WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.800 So we're in Ruth chapter 3. 00:00:03.140 --> 00:00:05.020 As you're finding that in your Bible, 00:00:05.980 --> 00:00:09.200 most likely we have this book from the pen of Samuel, 00:00:09.460 --> 00:00:10.960 who was a transitional figure. 00:00:11.279 --> 00:00:13.939 He was one of the last judges 00:00:13.939 --> 00:00:16.480 that was also the one who anointed the kings. 00:00:17.100 --> 00:00:19.400 And the timeline is not super clear, 00:00:19.500 --> 00:00:22.039 but it's possible that Samuel talked firsthand with Ruth. 00:00:22.400 --> 00:00:26.660 So picture Ruth, who's this young woman in the story as a grandma later, 00:00:27.080 --> 00:00:28.679 the grandma of the great King David, 00:00:28.679 --> 00:00:32.519 and Samuel now recording for us the story of how it came to be. 00:00:33.420 --> 00:00:35.280 I picture Ruth as bashful, 00:00:36.219 --> 00:00:39.820 looking back on those sweet memories and her innocence 00:00:39.820 --> 00:00:43.939 and the romance between her and Boaz, who was much older. 00:00:44.100 --> 00:00:47.460 So it's possible that around that time when she was a grandma 00:00:47.460 --> 00:00:49.640 or a great-grandma, Boaz was already long gone, 00:00:50.039 --> 00:00:53.420 but she still had these sweet memories of how their romance began. 00:00:54.159 --> 00:00:56.439 So let's read now Ruth chapter 3. 00:00:56.439 --> 00:00:59.820 And as you hear God's word read and follow along with your eyes, 00:00:59.899 --> 00:01:04.819 remember this is God's inspired, inerrant, infallible, 00:01:05.420 --> 00:01:08.819 clear, and sufficient word given to you, his people. 00:01:10.819 --> 00:01:12.140 Ruth chapter 3. 00:01:12.140 --> 00:01:15.599 Then Naomi, her mother-in-law, said to her, 00:01:15.599 --> 00:01:20.840 My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you? 00:01:21.219 --> 00:01:25.239 Is not Boaz our relative with whose young women you were? 00:01:25.819 --> 00:01:28.920 See, he is winnowing barley tonight in the threshing floor. 00:01:29.460 --> 00:01:32.920 Wash, therefore, and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak, 00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:34.700 and go down to the threshing floor. 00:01:34.700 --> 00:01:38.879 But do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 00:01:39.340 --> 00:01:41.859 But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. 00:01:42.260 --> 00:01:46.520 Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do. 00:01:47.359 --> 00:01:50.040 And she replied, All that you say I will do. 00:01:50.960 --> 00:01:55.560 So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law commanded her. 00:01:55.820 --> 00:01:59.840 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, 00:02:00.300 --> 00:02:03.439 he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. 00:02:03.439 --> 00:02:08.139 Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lied down. 00:02:09.099 --> 00:02:15.120 At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet. 00:02:15.900 --> 00:02:17.539 He said, Who are you? 00:02:17.960 --> 00:02:21.219 And she answered, I am Ruth, your servant. 00:02:21.840 --> 00:02:25.560 Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer. 00:02:26.319 --> 00:02:30.419 And he said, May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. 00:02:30.419 --> 00:02:33.799 You have made this last kindness greater than the first, 00:02:34.039 --> 00:02:37.560 and that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. 00:02:38.299 --> 00:02:40.359 And now, my daughter, do not fear. 00:02:40.519 --> 00:02:42.939 I will do for you all that you ask. 00:02:43.039 --> 00:02:47.179 For all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman. 00:02:48.500 --> 00:02:53.019 And now it is true that I am a redeemer, yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. 00:02:53.020 --> 00:02:58.740 Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you good, let him do it. 00:02:58.960 --> 00:03:04.280 But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the Lord lives, I will redeem you. 00:03:04.680 --> 00:03:06.480 Lie down until the morning. 00:03:07.780 --> 00:03:14.600 So she lay at his feet until the morning, but arose before one could recognize her, another. 00:03:14.599 --> 00:03:20.400 And he said, Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor. 00:03:20.659 --> 00:03:24.139 And he said, Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out. 00:03:24.699 --> 00:03:29.699 So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her. 00:03:30.299 --> 00:03:31.759 Then she went into the city. 00:03:32.359 --> 00:03:35.759 And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, How did you fare, my daughter? 00:03:35.759 --> 00:03:42.239 Then she told her all that the man had done for her, saying, These six measures of barley he gave to me. 00:03:42.959 --> 00:03:46.679 For he said to me, You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law. 00:03:47.419 --> 00:03:52.399 She replied, Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out. 00:03:52.500 --> 00:03:57.519 For the man will not rest, but will settle the matter today. 00:03:58.079 --> 00:03:59.439 This is the word of the Lord. 00:04:01.199 --> 00:04:02.099 You may be seated. 00:04:05.759 --> 00:04:06.259 Let's pray. 00:04:09.739 --> 00:04:12.459 O God, you are most patient and kind. 00:04:12.459 --> 00:04:16.379 And you promise never to break your covenant. 00:04:17.500 --> 00:04:21.399 You have gathered us here before your face again today. 00:04:22.240 --> 00:04:24.839 You renew your covenant of grace with us. 00:04:24.959 --> 00:04:27.060 And we ask that you will speak, O Lord. 00:04:27.959 --> 00:04:29.680 Your servants are listening to you. 00:04:30.659 --> 00:04:31.399 Reform us. 00:04:31.740 --> 00:04:31.980 Amen. 00:04:31.980 --> 00:04:39.180 Well, beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ, I want to show you today in Ruth chapter 3, 00:04:40.140 --> 00:04:44.460 how the Redeemer provides rest for his people. 00:04:45.360 --> 00:04:48.200 And I have six observations from this little chapter. 00:04:49.060 --> 00:04:51.740 Number one, rest is needed. 00:04:52.259 --> 00:04:53.060 Look at verse 1. 00:04:53.840 --> 00:04:57.720 Ruth acknowledges that she needs to seek rest for Ruth. 00:04:57.720 --> 00:05:01.420 And it won't be well with Ruth until she has rest. 00:05:02.080 --> 00:05:07.520 We saw in chapter 2, verse 7, how Ruth had gleaned from early morning until now, 00:05:07.680 --> 00:05:09.520 except for a short rest. 00:05:09.960 --> 00:05:10.880 So Ruth is tired. 00:05:11.540 --> 00:05:13.420 They've come to the end of the harvest. 00:05:13.920 --> 00:05:15.460 They've been working very, very hard. 00:05:15.820 --> 00:05:20.340 And the however amount of grain they've been able to save up is all they have to live off of now for the winter. 00:05:20.720 --> 00:05:22.440 They are subsistence living. 00:05:22.439 --> 00:05:28.719 The theme of rest, I think, is just marbled and threaded throughout this entire chapter. 00:05:28.980 --> 00:05:35.360 The phrase, lie down or to lay, it's used 11 different times just in this chapter. 00:05:36.720 --> 00:05:40.339 And maybe you're here this morning feeling like you need rest as well. 00:05:40.639 --> 00:05:41.560 That's the first point. 00:05:41.740 --> 00:05:42.399 Isn't it amazing? 00:05:42.519 --> 00:05:46.800 Every time you lay down, God built you needing rest. 00:05:46.800 --> 00:05:51.660 You know, we could be like robots that we recharge a little bit, you know, five minutes, 00:05:51.759 --> 00:05:53.879 and then we go three hours, and we just keep doing that. 00:05:54.180 --> 00:05:59.040 But he made us to actually fall asleep, to black out in the middle of the night, 00:05:59.259 --> 00:06:01.879 and get the rest that our bodies need. 00:06:02.180 --> 00:06:04.540 And when you don't get that rest, you feel it. 00:06:04.620 --> 00:06:08.600 Your entire body, your whole soul, your emotions, your attitude, everything feels it. 00:06:08.600 --> 00:06:17.960 With the theme of rest, I believe that God wants to humble us, show us how weak and dependent we are on him. 00:06:18.460 --> 00:06:22.420 And also, it's a foretaste of the true rest we do have. 00:06:22.540 --> 00:06:23.439 I mean, isn't it amazing? 00:06:23.879 --> 00:06:26.620 When we are so depleted, he replenishes you. 00:06:27.260 --> 00:06:32.040 And you can come to the end of the day and feel like, I can't live one more day. 00:06:32.040 --> 00:06:37.379 But yet, you get a great night's rest, and you wake up feeling, I can do one more day. 00:06:37.540 --> 00:06:38.960 Or at least I can make it until noon. 00:06:40.379 --> 00:06:41.500 I just looked it up. 00:06:43.060 --> 00:06:47.800 Like the National Institute of Mental Health, it reports that in America, right now, 00:06:48.540 --> 00:06:54.220 about 31% of adults have a diagnosed anxiety disorder. 00:06:55.460 --> 00:06:58.780 So next time you're checking out at the grocery store, and you're standing in line, 00:06:58.779 --> 00:07:05.099 every one, two, three adults has a diagnosed anxiety disorder. 00:07:05.679 --> 00:07:08.859 Now, we're all under the curse of Adam, and there's chemical imbalances. 00:07:09.039 --> 00:07:10.219 There are medical reasons. 00:07:10.339 --> 00:07:15.879 But also, our souls are going to be restless without Christ, 00:07:16.139 --> 00:07:19.419 without resting in the one who made us to rest in him. 00:07:20.019 --> 00:07:27.000 So I believe that the two themes throughout the whole book of Ruth are both elevated to maybe the highest point, 00:07:27.000 --> 00:07:28.939 you know, the highest point of the drama in this chapter. 00:07:29.459 --> 00:07:30.439 The first theme is rest. 00:07:30.560 --> 00:07:32.319 The second theme is God's providence. 00:07:32.560 --> 00:07:34.360 And I want to show you these two. 00:07:35.100 --> 00:07:36.660 So let me define providence. 00:07:36.899 --> 00:07:39.560 And children, an easy way to think, what is God's providence? 00:07:40.120 --> 00:07:41.759 Just think of God provides. 00:07:42.120 --> 00:07:43.060 God provides. 00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:45.100 God provides in so many ways. 00:07:45.240 --> 00:07:47.740 And then there are times when it feels like you don't have what you need. 00:07:48.180 --> 00:07:51.100 Is God really providing when things feel so broken? 00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:54.399 Can I trust that God is going to provide? 00:07:54.779 --> 00:07:56.360 Can I trust God's providence? 00:07:56.360 --> 00:08:02.259 I'm going to read this longer definition up front from the Second London Confession of Faith. 00:08:02.740 --> 00:08:05.759 I encourage you, if you can, to memorize at least parts of this. 00:08:06.000 --> 00:08:08.540 It's been medicine for my own soul this week. 00:08:09.120 --> 00:08:11.319 Listen to this on providence. 00:08:11.319 --> 00:08:24.319 The most wise, righteous, and gracious God does oftentimes leave for a season His own children to manifold temptations and the corruptions of their own hearts, 00:08:24.459 --> 00:08:33.779 to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption and deceitfulness of their hearts, 00:08:33.779 --> 00:08:41.120 that they may be humbled, and to raise them to a more close and constant dependence for their support upon Himself, 00:08:41.779 --> 00:08:50.199 and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for other just and holy ends, 00:08:50.200 --> 00:09:03.560 so that whatsoever befalls any of His elect is by His appointment for His glory and for their good. 00:09:03.559 --> 00:09:08.559 That's your most wise and gracious God. 00:09:09.279 --> 00:09:15.539 You can trust His providence, and you will be restless until you rest in God. 00:09:16.019 --> 00:09:16.979 Rest is needed. 00:09:17.119 --> 00:09:18.199 That's the first observation. 00:09:18.200 --> 00:09:22.740 This truth has been known to Christians in every century. 00:09:23.080 --> 00:09:29.660 In the 5th century, Augustine of Hippo, from Northern Africa, who then was a leader in the church in Europe, 00:09:30.180 --> 00:09:33.160 he included this phrase in his confessions. 00:09:33.320 --> 00:09:33.700 He said, 00:09:34.259 --> 00:09:41.200 Oh Lord, as a prayer, my heart is restless until it finds its rest in you. 00:09:41.200 --> 00:09:47.879 And even when psychiatrists give a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder, 00:09:48.240 --> 00:09:50.920 I mean, even in that word, your life is out of order. 00:09:51.560 --> 00:09:56.360 When your life is out of order, the weight of God's glory needs to be pressed upon you again, 00:09:56.879 --> 00:09:59.900 and everything else will take its place in the proper order, 00:10:00.240 --> 00:10:03.720 in response to the glory of God pushed into your life. 00:10:04.440 --> 00:10:08.379 That's what you need to find rest, is you need the weight of God's glory, 00:10:08.379 --> 00:10:10.500 shuffling your life back around. 00:10:11.059 --> 00:10:15.840 Then everything in its proper place, not disordered, will be at rest. 00:10:17.279 --> 00:10:18.519 Matthew Henry said, 00:10:18.679 --> 00:10:26.299 Be it always remembered that the best for us is that which is best for our soul. 00:10:27.679 --> 00:10:30.320 And here's what the Bible says is best for your soul. 00:10:30.500 --> 00:10:31.299 Psalm 37. 00:10:31.299 --> 00:10:33.679 It's best for your soul. 00:10:34.099 --> 00:10:38.479 It's best for you that you be still before the Lord. 00:10:39.459 --> 00:10:41.959 Wait patiently for him. 00:10:42.620 --> 00:10:44.679 Delight yourself in the Lord, 00:10:44.939 --> 00:10:49.519 and he will give you the desires of your heart. 00:10:50.459 --> 00:10:54.659 So Naomi, to me, in this chapter is a picture of a disordered life. 00:10:55.799 --> 00:10:56.719 She's restless. 00:10:56.720 --> 00:11:03.200 I believe that the grace of God comes through in a life that's being reformed in Boaz, 00:11:03.300 --> 00:11:07.740 who's the picture of a man who is delighting first and foremost in the Lord, 00:11:08.240 --> 00:11:09.560 and enjoying rest in him. 00:11:09.920 --> 00:11:14.220 And from that rest, others receive the blessing of rest in God as well. 00:11:15.840 --> 00:11:16.720 Rest is needed. 00:11:16.820 --> 00:11:17.200 Do you agree? 00:11:18.759 --> 00:11:20.779 Well, then let's move on to our second observation. 00:11:20.940 --> 00:11:21.379 Number two. 00:11:22.580 --> 00:11:24.440 This is a very important caution. 00:11:24.440 --> 00:11:29.840 And if you're hearing this, it's perhaps even God's way of preserving you from sin this week. 00:11:30.620 --> 00:11:31.760 Here's the second observation. 00:11:32.920 --> 00:11:35.240 When rest is most needed, 00:11:35.300 --> 00:11:36.960 and I just heard from many of you this morning, 00:11:37.260 --> 00:11:37.820 you're tired. 00:11:38.060 --> 00:11:38.880 It's been a hard week. 00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:40.720 When rest is most needed, 00:11:41.180 --> 00:11:43.900 it is tempting to become restless. 00:11:45.320 --> 00:11:48.700 It's tempting to become restless when rest is most needed. 00:11:48.700 --> 00:11:57.180 Naomi knows that the land her husband had to leave when they went bankrupt in Israel and travel, 00:11:57.320 --> 00:12:02.960 she knows that that land is redeemable through marriage if it's a kinsman redeemer, 00:12:03.140 --> 00:12:05.040 because God's law has provided. 00:12:05.220 --> 00:12:07.000 He has his providence even in his law. 00:12:08.040 --> 00:12:10.480 And here's what God's law says in Leviticus 25. 00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:14.940 The land shall not be sold perpetually or permanently, 00:12:15.860 --> 00:12:18.120 for the land is mine, God says. 00:12:19.399 --> 00:12:22.800 You are strangers and sojourners with me. 00:12:23.539 --> 00:12:26.600 If Boaz, to the extent that Boaz knew God's law, he knew that. 00:12:27.080 --> 00:12:30.460 Yes, I'm a wealthy, my grandpa was a prince of Israel. 00:12:30.779 --> 00:12:31.659 I'm very wealthy. 00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:32.500 I own all of this. 00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:34.399 Everyone works and gleans on my field. 00:12:34.659 --> 00:12:36.840 But he knew I'm really a sojourner here. 00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:39.039 This land is God's land. 00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:43.439 And if there's any transactions, it's only for seven years until the year of Jubilee. 00:12:44.539 --> 00:12:45.259 That's it. 00:12:45.539 --> 00:12:46.699 So Boaz knew his place. 00:12:47.419 --> 00:12:49.419 Leviticus 25 verse 24 says, 00:12:49.659 --> 00:12:54.799 In all the country you possess, you shall allow a redemption of the land. 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:59.079 If your brother becomes poor and sells part of his property, 00:12:59.139 --> 00:13:01.740 this is probably what happened to Naomi's husband, Abimelech, 00:13:01.740 --> 00:13:08.839 then his nearest redeemer shall come and redeem what his brother has sold. 00:13:09.679 --> 00:13:10.779 Do you understand what happens? 00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:14.819 A farmer falls into hard times and he has no other option. 00:13:14.919 --> 00:13:17.259 So he goes bankrupt and he loses the land. 00:13:17.480 --> 00:13:19.980 It should be temporary and it's redeemable. 00:13:20.319 --> 00:13:24.539 But it has to be through a kinsman redeemer, a close relative buying it on his behalf. 00:13:25.079 --> 00:13:25.860 Naomi knows this. 00:13:25.919 --> 00:13:29.379 And as she comes back empty and in poverty, she knows this law as well. 00:13:29.419 --> 00:13:30.120 And everyone does. 00:13:30.219 --> 00:13:31.240 It's part of their culture. 00:13:31.240 --> 00:13:40.320 Well, look and we saw actually in chapter 1 verse 9 how Naomi said the correct thing in chapter 1. 00:13:40.419 --> 00:13:40.899 Naomi said, 00:13:41.299 --> 00:13:45.500 The Lord grant that you may find rest, each one of you in the house of her husband. 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:47.200 Remember when she said that to the two ladies? 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:50.680 But now look at how Naomi has grown restless. 00:13:51.600 --> 00:13:55.940 In verse 2 of chapter 3, Naomi doesn't say the Lord give you rest. 00:13:55.940 --> 00:13:56.780 Look what she says. 00:13:57.700 --> 00:13:58.280 Verse 2, 00:13:58.900 --> 00:14:02.560 Should not I seek rest for you? 00:14:03.440 --> 00:14:05.080 Is not Boaz our relative? 00:14:05.780 --> 00:14:07.960 I'm going to take matters into my own hands. 00:14:08.080 --> 00:14:10.140 We can make this happen with Boaz. 00:14:10.139 --> 00:14:16.539 So when you are most needing rest, be careful of becoming restless. 00:14:17.139 --> 00:14:23.100 Be careful of trying to manipulate what you should be trusting in God's providence to give. 00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:31.019 Satan will want to tempt you and distract you and hit you when you are weakest, when you are most low. 00:14:31.639 --> 00:14:36.319 It's probably very wise counsel to never make any big decisions when you're tired, 00:14:36.320 --> 00:14:41.960 when your emotions are up and down, when there's extra strife and stress. 00:14:42.860 --> 00:14:47.700 Instead, we need to remember Psalm 33 and be still before the Lord. 00:14:48.840 --> 00:14:51.379 Wait patiently for Him. 00:14:52.420 --> 00:14:55.700 Because what needs to settle down first is the delight of your heart. 00:14:56.100 --> 00:14:58.500 A temptation is saying something else will delight me. 00:14:59.720 --> 00:15:01.480 And Psalm 37 says, 00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:03.379 Delight yourself in the Lord. 00:15:04.899 --> 00:15:06.800 Delight yourself in the Lord. 00:15:07.940 --> 00:15:10.539 And He will give you that desire. 00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:12.560 The desire of your heart. 00:15:13.620 --> 00:15:15.080 That's the second observation. 00:15:15.259 --> 00:15:19.440 When rest is most needed, it is tempting to become restless. 00:15:20.100 --> 00:15:26.639 And the reason this is so dangerous is because the restless soul acts destructively. 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:32.500 When your soul is restless, you will say things and do things that are destructive. 00:15:33.919 --> 00:15:37.460 This is what I believe Naomi does here. 00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:42.980 She becomes restless and the words that come out of her mouth next are extremely dangerous. 00:15:44.039 --> 00:15:46.819 She says, see, Boaz is winnowing barley. 00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:51.360 Winnowing means that he's preparing it to be preserved and then eaten when it's ready. 00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:55.179 So he's having the grains cleaned up, prepared. 00:15:55.179 --> 00:15:59.219 I picture everyone gathering around like we're about to have a potluck. 00:15:59.339 --> 00:16:01.239 And maybe they've got a bonfire going. 00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:05.479 The chefs are over there, brought all the extra spices and olive oil ingredients. 00:16:05.819 --> 00:16:10.019 And they're ready for a big celebration at the end of the harvest season. 00:16:11.819 --> 00:16:19.099 God's law does not command a young lady to go lay at the feet of a man in the middle of the night. 00:16:19.740 --> 00:16:21.339 Some have tried to gloss this over. 00:16:21.419 --> 00:16:23.939 Maybe they just haven't had as much access as we have. 00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:26.620 But what Naomi says is not a tradition. 00:16:27.220 --> 00:16:28.920 I believe it's her being restless. 00:16:29.760 --> 00:16:30.400 Look at verse 3. 00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:33.260 She says, wash, therefore, and anoint yourself. 00:16:33.920 --> 00:16:36.780 Put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor. 00:16:37.160 --> 00:16:41.660 But do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 00:16:41.780 --> 00:16:45.500 Do you see how it's a bit manipulative? 00:16:45.800 --> 00:16:48.280 You know, she's trying to say, don't let him notice you right away. 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:50.880 Let him be really happy and full. 00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:52.500 And you just stay in the shadows. 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:54.639 This is dangerous. 00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:56.059 Very dangerous words, Naomi. 00:16:56.720 --> 00:17:01.320 You can almost hear in this her scheming of feverish restlessness. 00:17:03.139 --> 00:17:09.500 Naomi is now sending out this naive, loyal, young widow, all alone, at dark, 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:14.880 to be hiding around in the shadows, around this big party with a bunch of unknown workers 00:17:14.880 --> 00:17:18.579 that's involving a lot of food and drinking. 00:17:20.119 --> 00:17:24.119 As a new believer, a foreigner in the land, she's lost. 00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:25.279 She doesn't know any better. 00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:27.420 Look at Ruth's response. 00:17:27.500 --> 00:17:29.079 She says, all that you say, I will do. 00:17:29.240 --> 00:17:30.579 That's what she's been doing all along. 00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:31.740 She's going to keep doing that. 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:39.220 The reason I think this was reckless on Naomi's part is because it's not even safe by Naomi's own standards. 00:17:39.359 --> 00:17:43.180 We saw in chapter 2, verse 22, Naomi said to Ruth, 00:17:43.900 --> 00:17:50.480 It is good, daughter, that you go out with Boaz's young women, lest in another field you be assaulted. 00:17:51.299 --> 00:17:52.559 That's what these fields were like. 00:17:52.620 --> 00:17:57.819 A young woman all alone would be, she would be prey to, you know, to people that would want to abuse her. 00:17:57.819 --> 00:18:01.099 Verse 4, 00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:12.000 That same Hebrew word for feet in Daniel chapter 10 is translated legs. 00:18:13.159 --> 00:18:14.339 So do you get the scene? 00:18:16.279 --> 00:18:20.099 If you're in a rural setting, there's no light pollution. 00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:22.240 It's very dark. 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:23.859 It's very dark. 00:18:24.319 --> 00:18:25.059 You can't even see. 00:18:25.059 --> 00:18:28.099 Like I said, in the next morning, they couldn't even see or recognize one another. 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:30.559 That's when she was sneaking away. 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:37.399 So picture that pitch black, middle of the wilderness, Israel, ancient times. 00:18:38.099 --> 00:18:42.259 She's going to go and uncover his legs and lie there. 00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:49.019 Now, I believe that Naomi is also trying to do two things. 00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:51.960 She, in one hand, is trying to manipulate what she should leave for God. 00:18:52.099 --> 00:18:55.119 On the other hand, she's trying to put all their hope on one man. 00:18:55.400 --> 00:18:59.240 All their hope on Boaz, instead of putting their hope on God. 00:18:59.680 --> 00:19:02.720 See, she says, Boaz will tell you what to do. 00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:07.259 Forgetting that God has already told all of them what they ought to do. 00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:12.240 When he lies down, he will tell you what to do. 00:19:12.440 --> 00:19:13.099 In verse 4. 00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:16.660 But God has already said, you shall not commit adultery. 00:19:17.819 --> 00:19:23.039 And when Tamar, a few generations later, was assaulted by her brother, 00:19:24.339 --> 00:19:27.119 she said, such a thing does not happen in Israel. 00:19:27.460 --> 00:19:29.420 She said, I can't even live with the shame. 00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:31.799 I can't be around here now that this has happened to me. 00:19:31.839 --> 00:19:33.079 She put ashes on her head. 00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:35.279 So that's the context they're living in. 00:19:35.339 --> 00:19:37.879 They know what God has already commanded. 00:19:39.079 --> 00:19:43.500 And one thing we do is, with our catechisms, we want to train ourselves. 00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:47.019 We want to be shaped by the liturgy, as Ken explained. 00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:49.480 And the catechisms do exactly that. 00:19:49.599 --> 00:19:53.539 So in those moments of temptation, what is my greatest desire? 00:19:54.559 --> 00:19:56.579 What is it that God would want me to do? 00:19:56.639 --> 00:19:57.619 You can even talk to yourself. 00:19:57.720 --> 00:19:59.899 You can spin it a certain way, knowing that it's wrong. 00:20:00.399 --> 00:20:02.399 So our catechism says things like this. 00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:03.800 Where do we find God's will? 00:20:04.380 --> 00:20:05.920 The answer, we know it. 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:07.740 It's so simple, but you need to hear it again. 00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:10.320 We find God's will in Scripture. 00:20:11.160 --> 00:20:13.140 Well, where specifically in Scripture? 00:20:13.800 --> 00:20:16.620 In the commandments that God has given us. 00:20:17.220 --> 00:20:19.300 God does not hide His will from us. 00:20:19.600 --> 00:20:20.620 He makes it very clear. 00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:24.640 He lays out before us the green pastures that He promises to bless. 00:20:25.840 --> 00:20:28.340 God will tell you what to do. 00:20:28.700 --> 00:20:30.380 Don't turn Boaz into an idol. 00:20:30.380 --> 00:20:37.420 Don't put all your hopes on Him and just leave your future in the hands of one man in the dark of midnight. 00:20:38.580 --> 00:20:40.860 See how reckless Naomi's instructions were? 00:20:41.400 --> 00:20:43.680 They were also very dangerous for Boaz. 00:20:43.780 --> 00:20:45.080 Think about it from his perspective. 00:20:45.079 --> 00:20:47.799 It's not helpful to him. 00:20:48.359 --> 00:20:52.220 He's a red-blooded man, pitch black at midnight. 00:20:52.899 --> 00:20:54.539 He's going to smell the perfume. 00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:59.199 He's going to feel the cool breeze as the covers of his legs got lifted up. 00:20:59.359 --> 00:21:01.879 And he's expected now to tell her what to do next. 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:03.759 That's not helpful to him. 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:11.259 Would Boaz's fear of God overpower the fear of the temptation in that moment? 00:21:12.420 --> 00:21:16.140 Think about Boaz has been introduced to us as a man who blesses. 00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:17.299 Remember, he shows up on his field. 00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:18.700 The Lord bless you to the workers. 00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:20.259 The workers, the Lord bless you. 00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:24.180 When he had his first conversation with Ruth, he said, 00:21:24.539 --> 00:21:28.379 May the Lord bless you under whose wings you have come to take refuge. 00:21:28.840 --> 00:21:31.820 Boaz is a man through whom God is pouring out blessing. 00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:34.480 Everywhere he goes, he's blessing others. 00:21:35.280 --> 00:21:36.840 And James 5.16 says, 00:21:37.280 --> 00:21:41.880 It's the prayer of a righteous man that has great power as it is working. 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:43.100 So you see what's at stake? 00:21:43.860 --> 00:21:47.520 Putting Boaz in this position of temptation, it's dangerous for him. 00:21:47.520 --> 00:21:50.720 His blessings now that everyone is being blessed by, 00:21:51.100 --> 00:21:53.440 they will perhaps be dried up. 00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:57.740 Now that relationship, that sweet attraction between Ruth and Boaz 00:21:57.740 --> 00:22:01.880 would now turn into shame and guilt and remorse. 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:03.819 And even Naomi's own future. 00:22:04.579 --> 00:22:06.279 It all depends on a kinsman redeemer. 00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:07.200 And this is the one. 00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:08.640 It has to be Boaz. 00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:12.140 But with this scheming, she's jeopardizing their entire future 00:22:12.140 --> 00:22:15.660 by not trusting in God's providence. 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:18.900 Do you see how when we are most restless, 00:22:19.200 --> 00:22:22.019 our soul can act very destructively? 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:25.079 You see how important it is that we find rest in God? 00:22:25.079 --> 00:22:29.099 God, you and I are just as weak. 00:22:29.579 --> 00:22:32.839 Our souls will be restless until we are resting in God. 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:35.500 And what is best for us is what's best for our soul. 00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:37.299 And it's best for your soul. 00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:40.279 Psalm 37, that you be still before the Lord. 00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.919 Wait patiently for him. 00:22:42.559 --> 00:22:43.740 Delight yourself in the Lord, 00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:46.539 and he will give you the desires of your heart. 00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:51.460 And that's the encouragement we have with what actually happens. 00:22:51.559 --> 00:22:53.379 We just saw the danger of what could have happened. 00:22:54.379 --> 00:22:56.460 But the fourth observation is this. 00:22:57.659 --> 00:23:01.659 The reason you can obey this command from Psalm 37 to wait for God 00:23:01.659 --> 00:23:06.619 is because God provides strength to withstand temptation. 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:11.839 God provides the strength we need to withstand temptation. 00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:14.639 He is good for his promise. 00:23:16.879 --> 00:23:20.199 Verse 6, it sets that stage a bit more. 00:23:21.119 --> 00:23:22.259 The powerful temptation. 00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:23.659 What's going on physically? 00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:25.220 Look at verse 6. 00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:27.679 So Ruth went down to the threshing floor, 00:23:27.839 --> 00:23:29.720 did just as her mother-in-law had commanded. 00:23:30.379 --> 00:23:32.759 When Boaz had eaten and drunk, 00:23:33.199 --> 00:23:34.500 his heart was merry. 00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:39.799 He went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. 00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:45.359 Well, remember how Ruth is depicted as someone who needs a bath. 00:23:46.119 --> 00:23:48.619 She needs some new clothes, and she needs perfume. 00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:50.419 She's poor. 00:23:50.680 --> 00:23:51.299 She's stinky. 00:23:52.099 --> 00:23:56.259 She has no hope of survival on her own going on like this any longer. 00:23:57.159 --> 00:23:58.619 Boaz is the exact opposite. 00:23:59.180 --> 00:24:01.799 He's got a pile of food, an abundance. 00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:05.500 His heart is merry, full of food, and he is drunk. 00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:10.180 I don't think he is drunk, and I'll explain that in just a moment. 00:24:10.680 --> 00:24:14.539 But he's hard as merry, and he's lying there at the edge of this heap of grain. 00:24:16.140 --> 00:24:19.319 She was tired and characterized by scarcity. 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:22.779 He's at rest, characterized by abundance. 00:24:23.299 --> 00:24:28.079 And Ruth came softly, uncovered his feet, legs, lay down. 00:24:28.079 --> 00:24:33.579 At midnight, the man was startled. 00:24:33.839 --> 00:24:34.339 Verse 8. 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:38.079 Another translation for startled is the man shuddered, 00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:40.740 perhaps because of the cold of being uncovered. 00:24:41.659 --> 00:24:46.099 And he turned over, and behold, a woman lay there at his feet. 00:24:47.919 --> 00:24:52.980 Would Boaz's temptation now pull him into sin? 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:55.339 Verse 9. 00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:56.539 He said, who are you? 00:24:58.440 --> 00:25:01.460 Now, I want you to see in the exchange between these two and this dialogue, 00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:03.360 what's going on spiritually. 00:25:04.099 --> 00:25:06.799 So the physical setting describes the temptation, 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:09.000 but it's their conversation, the words, 00:25:09.339 --> 00:25:11.519 that describe what's going on spiritually. 00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:16.460 She answered, I am Ruth, your servant. 00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:19.200 Now, what comes next is so beautiful. 00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:22.720 She said, spread your wings over your servant, 00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:25.120 for you are a redeemer. 00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:30.779 That's exactly the words Boaz spoke to her in chapter 2. 00:25:30.860 --> 00:25:36.299 You come to Israel, and you have come to take refuge under the wings of the God of Israel. 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:39.080 See, that's, he taught her that. 00:25:39.960 --> 00:25:42.460 That image of God hovering over his people, 00:25:42.600 --> 00:25:44.640 protecting them, sheltering them. 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:47.360 And now she prays that back. 00:25:47.359 --> 00:25:51.859 You know, she says, would you be the one that shows me that type of refuge? 00:25:52.719 --> 00:25:55.379 I have come now so that your wings, Boaz, 00:25:55.519 --> 00:25:59.599 can be the instrument God uses to protect me and to bless me. 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:00.819 Isn't that beautiful? 00:26:03.179 --> 00:26:06.939 One commentator shared how at a restaurant one time, 00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:08.639 his daughter opened up the fortune cookie, 00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:11.259 and it read something surprisingly wise. 00:26:11.500 --> 00:26:15.599 It said, never mistake temptation for opportunity. 00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:19.039 And in that moment, what's going on here? 00:26:19.099 --> 00:26:19.539 Who are you? 00:26:19.579 --> 00:26:20.139 Who is this? 00:26:20.399 --> 00:26:21.219 It's dark at midnight. 00:26:22.179 --> 00:26:26.179 And she says, spread your wings over your servant. 00:26:26.359 --> 00:26:27.299 You are a redeemer. 00:26:27.639 --> 00:26:29.599 Never mistake temptation for opportunity. 00:26:30.419 --> 00:26:31.599 Look at Boaz's reply. 00:26:33.099 --> 00:26:33.639 Verse 10. 00:26:34.480 --> 00:26:39.240 He said, may you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:42.859 God would be the center of their relationship. 00:26:43.120 --> 00:26:45.359 She wants the blessing of God through Boaz. 00:26:45.680 --> 00:26:50.599 He wants the Lord to bless her, whether or not he's part of it. 00:26:52.200 --> 00:26:55.160 Micah 6.8 says, has he told you, O man? 00:26:56.099 --> 00:26:58.039 Has he not told you what is good? 00:26:58.180 --> 00:27:01.700 That the Lord requires that you do justice, love kindness, 00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:05.059 and walk humbly with your God. 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:10.340 We don't know exactly what was going on in Boaz's mind. 00:27:11.640 --> 00:27:15.259 It may be that God was doing what our confession said, 00:27:15.340 --> 00:27:18.160 drawing back to Boaz's mind a previous sin of his. 00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:21.779 Boaz appears to be a man that was so humbled 00:27:21.779 --> 00:27:29.039 that he is now raised to a more close and constant dependence on God for support, 00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:33.099 especially when in that moment of physical and emotional temptation, 00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:35.960 midnight perfume in the air, 00:27:37.019 --> 00:27:38.819 God would be his strength, 00:27:39.099 --> 00:27:43.319 and he responds with words that are equally humble as Ruth's. 00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:49.079 He says to her, you have made this last kindness greater than the first 00:27:49.079 --> 00:27:51.339 in that you have gone after young, 00:27:51.379 --> 00:27:53.539 you could have gone after young men, whether rich or poor, 00:27:53.639 --> 00:27:55.159 but instead you've come for me. 00:27:55.940 --> 00:27:58.859 So he receives her message, and he's humble, 00:27:59.659 --> 00:28:01.559 he says, I didn't say I could have anyone I want. 00:28:01.639 --> 00:28:04.019 He says, no, I see your kindness now too. 00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:06.759 Now that word kindness, it's hesed. 00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:07.420 We've seen this. 00:28:07.460 --> 00:28:11.159 This is loving kindness, steadfast covenant loyalty. 00:28:12.059 --> 00:28:14.460 It's used in chapter 3 to describe Ruth, 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:16.279 but before that, in chapter 2, 00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:19.399 it's used to describe Boaz as showing that loving kindness. 00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:20.899 And before that, in chapter 1, 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:24.500 that's how Naomi described God as they came back to God's land. 00:28:25.000 --> 00:28:26.579 God was the one who would show hesed. 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:28.379 So do you see now the progression? 00:28:29.160 --> 00:28:30.240 It's the land of God. 00:28:30.380 --> 00:28:32.320 God shows you covenant faithfulness, 00:28:32.420 --> 00:28:34.140 his steadfast loving kindness. 00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:36.260 God shows it to Boaz. 00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:38.320 Boaz becomes characterized by that. 00:28:38.580 --> 00:28:39.520 And now it spills over, 00:28:39.600 --> 00:28:43.840 and now Ruth is characterized by that steadfast loving kindness of God. 00:28:43.940 --> 00:28:47.160 His hesed works its way into his people. 00:28:47.160 --> 00:28:54.400 We don't know why Boaz came to depend on God so much, 00:28:54.920 --> 00:28:58.820 or even why God gave Boaz the strength in this moment that David lacked. 00:28:59.820 --> 00:29:04.100 Boaz here is more like the husband of Bathsheba. 00:29:04.860 --> 00:29:07.160 He's the one who, even when there's, you know, 00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:10.140 David's trying to get him drunk and he won't drink it. 00:29:10.140 --> 00:29:13.780 Uriah won't go sleep and, you know, violate his code, 00:29:14.300 --> 00:29:16.360 even though David fell into great temptation. 00:29:16.560 --> 00:29:20.280 So in this moment, God gives Boaz that same strength to withstand. 00:29:20.820 --> 00:29:23.700 He doesn't fall like Noah did after the great flood. 00:29:23.800 --> 00:29:25.720 He saw God judge the world for sin, 00:29:26.220 --> 00:29:27.680 grows the grapes, gets drunk. 00:29:28.280 --> 00:29:31.600 In this moment, God's strength preserved Boaz, 00:29:31.599 --> 00:29:36.000 and God will preserve his people in the moment of greatest temptation. 00:29:36.199 --> 00:29:38.299 His promises are true. 00:29:39.119 --> 00:29:40.179 Ecclesiastes 4 says, 00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:44.619 Better is a handful of quietness than two handfuls of toil 00:29:44.619 --> 00:29:47.319 and striving after the wind. 00:29:49.439 --> 00:29:51.899 Boaz and Ruth could both have rest in their soul. 00:29:52.599 --> 00:29:53.819 They could have a clear conscience. 00:29:54.419 --> 00:29:57.159 They could have a hope of a beautiful relationship 00:29:57.159 --> 00:30:00.179 and all that God would do for the nation through them afterward 00:30:00.180 --> 00:30:04.259 because God preserved them in that moment of great temptation. 00:30:05.580 --> 00:30:07.980 So we too need to be still before the Lord. 00:30:08.180 --> 00:30:09.779 We need to wait patiently for him. 00:30:10.340 --> 00:30:11.880 Delight yourself in the Lord 00:30:11.880 --> 00:30:15.720 and trust that he will give you the desires of your heart. 00:30:17.160 --> 00:30:18.200 Fifth observation, 00:30:20.160 --> 00:30:23.180 your heart can find rest. 00:30:24.160 --> 00:30:26.860 Your heart is restless and it can find rest 00:30:26.860 --> 00:30:29.980 in the Redeemer's loving kindness. 00:30:30.860 --> 00:30:31.759 Look at verse 12. 00:30:32.299 --> 00:30:34.080 It's true that I am a Redeemer. 00:30:34.640 --> 00:30:35.220 Verse 13, 00:30:35.320 --> 00:30:36.100 Remain tonight, 00:30:36.620 --> 00:30:37.860 lie down until the morning. 00:30:38.500 --> 00:30:39.340 And verse 14, 00:30:39.460 --> 00:30:41.440 So she lay at his feet until morning. 00:30:42.400 --> 00:30:43.759 In a very literal sense, 00:30:43.960 --> 00:30:46.100 Ruth is already finding some of the rest 00:30:46.100 --> 00:30:48.019 that will come through Boaz for her, 00:30:48.100 --> 00:30:49.500 even in that night scene. 00:30:50.140 --> 00:30:52.500 Why didn't Boaz just send her right back right then? 00:30:52.960 --> 00:30:54.420 Well, remember, this is dangerous. 00:30:54.580 --> 00:30:56.340 This is a dangerous mission she's been sent on. 00:30:56.400 --> 00:30:57.539 Maybe the party's still going. 00:30:57.539 --> 00:30:59.460 I don't know if he's in a tent. 00:30:59.539 --> 00:31:00.639 We don't have all those details. 00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:04.180 But in the purity of that relationship, 00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:07.259 she rests and lays down at his feet 00:31:07.259 --> 00:31:09.279 and God provides for her. 00:31:10.139 --> 00:31:10.819 Ferguson said, 00:31:10.819 --> 00:31:13.980 It is because of his trust 00:31:13.980 --> 00:31:15.639 that Boaz is content 00:31:15.639 --> 00:31:17.299 to apply biblical principles 00:31:17.299 --> 00:31:18.359 to the situation, 00:31:18.599 --> 00:31:19.319 to his duty, 00:31:19.599 --> 00:31:20.919 and to leave the consequences 00:31:20.919 --> 00:31:24.399 to the wise and good providence of God. 00:31:25.379 --> 00:31:26.779 And Ruth could trust that then. 00:31:26.879 --> 00:31:29.039 She knew Boaz is a man ruled by the Lord. 00:31:29.599 --> 00:31:31.379 She could trust Boaz's kindness 00:31:31.379 --> 00:31:33.539 because Boaz is a man who fears God. 00:31:34.200 --> 00:31:35.919 He was obedient to God's law. 00:31:35.920 --> 00:31:39.100 And Boaz was willing to both work for her 00:31:39.100 --> 00:31:40.460 and wait for her. 00:31:41.100 --> 00:31:42.580 He's not sitting around passively, 00:31:42.720 --> 00:31:44.340 but he is trusting God. 00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:46.320 He's waiting on the Lord's timing. 00:31:46.980 --> 00:31:49.279 He would love for Ruth to be his bride, 00:31:49.640 --> 00:31:52.019 but only if it's what the Lord wills. 00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:55.180 We read that, 00:31:55.180 --> 00:32:06.080 So even though they remained pure, 00:32:06.220 --> 00:32:07.940 she laid at his feet that night, 00:32:08.700 --> 00:32:10.700 there's still an appearance of scandal 00:32:10.700 --> 00:32:12.360 and there's still discretion. 00:32:12.580 --> 00:32:15.880 They don't want anyone to have a bad image 00:32:15.880 --> 00:32:16.740 or a bad impression 00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:18.620 of what might have taken place. 00:32:20.000 --> 00:32:21.060 And isn't that fascinating 00:32:21.060 --> 00:32:23.580 how Jesus comes from the line of women 00:32:23.579 --> 00:32:26.659 who are shrouded in scandal? 00:32:27.899 --> 00:32:29.579 It's true of every single one of them. 00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:30.659 Tamar, 00:32:32.779 --> 00:32:34.919 you know, wicked sins committed against her 00:32:34.919 --> 00:32:35.599 by her brother. 00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:38.079 Rahab, who was not only a foreigner, 00:32:38.220 --> 00:32:40.500 but also most likely the prostitute. 00:32:41.519 --> 00:32:43.419 Ruth, as we've just seen, 00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:44.699 shrouded in scandal. 00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:47.279 And even Mary, his own mother. 00:32:49.019 --> 00:32:50.960 Mary was a person who was not married 00:32:50.960 --> 00:32:52.799 and yet she was large with child. 00:32:52.799 --> 00:32:54.299 And they're traveling around 00:32:54.299 --> 00:32:55.180 until he's born. 00:32:56.940 --> 00:32:59.379 See, there's the glory of Christ, 00:32:59.460 --> 00:32:59.919 once again, 00:33:00.039 --> 00:33:02.779 that the scandal of the salvation 00:33:02.779 --> 00:33:04.220 for sinners on earth. 00:33:04.359 --> 00:33:05.659 It's not that God goes around 00:33:05.659 --> 00:33:07.379 picking those who have been able to show 00:33:07.379 --> 00:33:08.659 they've got it all together. 00:33:09.359 --> 00:33:10.799 God's going to just draw to him 00:33:10.799 --> 00:33:11.940 those who figured it out. 00:33:12.180 --> 00:33:14.379 He comes to be one with sinners. 00:33:15.000 --> 00:33:17.559 He takes the scandal of the cross itself. 00:33:18.180 --> 00:33:19.359 And there's nothing more scandalous 00:33:19.359 --> 00:33:20.000 than to say, 00:33:20.000 --> 00:33:21.519 Jesus now, 00:33:21.819 --> 00:33:23.380 the picture of sin, 00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:25.240 being made the likeness of sin 00:33:25.240 --> 00:33:27.700 so that he could pay the price 00:33:27.700 --> 00:33:29.779 to redeem his bride. 00:33:31.220 --> 00:33:32.319 And just as the hesed, 00:33:32.420 --> 00:33:34.960 the steadfast covenant love of God, 00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:36.420 it was given through Boaz, 00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:38.319 from Boaz to Ruth, 00:33:38.539 --> 00:33:40.519 and now from Ruth unto others. 00:33:41.140 --> 00:33:42.319 Jesus Christ is the one 00:33:42.319 --> 00:33:44.740 who represents that steadfast love 00:33:44.740 --> 00:33:45.619 to the new covenant. 00:33:45.619 --> 00:33:47.679 The covenant faithfulness of God 00:33:47.679 --> 00:33:48.959 through Jesus Christ, 00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:49.879 the great Redeemer, 00:33:50.279 --> 00:33:51.839 to his people. 00:33:53.259 --> 00:33:54.839 Which is the last observation. 00:33:56.419 --> 00:33:57.099 The Redeemer, 00:33:58.759 --> 00:34:00.500 Boaz and our Lord Jesus, 00:34:00.739 --> 00:34:01.799 will not rest 00:34:01.799 --> 00:34:04.439 until his bride is at rest in him. 00:34:06.139 --> 00:34:07.379 See, we don't quite have 00:34:07.379 --> 00:34:09.000 the resolution that we want. 00:34:09.079 --> 00:34:10.699 We want to see this couple being married. 00:34:10.920 --> 00:34:12.339 We want to see them enjoying life 00:34:12.339 --> 00:34:13.859 and living happily ever after. 00:34:13.860 --> 00:34:15.800 But there's a complication in verse 12. 00:34:16.680 --> 00:34:17.400 Boaz says, 00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:18.900 he's already done his research. 00:34:19.240 --> 00:34:20.360 He's got his eye on this one. 00:34:21.180 --> 00:34:22.980 There is a Redeemer for you, Ruth, 00:34:23.519 --> 00:34:24.960 that is nearer than I. 00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:26.640 If he will redeem you, 00:34:26.900 --> 00:34:28.140 good, let him do it. 00:34:28.800 --> 00:34:31.360 So Boaz continues to trust God's providence 00:34:31.360 --> 00:34:32.260 and he is content. 00:34:32.640 --> 00:34:34.180 If this man will redeem you, 00:34:34.480 --> 00:34:34.700 good. 00:34:35.240 --> 00:34:36.920 My soul is content in the Lord. 00:34:37.620 --> 00:34:40.280 But if he is not willing to redeem you, 00:34:40.280 --> 00:34:42.300 then as the Lord lives, 00:34:42.460 --> 00:34:44.440 I will redeem you. 00:34:44.740 --> 00:34:46.500 This is the desire of his heart 00:34:46.500 --> 00:34:47.940 and he will trust God 00:34:47.940 --> 00:34:49.440 because his desire 00:34:49.440 --> 00:34:51.560 will be satisfied by God alone. 00:34:52.940 --> 00:34:54.920 Then Ruth went back into the city 00:34:54.920 --> 00:34:55.760 and verse 16, 00:34:55.860 --> 00:34:56.940 her mother-in-law says, 00:34:57.680 --> 00:34:58.940 how did you fare, my daughter? 00:35:00.640 --> 00:35:02.200 I don't know what she meant by that. 00:35:02.280 --> 00:35:02.800 Did you score? 00:35:02.980 --> 00:35:03.760 Did you get the man? 00:35:04.000 --> 00:35:04.820 Did you snag him? 00:35:04.820 --> 00:35:08.920 And we don't have the exact exchange 00:35:08.920 --> 00:35:09.900 that Ruth gives back. 00:35:09.980 --> 00:35:10.960 We don't know what she says. 00:35:11.300 --> 00:35:13.420 I'm thinking that Ruth is confused. 00:35:14.320 --> 00:35:15.559 You know, she comes back and she says, 00:35:15.720 --> 00:35:17.460 well, how did I fare? 00:35:18.160 --> 00:35:19.280 I got all this food. 00:35:21.019 --> 00:35:23.620 He wants to redeem me one way or the other, 00:35:23.700 --> 00:35:24.680 but it might not be him. 00:35:25.240 --> 00:35:28.580 And really all he did is let me stay there safely and rest. 00:35:28.860 --> 00:35:31.059 And he asked that the Lord would bless me. 00:35:31.300 --> 00:35:32.460 So how did I fare? 00:35:32.960 --> 00:35:33.640 I'm not sure. 00:35:33.639 --> 00:35:35.039 I hope it can be him. 00:35:35.699 --> 00:35:36.699 I really, man, 00:35:36.759 --> 00:35:38.779 I respect him more now than I ever did before. 00:35:39.659 --> 00:35:42.579 Because look at how Naomi replies in verse 8. 00:35:43.179 --> 00:35:44.639 It's like the old wise, you know, 00:35:45.039 --> 00:35:46.299 mentor giving her counsel. 00:35:46.960 --> 00:35:47.719 Wait, my daughter, 00:35:48.460 --> 00:35:50.500 until you learn how this matter turns out, 00:35:50.920 --> 00:35:53.219 for the man will not rest, 00:35:53.639 --> 00:35:56.159 but will settle the matter today. 00:35:56.839 --> 00:35:58.759 So Naomi's still very excited. 00:35:59.299 --> 00:36:01.779 And maybe what she intended to be manipulative, 00:36:01.780 --> 00:36:06.360 what she intended perhaps even to be scheming against God's will, 00:36:06.960 --> 00:36:08.360 God intends for good. 00:36:08.940 --> 00:36:10.660 And God restores what we break 00:36:10.660 --> 00:36:14.960 because he's so faithful to be providing for us in every way. 00:36:15.720 --> 00:36:18.160 A few observations looking back at this whole chapter. 00:36:18.500 --> 00:36:20.260 Notice how at the beginning of the chapter, 00:36:20.260 --> 00:36:22.760 it's Boaz who is at rest. 00:36:23.760 --> 00:36:25.800 And Ruth is the one needing rest. 00:36:25.800 --> 00:36:26.980 By the end of the story, 00:36:27.060 --> 00:36:27.720 it's the opposite. 00:36:28.940 --> 00:36:31.880 Ruth has found some rest in her Redeemer, 00:36:32.600 --> 00:36:34.980 and Boaz will not rest. 00:36:36.120 --> 00:36:42.200 The true bride of Christ knows no rest apart from him, 00:36:42.480 --> 00:36:43.040 your Redeemer. 00:36:43.039 --> 00:36:47.159 And the Redeemer will not rest 00:36:47.159 --> 00:36:48.460 until you, 00:36:48.759 --> 00:36:49.420 his bride, 00:36:49.679 --> 00:36:51.119 are at rest in him. 00:36:52.619 --> 00:36:53.659 Each one of us, 00:36:53.719 --> 00:36:54.480 the Lord draws, 00:36:54.900 --> 00:36:56.279 and each one has their own story 00:36:56.279 --> 00:36:57.820 and their own time in different ways. 00:36:59.400 --> 00:37:00.320 Remember that 00:37:00.320 --> 00:37:02.559 your heart will be restless 00:37:02.559 --> 00:37:04.460 until you find your full rest 00:37:04.460 --> 00:37:05.619 in God alone. 00:37:06.239 --> 00:37:08.219 He will give you those desires of your heart 00:37:08.219 --> 00:37:09.500 when you desire first 00:37:09.500 --> 00:37:10.420 his kingdom. 00:37:10.420 --> 00:37:12.119 Seek first his kingdom 00:37:12.119 --> 00:37:13.400 and his righteousness 00:37:13.400 --> 00:37:14.460 and all these things 00:37:14.460 --> 00:37:16.119 will be added to you. 00:37:17.200 --> 00:37:19.460 The Puritan pastor Thomas Manton, 00:37:19.800 --> 00:37:21.519 he put it this way, 00:37:22.619 --> 00:37:23.860 under pressure, 00:37:24.260 --> 00:37:25.720 when your soul is restless, 00:37:26.139 --> 00:37:27.019 it's your faith. 00:37:27.280 --> 00:37:29.900 It's your faith that speaks to your soul. 00:37:31.340 --> 00:37:33.500 And your faith says to your soul, 00:37:34.619 --> 00:37:35.700 sit still, 00:37:36.340 --> 00:37:39.720 for God will not be at rest 00:37:39.719 --> 00:37:41.879 until he has accomplished 00:37:41.879 --> 00:37:44.839 all that he has spoken to you. 00:37:45.459 --> 00:37:48.639 You can trust in the promises of God. 00:37:49.839 --> 00:37:51.500 Be still before the Lord. 00:37:52.159 --> 00:37:53.439 Wait patiently for him. 00:37:54.519 --> 00:37:55.699 Delight your soul 00:37:55.699 --> 00:37:57.179 in the Redeemer 00:37:57.179 --> 00:37:59.099 who provides rest 00:37:59.099 --> 00:38:00.399 for his bride. 00:38:01.199 --> 00:38:01.939 Let's pray. 00:38:01.940 --> 00:38:05.599 from Exodus chapter 6. 00:38:07.679 --> 00:38:08.179 Oh Lord, 00:38:08.260 --> 00:38:09.240 you have redeemed us 00:38:09.240 --> 00:38:10.679 with an outstretched arm 00:38:10.679 --> 00:38:12.119 and with a great act 00:38:12.119 --> 00:38:12.820 of judgment. 00:38:13.639 --> 00:38:14.800 Jesus Christ, 00:38:15.039 --> 00:38:16.079 he took our nature 00:38:16.079 --> 00:38:17.900 to be our near kinsman. 00:38:18.460 --> 00:38:20.340 He became bone of our bone 00:38:20.340 --> 00:38:21.679 and flesh of our flesh. 00:38:22.300 --> 00:38:23.519 And you have taken us 00:38:23.519 --> 00:38:24.619 to be your people. 00:38:25.019 --> 00:38:25.720 You have promised 00:38:25.720 --> 00:38:26.579 to be our God. 00:38:27.480 --> 00:38:28.780 We trust what you promise 00:38:28.780 --> 00:38:29.940 in Ecclesiastes 3, 00:38:29.940 --> 00:38:32.099 that you make everything beautiful 00:38:32.099 --> 00:38:33.320 in its time. 00:38:34.260 --> 00:38:35.240 Lord, once again now, 00:38:35.320 --> 00:38:36.099 we lay ourselves 00:38:36.099 --> 00:38:37.440 at your feet 00:38:37.440 --> 00:38:38.519 by faith. 00:38:38.960 --> 00:38:39.179 Amen.