 be like whatever it is. 00:15:57.419 --> 00:15:58.779 You should really think about this 00:15:58.779 --> 00:16:00.179 and be like Boaz. 00:16:02.699 --> 00:16:04.039 Boaz decides things 00:16:04.039 --> 00:16:05.899 based on whether they're the right thing to do. 00:16:06.360 --> 00:16:07.959 And if you do things based on 00:16:07.959 --> 00:16:09.519 whether it's the right thing to do, 00:16:09.600 --> 00:16:10.720 I would say more often than not, 00:16:10.779 --> 00:16:11.980 you will be doing the right thing 00:16:11.980 --> 00:16:13.779 and that's a good way to make your decisions. 00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:15.279 And that's what Boaz is doing. 00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:16.220 He's saying it's in the law. 00:16:16.299 --> 00:16:17.500 It's the right thing to do 00:16:17.500 --> 00:16:19.360 regardless of my own 00:16:19.360 --> 00:16:21.620 inheritance, 00:16:21.819 --> 00:16:23.179 regardless of whether it means 00:16:23.179 --> 00:16:24.519 I gain from it, 00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:26.939 it's the right thing to do. 00:16:27.899 --> 00:16:29.299 And so, 00:16:29.439 --> 00:16:30.259 we have the heart 00:16:30.259 --> 00:16:31.179 of the redeemer. 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:32.259 We have had the cost. 00:16:32.259 --> 00:16:35.159 He's going to buy the field. 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:36.220 He's going to take on 00:16:36.220 --> 00:16:37.460 two extra mouths to fill. 00:16:37.559 --> 00:16:39.439 He's going to want to take Ruth 00:16:39.439 --> 00:16:40.220 as his wife, 00:16:40.319 --> 00:16:41.399 but why does he do it? 00:16:42.439 --> 00:16:43.319 And so we have, 00:16:43.480 --> 00:16:44.439 these three things, 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:46.200 we have selfless action, 00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:47.500 we have covenantal action, 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:48.620 and we have loving action. 00:16:49.200 --> 00:16:49.419 You see, 00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:50.319 what Boaz is doing 00:16:50.319 --> 00:16:51.299 is not without emotion, 00:16:52.039 --> 00:16:53.159 but it's covenantal. 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:54.700 It's what the law said. 00:16:56.419 --> 00:16:58.200 And it's his love for God's law. 00:16:58.279 --> 00:16:59.159 It's his love for God. 00:16:59.220 --> 00:17:00.600 And it's his love for Ruth. 00:17:00.600 --> 00:17:01.659 It's his love for Naomi. 00:17:01.899 --> 00:17:03.040 But it's also his love 00:17:03.040 --> 00:17:04.220 for the wider family, 00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:05.019 for the deceased, 00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:06.240 for Elimelech, 00:17:06.360 --> 00:17:06.900 for Malon, 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:07.559 for Killon, 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:08.279 Killion. 00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:11.039 And we find that in the text. 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:17.140 And this is the last we hear 00:17:17.140 --> 00:17:17.819 from Boaz. 00:17:19.099 --> 00:17:20.440 So in the rest of the verses, 00:17:20.599 --> 00:17:21.559 Boaz doesn't speak. 00:17:21.640 --> 00:17:22.380 These are, if you like, 00:17:22.460 --> 00:17:24.220 Boaz's final words to us 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:25.059 in the book of Ruth. 00:17:27.019 --> 00:17:27.920 Verse 9, it says, 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:28.880 Then Boaz announced 00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:30.120 to the elders and all the people, 00:17:30.280 --> 00:17:31.400 Today you are witnesses 00:17:31.400 --> 00:17:33.640 that I have bought from Naomi 00:17:33.640 --> 00:17:34.600 all the property 00:17:34.600 --> 00:17:35.580 of Elimelech, 00:17:35.940 --> 00:17:36.360 Killon, 00:17:36.660 --> 00:17:37.180 and Malon. 00:17:37.960 --> 00:17:39.300 And I have also acquired 00:17:39.300 --> 00:17:40.160 Ruth the Moabite, 00:17:40.280 --> 00:17:40.900 Malon's widow, 00:17:41.200 --> 00:17:41.940 as my wife, 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:42.900 in order to maintain 00:17:42.900 --> 00:17:43.900 the name of the dead 00:17:43.900 --> 00:17:44.680 with his property, 00:17:45.060 --> 00:17:45.980 so that his name 00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:46.960 will not disappear 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:48.160 from among his family 00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:49.380 or from his hometown. 00:17:50.020 --> 00:17:51.960 Today you are my witnesses. 00:17:52.080 --> 00:17:53.160 So he tells us, 00:17:54.520 --> 00:17:54.840 he says, 00:17:54.900 --> 00:17:55.500 I have a love, 00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:56.940 I have covenantal love. 00:17:58.880 --> 00:18:00.480 He is concerned 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:01.960 about other people's names. 00:18:02.100 --> 00:18:02.620 He is concerned 00:18:02.620 --> 00:18:04.560 about other people's inheritance. 00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:06.580 He wants to keep 00:18:06.580 --> 00:18:07.720 the property for others 00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:08.420 and not himself. 00:18:08.560 --> 00:18:10.160 It is a selfless act 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:10.880 of redemption. 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.660 Boaz doesn't gain anything 00:18:13.660 --> 00:18:14.100 out of this 00:18:14.100 --> 00:18:15.560 except financial burden. 00:18:17.380 --> 00:18:18.540 And even into the bargain 00:18:18.540 --> 00:18:19.340 he has to marry 00:18:19.340 --> 00:18:20.120 a foreigner. 00:18:24.120 --> 00:18:24.640 Ruth, 00:18:24.640 --> 00:18:25.560 the Moabite. 00:18:25.559 --> 00:18:30.679 But does it remind us 00:18:30.679 --> 00:18:31.639 of someone else? 00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:33.440 John 3.16, 00:18:33.579 --> 00:18:34.599 For God so loved 00:18:34.599 --> 00:18:35.819 the world that he gave. 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:37.539 God so loved 00:18:37.539 --> 00:18:38.139 the sinful, 00:18:38.399 --> 00:18:38.700 dirty, 00:18:39.619 --> 00:18:40.539 stinking world 00:18:40.539 --> 00:18:42.099 that didn't love him. 00:18:42.940 --> 00:18:44.119 A world that was, 00:18:44.299 --> 00:18:44.779 if you like, 00:18:44.839 --> 00:18:45.519 his enemies, 00:18:45.679 --> 00:18:46.480 that needed help, 00:18:46.639 --> 00:18:48.359 that needed rescuing, 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:49.200 that needed redemption, 00:18:49.679 --> 00:18:50.480 that he sent 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.539 his son. 00:18:51.539 --> 00:18:53.680 Christ came 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:54.859 in a selfless 00:18:54.859 --> 00:18:56.420 act of redemption. 00:18:57.980 --> 00:18:59.799 John 12.25-26, 00:18:59.940 --> 00:19:00.879 Is anyone who loves 00:19:00.879 --> 00:19:01.259 their life 00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:01.799 will lose it, 00:19:01.859 --> 00:19:02.319 while anyone 00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:03.379 who hates their life 00:19:03.379 --> 00:19:04.000 in this world 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:04.519 will keep it 00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:05.440 for eternal life? 00:19:05.799 --> 00:19:07.059 Whoever serves me 00:19:07.059 --> 00:19:07.859 must follow me, 00:19:07.920 --> 00:19:08.619 and where I am 00:19:08.619 --> 00:19:09.839 my servant will also be, 00:19:09.899 --> 00:19:10.420 and my Father 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:11.000 will honor 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:11.720 the one 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:12.819 who serves me. 00:19:13.639 --> 00:19:14.339 Is there a heart 00:19:14.339 --> 00:19:15.619 in how Boaz 00:19:15.619 --> 00:19:16.759 is serving 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:17.339 this family 00:19:17.339 --> 00:19:17.819 that says 00:19:17.819 --> 00:19:18.159 it's something 00:19:18.159 --> 00:19:19.079 that we should do 00:19:19.079 --> 00:19:20.639 as Christ laid down 00:19:20.639 --> 00:19:21.200 his life 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:22.819 you know, 00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:23.700 we should lay down 00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:24.420 our lives. 00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:28.360 Let's lose our life 00:19:28.360 --> 00:19:29.299 for Christ 00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:30.340 just as Boaz 00:19:30.340 --> 00:19:32.019 decided to, 00:19:32.640 --> 00:19:33.539 it cost him 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:37.100 to be a redeemer. 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:37.759 You see, 00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:38.500 redemption 00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:39.539 costs, 00:19:39.620 --> 00:19:40.900 it costs an awful lot. 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:43.460 On the scale of things, 00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:44.240 Boaz's redemption 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:45.279 wasn't as costly 00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:46.180 as Christ's, 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:47.059 but still, 00:19:47.519 --> 00:19:48.740 it cost him a lot. 00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:49.559 Greater love 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:50.400 has no one than this 00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:50.980 than to lay 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:52.180 down one's life 00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:53.299 for one's friends. 00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:53.920 And Boaz, 00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:55.079 and that is 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:56.099 laying down his life. 00:19:56.220 --> 00:19:56.620 He is, 00:19:56.860 --> 00:19:59.200 he's risking 00:19:59.200 --> 00:20:00.420 his own inheritance. 00:20:01.420 --> 00:20:02.660 So what happens then? 00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:03.059 What, 00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:03.299 what, 00:20:03.839 --> 00:20:04.700 it all happens. 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:05.740 It goes through. 00:20:05.860 --> 00:20:06.660 Everybody's a witness. 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:08.099 And, 00:20:08.180 --> 00:20:11.860 what's the response? 00:20:11.940 --> 00:20:12.940 What's the response 00:20:12.940 --> 00:20:14.700 to Boaz's redemption? 00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:16.120 What do the people say? 00:20:16.119 --> 00:20:20.339 What do the elders 00:20:20.339 --> 00:20:20.839 at the gate, 00:20:20.899 --> 00:20:21.679 what is the people 00:20:21.679 --> 00:20:22.099 in the, 00:20:22.399 --> 00:20:22.759 you know, 00:20:23.419 --> 00:20:24.099 what do they think 00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:24.939 of this marriage 00:20:24.939 --> 00:20:25.799 between Boaz, 00:20:25.899 --> 00:20:26.539 this prominent, 00:20:26.679 --> 00:20:27.679 high-standing man 00:20:27.679 --> 00:20:28.559 in Israel, 00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:29.659 in Bethlehem? 00:20:29.660 --> 00:20:30.460 What do they, 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:30.480 what do they, 00:20:30.580 --> 00:20:31.880 they think about him 00:20:31.880 --> 00:20:32.680 taking on 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:34.860 a Moabite widow 00:20:34.860 --> 00:20:37.060 and redeeming Naomi? 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:38.880 Well, 00:20:38.920 --> 00:20:39.400 it says, 00:20:39.560 --> 00:20:40.440 in verse 11, 00:20:40.540 --> 00:20:40.740 it says, 00:20:40.820 --> 00:20:41.380 then the elders 00:20:41.380 --> 00:20:42.080 and all the people 00:20:42.080 --> 00:20:42.900 at the gate said, 00:20:42.980 --> 00:20:43.640 we are witnesses. 00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:45.840 May the Lord 00:20:45.840 --> 00:20:46.480 make the woman 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:47.080 who is coming 00:20:47.080 --> 00:20:47.900 into your home 00:20:47.900 --> 00:20:48.860 like Rachel and Leah. 00:20:50.360 --> 00:20:50.640 Now, 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:51.259 we read that 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:51.860 and we think, 00:20:52.100 --> 00:20:53.680 that doesn't mean anything. 00:20:53.680 --> 00:20:58.180 But really, 00:20:58.299 --> 00:20:59.120 this is the first time 00:20:59.120 --> 00:20:59.539 that Ruth 00:20:59.539 --> 00:21:02.080 isn't called 00:21:02.080 --> 00:21:02.640 a Moabite. 00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:05.420 This is 00:21:05.420 --> 00:21:07.360 Ruth the Moabite 00:21:07.360 --> 00:21:07.900 being 00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:09.840 associated with 00:21:09.840 --> 00:21:11.320 Rachel and Leah, 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:11.920 if you like, 00:21:12.440 --> 00:21:13.880 the mothers 00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:14.519 of Israel. 00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:16.640 These are the, 00:21:16.940 --> 00:21:18.140 from these women 00:21:18.140 --> 00:21:18.580 come 00:21:18.580 --> 00:21:19.799 the sons 00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:20.320 of Israel. 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:21.140 It's from them 00:21:21.140 --> 00:21:22.140 that comes the nation. 00:21:22.140 --> 00:21:23.900 And in that, 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:25.180 they're embracing Ruth 00:21:25.180 --> 00:21:26.920 and saying, 00:21:27.100 --> 00:21:28.460 she's one of us. 00:21:29.259 --> 00:21:30.060 And not only that, 00:21:30.140 --> 00:21:30.480 they're saying, 00:21:30.580 --> 00:21:31.900 we hope that she is 00:21:31.900 --> 00:21:33.120 as influential 00:21:33.120 --> 00:21:36.140 and as well renowned 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:37.420 as Rachel and Leah. 00:21:37.560 --> 00:21:38.280 That people will know 00:21:38.280 --> 00:21:39.140 the name of Ruth 00:21:39.140 --> 00:21:39.920 the Moabite. 00:21:41.820 --> 00:21:42.259 See, 00:21:42.320 --> 00:21:43.360 there's something special 00:21:43.360 --> 00:21:44.280 taking place here 00:21:44.280 --> 00:21:44.980 and they're saying that 00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:45.980 God is involved. 00:21:46.080 --> 00:21:47.100 We want God to bless 00:21:47.100 --> 00:21:48.180 this union. 00:21:48.340 --> 00:21:49.160 We want God 00:21:49.160 --> 00:21:49.940 to bless 00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:51.380 Ruth. 00:21:52.140 --> 00:21:53.220 This Moabite 00:21:53.220 --> 00:21:54.900 who together 00:21:54.900 --> 00:21:55.740 built up the family 00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:56.200 of Israel. 00:21:56.600 --> 00:21:57.140 May you have 00:21:57.140 --> 00:21:57.759 standing in a 00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:58.080 Pephra 00:21:58.080 --> 00:21:59.920 and be famous 00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:01.180 in Bethlehem. 00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:04.140 May your name 00:22:04.140 --> 00:22:04.759 be great. 00:22:05.520 --> 00:22:05.780 Mr. 00:22:05.860 --> 00:22:06.280 No name 00:22:06.280 --> 00:22:06.860 has gone, 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:08.180 but will history 00:22:08.180 --> 00:22:08.880 remember 00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:10.480 the act of Boaz? 00:22:10.560 --> 00:22:11.000 Will history 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:11.660 remember 00:22:11.660 --> 00:22:12.640 Ruth 00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:14.240 and this act 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:14.740 of redemption? 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:18.980 And so they 00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:19.799 are hoping 00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:20.279 that there will 00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:20.859 be blessing 00:22:20.859 --> 00:22:21.400 that God 00:22:21.400 --> 00:22:21.819 would make 00:22:21.819 --> 00:22:22.200 their name 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:22.640 great 00:22:22.640 --> 00:22:23.380 and that they 00:22:23.380 --> 00:22:23.700 would be 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:24.339 significant 00:22:24.339 --> 00:22:25.500 future blessings 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:26.299 not just for 00:22:26.299 --> 00:22:26.779 Bethlehem 00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.380 but for all 00:22:27.380 --> 00:22:27.859 of Israel. 00:22:30.859 --> 00:22:31.660 And then we 00:22:31.660 --> 00:22:32.299 have this 00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:34.059 other figure, 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:34.599 this other 00:22:34.599 --> 00:22:35.079 character. 00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:36.579 In verse 12, 00:22:36.680 --> 00:22:37.359 through the offspring 00:22:37.359 --> 00:22:38.620 the Lord gives you 00:22:38.620 --> 00:22:39.539 by this young woman 00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:40.159 so they're 00:22:40.159 --> 00:22:41.539 anticipating baby. 00:22:42.879 --> 00:22:43.759 May your family 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.399 be like that 00:22:44.399 --> 00:22:44.859 of Perez 00:22:44.859 --> 00:22:45.559 and Tamar 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:46.240 who bore 00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:46.920 to Judah. 00:22:47.839 --> 00:22:48.500 And the question 00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:49.059 you're answering 00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:49.659 is who are 00:22:49.659 --> 00:22:50.180 those people? 00:22:50.980 --> 00:22:51.480 And that's 00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:52.200 very interesting 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:52.599 also. 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:53.779 If you go back 00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:54.460 into Genesis 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:56.059 and you find 00:22:56.059 --> 00:22:56.639 the story 00:22:56.639 --> 00:22:57.680 of Tamar 00:22:57.680 --> 00:22:58.359 and Perez 00:22:58.359 --> 00:22:59.519 and Judah 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:01.319 so I'll tell 00:23:01.319 --> 00:23:01.700 it to you 00:23:01.700 --> 00:23:02.139 in brief. 00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:02.740 Tamar 00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:05.039 was 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:05.859 another 00:23:05.859 --> 00:23:06.619 Gentile lady. 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:07.420 She was another 00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:08.359 person outside 00:23:08.359 --> 00:23:09.000 of Israel 00:23:09.000 --> 00:23:10.319 and she married 00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:11.220 one of Judah's 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:11.539 sons 00:23:11.539 --> 00:23:12.720 and he died. 00:23:13.640 --> 00:23:14.160 Then 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:15.740 she married 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.799 in the 00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:17.660 Leverite marriage 00:23:17.660 --> 00:23:18.039 idea 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:19.160 his brother 00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:20.180 married her 00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:20.500 also. 00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:21.779 But he didn't 00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:22.660 want to continue 00:23:22.660 --> 00:23:23.500 on with the 00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:24.660 idea that his 00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:25.359 son would then 00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:26.299 be considered 00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:26.880 his brother's 00:23:26.880 --> 00:23:27.599 son so he 00:23:27.599 --> 00:23:28.400 made sure 00:23:28.400 --> 00:23:29.539 that they 00:23:29.539 --> 00:23:29.960 didn't have 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:30.680 children and 00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:32.859 so he died. 00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:34.599 Judah blamed 00:23:34.599 --> 00:23:35.460 Tamar for 00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:36.259 both her son's 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:36.799 death and so 00:23:36.799 --> 00:23:37.319 he sent her 00:23:37.319 --> 00:23:37.640 away. 00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:38.339 He had a 00:23:38.339 --> 00:23:38.880 third son 00:23:38.880 --> 00:23:39.880 and he 00:23:39.880 --> 00:23:40.240 didn't give 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:40.620 in to her 00:23:40.620 --> 00:23:41.260 in marriage. 00:23:41.540 --> 00:23:41.860 And as a 00:23:41.860 --> 00:23:42.880 result Tamar 00:23:42.880 --> 00:23:43.780 then dresses 00:23:43.780 --> 00:23:44.620 up as a 00:23:44.620 --> 00:23:45.960 prostitute and 00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:46.700 tricks Judah 00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:50.560 into sleeping 00:23:50.560 --> 00:23:50.980 with her. 00:23:51.460 --> 00:23:51.900 And from the 00:23:51.900 --> 00:23:52.520 result of that 00:23:52.520 --> 00:23:53.320 Perez is born. 00:23:55.420 --> 00:23:55.920 So that might 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.360 be a lot of 00:23:56.360 --> 00:23:56.940 information to 00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:57.340 take in 00:23:57.340 --> 00:23:58.120 quickly and we 00:23:58.120 --> 00:23:58.540 don't want to 00:23:58.540 --> 00:23:59.320 preach the 00:23:59.320 --> 00:24:00.180 Genesis and 00:24:00.180 --> 00:24:00.940 Tamar story but 00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:01.420 that is the 00:24:01.420 --> 00:24:02.440 background to 00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:02.760 what they're 00:24:02.760 --> 00:24:03.380 saying here. 00:24:03.380 --> 00:24:04.920 you see 00:24:04.920 --> 00:24:05.580 Tamar 00:24:05.580 --> 00:24:09.740 everything about 00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:11.740 that situation 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:13.900 was wrong. 00:24:14.320 --> 00:24:14.940 So it just 00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:15.840 was completely 00:24:15.840 --> 00:24:16.500 wrong but God 00:24:16.500 --> 00:24:17.100 blessed it. 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:18.140 And out of that 00:24:18.140 --> 00:24:18.960 that Gentile lady 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:19.800 she actually is 00:24:19.800 --> 00:24:20.560 one of the 00:24:20.560 --> 00:24:21.540 descendants of 00:24:21.540 --> 00:24:22.060 Boaz. 00:24:23.060 --> 00:24:23.660 Next week we'll 00:24:23.660 --> 00:24:24.260 find out how 00:24:24.260 --> 00:24:25.060 significant all 00:24:25.060 --> 00:24:25.660 of these people 00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:26.420 are in terms of 00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:26.980 their descendants 00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:28.320 and even into 00:24:28.320 --> 00:24:28.860 the line of 00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:29.219 Christ. 00:24:31.199 --> 00:24:31.619 But they're 00:24:31.619 --> 00:24:32.179 saying may you 00:24:32.179 --> 00:24:32.659 be blessed, 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:33.139 may you be 00:24:33.139 --> 00:24:34.059 remembered like 00:24:34.059 --> 00:24:34.759 Tamar and 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.259 Perez. 00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:40.459 So they're 00:24:40.459 --> 00:24:41.459 expecting 00:24:41.459 --> 00:24:42.979 significance from 00:24:42.979 --> 00:24:43.539 their offspring. 00:24:45.679 --> 00:24:46.539 And also 00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:47.119 they're saying 00:24:47.119 --> 00:24:47.439 that we're 00:24:47.439 --> 00:24:48.079 accepting her 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:48.759 just as we 00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:49.899 accepted the 00:24:49.899 --> 00:24:51.879 Gentile Tamar 00:24:51.879 --> 00:24:52.240 and her 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:52.879 offspring as 00:24:52.879 --> 00:24:53.500 our own so 00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:54.319 we will accept 00:24:54.319 --> 00:24:55.619 the offspring 00:24:55.619 --> 00:24:57.319 of Ruth the 00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:57.719 Moabite. 00:24:57.720 --> 00:24:59.220 and this is 00:24:59.220 --> 00:24:59.579 huge. 00:25:00.380 --> 00:25:01.539 This is way 00:25:01.539 --> 00:25:02.100 beyond the 00:25:02.100 --> 00:25:03.079 expectations if we 00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:03.640 remember in 00:25:03.640 --> 00:25:04.220 chapter 1. 00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:06.380 Naomi was 00:25:06.380 --> 00:25:07.120 like go home. 00:25:08.680 --> 00:25:09.660 Don't come 00:25:09.660 --> 00:25:10.720 to me to 00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:11.160 Bethlehem. 00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:11.579 Go home. 00:25:11.680 --> 00:25:12.400 Go back. 00:25:14.120 --> 00:25:14.460 And Ruth's 00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:15.420 like no no I'm 00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:16.220 coming with you. 00:25:16.900 --> 00:25:17.700 I want to 00:25:17.700 --> 00:25:18.140 follow your 00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:18.500 God. 00:25:19.400 --> 00:25:20.120 I want to 00:25:20.120 --> 00:25:20.720 stay with you. 00:25:22.100 --> 00:25:22.620 And so I'm 00:25:22.620 --> 00:25:23.079 going with you 00:25:23.079 --> 00:25:23.720 to Bethlehem. 00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:24.200 But no one 00:25:24.200 --> 00:25:24.500 could have 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:25.039 foreseen or 00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:25.740 expected that 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:27.120 here in 00:25:27.119 --> 00:25:27.799 chapter 4 00:25:27.799 --> 00:25:29.159 everyone in 00:25:29.159 --> 00:25:29.779 Bethlehem is 00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:30.599 embracing Ruth 00:25:30.599 --> 00:25:32.059 as someone who 00:25:32.059 --> 00:25:32.479 could be a 00:25:32.479 --> 00:25:33.679 blessing to 00:25:33.679 --> 00:25:34.219 the nation 00:25:34.219 --> 00:25:35.419 of Israel. 00:25:38.719 --> 00:25:39.439 And so we 00:25:39.439 --> 00:25:39.779 have the 00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:40.199 cost. 00:25:43.859 --> 00:25:44.619 And so the 00:25:44.619 --> 00:25:45.119 people they 00:25:45.119 --> 00:25:45.739 are their 00:25:45.739 --> 00:25:46.139 witnesses. 00:25:46.859 --> 00:25:47.599 They pronounce 00:25:47.599 --> 00:25:49.919 blessing and 00:25:49.919 --> 00:25:50.259 they want to 00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:51.000 be significant 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:52.939 in the family 00:25:52.939 --> 00:25:54.619 in Bethlehem. 00:25:54.719 --> 00:25:54.939 They're going 00:25:54.939 --> 00:25:55.579 to be significant 00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:56.019 people. 00:25:57.639 --> 00:25:58.259 But this 00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:58.839 story doesn't 00:25:58.839 --> 00:25:59.939 it really 00:25:59.939 --> 00:26:01.119 does just 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:02.379 scream the 00:26:02.379 --> 00:26:02.720 gospel. 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:05.939 When we 00:26:05.939 --> 00:26:07.019 think about it 00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:07.500 and we take a 00:26:07.500 --> 00:26:08.019 step back 00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:08.439 doesn't it 00:26:08.439 --> 00:26:09.240 remind us 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:10.259 of Christ? 00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:15.480 John 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:16.439 chapter 00:26:16.439 --> 00:26:17.639 1 John 00:26:17.639 --> 00:26:17.960 sorry 00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:18.720 chapter 2 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:19.159 verse 2 00:26:19.159 --> 00:26:19.679 says he is 00:26:19.679 --> 00:26:20.099 the atoning 00:26:20.099 --> 00:26:21.019 sacrifice for 00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:21.539 our sins 00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:22.159 and not only 00:26:22.159 --> 00:26:22.619 for ours 00:26:22.619 --> 00:26:23.839 but for the 00:26:23.839 --> 00:26:24.239 sins of 00:26:24.239 --> 00:26:24.500 the whole 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:24.899 world. 00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:28.559 See Jesus 00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:29.699 sat in a 00:26:29.699 --> 00:26:30.000 seat of 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:30.359 power. 00:26:31.679 --> 00:26:32.299 See after 00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:33.579 he died 00:26:33.579 --> 00:26:34.259 on the 00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:34.879 cross and 00:26:34.879 --> 00:26:35.959 paid for 00:26:35.959 --> 00:26:36.639 the salvation 00:26:36.639 --> 00:26:37.539 of sinners 00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:39.179 he rose from 00:26:39.179 --> 00:26:39.559 the dead. 00:26:39.679 --> 00:26:39.839 And it 00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:40.219 says in 00:26:40.219 --> 00:26:40.979 Hebrews 10 00:26:40.979 --> 00:26:41.519 he says 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:43.299 but when 00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:43.819 the priest 00:26:43.819 --> 00:26:44.399 had offered 00:26:44.399 --> 00:26:45.279 for all 00:26:45.279 --> 00:26:45.959 time one 00:26:45.959 --> 00:26:46.839 sacrifice for 00:26:46.839 --> 00:26:47.279 sins he 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:47.919 sat down 00:26:47.919 --> 00:26:48.739 at the 00:26:48.739 --> 00:26:49.219 right hand 00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:49.700 of God. 00:26:50.920 --> 00:26:51.220 You see 00:26:51.220 --> 00:26:52.180 Jesus is 00:26:52.180 --> 00:26:52.759 sitting he 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.240 has made 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:53.880 it a 00:26:53.880 --> 00:26:54.180 legal 00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:54.779 possibility 00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:55.620 for us 00:26:55.620 --> 00:26:56.500 to be 00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:56.960 free of 00:26:56.960 --> 00:26:57.180 guilt. 00:26:57.339 --> 00:26:57.600 A legal 00:26:57.600 --> 00:26:58.160 possibility 00:26:58.160 --> 00:26:58.740 for us 00:26:58.740 --> 00:26:59.100 to be 00:26:59.100 --> 00:26:59.839 cleansed. 00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:00.500 A legal 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:01.120 possibility 00:27:01.120 --> 00:27:01.680 for us 00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:02.039 to be 00:27:02.039 --> 00:27:02.700 set free 00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:03.720 from sin. 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.440 For us 00:27:06.440 --> 00:27:06.759 to be 00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:07.140 forgiven. 00:27:08.420 --> 00:27:08.660 Jesus 00:27:08.660 --> 00:27:09.380 sat down 00:27:09.380 --> 00:27:10.380 because it 00:27:10.380 --> 00:27:11.380 was finished. 00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:11.779 The work 00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:12.140 that Jesus 00:27:12.140 --> 00:27:12.559 did on 00:27:12.559 --> 00:27:13.100 the cross 00:27:13.100 --> 00:27:14.380 is permanent. 00:27:15.120 --> 00:27:15.559 It had 00:27:15.559 --> 00:27:16.019 witnesses. 00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:16.980 It was 00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:17.500 public. 00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:18.220 And it 00:27:18.220 --> 00:27:18.799 was because 00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:19.759 for God 00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:20.159 so loved 00:27:20.159 --> 00:27:20.500 the world. 00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:20.819 It was 00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:21.319 based in 00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:21.879 the love 00:27:21.879 --> 00:27:23.279 of sinners. 00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:24.559 I don't 00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:24.799 know if 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:25.200 that makes 00:27:25.200 --> 00:27:26.139 you happy 00:27:26.139 --> 00:27:26.680 this morning. 00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.099 It makes 00:27:27.099 --> 00:27:27.899 me extremely 00:27:27.899 --> 00:27:28.319 happy. 00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:29.940 That Christ 00:27:29.940 --> 00:27:30.519 has 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.339 sacrificed 00:27:31.339 --> 00:27:32.039 everything 00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:34.559 for us. 00:27:38.879 --> 00:27:39.519 It says 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:40.299 in 2 Corinthians 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:40.819 for you 00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:41.339 know the 00:27:41.339 --> 00:27:41.799 grace of 00:27:41.799 --> 00:27:42.139 our Lord 00:27:42.139 --> 00:27:42.379 Jesus 00:27:42.379 --> 00:27:42.819 Christ 00:27:42.819 --> 00:27:43.259 that though 00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:43.639 he was 00:27:43.639 --> 00:27:44.099 rich yet 00:27:44.099 --> 00:27:44.539 for your 00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:44.980 sake he 00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:45.339 became 00:27:45.339 --> 00:27:45.740 poor 00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:46.359 that so 00:27:46.359 --> 00:27:47.419 through his 00:27:47.419 --> 00:27:48.039 poverty we 00:27:48.039 --> 00:27:48.680 might become 00:27:48.680 --> 00:27:49.060 rich. 00:27:52.519 --> 00:27:53.100 See the 00:27:53.100 --> 00:27:53.600 cross just 00:27:53.600 --> 00:27:53.860 doesn't 00:27:53.860 --> 00:27:54.660 forgive our 00:27:54.660 --> 00:27:55.120 sins it 00:27:55.120 --> 00:27:55.740 actually brings 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:56.460 us into 00:27:56.460 --> 00:27:57.420 the family 00:27:57.420 --> 00:27:57.799 of God. 00:27:57.880 --> 00:27:58.180 It brings 00:27:58.180 --> 00:27:58.860 us into 00:27:58.860 --> 00:28:00.799 his presence. 00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:01.700 See there's 00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:02.660 room for us 00:28:02.660 --> 00:28:03.840 in the 00:28:03.840 --> 00:28:04.340 family of 00:28:04.340 --> 00:28:04.680 God. 00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:08.279 There's 00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:09.000 room for us 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:09.480 in God's 00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:09.960 presence. 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:13.259 Through 00:28:13.259 --> 00:28:14.039 Jesus Christ 00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:14.600 there's room. 00:28:15.880 --> 00:28:16.200 Through 00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:16.819 Boaz 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:17.779 there was 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:19.880 room for 00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:21.100 with the 00:28:21.100 --> 00:28:21.460 Moabite 00:28:21.460 --> 00:28:21.840 there was 00:28:21.840 --> 00:28:22.340 room for 00:28:22.340 --> 00:28:23.259 her in 00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:23.819 Bethlehem. 00:28:27.160 --> 00:28:27.860 So we 00:28:27.860 --> 00:28:28.340 have Jesus 00:28:28.340 --> 00:28:28.759 he's a 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:29.000 better 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:29.500 redeemer. 00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:30.759 Boaz is 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:32.059 good but 00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:33.160 Jesus is 00:28:33.160 --> 00:28:33.460 better. 00:28:33.620 --> 00:28:34.019 In fact the 00:28:34.019 --> 00:28:34.519 book of 00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:35.840 Hebrews is 00:28:35.840 --> 00:28:36.340 really all 00:28:36.340 --> 00:28:36.840 about that. 00:28:36.840 --> 00:28:38.799 That verse 00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:39.200 where Jesus 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:39.779 sat down. 00:28:39.860 --> 00:28:40.360 Jesus is 00:28:40.360 --> 00:28:40.840 better than 00:28:40.840 --> 00:28:41.319 the angels. 00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:42.080 Jesus is 00:28:42.080 --> 00:28:42.860 better. 00:28:43.840 --> 00:28:44.240 He's a 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:44.819 better high 00:28:44.819 --> 00:28:45.220 priest. 00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:46.220 He's 00:28:46.220 --> 00:28:46.519 better. 00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:47.559 He's 00:28:47.559 --> 00:28:48.240 better because 00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:49.240 he is 00:28:49.240 --> 00:28:49.920 the last 00:28:49.920 --> 00:28:50.720 sacrifice. 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:51.740 He's 00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:52.240 better because 00:28:52.240 --> 00:28:52.620 he was 00:28:52.620 --> 00:28:53.120 able to 00:28:53.120 --> 00:28:54.180 pay for 00:28:54.180 --> 00:28:54.859 our sins. 00:28:56.359 --> 00:28:56.620 And so 00:28:56.620 --> 00:28:57.339 Jesus paid 00:28:57.339 --> 00:28:57.759 the greatest 00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:58.140 cost. 00:28:58.299 --> 00:28:58.960 So does 00:28:58.960 --> 00:28:59.460 forgiveness, 00:28:59.599 --> 00:28:59.859 does the 00:28:59.859 --> 00:29:00.460 forgiveness of 00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:00.859 our sins 00:29:00.859 --> 00:29:01.460 cost us? 00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:01.720 And the 00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:02.059 answer to 00:29:02.059 --> 00:29:02.420 that, yes 00:29:02.420 --> 00:29:02.799 it does. 00:29:02.859 --> 00:29:03.240 It cost 00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:04.180 Jesus his 00:29:04.180 --> 00:29:04.900 very life. 00:29:06.279 --> 00:29:06.980 Yet it is 00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:07.620 freely offered 00:29:07.620 --> 00:29:09.599 to us if 00:29:09.599 --> 00:29:10.099 we come to 00:29:10.099 --> 00:29:11.039 him in 00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:11.420 faith. 00:29:12.539 --> 00:29:13.039 Let us 00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:13.319 pray. 00:29:14.460 --> 00:29:15.279 God 00:29:16.180 --> 00:29:16.980 will 00:29:16.980 --> 00:29:18.680 in 00:29:18.680 --> 00:29:19.859 peace. 00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:19.940 Peace.