WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.640 I want to be with honor and joy to preach God's word to you. After nearly two years, we have finished the book of Matthew. 00:00:12.759 --> 00:00:21.120 So this morning, turn with me in your Bible for the book of Ruth. If you don't have a Bible, please wave your hand. We'll give you a copy that you can use while you're here and take one with you. 00:00:24.560 --> 00:00:26.100 How did I know what James said? 00:00:26.100 --> 00:00:35.320 Ruth is situated after the book of Judges and before the book of 1 Samuel. And that location between those two books is deliberate and ancient. 00:00:36.160 --> 00:00:41.480 Ruth 1.1 begins, in the days when the Judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. 00:00:42.820 --> 00:00:53.140 If you turn back one page from the beginning of Ruth to the end of the book of Judges, you'll find this summary of what the days of the Judges were like in Judges 21-25. 00:00:53.140 --> 00:01:00.579 In those days, there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own time. 00:01:01.579 --> 00:01:04.140 So then the days of the Judges were lawless times. 00:01:04.140 --> 00:01:05.099 I don't know why that hasn't changed. 00:01:05.280 --> 00:01:10.180 A time when everyone did as they saw fit and did abide by God's word. 00:01:10.280 --> 00:01:15.579 It was a time when there was no king to rule and guide the people of God according to the will of God. 00:01:15.579 --> 00:01:27.219 It is therefore no coincidence that the book of Ruth, which comes right after Judges, begins with that verse, Ruth 1.1, and then ends with a genealogy that says, 00:01:27.359 --> 00:01:32.099 Boaz fathered Obed, Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David. 00:01:32.900 --> 00:01:35.879 That's the same King David that we know so well. 00:01:35.879 --> 00:01:43.939 This is one of the main purposes of the book of Ruth, to explain the origin of the Davidic royal dynasty. 00:01:44.859 --> 00:01:52.959 That's why it's preceded by the book of Judges and followed by the book of 1 and 2 Samuel, which chronicle the rise and reign of David. 00:01:53.840 --> 00:01:57.019 We're never told who the author of the book of Ruth is. 00:01:57.419 --> 00:01:58.840 We can't know for sure. 00:01:58.840 --> 00:02:05.480 But Jewish tradition, as recorded in the Babylonian Talmud, holds that Samuel, Prophet Samuel, was the author. 00:02:06.460 --> 00:02:12.920 Some people think that Samuel was too early to have been the author of Ruth, since he died before David ascended to the throne. 00:02:13.460 --> 00:02:18.819 However, since Samuel is the one who anointed David as king in 1 Samuel 16, 00:02:19.480 --> 00:02:25.080 and it was according to Samuel's prophecy that David eventually did rise to the kingship of Israel, 00:02:25.080 --> 00:02:28.760 I personally think that Samuel is as good a guest as any. 00:02:29.840 --> 00:02:36.360 With the man who had anointed King Saul, but later said that God had rejected and has chosen David to be king instead, 00:02:36.520 --> 00:02:39.060 wouldn't he want to explain that to some people? 00:02:39.620 --> 00:02:40.780 Who is this David? 00:02:41.960 --> 00:02:45.620 Perhaps when Samuel got to meet David's family when he went over to anoint him, 00:02:46.100 --> 00:02:51.240 he got to hear this story about his ancestors and decided to pen it for the sake of Progeny. 00:02:51.980 --> 00:02:54.100 But I speculate and digress. 00:02:54.099 --> 00:02:59.079 Whether Samuel is the author or not, the apparent purpose of the Book of Ruth, 00:02:59.319 --> 00:03:02.539 which is to explain the origin of the Davidic dynasty, 00:03:03.240 --> 00:03:08.180 it would date around the time of the Davidic dynasty, which is around 1000, 1000 BC. 00:03:09.740 --> 00:03:13.740 Ruth is a beautiful and compelling love story. 00:03:14.379 --> 00:03:19.060 It is told with remarkable tenderness and artfulness and delicacy. 00:03:19.060 --> 00:03:24.039 It is a literary masterpiece about which Rudolf Alexander Schroeder, 00:03:24.180 --> 00:03:28.780 the 20th century German poet and a five-time Nobel laureate in literature, 00:03:29.819 --> 00:03:30.580 he once said, 00:03:30.659 --> 00:03:34.460 no poet in the world has written a more beautiful short story. 00:03:34.460 --> 00:03:40.920 In this book, you will find no great wars or spectacular miracles. 00:03:41.740 --> 00:03:46.300 God does not thunder from a fiery mountain, nor does he split the Red Sea. 00:03:47.180 --> 00:03:51.680 There are no awe-inspiring building projects like the tabernacle or the temple. 00:03:51.680 --> 00:03:56.020 There are no larger-than-life kings, prophets, priests. 00:03:56.020 --> 00:04:00.740 Ruth is a humble story about two widows 00:04:00.740 --> 00:04:05.740 and how God redeems them from their loss and widowhood 00:04:05.740 --> 00:04:09.060 through Ruth's marriage to Boaz and the birth of Obed. 00:04:09.800 --> 00:04:13.020 But if, for that reason, you deem that, well, 00:04:13.460 --> 00:04:15.379 nothing really important happens in Ruth, 00:04:16.079 --> 00:04:17.300 then you'd be badly mistaken. 00:04:17.300 --> 00:04:23.020 If not for the steadfast love and covenant loyalty of Ruth 00:04:23.020 --> 00:04:25.480 to her to see her husband, Nellon, 00:04:25.660 --> 00:04:27.879 and to her mother-in-law, Naomi, 00:04:28.639 --> 00:04:30.540 there would be no King David. 00:04:31.580 --> 00:04:32.780 And if there's no King David, 00:04:33.620 --> 00:04:35.540 down the line there is no King Jesus, 00:04:37.340 --> 00:04:38.160 the Son of David. 00:04:39.480 --> 00:04:42.160 The very redemption history 00:04:42.160 --> 00:04:45.500 and the plan of God hangs in the balance 00:04:45.500 --> 00:04:50.040 in this humble story of two widows and their small family. 00:04:51.160 --> 00:04:53.360 Our world doesn't celebrate women like Ruth. 00:04:54.600 --> 00:04:55.400 Think about it. 00:04:55.880 --> 00:04:57.220 From a worldly perspective, 00:04:57.380 --> 00:04:58.940 Ruth didn't accomplish very much. 00:04:59.820 --> 00:05:01.700 Some might truly dismiss her as saying 00:05:01.700 --> 00:05:03.620 all she did was get married and have a kid. 00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:09.040 Our world thinks that that's a waste of a woman's gifts and talents 00:05:09.040 --> 00:05:12.080 and that a woman can only realize her full potential 00:05:12.080 --> 00:05:14.340 when she does something other than that. 00:05:15.400 --> 00:05:17.140 This week, while I was studying Ruth, 00:05:17.200 --> 00:05:19.080 I saw a quote from a Bible scholar 00:05:19.080 --> 00:05:20.640 who criticized the book of Ruth 00:05:20.640 --> 00:05:21.379 as a, quote, 00:05:21.680 --> 00:05:24.000 pernicious, exploitative trap. 00:05:24.640 --> 00:05:25.960 Because, according to her, 00:05:26.379 --> 00:05:28.420 it promotes a patriarchal culture 00:05:28.420 --> 00:05:30.520 where women's primary goal is to bear children. 00:05:31.420 --> 00:05:33.920 That's a narrow and cynical perspective. 00:05:34.780 --> 00:05:36.540 But that's how much of our world thinks. 00:05:36.540 --> 00:05:39.920 Our society doesn't celebrate women like Ruth, 00:05:40.460 --> 00:05:41.780 but God does. 00:05:42.840 --> 00:05:45.120 God wrote a whole book in the Bible 00:05:45.120 --> 00:05:46.319 to recount her story 00:05:46.319 --> 00:05:48.800 so that wherever God's words proclaimed 00:05:48.800 --> 00:05:49.580 in the whole world 00:05:49.580 --> 00:05:50.939 that what she has done 00:05:50.939 --> 00:05:52.320 will be told in memory of her. 00:05:53.560 --> 00:05:56.200 Ruth is the only non-Israelite 00:05:56.200 --> 00:05:58.640 who has a book in the Bible named after her. 00:05:59.540 --> 00:06:01.580 Ruth is named in the very genealogy 00:06:01.580 --> 00:06:03.640 of our Lord and Savior, Jesus himself, 00:06:03.879 --> 00:06:04.600 in Matthew 1. 00:06:04.600 --> 00:06:07.060 So let us labor instead 00:06:07.060 --> 00:06:08.439 to have God's perspective 00:06:08.439 --> 00:06:09.740 and not man's perspective 00:06:09.740 --> 00:06:11.020 on these matters. 00:06:12.240 --> 00:06:14.480 I hope that's enough of an introduction 00:06:14.480 --> 00:06:15.960 to wet your appetite for the series. 00:06:16.560 --> 00:06:17.960 This is completely underrated. 00:06:18.180 --> 00:06:19.100 Oh, actually kind of related. 00:06:19.740 --> 00:06:22.180 These illustrated note-take notes, 00:06:22.420 --> 00:06:23.760 notebooks for the book of Ruth. 00:06:23.879 --> 00:06:25.260 I know some of you guys collect these 00:06:25.260 --> 00:06:27.200 and get one for every sermon series you do. 00:06:27.740 --> 00:06:28.980 Elena, of her own court, 00:06:29.080 --> 00:06:29.840 she used her own money 00:06:29.840 --> 00:06:30.640 to purchase some of these 00:06:30.640 --> 00:06:31.500 and she has some extra. 00:06:31.500 --> 00:06:32.340 So if you want some, 00:06:32.420 --> 00:06:33.020 go talk to Elena. 00:06:33.080 --> 00:06:33.879 Can you raise your hand? 00:06:33.879 --> 00:06:34.219 Yes, yes. 00:06:34.659 --> 00:06:34.939 All right. 00:06:35.199 --> 00:06:35.779 And thank her 00:06:35.779 --> 00:06:36.899 because she thought that herself. 00:06:38.800 --> 00:06:41.219 Please, let me read Ruth 1, 00:06:41.339 --> 00:06:42.079 but before I do, 00:06:42.180 --> 00:06:43.560 let me pray and ask God for her. 00:06:49.180 --> 00:06:49.959 Heavenly Father, 00:06:51.339 --> 00:06:54.759 your word is wiser 00:06:54.759 --> 00:06:56.420 and more powerful 00:06:56.420 --> 00:06:59.600 than anything we can imagine 00:06:59.600 --> 00:07:00.699 to come up with ourselves. 00:07:05.840 --> 00:07:06.900 Would you please, 00:07:07.120 --> 00:07:07.699 by your word, 00:07:07.840 --> 00:07:09.060 humble us in our pride, 00:07:10.500 --> 00:07:11.900 exalt your mercy 00:07:11.900 --> 00:07:12.920 and grace and salvation, 00:07:14.060 --> 00:07:15.379 and fix our eyes 00:07:15.379 --> 00:07:17.360 on your son, Jesus Christ, 00:07:18.000 --> 00:07:19.759 our Lord and Redeemer. 00:07:19.759 --> 00:07:22.779 Do that this morning 00:07:22.779 --> 00:07:23.620 in Jesus' name, 00:07:24.039 --> 00:07:24.480 we pray. 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:25.300 Amen. 00:07:26.719 --> 00:07:28.500 Please stand so we can honor God 00:07:28.500 --> 00:07:30.560 as we read from his word again. 00:07:31.319 --> 00:07:31.939 I'm going to read 00:07:31.939 --> 00:07:33.079 the whole first chapter. 00:07:33.079 --> 00:07:34.079 Let's read the chapter. 00:07:34.079 --> 00:07:34.079 00:07:34.079 --> 00:07:34.079 00:07:34.079 --> 00:07:34.079 00:07:34.079 --> 00:07:34.079 00:07:34.079 --> 00:07:34.079 00:07:34.079 --> 00:07:35.079 Let's read the chapter. 00:07:39.539 --> 00:07:42.279 In the days when the judges ruled, 00:07:42.620 --> 00:07:43.939 there was a famine in the land, 00:07:44.339 --> 00:07:46.339 and a man of Bethlehem in Judah 00:07:46.339 --> 00:07:48.779 went to sojourn in the country of Moab, 00:07:49.339 --> 00:07:51.180 he and his wife and his two sons. 00:07:51.180 --> 00:07:54.319 The name of the man was Elimelech 00:07:54.319 --> 00:07:56.420 and the name of his wife, Naomi. 00:07:57.000 --> 00:07:58.579 And the names of his two sons 00:07:58.579 --> 00:08:00.060 were Melon and Kilion. 00:08:01.079 --> 00:08:02.319 They were Ephrathites 00:08:02.319 --> 00:08:03.720 from Bethlehem in Judah. 00:08:04.660 --> 00:08:06.759 They went into the country of Moab 00:08:06.759 --> 00:08:07.660 and remained there. 00:08:08.439 --> 00:08:09.340 But Elimelech, 00:08:09.600 --> 00:08:10.699 the husband of Naomi, 00:08:11.300 --> 00:08:11.620 died, 00:08:12.079 --> 00:08:14.220 and she was left with her two sons. 00:08:15.399 --> 00:08:17.259 These took Moabite wives. 00:08:17.519 --> 00:08:18.899 The name of the one was Orpah 00:08:18.899 --> 00:08:20.340 and the name of the other, Ruth. 00:08:20.339 --> 00:08:22.939 They lived there about ten years. 00:08:23.699 --> 00:08:25.819 And both Melon and Kilion died 00:08:25.819 --> 00:08:28.119 so that the woman was left 00:08:28.119 --> 00:08:30.239 without her two sons and her husband. 00:08:31.519 --> 00:08:33.620 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law 00:08:33.620 --> 00:08:35.379 to return from the country of Moab. 00:08:36.059 --> 00:08:37.939 For she had heard in the fields of Moab 00:08:37.939 --> 00:08:39.720 that the Lord had visited his people 00:08:39.720 --> 00:08:40.839 and given them food. 00:08:41.620 --> 00:08:43.220 So she set out from the place 00:08:43.220 --> 00:08:45.360 where she was with her two daughters-in-law 00:08:45.360 --> 00:08:46.579 and they went on the way 00:08:46.579 --> 00:08:48.139 to return to the land of Judah. 00:08:48.139 --> 00:08:51.139 But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, 00:08:51.220 --> 00:08:53.860 Go, return each of you to her mother's house. 00:08:54.379 --> 00:08:56.360 May the Lord deal kindly with you 00:08:56.360 --> 00:08:58.319 as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 00:08:58.899 --> 00:09:01.299 The Lord grant that you may find rest, 00:09:01.460 --> 00:09:02.000 each of you, 00:09:02.080 --> 00:09:03.080 in the house of her husband. 00:09:03.919 --> 00:09:04.799 Then she kissed them 00:09:04.799 --> 00:09:07.179 and they lifted up their voices and wept. 00:09:08.059 --> 00:09:09.100 And they said to her, 00:09:09.620 --> 00:09:12.460 No, we will return with you to your people. 00:09:12.460 --> 00:09:14.519 But Naomi said, 00:09:14.860 --> 00:09:16.160 Turn back, my daughters. 00:09:16.840 --> 00:09:18.160 Why will you go with me? 00:09:19.280 --> 00:09:20.759 Have I yet sons in my womb 00:09:20.759 --> 00:09:22.019 that they may become your husbands? 00:09:22.740 --> 00:09:24.340 Turn back, my daughters. 00:09:24.500 --> 00:09:25.480 Go your way. 00:09:25.920 --> 00:09:27.860 For I am too old to have a husband. 00:09:28.639 --> 00:09:29.879 If I should say, 00:09:30.139 --> 00:09:30.879 I have hope, 00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:33.440 even if I should have a husband this night 00:09:33.440 --> 00:09:34.780 and should bear sons, 00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:37.100 would you therefore wait till they were grown? 00:09:37.660 --> 00:09:39.580 Would you therefore refrain from marrying? 00:09:39.580 --> 00:09:41.379 No, my daughters, 00:09:41.720 --> 00:09:44.120 for it is exceedingly bitter to me 00:09:44.120 --> 00:09:45.259 for your sake 00:09:45.259 --> 00:09:46.720 that the hand of the Lord 00:09:46.720 --> 00:09:48.200 has gone out against me. 00:09:49.259 --> 00:09:50.900 Then they lifted up their voices 00:09:50.900 --> 00:09:51.759 and wept again. 00:09:52.440 --> 00:09:54.100 And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law. 00:09:54.680 --> 00:09:56.960 But Ruth clung to her. 00:09:57.940 --> 00:09:58.660 And she said, 00:09:59.020 --> 00:09:59.440 See, 00:10:00.379 --> 00:10:02.300 your sister-in-law has gone back 00:10:02.300 --> 00:10:04.740 to her people and to her gods. 00:10:05.440 --> 00:10:07.500 Return after your sister-in-law. 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:09.259 But Ruth said, 00:10:09.580 --> 00:10:11.720 Do not urge me 00:10:11.720 --> 00:10:12.620 to leave you 00:10:12.620 --> 00:10:15.139 or to return from following you. 00:10:15.620 --> 00:10:16.620 For where you go, 00:10:17.040 --> 00:10:17.780 I will go. 00:10:18.300 --> 00:10:19.120 Where you lodge, 00:10:19.400 --> 00:10:20.360 I will lodge. 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:21.639 Your people 00:10:21.639 --> 00:10:23.040 shall be my people 00:10:23.040 --> 00:10:24.139 and your God, 00:10:24.540 --> 00:10:25.300 my God. 00:10:25.820 --> 00:10:26.720 Where you die, 00:10:27.060 --> 00:10:27.879 I will die 00:10:27.879 --> 00:10:29.700 and there will I be buried. 00:10:30.360 --> 00:10:31.780 May the Lord do so to me 00:10:31.780 --> 00:10:32.860 and more also 00:10:32.860 --> 00:10:34.720 if anything but death 00:10:34.720 --> 00:10:36.180 parts me from you. 00:10:36.179 --> 00:10:39.219 And when Naomi saw 00:10:39.219 --> 00:10:40.219 that she was determined 00:10:40.219 --> 00:10:41.000 to go with her, 00:10:41.479 --> 00:10:42.120 she said, 00:10:42.659 --> 00:10:43.039 No more. 00:10:43.979 --> 00:10:45.139 So the two of them 00:10:45.139 --> 00:10:46.439 went on until they came 00:10:46.439 --> 00:10:47.259 to Bethlehem. 00:10:47.679 --> 00:10:48.379 And when they came 00:10:48.379 --> 00:10:49.019 to Bethlehem, 00:10:49.079 --> 00:10:50.439 the whole town was stirred 00:10:50.439 --> 00:10:51.239 because of them. 00:10:51.639 --> 00:10:52.599 And the woman said, 00:10:53.039 --> 00:10:54.159 Is this Naomi? 00:10:55.319 --> 00:10:56.500 She said to them, 00:10:56.919 --> 00:10:58.639 Do not call me Naomi. 00:10:59.639 --> 00:11:00.539 Call me Mara. 00:11:00.539 --> 00:11:02.459 For the Almighty 00:11:02.459 --> 00:11:04.500 has dealt very bitterly 00:11:04.500 --> 00:11:05.299 with me. 00:11:06.120 --> 00:11:07.419 I went away full 00:11:07.419 --> 00:11:08.740 and the Lord 00:11:08.740 --> 00:11:09.620 has brought me back 00:11:09.620 --> 00:11:10.419 empty. 00:11:11.399 --> 00:11:12.459 Why call me Naomi 00:11:12.459 --> 00:11:13.500 when the Lord 00:11:13.500 --> 00:11:15.120 has testified against me 00:11:15.120 --> 00:11:16.219 and the Almighty 00:11:16.219 --> 00:11:17.360 has brought calamity 00:11:17.360 --> 00:11:17.980 upon me? 00:11:19.019 --> 00:11:20.959 So Naomi returned 00:11:20.959 --> 00:11:22.120 and Ruth, 00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:22.839 the Moabite, 00:11:22.939 --> 00:11:23.659 her daughter-in-law 00:11:23.659 --> 00:11:24.259 with her, 00:11:24.699 --> 00:11:25.399 who returned 00:11:25.399 --> 00:11:26.319 from the country 00:11:26.319 --> 00:11:26.959 of Moab 00:11:26.960 --> 00:11:28.200 and they came 00:11:28.200 --> 00:11:29.120 to Bethlehem 00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:30.019 at the beginning 00:11:30.019 --> 00:11:31.639 of barley harvest. 00:11:32.160 --> 00:11:33.180 This is God's 00:11:33.180 --> 00:11:34.400 holy and authoritative 00:11:34.400 --> 00:11:34.759 word. 00:11:34.920 --> 00:11:35.480 Please be seated. 00:11:39.620 --> 00:11:40.960 The story begins 00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:41.800 with an all too 00:11:41.800 --> 00:11:42.840 common tragedy. 00:11:43.500 --> 00:11:44.200 There's a famine 00:11:44.200 --> 00:11:44.780 in the land 00:11:44.780 --> 00:11:46.280 so that a limelight 00:11:46.280 --> 00:11:47.360 decides to up 00:11:47.360 --> 00:11:48.519 and move his family 00:11:48.519 --> 00:11:49.720 out of Bethlehem 00:11:49.720 --> 00:11:51.040 to sojourn 00:11:51.040 --> 00:11:51.580 in the country 00:11:51.580 --> 00:11:52.180 of Moab. 00:11:53.080 --> 00:11:54.340 A cross-country move 00:11:54.340 --> 00:11:55.720 which is fraught 00:11:55.720 --> 00:11:56.680 with risks 00:11:56.679 --> 00:11:58.539 their migrants, 00:11:59.039 --> 00:11:59.620 immigrants. 00:12:00.620 --> 00:12:01.139 Elimelech's 00:12:01.139 --> 00:12:01.959 initial plan 00:12:01.959 --> 00:12:03.019 was to sojourn 00:12:03.019 --> 00:12:04.439 there a temporary 00:12:04.439 --> 00:12:04.979 stay, 00:12:05.120 --> 00:12:05.839 a brief stay 00:12:05.839 --> 00:12:06.559 to outlast 00:12:06.559 --> 00:12:07.019 the famine 00:12:07.019 --> 00:12:07.799 in Bethlehem 00:12:07.799 --> 00:12:09.319 and then to move 00:12:09.319 --> 00:12:09.739 back. 00:12:10.559 --> 00:12:12.199 But one year 00:12:12.199 --> 00:12:13.219 turns to two years, 00:12:13.459 --> 00:12:13.979 two years 00:12:13.979 --> 00:12:14.959 turns to three years. 00:12:15.239 --> 00:12:16.079 For one reason 00:12:16.079 --> 00:12:16.539 or another 00:12:16.539 --> 00:12:17.079 their stay 00:12:17.079 --> 00:12:17.819 gets extended. 00:12:18.479 --> 00:12:19.120 He says in verses 00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:19.699 two to three 00:12:19.699 --> 00:12:20.740 they went into 00:12:20.740 --> 00:12:21.219 the country 00:12:21.219 --> 00:12:21.639 of Moab 00:12:21.639 --> 00:12:22.339 and remained 00:12:22.339 --> 00:12:23.779 there about 00:12:23.779 --> 00:12:25.159 ten years. 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:27.139 Naomi 00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:28.399 has two sons 00:12:28.399 --> 00:12:29.799 take 00:12:29.799 --> 00:12:31.240 Moabite wives 00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:32.759 and indication 00:12:32.759 --> 00:12:33.339 that they're 00:12:33.339 --> 00:12:34.120 assimilating 00:12:34.120 --> 00:12:35.120 and settling 00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:35.959 down in the country. 00:12:36.799 --> 00:12:37.379 But during 00:12:37.379 --> 00:12:38.439 those ten years 00:12:38.439 --> 00:12:39.519 Naomi's husband 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:40.019 dies 00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:41.199 then both 00:12:41.199 --> 00:12:42.019 of her sons 00:12:42.019 --> 00:12:42.500 die 00:12:42.500 --> 00:12:43.620 leaving her 00:12:43.620 --> 00:12:44.179 with only 00:12:44.179 --> 00:12:44.819 her two 00:12:44.819 --> 00:12:45.659 Moabite 00:12:45.659 --> 00:12:46.659 daughters-in-law. 00:12:47.500 --> 00:12:47.879 And verse 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:49.139 five summarizes 00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:49.519 her 00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:50.659 for one's fate 00:12:50.659 --> 00:12:52.039 so that the 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:52.319 woman 00:12:52.319 --> 00:12:53.360 was left 00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:54.240 without 00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:54.899 her two 00:12:54.899 --> 00:12:55.299 sons 00:12:55.299 --> 00:12:55.699 and her 00:12:55.699 --> 00:12:56.039 husband. 00:12:57.740 --> 00:12:58.799 Most of us 00:12:58.799 --> 00:12:59.620 haven't suffered 00:12:59.620 --> 00:13:00.480 half as much 00:13:00.480 --> 00:13:01.319 as Naomi 00:13:01.319 --> 00:13:02.459 at least 00:13:02.459 --> 00:13:02.899 not yet. 00:13:04.179 --> 00:13:05.339 We can discern 00:13:05.339 --> 00:13:06.620 Naomi's grief 00:13:06.620 --> 00:13:07.219 and bitterness 00:13:07.219 --> 00:13:07.860 in the things 00:13:07.860 --> 00:13:08.439 that she said 00:13:08.439 --> 00:13:09.100 in this passage. 00:13:09.779 --> 00:13:10.399 She says to her 00:13:10.399 --> 00:13:10.980 daughters-in-law 00:13:10.980 --> 00:13:11.839 in verse 13 00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:20.660 Later in 00:13:20.660 --> 00:13:21.280 verses 19 00:13:21.280 --> 00:13:21.759 to 20 00:13:21.759 --> 00:13:22.240 when they 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:22.759 returned to 00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:23.240 Bethlehem 00:13:23.240 --> 00:13:24.240 the whole town 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:24.980 is above us. 00:13:25.040 --> 00:13:25.379 Imagine 00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:26.139 someone 00:13:26.139 --> 00:13:26.860 from our 00:13:26.860 --> 00:13:27.160 church 00:13:27.160 --> 00:13:28.120 or someone 00:13:28.120 --> 00:13:28.700 from Boston 00:13:28.700 --> 00:13:29.060 leading 00:13:29.060 --> 00:13:30.080 and coming 00:13:30.080 --> 00:13:30.500 back 00:13:30.500 --> 00:13:31.480 for ten years 00:13:31.480 --> 00:13:32.600 and the 00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:32.980 woman of the 00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:33.180 town 00:13:33.180 --> 00:13:33.560 are wondering 00:13:33.560 --> 00:13:34.200 is this 00:13:34.200 --> 00:13:34.620 Naomi? 00:13:36.400 --> 00:13:36.820 And that's 00:13:36.820 --> 00:13:37.540 probably a 00:13:37.540 --> 00:13:38.320 loaded question 00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:39.560 is this 00:13:39.560 --> 00:13:40.200 really Naomi? 00:13:40.980 --> 00:13:41.500 Can this 00:13:41.500 --> 00:13:42.139 really be the 00:13:42.139 --> 00:13:42.460 Naomi 00:13:42.460 --> 00:13:42.940 who left 00:13:42.940 --> 00:13:43.340 town 00:13:43.340 --> 00:13:44.019 ten years 00:13:44.019 --> 00:13:44.340 ago? 00:13:44.980 --> 00:13:45.399 Is this 00:13:45.399 --> 00:13:45.799 the Naomi 00:13:45.799 --> 00:13:46.320 who left 00:13:46.320 --> 00:13:46.639 with her 00:13:46.639 --> 00:13:47.000 husband 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:47.419 and two 00:13:47.419 --> 00:13:47.980 sons 00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:48.799 looking for 00:13:48.799 --> 00:13:49.580 better days 00:13:49.580 --> 00:13:50.220 and better 00:13:50.220 --> 00:13:50.659 future? 00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:53.360 What happened? 00:13:55.320 --> 00:13:56.139 Where's her 00:13:56.139 --> 00:13:56.879 family now? 00:13:58.419 --> 00:13:59.600 Her suffering 00:13:59.600 --> 00:14:00.340 has probably 00:14:00.340 --> 00:14:00.960 taken a 00:14:00.960 --> 00:14:01.779 physical toll 00:14:01.779 --> 00:14:02.440 on her body. 00:14:03.039 --> 00:14:03.539 Her wrinkled 00:14:03.539 --> 00:14:04.519 face and her 00:14:04.519 --> 00:14:05.259 white hairs 00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:05.919 probably tell 00:14:05.919 --> 00:14:06.539 the tale of 00:14:06.539 --> 00:14:07.000 the hardship 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:07.899 and grief 00:14:07.899 --> 00:14:08.259 that she 00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:08.899 endured in 00:14:08.899 --> 00:14:09.320 Moab. 00:14:09.820 --> 00:14:10.320 Can this 00:14:10.320 --> 00:14:11.019 really be 00:14:11.019 --> 00:14:11.419 Naomi? 00:14:11.500 --> 00:14:11.639 Naomi? 00:14:13.139 --> 00:14:13.919 And Naomi 00:14:13.919 --> 00:14:14.539 responds 00:14:14.539 --> 00:14:15.059 curtly. 00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:16.779 Do not 00:14:16.779 --> 00:14:17.320 call me 00:14:17.320 --> 00:14:17.559 now. 00:14:18.620 --> 00:14:19.259 Call me 00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:19.940 Mara 00:14:19.940 --> 00:14:20.500 for the 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:20.899 Almighty 00:14:20.899 --> 00:14:21.500 has dealt 00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:22.740 very bitterly 00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:23.139 with me. 00:14:23.740 --> 00:14:24.279 The name 00:14:24.279 --> 00:14:24.759 Naomi 00:14:24.759 --> 00:14:25.580 if you have 00:14:25.580 --> 00:14:25.960 footnotes 00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:26.139 in your 00:14:26.139 --> 00:14:26.360 Bible 00:14:26.360 --> 00:14:26.659 it probably 00:14:26.659 --> 00:14:27.139 tells you 00:14:27.139 --> 00:14:27.519 Naomi 00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:28.340 means pleasant. 00:14:29.320 --> 00:14:29.879 To highlight 00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:30.360 the word 00:14:30.360 --> 00:14:30.820 play we 00:14:30.820 --> 00:14:31.419 can translate 00:14:31.419 --> 00:14:31.860 that as 00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:32.340 sweet. 00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:33.519 But she 00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:34.299 says call 00:14:34.299 --> 00:14:35.039 me Mara 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:35.620 instead which 00:14:35.620 --> 00:14:36.480 means bitter. 00:14:37.159 --> 00:14:37.799 Don't call 00:14:37.799 --> 00:14:38.539 me sweet. 00:14:39.179 --> 00:14:39.679 Call me 00:14:39.679 --> 00:14:40.139 bitter. 00:14:40.139 --> 00:14:41.559 The Almighty 00:14:41.559 --> 00:14:42.080 has made 00:14:42.080 --> 00:14:42.779 my life 00:14:42.779 --> 00:14:44.120 very bitter. 00:14:44.980 --> 00:14:45.759 That old 00:14:45.759 --> 00:14:46.399 me that you 00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:46.840 knew ten 00:14:46.840 --> 00:14:47.240 years ago 00:14:47.240 --> 00:14:47.899 is gone. 00:14:48.419 --> 00:14:49.039 My innocence 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:49.720 gone. 00:14:50.179 --> 00:14:50.860 My youth 00:14:50.860 --> 00:14:51.480 gone. 00:14:52.080 --> 00:14:52.860 My optimism 00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:53.519 gone. 00:14:54.179 --> 00:14:54.919 My family 00:14:54.919 --> 00:14:55.919 gone. 00:14:56.600 --> 00:14:57.639 Don't call 00:14:57.639 --> 00:14:58.279 me sweet. 00:14:58.559 --> 00:14:59.080 Call me 00:14:59.080 --> 00:15:00.019 Mara. 00:15:00.559 --> 00:15:01.259 Bitter. 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:02.600 That's my 00:15:02.600 --> 00:15:02.980 name from 00:15:02.980 --> 00:15:03.319 her life. 00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:05.200 Naomi is 00:15:05.200 --> 00:15:05.700 beginning to 00:15:05.700 --> 00:15:06.319 lose her 00:15:06.319 --> 00:15:06.879 very sense 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:07.720 of identity. 00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:08.920 She's 00:15:08.920 --> 00:15:09.060 going to 00:15:09.060 --> 00:15:09.300 even 00:15:09.300 --> 00:15:09.560 bitter 00:15:09.560 --> 00:15:09.800 her. 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:12.040 And pay 00:15:12.040 --> 00:15:12.480 attention to 00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:12.720 the way 00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:13.040 Naomi 00:15:13.040 --> 00:15:13.680 speaks of 00:15:13.680 --> 00:15:13.960 God. 00:15:14.300 --> 00:15:14.680 She says 00:15:14.680 --> 00:15:15.320 the hand 00:15:15.320 --> 00:15:15.759 of the 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:16.160 Lord 00:15:16.160 --> 00:15:16.840 has gone 00:15:16.840 --> 00:15:17.220 out 00:15:17.220 --> 00:15:17.860 against 00:15:17.860 --> 00:15:18.259 me. 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.040 She's 00:15:20.040 --> 00:15:20.660 not wrong. 00:15:21.800 --> 00:15:22.519 She seems 00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:22.940 to have a 00:15:22.940 --> 00:15:23.660 good understanding 00:15:23.660 --> 00:15:24.080 of the 00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:24.500 sovereignty 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:25.060 of God. 00:15:25.899 --> 00:15:26.300 The Lord 00:15:26.300 --> 00:15:26.840 says in 00:15:26.840 --> 00:15:27.300 Deuteronomy 00:15:27.300 --> 00:15:28.220 32 39 00:15:28.220 --> 00:15:29.240 see now 00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:30.000 that I 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:30.759 even I 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:31.379 am he 00:15:31.379 --> 00:15:32.040 and there 00:15:32.040 --> 00:15:32.560 is no 00:15:32.560 --> 00:15:33.080 God 00:15:33.080 --> 00:15:33.879 beside me. 00:15:34.220 --> 00:15:34.920 I kill 00:15:34.920 --> 00:15:35.300 and I 00:15:35.300 --> 00:15:36.180 make alive. 00:15:36.179 --> 00:15:37.159 I wound 00:15:37.159 --> 00:15:37.599 and I 00:15:37.599 --> 00:15:38.039 heal 00:15:38.039 --> 00:15:38.679 and there 00:15:38.679 --> 00:15:39.199 is none 00:15:39.199 --> 00:15:39.559 that can 00:15:39.559 --> 00:15:40.319 deliver out 00:15:40.319 --> 00:15:40.599 of my 00:15:40.599 --> 00:15:41.059 hand. 00:15:42.199 --> 00:15:42.419 And in 00:15:42.419 --> 00:15:43.199 Isaiah 45 00:15:43.199 --> 00:15:43.979 6-7 00:15:43.979 --> 00:15:44.919 I am 00:15:44.919 --> 00:15:45.419 the Lord 00:15:45.419 --> 00:15:45.879 and there 00:15:45.879 --> 00:15:46.399 is no 00:15:46.399 --> 00:15:46.719 other. 00:15:47.120 --> 00:15:47.620 I form 00:15:47.620 --> 00:15:48.279 light and 00:15:48.279 --> 00:15:48.599 create 00:15:48.599 --> 00:15:49.079 darkness. 00:15:49.579 --> 00:15:49.979 I make 00:15:49.979 --> 00:15:50.579 well-being 00:15:50.579 --> 00:15:51.120 and create 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:51.739 calamity. 00:15:52.199 --> 00:15:52.819 I am 00:15:52.819 --> 00:15:53.319 the Lord 00:15:53.319 --> 00:15:54.079 who does 00:15:54.079 --> 00:15:54.819 all these 00:15:54.819 --> 00:15:55.339 things. 00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:56.500 The Lord 00:15:56.500 --> 00:15:57.500 is in 00:15:57.500 --> 00:15:58.339 control of 00:15:58.339 --> 00:15:59.099 all these 00:15:59.099 --> 00:15:59.659 things of 00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:00.699 both well-being 00:16:00.699 --> 00:16:01.779 and calamity 00:16:01.779 --> 00:16:02.819 and it is 00:16:02.819 --> 00:16:04.059 his prerogative 00:16:04.059 --> 00:16:04.699 to do so 00:16:04.699 --> 00:16:05.240 as the 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:05.979 creator who 00:16:05.980 --> 00:16:06.539 exercises 00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:07.519 worship over 00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:08.100 all of his 00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:08.720 creatures and 00:16:08.720 --> 00:16:09.200 creation. 00:16:11.220 --> 00:16:12.039 So she 00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:12.460 gets the 00:16:12.460 --> 00:16:12.980 sovereignty of 00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:14.759 God but 00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:15.580 her understanding 00:16:15.580 --> 00:16:16.480 of the 00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:17.340 character of 00:16:17.340 --> 00:16:17.639 God, 00:16:18.560 --> 00:16:19.220 his love, 00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:20.700 his mercy, 00:16:21.560 --> 00:16:22.460 his justice 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:24.320 is profoundly 00:16:24.320 --> 00:16:24.779 wrong. 00:16:26.680 --> 00:16:27.519 Look at the 00:16:27.519 --> 00:16:28.220 way she uses 00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:28.899 the title of 00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:29.200 God, 00:16:30.060 --> 00:16:30.879 the Almighty 00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:32.379 in verse 20. 00:16:33.039 --> 00:16:33.920 The Almighty 00:16:33.920 --> 00:16:34.539 has dealt 00:16:34.539 --> 00:16:35.399 very bitterly 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:35.720 with me. 00:16:35.799 --> 00:16:36.459 That title, 00:16:36.860 --> 00:16:37.600 Almighty, 00:16:37.799 --> 00:16:38.439 El Shaddai, 00:16:38.519 --> 00:16:39.000 is a title 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:39.759 that is the 00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:40.500 key word in 00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:40.840 the book of 00:16:40.840 --> 00:16:42.019 Genesis and 00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:42.740 it's used 00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:43.419 over and 00:16:43.419 --> 00:16:44.039 over again 00:16:44.039 --> 00:16:45.819 in places 00:16:45.819 --> 00:16:46.679 where God 00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:47.279 is making 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:47.840 covenant 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:48.419 promises 00:16:48.419 --> 00:16:50.000 specifically of 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:50.679 fertility. 00:16:51.919 --> 00:16:52.459 I'm going to 00:16:52.459 --> 00:16:53.459 give you a 00:16:53.459 --> 00:16:53.959 people, 00:16:54.819 --> 00:16:55.459 sons and 00:16:55.459 --> 00:16:55.939 daughters, 00:16:57.779 --> 00:16:58.500 progeny. 00:16:59.439 --> 00:17:00.240 So the use 00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:00.799 of the title 00:17:00.799 --> 00:17:01.519 here is quite 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:01.899 cutting. 00:17:02.899 --> 00:17:03.799 Look at what 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:04.660 the Almighty 00:17:04.660 --> 00:17:05.299 has done 00:17:05.299 --> 00:17:05.879 for me. 00:17:06.839 --> 00:17:07.339 He's taken 00:17:07.339 --> 00:17:08.019 away my 00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:09.019 husband and 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:09.619 both of my 00:17:09.619 --> 00:17:10.000 sons. 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:10.900 See how 00:17:10.900 --> 00:17:11.480 fertile and 00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:12.339 fruitful he's 00:17:12.339 --> 00:17:13.039 made me. 00:17:15.279 --> 00:17:15.740 Now it 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:16.339 continues in 00:17:16.339 --> 00:17:16.920 verse 21. 00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:19.059 I went 00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:19.740 away full, 00:17:20.220 --> 00:17:21.259 but the 00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:22.799 Lord has 00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:23.299 brought me 00:17:23.299 --> 00:17:23.859 back in 00:17:23.859 --> 00:17:24.240 a day. 00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:26.680 Note the 00:17:26.680 --> 00:17:27.259 symmetry of 00:17:27.259 --> 00:17:27.839 that sentence. 00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:28.699 Naomi doesn't 00:17:28.699 --> 00:17:29.220 say the 00:17:29.220 --> 00:17:30.119 Lord sent 00:17:30.119 --> 00:17:30.539 me away 00:17:30.539 --> 00:17:32.059 full and 00:17:32.059 --> 00:17:32.439 the Lord 00:17:32.439 --> 00:17:32.839 brought me 00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:33.500 back empty. 00:17:34.539 --> 00:17:35.099 No, she 00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:36.000 says I 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:36.500 went away 00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:37.199 full, but 00:17:37.199 --> 00:17:37.879 the Lord 00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:38.659 brought me 00:17:38.659 --> 00:17:39.459 back empty. 00:17:39.559 --> 00:17:40.079 The fullness 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:40.740 she once 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:41.500 had, she 00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:42.139 attributes to 00:17:42.139 --> 00:17:43.759 herself, my 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:44.519 family, my 00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:45.299 husband, my 00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:46.359 children, I 00:17:46.359 --> 00:17:46.839 went away 00:17:46.839 --> 00:17:47.199 full. 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:49.179 But all 00:17:49.179 --> 00:17:50.039 her loss, all 00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:51.079 her tragedy, she 00:17:51.079 --> 00:17:51.639 attributes to 00:17:51.639 --> 00:17:51.959 the Lord. 00:17:54.439 --> 00:17:55.000 Bitterness 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:55.879 and sin 00:17:55.879 --> 00:17:56.459 doesn't have a 00:17:56.459 --> 00:17:57.579 way of skewing 00:17:57.579 --> 00:17:58.240 our perspective, 00:17:58.379 --> 00:17:58.559 okay? 00:17:59.919 --> 00:18:00.339 And we 00:18:00.339 --> 00:18:01.119 see that 00:18:01.119 --> 00:18:02.159 that's in 00:18:02.159 --> 00:18:03.000 full force in 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:03.439 Naomi's 00:18:03.439 --> 00:18:03.899 perspective. 00:18:05.339 --> 00:18:06.099 What do you 00:18:06.099 --> 00:18:06.539 mean you 00:18:06.539 --> 00:18:06.960 went away 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:07.740 full, Naomi? 00:18:08.859 --> 00:18:09.339 You 00:18:09.339 --> 00:18:10.359 literally left 00:18:10.359 --> 00:18:10.879 Bethlehem 00:18:10.879 --> 00:18:11.519 because you 00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:12.099 have no 00:18:12.099 --> 00:18:12.679 food to 00:18:12.679 --> 00:18:12.859 you. 00:18:15.220 --> 00:18:15.819 Because of 00:18:15.819 --> 00:18:16.379 the family, 00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:17.619 you left 00:18:17.619 --> 00:18:18.039 empty. 00:18:20.579 --> 00:18:21.220 Oh, you 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:21.500 mean your 00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:22.399 family, you 00:18:22.399 --> 00:18:22.980 had family 00:18:22.980 --> 00:18:23.519 back then, 00:18:24.159 --> 00:18:24.759 your husband 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:25.240 and sons 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:25.539 then, is 00:18:25.539 --> 00:18:25.919 that what 00:18:25.919 --> 00:18:26.259 you mean? 00:18:26.879 --> 00:18:27.279 But what 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:27.500 do you 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:27.819 mean that 00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:28.180 the Lord 00:18:28.180 --> 00:18:28.619 has brought 00:18:28.619 --> 00:18:29.139 you back 00:18:29.139 --> 00:18:29.740 empty? 00:18:30.339 --> 00:18:31.079 How rude. 00:18:32.460 --> 00:18:32.720 I don't 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:32.899 know if 00:18:32.899 --> 00:18:33.079 you've 00:18:33.079 --> 00:18:33.259 ever 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:33.460 this 00:18:33.460 --> 00:18:33.759 happened. 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:34.099 It's 00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:35.559 like you 00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:36.539 agreed to 00:18:36.539 --> 00:18:36.859 meet some 00:18:36.859 --> 00:18:37.339 friends at 00:18:37.339 --> 00:18:37.759 the gathering 00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:38.019 and you 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:38.359 go to the 00:18:38.359 --> 00:18:38.940 gathering and 00:18:38.940 --> 00:18:39.639 your friend's 00:18:39.639 --> 00:18:40.319 calling somebody 00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:40.599 and it's 00:18:40.599 --> 00:18:40.839 like, oh, 00:18:40.899 --> 00:18:41.319 who's there? 00:18:41.480 --> 00:18:41.700 And I was 00:18:41.700 --> 00:18:42.000 like, oh, 00:18:42.039 --> 00:18:42.500 no one's 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:42.720 here. 00:18:43.619 --> 00:18:43.819 It's like, 00:18:43.859 --> 00:18:44.000 whoa. 00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:47.480 Sorry for 00:18:47.480 --> 00:18:47.839 giving no 00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:48.059 one. 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:51.799 Ruth is 00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:52.359 right there 00:18:52.359 --> 00:18:52.720 with the 00:18:52.720 --> 00:18:53.420 mother-in-law, 00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:54.319 right? 00:18:54.319 --> 00:18:55.179 And later 00:18:55.179 --> 00:18:55.619 in chapter 00:18:55.619 --> 00:18:56.740 four, the 00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:57.139 woman of 00:18:57.139 --> 00:18:57.539 the town 00:18:57.539 --> 00:18:57.919 will say 00:18:57.919 --> 00:18:58.419 of Ruth, 00:18:58.899 --> 00:18:59.119 your 00:18:59.119 --> 00:19:00.220 daughter-in-law 00:19:00.220 --> 00:19:01.240 who loves 00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:01.879 you, who 00:19:01.879 --> 00:19:02.419 is more 00:19:02.419 --> 00:19:03.059 to you 00:19:03.059 --> 00:19:03.939 than seven 00:19:03.939 --> 00:19:04.740 sons. 00:19:05.419 --> 00:19:05.980 That's the 00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:06.379 kind of 00:19:06.379 --> 00:19:06.939 precious and 00:19:06.939 --> 00:19:07.460 value the 00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:07.919 woman and 00:19:07.919 --> 00:19:08.579 Ruth is. 00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:09.319 She's brought 00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:09.899 Ruth back 00:19:09.899 --> 00:19:10.319 with her to 00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:10.559 this new 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:11.000 country and 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:11.220 yet she 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:11.700 said, no, 00:19:11.799 --> 00:19:12.039 the Lord 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:12.399 brought me 00:19:12.399 --> 00:19:13.379 back empty. 00:19:15.419 --> 00:19:15.899 Sorry, 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:16.179 Ruth. 00:19:16.180 --> 00:19:20.200 Our 00:19:20.200 --> 00:19:21.000 griefs and 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:21.680 sufferings have 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:22.279 a way of 00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:23.400 making us 00:19:23.400 --> 00:19:24.180 either bitter 00:19:24.180 --> 00:19:25.940 or humble. 00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:28.740 When I was 00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:29.360 a student at 00:19:29.360 --> 00:19:30.080 seminary, I 00:19:30.080 --> 00:19:30.680 attended a 00:19:30.680 --> 00:19:31.460 debate between 00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:31.940 a Christian 00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:32.799 apologist and 00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:33.240 a Christian 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:33.880 apostate. 00:19:34.840 --> 00:19:35.019 The 00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:35.900 apostate had 00:19:35.900 --> 00:19:37.060 grown up in 00:19:37.060 --> 00:19:37.620 evangelical 00:19:37.620 --> 00:19:38.420 circles. 00:19:38.620 --> 00:19:39.080 He claimed 00:19:39.080 --> 00:19:39.600 to have had a 00:19:39.600 --> 00:19:39.980 born-again 00:19:39.980 --> 00:19:40.880 experience as a 00:19:40.880 --> 00:19:41.560 high schooler, 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:42.140 went to what 00:19:42.140 --> 00:19:42.640 he calls a 00:19:42.640 --> 00:19:43.259 fundamentalist 00:19:43.259 --> 00:19:43.940 Bible college, 00:19:44.299 --> 00:19:44.980 eventually got a 00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:45.779 Ph.D. in New 00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:46.660 Testament studies 00:19:46.660 --> 00:19:47.279 and became a 00:19:47.279 --> 00:19:47.920 Bible professor, 00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:49.359 but eventually 00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:50.000 he lost his 00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:50.980 faith because, 00:19:51.379 --> 00:19:51.779 according to 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:52.920 his words, 00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:53.639 he couldn't 00:19:53.639 --> 00:19:54.519 resolve the 00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:55.660 problem of 00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:56.299 evil in his 00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:56.599 mind. 00:19:59.039 --> 00:19:59.960 If God is 00:19:59.960 --> 00:20:00.680 all power from 00:20:00.680 --> 00:20:01.099 all good, 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:01.639 why is there 00:20:01.639 --> 00:20:02.139 much evil 00:20:02.139 --> 00:20:02.599 in suffering 00:20:02.599 --> 00:20:03.079 in the world? 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:04.779 He became a 00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:05.359 very vocal 00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:06.180 and famous 00:20:06.180 --> 00:20:07.079 atheist and 00:20:07.079 --> 00:20:07.599 wrote a book 00:20:07.599 --> 00:20:08.000 entitled 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:09.039 God's Problem, 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:10.579 How the Bible 00:20:10.579 --> 00:20:11.119 Fails to 00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:11.480 Answer Our 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:11.980 Most Important 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:12.379 Question, 00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:12.879 Why We 00:20:12.879 --> 00:20:13.180 Suffer. 00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:16.120 Recounting 00:20:16.120 --> 00:20:16.460 how he 00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:16.920 lost his 00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:18.060 faith because 00:20:18.060 --> 00:20:18.900 he couldn't 00:20:18.900 --> 00:20:19.480 make sense of 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:19.820 the suffering 00:20:19.820 --> 00:20:20.340 in the world 00:20:20.340 --> 00:20:21.220 in that 00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:21.960 whole book. 00:20:22.299 --> 00:20:22.880 That debate 00:20:22.880 --> 00:20:23.160 that I 00:20:23.160 --> 00:20:23.880 attended was 00:20:23.880 --> 00:20:24.360 on that 00:20:24.360 --> 00:20:24.880 very topic 00:20:24.880 --> 00:20:25.400 of suffering 00:20:25.400 --> 00:20:25.799 and evil 00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:26.240 in the world 00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:27.000 and this 00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:27.480 was part of 00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:27.980 the promotional 00:20:27.980 --> 00:20:28.519 circuit to 00:20:28.519 --> 00:20:29.000 promote that 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:29.560 very book. 00:20:30.820 --> 00:20:31.440 After watching 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:31.840 the debate, 00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:32.440 I exchanged 00:20:32.440 --> 00:20:32.779 a couple 00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:33.440 emails with 00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:33.660 him. 00:20:33.860 --> 00:20:34.080 He was 00:20:34.080 --> 00:20:34.400 academic 00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:35.060 whose email 00:20:35.060 --> 00:20:35.600 wasn't hard 00:20:35.600 --> 00:20:36.060 to find. 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:36.740 Be warned, 00:20:36.820 --> 00:20:37.120 all you 00:20:37.120 --> 00:20:37.519 academics. 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:38.700 I 00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:39.240 concluded 00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:39.700 the email 00:20:39.700 --> 00:20:40.359 by gently 00:20:40.359 --> 00:20:40.980 nudging him 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:41.480 and encouraging 00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:41.839 him to 00:20:41.839 --> 00:20:42.720 reconsider the 00:20:42.720 --> 00:20:43.299 book of 00:20:43.299 --> 00:20:43.660 Ruth. 00:20:44.839 --> 00:20:45.339 Because I 00:20:45.339 --> 00:20:46.119 believed then, 00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:46.940 as I still 00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:47.519 do now, 00:20:47.639 --> 00:20:48.200 16 years 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:48.559 later, 00:20:48.859 --> 00:20:49.180 that it 00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:49.639 offers a 00:20:49.639 --> 00:20:50.139 compelling 00:20:50.139 --> 00:20:50.759 answer to 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:51.779 the problem 00:20:51.779 --> 00:20:52.180 of evil 00:20:52.180 --> 00:20:52.660 and suffering 00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:53.220 in the world. 00:20:54.660 --> 00:20:54.980 And what 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:55.519 was interesting 00:20:55.519 --> 00:20:56.720 was that by 00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:57.539 his own 00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:57.940 admission, 00:20:58.599 --> 00:20:59.099 this man 00:20:59.099 --> 00:20:59.599 hadn't 00:20:59.599 --> 00:21:00.440 suffered much 00:21:00.440 --> 00:21:01.139 at all in 00:21:01.139 --> 00:21:01.660 his life. 00:21:03.379 --> 00:21:03.839 And yet, 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:04.639 he lost his 00:21:04.639 --> 00:21:05.639 faith because 00:21:05.640 --> 00:21:07.060 of other 00:21:07.060 --> 00:21:07.520 people's 00:21:07.520 --> 00:21:07.800 suffering 00:21:07.800 --> 00:21:08.880 that he 00:21:08.880 --> 00:21:09.420 himself had 00:21:09.420 --> 00:21:09.600 never 00:21:09.600 --> 00:21:10.100 experienced. 00:21:11.280 --> 00:21:12.160 But throughout 00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:12.660 the world, 00:21:12.820 --> 00:21:13.440 so often, 00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:14.740 people who 00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:15.200 have suffered 00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:15.759 the most 00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:16.740 find their 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:17.380 faith in 00:21:17.380 --> 00:21:18.460 God strengthened 00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:19.759 and deepened. 00:21:21.700 --> 00:21:22.620 Our brother 00:21:22.620 --> 00:21:23.740 Daniel Jenkins 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.620 once told me 00:21:24.620 --> 00:21:25.740 about a book 00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:26.200 entitled, 00:21:26.360 --> 00:21:27.120 When Sorrows 00:21:27.120 --> 00:21:27.700 Like Sea 00:21:27.700 --> 00:21:28.120 Billows 00:21:28.120 --> 00:21:28.440 Roll. 00:21:28.980 --> 00:21:29.400 It's a 00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:30.440 memoir written 00:21:30.440 --> 00:21:31.300 by a friend 00:21:31.300 --> 00:21:31.680 of his, 00:21:31.800 --> 00:21:32.560 Brad Franklin. 00:21:33.840 --> 00:21:34.660 It's a 00:21:34.660 --> 00:21:35.340 memoir about 00:21:35.339 --> 00:21:35.939 the sudden 00:21:35.939 --> 00:21:36.539 death of 00:21:36.539 --> 00:21:37.179 Franklin's 00:21:37.179 --> 00:21:37.500 wife, 00:21:37.939 --> 00:21:38.539 who became 00:21:38.539 --> 00:21:39.139 ill and 00:21:39.139 --> 00:21:39.819 died shortly 00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:40.419 after giving 00:21:40.419 --> 00:21:40.899 birth to 00:21:40.899 --> 00:21:41.480 their seventh 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:42.099 child, 00:21:42.819 --> 00:21:43.839 leading Brad 00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:44.500 Franklin as 00:21:44.500 --> 00:21:45.019 a widower 00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:45.839 and a single 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:46.759 dad of seven 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:47.179 children, 00:21:47.379 --> 00:21:47.819 one of them 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:48.379 an infant. 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:51.279 Franklin, 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:52.299 as you can 00:21:52.299 --> 00:21:52.639 imagine, 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:53.199 endured 00:21:53.199 --> 00:21:54.279 unimaginable 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:54.819 grief and 00:21:54.819 --> 00:21:55.159 hardship. 00:21:56.179 --> 00:21:56.519 But he 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.459 didn't have 00:21:57.459 --> 00:21:58.039 a crisis 00:21:58.039 --> 00:21:58.519 of faith. 00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:00.220 Instead, 00:22:00.339 --> 00:22:01.079 his experience 00:22:01.079 --> 00:22:02.119 deepened his 00:22:02.119 --> 00:22:02.599 faith and 00:22:02.599 --> 00:22:03.259 trust in God. 00:22:04.459 --> 00:22:05.039 He writes, 00:22:05.339 --> 00:22:06.240 I so 00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:06.740 desperately 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:07.639 wanted God 00:22:07.639 --> 00:22:08.439 to be glorified 00:22:08.439 --> 00:22:09.099 and healing 00:22:09.099 --> 00:22:09.519 men. 00:22:10.639 --> 00:22:11.579 That didn't 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:11.980 happen. 00:22:13.059 --> 00:22:13.500 But he was 00:22:13.500 --> 00:22:14.339 glorified in 00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:14.919 ways I 00:22:14.919 --> 00:22:15.539 didn't 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:16.319 anticipate. 00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:17.939 He says 00:22:17.939 --> 00:22:18.259 he took 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:19.879 things one 00:22:19.879 --> 00:22:20.240 day at a 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:20.539 time. 00:22:21.439 --> 00:22:22.039 If you still 00:22:22.039 --> 00:22:22.639 love God 00:22:22.639 --> 00:22:23.079 and want to 00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:23.579 serve him, 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:24.879 that day is 00:22:24.879 --> 00:22:25.279 a success. 00:22:26.199 --> 00:22:26.899 Whatever else 00:22:26.899 --> 00:22:27.459 happened that 00:22:27.459 --> 00:22:28.480 day, God 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:29.299 has kept 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:29.579 you. 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:31.139 That's a 00:22:31.139 --> 00:22:31.639 good day. 00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:34.540 such a 00:22:34.540 --> 00:22:34.920 study in 00:22:34.920 --> 00:22:35.400 contrast. 00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:37.960 Extreme 00:22:37.960 --> 00:22:38.920 pressure can 00:22:38.920 --> 00:22:39.840 crush and 00:22:39.840 --> 00:22:40.900 collapse rocks 00:22:40.900 --> 00:22:41.480 and mills, 00:22:41.540 --> 00:22:41.880 but that 00:22:41.880 --> 00:22:43.000 same extreme 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:43.860 pressure also 00:22:43.860 --> 00:22:44.720 makes diamonds. 00:22:48.420 --> 00:22:48.860 Nathaniel 00:22:48.860 --> 00:22:49.340 actually brought 00:22:49.340 --> 00:22:49.820 a copy of the 00:22:49.820 --> 00:22:50.120 book, I 00:22:50.120 --> 00:22:50.460 think, right? 00:22:50.800 --> 00:22:51.220 If you guys 00:22:51.220 --> 00:22:51.640 want to borrow 00:22:51.640 --> 00:22:52.020 it, first 00:22:52.020 --> 00:22:52.460 come first 00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:52.860 to the 00:22:52.860 --> 00:22:53.080 copy. 00:22:53.079 --> 00:22:58.259 Naomi doesn't 00:22:58.259 --> 00:22:58.799 have that 00:22:58.799 --> 00:22:59.939 perspective yet. 00:23:00.699 --> 00:23:01.639 God adjusts 00:23:01.639 --> 00:23:02.240 her perspective 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:03.139 by revealing 00:23:03.139 --> 00:23:04.059 his faithfulness 00:23:04.059 --> 00:23:04.699 and steadfast 00:23:04.699 --> 00:23:05.059 love and 00:23:05.059 --> 00:23:05.579 mercy toward 00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:06.000 her throughout 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:06.319 the book, 00:23:06.359 --> 00:23:06.659 and I think 00:23:06.659 --> 00:23:07.079 she gets 00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:07.439 there by 00:23:07.439 --> 00:23:07.720 the end 00:23:07.720 --> 00:23:07.919 of the 00:23:07.919 --> 00:23:08.419 book, but 00:23:08.419 --> 00:23:08.899 she doesn't 00:23:08.899 --> 00:23:09.339 have that 00:23:09.339 --> 00:23:09.779 perspective 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.439 yet. 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:18.579 And I 00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:18.779 think, 00:23:19.379 --> 00:23:21.859 I was 00:23:21.859 --> 00:23:22.039 going to 00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:22.379 share this 00:23:22.380 --> 00:23:22.760 example. 00:23:25.620 --> 00:23:26.440 The reason 00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:26.900 why her 00:23:26.900 --> 00:23:27.320 perspective 00:23:27.320 --> 00:23:27.720 is so 00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:28.440 skewed is 00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:29.240 because she 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:30.800 thinks that 00:23:30.800 --> 00:23:31.160 she doesn't 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:31.920 deserve anything 00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:32.140 that's 00:23:32.140 --> 00:23:32.620 happening to 00:23:32.620 --> 00:23:32.780 her. 00:23:34.360 --> 00:23:35.800 She sees 00:23:35.800 --> 00:23:36.300 herself as 00:23:36.300 --> 00:23:36.760 blameless. 00:23:36.880 --> 00:23:37.260 I don't 00:23:37.260 --> 00:23:37.960 deserve this 00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:38.280 God. 00:23:39.340 --> 00:23:40.100 My family 00:23:40.100 --> 00:23:40.540 didn't do 00:23:40.540 --> 00:23:41.080 anything to 00:23:41.080 --> 00:23:41.880 deserve this. 00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:44.300 And it's 00:23:44.300 --> 00:23:44.940 that mindset 00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:45.600 that ultimately 00:23:45.600 --> 00:23:46.000 leads to 00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:46.300 bitterness, 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:46.880 isn't it? 00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:49.360 But her 00:23:49.360 --> 00:23:49.880 perspective, 00:23:50.100 --> 00:23:50.400 once again, 00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:50.940 is skewed. 00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:51.900 God has 00:23:51.900 --> 00:23:52.580 specifically 00:23:52.580 --> 00:23:53.660 stipulated when 00:23:53.660 --> 00:23:54.140 he made 00:23:54.140 --> 00:23:54.800 his covenant 00:23:54.800 --> 00:23:55.600 initially with 00:23:55.600 --> 00:23:56.140 Israel, 00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:57.000 that if they 00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:57.820 sin against 00:23:57.820 --> 00:23:58.200 him, that 00:23:58.200 --> 00:23:58.620 he will 00:23:58.620 --> 00:23:59.900 withhold rain 00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:00.640 so that the 00:24:00.640 --> 00:24:01.100 land does 00:24:01.100 --> 00:24:01.920 not produce 00:24:01.920 --> 00:24:02.420 fruit. 00:24:04.600 --> 00:24:05.200 You can 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:05.740 find that in 00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.560 Leviticus 26, 00:24:06.640 --> 00:24:07.220 18 and 20, 00:24:07.320 --> 00:24:07.720 and Deuteronomy 00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:08.980 28, 23, 24. 00:24:09.540 --> 00:24:10.120 There is not 00:24:10.120 --> 00:24:10.640 only a 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:11.480 meteorological 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:12.400 reason for the 00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:12.860 famine, but 00:24:12.860 --> 00:24:13.340 there is a 00:24:13.340 --> 00:24:13.759 theological 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:14.820 reason for the 00:24:14.820 --> 00:24:15.140 famine. 00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:16.580 It's the 00:24:16.580 --> 00:24:17.440 Lord God who 00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:18.320 brings rain and 00:24:18.320 --> 00:24:18.700 makes the 00:24:18.700 --> 00:24:19.300 heavens give 00:24:19.300 --> 00:24:19.780 showers. 00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:22.440 And remember 00:24:22.440 --> 00:24:23.139 during the 00:24:23.139 --> 00:24:23.559 time of the 00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:24.240 judges, the 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:24.940 lawless times 00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:25.299 when people 00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:25.940 did whatever 00:24:25.940 --> 00:24:26.740 they saw fit 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:27.000 and were 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:27.500 following the 00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:27.859 whims of 00:24:27.859 --> 00:24:28.240 their own 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:28.920 wicked hearts. 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:29.720 Is it any 00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:30.379 wonder then 00:24:30.379 --> 00:24:30.700 that the 00:24:30.700 --> 00:24:31.180 Lord God 00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:31.759 struck them 00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:32.279 with famine? 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:33.879 Moreover, 00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:34.420 now you 00:24:34.420 --> 00:24:34.859 should not 00:24:34.859 --> 00:24:35.519 have left 00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:36.319 Bethlehem in 00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:36.660 the first 00:24:36.660 --> 00:24:37.119 place. 00:24:38.200 --> 00:24:38.599 Abraham 00:24:38.599 --> 00:24:39.639 once sojourned 00:24:39.639 --> 00:24:40.119 in Egypt 00:24:40.119 --> 00:24:40.740 because of 00:24:40.740 --> 00:24:41.879 a famine and 00:24:41.879 --> 00:24:42.420 bad things 00:24:42.420 --> 00:24:42.859 happened to 00:24:42.859 --> 00:24:43.160 him there. 00:24:44.139 --> 00:24:44.960 Isaac once 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.440 sojourned 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:45.799 among the 00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:46.240 Philistines 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:46.779 because of a 00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:47.500 famine and 00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:48.019 bad things 00:24:48.019 --> 00:24:48.460 happened to 00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:48.839 him there. 00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:50.079 the story 00:24:50.079 --> 00:24:50.379 of the 00:24:50.379 --> 00:24:51.039 patriarchs 00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:51.619 reminded us 00:24:51.619 --> 00:24:52.039 over and 00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:52.500 over again 00:24:52.500 --> 00:24:52.819 that you're 00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:53.759 not supposed 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:54.439 to leave 00:24:54.439 --> 00:24:55.079 the promised 00:24:55.079 --> 00:24:55.599 land, 00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:56.579 Cain, 00:24:56.879 --> 00:24:57.539 unless the 00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:58.359 Lord himself 00:24:58.359 --> 00:24:58.899 tells you 00:24:58.899 --> 00:24:59.319 to leave. 00:25:01.839 --> 00:25:02.500 You're not 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.099 supposed to 00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:03.379 go to 00:25:03.379 --> 00:25:03.779 Moab. 00:25:05.679 --> 00:25:06.199 Moabites 00:25:06.199 --> 00:25:06.559 are the 00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:06.839 ones who 00:25:06.839 --> 00:25:07.299 refused 00:25:07.299 --> 00:25:07.679 Israel 00:25:07.679 --> 00:25:08.359 passage when 00:25:08.359 --> 00:25:08.679 they came 00:25:08.679 --> 00:25:08.939 out of 00:25:08.939 --> 00:25:09.359 Egypt. 00:25:10.459 --> 00:25:10.980 Moabites 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:11.220 are the 00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:11.539 ones who 00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:12.039 seduced 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:12.559 the Israelites 00:25:12.559 --> 00:25:13.679 into idolatry. 00:25:14.659 --> 00:25:15.220 Moabites 00:25:15.220 --> 00:25:15.500 are the 00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:15.779 ones who 00:25:15.779 --> 00:25:16.179 conquered 00:25:16.179 --> 00:25:16.740 and oppressed 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:17.259 the Israelites 00:25:17.259 --> 00:25:18.059 in Judges 3, 00:25:18.119 --> 00:25:18.940 15-30. 00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:20.079 They're the 00:25:20.079 --> 00:25:20.539 ones of 00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:21.200 whom Moses 00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:21.859 specifically 00:25:21.859 --> 00:25:22.400 said in 00:25:22.400 --> 00:25:22.839 Deuteronomy 00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:23.279 23, 00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:24.000 3-4, 00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:24.759 no 00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:25.519 Abonite 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:26.599 or Moabite 00:25:26.599 --> 00:25:27.140 may enter 00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:27.720 the assembly 00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:28.160 of the 00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:28.400 Lord, 00:25:28.879 --> 00:25:29.400 even to 00:25:29.400 --> 00:25:29.879 the tenth 00:25:29.879 --> 00:25:30.579 generation. 00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:31.559 None of 00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:31.920 them may 00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:32.400 enter the 00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:32.879 assembly of 00:25:32.879 --> 00:25:33.200 the Lord 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:33.619 forever 00:25:33.619 --> 00:25:34.339 because they 00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:34.879 did not 00:25:34.879 --> 00:25:35.500 meet you 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.259 with bread 00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:36.859 and with 00:25:36.859 --> 00:25:37.440 water on 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:37.819 the way 00:25:37.819 --> 00:25:38.259 when you 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:38.720 came out 00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:39.119 of Egypt 00:25:39.119 --> 00:25:39.980 and because 00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:40.640 they hired 00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:41.339 against you 00:25:41.339 --> 00:25:41.799 Balaam, 00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:42.259 the son of 00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:42.599 Baor, 00:25:42.839 --> 00:25:43.059 from 00:25:43.059 --> 00:25:43.759 Pethor of 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:44.440 Mesopotamia, 00:25:44.519 --> 00:25:45.019 to curse 00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:45.359 you. 00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:47.439 Naomi's 00:25:47.439 --> 00:25:48.000 family's 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:48.639 actions are 00:25:48.639 --> 00:25:49.259 far from 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:49.639 innocent. 00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:52.519 There are 00:25:52.519 --> 00:25:52.859 several 00:25:52.859 --> 00:25:53.740 workways in 00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:54.279 this passage, 00:25:55.019 --> 00:25:55.619 in the names 00:25:55.619 --> 00:25:55.919 of this 00:25:55.919 --> 00:25:56.259 passage. 00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:56.959 The name 00:25:56.959 --> 00:25:57.619 Bethlehem, 00:25:57.679 --> 00:25:57.919 the name 00:25:57.919 --> 00:25:58.119 of the 00:25:58.119 --> 00:25:58.379 town, 00:25:58.539 --> 00:25:58.919 literally 00:25:58.919 --> 00:25:59.619 means the 00:25:59.619 --> 00:26:00.379 house of 00:26:00.379 --> 00:26:01.740 bread or 00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:02.199 the house 00:26:02.199 --> 00:26:02.839 of food. 00:26:03.299 --> 00:26:03.419 It's the 00:26:03.419 --> 00:26:03.799 same word 00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:04.079 in Hebrew. 00:26:04.619 --> 00:26:05.199 So Naomi 00:26:05.199 --> 00:26:05.979 is literally 00:26:05.979 --> 00:26:07.139 leaving the 00:26:07.139 --> 00:26:07.679 house of 00:26:07.679 --> 00:26:08.539 bread to 00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:08.899 the land 00:26:08.899 --> 00:26:09.439 of Moab, 00:26:09.639 --> 00:26:10.119 the land 00:26:10.119 --> 00:26:11.059 that refused 00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:11.539 Israelites' 00:26:11.539 --> 00:26:12.219 bread when 00:26:12.219 --> 00:26:12.399 they were 00:26:12.399 --> 00:26:12.779 coming out 00:26:12.779 --> 00:26:13.139 of Egypt. 00:26:13.140 --> 00:26:15.280 Naomi's 00:26:15.280 --> 00:26:15.820 husband's 00:26:15.820 --> 00:26:16.360 name means 00:26:16.360 --> 00:26:17.080 Elimelech, 00:26:17.180 --> 00:26:17.540 which means 00:26:17.540 --> 00:26:18.060 God is 00:26:18.060 --> 00:26:18.380 king. 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:18.840 God is 00:26:18.840 --> 00:26:19.580 still king 00:26:19.580 --> 00:26:20.060 there in 00:26:20.060 --> 00:26:20.720 Bethlehem, 00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:21.360 and instead 00:26:21.360 --> 00:26:21.740 of submitting 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:22.340 to him, 00:26:22.680 --> 00:26:22.940 they are 00:26:22.940 --> 00:26:23.620 moving to 00:26:23.620 --> 00:26:23.980 a land 00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:24.540 that worships 00:26:24.540 --> 00:26:24.900 the god 00:26:24.900 --> 00:26:25.540 Chemosh, 00:26:25.640 --> 00:26:26.100 who is no 00:26:26.100 --> 00:26:26.900 god and 00:26:26.900 --> 00:26:27.480 no king 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:27.960 at all. 00:26:28.840 --> 00:26:29.400 It's from 00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:30.120 Israel that 00:26:30.120 --> 00:26:30.480 God will 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:30.840 raise up 00:26:30.840 --> 00:26:31.520 a deliverer. 00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:31.900 He will 00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:32.320 raise up 00:26:32.320 --> 00:26:32.840 King David. 00:26:33.100 --> 00:26:33.460 It's from 00:26:33.460 --> 00:26:34.100 Israel that 00:26:34.100 --> 00:26:34.460 God will 00:26:34.460 --> 00:26:34.860 raise up 00:26:34.860 --> 00:26:35.420 King Jesus, 00:26:35.660 --> 00:26:36.060 and yet, 00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:37.300 here you are 00:26:37.300 --> 00:26:37.860 leaving the 00:26:37.860 --> 00:26:38.160 promise. 00:26:40.380 --> 00:26:41.020 In Amos 00:26:41.020 --> 00:26:41.660 chapter 4, 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:42.580 verses 6-8, 00:26:42.579 --> 00:26:42.899 the Lord 00:26:42.899 --> 00:26:43.279 said to 00:26:43.279 --> 00:26:43.699 his people, 00:26:44.099 --> 00:26:44.720 I gave 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:45.659 you lack 00:26:45.659 --> 00:26:46.199 of bread 00:26:46.199 --> 00:26:46.659 in all 00:26:46.659 --> 00:26:47.460 your places, 00:26:47.939 --> 00:26:48.220 yet you 00:26:48.220 --> 00:26:48.839 did not 00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:50.199 return to 00:26:50.199 --> 00:26:50.519 me. 00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:51.899 I also 00:26:51.899 --> 00:26:52.439 withheld 00:26:52.439 --> 00:26:53.299 rain from 00:26:53.299 --> 00:26:53.699 you, 00:26:54.119 --> 00:26:54.439 yet you 00:26:54.439 --> 00:26:55.139 did not 00:26:55.139 --> 00:26:56.599 return to 00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:57.159 me. 00:26:59.859 --> 00:27:00.399 The word 00:27:00.399 --> 00:27:01.099 return is 00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:01.559 the same 00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:02.119 Hebrew word 00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:02.319 that is 00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:02.639 sometimes 00:27:02.639 --> 00:27:03.460 translated as 00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:03.740 repent, 00:27:04.639 --> 00:27:05.299 and that 00:27:05.299 --> 00:27:05.899 key word 00:27:05.899 --> 00:27:06.299 is used 00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:07.460 15 times 00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:07.799 in the 00:27:07.799 --> 00:27:08.139 book of 00:27:08.139 --> 00:27:08.399 Ruth, 00:27:08.639 --> 00:27:09.439 12 times 00:27:09.439 --> 00:27:09.960 in chapter 00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:11.019 1 alone. 00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:12.420 That's 00:27:12.420 --> 00:27:12.740 the point 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:12.940 of the 00:27:12.940 --> 00:27:13.440 passage. 00:27:14.299 --> 00:27:14.819 Ruth, 00:27:15.920 --> 00:27:16.440 Naomi, 00:27:16.779 --> 00:27:17.920 return from 00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:18.559 Moab to 00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:19.240 Bethlehem. 00:27:19.879 --> 00:27:20.379 That's why 00:27:20.379 --> 00:27:20.799 the passage 00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:21.660 keeps mentioning 00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:22.220 Bethlehem 00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:22.879 five times 00:27:22.879 --> 00:27:23.160 in those 00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:23.539 passages. 00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:24.299 That's 00:27:24.299 --> 00:27:24.980 where you're 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:25.599 supposed to 00:27:25.599 --> 00:27:25.900 be. 00:27:26.240 --> 00:27:26.579 That's 00:27:26.579 --> 00:27:27.000 where the 00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:27.579 promises of 00:27:27.579 --> 00:27:28.099 God are. 00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:28.579 That's 00:27:28.579 --> 00:27:28.920 where the 00:27:28.920 --> 00:27:29.559 Lord God 00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:30.059 is king 00:27:30.059 --> 00:27:30.579 over you. 00:27:31.139 --> 00:27:31.819 The proper 00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:32.539 response to 00:27:32.539 --> 00:27:33.799 famine is 00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:34.200 not to 00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:34.539 flee, 00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:36.059 but to 00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:36.700 repent, 00:27:37.379 --> 00:27:39.519 to return 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:39.759 to 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:40.059 Yah. 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:42.519 That's 00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:43.000 why verse 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:43.720 six is 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.000 such a 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:44.500 turning point 00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:44.759 in this 00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:45.079 narrative. 00:27:45.559 --> 00:27:45.740 Then 00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:46.619 Naomi arose 00:27:46.619 --> 00:27:47.000 with her 00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:47.740 daughters-in-law 00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:48.440 to return 00:27:48.440 --> 00:27:48.879 from the 00:27:48.879 --> 00:27:49.440 country of 00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:49.839 Moab, 00:27:50.379 --> 00:27:50.740 for she 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:51.279 had heard 00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:51.559 in the 00:27:51.559 --> 00:27:52.079 fields of 00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:52.539 Moab that 00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:53.279 the Lord 00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:54.159 had visited 00:27:54.159 --> 00:27:54.899 his people 00:27:54.899 --> 00:27:55.740 and given 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:57.139 them food. 00:27:58.579 --> 00:27:59.019 Where 00:27:59.019 --> 00:27:59.519 would the 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:00.220 Lord visit 00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:01.000 his people 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:01.619 and give 00:28:01.619 --> 00:28:02.379 them bread? 00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:03.039 In 00:28:03.039 --> 00:28:03.759 Bethlehem, 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:04.240 of course, 00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:04.819 the house 00:28:04.819 --> 00:28:05.400 of bread, 00:28:06.099 --> 00:28:06.779 she needs 00:28:06.779 --> 00:28:07.339 to return 00:28:07.339 --> 00:28:07.700 to the 00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.220 land and 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:08.660 the people 00:28:08.660 --> 00:28:09.140 that have 00:28:09.140 --> 00:28:09.619 the favor 00:28:09.619 --> 00:28:09.920 of the 00:28:09.920 --> 00:28:10.140 Lord. 00:28:12.079 --> 00:28:12.599 Brothers 00:28:12.599 --> 00:28:13.059 and sisters, 00:28:13.599 --> 00:28:14.180 when you 00:28:14.180 --> 00:28:14.879 fall upon 00:28:14.879 --> 00:28:15.700 hard times, 00:28:16.599 --> 00:28:17.379 when things 00:28:17.379 --> 00:28:17.740 are not 00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:18.180 going your 00:28:18.180 --> 00:28:18.539 way, 00:28:19.400 --> 00:28:19.779 when you 00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:20.440 struggle in 00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:21.519 the loneliness 00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:21.980 of your 00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:22.440 singleness, 00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:24.339 in the pain 00:28:24.339 --> 00:28:25.660 of infertility, 00:28:26.819 --> 00:28:27.319 in the 00:28:27.319 --> 00:28:28.140 nagging effects 00:28:28.140 --> 00:28:28.960 of chronic 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:29.819 illness, 00:28:30.400 --> 00:28:30.839 do you 00:28:30.839 --> 00:28:31.539 flee elsewhere? 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:33.740 Or do you 00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:34.099 turn to 00:28:34.099 --> 00:28:34.500 the Lord? 00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:37.680 To whom 00:28:37.680 --> 00:28:38.000 do you 00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:38.380 turn? 00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:40.839 Do you 00:28:40.839 --> 00:28:41.220 try to 00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:41.960 numb yourself 00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:42.579 emotionally 00:28:42.579 --> 00:28:43.319 by refusing 00:28:43.319 --> 00:28:43.980 to confront 00:28:43.980 --> 00:28:44.620 these issues 00:28:44.620 --> 00:28:45.460 and escaping 00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:46.200 to substances 00:28:46.200 --> 00:28:46.720 or to 00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:47.299 shows or 00:28:47.299 --> 00:28:47.839 even to 00:28:47.839 --> 00:28:49.480 your work? 00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:51.920 Do you 00:28:51.920 --> 00:28:52.559 just try to 00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:53.220 tough it out 00:28:53.220 --> 00:28:53.960 or go 00:28:53.960 --> 00:28:54.519 through life 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:54.920 like a 00:28:54.920 --> 00:28:55.240 zombie 00:28:55.240 --> 00:28:56.000 carried along 00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:56.400 by your 00:28:56.400 --> 00:28:56.620 grief, 00:28:56.700 --> 00:28:57.099 rather than 00:28:57.099 --> 00:28:57.559 carrying your 00:28:57.559 --> 00:28:58.059 griefs and 00:28:58.059 --> 00:28:58.599 sorrows to 00:28:58.599 --> 00:28:58.940 the Lord? 00:28:59.880 --> 00:29:00.720 When push 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:01.180 comes to 00:29:01.180 --> 00:29:01.559 shove, 00:29:01.700 --> 00:29:01.940 when the 00:29:01.940 --> 00:29:02.120 lower 00:29:02.120 --> 00:29:02.539 gets to 00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:02.759 throne, 00:29:02.899 --> 00:29:03.559 what are 00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:03.819 the 00:29:03.819 --> 00:29:04.339 functional 00:29:04.339 --> 00:29:04.960 gods 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:05.279 in your 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:05.619 life 00:29:05.619 --> 00:29:06.180 that you 00:29:06.180 --> 00:29:06.720 turn to 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:07.339 for help 00:29:07.339 --> 00:29:08.379 and for 00:29:08.379 --> 00:29:08.799 rescue? 00:29:09.659 --> 00:29:09.980 There are 00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:10.440 no gods 00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:10.819 at all. 00:29:13.099 --> 00:29:13.859 Is it 00:29:13.859 --> 00:29:14.240 your own 00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:14.740 industry 00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:15.079 and 00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:15.619 intelligence? 00:29:16.339 --> 00:29:16.759 Your own 00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:17.379 resourcefulness? 00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:18.379 Is it 00:29:18.379 --> 00:29:18.920 your parents, 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:19.500 your boss, 00:29:19.599 --> 00:29:20.220 your spouse, 00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:21.420 your boyfriend, 00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:22.559 or girlfriend? 00:29:22.559 --> 00:29:25.359 Do you 00:29:25.359 --> 00:29:25.899 take things 00:29:25.899 --> 00:29:26.259 into your 00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:27.079 own hands 00:29:27.079 --> 00:29:27.799 by packing 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:28.559 up and 00:29:28.559 --> 00:29:29.039 moving to 00:29:29.039 --> 00:29:29.500 Moab 00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:30.899 when the 00:29:30.899 --> 00:29:31.960 Lord calls 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:32.379 you to 00:29:32.379 --> 00:29:33.519 stay and 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:34.200 to pray 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:35.079 and to 00:29:35.079 --> 00:29:35.819 wait on 00:29:35.819 --> 00:29:35.960 the 00:29:35.960 --> 00:29:36.220 Lord? 00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:39.720 That's the 00:29:39.720 --> 00:29:40.119 point of 00:29:40.119 --> 00:29:40.519 this passage. 00:29:40.679 --> 00:29:41.599 Even in 00:29:41.599 --> 00:29:42.200 your bitter 00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:43.059 circumstances, 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:44.740 return and 00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:46.059 cling to 00:29:46.059 --> 00:29:46.559 the Lord. 00:29:48.220 --> 00:29:48.740 Recall 00:29:48.740 --> 00:29:49.799 what David 00:29:49.799 --> 00:29:52.799 did in 00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:53.259 Samuel, 00:29:53.940 --> 00:29:54.579 2 Samuel 00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:55.079 24. 00:29:56.039 --> 00:29:56.619 David takes 00:29:56.619 --> 00:29:57.139 a census 00:29:57.139 --> 00:29:57.500 that he's 00:29:57.500 --> 00:29:57.919 not supposed 00:29:57.919 --> 00:29:58.279 to take. 00:29:58.379 --> 00:29:58.419 He's 00:29:58.419 --> 00:29:58.659 supposed to 00:29:58.659 --> 00:29:59.000 trust in 00:29:59.000 --> 00:29:59.319 the Lord, 00:29:59.419 --> 00:29:59.700 not in 00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:00.019 the number 00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:00.259 of his 00:30:00.259 --> 00:30:00.559 soldiers. 00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:02.480 And after 00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:02.980 recognizing 00:30:02.980 --> 00:30:03.299 what he 00:30:03.299 --> 00:30:03.619 has done, 00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:03.960 he says 00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:04.399 David's 00:30:04.399 --> 00:30:05.119 heart struck 00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:05.720 him so 00:30:05.720 --> 00:30:05.960 that he 00:30:05.960 --> 00:30:06.399 acknowledged 00:30:06.399 --> 00:30:06.899 his sin. 00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:07.759 And 00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:08.599 prophet Gad 00:30:08.599 --> 00:30:09.440 offers him 00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:10.279 three options 00:30:10.279 --> 00:30:11.240 as God's 00:30:11.240 --> 00:30:11.619 judgment. 00:30:13.139 --> 00:30:13.680 Three years 00:30:13.680 --> 00:30:14.139 of famine, 00:30:15.180 --> 00:30:15.960 three months 00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:16.379 of fleeing 00:30:16.379 --> 00:30:17.159 before enemies, 00:30:17.519 --> 00:30:17.919 or three 00:30:17.919 --> 00:30:18.440 days of 00:30:18.440 --> 00:30:19.039 pestilence. 00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:20.460 And David 00:30:20.460 --> 00:30:21.639 says, 00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:22.319 I am in 00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:23.220 great distress. 00:30:24.039 --> 00:30:24.379 Let us 00:30:24.379 --> 00:30:25.079 fall into 00:30:25.079 --> 00:30:25.680 the hand 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:26.079 of the 00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:26.440 Lord, 00:30:26.599 --> 00:30:27.139 for his 00:30:27.139 --> 00:30:27.879 mercy is 00:30:27.879 --> 00:30:28.279 great. 00:30:28.759 --> 00:30:29.200 But let 00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:29.639 me not 00:30:29.639 --> 00:30:30.299 fall into 00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:30.799 the hand 00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:31.440 of man. 00:30:32.180 --> 00:30:32.639 So he 00:30:32.639 --> 00:30:33.200 chooses the 00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:33.740 three days 00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:34.379 of pestilence. 00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:34.779 I don't 00:30:34.779 --> 00:30:35.259 want to, 00:30:35.599 --> 00:30:36.000 even for 00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:36.639 three months, 00:30:36.839 --> 00:30:37.920 be pursued 00:30:37.920 --> 00:30:39.180 by men, 00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:40.440 by enemies. 00:30:40.680 --> 00:30:41.139 The Lord 00:30:41.139 --> 00:30:41.899 is merciful. 00:30:42.059 --> 00:30:42.259 I will 00:30:42.259 --> 00:30:42.639 fall into 00:30:42.639 --> 00:30:43.339 his hands. 00:30:43.599 --> 00:30:43.940 Give me 00:30:43.940 --> 00:30:44.659 the pestilence 00:30:44.659 --> 00:30:45.139 for three 00:30:45.139 --> 00:30:45.599 days. 00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:46.619 And he 00:30:46.619 --> 00:30:47.420 was correct 00:30:47.420 --> 00:30:47.859 to throw 00:30:47.859 --> 00:30:48.460 his lot 00:30:48.460 --> 00:30:49.100 in with 00:30:49.100 --> 00:30:49.519 the Lord. 00:30:49.620 --> 00:30:50.019 Because 00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:50.819 while the 00:30:50.819 --> 00:30:51.500 pestilence is 00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:52.079 raging in 00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:52.400 Israel, 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:52.880 it says 00:30:52.880 --> 00:30:53.259 that the 00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:53.600 Lord 00:30:53.600 --> 00:30:54.600 relented 00:30:54.600 --> 00:30:55.240 from the 00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:56.019 calamity and 00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:56.480 said to the 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:57.059 angel who was 00:30:57.059 --> 00:30:57.880 working destruction 00:30:57.880 --> 00:30:58.340 among the 00:30:58.340 --> 00:30:58.700 people, 00:30:59.259 --> 00:30:59.960 is enough. 00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:00.799 Now stay 00:31:00.799 --> 00:31:01.440 your hand. 00:31:03.340 --> 00:31:03.880 How was 00:31:03.880 --> 00:31:05.140 David able 00:31:05.140 --> 00:31:05.840 to make that 00:31:05.840 --> 00:31:06.319 choice? 00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:07.100 How did 00:31:07.100 --> 00:31:07.779 David know? 00:31:08.240 --> 00:31:09.039 Because David 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:09.620 knows, 00:31:09.740 --> 00:31:10.200 not just 00:31:10.200 --> 00:31:10.759 theoretically, 00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:12.059 but experientially 00:31:12.059 --> 00:31:12.880 and viscerally, 00:31:12.960 --> 00:31:13.319 that the 00:31:13.319 --> 00:31:14.000 Lord is 00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:15.279 merciful and 00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:15.779 gracious. 00:31:15.779 --> 00:31:17.740 because he 00:31:17.740 --> 00:31:18.339 knows what 00:31:18.339 --> 00:31:19.160 Hosea says 00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:19.579 in 11 00:31:19.579 --> 00:31:19.859 to 8 00:31:19.859 --> 00:31:20.500 when God 00:31:20.500 --> 00:31:20.920 says, 00:31:21.180 --> 00:31:21.940 how can I 00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:22.460 make you 00:31:22.460 --> 00:31:23.139 like Adma? 00:31:23.139 --> 00:31:23.819 How can I 00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:24.240 treat you 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:24.859 like Zebulun? 00:31:25.099 --> 00:31:25.859 My heart 00:31:25.859 --> 00:31:26.859 recoils within 00:31:26.859 --> 00:31:27.180 me. 00:31:27.440 --> 00:31:28.279 My compassion 00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:29.059 grows warm 00:31:29.059 --> 00:31:29.599 and tender. 00:31:29.960 --> 00:31:30.619 I will not 00:31:30.619 --> 00:31:31.359 execute my 00:31:31.359 --> 00:31:32.319 burning anger. 00:31:32.639 --> 00:31:33.299 I will not 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:34.139 again destroy 00:31:34.139 --> 00:31:34.740 Ephraim, 00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:35.980 for I am 00:31:35.980 --> 00:31:36.819 God and 00:31:36.819 --> 00:31:37.539 not a 00:31:37.539 --> 00:31:37.980 man. 00:31:38.599 --> 00:31:39.099 A man 00:31:39.099 --> 00:31:39.879 would pursue 00:31:39.879 --> 00:31:40.220 you to 00:31:40.220 --> 00:31:40.899 your destruction. 00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:41.920 God is 00:31:41.920 --> 00:31:42.819 too compassionate 00:31:42.819 --> 00:31:43.700 and merciful 00:31:43.700 --> 00:31:44.240 for that, 00:31:44.420 --> 00:31:44.759 so he will 00:31:44.759 --> 00:31:45.240 not do 00:31:45.240 --> 00:31:45.640 that and 00:31:45.640 --> 00:31:46.740 David knows 00:31:46.740 --> 00:31:47.180 that about 00:31:47.180 --> 00:31:47.519 him. 00:31:48.119 --> 00:31:48.420 So he 00:31:48.420 --> 00:31:48.740 says, 00:31:49.140 --> 00:31:49.539 I'll take 00:31:49.539 --> 00:31:49.960 the best 00:31:49.960 --> 00:31:50.339 of us. 00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:54.240 Hasn't 00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:54.799 God done 00:31:54.799 --> 00:31:56.299 enough to 00:31:56.299 --> 00:31:56.960 prove himself 00:31:56.960 --> 00:31:57.599 worthy of 00:31:57.599 --> 00:31:58.039 our trust 00:31:58.039 --> 00:31:58.480 and hope? 00:32:05.900 --> 00:32:06.420 What 00:32:06.420 --> 00:32:06.879 shall we 00:32:06.879 --> 00:32:07.220 say to 00:32:07.220 --> 00:32:07.759 these things? 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:09.039 If God 00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:09.519 is for 00:32:09.519 --> 00:32:09.700 us, 00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:10.079 who can 00:32:10.079 --> 00:32:10.759 be against 00:32:10.759 --> 00:32:11.220 us? 00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:12.900 He who 00:32:12.900 --> 00:32:13.339 did not 00:32:13.339 --> 00:32:13.920 spare his 00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:14.500 own son, 00:32:14.500 --> 00:32:14.940 but gave 00:32:14.940 --> 00:32:15.259 him up 00:32:15.259 --> 00:32:15.519 for us 00:32:15.519 --> 00:32:15.720 all, 00:32:15.799 --> 00:32:16.240 how will 00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:16.519 he not 00:32:16.519 --> 00:32:17.099 also with 00:32:17.099 --> 00:32:17.259 him 00:32:17.259 --> 00:32:17.619 graciously 00:32:17.619 --> 00:32:18.039 give us 00:32:18.039 --> 00:32:18.839 all things? 00:32:21.440 --> 00:32:22.240 If God 00:32:22.240 --> 00:32:22.779 gave his 00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:23.559 only son 00:32:23.559 --> 00:32:24.240 for us, 00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:25.259 can we 00:32:25.259 --> 00:32:25.880 expect him 00:32:25.880 --> 00:32:26.259 to give 00:32:26.259 --> 00:32:26.660 anything 00:32:26.660 --> 00:32:27.099 more? 00:32:28.619 --> 00:32:29.180 Is there 00:32:29.180 --> 00:32:29.640 anything 00:32:29.640 --> 00:32:30.420 more God 00:32:30.420 --> 00:32:30.799 can give 00:32:30.799 --> 00:32:31.299 to prove 00:32:31.299 --> 00:32:31.799 his love 00:32:31.799 --> 00:32:32.339 for us? 00:32:32.779 --> 00:32:32.940 His 00:32:32.940 --> 00:32:33.579 steadfast 00:32:33.579 --> 00:32:34.180 love for 00:32:34.180 --> 00:32:34.579 us? 00:32:35.680 --> 00:32:36.099 Has he 00:32:36.099 --> 00:32:36.980 not proven 00:32:36.980 --> 00:32:37.339 that he 00:32:37.339 --> 00:32:37.920 is trustworthy 00:32:37.920 --> 00:32:38.480 and worthy 00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:38.779 of our 00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:38.980 world? 00:32:38.980 --> 00:32:39.619 Can we 00:32:39.619 --> 00:32:39.980 say, 00:32:40.140 --> 00:32:40.579 as Job 00:32:40.579 --> 00:32:40.859 said, 00:32:40.859 --> 00:32:41.559 though you 00:32:41.559 --> 00:32:42.319 slay me, 00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:43.039 I will 00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:44.219 yet hope 00:32:44.219 --> 00:32:44.779 in you. 00:32:45.179 --> 00:32:45.819 I will 00:32:45.819 --> 00:32:46.779 yet trust 00:32:46.779 --> 00:32:47.439 in you. 00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:52.500 Where 00:32:52.500 --> 00:32:53.179 our brothers 00:32:53.179 --> 00:32:53.779 will say, 00:32:54.599 --> 00:32:54.919 if the 00:32:54.919 --> 00:32:55.619 Lord strikes 00:32:55.619 --> 00:32:56.019 you one 00:32:56.019 --> 00:32:56.439 day with 00:32:56.439 --> 00:32:56.859 dementia, 00:32:57.599 --> 00:32:57.879 and you 00:32:57.879 --> 00:32:58.099 can't 00:32:58.099 --> 00:32:58.539 remember 00:32:58.539 --> 00:32:58.899 any of 00:32:58.899 --> 00:32:59.199 the new 00:32:59.199 --> 00:32:59.619 things you're 00:32:59.619 --> 00:32:59.839 learning, 00:32:59.919 --> 00:33:00.259 you can't 00:33:00.259 --> 00:33:00.759 form any 00:33:00.759 --> 00:33:01.319 new memories, 00:33:01.459 --> 00:33:01.719 and you 00:33:01.719 --> 00:33:02.259 can still 00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:02.879 say to 00:33:02.879 --> 00:33:03.359 the people, 00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:04.240 well then, 00:33:04.299 --> 00:33:04.559 I will 00:33:04.559 --> 00:33:05.299 rely on my 00:33:05.299 --> 00:33:06.079 old memories 00:33:06.079 --> 00:33:06.619 to praise 00:33:06.619 --> 00:33:07.059 the Lord. 00:33:08.399 --> 00:33:09.119 Well then, 00:33:09.519 --> 00:33:10.039 I can't 00:33:10.039 --> 00:33:10.659 remember any 00:33:10.659 --> 00:33:11.199 new things 00:33:11.199 --> 00:33:11.599 I've learned 00:33:11.599 --> 00:33:12.039 about my 00:33:12.039 --> 00:33:12.419 God, 00:33:12.500 --> 00:33:12.759 but I 00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:13.119 will then 00:33:13.119 --> 00:33:13.899 relearn that 00:33:13.899 --> 00:33:14.379 same thing 00:33:14.379 --> 00:33:14.959 over and 00:33:14.959 --> 00:33:15.579 over again 00:33:15.579 --> 00:33:16.139 and praise 00:33:16.139 --> 00:33:16.419 Him. 00:33:17.779 --> 00:33:18.039 Where 00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:18.359 are my 00:33:18.359 --> 00:33:18.919 sisters who 00:33:18.919 --> 00:33:19.119 say, 00:33:19.219 --> 00:33:19.539 when you 00:33:19.539 --> 00:33:19.899 get into 00:33:19.899 --> 00:33:20.339 a car 00:33:20.339 --> 00:33:20.719 accident, 00:33:20.819 --> 00:33:21.000 and you 00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:21.479 become a 00:33:21.479 --> 00:33:22.319 quadriplegic, 00:33:22.699 --> 00:33:23.019 and you 00:33:23.019 --> 00:33:23.619 still say, 00:33:23.739 --> 00:33:23.919 well, 00:33:23.979 --> 00:33:24.599 I cannot 00:33:24.599 --> 00:33:25.519 raise my 00:33:25.519 --> 00:33:26.019 arms to 00:33:26.019 --> 00:33:26.779 worship God, 00:33:26.979 --> 00:33:27.599 yet still 00:33:27.599 --> 00:33:28.519 I lift up 00:33:28.519 --> 00:33:29.239 my soul 00:33:29.239 --> 00:33:29.679 and my 00:33:29.679 --> 00:33:30.159 heart to 00:33:30.159 --> 00:33:30.439 Him, 00:33:30.619 --> 00:33:31.359 and praise 00:33:31.359 --> 00:33:31.839 Him, 00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:32.959 because He 00:33:32.959 --> 00:33:33.500 is worthy 00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:34.019 of it. 00:33:36.619 --> 00:33:38.959 those are 00:33:38.959 --> 00:33:39.819 diamonds that 00:33:39.819 --> 00:33:40.339 are precious 00:33:40.339 --> 00:33:40.899 to the Lord 00:33:40.899 --> 00:33:41.159 God. 00:33:46.199 --> 00:33:47.000 And so, 00:33:47.759 --> 00:33:48.439 Naomi turns 00:33:48.439 --> 00:33:48.879 back, 00:33:50.000 --> 00:33:50.500 and that 00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:51.179 brings them 00:33:51.179 --> 00:33:51.779 to a fork 00:33:51.779 --> 00:33:52.299 on the road, 00:33:53.339 --> 00:33:54.339 because now 00:33:54.339 --> 00:33:55.079 her two 00:33:55.079 --> 00:33:55.759 daughters-in-law, 00:33:55.859 --> 00:33:56.439 Lord Phi and 00:33:56.439 --> 00:33:56.819 Ruth, 00:33:57.519 --> 00:33:57.979 have to make 00:33:57.979 --> 00:33:58.479 a decision 00:33:58.479 --> 00:34:00.519 about whether 00:34:00.519 --> 00:34:01.000 they will go 00:34:01.000 --> 00:34:01.379 with her 00:34:01.379 --> 00:34:01.719 or not. 00:34:06.039 --> 00:34:06.519 And 00:34:06.519 --> 00:34:08.519 even though 00:34:08.519 --> 00:34:09.119 Naomi tells 00:34:09.119 --> 00:34:09.460 them to go 00:34:09.460 --> 00:34:09.880 back and 00:34:09.880 --> 00:34:10.480 find rest, 00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:11.059 go find a 00:34:11.059 --> 00:34:11.300 husband, 00:34:11.420 --> 00:34:11.840 go back to 00:34:11.840 --> 00:34:12.219 your mother's 00:34:12.219 --> 00:34:12.420 house, 00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:12.820 help her 00:34:12.820 --> 00:34:13.179 find a 00:34:13.179 --> 00:34:13.420 husband, 00:34:13.699 --> 00:34:14.099 ask her 00:34:14.099 --> 00:34:14.619 to find a 00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:15.019 new husband 00:34:15.019 --> 00:34:15.519 for you. 00:34:16.199 --> 00:34:16.559 They say, 00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:16.719 no, 00:34:16.780 --> 00:34:17.039 we will 00:34:17.039 --> 00:34:17.719 return with 00:34:17.719 --> 00:34:17.980 you to 00:34:17.980 --> 00:34:18.440 your people. 00:34:19.500 --> 00:34:19.820 It's a 00:34:19.820 --> 00:34:20.239 hard and 00:34:20.239 --> 00:34:20.820 cheap scene. 00:34:22.199 --> 00:34:22.759 Lots of 00:34:22.759 --> 00:34:23.480 mutual affection, 00:34:23.719 --> 00:34:24.000 care, 00:34:24.099 --> 00:34:24.519 and tears. 00:34:25.940 --> 00:34:26.739 But Naomi 00:34:26.739 --> 00:34:27.380 insists, 00:34:27.980 --> 00:34:28.739 turn back, 00:34:28.840 --> 00:34:29.340 my daughters, 00:34:29.679 --> 00:34:30.400 why would 00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:30.880 you go with 00:34:30.880 --> 00:34:31.179 me? 00:34:31.940 --> 00:34:32.300 Have I 00:34:32.300 --> 00:34:32.980 yet sons 00:34:32.980 --> 00:34:33.539 in my womb 00:34:33.539 --> 00:34:33.780 that they 00:34:33.780 --> 00:34:34.199 may become 00:34:34.199 --> 00:34:34.719 your husbands? 00:34:35.179 --> 00:34:35.840 Turn back, 00:34:35.900 --> 00:34:36.420 my daughters, 00:34:36.420 --> 00:34:36.900 go your 00:34:36.900 --> 00:34:37.159 way, 00:34:37.220 --> 00:34:37.519 for I'm 00:34:37.519 --> 00:34:38.000 too old 00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:38.320 to have 00:34:38.320 --> 00:34:38.740 a husband. 00:34:39.360 --> 00:34:39.700 If I 00:34:39.700 --> 00:34:40.039 should say 00:34:40.039 --> 00:34:40.420 I have 00:34:40.420 --> 00:34:40.740 hope, 00:34:40.820 --> 00:34:41.280 even if I 00:34:41.280 --> 00:34:41.619 should have 00:34:41.619 --> 00:34:42.079 a husband 00:34:42.079 --> 00:34:42.639 this night 00:34:42.639 --> 00:34:42.920 and should 00:34:42.920 --> 00:34:43.599 bear sons, 00:34:43.940 --> 00:34:44.220 would you 00:34:44.220 --> 00:34:44.860 therefore wait 00:34:44.860 --> 00:34:45.220 till they 00:34:45.220 --> 00:34:45.639 will grow? 00:34:45.960 --> 00:34:46.320 Would you 00:34:46.320 --> 00:34:47.139 therefore refrain 00:34:47.139 --> 00:34:47.740 from Mary? 00:34:49.700 --> 00:34:50.360 See what 00:34:50.360 --> 00:34:50.900 she's saying? 00:34:51.760 --> 00:34:52.220 Daughters, 00:34:53.019 --> 00:34:53.380 if you 00:34:53.380 --> 00:34:53.820 throw in 00:34:53.820 --> 00:34:54.220 your lot 00:34:54.220 --> 00:34:54.820 with me, 00:34:55.360 --> 00:34:56.680 you forfeit 00:34:56.680 --> 00:34:57.480 your future. 00:34:57.480 --> 00:35:00.960 there is 00:35:00.960 --> 00:35:01.679 no prospect 00:35:01.679 --> 00:35:02.659 for marriage 00:35:02.659 --> 00:35:03.719 and happiness 00:35:03.719 --> 00:35:04.840 and progeny. 00:35:05.619 --> 00:35:06.039 Children, 00:35:06.199 --> 00:35:06.400 if you 00:35:06.400 --> 00:35:06.780 stay with 00:35:06.780 --> 00:35:06.980 me, 00:35:07.159 --> 00:35:07.579 off you 00:35:07.579 --> 00:35:07.860 come. 00:35:09.740 --> 00:35:10.860 Orba is 00:35:10.860 --> 00:35:11.260 smart. 00:35:12.639 --> 00:35:13.260 She knows 00:35:13.260 --> 00:35:14.380 a hopeless 00:35:14.380 --> 00:35:14.920 case when she 00:35:14.920 --> 00:35:15.380 sees one. 00:35:16.519 --> 00:35:16.900 So she 00:35:16.900 --> 00:35:17.380 leaves, 00:35:17.559 --> 00:35:17.940 she kisses 00:35:17.940 --> 00:35:18.320 her mother 00:35:18.320 --> 00:35:18.820 and nod 00:35:18.820 --> 00:35:19.159 it by 00:35:19.159 --> 00:35:19.579 and goes. 00:35:19.579 --> 00:35:22.539 She's too 00:35:22.539 --> 00:35:22.940 young to 00:35:22.940 --> 00:35:23.380 throw away 00:35:23.380 --> 00:35:23.819 her life 00:35:23.819 --> 00:35:24.319 like that 00:35:24.319 --> 00:35:26.000 and idealism 00:35:26.000 --> 00:35:27.119 and loyalty. 00:35:29.880 --> 00:35:30.219 And then 00:35:30.219 --> 00:35:30.819 Naomi says 00:35:30.819 --> 00:35:31.239 to Ruth, 00:35:31.500 --> 00:35:31.900 see look, 00:35:32.019 --> 00:35:32.420 your opa, 00:35:32.480 --> 00:35:33.139 your sister 00:35:33.139 --> 00:35:33.619 is gone. 00:35:33.920 --> 00:35:34.500 Verse 15. 00:35:35.279 --> 00:35:35.719 She has 00:35:35.719 --> 00:35:36.759 gone back 00:35:36.759 --> 00:35:37.380 to her 00:35:37.380 --> 00:35:37.960 people 00:35:37.960 --> 00:35:38.900 and to 00:35:38.900 --> 00:35:39.880 her gods. 00:35:40.239 --> 00:35:40.719 Return 00:35:40.719 --> 00:35:41.500 after your 00:35:41.500 --> 00:35:42.159 sister-in-law. 00:35:42.239 --> 00:35:42.380 That's what 00:35:42.380 --> 00:35:42.559 it says 00:35:42.559 --> 00:35:43.219 in verse 15. 00:35:44.440 --> 00:35:44.779 Ah, 00:35:45.019 --> 00:35:45.480 now we 00:35:45.480 --> 00:35:46.019 really see 00:35:46.019 --> 00:35:46.480 what's at 00:35:46.480 --> 00:35:46.840 stake. 00:35:48.679 --> 00:35:49.440 Once again 00:35:49.440 --> 00:35:49.800 the word 00:35:49.800 --> 00:35:50.300 return 00:35:50.300 --> 00:35:51.039 is significant 00:35:51.039 --> 00:35:51.420 here, 00:35:51.760 --> 00:35:52.119 there are 00:35:52.119 --> 00:35:52.980 two possible 00:35:52.980 --> 00:35:53.500 returns, 00:35:53.599 --> 00:35:54.200 not one. 00:35:55.200 --> 00:35:55.519 You can 00:35:55.519 --> 00:35:56.280 either join 00:35:56.280 --> 00:35:57.039 Naomi's 00:35:57.039 --> 00:35:58.059 return to 00:35:58.059 --> 00:35:58.900 Bethlehem, 00:35:59.320 --> 00:35:59.720 to her 00:35:59.720 --> 00:36:00.460 people and 00:36:00.460 --> 00:36:00.860 to her 00:36:00.860 --> 00:36:01.280 god, 00:36:01.519 --> 00:36:01.860 or you 00:36:01.860 --> 00:36:02.420 can join 00:36:02.420 --> 00:36:03.159 Orba's 00:36:03.159 --> 00:36:03.960 return to 00:36:03.960 --> 00:36:04.880 Moab and 00:36:04.880 --> 00:36:05.260 to her 00:36:05.260 --> 00:36:06.200 people and 00:36:06.200 --> 00:36:06.579 to her 00:36:06.579 --> 00:36:07.099 gods. 00:36:08.740 --> 00:36:09.559 The first 00:36:09.559 --> 00:36:10.159 return is 00:36:10.159 --> 00:36:10.639 repentance. 00:36:11.559 --> 00:36:11.940 The second 00:36:11.940 --> 00:36:12.599 return is 00:36:12.599 --> 00:36:14.360 apostasy or 00:36:14.360 --> 00:36:14.780 regression. 00:36:16.780 --> 00:36:17.440 But Ruth 00:36:17.440 --> 00:36:18.220 is an 00:36:18.220 --> 00:36:18.940 ex-bornary 00:36:18.940 --> 00:36:19.240 woman. 00:36:20.440 --> 00:36:20.840 He says 00:36:20.840 --> 00:36:21.139 in verse 00:36:21.139 --> 00:36:21.639 14, 00:36:22.139 --> 00:36:22.519 Orba 00:36:22.519 --> 00:36:23.139 kissed her 00:36:23.139 --> 00:36:23.679 mother-in-law 00:36:23.679 --> 00:36:24.119 get by, 00:36:24.240 --> 00:36:24.900 but Ruth 00:36:24.900 --> 00:36:26.260 clunged her. 00:36:28.480 --> 00:36:28.960 Mentioned 00:36:28.960 --> 00:36:29.559 this in 00:36:29.559 --> 00:36:30.940 Charles and 00:36:30.940 --> 00:36:31.559 Shirley's 00:36:31.559 --> 00:36:32.220 wedding recently. 00:36:32.820 --> 00:36:33.159 By the way, 00:36:33.179 --> 00:36:33.480 Charles and 00:36:33.480 --> 00:36:33.720 Shirley are 00:36:33.720 --> 00:36:34.200 married now. 00:36:34.300 --> 00:36:34.519 You guys 00:36:34.519 --> 00:36:35.000 get that. 00:36:35.000 --> 00:36:35.440 Thank you. 00:36:42.980 --> 00:36:43.980 That word 00:36:43.980 --> 00:36:44.840 clunged is 00:36:44.840 --> 00:36:45.280 the same 00:36:45.280 --> 00:36:45.780 Hebrew word 00:36:45.780 --> 00:36:46.340 that is used 00:36:46.340 --> 00:36:46.800 in Genesis 00:36:46.800 --> 00:36:47.100 2. 00:36:46.820 --> 00:36:47.100 2. 00:36:47.100 --> 00:36:47.900 24 to 00:36:47.900 --> 00:36:48.700 describe the 00:36:48.700 --> 00:36:49.360 marriage of 00:36:49.360 --> 00:36:49.539 them. 00:36:50.579 --> 00:36:50.900 Therefore, 00:36:51.079 --> 00:36:51.640 a man shall 00:36:51.640 --> 00:36:52.200 leave his 00:36:52.200 --> 00:36:52.559 father and 00:36:52.559 --> 00:36:52.940 his mother 00:36:52.940 --> 00:36:53.579 and hold 00:36:53.579 --> 00:36:54.360 fast to 00:36:54.360 --> 00:36:55.000 his wife, 00:36:55.620 --> 00:36:56.019 and they 00:36:56.019 --> 00:36:56.680 shall become 00:36:56.680 --> 00:36:57.800 one flesh. 00:36:58.380 --> 00:36:58.900 Hold 00:36:58.900 --> 00:36:59.760 fast. 00:36:59.920 --> 00:37:00.480 That same 00:37:00.480 --> 00:37:01.180 word is the 00:37:01.180 --> 00:37:01.920 word cling, 00:37:02.320 --> 00:37:03.100 to clean. 00:37:03.720 --> 00:37:04.360 It's the 00:37:04.360 --> 00:37:05.000 word that's 00:37:05.000 --> 00:37:05.600 used in Isaiah 00:37:05.600 --> 00:37:06.519 41.7 to 00:37:06.519 --> 00:37:07.160 refer to a 00:37:07.160 --> 00:37:07.720 metal worker, 00:37:07.920 --> 00:37:08.900 welding metal 00:37:08.900 --> 00:37:09.559 together, 00:37:09.960 --> 00:37:10.660 that one 00:37:10.660 --> 00:37:11.600 flesh union. 00:37:12.039 --> 00:37:12.420 Ruth is 00:37:12.420 --> 00:37:12.659 saying, 00:37:12.740 --> 00:37:13.159 When I 00:37:13.159 --> 00:37:13.960 married your 00:37:13.960 --> 00:37:14.800 son Malam, 00:37:15.039 --> 00:37:16.099 I left my 00:37:16.099 --> 00:37:16.760 people and 00:37:16.760 --> 00:37:17.380 my gods 00:37:17.380 --> 00:37:17.960 behind. 00:37:18.639 --> 00:37:19.240 That old 00:37:19.240 --> 00:37:19.860 me is 00:37:19.860 --> 00:37:20.440 gone. 00:37:21.059 --> 00:37:21.460 I may 00:37:21.460 --> 00:37:22.119 have vowed 00:37:22.119 --> 00:37:22.639 to Malam 00:37:22.639 --> 00:37:23.420 until death 00:37:23.420 --> 00:37:24.280 do us part. 00:37:24.780 --> 00:37:25.180 And even 00:37:25.180 --> 00:37:25.920 though death 00:37:25.920 --> 00:37:26.780 has parted 00:37:26.780 --> 00:37:27.519 us, and 00:37:27.519 --> 00:37:28.099 my burial 00:37:28.099 --> 00:37:28.960 obligation is 00:37:28.960 --> 00:37:29.980 fulfilled, I 00:37:29.980 --> 00:37:30.720 still have an 00:37:30.720 --> 00:37:31.380 obligation to 00:37:31.380 --> 00:37:32.119 you as my 00:37:32.119 --> 00:37:32.900 mother-in-law. 00:37:33.220 --> 00:37:33.800 I have thrown 00:37:33.800 --> 00:37:34.720 in my love 00:37:34.720 --> 00:37:35.380 with your 00:37:35.380 --> 00:37:36.220 people and 00:37:36.220 --> 00:37:36.659 with your 00:37:36.659 --> 00:37:37.400 God, and 00:37:37.400 --> 00:37:37.960 I am not 00:37:37.960 --> 00:37:38.360 leaving. 00:37:39.800 --> 00:37:40.380 For where 00:37:40.380 --> 00:37:41.400 you go, I 00:37:41.400 --> 00:37:41.960 will go. 00:37:41.960 --> 00:37:42.639 Where you 00:37:42.639 --> 00:37:43.320 lodge, I 00:37:43.320 --> 00:37:43.940 will lodge. 00:37:44.280 --> 00:37:44.940 Your people 00:37:44.940 --> 00:37:45.659 shall be my 00:37:45.659 --> 00:37:46.159 people, and 00:37:46.159 --> 00:37:47.159 your God, my 00:37:47.159 --> 00:37:47.579 God. 00:37:47.780 --> 00:37:48.280 Where you 00:37:48.280 --> 00:37:48.960 die, I 00:37:48.960 --> 00:37:49.679 will die, and 00:37:49.679 --> 00:37:50.280 there will I 00:37:50.280 --> 00:37:50.720 be buried. 00:37:51.079 --> 00:37:51.380 May the 00:37:51.380 --> 00:37:52.019 Lord do so 00:37:52.019 --> 00:37:52.539 to me, and 00:37:52.539 --> 00:37:53.320 more also, if 00:37:53.320 --> 00:37:53.880 anything but 00:37:53.880 --> 00:37:54.940 death parts 00:37:54.940 --> 00:37:55.360 me from 00:37:55.360 --> 00:37:55.579 you. 00:37:56.920 --> 00:37:57.860 That's a 00:37:57.860 --> 00:37:58.199 marriage. 00:38:01.019 --> 00:38:01.500 Forbearer 00:38:01.500 --> 00:38:02.039 for worse, 00:38:02.300 --> 00:38:02.639 for richer 00:38:02.639 --> 00:38:03.179 for poorer, 00:38:03.300 --> 00:38:03.780 in sickness 00:38:03.780 --> 00:38:04.159 and in 00:38:04.159 --> 00:38:04.420 death. 00:38:06.059 --> 00:38:06.500 That's why 00:38:06.500 --> 00:38:07.240 Baraz later 00:38:07.240 --> 00:38:07.940 called Ruth 00:38:07.940 --> 00:38:08.559 a woman of 00:38:08.559 --> 00:38:09.260 kindness, in 00:38:09.260 --> 00:38:09.800 chapter 3, 00:38:09.860 --> 00:38:10.280 verse 10, 00:38:10.380 --> 00:38:10.840 to hear the 00:38:10.840 --> 00:38:11.099 word. 00:38:11.099 --> 00:38:12.319 which means 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:13.380 steadfast love 00:38:13.380 --> 00:38:13.960 or loving 00:38:13.960 --> 00:38:14.699 kindness, the 00:38:14.699 --> 00:38:15.319 same word 00:38:15.319 --> 00:38:15.980 associated with 00:38:15.980 --> 00:38:16.579 the Lord God 00:38:16.579 --> 00:38:17.119 himself in 00:38:17.119 --> 00:38:17.960 verse 8, the 00:38:17.960 --> 00:38:18.559 word used to 00:38:18.559 --> 00:38:19.139 describe the 00:38:19.139 --> 00:38:20.000 eternal character 00:38:20.000 --> 00:38:20.599 of God. 00:38:20.880 --> 00:38:21.360 In Exodus 00:38:21.360 --> 00:38:22.559 34, the 00:38:22.559 --> 00:38:23.119 Lord, the 00:38:23.119 --> 00:38:23.839 Lord of God, 00:38:23.940 --> 00:38:24.900 merciful and 00:38:24.900 --> 00:38:26.299 gracious, slow 00:38:26.299 --> 00:38:27.039 to anger and 00:38:27.039 --> 00:38:27.779 abounding in 00:38:27.779 --> 00:38:29.279 steadfast love 00:38:29.279 --> 00:38:31.299 and faithfulness. 00:38:31.960 --> 00:38:32.779 A constant 00:38:32.779 --> 00:38:33.679 love, a love 00:38:33.679 --> 00:38:34.619 that sticks by 00:38:34.619 --> 00:38:35.000 you through 00:38:35.000 --> 00:38:35.920 thick and thin. 00:38:37.059 --> 00:38:37.639 This is an 00:38:37.639 --> 00:38:38.779 extremely selfless 00:38:38.779 --> 00:38:39.500 and sacrificial 00:38:39.500 --> 00:38:40.039 act on 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.639 loose part. 00:38:42.139 --> 00:38:42.820 Notice that 00:38:42.820 --> 00:38:43.699 Ruth himself, 00:38:43.840 --> 00:38:44.259 loose part 00:38:44.259 --> 00:38:45.159 doesn't think 00:38:45.159 --> 00:38:45.579 that she has 00:38:45.579 --> 00:38:46.259 great prospects 00:38:46.259 --> 00:38:46.759 back in 00:38:46.759 --> 00:38:47.259 Bethlehem. 00:38:48.059 --> 00:38:48.739 She doesn't 00:38:48.739 --> 00:38:49.559 say, I'll 00:38:49.559 --> 00:38:50.139 go where 00:38:50.139 --> 00:38:50.739 you go, 00:38:50.940 --> 00:38:51.940 where you 00:38:51.940 --> 00:38:52.519 have food, 00:38:52.599 --> 00:38:53.000 I'll have 00:38:53.000 --> 00:38:53.699 food, where 00:38:53.699 --> 00:38:54.300 you thrive, 00:38:54.380 --> 00:38:55.000 I will thrive. 00:38:55.840 --> 00:38:56.320 No, she 00:38:56.320 --> 00:38:58.079 says, where 00:38:58.079 --> 00:38:58.960 you die, I 00:38:58.960 --> 00:38:59.619 will die. 00:39:00.739 --> 00:39:01.139 For you're 00:39:01.139 --> 00:39:01.659 buried, I 00:39:01.659 --> 00:39:01.940 will be 00:39:01.940 --> 00:39:02.159 buried. 00:39:02.380 --> 00:39:03.219 That's what 00:39:03.219 --> 00:39:04.199 awaits her 00:39:04.199 --> 00:39:05.300 in Bethlehem. 00:39:05.300 --> 00:39:05.420 Bethlehem. 00:39:05.900 --> 00:39:06.400 That's what 00:39:06.400 --> 00:39:06.840 she says. 00:39:12.660 --> 00:39:13.560 And yet, she 00:39:13.560 --> 00:39:15.500 says, I will 00:39:15.500 --> 00:39:16.080 throw in my 00:39:16.080 --> 00:39:16.560 lot with 00:39:16.560 --> 00:39:16.920 the eye, 00:39:17.519 --> 00:39:19.700 because the 00:39:19.700 --> 00:39:20.060 Lord is 00:39:20.060 --> 00:39:20.720 merciful and 00:39:20.720 --> 00:39:21.060 gracious. 00:39:22.880 --> 00:39:23.320 That's 00:39:23.320 --> 00:39:24.000 exactly the 00:39:24.000 --> 00:39:24.400 kind of 00:39:24.400 --> 00:39:25.080 repentance that 00:39:25.080 --> 00:39:25.400 the Lord 00:39:25.400 --> 00:39:26.000 seeks from 00:39:26.000 --> 00:39:26.519 all of us. 00:39:27.880 --> 00:39:28.320 Remember, 00:39:28.460 --> 00:39:29.000 Ruth is a 00:39:29.000 --> 00:39:29.519 Moabite, 00:39:30.080 --> 00:39:30.380 and the 00:39:30.380 --> 00:39:31.420 narrator will 00:39:31.420 --> 00:39:31.920 not let you 00:39:31.920 --> 00:39:32.460 forget that 00:39:32.460 --> 00:39:32.880 throughout the 00:39:32.880 --> 00:39:33.080 book. 00:39:33.079 --> 00:39:34.779 Again and 00:39:34.779 --> 00:39:35.119 again, he 00:39:35.119 --> 00:39:35.599 will refer to 00:39:35.599 --> 00:39:36.079 Ruth as 00:39:36.079 --> 00:39:37.119 Ruth the 00:39:37.119 --> 00:39:37.599 Moabite, 00:39:37.819 --> 00:39:38.319 Ruth the 00:39:38.319 --> 00:39:38.799 Moabite, 00:39:39.099 --> 00:39:39.519 Ruth the 00:39:39.519 --> 00:39:39.719 Moabite. 00:39:39.799 --> 00:39:40.380 You really 00:39:40.380 --> 00:39:40.799 have to keep 00:39:40.799 --> 00:39:41.239 saying that? 00:39:41.340 --> 00:39:41.559 Can you 00:39:41.559 --> 00:39:42.860 just, I 00:39:42.860 --> 00:39:43.599 know I'm 00:39:43.599 --> 00:39:44.239 a Moabite. 00:39:44.500 --> 00:39:44.960 I don't 00:39:44.960 --> 00:39:45.179 want the 00:39:45.179 --> 00:39:45.500 whole world 00:39:45.500 --> 00:39:45.759 to know 00:39:45.759 --> 00:39:46.259 I'm a Moabite. 00:39:50.019 --> 00:39:50.639 You know 00:39:50.639 --> 00:39:51.159 how Moabites 00:39:51.159 --> 00:39:51.739 came to be? 00:39:52.759 --> 00:39:53.319 In Genesis 00:39:53.319 --> 00:39:54.739 19, 30 to 00:39:54.739 --> 00:39:55.500 38, after 00:39:55.500 --> 00:39:55.960 Lot and 00:39:55.960 --> 00:39:56.599 his two 00:39:56.599 --> 00:39:57.000 daughters 00:39:57.000 --> 00:39:58.139 escape the 00:39:58.139 --> 00:39:58.819 judgment 00:39:58.819 --> 00:39:59.619 destruction of 00:39:59.619 --> 00:40:00.019 Sodom and 00:40:00.019 --> 00:40:00.360 Gomorrah, 00:40:00.460 --> 00:40:00.880 they take 00:40:00.880 --> 00:40:01.519 refuge in a 00:40:01.519 --> 00:40:01.840 cave. 00:40:02.619 --> 00:40:03.059 And while 00:40:03.059 --> 00:40:03.619 living in a 00:40:03.619 --> 00:40:04.039 cave with 00:40:04.039 --> 00:40:05.000 no civilization 00:40:05.000 --> 00:40:06.079 around, the 00:40:06.079 --> 00:40:06.360 daughters 00:40:06.360 --> 00:40:07.000 realize, you 00:40:07.000 --> 00:40:07.500 know, if we 00:40:07.500 --> 00:40:08.099 sit here, we're 00:40:08.099 --> 00:40:08.360 just going to 00:40:08.360 --> 00:40:08.880 get old and 00:40:08.880 --> 00:40:09.340 die, and 00:40:09.340 --> 00:40:09.699 there's no 00:40:09.699 --> 00:40:10.199 hope for a 00:40:10.199 --> 00:40:10.739 future for 00:40:10.739 --> 00:40:11.579 us, we 00:40:11.579 --> 00:40:11.860 need to 00:40:11.860 --> 00:40:12.579 have kids. 00:40:12.799 --> 00:40:13.079 And so 00:40:13.079 --> 00:40:13.579 they decide 00:40:13.579 --> 00:40:13.860 to take 00:40:13.860 --> 00:40:14.440 matters into 00:40:14.440 --> 00:40:14.820 their own 00:40:14.820 --> 00:40:15.340 hands, and 00:40:15.340 --> 00:40:15.659 they get 00:40:15.659 --> 00:40:16.179 their father 00:40:16.179 --> 00:40:16.900 drunk, and 00:40:16.900 --> 00:40:17.440 they sleep 00:40:17.440 --> 00:40:17.840 with him. 00:40:18.159 --> 00:40:18.519 And it's 00:40:18.519 --> 00:40:18.840 through that 00:40:18.840 --> 00:40:19.599 incestuous 00:40:19.599 --> 00:40:20.139 union that 00:40:20.139 --> 00:40:20.380 they have 00:40:20.380 --> 00:40:21.059 two sons, 00:40:21.139 --> 00:40:21.360 and the 00:40:21.360 --> 00:40:22.039 first son's 00:40:22.039 --> 00:40:22.699 name is 00:40:22.699 --> 00:40:23.579 Moab, 00:40:24.860 --> 00:40:25.360 who is the 00:40:25.360 --> 00:40:25.980 father of all 00:40:25.980 --> 00:40:26.619 the Moabites. 00:40:29.539 --> 00:40:29.940 It was the 00:40:29.940 --> 00:40:30.639 Moabite woman 00:40:30.639 --> 00:40:31.539 who seduced the 00:40:31.539 --> 00:40:32.340 Israelite man, 00:40:32.340 --> 00:40:32.900 and led them 00:40:32.900 --> 00:40:33.600 to idolatry, 00:40:33.680 --> 00:40:34.519 numbers 25. 00:40:37.280 --> 00:40:37.940 Yet how 00:40:37.940 --> 00:40:39.620 gracious and 00:40:39.620 --> 00:40:40.740 merciful of our 00:40:40.740 --> 00:40:41.920 God that he 00:40:41.920 --> 00:40:43.320 receives even 00:40:43.320 --> 00:40:44.019 Ruth and 00:40:44.019 --> 00:40:44.920 Moabite into 00:40:44.920 --> 00:40:45.380 his kingdom, 00:40:46.180 --> 00:40:48.760 into his 00:40:48.760 --> 00:40:49.320 assembly. 00:40:51.920 --> 00:40:52.519 A thousand 00:40:52.519 --> 00:40:53.260 years later, 00:40:53.400 --> 00:40:54.240 once again, in 00:40:54.240 --> 00:40:55.600 Bethlehem, a 00:40:55.600 --> 00:40:56.500 king will be 00:40:56.500 --> 00:40:57.160 born as was 00:40:57.160 --> 00:40:57.940 prophesied in 00:40:57.940 --> 00:40:58.980 Micah 5, 2, 00:40:58.980 --> 00:40:59.460 and that 00:40:59.460 --> 00:41:00.059 king is 00:41:00.059 --> 00:41:00.380 Jesus. 00:41:01.480 --> 00:41:02.059 And I 00:41:02.059 --> 00:41:02.519 mentioned to 00:41:02.519 --> 00:41:03.179 you briefly 00:41:03.179 --> 00:41:03.780 earlier the 00:41:03.780 --> 00:41:04.579 genealogy of 00:41:04.579 --> 00:41:05.380 Matthew, the 00:41:05.380 --> 00:41:06.139 genealogy of 00:41:06.139 --> 00:41:06.599 Jesus in 00:41:06.599 --> 00:41:07.280 Matthew 1. 00:41:09.059 --> 00:41:09.500 It only 00:41:09.500 --> 00:41:10.240 mentions, it 00:41:10.240 --> 00:41:11.300 only names 00:41:11.300 --> 00:41:12.079 four women 00:41:12.079 --> 00:41:14.380 besides Mary, 00:41:14.539 --> 00:41:15.019 the mother of 00:41:15.019 --> 00:41:17.280 Jesus, and 00:41:17.280 --> 00:41:17.880 those four 00:41:17.880 --> 00:41:18.300 women that 00:41:18.300 --> 00:41:18.820 he names, 00:41:19.139 --> 00:41:20.099 they are all 00:41:20.099 --> 00:41:21.340 Gentiles. 00:41:23.199 --> 00:41:24.240 All people 00:41:24.240 --> 00:41:24.980 who had no 00:41:24.980 --> 00:41:25.719 business being 00:41:25.719 --> 00:41:26.459 in the 00:41:26.459 --> 00:41:27.199 genealogy of 00:41:27.199 --> 00:41:27.599 the Jewish 00:41:27.599 --> 00:41:28.079 Messiah. 00:41:29.239 --> 00:41:30.179 All whose 00:41:30.179 --> 00:41:31.299 people are a 00:41:31.299 --> 00:41:32.599 symbol of 00:41:32.599 --> 00:41:34.059 sin and 00:41:34.059 --> 00:41:35.379 shame and 00:41:35.379 --> 00:41:37.059 evil and 00:41:37.059 --> 00:41:37.719 injustice. 00:41:40.259 --> 00:41:40.980 Why do you 00:41:40.980 --> 00:41:41.480 think God 00:41:41.480 --> 00:41:42.119 does that? 00:41:45.199 --> 00:41:45.779 That's the 00:41:45.779 --> 00:41:46.259 kind of thing 00:41:46.259 --> 00:41:46.699 that people 00:41:46.699 --> 00:41:47.319 will hide. 00:41:48.659 --> 00:41:49.039 Well, let's 00:41:49.039 --> 00:41:49.539 leave that one 00:41:49.539 --> 00:41:49.819 up. 00:41:50.779 --> 00:41:51.319 The next 00:41:51.319 --> 00:41:51.559 one. 00:41:52.339 --> 00:41:53.000 Why does 00:41:53.000 --> 00:41:53.559 God do 00:41:53.559 --> 00:41:53.919 that? 00:41:54.599 --> 00:41:55.159 It's as if 00:41:55.159 --> 00:41:55.879 he's inviting 00:41:55.879 --> 00:41:56.420 us. 00:41:57.279 --> 00:41:57.739 Where have 00:41:57.739 --> 00:41:58.279 you been, 00:41:58.759 --> 00:41:59.119 friend? 00:42:00.879 --> 00:42:01.500 What is 00:42:01.500 --> 00:42:02.079 your family 00:42:02.079 --> 00:42:02.440 history? 00:42:04.159 --> 00:42:04.739 What are 00:42:04.739 --> 00:42:05.359 the skeletons 00:42:05.359 --> 00:42:05.799 in your 00:42:05.799 --> 00:42:06.159 closet? 00:42:07.359 --> 00:42:07.799 What are 00:42:07.799 --> 00:42:08.639 your sins 00:42:08.639 --> 00:42:09.299 and your 00:42:09.299 --> 00:42:10.299 shame that 00:42:10.299 --> 00:42:10.879 you carry 00:42:10.879 --> 00:42:11.519 every single 00:42:11.519 --> 00:42:11.940 day and 00:42:11.940 --> 00:42:12.319 you don't 00:42:12.319 --> 00:42:12.859 know whether 00:42:12.859 --> 00:42:13.179 you'll be 00:42:13.179 --> 00:42:14.359 received in 00:42:14.359 --> 00:42:15.159 Bethlehem or 00:42:15.159 --> 00:42:15.839 not, in 00:42:15.839 --> 00:42:16.460 the house of 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:17.159 bread or 00:42:17.159 --> 00:42:17.559 not, in 00:42:17.559 --> 00:42:17.920 the kingdom 00:42:17.920 --> 00:42:18.379 of God 00:42:18.379 --> 00:42:18.739 or not, 00:42:18.779 --> 00:42:19.000 and you 00:42:19.000 --> 00:42:20.139 come with 00:42:20.139 --> 00:42:21.259 fear and 00:42:21.259 --> 00:42:21.819 trembling. 00:42:23.299 --> 00:42:23.679 And yet 00:42:23.679 --> 00:42:24.079 when you 00:42:24.079 --> 00:42:24.619 come, you 00:42:24.619 --> 00:42:25.139 find that 00:42:25.139 --> 00:42:25.679 God has 00:42:25.679 --> 00:42:26.039 made a 00:42:26.039 --> 00:42:26.519 way for 00:42:26.519 --> 00:42:26.879 you in 00:42:26.879 --> 00:42:27.179 Jesus 00:42:27.179 --> 00:42:28.019 Christ by 00:42:28.019 --> 00:42:28.779 sending that 00:42:28.779 --> 00:42:29.579 promised king 00:42:29.579 --> 00:42:30.099 and that 00:42:30.099 --> 00:42:30.940 he died on 00:42:30.940 --> 00:42:31.500 the cross to 00:42:31.500 --> 00:42:31.879 pay for 00:42:31.879 --> 00:42:32.779 your shame, 00:42:33.059 --> 00:42:33.420 pay for 00:42:33.420 --> 00:42:34.400 your sin, 00:42:34.659 --> 00:42:35.000 so that 00:42:35.000 --> 00:42:35.960 Moabites, 00:42:36.699 --> 00:42:37.299 Gentile 00:42:37.299 --> 00:42:37.799 sinners, 00:42:38.839 --> 00:42:40.559 can come 00:42:40.559 --> 00:42:41.559 and find 00:42:41.559 --> 00:42:42.440 salvation, 00:42:43.559 --> 00:42:44.059 forgiveness, 00:42:45.139 --> 00:42:45.679 acceptance. 00:42:48.480 --> 00:42:49.039 That's 00:42:49.039 --> 00:42:49.980 the amazing 00:42:49.980 --> 00:42:51.119 story 00:42:51.119 --> 00:42:55.079 of the book 00:42:55.079 --> 00:42:55.079 00:42:55.079 --> 00:42:55.480 of the book. 00:42:58.079 --> 00:42:58.839 So brothers and 00:42:58.839 --> 00:42:59.119 sisters, 00:43:01.359 --> 00:43:01.779 where, 00:43:02.299 --> 00:43:03.179 with whom, 00:43:03.759 --> 00:43:04.699 with what are you 00:43:04.699 --> 00:43:05.380 throwing in your 00:43:05.380 --> 00:43:05.699 lot? 00:43:05.699 --> 00:43:08.759 God, it's 00:43:08.759 --> 00:43:10.279 always a good 00:43:10.279 --> 00:43:11.159 idea to 00:43:11.159 --> 00:43:11.699 throw in your 00:43:11.699 --> 00:43:13.000 lot with 00:43:13.000 --> 00:43:13.639 the gracious, 00:43:14.719 --> 00:43:15.539 merciful Lord. 00:43:17.159 --> 00:43:17.659 No matter 00:43:17.659 --> 00:43:18.159 how hard 00:43:18.159 --> 00:43:18.779 your situation 00:43:18.779 --> 00:43:20.980 is, even 00:43:20.980 --> 00:43:21.319 in the 00:43:21.319 --> 00:43:21.879 bitterest of 00:43:21.879 --> 00:43:22.519 circumstances, 00:43:23.339 --> 00:43:24.980 return and 00:43:24.980 --> 00:43:26.599 cling to the 00:43:26.599 --> 00:43:26.919 Lord your 00:43:26.919 --> 00:43:27.239 God. 00:43:27.239 --> 00:43:27.899 Let's pray. 00:43:27.900 --> 00:43:39.760 O Father, 00:43:41.200 --> 00:43:46.400 yes, 00:43:47.660 --> 00:43:48.400 though you 00:43:48.400 --> 00:43:49.220 slay us, 00:43:50.300 --> 00:43:50.960 yet we 00:43:50.960 --> 00:43:51.180 will 00:43:51.180 --> 00:43:51.780 hold you. 00:43:55.420 --> 00:43:56.340 No matter 00:43:56.340 --> 00:43:57.160 how hard 00:43:57.159 --> 00:43:58.319 our lives 00:43:58.319 --> 00:43:58.799 get, 00:43:59.539 --> 00:43:59.920 no matter 00:43:59.920 --> 00:44:00.460 how 00:44:00.460 --> 00:44:01.339 persistent, 00:44:03.079 --> 00:44:03.460 lingering, 00:44:04.699 --> 00:44:05.480 and longer 00:44:05.480 --> 00:44:06.639 our suffering 00:44:06.639 --> 00:44:07.079 is, 00:44:08.739 --> 00:44:09.259 O Lord, 00:44:09.359 --> 00:44:09.799 we will, 00:44:09.940 --> 00:44:10.659 we will 00:44:10.659 --> 00:44:11.440 rather be a 00:44:11.440 --> 00:44:12.099 doorkeeper 00:44:12.099 --> 00:44:13.579 in your 00:44:13.579 --> 00:44:14.379 house than 00:44:14.379 --> 00:44:14.759 dwell in 00:44:14.759 --> 00:44:15.139 the tents 00:44:15.139 --> 00:44:15.339 in the 00:44:15.339 --> 00:44:15.739 quick end. 00:44:19.000 --> 00:44:19.659 We will 00:44:19.659 --> 00:44:20.579 rather suffer 00:44:20.579 --> 00:44:21.619 and wait 00:44:21.619 --> 00:44:22.259 on you and 00:44:22.259 --> 00:44:22.859 still throw 00:44:22.859 --> 00:44:23.319 our lot 00:44:23.319 --> 00:44:23.960 in with you 00:44:23.960 --> 00:44:25.619 because you 00:44:25.619 --> 00:44:26.159 are not 00:44:26.159 --> 00:44:26.599 like a 00:44:26.599 --> 00:44:26.819 man. 00:44:27.159 --> 00:44:28.879 you are 00:44:28.879 --> 00:44:29.379 gracious, 00:44:30.379 --> 00:44:30.940 compassionate, 00:44:31.940 --> 00:44:32.420 slow to 00:44:32.420 --> 00:44:32.779 anger, 00:44:35.039 --> 00:44:35.619 abounding 00:44:35.619 --> 00:44:36.319 in steadfast 00:44:36.319 --> 00:44:36.659 love. 00:44:39.440 --> 00:44:40.239 Would you 00:44:40.239 --> 00:44:41.719 please reveal 00:44:41.719 --> 00:44:42.599 more of your 00:44:42.599 --> 00:44:43.420 character 00:44:43.420 --> 00:44:46.699 to all of 00:44:46.699 --> 00:44:47.059 us, your 00:44:47.059 --> 00:44:48.420 children, 00:44:49.460 --> 00:44:49.980 my brothers 00:44:49.980 --> 00:44:50.420 and sisters 00:44:50.420 --> 00:44:50.980 in Christ? 00:44:50.980 --> 00:44:51.099 God, 00:44:51.920 --> 00:44:53.539 if David 00:44:53.539 --> 00:44:54.199 had reason 00:44:54.199 --> 00:44:54.639 to throw 00:44:54.639 --> 00:44:55.019 in his 00:44:55.019 --> 00:44:55.500 love with 00:44:55.500 --> 00:44:55.679 you, 00:44:55.760 --> 00:44:56.159 how much 00:44:56.159 --> 00:44:56.699 more do 00:44:56.699 --> 00:44:57.199 we would 00:44:57.199 --> 00:44:57.559 have seen 00:44:57.559 --> 00:44:57.900 your 00:44:57.900 --> 00:44:58.440 full, 00:44:58.699 --> 00:44:59.320 the fullness 00:44:59.320 --> 00:44:59.719 of your 00:44:59.719 --> 00:45:00.240 revelation, 00:45:00.400 --> 00:45:00.599 of your 00:45:00.599 --> 00:45:01.740 love in 00:45:01.740 --> 00:45:02.460 Jesus Christ. 00:45:02.699 --> 00:45:05.860 Help us 00:45:05.860 --> 00:45:06.740 to trust you, 00:45:07.500 --> 00:45:08.360 to hope in 00:45:08.360 --> 00:45:08.679 you, 00:45:09.559 --> 00:45:10.000 through all 00:45:10.000 --> 00:45:10.519 our days. 00:45:11.199 --> 00:45:11.599 In Jesus' 00:45:11.760 --> 00:45:12.260 name we pray. 00:45:12.780 --> 00:45:13.159 Amen. 00:45:13.159 --> 00:45:13.240 Amen. 00:45:13.240 --> 00:45:13.300 Amen. 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:13.300 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:13.300 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:13.300 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:13.300 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:13.300 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:13.300 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:13.300 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:13.300 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:13.300 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:13.300 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:13.300 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:13.300 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:13.300 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:13.300 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:13.300 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:13.300 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:13.300 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:13.300 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:13.300 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:13.300 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:13.300 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:13.300 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:13.300 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:19.519 may 00:45:19.519 --> 00:45:19.519 00:45:19.519 --> 00:45:19.519 00:45:19.519 --> 00:45:19.519 00:45:19.519 --> 00:45:19.519 00:45:19.519 --> 00:45:19.519 00:45:19.519 --> 00:45:19.519 00:45:19.519 --> 00:45:19.519 00:45:19.519 --> 00:45:19.519 00:45:19.519 --> 00:45:19.519 00:45:19.519 --> 00:45:19.519 00:45:19.519 --> 00:45:19.519 00:45:19.519 --> 00:45:19.519 00:45:19.519 --> 00:45:19.519 00:45:19.519 --> 00:45:19.519 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