WEBVTT

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 Good morning. That was pretty good, actually.

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 Great to be here together with everybody, and a privilege for me to be delivering God's Word to you today.

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 So as Kevin did mention, this is my first time preaching,

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 and as I was talking to the elders about potentially preaching today,

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 to be honest, I was a little bit hesitant, kind of like a little bit anxious, a little bit apprehensive,

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 but actually the elders were very encouraging.

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 They said, you know what, Oscar? It's not your work. It's not your Word. It's not your voice.

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 It's the Spirit of God that speaks to us and leads us. Isn't that so true?

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 And then one of the other elders, who I won't name, was also very gracious,

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 and was also being very encouraging, and then he said to me,

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 Oscar, you know what? Tim Keller said that his first 200 sermons were rubbish.

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 So I thought about that, and I realized what that means is that if I preach once every six months at Watermark,

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 which don't get any ideas, Kevin and Chris, okay?

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 But if I preach once every six months at Watermark, in 100 years, I'll have a decent sermon.

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 So come back in 2118. Mark your calendars for that.

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 And with that, let me pray for myself and for us.

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 Father God, you know me.

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 You know that with my own strength, using my own ability, I cannot deliver your Word this morning.

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 So Father, I beg you, I desperately need you to speak through me, Lord.

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 I desperately need for your Spirit to inspire me.

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 I pray that your Word, your Word would be front and center of my mind, God,

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 and that your voice would be heard today, God,

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 and my voice would actually just fade into the background.

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 I pray that our hearts, our minds will be open to hearing your Word today, Lord.

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 I pray that we'll see, Father, how much we need you,

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 and how beautiful and majestic our Lord Jesus Christ is.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 So, we've been doing a sermon series on the book of Ruth.

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 And last week, last Sunday, we studied Ruth chapter 1.

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 And in chapter 1, we learned that Ruth was set in the time of the judges,

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 where Israel had no king, and everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

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 And it was with that mindset that Naomi, her husband Elimelech,

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 and their two sons left Bethlehem, the promised land of God,

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 to try to find food in the land of Moab.

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 But Moab was an enemy of Israel.

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 Its people were founded upon incest.

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 Its woman in days past had seduced the men of Israel

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 and caused them to worship pagan gods.

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 And in Moab, tragedy struck.

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 Naomi's two sons married Moabite woman.

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 But ten years later, her sons die.

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 Naomi was left with her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth.

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 And when Naomi hears that God brought food back to Bethlehem,

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 she decides to return, but tells Orpah and Ruth to stay in Moab.

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 She says to them,

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 in Moab, at least you'll have a chance of finding a future.

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 At least you'll have a chance that someone would marry you,

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 someone will continue on your family line.

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 Orpah says, great, I'll stay in Moab.

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 But Ruth, she clings to Naomi.

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 And in Ruth chapter 1, verse 16,

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 we read that wonderful, timeless statement of commitment,

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 faithfulness, and loyalty.

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 As Ruth says to Naomi,

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 don't urge me to leave you.

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 Where you go, I will go.

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 And where you stay, I will stay.

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 Your people will be my people,

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 and your God will be my God.

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 Where you die, I will die.

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 And there, I will be buried.

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 And so Naomi, along with her daughter-in-law, Ruth,

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 the most unlikely couple,

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 journeyed to Bethlehem,

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 the house of bread,

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 in search of food.

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 And they returned just at the right time,

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 just as the barley harvest was beginning

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 in early spring in Bethlehem.

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 And that is where we find ourselves,

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 in Ruth chapter 2.

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 Where Ruth 1 was chaotic and tragic,

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 in chapter 2, the narrative begins to shift.

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 Light begins to shine on a dark situation.

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 Harvest time means food for the people.

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 And of course, Boaz shows up.

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 Oh, Boaz,

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 the man every father wants his daughter to marry.

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 I think about that stuff just a little bit

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 now that I have a daughter of my own, Kiva.

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 Is the book of Ruth a love story

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 between Boaz and Ruth?

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 Yes, it is.

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 Sure it is.

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 It's a wonderful love story

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 of how Boaz showers unprecedented favor on Ruth.

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 But if we think of Ruth

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 as just a traditional love story,

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 we will miss the deeper meaning.

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 The book of Ruth tells a much bigger story.

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 It's about how in the midst of despair,

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 in the midst of hopelessness,

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 in the midst of tragedy,

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 God wants to redeem us.

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 In the midst of pain and brokenness,

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 he wants to draw us close to himself.

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 He wants to shower us

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 with his loving kindness.

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 It's a story of the whole Bible, isn't it?

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 And for today's passage in Ruth chapter 2,

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 what I hope we'll see

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 is that God is constantly working behind the scenes,

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 showering kindness upon Ruth.

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 And this man, Boaz,

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 this guardian or kinsman redeemer,

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 he's there to show us

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 a glimpse or a shadow

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 of the ultimate redeemer to come,

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 our Lord Jesus Christ.

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 Let's dive into it.

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 Let's go to Ruth chapter 2,

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 verse 2 and part of verse 3.

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 And Ruth, the Moabitess, said to Naomi,

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 let me go into the fields

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 and pick up the leftover grain

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 behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.

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 Naomi said to her,

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 go ahead, my daughter.

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 So she went out

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 and began to glean in the fields

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 behind the harvesters.

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 So, we start chapter 2

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 with Naomi returning to Bethlehem

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 and Ruth by her side.

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 And one day,

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 Ruth decides to glean in the fields

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 behind the harvesters.

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 God gave Israel the law of gleaning

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 as a way of providing for those in society

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 that were financially broken,

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 specifically orphans,

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 widows, and foreigners.

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 And it meant that landowners,

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 instead of maximizing profits

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 by picking every last bit of grain,

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 would leave some for the poor

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 to pick up or to glean.

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 And this was intended

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 to reflect God's mercy on people

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 that did not have the economic means

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 to support themselves.

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 But for Ruth,

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 gleaning in the fields

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 was dangerous.

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 And that is why,

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 in verse 8,

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 Boaz tells Ruth to,

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 stay in my fields.

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 And he also says to her,

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 in verse 9,

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 I have told the men

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 not to touch you.

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 He said this

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 because at that time

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 in Israel's history,

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 at the time of the judges,

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 lawlessness abounded.

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 And so,

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 though there was a law

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 to allow for gleaning,

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 women who gleaned in the fields

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 were oftentimes abused,

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 physically, emotionally.

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 But in spite of these obvious risks,

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 Ruth had the courage

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 to step out

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 into the barley fields

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 to glean.

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 Why?

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 Well, first,

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 she was hungry.

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 She had a real need.

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 She was a normal person

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 who had a normal,

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 everyday need.

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 And second,

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 Ruth had made a promise

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 to be faithful to Naomi,

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 and her gleaning

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 and gathering barley for food

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 was a way for her

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 to show love

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 and kindness

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 to Naomi.

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 She was looking after her.

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 She was keeping her promise.

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 But the amazing thing here

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 is that Ruth

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 wasn't doing this alone.

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 God was right there.

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 Ruth did not choose this field.

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 God chose this field.

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 Let's look at the end

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 of verse 3.

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 It says,

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 As it turned out,

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 she found herself

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 working in the field

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 belonging to Boaz,

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 who was from the clan

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 of Elimelech.

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 I love that phrase,

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 as it turned out.

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 The literal translation

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 is chance chance,

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 which is an exaggerated

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 expression

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 to convey

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 just how unlikely

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 it was

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 for Ruth to stumble

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 upon Boaz's field.

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 As Ruth took that step

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 of faith

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 to go out

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 and glean in the fields,

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 it was clear

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 that God

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 had paved the way

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 for her

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 and allowed her

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 to meet Boaz

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 and to find favor

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 with him.

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 Of all the fields

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 she could have stumbled upon

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 in that dark land,

00:10:07.419 --> 00:10:08.419
 she finds herself

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 in the one field

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 owned

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 by a godly man.

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 This wasn't just chance.

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 This was God's intervention.

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 Ruth was just going

00:10:18.060 --> 00:10:18.800
 about her day,

00:10:19.240 --> 00:10:20.000
 trying to put food

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 on the table,

00:10:21.039 --> 00:10:21.879
 being faithful

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 to Naomi.

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 Naomi,

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 and God

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 met her need.

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 And where did he lead her?

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 Right to Boaz's field.

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 Now let's rewind

00:10:32.680 --> 00:10:33.800
 for a second

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 and go back

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 to verse one.

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 Let's look at Boaz.

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 Now Naomi

00:10:39.080 --> 00:10:39.780
 had a relative

00:10:39.780 --> 00:10:40.960
 on her husband's side

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 from the clan

00:10:42.320 --> 00:10:43.120
 of Elimelech,

00:10:43.800 --> 00:10:45.060
 a man of standing

00:10:45.060 --> 00:10:46.200
 whose name

00:10:46.200 --> 00:10:46.980
 was Boaz.

00:10:46.980 --> 00:10:49.620
 Three things here

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 to mention

00:10:50.100 --> 00:10:51.060
 about Boaz.

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 Number one,

00:10:53.399 --> 00:10:54.920
 in terms of family relations,

00:10:55.379 --> 00:10:56.320
 Boaz was a relative

00:10:56.320 --> 00:10:57.300
 of Elimelech

00:10:57.300 --> 00:10:58.800
 from the same clan.

00:11:00.379 --> 00:11:01.120
 Now in Israel,

00:11:01.399 --> 00:11:02.139
 there were the twelve

00:11:02.139 --> 00:11:03.620
 tribes of Israel,

00:11:03.779 --> 00:11:04.659
 the sons of Jacob.

00:11:05.620 --> 00:11:06.300
 Below that

00:11:06.300 --> 00:11:07.340
 were the clans

00:11:07.340 --> 00:11:07.879
 of Israel,

00:11:08.639 --> 00:11:09.740
 and below that

00:11:09.740 --> 00:11:10.519
 were the families.

00:11:11.200 --> 00:11:11.879
 Boaz was from

00:11:11.879 --> 00:11:13.100
 the same clan

00:11:13.100 --> 00:11:14.620
 as Elimelech.

00:11:14.620 --> 00:11:16.820
 Second thing is,

00:11:17.779 --> 00:11:18.539
 the text says

00:11:18.539 --> 00:11:19.060
 that he was

00:11:19.060 --> 00:11:20.460
 a man of standing.

00:11:21.960 --> 00:11:22.379
 So Boaz

00:11:22.379 --> 00:11:23.100
 was a landowner.

00:11:24.039 --> 00:11:24.840
 So he was wealthy.

00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:25.539
 We know that.

00:11:25.899 --> 00:11:26.500
 But he wasn't

00:11:26.500 --> 00:11:27.480
 just some rich guy.

00:11:28.360 --> 00:11:28.879
 The Hebrew

00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:30.060
 for man of standing

00:11:30.060 --> 00:11:30.860
 can be roughly

00:11:30.860 --> 00:11:31.960
 translated as

00:11:31.960 --> 00:11:33.500
 a man of wealth,

00:11:34.279 --> 00:11:35.200
 but also

00:11:35.200 --> 00:11:36.799
 a man of character

00:11:36.799 --> 00:11:38.340
 and of integrity.

00:11:40.360 --> 00:11:40.919
 Third,

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 what does he say?

00:11:42.720 --> 00:11:43.440
 What are his first

00:11:43.440 --> 00:11:44.139
 words?

00:11:45.019 --> 00:11:45.740
 You can tell

00:11:45.740 --> 00:11:46.820
 a lot about a man

00:11:46.820 --> 00:11:47.600
 by what he says.

00:11:48.340 --> 00:11:49.220
 Look at verse 4.

00:11:50.679 --> 00:11:51.279
 I love

00:11:51.279 --> 00:11:52.240
 his first words.

00:11:52.460 --> 00:11:53.159
 He arrives

00:11:53.159 --> 00:11:54.379
 back from Bethlehem,

00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:55.240
 and I can imagine

00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:56.039
 Boaz standing

00:11:56.039 --> 00:11:56.600
 at the edge

00:11:56.600 --> 00:11:57.379
 of his fields,

00:11:57.539 --> 00:11:58.060
 looking out

00:11:58.060 --> 00:11:58.840
 at his harvesters

00:11:58.840 --> 00:11:59.399
 and saying,

00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:01.399
 the Lord be with you.

00:12:02.259 --> 00:12:03.120
 He blesses them.

00:12:04.259 --> 00:12:04.899
 How many bosses

00:12:04.899 --> 00:12:05.639
 in Hong Kong

00:12:05.639 --> 00:12:06.379
 do you know

00:12:06.379 --> 00:12:07.700
 that bless their colleagues?

00:12:08.919 --> 00:12:09.799
 I hear Pat laughing

00:12:09.799 --> 00:12:10.139
 over there.

00:12:10.139 --> 00:12:12.419
 Most bosses

00:12:12.419 --> 00:12:13.039
 in Hong Kong

00:12:13.039 --> 00:12:14.080
 lord over

00:12:14.080 --> 00:12:15.039
 or domineer

00:12:15.039 --> 00:12:15.559
 over their

00:12:15.559 --> 00:12:16.179
 subordinates

00:12:16.179 --> 00:12:16.819
 and colleagues,

00:12:17.080 --> 00:12:17.899
 but not Boaz.

00:12:18.799 --> 00:12:19.740
 Boaz is kind

00:12:19.740 --> 00:12:20.139
 to them.

00:12:22.299 --> 00:12:23.240
 And the best

00:12:23.240 --> 00:12:23.819
 example

00:12:23.819 --> 00:12:25.519
 of Boaz's kindness

00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:27.199
 is how

00:12:27.199 --> 00:12:27.779
 he treats

00:12:27.779 --> 00:12:28.120
 Ruth.

00:12:29.679 --> 00:12:30.879
 In verse 5,

00:12:31.299 --> 00:12:32.100
 Boaz notices

00:12:32.100 --> 00:12:32.860
 Ruth in his

00:12:32.860 --> 00:12:33.460
 body field,

00:12:33.460 --> 00:12:33.900
 and when he

00:12:33.900 --> 00:12:34.519
 realizes who

00:12:34.519 --> 00:12:35.060
 she is,

00:12:35.600 --> 00:12:36.220
 the Moabite

00:12:36.220 --> 00:12:36.960
 widow and

00:12:36.960 --> 00:12:37.740
 daughter-in-law

00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:38.280
 of Naomi,

00:12:39.060 --> 00:12:39.740
 he immediately

00:12:39.740 --> 00:12:40.700
 showers her

00:12:40.700 --> 00:12:41.600
 with kindness.

00:12:44.639 --> 00:12:45.660
 What does he do?

00:12:46.580 --> 00:12:47.139
 First,

00:12:48.660 --> 00:12:49.080
 Boaz

00:12:49.080 --> 00:12:50.620
 protects Ruth.

00:12:51.720 --> 00:12:52.400
 Verse 8

00:12:52.400 --> 00:12:52.960
 and 9,

00:12:53.840 --> 00:12:54.500
 Boaz says to

00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:54.700
 Ruth,

00:12:55.080 --> 00:12:55.680
 don't go

00:12:55.680 --> 00:12:56.400
 and glean

00:12:56.400 --> 00:12:57.440
 in another field

00:12:57.440 --> 00:12:58.240
 and don't go

00:12:58.240 --> 00:12:58.960
 away from here.

00:12:59.639 --> 00:13:00.300
 Stay here

00:13:00.300 --> 00:13:00.879
 with my servant

00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:01.280
 girls.

00:13:01.740 --> 00:13:02.600
 Watch the fields

00:13:02.600 --> 00:13:03.139
 where the men

00:13:03.139 --> 00:13:03.659
 are harvesting

00:13:03.659 --> 00:13:04.740
 and follow

00:13:04.740 --> 00:13:05.639
 along after

00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:06.139
 the girls.

00:13:06.779 --> 00:13:07.279
 I have told

00:13:07.279 --> 00:13:07.680
 the men

00:13:07.680 --> 00:13:08.700
 not to touch

00:13:08.700 --> 00:13:08.920
 you.

00:13:11.720 --> 00:13:12.620
 Now we know

00:13:12.620 --> 00:13:13.279
 Ruth needed

00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:13.800
 to gather

00:13:13.800 --> 00:13:14.860
 food for her

00:13:14.860 --> 00:13:15.500
 and Naomi,

00:13:15.899 --> 00:13:16.740
 but the only

00:13:16.740 --> 00:13:17.460
 way she could

00:13:17.460 --> 00:13:18.399
 do so safely

00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:19.659
 was if someone

00:13:19.659 --> 00:13:20.779
 protected her.

00:13:22.940 --> 00:13:23.420
 And Boaz

00:13:23.420 --> 00:13:23.980
 offered that

00:13:23.980 --> 00:13:24.399
 protection.

00:13:26.080 --> 00:13:26.360
 But you know

00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:27.320
 what's so powerful

00:13:27.320 --> 00:13:28.460
 is that in

00:13:28.460 --> 00:13:29.180
 coming under

00:13:29.180 --> 00:13:30.259
 Boaz's protection,

00:13:30.840 --> 00:13:31.700
 Ruth was actually

00:13:31.700 --> 00:13:32.460
 coming under

00:13:32.460 --> 00:13:33.300
 the protection

00:13:33.300 --> 00:13:34.700
 of God

00:13:34.700 --> 00:13:35.300
 himself.

00:13:36.580 --> 00:13:37.019
 Look at

00:13:37.019 --> 00:13:37.580
 verse 12.

00:13:39.700 --> 00:13:40.139
 Boaz,

00:13:40.320 --> 00:13:41.120
 in acknowledging

00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:42.220
 Ruth's loyalty

00:13:42.220 --> 00:13:42.860
 to Naomi,

00:13:43.259 --> 00:13:44.100
 he says to her,

00:13:45.379 --> 00:13:45.900
 may you be

00:13:45.900 --> 00:13:46.920
 richly rewarded

00:13:46.920 --> 00:13:47.680
 by the Lord,

00:13:47.920 --> 00:13:48.680
 the God

00:13:48.680 --> 00:13:49.379
 of Israel,

00:13:49.700 --> 00:13:50.120
 under whose

00:13:50.120 --> 00:13:51.080
 wings you

00:13:51.080 --> 00:13:51.519
 have come

00:13:51.519 --> 00:13:52.200
 to take

00:13:52.200 --> 00:13:52.860
 refuge.

00:13:53.860 --> 00:13:54.680
 Under whose

00:13:54.680 --> 00:13:55.620
 wings you

00:13:55.620 --> 00:13:55.980
 have come

00:13:55.980 --> 00:13:56.460
 to take

00:13:56.460 --> 00:13:57.320
 refuge.

00:13:58.100 --> 00:13:58.759
 As Ruth

00:13:58.759 --> 00:13:59.440
 gleaned

00:13:59.440 --> 00:14:00.000
 in Boaz's

00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:00.340
 field,

00:14:00.780 --> 00:14:01.360
 she thought

00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:01.680
 she was

00:14:01.680 --> 00:14:02.200
 coming under

00:14:02.200 --> 00:14:02.700
 Boaz's

00:14:02.700 --> 00:14:03.139
 protection,

00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:04.060
 but in

00:14:04.060 --> 00:14:04.840
 actual fact,

00:14:05.159 --> 00:14:05.539
 Ruth was

00:14:05.539 --> 00:14:06.159
 coming under

00:14:06.159 --> 00:14:07.120
 the protection

00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:07.919
 of God,

00:14:08.919 --> 00:14:10.180
 under his

00:14:10.180 --> 00:14:10.600
 wings.

00:14:11.560 --> 00:14:12.360
 God was

00:14:12.360 --> 00:14:13.060
 right there.

00:14:16.320 --> 00:14:17.039
 And the

00:14:17.039 --> 00:14:17.600
 second way

00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:18.480
 that Boaz

00:14:18.480 --> 00:14:19.220
 shows kindness

00:14:19.220 --> 00:14:19.720
 to Ruth

00:14:19.720 --> 00:14:20.279
 is that

00:14:20.279 --> 00:14:21.240
 he accepts

00:14:21.240 --> 00:14:21.620
 Ruth.

00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:23.159
 Boaz

00:14:23.159 --> 00:14:24.440
 didn't tell

00:14:24.440 --> 00:14:24.680
 Ruth,

00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:24.899
 hey,

00:14:25.560 --> 00:14:26.180
 stay in my

00:14:26.180 --> 00:14:26.560
 fields,

00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:27.580
 you can glean

00:14:27.580 --> 00:14:27.960
 as you

00:14:27.960 --> 00:14:28.240
 like,

00:14:28.560 --> 00:14:29.300
 my guys

00:14:29.300 --> 00:14:29.639
 will take

00:14:29.639 --> 00:14:29.960
 care of

00:14:29.960 --> 00:14:30.080
 you,

00:14:30.220 --> 00:14:30.480
 but I

00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:30.639
 got to

00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:31.000
 go take

00:14:31.000 --> 00:14:31.360
 off and

00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:31.660
 do the

00:14:31.660 --> 00:14:31.960
 financial

00:14:31.960 --> 00:14:32.460
 audit because

00:14:32.460 --> 00:14:32.980
 it's the

00:14:32.980 --> 00:14:33.440
 year end.

00:14:33.759 --> 00:14:34.000
 No,

00:14:34.960 --> 00:14:35.200
 Boaz

00:14:35.200 --> 00:14:35.940
 takes another

00:14:35.940 --> 00:14:37.000
 step and

00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:37.400
 invites

00:14:37.400 --> 00:14:38.139
 Ruth to

00:14:38.139 --> 00:14:38.840
 dine with

00:14:38.840 --> 00:14:39.560
 him at

00:14:39.560 --> 00:14:40.180
 his midday

00:14:40.180 --> 00:14:40.560
 meal.

00:14:42.280 --> 00:14:43.240
 Verse 14,

00:14:44.120 --> 00:14:45.000
 at mealtime,

00:14:45.300 --> 00:14:45.900
 Boaz said to

00:14:45.900 --> 00:14:46.080
 her,

00:14:46.660 --> 00:14:47.040
 come over

00:14:47.040 --> 00:14:47.379
 here,

00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:48.800
 have some

00:14:48.800 --> 00:14:49.580
 bread and

00:14:49.580 --> 00:14:50.060
 dip it in

00:14:50.060 --> 00:14:50.400
 the wine

00:14:50.400 --> 00:14:50.720
 vinegar.

00:14:52.080 --> 00:14:52.740
 When she

00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:53.340
 sat down,

00:14:53.600 --> 00:14:54.120
 he offered

00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:55.100
 her some

00:14:55.100 --> 00:14:55.440
 roasted

00:14:55.440 --> 00:14:55.840
 grain.

00:14:55.840 --> 00:14:57.940
 In any

00:14:57.940 --> 00:14:58.320
 culture,

00:14:58.780 --> 00:14:59.060
 when you

00:14:59.060 --> 00:14:59.560
 invite someone

00:14:59.560 --> 00:15:00.180
 to dine at

00:15:00.180 --> 00:15:00.620
 your table,

00:15:00.899 --> 00:15:01.340
 you project

00:15:01.340 --> 00:15:01.920
 a sense of

00:15:01.920 --> 00:15:02.680
 inclusion,

00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:04.019
 belonging,

00:15:04.740 --> 00:15:05.220
 acceptance.

00:15:06.280 --> 00:15:06.720
 You eat

00:15:06.720 --> 00:15:07.060
 with who

00:15:07.060 --> 00:15:07.399
 you want

00:15:07.399 --> 00:15:07.560
 to be

00:15:07.560 --> 00:15:08.100
 associated

00:15:08.100 --> 00:15:08.519
 with.

00:15:09.180 --> 00:15:09.420
 I can

00:15:09.420 --> 00:15:09.800
 imagine

00:15:09.800 --> 00:15:10.800
 guys like

00:15:10.800 --> 00:15:11.280
 Boaz,

00:15:11.399 --> 00:15:11.920
 landowners,

00:15:12.040 --> 00:15:12.280
 they would

00:15:12.280 --> 00:15:12.780
 dine with

00:15:12.780 --> 00:15:13.680
 other landowners

00:15:13.680 --> 00:15:14.200
 or perhaps

00:15:14.200 --> 00:15:14.920
 with customers

00:15:14.920 --> 00:15:15.320
 to whom

00:15:15.320 --> 00:15:15.560
 they want

00:15:15.560 --> 00:15:15.740
 to do

00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:16.259
 business.

00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:19.720
 Actually,

00:15:19.920 --> 00:15:20.440
 it's not

00:15:20.440 --> 00:15:20.980
 that different

00:15:20.980 --> 00:15:21.440
 from modern

00:15:21.440 --> 00:15:21.920
 day Hong

00:15:21.920 --> 00:15:22.240
 Kong,

00:15:22.540 --> 00:15:23.220
 is it?

00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:26.639
 And third,

00:15:27.320 --> 00:15:27.680
 Boaz

00:15:27.680 --> 00:15:28.480
 abundantly

00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:29.259
 sustains

00:15:29.259 --> 00:15:29.620
 Ruth.

00:15:31.259 --> 00:15:31.720
 As we

00:15:31.720 --> 00:15:32.280
 just saw,

00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:32.800
 at the

00:15:32.800 --> 00:15:33.200
 midday

00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:33.560
 meal,

00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:34.560
 Ruth eats

00:15:34.560 --> 00:15:35.240
 right at

00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:35.740
 Boaz's

00:15:35.740 --> 00:15:36.160
 table.

00:15:37.300 --> 00:15:37.940
 Verse 14

00:15:37.940 --> 00:15:38.320
 says,

00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:39.080
 she ate

00:15:39.080 --> 00:15:39.460
 all she

00:15:39.460 --> 00:15:39.820
 wanted

00:15:39.820 --> 00:15:40.639
 and had

00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:40.940
 some

00:15:40.940 --> 00:15:41.519
 left over.

00:15:42.980 --> 00:15:43.280
 Ruth

00:15:43.280 --> 00:15:43.800
 wasn't just

00:15:43.800 --> 00:15:44.800
 full after

00:15:44.800 --> 00:15:45.320
 eating with

00:15:45.320 --> 00:15:45.620
 Boaz.

00:15:45.780 --> 00:15:46.080
 She was

00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:46.600
 given so

00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:47.220
 much food,

00:15:47.740 --> 00:15:48.080
 she had

00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:48.519
 leftovers.

00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:51.300
 And then,

00:15:52.440 --> 00:15:53.500
 after the

00:15:53.500 --> 00:15:53.780
 meal,

00:15:53.779 --> 00:15:54.959
 verse 15

00:15:54.959 --> 00:15:55.439
 16,

00:15:55.860 --> 00:15:56.159
 Boaz

00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:56.799
 instructs

00:15:56.799 --> 00:15:57.179
 his men

00:15:57.179 --> 00:15:58.139
 to pull

00:15:58.139 --> 00:15:59.039
 some stalks

00:15:59.039 --> 00:15:59.519
 of barley

00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:00.240
 from the

00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:00.659
 bundles

00:16:00.659 --> 00:16:01.939
 and to

00:16:01.939 --> 00:16:02.539
 leave them

00:16:02.539 --> 00:16:03.620
 out in

00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:04.000
 the field

00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:04.360
 for Ruth

00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:04.699
 to pick

00:16:04.699 --> 00:16:04.939
 up.

00:16:05.539 --> 00:16:05.899
 He made

00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:06.480
 her job

00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:06.839
 so much

00:16:06.839 --> 00:16:07.360
 easier for

00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:07.500
 her.

00:16:08.079 --> 00:16:08.399
 He doesn't

00:16:08.399 --> 00:16:09.259
 just allow

00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:09.699
 Ruth to

00:16:09.699 --> 00:16:10.220
 glean in

00:16:10.220 --> 00:16:10.819
 the traditional

00:16:10.819 --> 00:16:11.679
 way according

00:16:11.679 --> 00:16:11.980
 to the

00:16:11.980 --> 00:16:12.339
 letter of

00:16:12.339 --> 00:16:12.679
 the law.

00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:13.419
 He works

00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:14.360
 behind the

00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:15.019
 scenes to

00:16:15.019 --> 00:16:15.459
 give Ruth

00:16:15.459 --> 00:16:16.259
 abundantly

00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:16.699
 more.

00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:19.419
 And at

00:16:19.419 --> 00:16:19.779
 the end

00:16:19.779 --> 00:16:20.120
 of that

00:16:20.120 --> 00:16:20.480
 day,

00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:21.259
 in verse

00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:21.779
 17,

00:16:22.659 --> 00:16:22.860
 Ruth

00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:24.039
 gleaned

00:16:24.039 --> 00:16:24.500
 about an

00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:24.820
 ephah

00:16:24.820 --> 00:16:25.440
 of barley.

00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:27.779
 An

00:16:27.779 --> 00:16:28.180
 ephah

00:16:28.180 --> 00:16:29.000
 of barley

00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:30.860
 is roughly

00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:31.340
 10 to

00:16:31.340 --> 00:16:31.960
 15 liters,

00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:32.860
 which is

00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:33.639
 10 to

00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:34.600
 15 times

00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:35.720
 more than

00:16:35.720 --> 00:16:36.539
 one person's

00:16:36.539 --> 00:16:37.300
 daily ration

00:16:37.300 --> 00:16:37.899
 in those

00:16:37.899 --> 00:16:38.259
 days.

00:16:39.539 --> 00:16:40.500
 And if that

00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:41.240
 wasn't enough,

00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:42.519
 Boaz goes

00:16:42.519 --> 00:16:42.919
 further.

00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:45.740
 Because of

00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:46.320
 his protection

00:16:46.320 --> 00:16:47.180
 and favor

00:16:47.180 --> 00:16:47.899
 upon Ruth,

00:16:48.259 --> 00:16:48.860
 Ruth was

00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:49.399
 able to

00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:50.200
 safely glean

00:16:50.200 --> 00:16:50.720
 through both

00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:51.279
 the barley

00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:52.419
 and the

00:16:52.419 --> 00:16:53.100
 wheat harvest,

00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:54.000
 which was

00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:54.620
 about seven

00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:54.980
 weeks.

00:16:55.819 --> 00:16:56.379
 And therefore,

00:16:56.899 --> 00:16:57.539
 at the end

00:16:57.539 --> 00:16:57.939
 of seven

00:16:57.939 --> 00:16:58.279
 weeks,

00:16:58.620 --> 00:16:58.939
 she would

00:16:58.939 --> 00:16:59.620
 have gleaned

00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:00.360
 about eight

00:17:00.360 --> 00:17:01.980
 months worth

00:17:01.980 --> 00:17:02.899
 of food.

00:17:03.139 --> 00:17:03.860
 What favor?

00:17:05.059 --> 00:17:05.680
 What blessing?

00:17:07.319 --> 00:17:07.839
 At the

00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:08.299
 beginning of

00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:08.660
 Ruth chapter

00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:08.960
 two,

00:17:09.379 --> 00:17:09.859
 Ruth went

00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:10.240
 out to

00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:10.799
 glean because

00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:11.160
 she was

00:17:11.160 --> 00:17:11.519
 hungry.

00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:12.579
 She had

00:17:12.579 --> 00:17:13.180
 no food.

00:17:14.619 --> 00:17:14.839
 But by

00:17:14.839 --> 00:17:15.359
 the end

00:17:15.359 --> 00:17:15.619
 of the

00:17:15.619 --> 00:17:16.160
 two months

00:17:16.160 --> 00:17:16.680
 of gleaning,

00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:17.279
 she had

00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:18.079
 more than

00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:18.480
 she needed

00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:19.379
 because Boaz

00:17:19.379 --> 00:17:20.279
 had abundantly

00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:21.160
 sustained her.

00:17:24.920 --> 00:17:25.619
 Look at

00:17:25.619 --> 00:17:26.579
 Ruth's

00:17:26.579 --> 00:17:27.079
 response.

00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:29.379
 She says

00:17:29.379 --> 00:17:30.000
 to Boaz

00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:30.899
 in verse

00:17:30.899 --> 00:17:31.319
 10,

00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:34.639
 Why have

00:17:34.639 --> 00:17:35.139
 I found

00:17:35.139 --> 00:17:35.859
 such favor

00:17:35.859 --> 00:17:36.240
 in your

00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:37.480
 eyes that

00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:37.960
 you notice

00:17:37.960 --> 00:17:39.180
 me, a

00:17:39.180 --> 00:17:39.519
 foreigner?

00:17:40.660 --> 00:17:41.099
 She is

00:17:41.099 --> 00:17:41.500
 genuinely

00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:42.940
 surprised at

00:17:42.940 --> 00:17:43.339
 Boaz's

00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:43.759
 kindness,

00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:44.899
 confirming

00:17:44.899 --> 00:17:45.460
 that Boaz

00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:46.579
 has indeed

00:17:46.579 --> 00:17:47.299
 given her

00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:47.899
 so much

00:17:47.899 --> 00:17:48.839
 more than

00:17:48.839 --> 00:17:49.460
 she expected.

00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:51.859
 And then

00:17:51.859 --> 00:17:52.420
 later on

00:17:52.420 --> 00:17:52.779
 in verse

00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:53.339
 13,

00:17:53.539 --> 00:17:54.099
 she says,

00:17:55.779 --> 00:17:55.980
 You have

00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:56.359
 given me

00:17:56.359 --> 00:17:56.819
 comfort,

00:17:57.779 --> 00:17:58.279
 have spoken

00:17:58.279 --> 00:17:59.059
 kindly to

00:17:59.059 --> 00:17:59.619
 your servant,

00:18:00.039 --> 00:18:00.559
 though I

00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:01.099
 do not

00:18:01.099 --> 00:18:01.539
 have the

00:18:01.539 --> 00:18:02.000
 standing

00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:02.899
 of one

00:18:02.899 --> 00:18:03.359
 of your

00:18:03.359 --> 00:18:03.700
 servant

00:18:03.700 --> 00:18:04.200
 girls.

00:18:06.680 --> 00:18:07.240
 Ruth

00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:07.700
 comes to

00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:08.019
 Boaz

00:18:08.019 --> 00:18:08.899
 with such

00:18:08.899 --> 00:18:09.879
 humility

00:18:09.879 --> 00:18:12.299
 and no

00:18:12.299 --> 00:18:12.759
 sense of

00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:13.180
 entitlement.

00:18:14.539 --> 00:18:14.960
 She never

00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:15.480
 thinks she

00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:16.299
 deserves

00:18:16.299 --> 00:18:16.899
 favor.

00:18:17.420 --> 00:18:17.839
 She never

00:18:17.839 --> 00:18:18.399
 thinks she

00:18:18.399 --> 00:18:18.940
 can earn

00:18:18.940 --> 00:18:19.399
 favor.

00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:20.639
 She

00:18:20.639 --> 00:18:21.339
 recognized

00:18:21.339 --> 00:18:21.759
 who she

00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:22.279
 was,

00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:24.039
 foreign

00:18:24.039 --> 00:18:24.399
 widow,

00:18:25.599 --> 00:18:25.899
 someone

00:18:25.899 --> 00:18:26.579
 unworthy

00:18:26.579 --> 00:18:27.500
 of even

00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:28.299
 being called

00:18:28.299 --> 00:18:29.099
 a servant

00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:29.740
 girl,

00:18:30.639 --> 00:18:31.039
 someone

00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:31.519
 broken,

00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:33.119
 someone in

00:18:33.119 --> 00:18:33.859
 need of

00:18:33.859 --> 00:18:35.279
 grace.

00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:40.160
 And in

00:18:40.160 --> 00:18:40.799
 verse 18,

00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:42.980
 Ruth returns

00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:43.480
 to Naomi.

00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:43.539
 Naomi.

00:18:45.220 --> 00:18:45.660
 You can

00:18:45.660 --> 00:18:46.480
 imagine Naomi

00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:47.180
 sitting there

00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:47.920
 waiting for

00:18:47.920 --> 00:18:48.240
 Ruth to

00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:48.720
 return,

00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:50.079
 unsure if

00:18:50.079 --> 00:18:50.620
 Ruth would

00:18:50.620 --> 00:18:51.299
 be successful

00:18:51.299 --> 00:18:52.240
 that day

00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:52.799
 in gleaning,

00:18:53.299 --> 00:18:53.940
 unsure if

00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:54.779
 God would

00:18:54.779 --> 00:18:55.559
 provide,

00:18:56.079 --> 00:18:56.380
 bitter,

00:18:56.900 --> 00:18:57.480
 resentful

00:18:57.480 --> 00:18:58.279
 against God

00:18:58.279 --> 00:18:58.579
 for the

00:18:58.579 --> 00:18:59.140
 predicament

00:18:59.140 --> 00:18:59.880
 that she's

00:18:59.880 --> 00:19:00.140
 in.

00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:01.860
 But all

00:19:01.860 --> 00:19:02.620
 of a sudden,

00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:04.579
 Ruth returns

00:19:04.579 --> 00:19:05.180
 home with

00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:06.019
 this massive,

00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:07.420
 huge bounty

00:19:07.420 --> 00:19:08.240
 of barley,

00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:09.980
 and she

00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:11.000
 tells Naomi

00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:11.599
 she has

00:19:11.599 --> 00:19:12.460
 gleaned in

00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:13.039
 Boaz's

00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:13.519
 field.

00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:17.500
 Naomi can't

00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:17.980
 believe it.

00:19:19.539 --> 00:19:20.079
 She tells

00:19:20.079 --> 00:19:20.420
 Ruth,

00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:21.539
 this man is

00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:21.960
 our close

00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:22.359
 relative.

00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:24.000
 He is our

00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:24.299
 kinsman

00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:24.720
 redeemer.

00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:27.200
 There is hope

00:19:27.200 --> 00:19:28.519
 after all.

00:19:28.519 --> 00:19:31.339
 Now,

00:19:31.559 --> 00:19:33.119
 we'll be

00:19:33.119 --> 00:19:33.819
 unpacking this

00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:34.500
 very important

00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:35.720
 concept of a

00:19:35.720 --> 00:19:36.119
 kinsman

00:19:36.119 --> 00:19:36.879
 redeemer or

00:19:36.879 --> 00:19:37.259
 guardian

00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:38.139
 redeemer in

00:19:38.139 --> 00:19:39.139
 detail in the

00:19:39.139 --> 00:19:39.500
 next two

00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:40.059
 weeks, so

00:19:40.059 --> 00:19:41.299
 you'll have to

00:19:41.299 --> 00:19:41.779
 wait for that.

00:19:42.420 --> 00:19:43.460
 But just to

00:19:43.460 --> 00:19:43.920
 give you a

00:19:43.920 --> 00:19:45.059
 quick preview,

00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:46.879
 the concept

00:19:46.879 --> 00:19:47.700
 of a kinsman

00:19:47.700 --> 00:19:48.639
 redeemer was

00:19:48.639 --> 00:19:49.359
 based upon

00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:50.059
 the Jewish

00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:50.579
 law.

00:19:51.660 --> 00:19:52.119
 Under the

00:19:52.119 --> 00:19:52.920
 law, male

00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:53.579
 clan members

00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:54.099
 had certain

00:19:54.099 --> 00:19:55.000
 responsibilities

00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:56.160
 towards their

00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:56.660
 relatives.

00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:57.839
 They had the

00:19:57.839 --> 00:19:58.400
 responsibility

00:19:58.400 --> 00:19:59.540
 to help out

00:19:59.540 --> 00:20:00.280
 a fellow

00:20:00.280 --> 00:20:01.019
 clan member

00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:01.720
 who faced

00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:02.700
 certain adverse

00:20:02.700 --> 00:20:03.500
 circumstances.

00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:04.680
 Two in

00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:05.160
 particular.

00:20:06.400 --> 00:20:07.880
 One, if a

00:20:07.880 --> 00:20:08.620
 relative fell

00:20:08.620 --> 00:20:09.400
 into extreme

00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:10.580
 poverty such

00:20:10.580 --> 00:20:11.140
 that he was

00:20:11.140 --> 00:20:11.880
 forced to sell

00:20:11.880 --> 00:20:13.240
 himself or

00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:15.540
 his land to

00:20:15.540 --> 00:20:17.060
 repay a debt,

00:20:18.040 --> 00:20:18.780
 a kinsman

00:20:18.780 --> 00:20:19.820
 redeemer, a

00:20:19.820 --> 00:20:20.759
 relative, was

00:20:20.759 --> 00:20:21.700
 expected to buy

00:20:21.700 --> 00:20:22.519
 back the

00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:23.759
 family member or

00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:24.820
 buy back that

00:20:24.820 --> 00:20:26.060
 land, whatever

00:20:26.060 --> 00:20:26.759
 the case may

00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:27.040
 be.

00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:29.759
 And second, if

00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:30.620
 a male relative

00:20:30.620 --> 00:20:32.060
 died, the

00:20:32.060 --> 00:20:32.500
 kinsman

00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:33.440
 redeemer was

00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:34.140
 expected to

00:20:34.140 --> 00:20:34.680
 marry the

00:20:34.680 --> 00:20:35.460
 widow to

00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:36.360
 carry on the

00:20:36.360 --> 00:20:37.780
 family name of

00:20:37.780 --> 00:20:38.060
 the male

00:20:38.060 --> 00:20:38.460
 relative.

00:20:39.920 --> 00:20:40.900
 But as you

00:20:40.900 --> 00:20:41.540
 can imagine,

00:20:41.940 --> 00:20:42.780
 both of these

00:20:42.780 --> 00:20:43.660
 things were

00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:44.100
 costly.

00:20:47.320 --> 00:20:47.860
 And Naomi

00:20:47.860 --> 00:20:48.940
 recognized that

00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:49.940
 Boaz was a

00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:50.820
 relative of her

00:20:50.820 --> 00:20:51.460
 dead husband,

00:20:51.600 --> 00:20:52.519
 Elimelech, and

00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:53.460
 therefore was one

00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:54.540
 of her family's

00:20:54.540 --> 00:20:55.140
 kinsman

00:20:55.140 --> 00:20:55.800
 redeemers.

00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:57.119
 You can sense

00:20:57.119 --> 00:20:57.720
 the excitement

00:20:57.720 --> 00:20:58.720
 and anticipation

00:20:58.720 --> 00:20:59.879
 from Naomi.

00:21:00.359 --> 00:21:00.960
 Could it be,

00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:02.279
 could God be

00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:02.919
 calling the

00:21:02.919 --> 00:21:04.240
 kind and good

00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:05.119
 man Boaz,

00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:06.099
 our close

00:21:06.099 --> 00:21:07.180
 relative, our

00:21:07.180 --> 00:21:07.659
 kinsman

00:21:07.659 --> 00:21:08.779
 redeemer, to

00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:09.740
 redeem our land,

00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:10.659
 to buy back

00:21:10.659 --> 00:21:11.859
 our dignity, to

00:21:11.859 --> 00:21:12.440
 carry on our

00:21:12.440 --> 00:21:13.799
 family line, to

00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:14.539
 save us?

00:21:16.619 --> 00:21:17.940
 Maybe God is

00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:18.680
 at work in our

00:21:18.680 --> 00:21:19.639
 lives after all.

00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:21.379
 Maybe Ruth

00:21:21.379 --> 00:21:22.200
 happening to

00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:22.819
 stumble upon

00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:23.579
 Boaz's field

00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:24.419
 wasn't random.

00:21:24.420 --> 00:21:27.279
 Did you

00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:28.380
 notice that

00:21:28.380 --> 00:21:29.160
 in the entire

00:21:29.160 --> 00:21:30.120
 chapter 2,

00:21:30.360 --> 00:21:31.039
 there isn't

00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:31.840
 even one

00:21:31.840 --> 00:21:32.840
 instance of

00:21:32.840 --> 00:21:33.980
 God intervening

00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:34.880
 in an obvious

00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:35.759
 supernatural

00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:36.480
 way?

00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:38.800
 God didn't

00:21:38.800 --> 00:21:39.420
 speak audibly

00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:40.019
 to Ruth

00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:42.120
 or to Boaz

00:21:42.120 --> 00:21:42.920
 like he did

00:21:42.920 --> 00:21:43.560
 to Abraham.

00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:44.880
 He didn't

00:21:44.880 --> 00:21:45.779
 appear to them

00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:46.539
 like he did

00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:47.220
 to Moses

00:21:47.220 --> 00:21:47.840
 in a burning

00:21:47.840 --> 00:21:48.259
 bush.

00:21:49.600 --> 00:21:50.000
 And yet,

00:21:50.580 --> 00:21:51.460
 God was

00:21:51.460 --> 00:21:52.000
 very much

00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:52.960
 still at work.

00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:55.640
 Of all the

00:21:55.640 --> 00:21:56.279
 barley fields

00:21:56.279 --> 00:21:57.400
 outside Bethlehem,

00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.380
 God led

00:21:58.380 --> 00:21:58.940
 Ruth to

00:21:58.940 --> 00:21:59.700
 Boaz's field

00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:00.759
 at the exact

00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:01.680
 time Boaz

00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:02.279
 showed up.

00:22:03.060 --> 00:22:03.480
 Even though

00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:03.900
 we don't

00:22:03.900 --> 00:22:04.720
 audibly hear

00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:05.500
 God's voice

00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:06.340
 or we don't

00:22:06.340 --> 00:22:07.180
 visibly see

00:22:07.180 --> 00:22:07.860
 him in action,

00:22:08.340 --> 00:22:09.180
 God's fingerprints

00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:10.279
 are all over

00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:10.820
 the narrative

00:22:10.820 --> 00:22:11.860
 of Ruth.

00:22:14.120 --> 00:22:14.440
 Proverbs

00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:15.200
 16.9

00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:15.620
 says,

00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:16.820
 I love this

00:22:16.820 --> 00:22:17.240
 passage,

00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:18.779
 a man's

00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:19.059
 heart

00:22:19.059 --> 00:22:20.039
 plans his

00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:20.579
 ways,

00:22:21.400 --> 00:22:21.759
 but the

00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:22.819
 Lord directs

00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:23.480
 his steps.

00:22:25.380 --> 00:22:25.940
 I don't

00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:26.259
 know about

00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:26.720
 you this

00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:27.000
 morning,

00:22:27.140 --> 00:22:27.559
 but that

00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:28.559
 verse is

00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:29.460
 very comforting

00:22:29.460 --> 00:22:29.960
 to me.

00:22:31.980 --> 00:22:32.319
 I feel

00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:32.539
 like

00:22:32.539 --> 00:22:34.079
 recently I've

00:22:34.079 --> 00:22:34.359
 had to

00:22:34.359 --> 00:22:34.779
 make so

00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:35.319
 many big

00:22:35.319 --> 00:22:35.960
 and small

00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:36.740
 decisions

00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:37.480
 about my

00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:37.880
 family,

00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:38.599
 my job,

00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:39.279
 a lot of

00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:39.700
 things going

00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:40.120
 on in my

00:22:40.120 --> 00:22:40.480
 life.

00:22:42.620 --> 00:22:43.319
 Recently we

00:22:43.319 --> 00:22:43.819
 decided to

00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:44.160
 move,

00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:45.420
 we decided

00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:45.799
 to send

00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:46.220
 Kiva to a

00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:46.759
 certain school,

00:22:47.140 --> 00:22:47.660
 so many

00:22:47.660 --> 00:22:48.140
 things going

00:22:48.140 --> 00:22:48.299
 on.

00:22:48.339 --> 00:22:48.799
 My day

00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:49.160
 job,

00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:49.559
 it's just

00:22:49.559 --> 00:22:50.100
 taken up

00:22:50.100 --> 00:22:50.559
 so much

00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:50.860
 of my

00:22:50.860 --> 00:22:51.180
 mental

00:22:51.180 --> 00:22:51.880
 capacity.

00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:54.299
 And on

00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:54.640
 top of

00:22:54.640 --> 00:22:54.900
 that,

00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:56.880
 my wife

00:22:56.880 --> 00:22:57.100
 and I

00:22:57.100 --> 00:22:57.480
 are expecting

00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:58.220
 twin boys.

00:22:59.339 --> 00:22:59.980
 Thank you.

00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:02.740
 Praise God.

00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:03.720
 We're very

00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:04.420
 excited about

00:23:04.420 --> 00:23:04.980
 this and feel

00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:05.360
 very,

00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:06.039
 very blessed.

00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:06.860
 But you

00:23:06.860 --> 00:23:06.960
 know,

00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:07.279
 with the

00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:07.779
 twin boys

00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.220
 coming,

00:23:08.640 --> 00:23:09.240
 to be honest,

00:23:09.339 --> 00:23:09.740
 I have more

00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:10.440
 questions than

00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:10.779
 answers.

00:23:12.299 --> 00:23:13.100
 I was talking

00:23:13.100 --> 00:23:13.660
 to my wife

00:23:13.660 --> 00:23:14.200
 the other day

00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:14.559
 and we're just

00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:15.059
 saying to each

00:23:15.059 --> 00:23:15.279
 other,

00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:16.519
 how are we

00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:16.839
 going to get

00:23:16.839 --> 00:23:17.319
 to church

00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:17.799
 on time

00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.259
 on Sunday?

00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:19.379
 How are we

00:23:19.379 --> 00:23:19.599
 going to get

00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:20.359
 anywhere on

00:23:20.359 --> 00:23:20.639
 time?

00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:23.539
 But you

00:23:23.539 --> 00:23:23.619
 know,

00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:24.099
 when I look

00:23:24.099 --> 00:23:24.920
 at Ruth,

00:23:26.319 --> 00:23:27.440
 I realize

00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:28.619
 God cares

00:23:28.619 --> 00:23:29.539
 about every

00:23:29.539 --> 00:23:30.440
 decision we

00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:30.819
 make.

00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:32.200
 He cares

00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:32.859
 about every

00:23:32.859 --> 00:23:33.859
 aspect of

00:23:33.859 --> 00:23:34.420
 our lives,

00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:35.119
 even the

00:23:35.119 --> 00:23:35.579
 mundane,

00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:36.019
 everyday

00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:36.639
 details.

00:23:37.920 --> 00:23:38.200
 I think

00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:39.220
 oftentimes we

00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:39.799
 think God

00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:40.579
 only cares

00:23:40.579 --> 00:23:41.019
 about the

00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:41.539
 really big

00:23:41.539 --> 00:23:42.119
 things in

00:23:42.119 --> 00:23:42.519
 our lives,

00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:43.000
 so therefore

00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:43.819
 we only

00:23:43.819 --> 00:23:44.500
 pray when

00:23:44.500 --> 00:23:44.940
 we're really

00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:45.420
 in trouble.

00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:47.619
 But when

00:23:47.619 --> 00:23:48.220
 we fail

00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:48.759
 to believe

00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.599
 God is

00:23:49.599 --> 00:23:51.160
 working in

00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:51.680
 the everyday

00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:52.440
 aspect,

00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:53.799
 everyday

00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:55.059
 aspects of

00:23:55.059 --> 00:23:55.700
 our lives,

00:23:55.940 --> 00:23:56.759
 we end up

00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:57.200
 complaining.

00:23:58.480 --> 00:23:59.019
 When we

00:23:59.019 --> 00:23:59.500
 fail to believe

00:23:59.500 --> 00:23:59.880
 God is

00:23:59.880 --> 00:24:00.140
 working,

00:24:00.420 --> 00:24:00.859
 we oftentimes

00:24:00.859 --> 00:24:01.720
 put more

00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:02.579
 undue

00:24:02.579 --> 00:24:03.180
 pressure on

00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:03.759
 ourselves to

00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:04.200
 do things

00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:04.579
 with our

00:24:04.579 --> 00:24:05.259
 own strength.

00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:05.319
 faith.

00:24:07.319 --> 00:24:08.220
 Or maybe

00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:09.579
 some of us

00:24:09.579 --> 00:24:10.039
 feel God

00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:11.019
 is so far

00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:11.680
 away,

00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:12.119
 he's up

00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:12.379
 in the

00:24:12.379 --> 00:24:12.839
 clouds,

00:24:13.099 --> 00:24:13.559
 and so

00:24:13.559 --> 00:24:14.079
 therefore we

00:24:14.079 --> 00:24:14.740
 lose hope

00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:16.119
 and we

00:24:16.119 --> 00:24:18.000
 drift away

00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:19.039
 from him,

00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:19.460
 from the

00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:19.759
 church,

00:24:19.839 --> 00:24:20.059
 from our

00:24:20.059 --> 00:24:20.339
 community

00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:20.799
 groups,

00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:22.319
 from reading

00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:22.879
 his word,

00:24:23.400 --> 00:24:23.920
 from pursuing

00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:24.299
 him.

00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:27.259
 But if we

00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:27.579
 look at

00:24:27.579 --> 00:24:27.960
 Ruth,

00:24:29.319 --> 00:24:30.539
 that morning

00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:31.140
 she seemed

00:24:31.140 --> 00:24:31.740
 to make a

00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:32.099
 mundane

00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:33.440
 decision to

00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:33.940
 go glean

00:24:33.940 --> 00:24:34.519
 for barley.

00:24:35.360 --> 00:24:35.980
 But God

00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:36.759
 honored that.

00:24:37.600 --> 00:24:37.940
 And God

00:24:37.940 --> 00:24:38.360
 was right

00:24:38.360 --> 00:24:38.680
 there,

00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:39.940
 directing her,

00:24:40.480 --> 00:24:41.120
 guiding her,

00:24:41.320 --> 00:24:41.900
 even in this

00:24:41.900 --> 00:24:42.680
 small decision.

00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:43.880
 And he led

00:24:43.880 --> 00:24:44.340
 her right

00:24:44.340 --> 00:24:45.059
 to Boaz,

00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:48.059
 where God

00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:49.160
 blessed Ruth

00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:50.100
 through Boaz.

00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:52.660
 When we

00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:53.120
 believe that

00:24:53.120 --> 00:24:53.700
 the sovereign

00:24:53.700 --> 00:24:54.680
 God of the

00:24:54.680 --> 00:24:55.400
 universe is in

00:24:55.400 --> 00:24:55.820
 control,

00:24:56.180 --> 00:24:56.920
 we don't worry

00:24:56.920 --> 00:24:57.220
 about our

00:24:57.220 --> 00:24:57.620
 decisions.

00:24:58.360 --> 00:24:59.000
 We don't worry

00:24:59.000 --> 00:24:59.279
 about the

00:24:59.279 --> 00:24:59.700
 outcomes.

00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:00.940
 We go through

00:25:00.940 --> 00:25:01.360
 our day

00:25:01.360 --> 00:25:01.900
 knowing that

00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:02.539
 he cares

00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:03.320
 about every

00:25:03.320 --> 00:25:03.840
 mundane

00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:04.740
 event and

00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:05.199
 our hearts

00:25:05.199 --> 00:25:05.519
 are at

00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:06.039
 peace because

00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:07.000
 he cares.

00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:08.139
 He cares

00:25:08.139 --> 00:25:08.439
 about that

00:25:08.439 --> 00:25:08.980
 conversation

00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:09.599
 you're having

00:25:09.599 --> 00:25:10.220
 tomorrow with

00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:10.819
 your boss.

00:25:12.419 --> 00:25:13.139
 He cares

00:25:13.139 --> 00:25:13.639
 about where

00:25:13.639 --> 00:25:13.879
 you're going

00:25:13.879 --> 00:25:14.099
 to send

00:25:14.099 --> 00:25:14.439
 your kids

00:25:14.439 --> 00:25:14.980
 to school.

00:25:15.559 --> 00:25:16.079
 He cares

00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:17.339
 about the

00:25:17.339 --> 00:25:17.799
 dinner you're

00:25:17.799 --> 00:25:17.899
 going to

00:25:17.899 --> 00:25:18.240
 have with

00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:18.819
 your in-laws.

00:25:19.899 --> 00:25:20.619
 I know

00:25:20.619 --> 00:25:21.379
 life in

00:25:21.379 --> 00:25:21.959
 Hong Kong

00:25:21.959 --> 00:25:22.899
 is often

00:25:22.899 --> 00:25:23.459
 a grind.

00:25:25.079 --> 00:25:25.639
 But be

00:25:25.639 --> 00:25:26.519
 encouraged that

00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:27.500
 God is not

00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:28.240
 just there in

00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:28.579
 the big

00:25:28.579 --> 00:25:29.039
 things.

00:25:30.079 --> 00:25:30.659
 He's there

00:25:30.659 --> 00:25:31.019
 in the

00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:31.539
 thousand

00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.619
 small moments

00:25:32.619 --> 00:25:33.579
 of every

00:25:33.579 --> 00:25:34.519
 single day

00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:36.159
 working in

00:25:36.159 --> 00:25:36.799
 our lives.

00:25:39.799 --> 00:25:40.879
 So as we've

00:25:40.879 --> 00:25:41.299
 seen in

00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:41.799
 Ruth chapter

00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:42.159
 two,

00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:44.359
 Boaz

00:25:44.359 --> 00:25:45.639
 was a

00:25:45.639 --> 00:25:46.240
 faithful man

00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:46.680
 of God,

00:25:46.899 --> 00:25:47.379
 a good

00:25:47.379 --> 00:25:47.759
 man,

00:25:48.399 --> 00:25:48.879
 a kind

00:25:48.879 --> 00:25:49.240
 man.

00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:51.279
 Remember,

00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:52.639
 Boaz was

00:25:52.639 --> 00:25:53.119
 merely a

00:25:53.119 --> 00:25:53.399
 man.

00:25:54.879 --> 00:25:55.500
 Boaz just

00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:56.559
 gives us a

00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:57.440
 glimpse of the

00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:58.240
 redeemer who

00:25:58.240 --> 00:25:58.940
 was to come

00:25:58.940 --> 00:25:59.779
 over a thousand

00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:00.779
 years later who

00:26:00.779 --> 00:26:01.220
 would redeem

00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:02.099
 not just one

00:26:02.099 --> 00:26:03.359
 family but the

00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:03.799
 world.

00:26:05.079 --> 00:26:05.920
 Boaz was just

00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:07.039
 a type and

00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:08.420
 shadow of the

00:26:08.420 --> 00:26:08.980
 greatest

00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:09.740
 redeemer,

00:26:10.160 --> 00:26:11.000
 Jesus Christ,

00:26:11.420 --> 00:26:12.220
 God himself,

00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:12.940
 who would

00:26:12.940 --> 00:26:13.700
 redeem mankind

00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:14.940
 from our

00:26:14.940 --> 00:26:16.059
 greatest tragedy,

00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:17.839
 our own

00:26:17.839 --> 00:26:18.180
 hearts,

00:26:19.700 --> 00:26:20.079
 our own

00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:20.680
 brokenness,

00:26:21.599 --> 00:26:22.059
 our own

00:26:22.059 --> 00:26:22.619
 fractured

00:26:22.619 --> 00:26:23.019
 nature.

00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:27.599
 You see,

00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:29.619
 in many ways,

00:26:29.960 --> 00:26:30.680
 you and I

00:26:30.680 --> 00:26:32.139
 were like

00:26:32.139 --> 00:26:32.480
 Ruth.

00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:35.420
 Ruth was not

00:26:35.420 --> 00:26:35.779
 a Jew.

00:26:36.940 --> 00:26:37.720
 She was a

00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:38.119
 Gentile.

00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:39.359
 When she first

00:26:39.359 --> 00:26:40.039
 came to Israel,

00:26:40.279 --> 00:26:40.720
 she was a

00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:41.059
 foreigner,

00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:42.200
 without rights,

00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:43.400
 without hope.

00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:44.519
 She was an

00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:45.119
 outcast,

00:26:45.539 --> 00:26:46.099
 looked down

00:26:46.099 --> 00:26:46.680
 upon by

00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:47.240
 society.

00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:50.039
 The

00:26:50.039 --> 00:26:50.759
 apostle Paul,

00:26:50.879 --> 00:26:51.579
 he writes in

00:26:51.579 --> 00:26:52.240
 Ephesians 2

00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:53.279
 that we too

00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:54.200
 are Gentiles

00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:55.099
 by birth

00:26:55.099 --> 00:26:55.700
 and that

00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:56.400
 before we

00:26:56.400 --> 00:26:57.079
 knew Christ,

00:26:57.559 --> 00:26:58.120
 we too

00:26:58.120 --> 00:26:59.359
 were excluded

00:26:59.359 --> 00:27:00.160
 from citizenship

00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:01.019
 in Israel,

00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:02.140
 foreigners to

00:27:02.140 --> 00:27:02.620
 the covenants

00:27:02.620 --> 00:27:03.220
 of promise,

00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:04.299
 without hope

00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:04.859
 and without

00:27:04.859 --> 00:27:06.059
 God in the

00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:06.400
 world.

00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:08.120
 Like Ruth,

00:27:08.599 --> 00:27:09.480
 without Christ,

00:27:09.839 --> 00:27:10.460
 you and I,

00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:11.099
 we too,

00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:11.759
 are broken.

00:27:12.579 --> 00:27:13.440
 We too are

00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:14.140
 in desperate

00:27:14.140 --> 00:27:15.319
 need of a

00:27:15.319 --> 00:27:15.660
 savior.

00:27:18.440 --> 00:27:19.180
 But unlike

00:27:19.180 --> 00:27:19.599
 Ruth,

00:27:19.599 --> 00:27:21.480
 we weren't

00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:21.980
 just struggling

00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:22.639
 with hunger.

00:27:24.319 --> 00:27:25.079
 We weren't

00:27:25.079 --> 00:27:25.759
 just victims

00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:26.439
 of our

00:27:26.439 --> 00:27:26.799
 relatives'

00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:27.539
 misfortune.

00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:30.039
 Before we

00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:30.699
 knew Christ,

00:27:31.219 --> 00:27:31.799
 you and I

00:27:31.799 --> 00:27:32.759
 were enemies

00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:33.659
 of God.

00:27:34.959 --> 00:27:35.799
 Every time

00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:36.459
 we said in

00:27:36.459 --> 00:27:36.919
 our hearts,

00:27:37.199 --> 00:27:37.480
 I want to

00:27:37.480 --> 00:27:37.959
 do this my

00:27:37.959 --> 00:27:38.219
 way,

00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:39.219
 I want to

00:27:39.219 --> 00:27:39.480
 be in

00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:39.899
 charge,

00:27:40.240 --> 00:27:40.740
 we are

00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:41.579
 guilty of

00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:41.879
 mocking

00:27:41.879 --> 00:27:42.419
 Christ,

00:27:43.379 --> 00:27:43.859
 of beating

00:27:43.859 --> 00:27:44.179
 him,

00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:45.619
 of setting

00:27:45.619 --> 00:27:46.199
 that crown

00:27:46.199 --> 00:27:46.819
 of thorns

00:27:46.819 --> 00:27:47.700
 upon his

00:27:47.700 --> 00:27:48.039
 head.

00:27:50.480 --> 00:27:51.119
 But we

00:27:51.119 --> 00:27:51.579
 have hope.

00:27:52.859 --> 00:27:53.299
 In that

00:27:53.299 --> 00:27:54.059
 same passage

00:27:54.059 --> 00:27:55.000
 from Ephesians,

00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:55.779
 Paul goes

00:27:55.779 --> 00:27:56.399
 on to say,

00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:58.599
 Paul goes

00:27:58.599 --> 00:27:59.159
 on to say,

00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:00.000
 but now

00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:00.619
 in Christ

00:28:00.619 --> 00:28:01.039
 Jesus,

00:28:01.419 --> 00:28:01.960
 you who

00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:02.460
 were once

00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:03.059
 far away

00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:03.579
 have been

00:28:03.579 --> 00:28:04.339
 brought near

00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:04.960
 through the

00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:05.339
 blood of

00:28:05.339 --> 00:28:05.740
 Christ.

00:28:07.079 --> 00:28:07.599
 Without

00:28:07.599 --> 00:28:08.439
 doing anything

00:28:08.439 --> 00:28:08.960
 on our own

00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:09.319
 accord,

00:28:09.819 --> 00:28:10.039
 without

00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:10.659
 justifying

00:28:10.659 --> 00:28:11.159
 ourselves,

00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:11.939
 we who

00:28:11.939 --> 00:28:12.379
 were once

00:28:12.379 --> 00:28:13.059
 far away

00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:13.819
 have been

00:28:13.819 --> 00:28:14.259
 brought near

00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:14.839
 to God

00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:15.399
 through the

00:28:15.399 --> 00:28:15.759
 blood of

00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.419
 Jesus Christ.

00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:20.740
 Ruth's

00:28:20.740 --> 00:28:21.019
 redeemer

00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:21.259
 was

00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:21.720
 Boaz,

00:28:21.960 --> 00:28:22.659
 but our

00:28:22.659 --> 00:28:23.039
 redeemer

00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:23.559
 is one

00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:23.819
 who is

00:28:23.819 --> 00:28:24.240
 far

00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:24.859
 greater.

00:28:25.599 --> 00:28:25.939
 Our

00:28:25.939 --> 00:28:26.379
 redeemer

00:28:26.379 --> 00:28:27.179
 is Christ

00:28:27.179 --> 00:28:27.740
 himself,

00:28:27.899 --> 00:28:28.319
 who is

00:28:28.319 --> 00:28:28.740
 seated at

00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:29.099
 the right

00:28:29.099 --> 00:28:29.700
 hand of

00:28:29.700 --> 00:28:30.019
 God

00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:30.720
 in heaven.

00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:34.279
 Boaz

00:28:34.279 --> 00:28:34.740
 protected

00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:35.480
 Ruth and

00:28:35.480 --> 00:28:35.779
 said to

00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:35.919
 her,

00:28:36.220 --> 00:28:36.579
 stay in

00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:37.159
 my fields.

00:28:39.399 --> 00:28:39.579
 And

00:28:39.579 --> 00:28:39.939
 remember,

00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:41.119
 in verse

00:28:41.119 --> 00:28:41.539
 12,

00:28:41.859 --> 00:28:42.679
 he acknowledged

00:28:42.679 --> 00:28:43.220
 that Ruth

00:28:43.220 --> 00:28:43.720
 came to

00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:44.299
 Bethlehem

00:28:44.299 --> 00:28:44.939
 to seek

00:28:44.939 --> 00:28:45.819
 refuge under

00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:46.379
 the wings

00:28:46.380 --> 00:28:46.740
 of the

00:28:46.740 --> 00:28:47.060
 God

00:28:47.060 --> 00:28:47.320
 of

00:28:47.320 --> 00:28:47.700
 Israel.

00:28:51.160 --> 00:28:51.960
 What did

00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:52.360
 Christ say

00:28:52.360 --> 00:28:52.840
 about this?

00:28:54.100 --> 00:28:54.920
 In the

00:28:54.920 --> 00:28:55.400
 Gospels,

00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:56.760
 as Jesus

00:28:56.760 --> 00:28:57.780
 lamented how

00:28:57.780 --> 00:28:58.240
 his Jewish

00:28:58.240 --> 00:28:59.140
 brothers rejected

00:28:59.140 --> 00:28:59.880
 him as

00:28:59.880 --> 00:29:00.440
 their Messiah

00:29:00.440 --> 00:29:01.160
 and Savior,

00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:02.060
 Christ,

00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:02.680
 he cries

00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:03.340
 out in

00:29:03.340 --> 00:29:04.120
 Matthew 23,

00:29:04.300 --> 00:29:04.780
 he says,

00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:06.920
 how often

00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:07.920
 I long

00:29:07.920 --> 00:29:08.620
 to gather

00:29:08.620 --> 00:29:09.320
 your children

00:29:09.320 --> 00:29:10.380
 together as

00:29:10.380 --> 00:29:10.880
 a hen

00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:11.700
 gathers her

00:29:11.700 --> 00:29:12.360
 chicks under

00:29:12.360 --> 00:29:13.000
 her wings,

00:29:13.780 --> 00:29:14.100
 for you

00:29:14.100 --> 00:29:14.480
 were not

00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:14.820
 willing.

00:29:14.819 --> 00:29:18.759
 The

00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.379
 theologian

00:29:19.379 --> 00:29:19.819
 N.T.

00:29:19.899 --> 00:29:20.119
 Wright

00:29:20.119 --> 00:29:20.720
 said this,

00:29:21.099 --> 00:29:22.159
 he said,

00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:22.740
 this image

00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:23.119
 is of a

00:29:23.119 --> 00:29:23.659
 barnyard

00:29:23.659 --> 00:29:24.119
 fire.

00:29:25.559 --> 00:29:26.179
 When the

00:29:26.179 --> 00:29:26.819
 fire breaks

00:29:26.819 --> 00:29:27.119
 out,

00:29:27.339 --> 00:29:27.759
 the mother

00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:28.220
 hen would

00:29:28.220 --> 00:29:28.919
 gather her

00:29:28.919 --> 00:29:29.599
 chicks under

00:29:29.599 --> 00:29:30.200
 her wings

00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:30.799
 to protect

00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:31.119
 them.

00:29:32.460 --> 00:29:33.159
 But when

00:29:33.159 --> 00:29:33.639
 the fire

00:29:33.639 --> 00:29:33.980
 had run

00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:34.519
 its course,

00:29:34.879 --> 00:29:35.319
 there will

00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:35.899
 be found

00:29:35.899 --> 00:29:36.500
 a dead

00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:37.000
 hen,

00:29:37.799 --> 00:29:38.439
 scorched

00:29:38.439 --> 00:29:39.639
 and blackened.

00:29:39.640 --> 00:29:42.300
 but the

00:29:42.300 --> 00:29:42.800
 chicks will

00:29:42.800 --> 00:29:43.400
 be alive

00:29:43.400 --> 00:29:44.040
 and well

00:29:44.040 --> 00:29:44.940
 under her

00:29:44.940 --> 00:29:45.320
 wings.

00:29:47.080 --> 00:29:47.840
 It's a

00:29:47.840 --> 00:29:48.280
 picture of

00:29:48.280 --> 00:29:48.680
 Christ,

00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.460
 God in

00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:51.140
 flesh who

00:29:51.140 --> 00:29:51.720
 would protect

00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:52.320
 us under

00:29:52.320 --> 00:29:52.880
 his wings,

00:29:53.180 --> 00:29:53.640
 taking the

00:29:53.640 --> 00:29:53.980
 punishment

00:29:53.980 --> 00:29:54.680
 of death

00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:55.740
 for us,

00:29:56.380 --> 00:29:57.700
 even when

00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:58.120
 we had

00:29:58.120 --> 00:29:58.480
 rejected

00:29:58.480 --> 00:29:58.780
 him.

00:30:01.200 --> 00:30:01.840
 Now,

00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:02.240
 Boaz,

00:30:02.360 --> 00:30:03.060
 he accepted

00:30:03.060 --> 00:30:03.620
 Ruth at

00:30:03.620 --> 00:30:04.700
 his dining

00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:05.060
 table.

00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:06.120
 He welcomed

00:30:06.120 --> 00:30:06.380
 her,

00:30:06.620 --> 00:30:07.340
 he included

00:30:07.340 --> 00:30:07.720
 her.

00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:08.880
 But Christ

00:30:08.880 --> 00:30:09.160
 says,

00:30:09.360 --> 00:30:09.960
 my father

00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:10.579
 has prepared

00:30:10.579 --> 00:30:11.160
 a banquet

00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:11.799
 for you

00:30:11.799 --> 00:30:12.539
 in heaven

00:30:12.539 --> 00:30:13.079
 where we

00:30:13.079 --> 00:30:13.680
 will dine

00:30:13.680 --> 00:30:14.319
 together for

00:30:14.319 --> 00:30:14.740
 eternity.

00:30:15.940 --> 00:30:16.279
 Christ

00:30:16.279 --> 00:30:16.559
 says,

00:30:16.779 --> 00:30:17.460
 my father's

00:30:17.460 --> 00:30:17.880
 house has

00:30:17.880 --> 00:30:18.500
 many rooms

00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:19.279
 and I

00:30:19.279 --> 00:30:19.740
 am going

00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:20.259
 there to

00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:20.860
 prepare a

00:30:20.860 --> 00:30:21.319
 place for

00:30:21.319 --> 00:30:21.519
 you.

00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:23.039
 Christ

00:30:23.039 --> 00:30:23.279
 says,

00:30:23.339 --> 00:30:23.559
 you are

00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:23.980
 welcome,

00:30:24.759 --> 00:30:25.660
 you belong,

00:30:26.440 --> 00:30:26.680
 and he

00:30:26.680 --> 00:30:26.839
 says,

00:30:26.900 --> 00:30:27.480
 because of

00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:27.779
 me,

00:30:27.779 --> 00:30:28.579
 my father

00:30:28.579 --> 00:30:29.299
 sees you

00:30:29.299 --> 00:30:29.700
 as my

00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:30.100
 brother

00:30:30.100 --> 00:30:31.019
 and my

00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:31.420
 sister.

00:30:32.299 --> 00:30:32.900
 You are

00:30:32.900 --> 00:30:33.700
 my family.

00:30:36.680 --> 00:30:37.039
 Now,

00:30:37.079 --> 00:30:37.360
 Boaz

00:30:37.359 --> 00:30:37.799
 sustained

00:30:37.799 --> 00:30:38.439
 Ruth with

00:30:38.439 --> 00:30:39.139
 a huge

00:30:39.139 --> 00:30:40.139
 bounty of

00:30:40.139 --> 00:30:40.439
 barley.

00:30:40.859 --> 00:30:41.299
 He fed

00:30:41.299 --> 00:30:41.559
 her for

00:30:41.559 --> 00:30:42.299
 weeks and

00:30:42.299 --> 00:30:42.799
 months at

00:30:42.799 --> 00:30:43.240
 a big

00:30:43.240 --> 00:30:43.799
 cost to

00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:44.279
 himself.

00:30:45.159 --> 00:30:45.319
 Boaz

00:30:45.319 --> 00:30:45.579
 could have

00:30:45.579 --> 00:30:46.179
 sold that

00:30:46.179 --> 00:30:47.179
 barley for

00:30:47.179 --> 00:30:47.439
 money.

00:30:49.959 --> 00:30:51.000
 But Christ

00:30:51.000 --> 00:30:51.899
 sustains us

00:30:51.899 --> 00:30:52.719
 with his

00:30:52.719 --> 00:30:53.759
 very body.

00:30:55.059 --> 00:30:55.379
 Christ

00:30:55.379 --> 00:30:55.679
 says,

00:30:56.000 --> 00:30:56.379
 I am the

00:30:56.379 --> 00:30:56.899
 bread of

00:30:56.899 --> 00:30:57.299
 life,

00:30:57.939 --> 00:30:58.259
 and I

00:30:58.259 --> 00:30:58.599
 give you

00:30:58.599 --> 00:30:59.240
 my body

00:30:59.240 --> 00:31:00.159
 on the

00:31:00.159 --> 00:31:00.639
 cross.

00:31:01.299 --> 00:31:01.599
 I've

00:31:01.599 --> 00:31:02.039
 paid the

00:31:02.039 --> 00:31:02.379
 ultimate

00:31:02.379 --> 00:31:02.959
 price.

00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:07.019
 Boaz

00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:07.240
 was a

00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:07.340
 good

00:31:07.340 --> 00:31:07.660
 man.

00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:08.920
 You

00:31:08.920 --> 00:31:09.180
 could even

00:31:09.180 --> 00:31:09.480
 say he

00:31:09.480 --> 00:31:09.720
 was a

00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:10.000
 great

00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:10.340
 man.

00:31:11.120 --> 00:31:11.360
 But

00:31:11.360 --> 00:31:11.720
 Jesus

00:31:11.720 --> 00:31:12.220
 Christ

00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:12.559
 is a

00:31:12.559 --> 00:31:13.019
 hero of

00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:13.160
 this

00:31:13.160 --> 00:31:13.440
 story.

00:31:14.279 --> 00:31:14.460
 He

00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:15.120
 embodies

00:31:15.120 --> 00:31:15.960
 loving

00:31:15.960 --> 00:31:16.340
 kindness.

00:31:17.140 --> 00:31:17.340
 Jesus

00:31:17.340 --> 00:31:17.680
 Christ

00:31:17.680 --> 00:31:18.180
 is

00:31:18.180 --> 00:31:19.240
 loving

00:31:19.240 --> 00:31:19.620
 kindness.

00:31:19.619 --> 00:31:25.759
 So as

00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:26.500
 we close

00:31:26.500 --> 00:31:27.659
 Ruth

00:31:27.659 --> 00:31:28.239
 chapter 2,

00:31:29.299 --> 00:31:30.019
 let's

00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:30.339
 ask

00:31:30.339 --> 00:31:30.879
 ourselves

00:31:30.879 --> 00:31:31.539
 a

00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:31.899
 question.

00:31:34.379 --> 00:31:35.319
 How has

00:31:35.319 --> 00:31:36.019
 God called

00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:36.439
 us to

00:31:36.439 --> 00:31:37.339
 share his

00:31:37.339 --> 00:31:37.639
 loving

00:31:37.639 --> 00:31:38.819
 kindness to

00:31:38.819 --> 00:31:39.559
 those around

00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:39.979
 us?

00:31:41.639 --> 00:31:42.579
 As we've

00:31:42.579 --> 00:31:42.979
 seen this

00:31:42.979 --> 00:31:43.259
 morning,

00:31:43.639 --> 00:31:44.519
 God displayed

00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:45.099
 his kindness

00:31:45.099 --> 00:31:45.659
 to Ruth

00:31:45.659 --> 00:31:46.719
 through Boaz.

00:31:47.279 --> 00:31:47.579
 Ruth,

00:31:47.819 --> 00:31:48.579
 the Moabitess

00:31:48.579 --> 00:31:48.859
 widow,

00:31:48.859 --> 00:31:49.679
 Gentile,

00:31:49.899 --> 00:31:50.519
 an outsider

00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:51.099
 in Israel.

00:31:51.359 --> 00:31:52.059
 She saw

00:31:52.059 --> 00:31:52.659
 the kindness

00:31:52.659 --> 00:31:53.259
 of God

00:31:53.259 --> 00:31:53.939
 through this

00:31:53.939 --> 00:31:54.619
 God-fearing

00:31:54.619 --> 00:31:55.059
 man,

00:31:55.240 --> 00:31:55.639
 Boaz.

00:31:57.399 --> 00:31:58.039
 So,

00:31:58.479 --> 00:31:59.740
 who are

00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:00.319
 the Ruths

00:32:00.319 --> 00:32:01.039
 around us?

00:32:01.779 --> 00:32:02.179
 Who are

00:32:02.179 --> 00:32:02.759
 the outsiders?

00:32:03.699 --> 00:32:04.099
 And how

00:32:04.099 --> 00:32:04.399
 will they

00:32:04.399 --> 00:32:04.899
 experience

00:32:04.899 --> 00:32:05.740
 the kindness

00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.419
 of God?

00:32:08.159 --> 00:32:08.939
 There are

00:32:08.939 --> 00:32:09.539
 people around

00:32:09.539 --> 00:32:10.319
 us every

00:32:10.319 --> 00:32:11.199
 single day,

00:32:11.479 --> 00:32:12.459
 even right

00:32:12.459 --> 00:32:13.000
 here at

00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:13.579
 church on

00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:13.959
 Sunday,

00:32:14.219 --> 00:32:14.519
 that the

00:32:14.519 --> 00:32:15.019
 world would

00:32:15.019 --> 00:32:15.639
 judge as

00:32:15.639 --> 00:32:16.119
 outsiders.

00:32:16.119 --> 00:32:16.279
 others.

00:32:18.939 --> 00:32:19.459
 But let's

00:32:19.459 --> 00:32:20.219
 ask ourselves,

00:32:20.419 --> 00:32:21.119
 can Watermark

00:32:21.119 --> 00:32:21.939
 Community Church

00:32:21.939 --> 00:32:22.819
 be a place

00:32:22.819 --> 00:32:23.459
 that welcomes

00:32:23.459 --> 00:32:24.259
 all peoples,

00:32:24.679 --> 00:32:25.619
 all nations,

00:32:26.019 --> 00:32:26.879
 all demographics?

00:32:27.879 --> 00:32:28.519
 Can our

00:32:28.519 --> 00:32:29.359
 Sunday service,

00:32:30.059 --> 00:32:30.779
 our CGs,

00:32:30.939 --> 00:32:31.419
 be a place

00:32:31.419 --> 00:32:31.959
 where every

00:32:31.959 --> 00:32:32.799
 man and

00:32:32.799 --> 00:32:33.419
 every woman

00:32:33.419 --> 00:32:34.079
 is equally

00:32:34.079 --> 00:32:34.799
 shown the

00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:35.899
 kindness of

00:32:35.899 --> 00:32:36.219
 God?

00:32:36.219 --> 00:32:36.279
 God?

00:32:41.279 --> 00:32:42.079
 Jeremy and

00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:42.639
 Soda talked

00:32:42.639 --> 00:32:44.139
 about social

00:32:44.139 --> 00:32:45.219
 justice earlier.

00:32:45.220 --> 00:32:46.220
 out there

00:32:46.220 --> 00:32:46.720
 in the city,

00:32:47.140 --> 00:32:47.620
 there are

00:32:47.620 --> 00:32:47.980
 so many

00:32:47.980 --> 00:32:48.779
 people crying

00:32:48.779 --> 00:32:49.240
 out for

00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:49.720
 the kindness

00:32:49.720 --> 00:32:50.680
 of God.

00:32:52.180 --> 00:32:52.920
 There are

00:32:52.920 --> 00:32:53.220
 so many

00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:53.940
 pockets of

00:32:53.940 --> 00:32:54.819
 society here

00:32:54.819 --> 00:32:55.860
 in Hong Kong

00:32:55.860 --> 00:32:56.620
 that struggle

00:32:56.620 --> 00:32:57.660
 economically or

00:32:57.660 --> 00:32:58.240
 socially.

00:32:59.460 --> 00:33:00.220
 Think about

00:33:00.220 --> 00:33:00.620
 the women

00:33:00.620 --> 00:33:01.059
 that work in

00:33:01.059 --> 00:33:01.539
 the red light

00:33:01.539 --> 00:33:02.019
 districts,

00:33:02.420 --> 00:33:03.279
 minorities that

00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:03.740
 have few

00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:04.200
 rights,

00:33:04.539 --> 00:33:05.120
 the elderly,

00:33:05.980 --> 00:33:06.660
 the widows,

00:33:06.960 --> 00:33:07.620
 the orphans,

00:33:07.799 --> 00:33:08.400
 single mothers.

00:33:10.680 --> 00:33:11.579
 As Christ

00:33:11.579 --> 00:33:12.019
 followers,

00:33:12.779 --> 00:33:13.319
 God has

00:33:13.319 --> 00:33:13.960
 called us to

00:33:13.960 --> 00:33:14.559
 care for

00:33:14.559 --> 00:33:15.120
 and to

00:33:15.120 --> 00:33:15.819
 show kindness

00:33:15.819 --> 00:33:16.420
 to these

00:33:16.420 --> 00:33:16.759
 people.

00:33:18.140 --> 00:33:18.500
 Otherwise,

00:33:19.059 --> 00:33:20.079
 how are they

00:33:20.079 --> 00:33:20.440
 going to

00:33:20.440 --> 00:33:21.160
 receive kindness?

00:33:23.640 --> 00:33:24.500
 You see,

00:33:25.500 --> 00:33:28.220
 when we

00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:29.200
 truly understand

00:33:29.200 --> 00:33:29.799
 the kindness

00:33:29.799 --> 00:33:30.519
 of Christ,

00:33:31.380 --> 00:33:31.779
 when the

00:33:31.779 --> 00:33:32.299
 truth of

00:33:32.299 --> 00:33:32.779
 Christ's

00:33:32.779 --> 00:33:33.420
 sacrifice,

00:33:34.420 --> 00:33:34.940
 pain,

00:33:35.980 --> 00:33:36.559
 what he

00:33:36.559 --> 00:33:36.940
 went through

00:33:36.940 --> 00:33:37.319
 for us on

00:33:37.319 --> 00:33:37.759
 the cross,

00:33:37.900 --> 00:33:38.420
 when that is

00:33:38.420 --> 00:33:39.079
 so deeply

00:33:39.079 --> 00:33:39.779
 rooted in

00:33:39.779 --> 00:33:40.220
 our hearts,

00:33:40.440 --> 00:33:41.220
 then we can

00:33:41.220 --> 00:33:41.980
 show kindness

00:33:41.980 --> 00:33:42.519
 to the people

00:33:42.519 --> 00:33:43.339
 around us,

00:33:43.339 --> 00:33:44.240
 just like

00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:44.839
 Ruth showed

00:33:44.839 --> 00:33:45.420
 kindness to

00:33:45.420 --> 00:33:45.779
 Naomi,

00:33:46.319 --> 00:33:47.000
 and Boaz

00:33:47.000 --> 00:33:47.680
 showed kindness

00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:48.680
 to Ruth.

00:33:49.940 --> 00:33:51.140
 Ordinary people

00:33:51.140 --> 00:33:52.759
 living faithful,

00:33:53.220 --> 00:33:54.680
 extraordinary lives.

00:33:55.720 --> 00:33:56.500
 God using

00:33:56.500 --> 00:33:57.680
 faithful people

00:33:57.680 --> 00:33:58.740
 to show his

00:33:58.740 --> 00:33:59.860
 kindness to

00:33:59.860 --> 00:34:00.339
 the world.

00:34:02.539 --> 00:34:03.740
 So this week,

00:34:04.759 --> 00:34:05.700
 as you go about

00:34:05.700 --> 00:34:06.539
 your daily lives,

00:34:07.279 --> 00:34:08.000
 at home with

00:34:08.000 --> 00:34:08.579
 your families,

00:34:08.579 --> 00:34:09.779
 at work,

00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:11.079
 when you meet

00:34:11.079 --> 00:34:11.940
 strangers on

00:34:11.940 --> 00:34:12.480
 the street or

00:34:12.480 --> 00:34:13.159
 in the MTR,

00:34:14.239 --> 00:34:14.880
 can you allow

00:34:14.880 --> 00:34:15.819
 God to

00:34:15.819 --> 00:34:16.779
 display his

00:34:16.779 --> 00:34:17.279
 kindness

00:34:17.279 --> 00:34:18.599
 through you?

00:34:20.239 --> 00:34:21.079
 Let's pray.

00:34:26.340 --> 00:34:27.319
 Father, we do

00:34:27.319 --> 00:34:29.000
 thank you for

00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.579
 your word,

00:34:30.759 --> 00:34:31.340
 which is living,

00:34:32.199 --> 00:34:33.199
 which is active,

00:34:33.900 --> 00:34:34.739
 and powerful.

00:34:34.739 --> 00:34:37.819
 Father, I pray

00:34:37.819 --> 00:34:38.539
 that as we

00:34:38.539 --> 00:34:40.179
 receive your

00:34:40.179 --> 00:34:40.719
 message,

00:34:41.439 --> 00:34:42.459
 as we receive

00:34:42.459 --> 00:34:44.079
 your word,

00:34:45.079 --> 00:34:47.079
 and as we

00:34:47.079 --> 00:34:47.879
 digest it

00:34:47.879 --> 00:34:48.439
 this week,

00:34:48.599 --> 00:34:48.739
 Lord,

00:34:49.439 --> 00:34:50.079
 I pray,

00:34:50.399 --> 00:34:50.459
 Father,

00:34:50.559 --> 00:34:52.479
 that at first,

00:34:52.599 --> 00:34:52.719
 Lord,

00:34:52.839 --> 00:34:54.359
 we would see

00:34:54.359 --> 00:34:55.079
 our own

00:34:55.079 --> 00:34:56.619
 brokenness,

00:34:56.759 --> 00:34:56.939
 Father,

00:34:57.139 --> 00:34:57.919
 our own need

00:34:57.919 --> 00:34:58.359
 of you.

00:34:59.179 --> 00:34:59.619
 You would see

00:34:59.619 --> 00:35:00.379
 how we're like

00:35:00.379 --> 00:35:00.739
 Ruth.

00:35:02.459 --> 00:35:03.359
 Before we knew

00:35:03.359 --> 00:35:03.579
 you,

00:35:03.679 --> 00:35:04.139
 we were a

00:35:04.139 --> 00:35:04.479
 foreigner,

00:35:04.739 --> 00:35:05.379
 to your

00:35:05.379 --> 00:35:05.719
 kingdom.

00:35:07.039 --> 00:35:07.259
 But,

00:35:07.359 --> 00:35:07.559
 Father,

00:35:07.679 --> 00:35:08.059
 through the

00:35:08.059 --> 00:35:08.659
 blood of

00:35:08.659 --> 00:35:09.179
 Christ,

00:35:10.039 --> 00:35:10.519
 through his

00:35:10.519 --> 00:35:11.419
 sacrifice,

00:35:11.959 --> 00:35:12.279
 through the

00:35:12.279 --> 00:35:12.839
 cross,

00:35:13.579 --> 00:35:14.199
 we have been

00:35:14.199 --> 00:35:15.099
 brought near

00:35:15.099 --> 00:35:15.739
 to God.

00:35:18.899 --> 00:35:19.739
 And I pray,

00:35:19.919 --> 00:35:20.019
 Lord,

00:35:20.079 --> 00:35:20.639
 that as we

00:35:20.639 --> 00:35:22.639
 think about

00:35:22.639 --> 00:35:23.819
 and meditate

00:35:23.819 --> 00:35:25.059
 upon the

00:35:25.059 --> 00:35:25.559
 kindness

00:35:25.559 --> 00:35:27.399
 that we see

00:35:27.399 --> 00:35:27.799
 in this

00:35:27.799 --> 00:35:28.299
 passage

00:35:28.299 --> 00:35:29.899
 that Boaz

00:35:29.899 --> 00:35:30.459
 has shown

00:35:30.459 --> 00:35:31.119
 to Ruth,

00:35:31.879 --> 00:35:32.279
 I pray,

00:35:32.459 --> 00:35:32.559
 Father,

00:35:32.619 --> 00:35:33.019
 that we'll just

00:35:33.019 --> 00:35:33.359
 see the

00:35:33.359 --> 00:35:33.859
 kindness of

00:35:33.859 --> 00:35:34.259
 God through

00:35:34.259 --> 00:35:34.500
 that.

00:35:34.739 --> 00:35:36.479
 infinitely

00:35:36.479 --> 00:35:37.019
 greater

00:35:37.019 --> 00:35:37.579
 than the

00:35:37.579 --> 00:35:37.939
 kindness

00:35:37.939 --> 00:35:38.659
 that Boaz,

00:35:38.779 --> 00:35:39.159
 that good

00:35:39.159 --> 00:35:39.479
 man,

00:35:39.599 --> 00:35:40.000
 showed to

00:35:40.000 --> 00:35:40.279
 Ruth.

00:35:41.139 --> 00:35:41.439
 And I

00:35:41.439 --> 00:35:41.639
 pray,

00:35:41.799 --> 00:35:41.899
 Lord,

00:35:41.959 --> 00:35:42.239
 that we'll

00:35:42.239 --> 00:35:43.139
 just see

00:35:43.139 --> 00:35:44.159
 the beauty

00:35:44.159 --> 00:35:46.099
 of Christ,

00:35:46.379 --> 00:35:46.699
 that we'll

00:35:46.699 --> 00:35:47.219
 be more

00:35:47.219 --> 00:35:48.079
 in awe

00:35:48.079 --> 00:35:49.879
 of him.

00:35:49.880 --> 00:35:50.880
 God,

00:35:50.880 --> 00:35:51.260
 that we'll

00:35:51.260 --> 00:35:51.880
 do it.

00:35:51.880 --> 00:35:54.059
 And I

00:35:54.059 --> 00:35:54.260
 pray,

00:35:54.460 --> 00:35:54.619
 Father,

00:35:54.700 --> 00:35:55.200
 that as we

00:35:55.200 --> 00:35:55.740
 go out

00:35:55.740 --> 00:35:57.320
 into Hong

00:35:57.320 --> 00:35:57.940
 Kong during

00:35:57.940 --> 00:35:58.340
 this week,

00:35:58.420 --> 00:35:58.940
 wherever we

00:35:58.940 --> 00:35:59.200
 are,

00:35:59.340 --> 00:35:59.559
 Lord,

00:36:00.400 --> 00:36:01.240
 Monday to

00:36:01.240 --> 00:36:01.860
 Friday to

00:36:01.860 --> 00:36:02.300
 Saturday,

00:36:02.820 --> 00:36:04.019
 I pray,

00:36:04.220 --> 00:36:04.420
 Father,

00:36:04.480 --> 00:36:04.820
 that you

00:36:04.820 --> 00:36:05.260
 would use

00:36:05.260 --> 00:36:06.940
 us to

00:36:06.940 --> 00:36:07.360
 show your

00:36:07.360 --> 00:36:08.140
 kindness to

00:36:08.140 --> 00:36:08.680
 those around

00:36:08.680 --> 00:36:08.940
 us,

00:36:09.039 --> 00:36:09.160
 Lord,

00:36:09.200 --> 00:36:09.720
 in every

00:36:09.720 --> 00:36:10.360
 situation,

00:36:10.619 --> 00:36:10.820
 Father.

00:36:13.039 --> 00:36:13.460
 And,

00:36:13.539 --> 00:36:13.640
 Lord,

00:36:13.680 --> 00:36:13.980
 for some

00:36:13.980 --> 00:36:14.260
 of us,

00:36:14.300 --> 00:36:14.519
 that's

00:36:14.519 --> 00:36:14.940
 difficult.

00:36:14.940 --> 00:36:16.420
 that's a

00:36:16.420 --> 00:36:16.940
 challenge.

00:36:18.519 --> 00:36:19.039
 Sometimes,

00:36:19.200 --> 00:36:19.360
 Lord,

00:36:19.559 --> 00:36:20.460
 I admit,

00:36:21.300 --> 00:36:22.280
 it's hard

00:36:22.280 --> 00:36:22.860
 to be kind

00:36:22.860 --> 00:36:23.280
 to those

00:36:23.280 --> 00:36:23.940
 that are

00:36:23.940 --> 00:36:24.340
 not kind

00:36:24.340 --> 00:36:24.760
 to me.

00:36:26.240 --> 00:36:26.880
 But then

00:36:26.880 --> 00:36:27.200
 I look at

00:36:27.200 --> 00:36:27.639
 Christ,

00:36:28.360 --> 00:36:28.700
 and I

00:36:28.700 --> 00:36:29.139
 see,

00:36:31.740 --> 00:36:32.159
 on the

00:36:32.159 --> 00:36:32.599
 cross,

00:36:32.880 --> 00:36:34.039
 on the

00:36:34.039 --> 00:36:34.480
 cross,

00:36:36.360 --> 00:36:38.159
 that you

00:36:38.159 --> 00:36:38.639
 were beaten,

00:36:39.059 --> 00:36:39.500
 Lord Jesus.

00:36:40.019 --> 00:36:40.599
 You were

00:36:40.599 --> 00:36:41.059
 mocked,

00:36:41.159 --> 00:36:41.380
 you were

00:36:41.380 --> 00:36:41.659
 whipped,

00:36:42.039 --> 00:36:42.559
 you bled

00:36:42.559 --> 00:36:43.639
 for me,

00:36:43.760 --> 00:36:44.039
 God.

00:36:44.940 --> 00:36:45.659
 You showed

00:36:45.659 --> 00:36:46.300
 me,

00:36:46.480 --> 00:36:46.820
 you showed

00:36:46.820 --> 00:36:47.500
 all of us

00:36:47.500 --> 00:36:48.260
 ultimate

00:36:48.260 --> 00:36:49.179
 loving kindness

00:36:49.179 --> 00:36:50.119
 through what

00:36:50.119 --> 00:36:50.519
 you did.

00:36:50.920 --> 00:36:51.460
 And I pray,

00:36:51.559 --> 00:36:51.659
 God,

00:36:51.679 --> 00:36:52.059
 that we would

00:36:52.059 --> 00:36:53.360
 receive that

00:36:53.360 --> 00:36:54.220
 message today,

00:36:54.480 --> 00:36:54.720
 Lord,

00:36:55.159 --> 00:36:55.599
 and we would

00:36:55.599 --> 00:36:56.280
 go out into

00:36:56.280 --> 00:36:56.880
 Hong Kong

00:36:56.880 --> 00:36:58.059
 and to show

00:36:58.059 --> 00:36:58.619
 your loving

00:36:58.619 --> 00:36:59.159
 kindness

00:36:59.159 --> 00:37:01.059
 to those

00:37:01.059 --> 00:37:01.780
 around us,

00:37:01.900 --> 00:37:02.460
 to those

00:37:02.460 --> 00:37:02.800
 you have

00:37:02.800 --> 00:37:03.840
 placed in

00:37:03.840 --> 00:37:04.480
 our lives.

00:37:06.860 --> 00:37:07.500
 In your

00:37:07.500 --> 00:37:08.099
 name we pray.

00:37:09.240 --> 00:37:09.659
 Amen.