WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.580 Good morning, everyone. 00:00:01.580 --> 00:00:02.879 Good morning. 00:00:02.980 --> 00:00:05.540 We're going to read from Ruth, Chapter 3. 00:00:07.339 --> 00:00:09.880 Then Naomi, her mother-in-law, said to her, 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:14.280 My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you? 00:00:15.339 --> 00:00:19.080 Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were? 00:00:20.059 --> 00:00:24.039 See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 00:00:24.600 --> 00:00:28.240 Wash, therefore, and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak 00:00:28.239 --> 00:00:29.939 and go down to the threshing floor, 00:00:30.259 --> 00:00:32.460 but do not make yourself known to the man 00:00:32.460 --> 00:00:34.739 until he has finished eating and drinking. 00:00:35.759 --> 00:00:38.979 But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. 00:00:39.879 --> 00:00:42.659 Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, 00:00:43.099 --> 00:00:44.659 and he will tell you what to do. 00:00:45.539 --> 00:00:48.799 And she replied, All that you say I will do. 00:00:49.759 --> 00:00:51.939 So she went down to the threshing floor 00:00:51.939 --> 00:00:54.739 and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her. 00:00:55.459 --> 00:00:57.579 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, 00:00:57.579 --> 00:00:58.920 and his heart was merry, 00:00:59.399 --> 00:01:02.000 he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. 00:01:03.100 --> 00:01:06.959 Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down. 00:01:08.480 --> 00:01:12.159 At midnight, the man was startled and turned over, 00:01:12.480 --> 00:01:14.799 and behold, a woman lay at his feet. 00:01:16.140 --> 00:01:18.120 He said, Who are you? 00:01:18.700 --> 00:01:21.659 And she answered, I am Ruth, your servant. 00:01:22.700 --> 00:01:24.560 Spread your wings over your servant, 00:01:24.560 --> 00:01:26.400 for you are a redeemer. 00:01:27.620 --> 00:01:31.560 And he said, May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. 00:01:32.180 --> 00:01:35.640 You have made this last kindness greater than the first, 00:01:36.020 --> 00:01:38.500 in that you have not gone after young men, 00:01:38.879 --> 00:01:40.180 whether poor or rich. 00:01:40.180 --> 00:01:43.720 And now, my daughter, do not fear. 00:01:44.400 --> 00:01:46.780 I will do for you all that you ask, 00:01:47.180 --> 00:01:50.660 for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman. 00:01:51.880 --> 00:01:54.620 And now it is true that I am a redeemer, 00:01:55.340 --> 00:01:57.900 yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. 00:01:58.960 --> 00:02:01.340 Remain tonight, and in the morning, 00:02:01.660 --> 00:02:04.760 if he will redeem you, good, let him do it. 00:02:04.760 --> 00:02:07.740 But if he is not willing to redeem you, 00:02:08.099 --> 00:02:11.420 then, as the Lord lives, I will redeem you. 00:02:12.039 --> 00:02:13.420 Lie down until the morning. 00:02:15.400 --> 00:02:17.939 So she lay at his feet until the morning, 00:02:18.219 --> 00:02:20.599 but arose before one could recognise another. 00:02:21.599 --> 00:02:25.120 And he said, Let it not be known 00:02:25.120 --> 00:02:27.180 that the woman came to the threshing floor. 00:02:28.000 --> 00:02:30.840 And he said, Bring the garment you are wearing 00:02:30.840 --> 00:02:31.860 and hold it out. 00:02:32.580 --> 00:02:34.680 So she held it, and he measured out 00:02:34.680 --> 00:02:37.379 six measures of barley and put it on her. 00:02:38.140 --> 00:02:39.860 Then she went into the city. 00:02:41.000 --> 00:02:43.060 And when she came to her mother-in-law, 00:02:43.219 --> 00:02:45.819 she said, How did you fare, my daughter? 00:02:47.020 --> 00:02:50.000 Then she told her all about the man had done for her, 00:02:50.920 --> 00:02:53.900 saying, These six measures of barley he gave to me, 00:02:54.420 --> 00:02:55.520 for he said to me, 00:02:55.520 --> 00:02:57.480 You must not go back empty-handed 00:02:57.480 --> 00:02:58.500 to your mother-in-law. 00:02:58.500 --> 00:03:02.500 She replied, Wait, my daughter, 00:03:02.900 --> 00:03:05.219 until you learn how the matter turns out, 00:03:05.560 --> 00:03:06.960 for the man will not rest, 00:03:07.139 --> 00:03:08.620 but will settle the matter today. 00:03:11.080 --> 00:03:14.580 All right, good morning, everyone. 00:03:14.759 --> 00:03:15.300 Thank you, Rob. 00:03:15.639 --> 00:03:16.620 My name is Dave. 00:03:16.699 --> 00:03:18.259 I'm one of the pastors at the church here. 00:03:20.039 --> 00:03:25.819 Well, the story of Ruth is a feel-good story, isn't it? 00:03:25.819 --> 00:03:30.219 It's nothing like the horror stories in the book of Judges. 00:03:31.019 --> 00:03:36.500 In Ruth, no character does anything evil towards other people, 00:03:36.680 --> 00:03:39.859 but instead we see Boaz shine with his kindness 00:03:39.859 --> 00:03:44.159 and Ruth with her loyalty to Naomi. 00:03:44.159 --> 00:03:49.079 It does start with tragedy, but with each step, 00:03:49.280 --> 00:03:54.960 our anticipation grows for a satisfying, happy ending. 00:03:56.019 --> 00:04:01.460 It's got the appeal of a rags-to-riches story. 00:04:02.259 --> 00:04:06.400 Ruth is empty with nothing and no hope, 00:04:06.400 --> 00:04:10.800 but she rises up until she is full, 00:04:11.700 --> 00:04:14.420 and not just full with food, as we'll see next week. 00:04:16.560 --> 00:04:18.399 And here in Chapter 3... 00:04:18.399 --> 00:04:19.500 Oh, Dave. 00:04:20.759 --> 00:04:24.319 Here in Chapter 3, with Cinderella in our heads 00:04:24.319 --> 00:04:28.819 and all the rom-coms that we've been binge-watching in lockdown, 00:04:28.819 --> 00:04:32.099 we sense a bit of a love story going on. 00:04:33.579 --> 00:04:38.639 Boaz and Ruth seem to have a deep admiration 00:04:38.639 --> 00:04:41.519 for each other's faithfulness to the Lord. 00:04:43.480 --> 00:04:45.699 This is a feel-good story. 00:04:45.879 --> 00:04:46.779 Ruth is amazing. 00:04:48.519 --> 00:04:52.039 But it offers us so much more. 00:04:52.040 --> 00:05:00.420 A barrier we have to unlocking all the riches of this story 00:05:00.420 --> 00:05:05.320 is that it assumes what God's ancient people, Israel, 00:05:05.500 --> 00:05:08.259 understood in their bones since birth. 00:05:09.439 --> 00:05:14.140 As Israelites, they knew they were the descendants of Abraham, 00:05:14.360 --> 00:05:16.939 whom God promised to you and your offspring, 00:05:17.540 --> 00:05:18.860 I will give this land. 00:05:19.320 --> 00:05:20.500 I will be your God. 00:05:20.500 --> 00:05:22.500 Whoever blesses you, I will bless. 00:05:22.579 --> 00:05:24.480 Whoever curses you, I will curse. 00:05:25.660 --> 00:05:28.879 They were God's chosen and special people, 00:05:29.939 --> 00:05:31.759 inheriting God's promises. 00:05:32.819 --> 00:05:37.120 They were the ones whom God redeemed out of slavery in Egypt, 00:05:37.459 --> 00:05:39.980 becoming God's treasured possession, 00:05:41.160 --> 00:05:42.879 living with God in the land. 00:05:44.699 --> 00:05:50.259 And here comes the scandal that's at the heart of this story. 00:05:50.500 --> 00:05:54.839 Their neighbours, the Moabites, 00:05:55.920 --> 00:05:58.300 they are the descendants of Moab, 00:05:58.839 --> 00:06:01.879 a son born out of incest, 00:06:02.459 --> 00:06:04.740 we hear in Genesis chapter 19. 00:06:06.500 --> 00:06:08.879 Talk about skeletons in your family history. 00:06:08.879 --> 00:06:12.339 And the scandal gets worse. 00:06:12.339 --> 00:06:17.120 In Deuteronomy 23, the Lord commands his people, 00:06:18.199 --> 00:06:22.959 no Moabite may enter the assembly of the Lord, 00:06:23.259 --> 00:06:25.360 even to the 10th generation. 00:06:25.860 --> 00:06:29.240 None of them may enter the assembly of the Lord forever, 00:06:29.920 --> 00:06:34.879 because they did not meet you with bread and with water on the way 00:06:34.879 --> 00:06:37.139 when you came out of Egypt. 00:06:38.839 --> 00:06:42.800 And the other reason given is that Moab tried to curse Israel. 00:06:44.459 --> 00:06:47.519 You shall not seek their peace, 00:06:48.219 --> 00:06:49.860 all their prosperity, 00:06:50.819 --> 00:06:52.199 all your days, 00:06:53.300 --> 00:06:53.620 forever. 00:06:53.620 --> 00:07:00.000 Do you see the scandal of Ruth, 00:07:00.920 --> 00:07:01.840 the Moabite, 00:07:02.600 --> 00:07:04.879 coming to the land of Israel, 00:07:05.100 --> 00:07:07.300 hoping to find rest, 00:07:08.340 --> 00:07:09.000 a home, 00:07:10.300 --> 00:07:11.399 God's community, 00:07:12.459 --> 00:07:13.220 a family, 00:07:14.040 --> 00:07:14.800 a future, 00:07:15.800 --> 00:07:17.100 belonging to God 00:07:17.100 --> 00:07:19.620 and the blessings of his presence. 00:07:20.980 --> 00:07:22.379 This Moabite 00:07:22.379 --> 00:07:25.280 has zero right 00:07:25.280 --> 00:07:26.620 to the promises 00:07:26.620 --> 00:07:29.020 of the descendants of Abraham. 00:07:30.220 --> 00:07:31.920 She has zero right 00:07:31.920 --> 00:07:33.780 to be near to God 00:07:33.780 --> 00:07:34.480 in the land. 00:07:34.820 --> 00:07:36.379 She has zero right 00:07:36.379 --> 00:07:38.220 to expect to belong 00:07:38.220 --> 00:07:39.160 to his people. 00:07:40.300 --> 00:07:42.320 And she has every reason 00:07:42.320 --> 00:07:44.379 to expect 00:07:44.379 --> 00:07:45.600 the curse of God. 00:07:45.600 --> 00:07:47.480 no peace, 00:07:48.120 --> 00:07:49.200 no prosperity, 00:07:49.939 --> 00:07:51.260 no rest forever. 00:07:53.640 --> 00:07:55.180 Do you feel the scandal 00:07:55.180 --> 00:07:56.640 at the heart of the story of Ruth? 00:07:58.480 --> 00:07:59.540 What's going to happen? 00:07:59.540 --> 00:08:00.580 What will happen 00:08:00.580 --> 00:08:02.620 if Ruth draws near 00:08:02.620 --> 00:08:03.460 to this God 00:08:03.460 --> 00:08:04.260 and his people? 00:08:06.820 --> 00:08:07.879 In my mind, 00:08:07.980 --> 00:08:09.020 it seems like 00:08:09.020 --> 00:08:09.500 entering 00:08:09.500 --> 00:08:11.260 the lion cage 00:08:11.260 --> 00:08:12.180 at a zoo 00:08:12.180 --> 00:08:13.200 and hoping 00:08:13.200 --> 00:08:14.600 to be welcomed in. 00:08:15.600 --> 00:08:18.620 chapter 3, 00:08:19.280 --> 00:08:20.100 it's not 00:08:20.100 --> 00:08:21.700 a Cinderella story. 00:08:22.640 --> 00:08:24.020 It's more scandalous 00:08:24.020 --> 00:08:24.460 than that. 00:08:25.400 --> 00:08:26.100 And I think 00:08:26.100 --> 00:08:27.180 it raises this question. 00:08:27.660 --> 00:08:28.600 How does the Lord 00:08:28.600 --> 00:08:29.260 respond 00:08:29.260 --> 00:08:30.780 to the unworthy 00:08:30.780 --> 00:08:31.379 person 00:08:31.379 --> 00:08:32.279 who approaches 00:08:32.279 --> 00:08:32.820 him 00:08:32.820 --> 00:08:34.379 to find rest? 00:08:34.379 --> 00:08:38.159 how does the Lord 00:08:38.159 --> 00:08:38.620 respond? 00:08:42.779 --> 00:08:43.860 You should be very 00:08:43.860 --> 00:08:44.939 interested in the answer 00:08:44.939 --> 00:08:45.600 to this question 00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:47.039 because we have a lot 00:08:47.039 --> 00:08:47.799 in common with Ruth. 00:08:49.399 --> 00:08:50.559 Listen to what 00:08:50.559 --> 00:08:51.559 God says about 00:08:51.559 --> 00:08:52.460 each one of us 00:08:52.460 --> 00:08:53.480 who aren't Jewish 00:08:53.480 --> 00:08:54.840 in Ephesians 00:08:54.840 --> 00:08:55.620 chapter 2, 00:08:55.700 --> 00:08:56.220 verse 12. 00:08:56.220 --> 00:08:59.240 Remember 00:08:59.240 --> 00:09:01.300 that you were 00:09:01.300 --> 00:09:02.180 at that time 00:09:02.180 --> 00:09:03.360 separated from 00:09:03.360 --> 00:09:04.019 Christ, 00:09:05.480 --> 00:09:06.440 alienated 00:09:06.440 --> 00:09:07.519 from the 00:09:07.519 --> 00:09:08.200 commonwealth 00:09:08.200 --> 00:09:08.720 of Israel 00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:10.879 and strangers 00:09:10.879 --> 00:09:12.240 to the 00:09:12.240 --> 00:09:12.840 covenants 00:09:12.840 --> 00:09:13.540 of promise, 00:09:14.800 --> 00:09:15.920 having no hope 00:09:15.920 --> 00:09:17.940 and without 00:09:17.940 --> 00:09:18.580 God 00:09:18.580 --> 00:09:20.040 in the world. 00:09:20.039 --> 00:09:22.599 And just a few 00:09:22.599 --> 00:09:23.500 verses earlier, 00:09:24.620 --> 00:09:25.279 we're told 00:09:25.279 --> 00:09:25.799 that because 00:09:25.799 --> 00:09:26.579 of the way 00:09:26.579 --> 00:09:27.219 each of us 00:09:27.219 --> 00:09:27.799 has lived, 00:09:28.079 --> 00:09:28.779 we deserve 00:09:28.779 --> 00:09:29.719 God's wrath. 00:09:34.500 --> 00:09:35.459 I remember 00:09:35.459 --> 00:09:35.980 this time 00:09:35.980 --> 00:09:36.339 when I was 00:09:36.339 --> 00:09:36.980 a young boy 00:09:36.980 --> 00:09:39.319 and I had 00:09:39.319 --> 00:09:40.000 done something 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:40.679 I knew my 00:09:40.679 --> 00:09:41.279 parents would 00:09:41.279 --> 00:09:42.000 be angry at 00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:43.379 and they 00:09:43.379 --> 00:09:44.079 found out 00:09:44.079 --> 00:09:44.759 about it. 00:09:45.860 --> 00:09:46.459 And I was 00:09:46.459 --> 00:09:47.219 really afraid 00:09:47.219 --> 00:09:48.319 to leave 00:09:48.319 --> 00:09:49.019 my bedroom 00:09:49.019 --> 00:09:50.259 to go to 00:09:50.259 --> 00:09:50.759 the kitchen 00:09:50.759 --> 00:09:51.379 for breakfast 00:09:51.379 --> 00:09:52.379 with my 00:09:52.379 --> 00:09:52.799 family. 00:09:54.179 --> 00:09:54.819 Would they 00:09:54.819 --> 00:09:55.340 be angry? 00:09:56.460 --> 00:09:57.100 Would they 00:09:57.100 --> 00:09:57.819 be disappointed? 00:09:59.120 --> 00:10:00.000 Would they 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:00.740 look at me 00:10:00.740 --> 00:10:01.799 and talk to 00:10:01.799 --> 00:10:02.079 me with 00:10:02.079 --> 00:10:02.539 affection 00:10:02.539 --> 00:10:03.360 ever again? 00:10:05.019 --> 00:10:05.500 And so I 00:10:05.500 --> 00:10:06.000 hid in my 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:06.699 bedroom for 00:10:06.699 --> 00:10:07.379 quite a while. 00:10:11.139 --> 00:10:11.960 Even though 00:10:11.960 --> 00:10:13.100 we're told 00:10:13.100 --> 00:10:13.819 to come to 00:10:13.819 --> 00:10:14.439 God no matter 00:10:14.439 --> 00:10:14.919 what we've 00:10:14.919 --> 00:10:15.159 done, 00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:15.779 I think we 00:10:15.779 --> 00:10:16.240 can feel 00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:16.740 like that 00:10:16.740 --> 00:10:17.340 little boy 00:10:17.340 --> 00:10:17.980 hiding in 00:10:17.980 --> 00:10:18.460 his room. 00:10:19.019 --> 00:10:21.500 maybe there's 00:10:21.500 --> 00:10:21.980 a moral 00:10:21.980 --> 00:10:22.919 failure in 00:10:22.919 --> 00:10:23.600 your past 00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:23.939 that is 00:10:23.939 --> 00:10:24.600 big in 00:10:24.600 --> 00:10:25.139 your mind 00:10:25.139 --> 00:10:25.439 and you 00:10:25.439 --> 00:10:26.079 just don't 00:10:26.079 --> 00:10:26.860 think God 00:10:26.860 --> 00:10:27.600 could forgive 00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:28.500 that sin. 00:10:30.740 --> 00:10:31.500 Maybe it's 00:10:31.500 --> 00:10:32.199 just a general 00:10:32.199 --> 00:10:33.860 sense that 00:10:33.860 --> 00:10:34.480 no one could 00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:34.919 love you. 00:10:35.179 --> 00:10:35.799 So it's too 00:10:35.799 --> 00:10:36.720 hard to believe 00:10:36.720 --> 00:10:37.199 that God 00:10:37.199 --> 00:10:37.679 loves you. 00:10:40.259 --> 00:10:41.100 Maybe you've 00:10:41.100 --> 00:10:41.860 just learnt 00:10:41.860 --> 00:10:43.639 bit by bit 00:10:43.639 --> 00:10:44.399 growing up 00:10:44.399 --> 00:10:45.240 in this harsh 00:10:45.240 --> 00:10:46.159 world that 00:10:46.159 --> 00:10:46.559 you're 00:10:46.559 --> 00:10:47.379 better off 00:10:47.379 --> 00:10:47.759 if you 00:10:47.759 --> 00:10:48.339 never 00:10:48.339 --> 00:10:49.279 ever 00:10:49.279 --> 00:10:50.719 let your 00:10:50.719 --> 00:10:51.379 guard down. 00:10:56.519 --> 00:10:57.219 Whatever the 00:10:57.219 --> 00:10:57.919 case, if we 00:10:57.919 --> 00:10:58.360 are to find 00:10:58.360 --> 00:10:59.319 rest, we 00:10:59.319 --> 00:10:59.860 need to know 00:10:59.860 --> 00:11:00.360 the answer 00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:00.939 to Ruth's 00:11:00.939 --> 00:11:01.339 question. 00:11:01.699 --> 00:11:02.259 How does 00:11:02.259 --> 00:11:02.740 the Lord 00:11:02.740 --> 00:11:04.679 respond to 00:11:04.679 --> 00:11:05.459 the unworthy 00:11:05.459 --> 00:11:06.199 person who 00:11:06.199 --> 00:11:07.360 approaches him 00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:08.860 to find rest 00:11:08.860 --> 00:11:09.559 in his 00:11:09.559 --> 00:11:09.980 presence? 00:11:09.980 --> 00:11:12.100 So let's 00:11:12.100 --> 00:11:12.659 watch Ruth 00:11:12.659 --> 00:11:14.019 closely to 00:11:14.019 --> 00:11:14.500 find out. 00:11:17.879 --> 00:11:18.960 The focus 00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:19.460 in chapter 00:11:19.460 --> 00:11:20.259 two was 00:11:20.259 --> 00:11:21.240 on Boaz, 00:11:21.779 --> 00:11:22.639 his identity 00:11:22.639 --> 00:11:24.259 and kindness 00:11:24.259 --> 00:11:25.060 as the 00:11:25.060 --> 00:11:25.500 redeemer. 00:11:26.340 --> 00:11:26.700 And chapter 00:11:26.700 --> 00:11:27.580 three focuses 00:11:27.580 --> 00:11:28.759 on Ruth and 00:11:28.759 --> 00:11:29.720 her daring 00:11:29.720 --> 00:11:30.779 approach of 00:11:30.779 --> 00:11:31.180 Boaz. 00:11:32.259 --> 00:11:33.360 So far, 00:11:33.539 --> 00:11:34.039 Ruth and 00:11:34.039 --> 00:11:34.659 Naomi have 00:11:34.659 --> 00:11:35.279 been provided 00:11:35.279 --> 00:11:36.320 protection and 00:11:36.320 --> 00:11:37.259 food security, 00:11:37.639 --> 00:11:38.000 but what 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:38.639 happens to 00:11:38.639 --> 00:11:39.860 them as the 00:11:39.860 --> 00:11:40.680 harvest comes 00:11:40.680 --> 00:11:41.259 to an end. 00:11:43.180 --> 00:11:43.960 In verses 00:11:43.960 --> 00:11:44.879 one to six, 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:45.419 the scene 00:11:45.419 --> 00:11:46.039 opens with 00:11:46.039 --> 00:11:47.340 Naomi instructing 00:11:47.340 --> 00:11:48.600 Ruth with a 00:11:48.600 --> 00:11:49.879 daring, even 00:11:49.879 --> 00:11:51.100 scandalous scheme, 00:11:51.180 --> 00:11:51.800 and we're told 00:11:51.800 --> 00:11:52.800 the goal is 00:11:52.800 --> 00:11:53.240 the goal. 00:11:54.080 --> 00:11:54.620 My daughter, 00:11:55.519 --> 00:11:56.300 should I not 00:11:56.300 --> 00:11:57.399 seek rest for 00:11:57.399 --> 00:11:58.039 you that it 00:11:58.039 --> 00:11:58.639 may be well 00:11:58.639 --> 00:11:58.940 with you? 00:12:00.620 --> 00:12:01.220 She could 00:12:01.220 --> 00:12:01.980 have told her 00:12:01.980 --> 00:12:02.820 to pursue a 00:12:02.820 --> 00:12:03.759 young Israelite, 00:12:03.860 --> 00:12:04.600 perhaps a rich 00:12:04.600 --> 00:12:06.519 one with good 00:12:06.519 --> 00:12:08.080 standing in the 00:12:08.080 --> 00:12:08.500 community. 00:12:08.500 --> 00:12:10.679 But Naomi 00:12:10.679 --> 00:12:12.279 wants Ruth to 00:12:12.279 --> 00:12:12.960 have an even 00:12:12.960 --> 00:12:14.179 deeper rest 00:12:14.179 --> 00:12:15.919 by being 00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:16.720 obedient to 00:12:16.720 --> 00:12:17.379 God's word 00:12:17.379 --> 00:12:18.059 and seeking 00:12:18.059 --> 00:12:18.600 out a 00:12:18.600 --> 00:12:20.320 family, a 00:12:20.320 --> 00:12:20.919 kinsman 00:12:20.919 --> 00:12:21.740 redeemer. 00:12:23.580 --> 00:12:23.879 You see, 00:12:23.960 --> 00:12:24.559 God's law 00:12:24.559 --> 00:12:25.799 provided a way 00:12:25.799 --> 00:12:26.700 back for those 00:12:26.700 --> 00:12:27.279 cut off from 00:12:27.279 --> 00:12:27.940 his presence. 00:12:28.399 --> 00:12:28.940 So if a 00:12:28.940 --> 00:12:30.039 husband dies 00:12:30.039 --> 00:12:30.659 without having 00:12:30.659 --> 00:12:31.179 an heir, 00:12:31.179 --> 00:12:32.620 it was the 00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:34.039 obligation of 00:12:34.039 --> 00:12:34.820 his surviving 00:12:34.820 --> 00:12:36.000 brother to 00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:36.899 purchase the 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:38.360 land and 00:12:38.360 --> 00:12:39.100 marry the 00:12:39.100 --> 00:12:39.379 widow. 00:12:40.840 --> 00:12:41.320 And the 00:12:41.320 --> 00:12:42.919 firstborn son 00:12:42.919 --> 00:12:44.159 carried on the 00:12:44.159 --> 00:12:44.820 name of the 00:12:44.820 --> 00:12:45.399 dead husband, 00:12:45.820 --> 00:12:47.620 continuing his 00:12:47.620 --> 00:12:48.559 family name in 00:12:48.559 --> 00:12:48.980 the land. 00:12:50.460 --> 00:12:51.019 But our 00:12:51.019 --> 00:12:51.799 question still 00:12:51.799 --> 00:12:52.940 remains, does 00:12:52.940 --> 00:12:54.899 this promise of 00:12:54.899 --> 00:12:56.000 redemption and 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:58.340 rest apply to 00:12:58.340 --> 00:12:59.120 this Moabite? 00:12:59.120 --> 00:13:02.919 Naomi wants 00:13:02.919 --> 00:13:03.740 rest for 00:13:03.740 --> 00:13:04.419 Ruth and 00:13:04.419 --> 00:13:05.159 Ruth wants a 00:13:05.159 --> 00:13:05.960 baby boy to 00:13:05.960 --> 00:13:06.519 carry on the 00:13:06.519 --> 00:13:07.659 name of 00:13:07.659 --> 00:13:08.139 Naomi's 00:13:08.139 --> 00:13:08.460 family. 00:13:10.399 --> 00:13:12.240 But the 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:13.039 way to 00:13:13.039 --> 00:13:14.000 seek redemption 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:14.639 is going to 00:13:14.639 --> 00:13:15.419 be really 00:13:15.419 --> 00:13:16.539 risky. 00:13:18.419 --> 00:13:19.159 Naomi tells 00:13:19.159 --> 00:13:20.580 Ruth, go 00:13:20.580 --> 00:13:21.279 tonight to 00:13:21.279 --> 00:13:21.820 the threshing 00:13:21.820 --> 00:13:23.960 floor where 00:13:23.960 --> 00:13:24.440 they get the 00:13:24.440 --> 00:13:25.299 grain out of 00:13:25.299 --> 00:13:25.840 the harvest. 00:13:25.840 --> 00:13:29.240 in Hosea 00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:30.000 9 verse 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:31.700 1, it 00:13:31.700 --> 00:13:32.540 appears that 00:13:32.540 --> 00:13:33.100 threshing 00:13:33.100 --> 00:13:33.879 floors could 00:13:33.879 --> 00:13:35.220 have prostitutes 00:13:35.220 --> 00:13:36.540 and drunken 00:13:36.540 --> 00:13:37.620 revelry. 00:13:39.720 --> 00:13:40.440 Boaz, 00:13:40.560 --> 00:13:41.600 however, we 00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:42.100 know he 00:13:42.100 --> 00:13:42.800 fears the 00:13:42.800 --> 00:13:43.379 Lord, so we 00:13:43.379 --> 00:13:44.440 expect his 00:13:44.440 --> 00:13:44.960 threshing 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:45.720 floor to be 00:13:45.720 --> 00:13:46.540 different. 00:13:47.240 --> 00:13:47.899 But still, 00:13:48.399 --> 00:13:49.280 for Ruth to 00:13:49.280 --> 00:13:50.040 be asked to 00:13:50.040 --> 00:13:50.860 go to the 00:13:50.860 --> 00:13:51.240 threshing 00:13:51.240 --> 00:13:52.160 floor at 00:13:52.160 --> 00:13:53.660 night, if 00:13:53.660 --> 00:13:54.800 she is seen 00:13:54.800 --> 00:13:55.660 by anyone, 00:13:55.840 --> 00:13:57.879 her intentions 00:13:57.879 --> 00:13:58.740 will be 00:13:58.740 --> 00:13:59.540 instantly 00:13:59.540 --> 00:14:00.160 suspected. 00:14:00.720 --> 00:14:01.100 If she 00:14:01.100 --> 00:14:01.700 had any 00:14:01.700 --> 00:14:02.540 good reputation 00:14:02.540 --> 00:14:02.879 as a 00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:03.460 Moabite, it 00:14:03.460 --> 00:14:03.720 would be 00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:04.399 lost forever. 00:14:07.780 --> 00:14:08.500 And then 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:09.300 the plan is 00:14:09.300 --> 00:14:11.120 wash and 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:11.840 put perfume 00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:12.320 on and 00:14:12.320 --> 00:14:12.759 your best 00:14:12.759 --> 00:14:13.100 cloak. 00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:15.160 This is a 00:14:15.160 --> 00:14:15.899 picture of 00:14:15.899 --> 00:14:16.800 a bride 00:14:16.800 --> 00:14:17.700 preparing 00:14:17.700 --> 00:14:18.120 herself. 00:14:19.120 --> 00:14:19.920 What Ruth 00:14:19.920 --> 00:14:20.580 wants from 00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:21.759 Boaz will 00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:22.460 be obvious, 00:14:23.060 --> 00:14:23.360 getting 00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:23.980 straight to 00:14:23.980 --> 00:14:24.379 the point. 00:14:25.840 --> 00:14:26.600 And then 00:14:26.600 --> 00:14:27.200 watch where 00:14:27.200 --> 00:14:28.100 Boaz lays 00:14:28.100 --> 00:14:28.519 down to 00:14:28.519 --> 00:14:29.000 sleep and 00:14:29.000 --> 00:14:29.540 then go 00:14:29.540 --> 00:14:30.620 uncover his 00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:32.040 legs and 00:14:32.040 --> 00:14:32.680 lay with 00:14:32.680 --> 00:14:32.860 him. 00:14:33.820 --> 00:14:34.780 That picture 00:14:34.780 --> 00:14:35.120 in the 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:35.600 children's 00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:36.280 story just 00:14:36.280 --> 00:14:38.019 captured the 00:14:38.019 --> 00:14:39.000 awkwardness and 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:42.139 wrongness of 00:14:42.139 --> 00:14:42.940 that scene. 00:14:42.940 --> 00:14:44.220 Is this a 00:14:44.220 --> 00:14:45.620 plan to 00:14:45.620 --> 00:14:46.940 seduce Boaz? 00:14:47.680 --> 00:14:49.379 A plan to 00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:50.280 force him to 00:14:50.280 --> 00:14:50.960 marry Ruth? 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:53.019 to lay 00:14:53.019 --> 00:14:55.200 down is 00:14:55.200 --> 00:14:56.100 repeated so 00:14:56.100 --> 00:14:56.860 many times in 00:14:56.860 --> 00:14:57.379 this chapter. 00:14:58.040 --> 00:14:58.900 It is used 00:14:58.900 --> 00:14:59.180 in the 00:14:59.180 --> 00:14:59.820 Bible as 00:14:59.820 --> 00:15:00.480 an idiom 00:15:00.480 --> 00:15:01.320 for 00:15:01.320 --> 00:15:02.040 intercourse. 00:15:03.920 --> 00:15:04.620 But what 00:15:04.620 --> 00:15:04.960 we're going to 00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:05.720 see is that 00:15:05.720 --> 00:15:07.019 despite the 00:15:07.019 --> 00:15:07.379 sexual 00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:08.080 possibilities, 00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:09.000 nothing 00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:10.060 immoral 00:15:10.060 --> 00:15:10.720 occurs, 00:15:10.840 --> 00:15:11.280 quite the 00:15:11.280 --> 00:15:11.560 opposite. 00:15:12.860 --> 00:15:13.759 Seduction is 00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:14.379 not the 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:15.060 plan here. 00:15:15.059 --> 00:15:18.279 So why 00:15:18.279 --> 00:15:18.899 the secrecy 00:15:18.899 --> 00:15:19.319 at night? 00:15:19.839 --> 00:15:20.539 Perhaps it's 00:15:20.539 --> 00:15:20.839 to give 00:15:20.839 --> 00:15:21.659 Boaz no 00:15:21.659 --> 00:15:22.659 pressure to 00:15:22.659 --> 00:15:23.659 agree to 00:15:23.659 --> 00:15:24.359 marry Ruth. 00:15:25.199 --> 00:15:25.719 He can 00:15:25.719 --> 00:15:26.779 reject Ruth 00:15:26.779 --> 00:15:27.419 while saving 00:15:27.419 --> 00:15:28.199 face in the 00:15:28.199 --> 00:15:28.639 community. 00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:31.000 And perhaps 00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:32.019 it's also to 00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:32.580 cause no 00:15:32.580 --> 00:15:33.480 scandal because 00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:34.620 there is 00:15:34.620 --> 00:15:35.059 another 00:15:35.059 --> 00:15:35.580 redeemer. 00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:39.399 But this 00:15:39.399 --> 00:15:40.340 plan is very 00:15:40.340 --> 00:15:41.220 direct. 00:15:42.919 --> 00:15:43.460 Ruth will 00:15:43.460 --> 00:15:44.179 be wanting 00:15:44.179 --> 00:15:45.199 from Boaz 00:15:45.199 --> 00:15:46.220 marriage, 00:15:46.519 --> 00:15:47.840 but it's 00:15:47.840 --> 00:15:48.480 very risky. 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:50.100 Ruth has 00:15:50.100 --> 00:15:50.980 to go all 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:52.220 in with 00:15:52.220 --> 00:15:52.740 Boaz, 00:15:53.240 --> 00:15:54.819 which 00:15:54.819 --> 00:15:55.340 highlights 00:15:55.340 --> 00:15:55.740 Ruth's 00:15:55.740 --> 00:15:56.259 incredible 00:15:56.259 --> 00:15:56.620 faith. 00:15:56.939 --> 00:15:57.480 We're told 00:15:57.480 --> 00:15:58.319 she did 00:15:58.320 --> 00:15:59.820 just as 00:15:59.820 --> 00:16:00.280 her mother 00:16:00.280 --> 00:16:00.760 in law 00:16:00.760 --> 00:16:01.000 had 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:01.379 commanded 00:16:01.379 --> 00:16:01.680 her. 00:16:03.320 --> 00:16:04.780 Ruth is 00:16:04.780 --> 00:16:05.520 forsaking 00:16:05.520 --> 00:16:06.820 any other 00:16:06.820 --> 00:16:07.460 hope of 00:16:07.460 --> 00:16:08.200 security in 00:16:08.200 --> 00:16:08.820 this life 00:16:08.820 --> 00:16:10.060 and pinning 00:16:10.060 --> 00:16:10.960 all her 00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:12.760 future on 00:16:12.760 --> 00:16:14.180 Boaz and 00:16:14.180 --> 00:16:14.920 ultimately on 00:16:14.920 --> 00:16:15.300 the Lord. 00:16:18.200 --> 00:16:19.000 In 00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:19.980 verse 6 00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:20.720 to 15, 00:16:21.240 --> 00:16:22.080 we go to 00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:22.580 the threshing 00:16:22.580 --> 00:16:22.900 floor. 00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:24.600 Ruth is 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:25.320 hiding in 00:16:25.320 --> 00:16:25.860 the dark, 00:16:27.240 --> 00:16:27.820 waiting for 00:16:27.820 --> 00:16:28.340 Boaz to 00:16:28.340 --> 00:16:28.640 go to 00:16:28.640 --> 00:16:28.920 bed. 00:16:30.160 --> 00:16:30.720 She is 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:31.000 putting 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:31.820 herself at 00:16:31.820 --> 00:16:32.980 great risk 00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:33.700 of the 00:16:33.700 --> 00:16:34.320 young male 00:16:34.320 --> 00:16:34.780 workers 00:16:34.780 --> 00:16:35.080 there, 00:16:36.100 --> 00:16:36.700 risking being 00:16:36.700 --> 00:16:38.300 caught or 00:16:38.300 --> 00:16:39.020 much worse. 00:16:40.780 --> 00:16:41.540 She is 00:16:41.540 --> 00:16:42.160 letting go 00:16:42.160 --> 00:16:43.379 of all 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:43.840 other 00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:44.360 securities 00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:45.180 she could 00:16:45.180 --> 00:16:45.500 have. 00:16:47.400 --> 00:16:47.879 After 00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:48.240 Boaz 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:48.660 finishes 00:16:48.660 --> 00:16:49.340 eating and 00:16:49.340 --> 00:16:49.660 drinking, 00:16:49.800 --> 00:16:50.240 he goes 00:16:50.240 --> 00:16:50.940 by himself 00:16:50.940 --> 00:16:51.680 away from 00:16:51.680 --> 00:16:52.160 the workers 00:16:52.160 --> 00:16:52.560 to the 00:16:52.560 --> 00:16:53.160 far side 00:16:53.160 --> 00:16:53.380 of the 00:16:53.380 --> 00:16:53.660 heap of 00:16:53.660 --> 00:16:53.920 grain. 00:16:55.080 --> 00:16:56.160 Ruth softly 00:16:56.159 --> 00:16:56.819 approaches 00:16:56.819 --> 00:16:57.159 him. 00:16:57.539 --> 00:16:57.679 She 00:16:57.679 --> 00:16:58.579 uncovers 00:16:58.579 --> 00:16:59.299 his legs 00:16:59.299 --> 00:17:00.860 and lay 00:17:00.860 --> 00:17:01.539 down at 00:17:01.539 --> 00:17:02.139 his feet. 00:17:03.959 --> 00:17:04.940 This scene 00:17:04.940 --> 00:17:05.759 is so 00:17:05.759 --> 00:17:06.759 intimate. 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:09.159 To uncover 00:17:09.159 --> 00:17:10.019 his feet 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:10.539 and legs, 00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:11.240 to lay 00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:11.680 with him 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:12.240 in secret 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:12.599 in the 00:17:12.599 --> 00:17:12.960 dark. 00:17:14.659 --> 00:17:15.079 It is 00:17:15.079 --> 00:17:16.000 just Boaz 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:16.440 and Ruth 00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:16.659 here. 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:18.700 She has 00:17:18.700 --> 00:17:19.700 placed herself 00:17:19.700 --> 00:17:20.440 in such 00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:21.579 an incredibly 00:17:21.579 --> 00:17:22.779 vulnerable 00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:23.579 position. 00:17:23.579 --> 00:17:26.059 When it 00:17:26.059 --> 00:17:26.679 got cold 00:17:26.679 --> 00:17:27.279 at midnight, 00:17:27.500 --> 00:17:27.779 Boaz 00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:28.559 wakes up 00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:29.139 and he 00:17:29.139 --> 00:17:29.519 is utter 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:30.019 shock. 00:17:30.279 --> 00:17:30.419 He 00:17:30.419 --> 00:17:31.119 notices a 00:17:31.119 --> 00:17:31.679 woman lying 00:17:31.679 --> 00:17:32.099 with him. 00:17:32.339 --> 00:17:32.740 What is 00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:32.980 he going 00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:33.339 to do? 00:17:35.199 --> 00:17:35.740 It 00:17:35.740 --> 00:17:36.319 appears 00:17:36.319 --> 00:17:37.039 that Boaz 00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:37.659 does not 00:17:37.659 --> 00:17:38.259 permit women 00:17:38.259 --> 00:17:38.599 at his 00:17:38.599 --> 00:17:38.980 threshing 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:39.259 floor. 00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:40.579 Will he 00:17:40.579 --> 00:17:41.299 abide by 00:17:41.299 --> 00:17:41.679 his own 00:17:41.679 --> 00:17:42.099 rules? 00:17:43.939 --> 00:17:44.379 Will he 00:17:44.379 --> 00:17:44.639 take 00:17:44.639 --> 00:17:45.439 advantage 00:17:45.439 --> 00:17:46.740 of her 00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:47.199 vulnerability? 00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:50.259 If he's 00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:50.939 overtaken 00:17:50.939 --> 00:17:51.699 with desire 00:17:51.699 --> 00:17:52.919 as the 00:17:52.919 --> 00:17:53.299 boss, 00:17:53.299 --> 00:17:53.740 he could 00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:54.159 get away 00:17:54.159 --> 00:17:54.519 with it. 00:17:55.859 --> 00:17:56.519 Or if 00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:56.680 he's 00:17:56.680 --> 00:17:57.159 concerned 00:17:57.159 --> 00:17:57.519 with his 00:17:57.519 --> 00:17:57.740 own 00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:58.019 honour, 00:17:58.579 --> 00:17:59.019 he might 00:17:59.019 --> 00:17:59.680 sound an 00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:00.220 alarm and 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:00.879 drive her 00:18:00.879 --> 00:18:01.279 out and 00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:01.619 put it 00:18:01.619 --> 00:18:02.119 a shame 00:18:02.119 --> 00:18:02.480 in a 00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:02.819 way that 00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:03.500 would stick 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:03.960 to her 00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:04.240 name 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:04.599 forever. 00:18:07.940 --> 00:18:08.519 But he 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:08.799 has the 00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:09.279 presence of 00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:10.379 mind to 00:18:10.379 --> 00:18:10.839 find out 00:18:10.839 --> 00:18:11.059 what's 00:18:11.059 --> 00:18:11.639 going on. 00:18:12.819 --> 00:18:13.220 And this 00:18:13.220 --> 00:18:13.859 begins the 00:18:13.859 --> 00:18:14.639 whispered and 00:18:14.639 --> 00:18:15.059 intimate 00:18:15.059 --> 00:18:15.759 conversation. 00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:16.419 Who are 00:18:16.419 --> 00:18:16.659 you? 00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:17.859 Boaz 00:18:17.859 --> 00:18:18.200 asked. 00:18:20.579 --> 00:18:21.059 In 00:18:21.059 --> 00:18:21.339 chapter 00:18:21.339 --> 00:18:21.819 two, 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:23.019 bowing at 00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:23.500 his feet, 00:18:23.660 --> 00:18:24.299 she humbled 00:18:24.299 --> 00:18:24.740 herself, 00:18:24.879 --> 00:18:25.420 claiming she 00:18:25.420 --> 00:18:25.980 wasn't even 00:18:25.980 --> 00:18:27.019 worthy to 00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:27.720 be called 00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:28.960 his servant 00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:30.440 because she 00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:30.720 was a 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:31.200 Moabite. 00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:33.359 But her 00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:34.220 reply here 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:35.259 is an 00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:35.859 amazing 00:18:35.859 --> 00:18:36.740 expression 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:38.559 of faith 00:18:38.559 --> 00:18:39.539 in her 00:18:39.539 --> 00:18:39.980 redeemer. 00:18:41.359 --> 00:18:42.139 I am 00:18:42.139 --> 00:18:42.519 Ruth, 00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:43.500 your 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:44.119 servant. 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:46.240 Spread 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:46.980 your wings 00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:47.619 over your 00:18:47.619 --> 00:18:47.920 servant, 00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:48.599 for you are 00:18:48.599 --> 00:18:49.180 a redeemer. 00:18:49.180 --> 00:18:53.180 wings means 00:18:53.180 --> 00:18:53.799 the corner 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:54.200 of your 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:54.620 garment, 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:55.400 what they 00:18:55.400 --> 00:18:56.000 use for 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:56.160 their 00:18:56.160 --> 00:18:56.560 blanket. 00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:57.600 Spread 00:18:57.600 --> 00:18:57.960 your 00:18:57.960 --> 00:18:58.519 blanket 00:18:58.519 --> 00:18:59.880 over me. 00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:01.900 Bring 00:19:01.900 --> 00:19:03.700 me into 00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:04.519 the warmth 00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:06.180 of your 00:19:06.180 --> 00:19:06.759 intimacy, 00:19:08.080 --> 00:19:08.759 under your 00:19:08.759 --> 00:19:09.380 protection, 00:19:11.140 --> 00:19:11.860 providing me 00:19:11.860 --> 00:19:13.700 security and 00:19:13.700 --> 00:19:14.320 a future 00:19:14.320 --> 00:19:15.080 for me 00:19:15.080 --> 00:19:16.640 and Naomi's 00:19:16.640 --> 00:19:16.940 family. 00:19:17.600 --> 00:19:17.980 Boaz, 00:19:18.980 --> 00:19:19.440 you should 00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:20.000 marry me. 00:19:22.800 --> 00:19:23.360 How 00:19:23.360 --> 00:19:24.240 presumptuous 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:24.759 does this 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:25.520 sound coming 00:19:25.520 --> 00:19:25.920 from a 00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:26.520 Moabite? 00:19:28.380 --> 00:19:29.240 She is 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:29.940 well aware 00:19:29.940 --> 00:19:31.520 she has 00:19:31.520 --> 00:19:32.120 come from 00:19:32.120 --> 00:19:32.620 the enemies 00:19:32.620 --> 00:19:33.120 of God's 00:19:33.120 --> 00:19:33.400 people, 00:19:33.400 --> 00:19:33.880 but she 00:19:33.880 --> 00:19:35.140 knows God's 00:19:35.140 --> 00:19:37.060 law that 00:19:37.060 --> 00:19:38.160 promises the 00:19:38.160 --> 00:19:39.020 nearest brother 00:19:39.020 --> 00:19:39.860 will redeem 00:19:39.860 --> 00:19:40.640 a childless 00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:40.920 widow, 00:19:42.600 --> 00:19:43.320 bringing her 00:19:43.320 --> 00:19:43.860 under his 00:19:43.860 --> 00:19:44.420 care, 00:19:44.420 --> 00:19:45.560 under his 00:19:45.560 --> 00:19:46.340 wings. 00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:48.500 She's 00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:49.120 saying to 00:19:49.120 --> 00:19:49.420 Boaz, 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:49.900 Boaz, 00:19:50.200 --> 00:19:50.840 remember that 00:19:50.840 --> 00:19:51.380 day in the 00:19:51.380 --> 00:19:52.440 field when 00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:53.160 you prayed 00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:53.640 that the 00:19:53.640 --> 00:19:54.220 Lord would 00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:54.880 be kind 00:19:54.880 --> 00:19:55.259 to me 00:19:55.259 --> 00:19:55.759 because I 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.160 have come 00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:56.580 to take 00:19:56.580 --> 00:19:57.440 refuge under 00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:58.060 the wings 00:19:58.060 --> 00:19:58.460 of the 00:19:58.460 --> 00:19:58.759 Lord? 00:19:59.519 --> 00:19:59.920 Boaz, 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:00.539 come good 00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:00.820 on your 00:20:00.820 --> 00:20:01.220 word. 00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:03.380 Become the 00:20:03.380 --> 00:20:04.500 living expression 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:05.960 of the 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:07.279 Lord spreading 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:08.039 his wings 00:20:08.039 --> 00:20:08.500 over me. 00:20:12.220 --> 00:20:13.000 So what 00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:13.300 will this 00:20:13.300 --> 00:20:14.080 redeemer do 00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:15.299 with this 00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:16.179 unworthy 00:20:16.179 --> 00:20:17.379 Moabite? 00:20:19.119 --> 00:20:19.899 Will he 00:20:19.899 --> 00:20:20.559 take advantage 00:20:20.559 --> 00:20:21.159 of her, 00:20:22.159 --> 00:20:23.199 quietly turn 00:20:23.199 --> 00:20:23.679 her away, 00:20:24.679 --> 00:20:25.899 or publicly 00:20:25.899 --> 00:20:26.359 put her 00:20:26.359 --> 00:20:26.779 to shame? 00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:32.819 May you 00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:33.759 be blessed 00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:34.500 by the 00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:35.019 Lord, 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:36.299 my daughter. 00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:38.759 He blesses, 00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:40.439 he doesn't 00:20:40.439 --> 00:20:40.899 curse. 00:20:40.900 --> 00:20:43.700 he praises 00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:44.780 her faithful, 00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:45.940 loving kindness, 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:46.900 the Hebrew 00:20:46.900 --> 00:20:47.980 word hesed, 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:49.200 that wonderful 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:50.240 character trait 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:50.740 of the Lord 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:51.180 himself. 00:20:52.840 --> 00:20:53.200 Is she 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:54.000 being kind 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:54.980 to an older 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:55.820 Boaz for not 00:20:55.820 --> 00:20:56.420 chasing after 00:20:56.420 --> 00:20:57.019 younger men? 00:20:57.880 --> 00:20:58.460 No doubt 00:20:58.460 --> 00:20:59.120 Boaz and 00:20:59.120 --> 00:20:59.759 Ruth have a 00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:00.680 deep respect 00:21:00.680 --> 00:21:01.040 for each 00:21:01.040 --> 00:21:01.420 other's 00:21:01.420 --> 00:21:02.240 faithfulness and 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:02.660 kindness, 00:21:03.060 --> 00:21:03.920 which makes 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:04.480 them so 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:05.120 suitable for 00:21:05.120 --> 00:21:05.480 marriage. 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:07.980 the greater 00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:08.559 love story 00:21:08.559 --> 00:21:09.799 is between 00:21:09.799 --> 00:21:10.259 Ruth and 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:10.700 Naomi, 00:21:11.640 --> 00:21:12.680 between Ruth 00:21:12.680 --> 00:21:13.660 and the 00:21:13.660 --> 00:21:14.059 Lord. 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:16.480 Ruth is 00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:16.839 seeking 00:21:16.839 --> 00:21:17.860 redemption for 00:21:17.860 --> 00:21:19.420 herself and 00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:20.940 Naomi's family. 00:21:22.079 --> 00:21:22.759 And by doing 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:24.500 this, she's 00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:25.640 being faithful to 00:21:25.640 --> 00:21:26.339 what the Lord 00:21:26.339 --> 00:21:27.360 says to do. 00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:30.019 and her 00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:30.939 all-in 00:21:30.939 --> 00:21:31.579 faith, 00:21:33.099 --> 00:21:33.500 her 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:34.500 vulnerable 00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:35.740 faith 00:21:35.740 --> 00:21:38.339 is fully 00:21:38.339 --> 00:21:38.879 rewarded. 00:21:41.439 --> 00:21:42.439 Do not 00:21:42.439 --> 00:21:42.779 fear. 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:46.279 Without 00:21:46.279 --> 00:21:47.099 hesitation, 00:21:47.479 --> 00:21:48.139 he promises, 00:21:48.399 --> 00:21:48.879 I will do 00:21:48.879 --> 00:21:49.419 all that you 00:21:49.419 --> 00:21:49.799 ask. 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:53.159 Even as a 00:21:53.159 --> 00:21:53.659 Moabite, 00:21:54.879 --> 00:21:55.279 she is 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:56.019 known in 00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:56.500 Bethlehem 00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:56.859 as being 00:21:56.859 --> 00:21:57.379 a worthy 00:21:57.379 --> 00:21:57.740 woman. 00:21:58.200 --> 00:21:58.779 She is 00:21:58.779 --> 00:21:59.379 a picture 00:21:59.379 --> 00:22:00.599 of the 00:22:00.599 --> 00:22:01.160 covenant 00:22:01.160 --> 00:22:02.279 loyalty that 00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:02.799 the Lord 00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:04.960 longed for 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:06.079 his rebellious 00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:06.980 Israelites to 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:07.579 have towards 00:22:07.579 --> 00:22:07.839 him. 00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:12.400 But Boaz 00:22:12.400 --> 00:22:13.740 also redeems 00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:14.220 her the 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:14.799 right way. 00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:16.839 He doesn't 00:22:16.839 --> 00:22:17.259 take any 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:17.900 shortcuts. 00:22:18.859 --> 00:22:19.639 He doesn't 00:22:19.639 --> 00:22:20.379 do it 00:22:20.379 --> 00:22:21.099 illegitimately. 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:23.259 But as 00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:23.599 we'll see 00:22:23.599 --> 00:22:24.180 next week, 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:24.700 he does it 00:22:24.700 --> 00:22:25.339 in public 00:22:25.339 --> 00:22:26.000 with 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:26.480 witnesses. 00:22:27.579 --> 00:22:27.980 He 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:28.539 redeems 00:22:28.539 --> 00:22:28.740 her 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:29.259 properly. 00:22:30.939 --> 00:22:31.480 The 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:31.759 problem 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:32.439 is there's 00:22:32.439 --> 00:22:32.839 a closer 00:22:32.839 --> 00:22:33.240 relative, 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.139 but there's 00:22:34.139 --> 00:22:34.859 no guarantee 00:22:34.859 --> 00:22:35.319 that this 00:22:35.319 --> 00:22:35.799 other man 00:22:35.799 --> 00:22:36.299 will give 00:22:36.299 --> 00:22:36.939 her rest. 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:37.759 So Boaz 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:38.359 makes this 00:22:38.359 --> 00:22:39.199 wonderful, 00:22:39.619 --> 00:22:40.279 assuring 00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:41.059 promise as 00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:41.779 she awaits 00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.459 the outcome. 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:44.699 As the 00:22:44.699 --> 00:22:45.579 Lord lives, 00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:46.980 I will 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:47.879 redeem you. 00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:52.659 With this 00:22:52.659 --> 00:22:53.439 promise, 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:55.279 her heart 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:55.840 can be at 00:22:55.840 --> 00:22:56.279 rest. 00:22:59.080 --> 00:22:59.820 And then 00:22:59.820 --> 00:23:00.240 Boaz 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:01.220 protects her 00:23:01.220 --> 00:23:02.900 honour by 00:23:02.900 --> 00:23:03.279 doing 00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:04.120 absolutely 00:23:04.120 --> 00:23:04.840 nothing 00:23:04.840 --> 00:23:05.480 inappropriate, 00:23:07.140 --> 00:23:07.900 protecting her 00:23:07.900 --> 00:23:08.360 from any 00:23:08.360 --> 00:23:09.460 outside danger 00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:09.840 in the 00:23:09.840 --> 00:23:10.180 night, 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.960 letting her 00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:11.620 sleep until 00:23:11.620 --> 00:23:12.059 the morning, 00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:13.480 and then 00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:14.320 protecting her 00:23:14.320 --> 00:23:14.960 honour by 00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:16.160 sending her 00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:16.799 home in the 00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:17.539 early hours of 00:23:17.539 --> 00:23:17.900 the morning. 00:23:17.900 --> 00:23:18.240 But she 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:18.940 doesn't return 00:23:18.940 --> 00:23:19.320 empty. 00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:20.119 the 00:23:20.119 --> 00:23:20.599 redeemer 00:23:20.599 --> 00:23:21.379 gives a 00:23:21.379 --> 00:23:21.879 generous 00:23:21.879 --> 00:23:23.059 pledge that 00:23:23.059 --> 00:23:23.819 he will 00:23:23.819 --> 00:23:25.059 fully 00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:27.299 come good 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:27.679 on his 00:23:27.679 --> 00:23:28.139 promise. 00:23:30.339 --> 00:23:30.819 Ruth's 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:31.259 daring 00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:32.539 faith in 00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:32.759 this 00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:33.460 redeemer is 00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:33.859 fully 00:23:33.859 --> 00:23:34.379 rewarded. 00:23:35.659 --> 00:23:36.519 No longer 00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:37.179 cut off from 00:23:37.179 --> 00:23:37.679 God and 00:23:37.679 --> 00:23:38.240 his people, 00:23:38.379 --> 00:23:38.779 but having 00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:39.460 her redeemer 00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:40.799 spread his 00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:41.740 garment over 00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:42.240 her, 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:45.279 making her 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:46.279 his own. 00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:49.200 And in 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:49.619 the final 00:23:49.619 --> 00:23:49.980 scene, 00:23:50.099 --> 00:23:51.240 Ruth returns 00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:51.799 to Naomi. 00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:52.639 She literally 00:23:52.639 --> 00:23:53.359 asks Ruth, 00:23:53.599 --> 00:23:54.180 who are 00:23:54.180 --> 00:23:54.480 you, 00:23:54.859 --> 00:23:55.299 my daughter? 00:23:55.420 --> 00:23:56.019 Her identity 00:23:56.019 --> 00:23:56.440 might have 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:57.359 changed overnight 00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:57.700 and it 00:23:57.700 --> 00:23:58.099 has. 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:00.319 Ruth reports 00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:00.839 the good 00:24:00.839 --> 00:24:02.359 news and 00:24:02.359 --> 00:24:03.420 shows her 00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:04.099 the pledge 00:24:04.099 --> 00:24:04.440 of the 00:24:04.440 --> 00:24:04.819 abundant 00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:05.279 grain, 00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:07.000 a foretaste 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:08.359 of the 00:24:08.359 --> 00:24:09.059 complete 00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:09.839 filling to 00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:10.160 come. 00:24:12.319 --> 00:24:13.019 And the 00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:13.839 chapter ends 00:24:13.839 --> 00:24:14.559 with the 00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:15.059 redeemer 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.799 himself, 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:17.220 not 00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:17.720 resting 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:19.480 until he 00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:20.160 fulfills his 00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:20.559 promise. 00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:22.799 And as 00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:23.339 they wait, 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:25.839 their faith 00:24:25.839 --> 00:24:26.559 rests in 00:24:26.559 --> 00:24:27.220 the power 00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:28.460 and in 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:29.180 the character 00:24:29.180 --> 00:24:30.859 of the 00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:31.539 redeemer to 00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:32.019 do what he 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:32.539 has promised. 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:34.960 Isn't 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:35.319 this a 00:24:35.319 --> 00:24:35.759 wonderful 00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:36.279 story? 00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:39.960 Here we 00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:41.220 have this 00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:41.859 Moabite, 00:24:43.119 --> 00:24:43.899 an enemy 00:24:43.899 --> 00:24:44.559 of God's 00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:44.960 people, 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:46.840 expressing 00:24:46.840 --> 00:24:48.160 the faith 00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:48.660 God has 00:24:48.660 --> 00:24:49.079 always 00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:49.759 desired 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.440 from his 00:24:50.440 --> 00:24:50.860 people. 00:24:52.059 --> 00:24:52.400 The 00:24:52.400 --> 00:24:53.059 Lord said 00:24:53.059 --> 00:24:53.759 of Israel 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:55.039 in Ezekiel 00:24:55.039 --> 00:24:56.039 16 verse 00:24:56.039 --> 00:24:56.400 8, 00:24:56.400 --> 00:24:58.559 I spread 00:24:58.559 --> 00:24:59.340 the corner 00:24:59.340 --> 00:24:59.779 of my 00:24:59.779 --> 00:25:00.220 garment 00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:01.039 over you 00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:02.200 and covered 00:25:02.200 --> 00:25:03.140 your nakedness. 00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:03.819 I made 00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:04.600 my vow 00:25:04.600 --> 00:25:05.240 to you 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:06.759 and entered 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:07.279 into a 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:07.680 covenant 00:25:07.680 --> 00:25:08.500 with you, 00:25:09.579 --> 00:25:10.079 declares 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:10.579 the Lord 00:25:10.579 --> 00:25:10.980 God, 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:12.240 and you 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:12.620 became 00:25:12.620 --> 00:25:13.079 mine. 00:25:15.380 --> 00:25:16.519 But Israel 00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:18.400 repeatedly 00:25:18.400 --> 00:25:19.200 chased 00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:20.339 after other 00:25:20.339 --> 00:25:21.860 gods and 00:25:21.860 --> 00:25:22.779 other things 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:24.120 to give 00:25:24.120 --> 00:25:24.839 them rest. 00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:27.740 But Ruth 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:28.420 goes to 00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:28.940 the Lord 00:25:28.940 --> 00:25:29.740 to find 00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:30.099 rest. 00:25:30.099 --> 00:25:33.240 the story 00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:33.939 of Ruth 00:25:33.939 --> 00:25:34.679 and Boaz 00:25:34.679 --> 00:25:35.879 gives us 00:25:35.879 --> 00:25:36.480 such a 00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:37.240 warm 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:37.980 picture 00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:39.079 of what 00:25:39.079 --> 00:25:39.599 it means 00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:40.059 for us 00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:40.579 today to 00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:41.299 have faith 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:42.259 in Christ, 00:25:42.419 --> 00:25:43.179 our Redeemer, 00:25:43.819 --> 00:25:44.219 and to 00:25:44.219 --> 00:25:44.839 find rest 00:25:44.839 --> 00:25:45.319 in him. 00:25:47.199 --> 00:25:47.639 True 00:25:47.639 --> 00:25:48.099 faith 00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:49.980 is daring. 00:25:51.919 --> 00:25:52.259 Faith 00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:53.619 forsakes 00:25:53.619 --> 00:25:54.419 all other 00:25:54.419 --> 00:25:55.079 things that 00:25:55.079 --> 00:25:55.579 offer you 00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:56.319 security in 00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:56.839 this life. 00:25:56.839 --> 00:25:59.159 faith 00:25:59.159 --> 00:26:00.419 is personal 00:26:00.419 --> 00:26:01.119 and intimate 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:02.299 between you 00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:03.579 and your 00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:04.099 Redeemer. 00:26:06.039 --> 00:26:06.879 Faith 00:26:06.879 --> 00:26:07.599 comes to 00:26:07.599 --> 00:26:08.019 Christ 00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:09.059 completely 00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:09.859 vulnerable 00:26:09.859 --> 00:26:10.819 before him. 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.279 And yet 00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:13.839 faith 00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:15.419 expectantly 00:26:15.419 --> 00:26:16.099 calls on 00:26:16.099 --> 00:26:16.599 Christ, 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:17.639 come good 00:26:17.639 --> 00:26:17.980 on your 00:26:17.980 --> 00:26:18.419 promise. 00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:20.299 Forgive 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:20.699 me, 00:26:21.639 --> 00:26:22.299 bring me 00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:22.980 into your 00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:23.659 permanent 00:26:23.659 --> 00:26:24.980 covenant 00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:26.359 care. 00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:29.159 faith 00:26:29.159 --> 00:26:29.919 and faith 00:26:29.919 --> 00:26:30.779 waits for 00:26:30.779 --> 00:26:31.059 your 00:26:31.059 --> 00:26:31.519 Redeemer 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:33.199 to fully 00:26:33.199 --> 00:26:33.659 make you 00:26:33.659 --> 00:26:34.179 his own, 00:26:35.699 --> 00:26:36.339 a future 00:26:36.339 --> 00:26:36.740 with him, 00:26:36.879 --> 00:26:37.679 an inheritance 00:26:37.679 --> 00:26:39.199 in the new 00:26:39.199 --> 00:26:39.679 heavens and 00:26:39.679 --> 00:26:39.919 earth. 00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:44.659 Going back 00:26:44.659 --> 00:26:45.319 to Ephesians 00:26:45.319 --> 00:26:46.059 chapter 2, 00:26:47.919 --> 00:26:48.459 remember 00:26:48.459 --> 00:26:50.599 that you 00:26:50.599 --> 00:26:51.179 were at 00:26:51.179 --> 00:26:51.839 that time 00:26:51.839 --> 00:26:52.980 separated 00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:53.899 from Christ, 00:26:55.199 --> 00:26:55.919 alienated, 00:26:56.839 --> 00:26:57.139 from the 00:26:57.139 --> 00:26:57.619 commonwealth 00:26:57.619 --> 00:26:58.059 of Israel 00:26:58.059 --> 00:27:00.119 and strangers 00:27:00.119 --> 00:27:01.240 to the 00:27:01.240 --> 00:27:01.839 covenants 00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:02.439 of promise, 00:27:03.439 --> 00:27:04.000 having no 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:04.339 hope 00:27:04.339 --> 00:27:06.240 and without 00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:06.799 God 00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:07.919 in the 00:27:07.919 --> 00:27:08.220 world. 00:27:10.879 --> 00:27:12.119 But now, 00:27:12.119 --> 00:27:14.879 but now, 00:27:15.559 --> 00:27:17.079 in Christ 00:27:17.079 --> 00:27:17.539 Jesus, 00:27:18.699 --> 00:27:19.479 you who 00:27:19.479 --> 00:27:19.979 were once 00:27:19.979 --> 00:27:20.919 far off 00:27:20.919 --> 00:27:22.859 have been 00:27:22.859 --> 00:27:23.219 brought 00:27:23.219 --> 00:27:23.779 near 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:25.339 by the 00:27:25.339 --> 00:27:25.719 blood of 00:27:25.719 --> 00:27:26.119 Christ. 00:27:27.979 --> 00:27:28.699 It is 00:27:28.699 --> 00:27:28.879 our 00:27:28.879 --> 00:27:29.479 Redeemer's 00:27:29.479 --> 00:27:29.819 blood 00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:30.679 shed for 00:27:30.679 --> 00:27:31.019 us 00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:32.139 that should 00:27:32.139 --> 00:27:32.619 give you 00:27:32.619 --> 00:27:33.179 every 00:27:33.179 --> 00:27:34.019 confidence 00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:35.019 to come 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:35.819 close to 00:27:35.819 --> 00:27:36.299 him in 00:27:36.299 --> 00:27:36.599 faith. 00:27:36.599 --> 00:27:39.859 how does 00:27:39.859 --> 00:27:40.219 the Lord 00:27:40.219 --> 00:27:41.299 respond to 00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:41.879 the unworthy 00:27:41.879 --> 00:27:42.539 person who 00:27:42.539 --> 00:27:43.359 approaches him 00:27:43.359 --> 00:27:43.959 for rest? 00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:47.399 Like 00:27:47.399 --> 00:27:47.919 Boaz, 00:27:49.319 --> 00:27:50.039 Christ will 00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:51.299 never turn 00:27:51.299 --> 00:27:51.740 you away. 00:27:53.519 --> 00:27:54.339 He will 00:27:54.339 --> 00:27:55.079 not put you 00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:55.500 to shame. 00:27:56.939 --> 00:27:57.719 He will 00:27:57.719 --> 00:27:58.579 never use 00:27:58.579 --> 00:27:59.179 or mistreat 00:27:59.179 --> 00:27:59.480 you, 00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:02.059 but he 00:28:02.059 --> 00:28:02.759 will spread 00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:03.339 the corner 00:28:03.339 --> 00:28:03.779 of his 00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:04.119 garment 00:28:04.119 --> 00:28:04.779 over you 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:06.240 and make 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:06.539 you his 00:28:06.539 --> 00:28:07.079 very own. 00:28:10.579 --> 00:28:11.220 So what 00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:11.379 are you 00:28:11.379 --> 00:28:11.879 waiting for? 00:28:13.920 --> 00:28:14.500 Would you 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:14.980 pray with me 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:15.220 as we 00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:15.500 finish? 00:28:22.079 --> 00:28:22.559 Oh, 00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:23.180 dear Lord, 00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:25.460 we know 00:28:25.460 --> 00:28:26.259 slightly, 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:27.019 just a little 00:28:27.019 --> 00:28:27.460 bit, 00:28:28.460 --> 00:28:29.160 of how 00:28:29.160 --> 00:28:29.799 unworthy 00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:30.399 we are 00:28:30.399 --> 00:28:30.920 to come 00:28:30.920 --> 00:28:31.319 near to 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:31.579 you. 00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:34.440 Forgive us 00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:34.880 for thinking 00:28:34.880 --> 00:28:35.259 that we 00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:36.980 have any 00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:38.240 merit in 00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:38.880 ourself 00:28:38.880 --> 00:28:40.759 that deserves 00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:42.400 your blessing, 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:44.940 but how 00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:45.480 we thank 00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:45.880 you that 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:47.240 you call 00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:47.600 us to 00:28:47.600 --> 00:28:47.880 come, 00:28:49.160 --> 00:28:49.820 how we 00:28:49.820 --> 00:28:50.380 thank you 00:28:50.380 --> 00:28:51.580 that you 00:28:51.580 --> 00:28:52.700 assure us 00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:53.799 that your 00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:54.740 character is 00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:56.740 good and 00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:57.299 that you 00:28:57.299 --> 00:28:57.840 will be 00:28:57.840 --> 00:28:58.720 gracious to 00:28:58.720 --> 00:28:59.180 us when 00:28:59.180 --> 00:28:59.600 we come, 00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:00.960 that you 00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:01.500 will not 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:01.960 turn us 00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:02.299 away, 00:29:02.299 --> 00:29:03.859 that you 00:29:03.859 --> 00:29:04.519 will bring 00:29:04.519 --> 00:29:05.000 us into 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:05.619 covenant 00:29:05.619 --> 00:29:07.000 relationship 00:29:07.000 --> 00:29:08.079 and protection 00:29:08.079 --> 00:29:09.139 and blessing, 00:29:09.879 --> 00:29:10.440 a sure 00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:11.079 future with 00:29:11.079 --> 00:29:11.639 you forever. 00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:12.720 Lord, 00:29:12.740 --> 00:29:13.079 we don't 00:29:13.079 --> 00:29:13.779 deserve this. 00:29:13.899 --> 00:29:14.259 Help us 00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:15.000 trust your 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:15.359 goodness. 00:29:17.859 --> 00:29:18.220 Lord, 00:29:18.379 --> 00:29:18.919 I pray for 00:29:18.919 --> 00:29:19.419 each one of 00:29:19.419 --> 00:29:19.539 us, 00:29:19.619 --> 00:29:20.180 wherever we're 00:29:20.180 --> 00:29:20.419 at, 00:29:21.460 --> 00:29:22.299 please give 00:29:22.299 --> 00:29:23.099 us confidence 00:29:23.099 --> 00:29:24.139 in your 00:29:24.139 --> 00:29:24.619 goodness 00:29:24.619 --> 00:29:24.839 goodness, 00:29:25.399 --> 00:29:27.779 that makes 00:29:27.779 --> 00:29:29.479 us able 00:29:29.479 --> 00:29:30.119 to come 00:29:30.119 --> 00:29:30.719 to you, 00:29:30.899 --> 00:29:31.439 be vulnerable 00:29:31.439 --> 00:29:32.000 with you 00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:33.500 and fully 00:29:33.500 --> 00:29:34.279 give ourselves 00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:34.819 into your 00:29:34.819 --> 00:29:35.159 hands. 00:29:37.159 --> 00:29:38.159 We praise 00:29:38.159 --> 00:29:38.379 you, 00:29:38.439 --> 00:29:38.719 Christ, 00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:39.059 for the 00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:39.519 blood you 00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:39.979 shed for 00:29:39.979 --> 00:29:40.299 us, 00:29:41.299 --> 00:29:42.159 so that you 00:29:42.159 --> 00:29:42.879 might spread 00:29:42.879 --> 00:29:43.599 your garment 00:29:43.599 --> 00:29:45.059 over us 00:29:45.059 --> 00:29:45.699 and make us 00:29:45.699 --> 00:29:46.059 yours. 00:29:47.739 --> 00:29:48.519 Make us 00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:48.899 thankful, 00:29:49.099 --> 00:29:49.319 God. 00:29:50.739 --> 00:29:51.579 Give us 00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:52.500 this faith 00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:53.099 that we need. 00:29:53.519 --> 00:29:53.859 Give us 00:29:53.859 --> 00:29:54.679 this rest. 00:29:55.719 --> 00:29:56.479 In Jesus' 00:29:56.659 --> 00:29:56.859 name, 00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:57.219 Amen.