WEBVTT

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 Please open your Bibles to the book of Ruth.

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 We're back in Ruth.

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 We did the first chapter two weeks ago.

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 Heavenly Father,

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 Heavenly Father,

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 I am weak and inadequate,

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 but you are strong

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 and you are sufficient

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 for all that my dear brothers and sisters need.

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 You know where they have been.

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 You know their tossing and turning.

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 You know their thoughts,

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 the wrestlings of their hearts,

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 their cries to you.

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 Would you please,

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 in and through your word,

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 meet them this morning,

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 comfort them,

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 speak to their hearts this morning.

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 Exalt your son,

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 glorify his grace and love toward us.

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 Revealed on the cross.

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 Make it fresh for us this morning from your word.

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 In Jesus' name we pray.

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 Amen.

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 If you are able,

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 please stand and join me in honoring the Lord

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 as we read from his word together.

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 Ruth chapter two,

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 verses one to 23.

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 Now,

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 Naomi had a relative of her husband's,

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 a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech,

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 whose name was Boaz.

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 And Ruth,

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 the Moabite,

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 said to Naomi,

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 let me go to the field

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 and glean among the years of grain

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 after him in whose sight I shall find favor.

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 And she said to her,

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 go,

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 my daughter.

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 So she set out

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 and went

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 and gleaned in the field

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 after the reapers.

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 And she happened to come

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 to the part of the field

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 belonging to Boaz,

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 who was of the clan of Elimelech.

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 And behold,

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 Boaz came from Bethlehem.

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 And he said to the reapers,

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 the Lord be with you.

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 And they answered,

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 the Lord bless you.

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 Then Boaz said to the,

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 to his young man

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 who was in charge of the reapers,

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 whose young woman is this?

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 And the servant

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 who was in charge of the reapers answered,

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 she is the young Moabite woman

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 who came back with Naomi

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 from the country of Moab.

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 She said,

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 please let me glean

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 and gather among the sheaves

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 after the reapers.

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 So she came

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 and she has continued

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 from early morning until now,

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 except for a short rest.

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 Then Boaz said to Ruth,

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 now listen,

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 my daughter,

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 do not go to glean

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 in another field

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 or leave this one,

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 but keep close

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 to my young woman.

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 Let your eyes

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 be on the field

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 that they are reaping

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 and go after them.

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 Have I not charged

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 the young men

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 not to touch you?

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 And when you are thirsty,

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 go to the vessels

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 and drink what the young men

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 have drawn.

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 Then she fell on her face,

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 bowing to the ground

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 and said to him,

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 why have I found favor

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 in your eyes

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 that you should take notice

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 of me

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 since I am a foreigner?

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 But Boaz answered her,

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 all that you have done

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 for your mother-in-law

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 since the death

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 of your husband

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 has been fully told to me

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 and how you left

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 your father and mother

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 and your native land

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 and came to a people

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 that you did not know before.

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 The Lord repay you

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 for what you have done

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 and a full reward

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 be given you

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 by the Lord,

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 the God of Israel,

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 under whose wings

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 you have come

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 to take refuge.

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 Then she said,

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 I have found favor

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 in your eyes,

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 my Lord,

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 for you have comforted me

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 and spoken kindly

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 to your servant.

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 Do I am not

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 one of your servants?

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 And at mealtime,

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 Boaz said to her,

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 come here

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 and eat some bread

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 and dip your morsel

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 in the wine.

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 So she sat beside the reapers

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 and he passed to her

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 a roasted grain

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 and she ate

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 until she was satisfied

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 and she had some left over.

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 When she rose to glean,

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 Boaz instructed

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 his young men saying,

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 let her glean

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 even among the sheaves

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 and do not reproach her.

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 And also,

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 pull out some

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 from the bundles

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 for her

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 and leave it

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 for her to glean

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 and do not rebuke her.

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 So she gleaned

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 in the field

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 until evening.

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 Then she beat out

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 what she had gleaned

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 and it was about

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 an ephah of barley.

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 And she took it up

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 and went into the city.

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 Her mother-in-law

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 saw what she had gleaned

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 gleaned.

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 She also brought out

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 and gave her

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 what food she had left over

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 after being satisfied.

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 And her mother-in-law

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 said to her,

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 where did you glean today?

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 Where have you worked?

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 Blessed be the man

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 who took notice of you.

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 So she told her mother-in-law

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 with whom she had worked

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 and said,

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 the man's name

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 with whom I work today

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 is Boaz.

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 And Naomi said

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 to her daughter-in-law,

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 may he be blessed

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 by the Lord

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 whose kindness

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 has not forsaken

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 the living or the dead.

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 Naomi also said to her,

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 the man is a close relative

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 of ours,

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 one of our redeemers.

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 And Ruth the Moabite said,

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 besides,

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 he said to me,

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 you shall keep close

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 by my young men

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 until they have finished

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 all my harvest.

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 And Naomi said to Ruth,

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 her daughter-in-law,

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 it is good,

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 my daughter,

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 that you go out

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 with his young woman,

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 lest in another field

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 you be assaulted.

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 So she kept close

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 to the young woman

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 of Boaz,

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 gleaning until the end

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 of the barley

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 and wheat harvests.

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 And she lived

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 with her mother-in-law.

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 This is God's holy

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 and authoritative word.

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 In his classic 1952 novel,

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 Invisible Man,

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 Ralph Ellison writes

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 from the perspective

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 of an unnamed black narrator

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 who feels invisible

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 in society

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 because of his race.

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 He begins in the prologue

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 by saying,

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 I am an invisible man.

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 Not because of his,

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 not because he's

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 an immaterial ghost

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 or because,

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 you know,

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 he's made of other things

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 or ethereal things,

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 but no,

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 he says,

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 I'm made of flesh and bone,

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 fiber and liquids

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 like any other man.

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 But he says,

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 I am invisible,

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 understand,

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 simply because people

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 refuse to see me.

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 It's a common experience

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 for marginalized peoples.

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 The poor

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 and those employed

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 in professions

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 in society

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 that are deemed menial

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 often feel

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 unseen or overlooked

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 like a hapless pawn

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 in a world

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 run by the rich,

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 rise of automation

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 that leads to

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 unemployment,

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 persistent inflation

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 caused by wars

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 and tariffs

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 beyond their control

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 being treated

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 as transactional functions

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 rather than

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 as relational humans.

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 And so on.

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 Foreigners and immigrants

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 often feel

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 similarly unseen.

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 They are regarded

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 as other.

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 Their complex

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 national and

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 ethnic identities

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 and histories

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 are erased

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 and lumped

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 into broad,

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 monolithic,

00:08:13.720 --> 00:08:15.279
 racial or regional

00:08:15.279 --> 00:08:15.899
 categories.

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 They don't have

00:08:17.919 --> 00:08:18.659
 the same legal

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 recourses

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 and rights

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 as citizens.

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 Their professional

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 qualifications

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 and credentials

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 that they enjoyed

00:08:24.039 --> 00:08:24.799
 in their home country

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 are now meaningless

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 because they're not

00:08:26.479 --> 00:08:27.419
 recognized in their

00:08:27.419 --> 00:08:28.539
 new locale

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 and forcing them

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 toward underemployment

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 Unemployment!

00:08:33.720 --> 00:08:33.899
 Unseen!

00:08:35.179 --> 00:08:35.720
 Unknown!

00:08:36.519 --> 00:08:37.159
 Unnoticed!

00:08:39.159 --> 00:08:40.559
 Perhaps some of you

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 have felt like that lately.

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 Does anyone

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 see

00:08:46.200 --> 00:08:48.139
 what I'm going

00:08:48.139 --> 00:08:48.440
 through?

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 Does anyone

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 care?

00:08:52.920 --> 00:08:54.080
 Does anyone

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 notice?

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 Our passage

00:08:57.580 --> 00:08:58.080
 this morning

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 teaches us

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 that in his

00:08:59.680 --> 00:09:00.639
 loving kindness

00:09:00.639 --> 00:09:02.180
 the Lord

00:09:02.180 --> 00:09:03.440
 takes notice

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 of foreigners

00:09:04.240 --> 00:09:05.879
 who take refuge

00:09:05.879 --> 00:09:06.740
 under his wings.

00:09:07.360 --> 00:09:08.200
 And we're going

00:09:08.200 --> 00:09:09.080
 to explore that

00:09:09.080 --> 00:09:10.759
 by examining

00:09:10.759 --> 00:09:11.779
 closely three

00:09:11.779 --> 00:09:12.759
 the main

00:09:12.759 --> 00:09:13.259
 characters

00:09:13.259 --> 00:09:14.319
 in chapter 2.

00:09:14.439 --> 00:09:14.980
 First Ruth,

00:09:15.519 --> 00:09:16.539
 second Boaz,

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 and third Yahweh

00:09:18.019 --> 00:09:18.480
 himself,

00:09:18.600 --> 00:09:19.259
 the Lord God.

00:09:20.339 --> 00:09:21.159
 If anyone

00:09:21.159 --> 00:09:21.639
 could go

00:09:21.639 --> 00:09:22.339
 unseen,

00:09:22.600 --> 00:09:23.139
 unnoticed,

00:09:23.299 --> 00:09:23.759
 unknown,

00:09:24.360 --> 00:09:25.039
 it would have

00:09:25.039 --> 00:09:25.480
 been Ruth.

00:09:26.419 --> 00:09:27.240
 Look at verse 2

00:09:27.240 --> 00:09:28.039
 and 6

00:09:28.039 --> 00:09:28.639
 and 21.

00:09:28.839 --> 00:09:29.199
 Ruth,

00:09:29.740 --> 00:09:30.379
 the Moabite.

00:09:31.299 --> 00:09:31.879
 She's called

00:09:31.879 --> 00:09:32.579
 a Moabite

00:09:32.579 --> 00:09:33.480
 seven times

00:09:33.480 --> 00:09:34.120
 throughout the book.

00:09:34.779 --> 00:09:35.539
 A foreigner

00:09:35.539 --> 00:09:36.839
 from a people

00:09:36.839 --> 00:09:37.559
 who have

00:09:37.559 --> 00:09:38.199
 a bitter

00:09:38.199 --> 00:09:39.179
 and belligerent

00:09:39.179 --> 00:09:39.740
 history

00:09:39.740 --> 00:09:40.399
 with Israel.

00:09:40.399 --> 00:09:42.679
 people of

00:09:42.679 --> 00:09:43.100
 Bethlehem

00:09:43.100 --> 00:09:43.340
 would have

00:09:43.340 --> 00:09:44.059
 been naturally

00:09:44.059 --> 00:09:44.679
 prejudiced

00:09:44.679 --> 00:09:45.799
 against her

00:09:45.799 --> 00:09:46.600
 and anyone

00:09:46.600 --> 00:09:48.340
 from her

00:09:48.340 --> 00:09:48.959
 country.

00:09:49.759 --> 00:09:50.399
 Not only

00:09:50.399 --> 00:09:50.620
 that,

00:09:50.699 --> 00:09:51.279
 Ruth was

00:09:51.279 --> 00:09:52.340
 poor.

00:09:53.539 --> 00:09:54.120
 Later in

00:09:54.120 --> 00:09:54.539
 chapter 4,

00:09:54.600 --> 00:09:54.980
 we see that

00:09:54.980 --> 00:09:55.679
 Naomi sells

00:09:55.679 --> 00:09:56.199
 the parcel

00:09:56.199 --> 00:09:56.639
 of land

00:09:56.639 --> 00:09:57.279
 that belonged

00:09:57.279 --> 00:09:57.840
 to her

00:09:57.840 --> 00:09:58.579
 deceased husband

00:09:58.579 --> 00:09:59.159
 Elimelech.

00:09:59.799 --> 00:10:00.720
 Whether Elimelech

00:10:00.720 --> 00:10:01.419
 already sold

00:10:01.419 --> 00:10:01.779
 the land

00:10:01.779 --> 00:10:02.579
 ten years prior

00:10:02.579 --> 00:10:03.079
 when they were

00:10:03.079 --> 00:10:03.740
 moving away

00:10:03.740 --> 00:10:04.439
 to Moab

00:10:04.439 --> 00:10:05.100
 or whether

00:10:05.100 --> 00:10:05.720
 they held

00:10:05.720 --> 00:10:06.259
 on to it

00:10:06.259 --> 00:10:07.379
 and because

00:10:07.379 --> 00:10:08.179
 he already

00:10:08.179 --> 00:10:08.759
 sold and needed

00:10:08.759 --> 00:10:09.399
 to be redeemed

00:10:09.399 --> 00:10:10.120
 or whether

00:10:10.120 --> 00:10:10.439
 they had

00:10:10.439 --> 00:10:10.899
 held on

00:10:10.899 --> 00:10:11.199
 to it

00:10:11.199 --> 00:10:11.559
 and now

00:10:11.559 --> 00:10:11.740
 they're

00:10:11.740 --> 00:10:12.059
 trying to

00:10:12.059 --> 00:10:12.340
 sell it

00:10:12.340 --> 00:10:12.600
 because they

00:10:12.600 --> 00:10:12.799
 have no

00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:13.019
 one to

00:10:13.019 --> 00:10:13.360
 work the

00:10:13.360 --> 00:10:13.659
 field and

00:10:13.659 --> 00:10:14.000
 desperately

00:10:14.000 --> 00:10:14.740
 need money.

00:10:15.120 --> 00:10:15.899
 Either way,

00:10:16.100 --> 00:10:16.679
 Naomi and

00:10:16.679 --> 00:10:17.639
 Ruth are

00:10:17.639 --> 00:10:18.179
 destitute.

00:10:18.860 --> 00:10:19.199
 They have

00:10:19.199 --> 00:10:19.639
 no money.

00:10:21.019 --> 00:10:21.679
 In verses

00:10:21.679 --> 00:10:22.340
 2-3,

00:10:22.579 --> 00:10:23.259
 Ruth proposes

00:10:23.259 --> 00:10:23.799
 to Naomi,

00:10:23.959 --> 00:10:24.480
 let me go to

00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:24.879
 the field

00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:25.360
 and glean

00:10:25.360 --> 00:10:25.840
 among the

00:10:25.840 --> 00:10:26.639
 ears of grain

00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:27.360
 after him

00:10:27.360 --> 00:10:27.699
 in whose

00:10:27.699 --> 00:10:28.120
 sight I

00:10:28.120 --> 00:10:28.639
 shall find

00:10:28.639 --> 00:10:29.039
 favor.

00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:30.819
 This was

00:10:30.819 --> 00:10:31.379
 a practice

00:10:31.379 --> 00:10:32.379
 of the

00:10:32.379 --> 00:10:32.639
 poor

00:10:32.639 --> 00:10:33.819
 in Israel.

00:10:34.500 --> 00:10:35.139
 Old Testament

00:10:35.139 --> 00:10:36.000
 harvest laws

00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:37.079
 specify that

00:10:37.079 --> 00:10:37.840
 when you reap

00:10:37.840 --> 00:10:38.419
 the harvest

00:10:38.419 --> 00:10:38.979
 in your field,

00:10:39.059 --> 00:10:39.620
 you are not

00:10:39.620 --> 00:10:40.240
 to harvest

00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:40.839
 it right up

00:10:40.839 --> 00:10:41.479
 to the edge

00:10:41.479 --> 00:10:42.740
 lest you

00:10:42.740 --> 00:10:43.279
 leave nothing

00:10:43.279 --> 00:10:44.039
 for the poor,

00:10:44.139 --> 00:10:44.620
 the sojourners

00:10:44.620 --> 00:10:45.199
 and the widows.

00:10:45.659 --> 00:10:46.019
 Also,

00:10:46.139 --> 00:10:46.959
 when you gather

00:10:46.959 --> 00:10:49.659
 the wheat

00:10:49.659 --> 00:10:50.079
 or whatever

00:10:50.079 --> 00:10:50.759
 you are harvesting

00:10:50.759 --> 00:10:51.740
 into bundles

00:10:51.740 --> 00:10:52.719
 and into sheaves,

00:10:53.199 --> 00:10:54.779
 whatever you drop

00:10:54.779 --> 00:10:55.500
 along the way,

00:10:55.579 --> 00:10:56.059
 you are not

00:10:56.059 --> 00:10:56.620
 supposed to go

00:10:56.620 --> 00:10:57.399
 back and pick

00:10:57.399 --> 00:10:57.740
 it up.

00:10:58.279 --> 00:10:58.719
 You are supposed

00:10:58.719 --> 00:10:59.360
 to leave it

00:10:59.360 --> 00:11:00.019
 for the poor,

00:11:00.139 --> 00:11:00.659
 the sojourners

00:11:00.659 --> 00:11:01.219
 and widows

00:11:01.219 --> 00:11:01.860
 so that they

00:11:01.860 --> 00:11:02.539
 have something

00:11:02.539 --> 00:11:03.339
 to eat.

00:11:04.719 --> 00:11:05.199
 It was a

00:11:05.199 --> 00:11:05.659
 wise,

00:11:05.939 --> 00:11:06.519
 compassionate

00:11:06.519 --> 00:11:07.340
 social welfare

00:11:07.340 --> 00:11:08.139
 system designed

00:11:08.139 --> 00:11:08.819
 for the poor

00:11:08.819 --> 00:11:09.439
 and the marginalized.

00:11:10.720 --> 00:11:11.539
 It wasn't a

00:11:11.539 --> 00:11:12.399
 free handout

00:11:12.399 --> 00:11:15.259
 that disincentivized

00:11:15.259 --> 00:11:16.299
 work or

00:11:16.299 --> 00:11:17.480
 fosters complacency

00:11:17.480 --> 00:11:17.960
 and long-term

00:11:17.960 --> 00:11:19.059
 dependency.

00:11:19.840 --> 00:11:20.460
 It preserved

00:11:20.460 --> 00:11:21.000
 the principle

00:11:21.000 --> 00:11:21.980
 of 2 Thessalonians

00:11:21.980 --> 00:11:22.720
 3.10,

00:11:23.079 --> 00:11:23.679
 if anyone is

00:11:23.679 --> 00:11:24.179
 not willing

00:11:24.179 --> 00:11:24.679
 to work,

00:11:24.799 --> 00:11:25.559
 let him not

00:11:25.559 --> 00:11:25.860
 eat.

00:11:26.860 --> 00:11:27.639
 It afforded

00:11:27.639 --> 00:11:28.179
 the poor

00:11:28.179 --> 00:11:28.919
 an opportunity

00:11:28.919 --> 00:11:29.799
 for the dignity

00:11:29.799 --> 00:11:30.379
 of work.

00:11:31.620 --> 00:11:32.220
 Look at how

00:11:32.220 --> 00:11:33.000
 hard Ruth works

00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:33.579
 in verse 7.

00:11:33.580 --> 00:11:41.620
 The word

00:11:41.620 --> 00:11:42.440
 continued can

00:11:42.440 --> 00:11:42.940
 be translated

00:11:42.940 --> 00:11:43.560
 more literally

00:11:43.560 --> 00:11:44.400
 as stood.

00:11:45.200 --> 00:11:45.600
 She has

00:11:45.600 --> 00:11:46.480
 stood from

00:11:46.480 --> 00:11:47.160
 early morning

00:11:47.160 --> 00:11:47.820
 until now

00:11:47.820 --> 00:11:48.420
 except for

00:11:48.420 --> 00:11:49.300
 short rest.

00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:50.240
 It's not

00:11:50.240 --> 00:11:50.780
 talking about

00:11:50.780 --> 00:11:51.120
 her just

00:11:51.120 --> 00:11:51.759
 standing around

00:11:51.759 --> 00:11:52.340
 idly and

00:11:52.340 --> 00:11:52.900
 doing nothing.

00:11:53.420 --> 00:11:53.920
 It's saying

00:11:53.920 --> 00:11:54.320
 that she was

00:11:54.320 --> 00:11:55.460
 on her feet

00:11:55.460 --> 00:11:56.220
 the whole

00:11:56.220 --> 00:11:56.580
 day.

00:11:57.520 --> 00:11:58.280
 I know

00:11:58.280 --> 00:11:58.900
 most of you

00:11:58.900 --> 00:12:00.000
 work jobs

00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:00.320
 where you

00:12:00.320 --> 00:12:01.060
 sit all day,

00:12:01.180 --> 00:12:01.759
 so it's hard

00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:02.320
 to appreciate

00:12:02.320 --> 00:12:02.860
 how hard

00:12:02.860 --> 00:12:03.220
 it is to

00:12:03.220 --> 00:12:03.659
 be on

00:12:03.659 --> 00:12:04.019
 your feet

00:12:04.019 --> 00:12:04.379
 all day.

00:12:04.500 --> 00:12:04.680
 It's

00:12:04.680 --> 00:12:05.220
 exhausting

00:12:05.220 --> 00:12:05.759
 just

00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:06.120
 standing

00:12:06.120 --> 00:12:06.899
 all day.

00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:08.180
 She was

00:12:08.180 --> 00:12:08.759
 not just

00:12:08.759 --> 00:12:09.080
 standing,

00:12:09.200 --> 00:12:09.399
 she was

00:12:09.399 --> 00:12:09.700
 standing

00:12:09.700 --> 00:12:10.019
 and

00:12:10.019 --> 00:12:10.460
 working,

00:12:10.639 --> 00:12:10.940
 working

00:12:10.940 --> 00:12:11.360
 hard to

00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:11.779
 collect

00:12:11.779 --> 00:12:13.159
 the

00:12:13.159 --> 00:12:13.720
 gleanings.

00:12:15.320 --> 00:12:16.060
 The Old

00:12:16.060 --> 00:12:16.320
 Testament

00:12:16.320 --> 00:12:16.779
 approach

00:12:16.779 --> 00:12:17.539
 to this

00:12:17.539 --> 00:12:17.980
 kind of

00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:18.680
 compassionate

00:12:18.680 --> 00:12:19.279
 care for

00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:19.639
 the poor

00:12:19.639 --> 00:12:20.100
 and welfare

00:12:20.100 --> 00:12:20.659
 as it

00:12:20.659 --> 00:12:21.560
 also commands

00:12:21.560 --> 00:12:22.360
 the well-to-do

00:12:22.360 --> 00:12:22.700
 to be

00:12:22.700 --> 00:12:23.200
 generous,

00:12:24.000 --> 00:12:24.539
 to have

00:12:24.539 --> 00:12:25.200
 compassion

00:12:25.200 --> 00:12:26.440
 on the

00:12:26.440 --> 00:12:27.240
 less well-off

00:12:27.240 --> 00:12:27.920
 rather than

00:12:27.920 --> 00:12:28.480
 having a

00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:29.240
 penny-pinching

00:12:29.240 --> 00:12:29.580
 attitude

00:12:29.580 --> 00:12:30.159
 toward

00:12:30.159 --> 00:12:31.240
 maximizing

00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:31.840
 their own

00:12:31.840 --> 00:12:32.240
 wealth

00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:32.820
 and profit.

00:12:33.940 --> 00:12:34.600
 That's a good

00:12:34.600 --> 00:12:35.120
 lesson for all

00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:35.600
 of us too.

00:12:36.360 --> 00:12:37.100
 It's great

00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:37.879
 that you're

00:12:37.879 --> 00:12:38.320
 trying to

00:12:38.320 --> 00:12:38.759
 save for

00:12:38.759 --> 00:12:39.259
 the future

00:12:39.259 --> 00:12:40.039
 and for

00:12:40.039 --> 00:12:40.600
 the house

00:12:40.600 --> 00:12:41.060
 and for

00:12:41.060 --> 00:12:41.620
 retirement,

00:12:42.460 --> 00:12:42.980
 but if you

00:12:42.980 --> 00:12:43.639
 are harvesting

00:12:43.639 --> 00:12:44.259
 right up to

00:12:44.259 --> 00:12:44.840
 the edge

00:12:44.840 --> 00:12:46.240
 and whenever

00:12:46.240 --> 00:12:46.639
 you have

00:12:46.639 --> 00:12:47.220
 droppings,

00:12:47.659 --> 00:12:47.879
 you know,

00:12:47.940 --> 00:12:48.440
 gleanings that

00:12:48.440 --> 00:12:48.860
 you've dropped

00:12:48.860 --> 00:12:49.379
 along the way,

00:12:49.460 --> 00:12:50.159
 you go back,

00:12:50.320 --> 00:12:50.879
 make sure to go

00:12:50.879 --> 00:12:51.539
 back every single

00:12:51.539 --> 00:12:52.180
 time to collect

00:12:52.180 --> 00:12:52.940
 every last

00:12:52.940 --> 00:12:53.980
 one to

00:12:53.980 --> 00:12:54.720
 maximize your

00:12:54.720 --> 00:12:55.240
 profits

00:12:55.240 --> 00:12:55.919
 instead of

00:12:55.919 --> 00:12:56.500
 caring for

00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:56.840
 those who

00:12:56.840 --> 00:12:57.340
 are poor,

00:12:57.700 --> 00:12:58.100
 sojourners,

00:12:58.240 --> 00:12:58.680
 widows,

00:12:58.679 --> 00:13:00.159
 then it

00:13:00.159 --> 00:13:00.859
 exposes the

00:13:00.859 --> 00:13:01.239
 fact that

00:13:01.239 --> 00:13:01.479
 you have

00:13:01.479 --> 00:13:02.019
 misaligned

00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:02.779
 affections and

00:13:02.779 --> 00:13:03.299
 priorities,

00:13:03.299 --> 00:13:04.139
 that you

00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:04.679
 don't have

00:13:04.679 --> 00:13:05.019
 room in

00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:05.439
 your heart

00:13:05.439 --> 00:13:07.079
 for generosity

00:13:07.079 --> 00:13:07.620
 toward God

00:13:07.620 --> 00:13:08.139
 and others.

00:13:10.179 --> 00:13:10.939
 Of course,

00:13:11.039 --> 00:13:11.639
 during Ruth's

00:13:11.639 --> 00:13:11.859
 day,

00:13:11.939 --> 00:13:12.479
 as in ours,

00:13:12.719 --> 00:13:13.359
 there was no

00:13:13.359 --> 00:13:14.099
 guarantee that

00:13:14.099 --> 00:13:14.539
 people would

00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:15.439
 actually obey

00:13:15.439 --> 00:13:16.299
 God's commands

00:13:16.299 --> 00:13:16.759
 and have

00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:17.439
 compassion toward

00:13:17.439 --> 00:13:17.799
 the poor,

00:13:18.319 --> 00:13:18.979
 and that's why

00:13:18.979 --> 00:13:20.039
 Ruth makes

00:13:20.039 --> 00:13:20.759
 this suggestion,

00:13:21.479 --> 00:13:22.099
 let me go to

00:13:22.099 --> 00:13:22.799
 the field and

00:13:22.799 --> 00:13:23.539
 glean among

00:13:23.539 --> 00:13:24.159
 the years of

00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:24.459
 grain,

00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:26.039
 after him in

00:13:26.039 --> 00:13:27.019
 whose sight I

00:13:27.019 --> 00:13:27.740
 shall find

00:13:27.740 --> 00:13:28.240
 favor.

00:13:29.340 --> 00:13:29.879
 She's well

00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:31.080
 aware that

00:13:31.080 --> 00:13:32.259
 not everyone's

00:13:32.259 --> 00:13:32.919
 going to look

00:13:32.919 --> 00:13:33.580
 kindly upon

00:13:33.580 --> 00:13:33.860
 her.

00:13:34.740 --> 00:13:35.240
 She might go

00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:35.860
 to one field

00:13:35.860 --> 00:13:36.740
 and be driven

00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:37.200
 out of the

00:13:37.200 --> 00:13:37.759
 field and have

00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:38.039
 to go to

00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:38.600
 another one

00:13:38.600 --> 00:13:39.000
 and then to

00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:39.560
 another one

00:13:39.560 --> 00:13:39.879
 and then to

00:13:39.879 --> 00:13:40.360
 another one.

00:13:40.419 --> 00:13:40.759
 She doesn't

00:13:40.759 --> 00:13:41.580
 know with

00:13:41.580 --> 00:13:42.000
 whom she's

00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:42.259
 going to

00:13:42.259 --> 00:13:42.899
 find favor.

00:13:43.539 --> 00:13:44.200
 She's at

00:13:44.200 --> 00:13:44.680
 the mercy

00:13:44.680 --> 00:13:45.139
 of others.

00:13:45.259 --> 00:13:45.879
 She's poor.

00:13:47.799 --> 00:13:48.639
 Not only was

00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:49.080
 Ruth a

00:13:49.080 --> 00:13:49.500
 foreigner,

00:13:49.720 --> 00:13:50.220
 a Moabite,

00:13:50.340 --> 00:13:50.980
 and poor,

00:13:51.299 --> 00:13:51.899
 she was also

00:13:51.899 --> 00:13:52.279
 a widow.

00:13:53.779 --> 00:13:54.720
 She didn't

00:13:54.720 --> 00:13:55.460
 have the

00:13:55.460 --> 00:13:56.440
 social standing

00:13:56.440 --> 00:13:57.180
 and the

00:13:57.180 --> 00:13:57.560
 material

00:13:57.559 --> 00:13:58.179
 provision

00:13:58.179 --> 00:13:59.000
 and the

00:13:59.000 --> 00:13:59.339
 physical

00:13:59.339 --> 00:13:59.979
 protection

00:13:59.979 --> 00:14:00.679
 that usually

00:14:00.679 --> 00:14:01.199
 fell upon

00:14:01.199 --> 00:14:01.819
 husbands in

00:14:01.819 --> 00:14:02.279
 this culture

00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:02.939
 to provide

00:14:02.939 --> 00:14:03.619
 for their

00:14:03.619 --> 00:14:04.019
 wives.

00:14:05.339 --> 00:14:06.039
 Remember the

00:14:06.039 --> 00:14:06.500
 historical

00:14:06.500 --> 00:14:07.279
 backdrop of

00:14:07.279 --> 00:14:07.539
 the book

00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:07.959
 of Ruth.

00:14:08.279 --> 00:14:08.679
 It said

00:14:08.679 --> 00:14:09.000
 in Ruth

00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:09.559
 1.1,

00:14:09.639 --> 00:14:09.879
 in the

00:14:09.879 --> 00:14:10.799
 days when

00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:11.439
 the judges

00:14:11.439 --> 00:14:12.159
 ruled,

00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:13.319
 as I

00:14:13.319 --> 00:14:13.579
 mentioned

00:14:13.579 --> 00:14:13.979
 two weeks

00:14:13.979 --> 00:14:14.219
 ago,

00:14:14.299 --> 00:14:14.739
 the days

00:14:14.739 --> 00:14:15.079
 when the

00:14:15.079 --> 00:14:15.359
 judges

00:14:15.359 --> 00:14:16.279
 ruled were

00:14:16.279 --> 00:14:17.079
 not happy,

00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:17.659
 prosperous

00:14:17.659 --> 00:14:18.179
 times.

00:14:19.059 --> 00:14:19.399
 They were

00:14:19.399 --> 00:14:19.939
 lawless

00:14:19.939 --> 00:14:20.459
 times when

00:14:20.459 --> 00:14:21.119
 people did

00:14:21.119 --> 00:14:21.819
 whatever they

00:14:21.819 --> 00:14:22.679
 saw fit.

00:14:23.559 --> 00:14:24.719
 Judges 21.25

00:14:24.719 --> 00:14:25.439
 summarize it

00:14:25.439 --> 00:14:25.739
 this way,

00:14:25.779 --> 00:14:26.139
 in those

00:14:26.139 --> 00:14:26.579
 days there

00:14:26.579 --> 00:14:26.919
 was no

00:14:26.919 --> 00:14:27.399
 king in

00:14:27.399 --> 00:14:27.759
 Israel.

00:14:28.240 --> 00:14:28.620
 Everyone

00:14:28.620 --> 00:14:29.299
 did what

00:14:29.299 --> 00:14:29.759
 was right

00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:30.139
 in his

00:14:30.139 --> 00:14:31.019
 own eyes.

00:14:32.199 --> 00:14:32.579
 These were

00:14:32.579 --> 00:14:33.179
 lawless

00:14:33.179 --> 00:14:33.839
 times that

00:14:33.839 --> 00:14:34.439
 Ruth lived

00:14:34.439 --> 00:14:35.000
 in, and

00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:35.539
 women,

00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:36.559
 especially

00:14:36.559 --> 00:14:37.120
 widows,

00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:37.919
 were vulnerable

00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:38.839
 to exploitation.

00:14:40.219 --> 00:14:40.959
 Throughout the

00:14:40.959 --> 00:14:41.579
 book of Judges,

00:14:41.639 --> 00:14:42.839
 you see women

00:14:42.839 --> 00:14:43.740
 treated as

00:14:43.740 --> 00:14:44.259
 disposable

00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:44.819
 property.

00:14:45.959 --> 00:14:47.000
 In Judges 19,

00:14:47.299 --> 00:14:48.139
 a local mob

00:14:48.139 --> 00:14:48.899
 surrounds the

00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:49.459
 house of a

00:14:49.459 --> 00:14:50.099
 man who has

00:14:50.099 --> 00:14:51.000
 taken in a

00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:51.659
 traveling Levi

00:14:51.659 --> 00:14:52.500
 to host him.

00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:54.039
 And this

00:14:54.039 --> 00:14:54.620
 mob shows

00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:55.039
 up and

00:14:55.039 --> 00:14:55.679
 demands to

00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:56.299
 have the

00:14:56.299 --> 00:14:56.679
 traveling

00:14:56.679 --> 00:14:57.620
 Levite for

00:14:57.620 --> 00:14:58.860
 sexual sport.

00:15:00.139 --> 00:15:01.240
 To appease

00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:02.600
 them, the

00:15:02.600 --> 00:15:04.299
 host offers

00:15:04.299 --> 00:15:04.980
 up his own

00:15:04.980 --> 00:15:05.720
 virgin daughter,

00:15:06.539 --> 00:15:07.360
 and the

00:15:07.360 --> 00:15:08.200
 traveling Levite

00:15:08.200 --> 00:15:08.980
 offers up his

00:15:08.980 --> 00:15:10.000
 own concubine

00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:11.360
 and tells

00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:11.759
 them,

00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:12.539
 quote,

00:15:13.200 --> 00:15:14.179
 violate them

00:15:14.179 --> 00:15:15.159
 and do to

00:15:15.159 --> 00:15:15.879
 them what

00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:16.879
 seems good

00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:17.519
 to you.

00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:19.819
 people doing

00:15:19.819 --> 00:15:21.039
 whatever seems

00:15:21.039 --> 00:15:22.259
 good to

00:15:22.259 --> 00:15:22.699
 their own

00:15:22.699 --> 00:15:23.059
 minds.

00:15:24.379 --> 00:15:24.679
 And the

00:15:24.679 --> 00:15:25.000
 Levite's

00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:25.519
 concubines

00:15:25.519 --> 00:15:26.179
 gang-raped

00:15:26.179 --> 00:15:26.699
 all night.

00:15:28.460 --> 00:15:29.500
 The times

00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:29.939
 of the

00:15:29.939 --> 00:15:31.039
 judges were

00:15:31.039 --> 00:15:31.720
 not safe

00:15:31.720 --> 00:15:32.120
 for women.

00:15:33.460 --> 00:15:33.720
 And you

00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:34.240
 see hints

00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:34.919
 of this dark

00:15:34.919 --> 00:15:35.399
 background

00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:35.939
 throughout this

00:15:35.939 --> 00:15:36.240
 chapter.

00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:37.600
 In verse

00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:38.699
 9, Boaz

00:15:38.699 --> 00:15:39.840
 charges the

00:15:39.840 --> 00:15:40.539
 young man

00:15:40.539 --> 00:15:41.319
 not to

00:15:41.319 --> 00:15:41.759
 touch

00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:42.240
 Ruth.

00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:44.120
 Why does

00:15:44.120 --> 00:15:44.500
 he have to

00:15:44.500 --> 00:15:44.939
 tell them

00:15:44.939 --> 00:15:45.399
 to not

00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:45.740
 touch

00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:46.079
 Ruth?

00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:46.399
 I mean,

00:15:46.419 --> 00:15:46.779
 isn't that

00:15:46.779 --> 00:15:47.360
 just what

00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:47.639
 they should

00:15:47.639 --> 00:15:48.300
 do normally?

00:15:48.879 --> 00:15:49.100
 Why?

00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:49.600
 Because if

00:15:49.600 --> 00:15:50.279
 he doesn't

00:15:50.279 --> 00:15:50.680
 tell them

00:15:50.680 --> 00:15:50.899
 and if

00:15:50.899 --> 00:15:51.340
 he doesn't

00:15:51.340 --> 00:15:52.019
 use his

00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:52.940
 authority to

00:15:52.940 --> 00:15:53.639
 make sure

00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:54.180
 they don't

00:15:54.180 --> 00:15:54.620
 touch her,

00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:55.440
 they might.

00:15:57.159 --> 00:15:57.480
 And the

00:15:57.480 --> 00:15:58.019
 word touch

00:15:58.019 --> 00:15:58.620
 in Hebrew

00:15:58.620 --> 00:15:59.300
 as it does

00:15:59.300 --> 00:16:00.340
 in English

00:16:00.340 --> 00:16:01.399
 has a range

00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:01.720
 of meanings

00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:02.279
 including

00:16:02.279 --> 00:16:03.180
 assault,

00:16:03.919 --> 00:16:04.379
 abuse,

00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:06.519
 harassment.

00:16:08.279 --> 00:16:09.019
 We also

00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:09.860
 see this

00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:10.259
 risk,

00:16:10.440 --> 00:16:10.840
 this dark

00:16:10.840 --> 00:16:11.440
 backdrop in

00:16:11.440 --> 00:16:12.019
 verse 22

00:16:12.019 --> 00:16:12.519
 when Naomi

00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:12.960
 says to

00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:13.139
 Ruth,

00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:14.120
 it is good

00:16:14.120 --> 00:16:14.720
 my daughter

00:16:14.720 --> 00:16:15.560
 that you

00:16:15.560 --> 00:16:16.279
 go out with

00:16:16.279 --> 00:16:17.100
 Boaz's young

00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:17.460
 woman,

00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:18.340
 lest in

00:16:18.340 --> 00:16:19.080
 another field

00:16:19.080 --> 00:16:19.600
 you be

00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:20.600
 assaulted.

00:16:23.560 --> 00:16:24.200
 Ruth,

00:16:24.399 --> 00:16:24.899
 as a

00:16:24.899 --> 00:16:25.340
 young

00:16:25.340 --> 00:16:26.139
 woman,

00:16:26.560 --> 00:16:27.340
 as a

00:16:27.340 --> 00:16:27.740
 foreign

00:16:27.740 --> 00:16:28.240
 woman,

00:16:28.659 --> 00:16:29.420
 as a

00:16:29.420 --> 00:16:29.820
 widowed

00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:30.360
 woman,

00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:31.320
 as a

00:16:31.320 --> 00:16:31.740
 poor

00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:32.779
 woman,

00:16:33.159 --> 00:16:33.600
 was

00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:34.480
 quadruply

00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:34.960
 vulnerable.

00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:37.860
 And now

00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:38.200
 we can

00:16:38.200 --> 00:16:39.240
 appreciate the

00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:40.120
 extraordinary

00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:41.040
 courage it

00:16:41.040 --> 00:16:41.879
 took for,

00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:42.800
 likely took

00:16:42.800 --> 00:16:43.440
 for Ruth

00:16:43.440 --> 00:16:44.200
 to even

00:16:44.200 --> 00:16:45.300
 suggest going

00:16:45.300 --> 00:16:45.880
 out to the

00:16:45.880 --> 00:16:46.380
 field of

00:16:46.380 --> 00:16:47.160
 strangers to

00:16:47.160 --> 00:16:47.420
 glean.

00:16:48.920 --> 00:16:49.500
 She's not

00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:49.920
 looking out

00:16:49.920 --> 00:16:50.420
 for herself,

00:16:51.060 --> 00:16:51.860
 she's looking

00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:52.340
 out for her

00:16:52.340 --> 00:16:52.900
 mother-in-law

00:16:52.900 --> 00:16:54.300
 who can't

00:16:54.300 --> 00:16:54.680
 go out to

00:16:54.680 --> 00:16:54.880
 glean.

00:16:56.020 --> 00:16:56.660
 I'm going to

00:16:56.660 --> 00:16:57.200
 provide for

00:16:57.200 --> 00:16:57.400
 her.

00:16:57.940 --> 00:16:58.580
 I told her

00:16:58.580 --> 00:16:58.840
 I'll be

00:16:58.840 --> 00:16:59.400
 with her

00:16:59.400 --> 00:17:01.100
 till death

00:17:01.100 --> 00:17:01.960
 do us part.

00:17:02.380 --> 00:17:02.860
 I need to

00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:03.400
 provide for

00:17:03.400 --> 00:17:03.860
 her, care

00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:04.259
 for her.

00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:05.180
 I don't

00:17:05.180 --> 00:17:05.460
 know what

00:17:05.460 --> 00:17:05.860
 will happen

00:17:05.860 --> 00:17:06.220
 to me,

00:17:06.340 --> 00:17:06.700
 but I will

00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:07.200
 go looking

00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:07.759
 for a favor

00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:08.759
 where I can

00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:09.279
 find it.

00:17:09.279 --> 00:17:10.879
 she is a

00:17:10.879 --> 00:17:11.859
 worthy woman,

00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:13.379
 a woman

00:17:13.379 --> 00:17:14.240
 of hesed,

00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:15.440
 loving

00:17:15.440 --> 00:17:16.059
 kindness,

00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:17.059
 covenant

00:17:17.059 --> 00:17:17.680
 loyalty.

00:17:20.339 --> 00:17:21.019
 And then

00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:21.180
 we're

00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:21.799
 introduced to

00:17:21.799 --> 00:17:22.960
 Boaz in

00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:23.399
 verse 1.

00:17:24.579 --> 00:17:25.220
 The narrator

00:17:25.220 --> 00:17:26.379
 tells us that

00:17:26.379 --> 00:17:27.139
 he was a

00:17:27.139 --> 00:17:27.960
 worthy man

00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:28.720
 of the clan

00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:29.660
 of Elimelech.

00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:30.339
 So she is a

00:17:30.339 --> 00:17:30.879
 relative of

00:17:30.879 --> 00:17:31.160
 Naomi.

00:17:32.299 --> 00:17:32.839
 The phrase

00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:33.639
 worthy man

00:17:33.639 --> 00:17:34.259
 can be more

00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:35.059
 literally translated

00:17:35.059 --> 00:17:35.899
 as a mighty

00:17:35.899 --> 00:17:37.119
 man of

00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:37.420
 wealth.

00:17:37.559 --> 00:17:37.720
 Some

00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:38.180
 translations

00:17:38.180 --> 00:17:39.259
 wonder like

00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:39.619
 the King

00:17:39.619 --> 00:17:40.099
 James Version

00:17:40.099 --> 00:17:40.460
 puts it

00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:40.779
 that way.

00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:42.140
 The word

00:17:42.140 --> 00:17:42.720
 for man

00:17:42.720 --> 00:17:43.400
 here literally

00:17:43.400 --> 00:17:44.400
 means strong

00:17:44.400 --> 00:17:44.759
 man.

00:17:45.400 --> 00:17:45.799
 It means

00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:46.599
 mighty man

00:17:46.599 --> 00:17:47.339
 or a hero.

00:17:48.359 --> 00:17:49.400
 Compare that

00:17:49.400 --> 00:17:50.460
 to his name,

00:17:50.640 --> 00:17:50.960
 the meaning

00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:51.440
 of his name,

00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:52.019
 Boaz,

00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:52.720
 which means

00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:53.460
 in the

00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:54.000
 strength,

00:17:54.279 --> 00:17:55.000
 likely in

00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:55.720
 the strength

00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:56.619
 of Yahweh,

00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:57.359
 in the strength

00:17:57.359 --> 00:17:57.940
 of the Lord.

00:17:58.599 --> 00:17:59.319
 It's such a

00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:00.059
 strong name.

00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:00.460
 Later,

00:18:00.640 --> 00:18:01.519
 like when

00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:02.400
 Solomon builds

00:18:02.400 --> 00:18:02.920
 his temple,

00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:03.680
 there are two

00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:04.160
 pillars,

00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:04.740
 main pillars

00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:05.259
 that uphold

00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:05.720
 the building,

00:18:05.900 --> 00:18:06.480
 and one of

00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:06.900
 the pillars

00:18:06.900 --> 00:18:07.440
 they name

00:18:07.440 --> 00:18:08.359
 Boaz.

00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:10.059
 In the

00:18:10.059 --> 00:18:10.700
 strength.

00:18:11.019 --> 00:18:11.420
 The other

00:18:11.420 --> 00:18:11.740
 one they

00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:11.980
 name

00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:12.460
 Yakin,

00:18:13.140 --> 00:18:13.779
 which means

00:18:13.779 --> 00:18:14.319
 the Lord

00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:15.420
 establishes.

00:18:15.779 --> 00:18:16.420
 So it's a

00:18:16.420 --> 00:18:17.859
 strong manly

00:18:17.859 --> 00:18:18.480
 name like

00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:19.539
 a pillar.

00:18:20.700 --> 00:18:21.220
 Surprise,

00:18:21.339 --> 00:18:21.599
 I haven't

00:18:21.599 --> 00:18:22.019
 met more

00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:22.640
 men with

00:18:22.640 --> 00:18:23.000
 the name

00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:23.779
 Boaz.

00:18:26.339 --> 00:18:27.460
 And he's

00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:28.220
 also a

00:18:28.220 --> 00:18:28.920
 worthy man.

00:18:29.440 --> 00:18:29.839
 The Hebrew

00:18:29.839 --> 00:18:30.759
 word translated

00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:31.839
 worthy here can

00:18:31.839 --> 00:18:32.420
 mean a number

00:18:32.420 --> 00:18:32.819
 of things.

00:18:32.900 --> 00:18:33.180
 It can mean

00:18:33.180 --> 00:18:33.619
 valor,

00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:34.279
 it can mean

00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:34.799
 wealth,

00:18:34.900 --> 00:18:35.500
 it can mean

00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:36.099
 skill,

00:18:36.359 --> 00:18:36.920
 excellence,

00:18:37.319 --> 00:18:37.759
 nobility,

00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:38.559
 which is

00:18:38.559 --> 00:18:38.980
 why some

00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:39.440
 people think

00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:39.779
 it means

00:18:39.779 --> 00:18:40.539
 wealthy in

00:18:40.539 --> 00:18:41.099
 this context,

00:18:41.099 --> 00:18:41.640
 which wouldn't

00:18:41.640 --> 00:18:42.200
 be wrong.

00:18:42.359 --> 00:18:42.799
 Boaz is

00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:43.160
 wealthy.

00:18:43.819 --> 00:18:44.519
 He's got

00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:44.900
 land,

00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:45.259
 he's got

00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:45.680
 servants,

00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:46.119
 he's a

00:18:46.119 --> 00:18:46.680
 wealthy man.

00:18:47.879 --> 00:18:48.339
 However,

00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:49.259
 considering that

00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:50.480
 the penniless

00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.460
 Ruth herself

00:18:51.460 --> 00:18:52.319
 is later

00:18:52.319 --> 00:18:53.039
 described in

00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:53.480
 Ruth chapter

00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:54.259
 3 verse 11

00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:54.859
 with the exact

00:18:54.859 --> 00:18:55.599
 same word

00:18:55.599 --> 00:18:56.460
 as a

00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:57.339
 worthy woman,

00:18:57.940 --> 00:18:58.599
 I doubt

00:18:58.599 --> 00:19:00.220
 that wealth

00:19:00.220 --> 00:19:01.200
 is a primary

00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:02.160
 meaning intended

00:19:02.160 --> 00:19:02.400
 here.

00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:04.259
 That same

00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:05.240
 word is used

00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:05.839
 in Proverbs

00:19:05.839 --> 00:19:06.740
 31 verse

00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:07.079
 10.

00:19:08.199 --> 00:19:09.119
 An excellent

00:19:09.119 --> 00:19:10.379
 wife who

00:19:10.379 --> 00:19:11.000
 can find.

00:19:11.659 --> 00:19:12.359
 She's far

00:19:12.359 --> 00:19:13.279
 more precious

00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:14.099
 than jewels.

00:19:14.639 --> 00:19:15.039
 The heart

00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:15.799
 of her husband

00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:16.899
 trusts in her

00:19:16.899 --> 00:19:17.539
 and he will

00:19:17.539 --> 00:19:18.579
 have no lack

00:19:18.579 --> 00:19:19.299
 of gain.

00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:20.299
 She does him

00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:21.079
 good and not

00:19:21.079 --> 00:19:21.939
 harm all the

00:19:21.939 --> 00:19:22.439
 days of her

00:19:22.439 --> 00:19:22.759
 life.

00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:25.519
 Ruth is the

00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:26.439
 only named

00:19:26.439 --> 00:19:27.379
 woman in the

00:19:27.379 --> 00:19:28.559
 Old Testament,

00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:29.220
 in the Hebrew

00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:29.599
 Bible,

00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:30.299
 who is called

00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:32.059
 by that title

00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:32.859
 of Proverbs

00:19:32.859 --> 00:19:33.319
 31,

00:19:33.319 --> 00:19:34.639
 an excellent

00:19:34.639 --> 00:19:35.099
 woman,

00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:36.439
 a noble

00:19:36.439 --> 00:19:36.759
 woman,

00:19:36.839 --> 00:19:37.200
 woman of

00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:37.559
 noble

00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:38.139
 character.

00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:39.799
 And I think

00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:40.240
 a similar

00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:40.700
 meaning is

00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:41.279
 intended here

00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:41.960
 for Boaz.

00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:42.939
 He's not

00:19:42.939 --> 00:19:43.679
 merely a

00:19:43.679 --> 00:19:44.500
 wealthy man.

00:19:44.859 --> 00:19:45.960
 More importantly,

00:19:46.119 --> 00:19:46.579
 he is a

00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:47.460
 worthy man,

00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:48.539
 a man of

00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:49.259
 godly,

00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:50.700
 noble character,

00:19:51.419 --> 00:19:52.099
 a manly

00:19:52.099 --> 00:19:52.619
 man in the

00:19:52.619 --> 00:19:53.259
 true sense

00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:53.799
 of the word,

00:19:54.179 --> 00:19:54.639
 a man who

00:19:54.639 --> 00:19:55.039
 does not

00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:55.700
 use his

00:19:55.700 --> 00:19:56.460
 strength and

00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:57.220
 position to

00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:58.000
 take advantage

00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:58.639
 of others,

00:19:59.000 --> 00:19:59.759
 to stand on

00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:00.599
 top of others,

00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:01.439
 but a man who

00:20:01.439 --> 00:20:02.119
 uses his

00:20:02.119 --> 00:20:02.599
 strength and

00:20:02.599 --> 00:20:03.179
 position to

00:20:03.179 --> 00:20:04.139
 carry others

00:20:04.139 --> 00:20:04.879
 and to lift

00:20:04.879 --> 00:20:05.439
 up others

00:20:05.439 --> 00:20:06.079
 around him.

00:20:08.119 --> 00:20:08.980
 We see

00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:10.059
 this in the

00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:10.619
 many actions

00:20:10.619 --> 00:20:11.039
 that Boaz

00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:12.379
 takes on

00:20:12.379 --> 00:20:12.799
 behalf of

00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:13.579
 Ruth to

00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:14.179
 provide for

00:20:14.179 --> 00:20:15.079
 her, to

00:20:15.079 --> 00:20:15.679
 protect her.

00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:16.879
 He not

00:20:16.879 --> 00:20:17.339
 only lets

00:20:17.339 --> 00:20:18.459
 Ruth glean in

00:20:18.459 --> 00:20:19.019
 his field,

00:20:19.799 --> 00:20:20.419
 he encourages

00:20:20.419 --> 00:20:21.919
 her to glean

00:20:21.919 --> 00:20:22.959
 only from

00:20:22.959 --> 00:20:23.500
 his field,

00:20:24.399 --> 00:20:25.119
 under his

00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:25.939
 watchful eye

00:20:25.939 --> 00:20:26.519
 and protection.

00:20:27.839 --> 00:20:28.319
 And then he

00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:29.179
 goes above

00:20:29.179 --> 00:20:29.559
 and beyond

00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:30.319
 that and

00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:31.059
 instructs his

00:20:31.059 --> 00:20:31.579
 reapers to

00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:32.099
 let Ruth

00:20:32.099 --> 00:20:32.519
 glean,

00:20:32.619 --> 00:20:32.959
 not only

00:20:32.959 --> 00:20:33.319
 from the

00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:33.740
 gleanings,

00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:34.359
 the droppings

00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:34.759
 from the

00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:35.099
 harvest,

00:20:35.359 --> 00:20:35.919
 but also

00:20:35.919 --> 00:20:36.519
 from among

00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:37.179
 the sheaves

00:20:37.179 --> 00:20:37.619
 that they've

00:20:37.619 --> 00:20:38.299
 collected and

00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:38.740
 bundled up

00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:39.119
 together.

00:20:40.379 --> 00:20:41.319
 And he

00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:41.939
 tells them

00:20:41.939 --> 00:20:42.619
 as they're

00:20:42.619 --> 00:20:43.019
 putting the

00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:43.219
 sheaves

00:20:43.219 --> 00:20:43.819
 together to

00:20:43.819 --> 00:20:44.819
 intentionally

00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:45.819
 pull

00:20:45.819 --> 00:20:46.359
 sheaves,

00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:46.939
 pull stuff

00:20:46.939 --> 00:20:47.299
 out from

00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:47.619
 the sheaves

00:20:47.619 --> 00:20:48.119
 and leave

00:20:48.119 --> 00:20:48.459
 them for

00:20:48.459 --> 00:20:48.699
 Ruth.

00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:49.059
 It's like,

00:20:49.119 --> 00:20:49.279
 oh,

00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:49.799
 oops,

00:20:50.159 --> 00:20:52.339
 so that she

00:20:52.339 --> 00:20:52.799
 could collect

00:20:52.799 --> 00:20:53.500
 even more.

00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:59.299
 And even

00:20:59.299 --> 00:20:59.859
 though Ruth

00:20:59.859 --> 00:21:00.259
 is a

00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:00.619
 lowly

00:21:00.619 --> 00:21:00.980
 servant

00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:02.099
 in terms

00:21:02.099 --> 00:21:02.460
 of her

00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:02.859
 social

00:21:02.859 --> 00:21:03.359
 position

00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:03.960
 and status,

00:21:04.160 --> 00:21:04.599
 in fact,

00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:05.079
 as Ruth

00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:06.140
 says herself

00:21:06.140 --> 00:21:06.500
 in verse

00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:06.960
 13,

00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:08.160
 she's not

00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:09.099
 even one

00:21:09.099 --> 00:21:09.460
 of his

00:21:09.460 --> 00:21:09.880
 servants.

00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:11.740
 She doesn't

00:21:11.740 --> 00:21:12.359
 even have

00:21:12.359 --> 00:21:13.079
 the rights

00:21:13.079 --> 00:21:14.480
 that Boaz's

00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:15.019
 servants

00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:15.599
 have.

00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:16.819
 She's not

00:21:16.819 --> 00:21:17.359
 even one

00:21:17.359 --> 00:21:17.660
 of his

00:21:17.660 --> 00:21:18.140
 servants.

00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:18.759
 And yet,

00:21:18.819 --> 00:21:19.579
 Boaz invites

00:21:19.579 --> 00:21:19.819
 her,

00:21:20.420 --> 00:21:20.799
 tells his

00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:21.200
 man to

00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:21.839
 draw water

00:21:21.839 --> 00:21:22.159
 for her.

00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:22.679
 Drink from

00:21:22.679 --> 00:21:23.259
 that water

00:21:23.259 --> 00:21:23.559
 when you

00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:24.099
 are thirsty.

00:21:24.699 --> 00:21:25.139
 Tells her

00:21:25.139 --> 00:21:25.539
 to come

00:21:25.539 --> 00:21:25.799
 here.

00:21:25.899 --> 00:21:26.259
 Here's the

00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:27.199
 bread that

00:21:27.199 --> 00:21:27.740
 we're eating.

00:21:28.119 --> 00:21:28.459
 Dip your

00:21:28.459 --> 00:21:28.939
 bread into

00:21:28.939 --> 00:21:29.539
 our dipping

00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:29.919
 wine.

00:21:30.699 --> 00:21:31.220
 And here's

00:21:31.220 --> 00:21:31.599
 the roasted

00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:32.099
 grain.

00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:33.579
 Come have

00:21:33.579 --> 00:21:34.119
 lunch with

00:21:34.119 --> 00:21:34.559
 us.

00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:36.119
 Gives her

00:21:36.119 --> 00:21:36.659
 so much

00:21:36.659 --> 00:21:37.119
 food that

00:21:37.119 --> 00:21:37.500
 she has

00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:37.720
 enough

00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:38.199
 left over

00:21:38.199 --> 00:21:38.619
 to take

00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:39.019
 home and

00:21:39.019 --> 00:21:39.419
 feed her

00:21:39.419 --> 00:21:40.399
 mother-in-law

00:21:40.399 --> 00:21:40.779
 Naomi.

00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:44.000
 You can

00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:44.559
 imagine how

00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:45.139
 overwhelmed

00:21:45.139 --> 00:21:46.179
 and grateful

00:21:46.179 --> 00:21:46.699
 Ruth must

00:21:46.699 --> 00:21:46.939
 be,

00:21:47.859 --> 00:21:48.859
 considering the

00:21:48.859 --> 00:21:49.319
 risk that

00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:49.740
 she took

00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:50.299
 to go out

00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:50.559
 to that

00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:51.339
 field where

00:21:51.339 --> 00:21:51.720
 she knew

00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:52.159
 no one.

00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:54.099
 And she's

00:21:54.099 --> 00:21:55.259
 overwhelmed by

00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:56.799
 Boaz's care,

00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:57.919
 gestures twice.

00:21:58.199 --> 00:21:58.720
 She says,

00:21:58.879 --> 00:21:59.459
 once in

00:21:59.459 --> 00:21:59.899
 verse 10,

00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:01.179
 why have I

00:22:01.179 --> 00:22:02.459
 found favor

00:22:02.459 --> 00:22:03.240
 in your

00:22:03.240 --> 00:22:03.599
 eyes?

00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:05.500
 That you

00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:06.019
 should take

00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:06.799
 notice of

00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:07.579
 me since I

00:22:07.579 --> 00:22:07.879
 am a

00:22:07.879 --> 00:22:08.199
 foreigner.

00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:09.740
 And in

00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.419
 verse 13,

00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:10.819
 I have

00:22:10.819 --> 00:22:11.839
 found favor

00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:12.699
 in your

00:22:12.699 --> 00:22:13.119
 eyes,

00:22:13.419 --> 00:22:13.919
 my Lord,

00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:14.779
 for you

00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:15.579
 have comforted

00:22:15.579 --> 00:22:16.299
 me and

00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:17.179
 spoken kindly

00:22:17.179 --> 00:22:17.579
 to your

00:22:17.579 --> 00:22:17.899
 servant,

00:22:18.299 --> 00:22:18.579
 though I

00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:19.099
 am not

00:22:19.099 --> 00:22:19.879
 one of

00:22:19.879 --> 00:22:20.500
 your servants.

00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:22.279
 That word

00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:22.859
 favor

00:22:22.859 --> 00:22:23.579
 translates

00:22:23.579 --> 00:22:23.740
 to the

00:22:23.740 --> 00:22:24.220
 Hebrew word

00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:24.559
 that is

00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:25.059
 often

00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:25.639
 translated

00:22:25.639 --> 00:22:25.939
 as

00:22:25.939 --> 00:22:26.599
 grace.

00:22:27.919 --> 00:22:28.740
 It's the

00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:29.139
 word used

00:22:29.139 --> 00:22:29.720
 to describe

00:22:29.720 --> 00:22:30.339
 our Lord

00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:30.819
 God in

00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:31.619
 Exodus 34

00:22:31.619 --> 00:22:32.079
 when he

00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:32.899
 reveals himself

00:22:32.899 --> 00:22:33.480
 as the

00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:33.740
 Lord,

00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:34.220
 the Lord,

00:22:34.459 --> 00:22:35.339
 the gracious

00:22:35.339 --> 00:22:36.899
 and compassionate

00:22:36.899 --> 00:22:37.319
 God.

00:22:39.919 --> 00:22:40.759
 It's a

00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.220
 word that

00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:41.819
 especially

00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:42.740
 applies when

00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:43.519
 you're the

00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:44.899
 one that's

00:22:44.899 --> 00:22:46.359
 receiving a

00:22:46.359 --> 00:22:46.879
 favor from

00:22:46.879 --> 00:22:47.519
 a benefactor,

00:22:47.619 --> 00:22:48.179
 someone who's

00:22:48.180 --> 00:22:49.400
 in a superior

00:22:49.400 --> 00:22:50.240
 social position

00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:50.620
 than you,

00:22:51.060 --> 00:22:51.660
 like in this

00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:52.259
 instant with

00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:52.680
 Ruth and

00:22:52.680 --> 00:22:53.380
 Boaz or

00:22:53.380 --> 00:22:54.060
 with a

00:22:54.060 --> 00:22:54.500
 servant and

00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:54.900
 a king.

00:22:56.100 --> 00:22:56.560
 And when

00:22:56.560 --> 00:22:56.960
 you're treated

00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.779
 with favor,

00:22:58.279 --> 00:22:58.860
 you're not

00:22:58.860 --> 00:22:59.560
 being treated

00:22:59.560 --> 00:23:00.779
 fairly.

00:23:01.840 --> 00:23:02.000
 Right?

00:23:02.600 --> 00:23:03.060
 Like when you

00:23:03.060 --> 00:23:03.600
 tell people,

00:23:03.900 --> 00:23:05.160
 don't have

00:23:05.160 --> 00:23:05.680
 favorites.

00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:07.019
 It's like you

00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:07.519
 shouldn't have a

00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:08.240
 favorite kid,

00:23:08.320 --> 00:23:08.820
 some people say,

00:23:08.900 --> 00:23:09.080
 right?

00:23:09.120 --> 00:23:09.519
 You shouldn't

00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:10.160
 have a favorite

00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:10.840
 church member.

00:23:11.340 --> 00:23:11.460
 You know,

00:23:11.460 --> 00:23:11.880
 you should have

00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:12.500
 a don't play

00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:13.100
 favorites,

00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:13.360
 right?

00:23:13.400 --> 00:23:14.620
 It's like when

00:23:14.620 --> 00:23:15.380
 you have favorites,

00:23:15.460 --> 00:23:15.980
 when you favor

00:23:15.980 --> 00:23:16.299
 someone,

00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:16.920
 you treat

00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:17.380
 them with

00:23:17.380 --> 00:23:18.539
 special affection.

00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:19.140
 You don't

00:23:19.140 --> 00:23:19.620
 treat them

00:23:19.620 --> 00:23:20.180
 equally,

00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:20.759
 fairly,

00:23:20.839 --> 00:23:21.519
 like everybody

00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:21.880
 else.

00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:22.079
 No,

00:23:22.140 --> 00:23:22.539
 you treat

00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:23.220
 them with

00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:24.620
 special attention.

00:23:25.140 --> 00:23:26.380
 That favor

00:23:26.380 --> 00:23:27.160
 word is a

00:23:27.160 --> 00:23:27.700
 key word in

00:23:27.700 --> 00:23:28.059
 the book of

00:23:28.059 --> 00:23:28.360
 Esther.

00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:28.900
 She's someone

00:23:28.900 --> 00:23:29.240
 who has

00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:29.759
 favor,

00:23:30.140 --> 00:23:30.660
 favor from

00:23:30.660 --> 00:23:31.059
 people who

00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:31.360
 see her,

00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:31.920
 favor from

00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:32.360
 the king.

00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:32.900
 That's why

00:23:32.900 --> 00:23:33.360
 she's given

00:23:33.360 --> 00:23:34.180
 access to the

00:23:34.180 --> 00:23:34.579
 king that

00:23:34.579 --> 00:23:35.160
 is normally

00:23:35.160 --> 00:23:35.819
 not granted

00:23:35.819 --> 00:23:36.279
 to people.

00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:36.900
 That's why

00:23:36.900 --> 00:23:37.140
 the king

00:23:37.140 --> 00:23:37.660
 listens to

00:23:37.660 --> 00:23:38.180
 her and

00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:38.599
 not to

00:23:38.599 --> 00:23:38.920
 Haman.

00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:39.579
 It's because

00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:40.000
 she has

00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:40.539
 favor.

00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:44.259
 And Boaz

00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:45.099
 shows Ruth

00:23:45.099 --> 00:23:45.539
 favor.

00:23:45.980 --> 00:23:47.240
 even though

00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:47.740
 she is

00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:50.180
 a foreigner,

00:23:51.339 --> 00:23:52.319
 a Moabite,

00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:54.000
 a poor

00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:54.740
 widow,

00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:55.779
 and not

00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:56.220
 even one

00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:56.480
 of his

00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:56.799
 servants

00:23:56.799 --> 00:23:57.420
 that he's

00:23:57.420 --> 00:23:58.019
 responsible

00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:58.440
 for.

00:23:59.279 --> 00:23:59.680
 And in

00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:00.240
 doing that,

00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.779
 Boaz is

00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.220
 imitating

00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:02.120
 God who

00:24:02.120 --> 00:24:02.980
 is gracious

00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:04.759
 with people

00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:05.299
 like that.

00:24:07.860 --> 00:24:08.579
 Isn't that

00:24:08.579 --> 00:24:09.039
 how God

00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:09.920
 drew near

00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:10.440
 to us?

00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:13.440
 Ian,

00:24:13.600 --> 00:24:14.160
 do we

00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:14.519
 deserve

00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:15.140
 anything

00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:15.860
 from our

00:24:15.860 --> 00:24:16.420
 Lord God?

00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:18.259
 Aren't

00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:18.640
 most of

00:24:18.640 --> 00:24:18.840
 us

00:24:18.840 --> 00:24:19.559
 Gentiles?

00:24:21.200 --> 00:24:21.759
 Not

00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:22.240
 even part

00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:22.460
 of the

00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:22.720
 original

00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:23.080
 chosen

00:24:23.080 --> 00:24:23.380
 people

00:24:23.380 --> 00:24:23.820
 of God?

00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:25.840
 Aren't

00:24:25.840 --> 00:24:26.279
 we the

00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:26.940
 people whose

00:24:26.940 --> 00:24:27.519
 ancestors

00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:28.460
 persecuted the

00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:28.860
 people of

00:24:28.860 --> 00:24:29.120
 God,

00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:29.820
 rebelled

00:24:29.820 --> 00:24:30.580
 against God,

00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:31.500
 and worshipped

00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:31.980
 and went

00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:32.700
 after idols?

00:24:34.279 --> 00:24:34.940
 Aren't we

00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:35.320
 the ones

00:24:35.320 --> 00:24:35.500
 who have

00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:36.120
 all sinned

00:24:36.120 --> 00:24:36.720
 against him?

00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:38.079
 Ones who

00:24:38.079 --> 00:24:38.980
 were alienated

00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.380
 from him?

00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:39.720
 Aren't we

00:24:39.720 --> 00:24:40.120
 the ones,

00:24:40.220 --> 00:24:40.539
 as Paul

00:24:40.539 --> 00:24:41.100
 describes in

00:24:41.100 --> 00:24:41.720
 Ephesians 2,

00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:42.059
 those who

00:24:42.059 --> 00:24:42.819
 were separated

00:24:42.819 --> 00:24:43.539
 from Christ,

00:24:43.880 --> 00:24:45.000
 the uncircumcision,

00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:46.339
 the Gentiles

00:24:46.339 --> 00:24:47.019
 and the flesh,

00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:48.160
 separated from

00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:48.559
 Christ,

00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:49.400
 alienated from

00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:49.799
 the common

00:24:49.799 --> 00:24:51.200
 wealth of

00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:51.519
 Israel,

00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:53.299
 apart from

00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:53.539
 God,

00:24:53.600 --> 00:24:54.279
 without God

00:24:54.279 --> 00:24:54.680
 and without

00:24:54.680 --> 00:24:55.220
 hope in

00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:55.620
 the world,

00:24:56.360 --> 00:24:57.100
 strangers to

00:24:57.100 --> 00:24:57.620
 the covenants

00:24:57.620 --> 00:24:58.220
 of promise?

00:24:58.819 --> 00:24:59.539
 That's what

00:24:59.539 --> 00:24:59.960
 we all

00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:00.360
 were.

00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:03.519
 And yet,

00:25:04.100 --> 00:25:04.519
 God

00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:05.839
 showed us

00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:06.299
 favor.

00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:07.880
 Gracious,

00:25:07.880 --> 00:25:08.559
 gracious,

00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:09.940
 graciousness.

00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:10.460
 He showed

00:25:10.460 --> 00:25:11.180
 us grace,

00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:12.100
 unmerited

00:25:12.100 --> 00:25:12.539
 favor,

00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:13.400
 undeserved

00:25:13.400 --> 00:25:15.000
 favor in

00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:15.519
 sending his

00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:15.960
 own son,

00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.240
 Jesus,

00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:16.700
 to save

00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:17.100
 us,

00:25:17.579 --> 00:25:18.039
 to call

00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:18.500
 us as

00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.000
 a people

00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:20.279
 for himself

00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:20.839
 to belong

00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:21.339
 to him.

00:25:26.460 --> 00:25:27.140
 That's what

00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:27.620
 Boaz is

00:25:27.620 --> 00:25:27.920
 doing,

00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:28.860
 extending

00:25:28.860 --> 00:25:29.460
 the favor

00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:29.900
 of God.

00:25:30.240 --> 00:25:30.880
 Why did

00:25:30.880 --> 00:25:31.539
 Boaz show

00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.880
 Ruth so

00:25:32.880 --> 00:25:33.500
 much favor?

00:25:34.880 --> 00:25:35.440
 I know

00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:35.700
 what some

00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:36.000
 of you guys

00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:36.420
 are thinking.

00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:38.180
 he's making

00:25:38.180 --> 00:25:38.720
 his moves.

00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:41.100
 I don't

00:25:41.100 --> 00:25:41.380
 know.

00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:42.000
 I'm not

00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:42.579
 sure about

00:25:42.579 --> 00:25:42.860
 that.

00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:43.319
 At least

00:25:43.319 --> 00:25:43.839
 maybe not

00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:44.140
 yet.

00:25:44.339 --> 00:25:45.640
 Because he's

00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:46.440
 very surprised.

00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.140
 He's a little

00:25:47.140 --> 00:25:47.759
 too old for

00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:47.960
 her.

00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:50.120
 So this

00:25:50.120 --> 00:25:52.059
 text very

00:25:52.059 --> 00:25:53.559
 artfully and

00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:54.259
 subtly kind

00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:54.660
 of builds

00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:55.059
 tension.

00:25:55.620 --> 00:25:56.039
 So he

00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:56.559
 mentions

00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:58.620
 Ruth as

00:25:58.620 --> 00:25:59.140
 a young

00:25:59.140 --> 00:25:59.519
 woman.

00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:00.680
 And then

00:26:00.680 --> 00:26:01.140
 the first

00:26:01.140 --> 00:26:01.480
 servant,

00:26:01.600 --> 00:26:02.160
 his foreman,

00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:02.420
 that he

00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:02.940
 mentions is

00:26:02.940 --> 00:26:03.539
 a young

00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:04.039
 man.

00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:05.639
 young

00:26:05.639 --> 00:26:06.119
 woman,

00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:06.980
 young

00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:07.379
 man.

00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:08.180
 Oh,

00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:08.460
 I wonder

00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:08.779
 what could

00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:09.159
 happen.

00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:09.879
 And then

00:26:09.879 --> 00:26:10.220
 again and

00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:10.440
 again,

00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:10.799
 young

00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:11.139
 men,

00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:11.500
 young

00:26:11.500 --> 00:26:11.819
 women.

00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:13.980
 And I

00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:14.559
 think there's

00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:15.599
 this tension

00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:15.960
 builds.

00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:16.379
 What's going to

00:26:16.379 --> 00:26:16.859
 happen to

00:26:16.859 --> 00:26:17.119
 Ruth?

00:26:17.359 --> 00:26:18.200
 Is she going to

00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:18.740
 find something?

00:26:18.819 --> 00:26:19.240
 Is she going to

00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:19.779
 find love?

00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:21.059
 And then

00:26:21.059 --> 00:26:21.480
 there's this

00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:22.279
 amazing plot

00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:22.839
 twist later

00:26:22.839 --> 00:26:23.700
 on when

00:26:23.700 --> 00:26:25.779
 she proposes

00:26:25.779 --> 00:26:26.839
 to Boaz.

00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:28.039
 And Boaz is

00:26:28.039 --> 00:26:28.139
 like,

00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:28.500
 what?

00:26:29.399 --> 00:26:29.940
 It's like,

00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:30.200
 me?

00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:31.779
 It's like,

00:26:32.059 --> 00:26:33.519
 how kind

00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:33.819
 of you,

00:26:33.879 --> 00:26:34.319
 your covenant

00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:34.639
 love,

00:26:34.740 --> 00:26:35.379
 your faithfulness

00:26:35.379 --> 00:26:36.960
 in seeking

00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:39.139
 home for

00:26:39.139 --> 00:26:40.359
 your mother-in-law

00:26:40.359 --> 00:26:41.099
 and to continue

00:26:41.099 --> 00:26:41.579
 the line of

00:26:41.579 --> 00:26:41.920
 your deceased

00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:42.480
 husband by

00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:43.059
 seeking to

00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:43.680
 marry a

00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:44.039
 kinsman

00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:44.680
 redeemer who

00:26:44.680 --> 00:26:45.500
 is too old

00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.099
 for you,

00:26:47.180 --> 00:26:47.599
 rather than

00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:48.079
 going after

00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:48.440
 the young

00:26:48.440 --> 00:26:48.720
 men,

00:26:48.899 --> 00:26:49.519
 he says.

00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:50.799
 And so

00:26:50.799 --> 00:26:51.899
 it's building

00:26:51.899 --> 00:26:52.279
 up.

00:26:52.579 --> 00:26:52.740
 And so

00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.079
 I'm not

00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:54.039
 sure he's

00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:54.639
 making his

00:26:54.639 --> 00:26:55.240
 moves yet.

00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:57.259
 But this

00:26:57.259 --> 00:26:58.000
 whole chapter

00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:59.279
 is structured

00:26:59.279 --> 00:26:59.680
 in a way

00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:00.000
 that gives

00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:00.259
 us an

00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:00.720
 answer to

00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:01.279
 that question.

00:27:02.039 --> 00:27:02.599
 It's

00:27:02.599 --> 00:27:02.940
 structured

00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:03.579
 chiastically.

00:27:04.139 --> 00:27:04.819
 The first

00:27:04.819 --> 00:27:05.579
 half of

00:27:05.579 --> 00:27:06.379
 Ruth chapter

00:27:06.379 --> 00:27:07.240
 two mirrors

00:27:07.240 --> 00:27:07.799
 the second

00:27:07.799 --> 00:27:08.660
 half of

00:27:08.660 --> 00:27:09.680
 Ruth chapter

00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:10.000
 two.

00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:11.500
 And that

00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:11.859
 means there's

00:27:11.859 --> 00:27:12.339
 a matching

00:27:12.339 --> 00:27:12.660
 element.

00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:13.160
 Every verse

00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:13.899
 has a matching

00:27:13.899 --> 00:27:14.599
 counterpart in

00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:14.940
 the second

00:27:14.940 --> 00:27:15.200
 half.

00:27:15.680 --> 00:27:16.059
 And then

00:27:16.059 --> 00:27:16.379
 when you get

00:27:16.379 --> 00:27:16.639
 to the

00:27:16.639 --> 00:27:16.879
 middle,

00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:18.019
 that's the

00:27:18.019 --> 00:27:18.440
 part that

00:27:18.440 --> 00:27:19.420
 stands alone.

00:27:19.420 --> 00:27:19.759
 It's the

00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:20.140
 part that

00:27:20.140 --> 00:27:20.680
 alone doesn't

00:27:20.680 --> 00:27:21.300
 have a pair.

00:27:21.740 --> 00:27:22.080
 And that's

00:27:22.080 --> 00:27:22.759
 verses 11

00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.400
 to 12.

00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:24.500
 The structure

00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.980
 intentionally brings

00:27:25.980 --> 00:27:26.940
 our focus to

00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:27.120
 that.

00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:27.720
 I think I have

00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:28.220
 this to show.

00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:29.360
 So you can see it

00:27:29.360 --> 00:27:30.420
 in verse 1 to 3.

00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:30.820
 You have the

00:27:30.820 --> 00:27:31.580
 introduction with

00:27:31.580 --> 00:27:32.180
 the focus on

00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:32.500
 Boaz.

00:27:32.980 --> 00:27:33.279
 And in

00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:34.140
 verses 20 to 23,

00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:34.500
 you have the

00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:35.240
 conclusion with

00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:35.840
 the focus on

00:27:35.840 --> 00:27:36.200
 Boaz.

00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.740
 Workers bless

00:27:37.740 --> 00:27:38.700
 Boaz and Boaz

00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:39.560
 notices Ruth in

00:27:39.560 --> 00:27:40.400
 verses 4 to 5.

00:27:40.680 --> 00:27:41.840
 Naomi blesses

00:27:41.840 --> 00:27:42.900
 Boaz for noticing

00:27:42.900 --> 00:27:43.560
 Ruth in verses

00:27:43.560 --> 00:27:44.360
 19 to 20.

00:27:44.840 --> 00:27:45.860
 Ruth gleans in

00:27:45.860 --> 00:27:46.740
 Boaz's field in

00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:47.759
 verses 6 to 7.

00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:48.519
 And then

00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:49.160
 Ruth brings

00:27:49.160 --> 00:27:49.839
 back what she

00:27:49.839 --> 00:27:50.319
 gleaned in

00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:51.140
 Boaz's field in

00:27:51.140 --> 00:27:52.220
 verses 17 to 18.

00:27:52.799 --> 00:27:53.220
 And then

00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:54.640
 Boaz provides for

00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:55.579
 and protects Ruth

00:27:55.579 --> 00:27:56.519
 in verses 8 to 9.

00:27:56.879 --> 00:27:57.599
 And then Boaz

00:27:57.599 --> 00:27:58.559
 provides for and

00:27:58.559 --> 00:27:59.579
 protects Ruth again

00:27:59.579 --> 00:28:00.940
 in verses 14 to 16.

00:28:01.680 --> 00:28:02.019
 And then

00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:02.920
 Ruth's amazement

00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:03.980
 at Boaz's favor in

00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.480
 verse 10.

00:28:04.859 --> 00:28:05.599
 Ruth's amazement

00:28:05.599 --> 00:28:06.339
 at Boaz's favor in

00:28:06.339 --> 00:28:07.000
 verse 13.

00:28:07.319 --> 00:28:07.859
 And that,

00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:09.359
 like a shining

00:28:09.359 --> 00:28:09.900
 arrow,

00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:11.079
 is bringing its

00:28:11.079 --> 00:28:11.900
 attention to

00:28:11.900 --> 00:28:13.059
 verses 11 to

00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:13.420
 12.

00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:16.460
 All that you

00:28:16.460 --> 00:28:17.000
 have done for

00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:17.740
 your mother-in-law

00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:18.580
 since the death

00:28:18.580 --> 00:28:19.160
 of your husband

00:28:19.160 --> 00:28:19.980
 has been fully

00:28:19.980 --> 00:28:20.700
 told to me.

00:28:21.300 --> 00:28:21.900
 And how you

00:28:21.900 --> 00:28:22.740
 left your father

00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:23.320
 and mother and

00:28:23.320 --> 00:28:24.039
 your native land

00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:24.820
 and came to a

00:28:24.820 --> 00:28:25.320
 people that you

00:28:25.320 --> 00:28:26.060
 did not know

00:28:26.060 --> 00:28:26.580
 before.

00:28:27.300 --> 00:28:28.539
 The Lord repay

00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:29.259
 you for what you

00:28:29.259 --> 00:28:29.759
 have done.

00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:31.060
 And a full reward

00:28:31.060 --> 00:28:31.900
 be given you by

00:28:31.900 --> 00:28:33.140
 the Lord, the God

00:28:33.140 --> 00:28:34.620
 of Israel, under

00:28:34.620 --> 00:28:35.740
 whose wings you

00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:36.320
 have come to

00:28:36.320 --> 00:28:37.420
 take refuge.

00:28:38.420 --> 00:28:39.200
 That's the key

00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:39.560
 verse.

00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:41.259
 That's why Boaz

00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:41.720
 is showing her

00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:41.960
 favor.

00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:43.240
 That's why God's

00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:43.860
 showing her favor.

00:28:44.279 --> 00:28:45.340
 In showing covenant

00:28:45.340 --> 00:28:47.019
 loyalty and steadfast

00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:47.700
 love toward her

00:28:47.700 --> 00:28:48.299
 mother-in-law,

00:28:48.400 --> 00:28:49.660
 Naomi, Ruth has

00:28:49.660 --> 00:28:50.240
 done what is

00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:50.900
 pleasing to

00:28:50.900 --> 00:28:51.340
 Yahweh.

00:28:52.660 --> 00:28:53.799
 But Boaz

00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:55.059
 recognizes that

00:28:55.059 --> 00:28:56.299
 in throwing her

00:28:56.299 --> 00:28:57.140
 lot in with

00:28:57.140 --> 00:28:58.299
 Naomi, Ruth has

00:28:58.299 --> 00:28:59.420
 done more than

00:28:59.420 --> 00:29:00.160
 simply that.

00:29:01.160 --> 00:29:01.980
 Look at how he

00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:02.640
 phrases it in

00:29:02.640 --> 00:29:03.160
 verse 11.

00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:04.480
 How you left

00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:05.940
 your father and

00:29:05.940 --> 00:29:07.019
 mother and your

00:29:07.019 --> 00:29:08.380
 native land and

00:29:08.380 --> 00:29:09.819
 came to a people

00:29:09.819 --> 00:29:10.680
 that you did not

00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:11.579
 know before.

00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:13.400
 Does this remind

00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:13.759
 you of anything

00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:14.480
 else in scripture

00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:15.039
 in the Old

00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:15.299
 Testament?

00:29:16.740 --> 00:29:18.059
 This is exactly

00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:18.819
 what the Lord

00:29:18.819 --> 00:29:19.579
 God, Yahweh,

00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:21.200
 called Abram to

00:29:21.200 --> 00:29:22.880
 when he first

00:29:22.880 --> 00:29:23.980
 chose him and

00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.539
 his descendants

00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:25.140
 to be his

00:29:25.140 --> 00:29:25.559
 people.

00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:28.059
 Genesis 12,

00:29:28.120 --> 00:29:28.539
 1 to 3.

00:29:28.640 --> 00:29:29.460
 Go from your

00:29:29.460 --> 00:29:31.059
 country, your

00:29:31.059 --> 00:29:32.840
 kindred, and

00:29:32.840 --> 00:29:33.640
 your father's

00:29:33.640 --> 00:29:35.480
 house to land

00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:36.579
 I will show you.

00:29:37.340 --> 00:29:38.019
 And I will make

00:29:38.019 --> 00:29:38.640
 of you a great

00:29:38.640 --> 00:29:38.960
 nation.

00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:39.700
 I will bless you

00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:40.200
 and make your

00:29:40.200 --> 00:29:40.940
 name great so that

00:29:40.940 --> 00:29:41.460
 you will be a

00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:41.740
 blessing.

00:29:41.860 --> 00:29:42.240
 I will bless

00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:42.799
 those who bless

00:29:42.799 --> 00:29:43.180
 you and whoever

00:29:43.180 --> 00:29:44.279
 curses you I

00:29:44.279 --> 00:29:44.860
 will curse and

00:29:44.860 --> 00:29:45.660
 in you all the

00:29:45.660 --> 00:29:46.600
 families of the

00:29:46.600 --> 00:29:47.160
 earth shall be

00:29:47.160 --> 00:29:47.559
 blessed.

00:29:48.600 --> 00:29:49.220
 Remember what

00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:50.539
 Ruth said vowed

00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:51.140
 to Naomi in

00:29:51.140 --> 00:29:51.900
 chapter 1 verse

00:29:51.900 --> 00:29:52.320
 16.

00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:53.860
 Your people shall

00:29:53.860 --> 00:29:55.299
 be my people and

00:29:55.299 --> 00:29:56.360
 your God my

00:29:56.360 --> 00:29:56.820
 God.

00:29:58.100 --> 00:29:59.320
 In following

00:29:59.320 --> 00:29:59.860
 Naomi to

00:29:59.860 --> 00:30:00.820
 Bethlehem, Ruth

00:30:00.820 --> 00:30:01.779
 has switched

00:30:01.779 --> 00:30:03.380
 religious spiritual

00:30:03.380 --> 00:30:04.059
 allegiances.

00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:05.340
 She has chosen

00:30:05.340 --> 00:30:06.960
 the Lord, Yahweh,

00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:08.340
 as her God.

00:30:08.339 --> 00:30:09.819
 And so Boaz says

00:30:09.819 --> 00:30:10.319
 to her in verse

00:30:10.319 --> 00:30:11.579
 12, the Lord

00:30:11.579 --> 00:30:12.639
 repay you for

00:30:12.639 --> 00:30:13.179
 what you have

00:30:13.179 --> 00:30:14.019
 done and a

00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:14.679
 full reward be

00:30:14.679 --> 00:30:15.359
 given you by the

00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:16.259
 Lord, the God

00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:17.339
 of Israel, under

00:30:17.339 --> 00:30:18.319
 whose wings you

00:30:18.319 --> 00:30:19.199
 have come to

00:30:19.199 --> 00:30:20.259
 take refuge.

00:30:20.679 --> 00:30:22.019
 Because he is

00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:22.839
 your God.

00:30:24.139 --> 00:30:26.019
 So yes, Boaz is

00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:27.039
 providing for Ruth

00:30:27.039 --> 00:30:28.179
 and protecting her,

00:30:28.299 --> 00:30:29.379
 but he's doing

00:30:29.379 --> 00:30:30.099
 that because

00:30:30.099 --> 00:30:32.139
 ultimately, Yahweh,

00:30:32.299 --> 00:30:33.399
 the Lord, is

00:30:33.399 --> 00:30:34.559
 taking notice of

00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:35.679
 Ruth and taking

00:30:35.679 --> 00:30:36.299
 care of her.

00:30:36.299 --> 00:30:42.240
 Boaz, the

00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:42.579
 kinsman

00:30:42.579 --> 00:30:43.359
 redeemer, is

00:30:43.359 --> 00:30:44.079
 merely an

00:30:44.079 --> 00:30:44.980
 instrument in

00:30:44.980 --> 00:30:45.700
 the hands of

00:30:45.700 --> 00:30:46.339
 our divine

00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:47.000
 redeemer.

00:30:48.319 --> 00:30:49.279
 Naomi remarks

00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:49.960
 in verse 20,

00:30:50.440 --> 00:30:51.359
 may Boaz be

00:30:51.359 --> 00:30:52.359
 blessed by the

00:30:52.359 --> 00:30:53.119
 Lord, whose

00:30:53.119 --> 00:30:54.019
 kindness has

00:30:54.019 --> 00:30:54.839
 not forsaken

00:30:54.839 --> 00:30:56.059
 the living or

00:30:56.059 --> 00:30:56.599
 the dead.

00:30:57.579 --> 00:30:58.220
 It's that

00:30:58.220 --> 00:30:58.879
 recurring word

00:30:58.879 --> 00:30:59.799
 again, hesed,

00:31:00.099 --> 00:31:01.039
 kindness, loving

00:31:01.039 --> 00:31:01.839
 kindness, covenant

00:31:01.839 --> 00:31:02.279
 loyalty.

00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:03.619
 But whose

00:31:03.619 --> 00:31:04.539
 kindness is

00:31:04.539 --> 00:31:05.339
 Naomi speaking

00:31:05.339 --> 00:31:05.599
 of?

00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:06.419
 Look at verse

00:31:06.419 --> 00:31:07.159
 20 again.

00:31:08.179 --> 00:31:08.839
 Whose kindness

00:31:08.839 --> 00:31:09.579
 is Naomi speaking

00:31:09.579 --> 00:31:10.039
 of?

00:31:10.740 --> 00:31:11.419
 Is it Boaz's

00:31:11.419 --> 00:31:11.719
 kindness?

00:31:12.659 --> 00:31:13.359
 Is it the

00:31:13.359 --> 00:31:13.859
 Lord's kindness?

00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:17.559
 Yes.

00:31:18.859 --> 00:31:19.740
 The answer is

00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:20.039
 both.

00:31:20.859 --> 00:31:21.980
 It's intentionally

00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:24.119
 unclear in the

00:31:24.119 --> 00:31:24.459
 narrative.

00:31:25.240 --> 00:31:26.279
 It's not spelled

00:31:26.279 --> 00:31:27.259
 out because it's

00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:27.639
 both.

00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:29.000
 Boaz is certainly

00:31:29.000 --> 00:31:29.740
 showing kindness

00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:30.199
 to the living

00:31:30.199 --> 00:31:30.919
 and to the dead,

00:31:31.359 --> 00:31:31.819
 showing kindness

00:31:31.819 --> 00:31:32.339
 to the living,

00:31:32.459 --> 00:31:33.099
 Naomi and Ruth,

00:31:33.219 --> 00:31:33.859
 to the dead,

00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:34.480
 their deceased

00:31:34.480 --> 00:31:34.960
 husbands,

00:31:35.140 --> 00:31:35.779
 Elimelech and

00:31:35.779 --> 00:31:36.180
 Melon,

00:31:36.960 --> 00:31:37.460
 respectively,

00:31:37.660 --> 00:31:38.240
 but ultimately

00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:39.299
 it's the Lord

00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:40.079
 who is showing

00:31:40.079 --> 00:31:41.180
 them kindness.

00:31:42.740 --> 00:31:43.779
 And this is in

00:31:43.779 --> 00:31:44.880
 answer to Naomi's

00:31:44.880 --> 00:31:45.720
 prayer early in

00:31:45.720 --> 00:31:46.259
 chapter 1,

00:31:46.299 --> 00:31:46.720
 verse 8.

00:31:46.799 --> 00:31:47.519
 What did she say

00:31:47.519 --> 00:31:48.500
 to her daughters-in-law

00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:49.220
 in chapter 1,

00:31:49.259 --> 00:31:49.620
 verse 8?

00:31:49.620 --> 00:31:50.680
 May the Lord

00:31:50.680 --> 00:31:52.079
 deal kindly

00:31:52.079 --> 00:31:52.720
 with you,

00:31:52.860 --> 00:31:53.279
 hesed.

00:31:54.660 --> 00:31:55.240
 And now,

00:31:55.759 --> 00:31:56.640
 the Lord's doing

00:31:56.640 --> 00:31:57.720
 exactly that.

00:31:58.720 --> 00:31:59.660
 The Lord is

00:31:59.660 --> 00:32:00.480
 treating Ruth

00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:01.220
 with kindness

00:32:01.220 --> 00:32:01.960
 because he's

00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:02.460
 looking out

00:32:02.460 --> 00:32:02.779
 for her

00:32:02.779 --> 00:32:03.360
 in answer

00:32:03.360 --> 00:32:04.059
 to Naomi's

00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:04.380
 prayer.

00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:04.920
 Even that

00:32:04.920 --> 00:32:05.500
 prayer that

00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:06.360
 Naomi uttered

00:32:06.360 --> 00:32:07.160
 in the depths

00:32:07.160 --> 00:32:07.960
 of her own

00:32:07.960 --> 00:32:08.860
 despair and

00:32:08.860 --> 00:32:09.920
 bitterness and

00:32:09.920 --> 00:32:10.799
 disillusionment,

00:32:11.140 --> 00:32:11.940
 the Lord heard

00:32:11.940 --> 00:32:12.559
 and he's now

00:32:12.559 --> 00:32:13.519
 answering that

00:32:13.519 --> 00:32:15.200
 in the kindness

00:32:15.200 --> 00:32:15.860
 that Boaz

00:32:15.860 --> 00:32:16.500
 extends to

00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:16.759
 Ruth.

00:32:18.819 --> 00:32:19.559
 And I love

00:32:19.559 --> 00:32:20.220
 verse 3.

00:32:20.400 --> 00:32:21.160
 It's ironic.

00:32:22.759 --> 00:32:23.100
 Ruth

00:32:23.100 --> 00:32:24.960
 happened to

00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:26.220
 come to the

00:32:26.220 --> 00:32:26.680
 part of the

00:32:26.680 --> 00:32:27.360
 field belonging

00:32:27.360 --> 00:32:28.059
 to Boaz.

00:32:28.059 --> 00:32:30.339
 delightful

00:32:30.339 --> 00:32:31.019
 understatement.

00:32:32.839 --> 00:32:33.579
 How did

00:32:33.579 --> 00:32:34.259
 Ruth just

00:32:34.259 --> 00:32:35.599
 happen to

00:32:35.599 --> 00:32:36.779
 come to

00:32:36.779 --> 00:32:37.419
 that one

00:32:37.419 --> 00:32:38.960
 field belonging

00:32:38.960 --> 00:32:39.720
 to Boaz,

00:32:39.940 --> 00:32:40.659
 her potential

00:32:40.659 --> 00:32:41.159
 kinsman

00:32:41.159 --> 00:32:41.639
 redeemer?

00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:42.799
 The Hebrew

00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:43.419
 word used

00:32:43.419 --> 00:32:43.819
 here is the

00:32:43.819 --> 00:32:44.379
 word that's

00:32:44.379 --> 00:32:44.879
 used for

00:32:44.879 --> 00:32:45.519
 chance.

00:32:46.799 --> 00:32:48.119
 In 1 Samuel

00:32:48.119 --> 00:32:49.039
 6, the

00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:49.859
 Philistines come

00:32:49.859 --> 00:32:50.220
 under the

00:32:50.220 --> 00:32:50.700
 judgment of

00:32:50.700 --> 00:32:51.119
 God and the

00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:51.559
 wrath of God

00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:52.079
 because they

00:32:52.079 --> 00:32:52.759
 steal the

00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:53.579
 ark of God

00:32:53.579 --> 00:32:55.639
 from the

00:32:55.639 --> 00:32:56.200
 tabernacle.

00:32:56.200 --> 00:32:58.660
 and these

00:32:58.660 --> 00:32:59.740
 Philistines are

00:32:59.740 --> 00:33:00.380
 experiencing all

00:33:00.380 --> 00:33:00.860
 kinds of

00:33:00.860 --> 00:33:01.580
 plagues and

00:33:01.580 --> 00:33:02.080
 judgment from

00:33:02.080 --> 00:33:02.700
 God because of

00:33:02.700 --> 00:33:03.160
 the ark.

00:33:03.259 --> 00:33:03.740
 The ark is not

00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:04.240
 supposed to be

00:33:04.240 --> 00:33:04.600
 with them.

00:33:04.660 --> 00:33:05.039
 It's supposed to

00:33:05.039 --> 00:33:05.580
 be with Israel.

00:33:06.319 --> 00:33:06.700
 And so the

00:33:06.700 --> 00:33:07.200
 Philistines are

00:33:07.200 --> 00:33:07.539
 like, okay,

00:33:07.559 --> 00:33:08.100
 what do we do?

00:33:08.180 --> 00:33:08.580
 All right, let's

00:33:08.580 --> 00:33:09.380
 tie the ark to

00:33:09.380 --> 00:33:10.420
 some cows.

00:33:11.220 --> 00:33:11.880
 And then let's

00:33:11.880 --> 00:33:13.059
 see if they

00:33:13.059 --> 00:33:15.860
 act strange, if

00:33:15.860 --> 00:33:16.559
 they act like

00:33:16.559 --> 00:33:17.000
 they're possessed

00:33:17.000 --> 00:33:17.779
 by something and

00:33:17.779 --> 00:33:18.299
 they walk

00:33:18.299 --> 00:33:19.080
 directly to

00:33:19.080 --> 00:33:19.759
 Israel and

00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:20.920
 take the ark

00:33:20.920 --> 00:33:21.500
 back where it

00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:22.640
 belongs, then we

00:33:22.640 --> 00:33:23.240
 know that this

00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:24.400
 is the doing of

00:33:24.400 --> 00:33:25.420
 Israel's God.

00:33:25.420 --> 00:33:26.039
 He's bringing

00:33:26.039 --> 00:33:26.519
 these plagues

00:33:26.519 --> 00:33:27.060
 upon us.

00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:29.080
 But if the

00:33:29.080 --> 00:33:29.820
 cows just wander

00:33:29.820 --> 00:33:30.440
 off wherever

00:33:30.440 --> 00:33:30.880
 they want to

00:33:30.880 --> 00:33:31.560
 go like the

00:33:31.560 --> 00:33:32.120
 cows normally

00:33:32.120 --> 00:33:33.440
 do, then we

00:33:33.440 --> 00:33:34.680
 know that this

00:33:34.680 --> 00:33:35.279
 is not the

00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:35.880
 Lord's doing.

00:33:36.000 --> 00:33:36.920
 It is happening

00:33:36.920 --> 00:33:37.680
 to us by

00:33:37.680 --> 00:33:39.480
 chance, by

00:33:39.480 --> 00:33:40.259
 coincidence.

00:33:40.980 --> 00:33:41.300
 It's the way

00:33:41.300 --> 00:33:41.920
 it's translated

00:33:41.920 --> 00:33:45.320
 in 1 Samuel 6.

00:33:47.019 --> 00:33:47.779
 So it's a

00:33:47.779 --> 00:33:48.519
 really interesting

00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:49.720
 choice of word.

00:33:50.420 --> 00:33:50.880
 It is an

00:33:50.880 --> 00:33:51.300
 intentional

00:33:51.300 --> 00:33:51.980
 understatement.

00:33:52.100 --> 00:33:53.100
 Ruth happened

00:33:53.100 --> 00:33:53.880
 to come to the

00:33:53.880 --> 00:33:54.320
 part of the

00:33:54.320 --> 00:33:54.940
 field belonging

00:33:54.940 --> 00:33:55.539
 to Boaz.

00:33:56.140 --> 00:33:56.920
 You don't

00:33:56.920 --> 00:33:57.559
 happen to

00:33:57.559 --> 00:33:58.220
 come to

00:33:58.220 --> 00:33:58.740
 something like

00:33:58.740 --> 00:33:59.019
 that.

00:33:59.920 --> 00:34:00.640
 This is the

00:34:00.640 --> 00:34:01.140
 Bible we're

00:34:01.140 --> 00:34:01.660
 talking about

00:34:01.660 --> 00:34:01.820
 here.

00:34:01.900 --> 00:34:02.100
 In the

00:34:02.100 --> 00:34:02.779
 Hebrew worldview,

00:34:02.920 --> 00:34:03.100
 in the

00:34:03.100 --> 00:34:03.640
 biblical worldview,

00:34:03.720 --> 00:34:04.080
 there is no

00:34:04.080 --> 00:34:04.840
 such thing as

00:34:04.840 --> 00:34:05.779
 chance or luck.

00:34:06.700 --> 00:34:08.019
 Proverbs 16.33

00:34:08.019 --> 00:34:08.340
 says,

00:34:08.460 --> 00:34:09.039
 the lot is

00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:09.820
 cast into the

00:34:09.820 --> 00:34:10.500
 lap, but

00:34:10.500 --> 00:34:11.519
 every decision

00:34:11.519 --> 00:34:12.139
 is from the

00:34:12.139 --> 00:34:12.380
 Lord.

00:34:12.840 --> 00:34:13.460
 Your every

00:34:13.460 --> 00:34:14.260
 dice roll is

00:34:14.260 --> 00:34:14.599
 from the

00:34:14.599 --> 00:34:14.880
 Lord.

00:34:17.840 --> 00:34:18.360
 He's

00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:18.900
 sovereign over

00:34:18.900 --> 00:34:19.519
 everything,

00:34:19.679 --> 00:34:20.420
 every Adam,

00:34:21.380 --> 00:34:22.200
 everything that

00:34:22.200 --> 00:34:22.800
 goes down in

00:34:22.800 --> 00:34:23.300
 the history of

00:34:23.300 --> 00:34:23.679
 humanity.

00:34:23.679 --> 00:34:24.119
 He's

00:34:24.119 --> 00:34:24.719
 sovereign over

00:34:24.719 --> 00:34:25.219
 all of it.

00:34:25.719 --> 00:34:26.279
 She didn't

00:34:26.279 --> 00:34:27.239
 just happen to

00:34:27.239 --> 00:34:27.879
 come to it.

00:34:27.960 --> 00:34:28.539
 And you see

00:34:28.539 --> 00:34:29.579
 there in that

00:34:29.579 --> 00:34:29.960
 statement,

00:34:30.199 --> 00:34:31.259
 God's providential

00:34:31.259 --> 00:34:32.739
 care, even in

00:34:32.739 --> 00:34:33.719
 invisible ways that

00:34:33.719 --> 00:34:34.319
 we often don't

00:34:34.319 --> 00:34:34.739
 notice.

00:34:38.460 --> 00:34:39.879
 When I was a

00:34:39.879 --> 00:34:41.480
 sixth grader in

00:34:41.480 --> 00:34:42.279
 South Korea,

00:34:44.279 --> 00:34:45.919
 my dad

00:34:45.919 --> 00:34:47.219
 happened to be,

00:34:47.960 --> 00:34:48.980
 just happened to

00:34:48.980 --> 00:34:49.639
 be the one

00:34:49.639 --> 00:34:51.519
 engineer that his

00:34:51.519 --> 00:34:52.519
 company in

00:34:52.519 --> 00:34:54.519
 Korea decided

00:34:54.519 --> 00:34:55.300
 to send to

00:34:55.300 --> 00:34:56.500
 a partner

00:34:56.500 --> 00:34:57.000
 company in

00:34:57.000 --> 00:34:57.259
 Seattle.

00:34:58.599 --> 00:34:59.440
 One engineer.

00:35:01.639 --> 00:35:02.280
 Because of

00:35:02.280 --> 00:35:03.360
 that, my

00:35:03.360 --> 00:35:03.960
 family, who

00:35:03.960 --> 00:35:04.400
 had never

00:35:04.400 --> 00:35:04.980
 ever planned

00:35:04.980 --> 00:35:05.619
 to move out

00:35:05.619 --> 00:35:05.960
 of Korea,

00:35:06.199 --> 00:35:06.719
 ends up in

00:35:06.719 --> 00:35:07.019
 the United

00:35:07.019 --> 00:35:07.400
 States.

00:35:08.699 --> 00:35:09.619
 A year or

00:35:09.619 --> 00:35:09.980
 two later,

00:35:10.079 --> 00:35:10.480
 the company

00:35:10.480 --> 00:35:10.980
 that he left

00:35:10.980 --> 00:35:11.380
 in Korea

00:35:11.380 --> 00:35:12.599
 goes out of

00:35:12.599 --> 00:35:12.940
 business.

00:35:14.159 --> 00:35:14.900
 He's the only

00:35:14.900 --> 00:35:15.519
 guy from the

00:35:15.519 --> 00:35:15.880
 company who

00:35:15.880 --> 00:35:16.340
 still has a

00:35:16.340 --> 00:35:17.659
 job to

00:35:17.659 --> 00:35:18.119
 provide for

00:35:18.119 --> 00:35:18.619
 our family.

00:35:18.619 --> 00:35:20.299
 and here,

00:35:21.019 --> 00:35:22.039
 I receive a

00:35:22.039 --> 00:35:22.739
 great education

00:35:22.739 --> 00:35:24.199
 and I grow

00:35:24.199 --> 00:35:26.099
 much deeper

00:35:26.099 --> 00:35:26.279
 in my

00:35:26.279 --> 00:35:26.639
 relationship

00:35:26.639 --> 00:35:26.980
 with the

00:35:26.980 --> 00:35:27.159
 Lord.

00:35:29.359 --> 00:35:30.159
 When I was

00:35:30.159 --> 00:35:31.199
 a busy

00:35:31.199 --> 00:35:32.019
 college student

00:35:32.019 --> 00:35:33.460
 planning my

00:35:33.460 --> 00:35:34.319
 future and

00:35:34.319 --> 00:35:35.219
 studying hard

00:35:35.219 --> 00:35:36.940
 and showing

00:35:36.940 --> 00:35:37.639
 no interest

00:35:37.639 --> 00:35:38.619
 whatsoever in

00:35:38.619 --> 00:35:39.019
 women,

00:35:41.000 --> 00:35:43.839
 I just

00:35:43.839 --> 00:35:44.420
 happened to

00:35:44.420 --> 00:35:45.460
 go to the

00:35:45.460 --> 00:35:45.900
 university

00:35:45.900 --> 00:35:47.500
 retreat where

00:35:47.500 --> 00:35:48.340
 Williams College

00:35:48.340 --> 00:35:48.699
 and Amherst

00:35:48.699 --> 00:35:49.079
 College,

00:35:49.460 --> 00:35:50.219
 we're doing

00:35:50.219 --> 00:35:50.559
 the retreat

00:35:50.559 --> 00:35:50.980
 together.

00:35:51.739 --> 00:35:52.440
 And then I

00:35:52.440 --> 00:35:52.920
 meet this

00:35:52.920 --> 00:35:53.880
 beautiful woman

00:35:53.880 --> 00:35:54.300
 and then my

00:35:54.300 --> 00:35:54.780
 life is never

00:35:54.780 --> 00:35:55.380
 the same again.

00:35:57.019 --> 00:35:57.599
 That's my

00:35:57.599 --> 00:35:58.119
 wife, just so

00:35:58.119 --> 00:35:58.480
 you're wondering.

00:35:58.659 --> 00:35:59.400
 Yeah, yeah,

00:35:59.760 --> 00:36:00.000
 yeah.

00:36:01.519 --> 00:36:01.960
 Right.

00:36:02.800 --> 00:36:03.480
 When I'm

00:36:03.480 --> 00:36:04.159
 wandering from

00:36:04.159 --> 00:36:04.559
 church to

00:36:04.559 --> 00:36:04.940
 church,

00:36:05.460 --> 00:36:06.860
 because I

00:36:06.860 --> 00:36:07.300
 have these

00:36:07.300 --> 00:36:07.760
 reformed

00:36:07.760 --> 00:36:08.260
 convictions,

00:36:08.900 --> 00:36:09.619
 my theological

00:36:09.619 --> 00:36:10.119
 convictions,

00:36:10.420 --> 00:36:11.139
 but also these

00:36:11.139 --> 00:36:11.800
 convictions about

00:36:11.800 --> 00:36:12.300
 the gifts of

00:36:12.300 --> 00:36:12.900
 the Holy Spirit,

00:36:13.519 --> 00:36:14.119
 not wondering

00:36:14.119 --> 00:36:14.699
 where to go,

00:36:16.019 --> 00:36:16.320
 I just

00:36:16.320 --> 00:36:16.860
 happened to

00:36:16.860 --> 00:36:17.640
 talk to the

00:36:17.640 --> 00:36:18.420
 one friend who

00:36:18.420 --> 00:36:19.079
 knows about a

00:36:19.079 --> 00:36:19.579
 sovereign grace

00:36:19.579 --> 00:36:20.039
 church in

00:36:20.039 --> 00:36:20.340
 Haverhill,

00:36:20.400 --> 00:36:21.120
 Massachusetts in

00:36:21.120 --> 00:36:21.480
 seminary.

00:36:23.500 --> 00:36:24.519
 So end up in

00:36:24.519 --> 00:36:25.059
 that church,

00:36:26.579 --> 00:36:27.440
 disciple there,

00:36:28.000 --> 00:36:28.700
 mentor there,

00:36:30.140 --> 00:36:30.860
 ordained as a

00:36:30.860 --> 00:36:31.440
 pastor there,

00:36:31.680 --> 00:36:32.539
 and sent out to

00:36:32.539 --> 00:36:33.380
 plant a church in

00:36:33.380 --> 00:36:33.640
 Cambridge,

00:36:33.800 --> 00:36:34.599
 Massachusetts from

00:36:34.599 --> 00:36:34.800
 there.

00:36:36.059 --> 00:36:36.800
 It just

00:36:36.800 --> 00:36:37.420
 happened to

00:36:37.420 --> 00:36:37.760
 happen.

00:36:41.460 --> 00:36:42.260
 Sheer luck?

00:36:43.300 --> 00:36:44.380
 I think not.

00:36:46.860 --> 00:36:48.340
 I think sometimes

00:36:48.340 --> 00:36:49.019
 we worry a little

00:36:49.019 --> 00:36:50.440
 too much about

00:36:50.440 --> 00:36:51.019
 our lives,

00:36:51.360 --> 00:36:51.880
 about our

00:36:51.880 --> 00:36:52.320
 plans.

00:36:53.680 --> 00:36:54.400
 I have to get

00:36:54.400 --> 00:36:55.019
 all my ducks

00:36:55.019 --> 00:36:55.460
 in order.

00:36:56.039 --> 00:36:56.579
 I have to have

00:36:56.579 --> 00:36:57.380
 all these plans

00:36:57.380 --> 00:36:57.880
 set out.

00:36:58.300 --> 00:36:58.940
 I have to have

00:36:58.940 --> 00:36:59.640
 everything happen

00:36:59.640 --> 00:37:00.500
 exactly the way I

00:37:00.500 --> 00:37:00.960
 envisioned,

00:37:01.400 --> 00:37:02.480
 because who else is

00:37:02.480 --> 00:37:03.120
 going to do it for

00:37:03.120 --> 00:37:03.320
 me?

00:37:03.420 --> 00:37:04.200
 I have to look out

00:37:04.200 --> 00:37:04.660
 for myself.

00:37:04.720 --> 00:37:05.280
 No one else is

00:37:05.280 --> 00:37:05.720
 doing it.

00:37:06.980 --> 00:37:07.680
 I need to make

00:37:07.680 --> 00:37:08.200
 sure things go

00:37:08.200 --> 00:37:08.800
 well because no

00:37:08.800 --> 00:37:09.380
 one else is doing

00:37:09.380 --> 00:37:09.860
 it for me.

00:37:10.200 --> 00:37:10.780
 No, no, no,

00:37:10.780 --> 00:37:11.900
 that's not true.

00:37:12.960 --> 00:37:14.019
 It's not true that

00:37:14.019 --> 00:37:14.579
 no one else is

00:37:14.579 --> 00:37:15.200
 doing it for you.

00:37:15.199 --> 00:37:16.239
 You have a

00:37:16.239 --> 00:37:17.619
 sovereign God

00:37:17.619 --> 00:37:18.719
 who is providentially

00:37:18.719 --> 00:37:20.319
 watching over every

00:37:20.319 --> 00:37:21.919
 detail of your

00:37:21.919 --> 00:37:22.379
 life.

00:37:29.960 --> 00:37:31.500
 Because Ruth has

00:37:31.500 --> 00:37:34.639
 come under the

00:37:34.639 --> 00:37:35.960
 wings of Yahweh to

00:37:35.960 --> 00:37:36.759
 take refuge in

00:37:36.759 --> 00:37:37.219
 verse 11.

00:37:38.379 --> 00:37:39.579
 This is what's

00:37:39.579 --> 00:37:40.319
 happening to Ruth.

00:37:42.099 --> 00:37:43.399
 This image of

00:37:43.399 --> 00:37:44.299
 taking refuge,

00:37:44.300 --> 00:37:47.580
 under the wings of

00:37:47.580 --> 00:37:48.500
 Yahweh is a

00:37:48.500 --> 00:37:49.980
 richly biblical and

00:37:49.980 --> 00:37:51.400
 vivid imagery.

00:37:52.140 --> 00:37:53.039
 The law of Moses,

00:37:53.220 --> 00:37:54.019
 the Torah, or the

00:37:54.019 --> 00:37:54.780
 Pentateuch, the first

00:37:54.780 --> 00:37:55.320
 five books of the

00:37:55.320 --> 00:37:57.120
 Bible, it begins with

00:37:57.120 --> 00:37:58.480
 the Lord God hovering

00:37:58.480 --> 00:38:00.680
 as his spirit over the

00:38:00.680 --> 00:38:01.500
 face of the waters in

00:38:01.500 --> 00:38:02.700
 Genesis 1 verse 2.

00:38:03.340 --> 00:38:04.200
 And then that

00:38:04.200 --> 00:38:05.039
 Pentateuch, the first

00:38:05.039 --> 00:38:05.440
 five books of the

00:38:05.440 --> 00:38:06.800
 concludes in

00:38:06.800 --> 00:38:08.240
 Deuteronomy 32, 10

00:38:08.240 --> 00:38:10.539
 to 12, with the

00:38:10.539 --> 00:38:12.080
 Lord God hovering again

00:38:12.080 --> 00:38:12.960
 over his people,

00:38:12.960 --> 00:38:13.500
 Israel.

00:38:14.039 --> 00:38:15.000
 And it says that he

00:38:15.000 --> 00:38:16.300
 encircled Israel.

00:38:16.400 --> 00:38:17.280
 He cared for him.

00:38:17.280 --> 00:38:18.720
 He kept him as the

00:38:18.720 --> 00:38:20.240
 apple of his eye, like

00:38:20.240 --> 00:38:21.780
 an eagle that stirs up

00:38:21.780 --> 00:38:23.220
 its nest, that flutters

00:38:23.220 --> 00:38:24.960
 over its young, spreading

00:38:24.960 --> 00:38:26.240
 out its wings, catching

00:38:26.240 --> 00:38:27.440
 them, bearing them on

00:38:27.440 --> 00:38:28.039
 its pinions.

00:38:28.500 --> 00:38:29.880
 The Lord alone guided

00:38:29.880 --> 00:38:30.199
 him.

00:38:30.420 --> 00:38:31.659
 No foreign God was

00:38:31.659 --> 00:38:32.220
 with him.

00:38:32.280 --> 00:38:33.000
 It's the same word,

00:38:33.099 --> 00:38:34.440
 flutter, hover, same

00:38:34.440 --> 00:38:35.059
 Hebrew word.

00:38:36.280 --> 00:38:37.720
 The psalmists, throughout

00:38:37.720 --> 00:38:39.159
 the Psalms, often speak

00:38:39.159 --> 00:38:41.379
 of us taking refuge

00:38:41.379 --> 00:38:42.779
 under the shadow of

00:38:42.779 --> 00:38:44.139
 the wings of Yahweh.

00:38:45.139 --> 00:38:46.279
 Where are you taking

00:38:46.279 --> 00:38:47.279
 refuge this morning?

00:38:48.199 --> 00:38:49.159
 Is it under the wings

00:38:49.159 --> 00:38:50.079
 of Yahweh or is it

00:38:50.079 --> 00:38:51.039
 someone else's wings?

00:38:52.079 --> 00:38:53.179
 Is it your own wings?

00:38:55.259 --> 00:38:56.399
 Maybe you're a single

00:38:56.399 --> 00:38:58.339
 woman wondering if any

00:38:58.339 --> 00:38:59.339
 man will ever notice

00:38:59.339 --> 00:38:59.579
 you.

00:39:01.960 --> 00:39:03.259
 Maybe you're out of work

00:39:03.259 --> 00:39:04.119
 and wondering if any

00:39:04.119 --> 00:39:05.099
 employer will ever

00:39:05.099 --> 00:39:05.699
 notice you.

00:39:05.699 --> 00:39:08.739
 Maybe you're languishing

00:39:08.739 --> 00:39:09.460
 in your marriage and

00:39:09.460 --> 00:39:11.439
 wondering if there's any

00:39:11.439 --> 00:39:12.939
 help or change forthcoming.

00:39:15.319 --> 00:39:16.199
 Maybe you're dealing

00:39:16.199 --> 00:39:17.299
 with chronic pain or

00:39:17.299 --> 00:39:18.619
 illness that everybody

00:39:18.619 --> 00:39:19.699
 else seems to forget,

00:39:19.819 --> 00:39:20.879
 but you know for sure

00:39:20.879 --> 00:39:22.039
 you can't ever forget

00:39:22.039 --> 00:39:23.379
 because it's real and

00:39:23.379 --> 00:39:23.859
 present.

00:39:25.439 --> 00:39:26.179
 Maybe you've been

00:39:26.179 --> 00:39:27.399
 unable to have a child

00:39:27.399 --> 00:39:28.339
 for a long time and

00:39:28.339 --> 00:39:29.439
 you grieve silently

00:39:29.439 --> 00:39:30.659
 because no one knows.

00:39:31.980 --> 00:39:33.539
 Whatever situation

00:39:33.539 --> 00:39:35.500
 you're in, wherever you

00:39:35.500 --> 00:39:37.159
 are, remember that the

00:39:37.159 --> 00:39:39.000
 Lord takes notice

00:39:39.000 --> 00:39:39.780
 of you.

00:39:41.039 --> 00:39:42.460
 He cares for you.

00:39:44.619 --> 00:39:46.719
 In Genesis 16, when

00:39:46.719 --> 00:39:47.920
 Sarah, her mistress,

00:39:48.519 --> 00:39:50.519
 mistreats her and her

00:39:50.519 --> 00:39:52.619
 master and the father

00:39:52.619 --> 00:39:53.980
 of her child, Abraham,

00:39:54.159 --> 00:39:55.519
 leaves her, hangs her

00:39:55.519 --> 00:39:58.000
 out to dry, Hagar is

00:39:58.000 --> 00:39:59.000
 forlorn and then she

00:39:59.000 --> 00:39:59.659
 flees.

00:40:00.039 --> 00:40:01.559
 But in her plight, who

00:40:01.559 --> 00:40:02.420
 notices her?

00:40:03.019 --> 00:40:03.860
 It's Yahweh.

00:40:03.860 --> 00:40:05.720
 He notices her and

00:40:05.720 --> 00:40:06.559
 cares for her.

00:40:07.120 --> 00:40:08.599
 So that Hagar calls the

00:40:08.599 --> 00:40:09.420
 name of the Lord who

00:40:09.420 --> 00:40:11.240
 spoke to her, you are a

00:40:11.240 --> 00:40:12.559
 God of seeing.

00:40:13.320 --> 00:40:15.019
 For she said, truly here

00:40:15.019 --> 00:40:16.980
 I have seen him who

00:40:16.980 --> 00:40:18.180
 looks after me.

00:40:19.440 --> 00:40:21.280
 When nobody else sees

00:40:21.280 --> 00:40:22.980
 you, even when your

00:40:22.980 --> 00:40:24.220
 earthly pastors and

00:40:24.220 --> 00:40:25.980
 shepherds fail to see

00:40:25.980 --> 00:40:26.460
 you.

00:40:26.460 --> 00:40:30.400
 Ed and I feel like that

00:40:30.400 --> 00:40:31.019
 all the time.

00:40:31.840 --> 00:40:32.980
 There's so many needs,

00:40:33.440 --> 00:40:34.740
 so many precious saints

00:40:34.740 --> 00:40:35.340
 and brothers and

00:40:35.340 --> 00:40:36.840
 sisters, so many things

00:40:36.840 --> 00:40:38.240
 that you suffer and you

00:40:38.240 --> 00:40:39.199
 struggle with and you

00:40:39.199 --> 00:40:40.280
 wrestle with and we

00:40:40.280 --> 00:40:41.059
 want to care for

00:40:41.059 --> 00:40:42.360
 everybody but we can't

00:40:42.360 --> 00:40:43.440
 care for everybody the

00:40:43.440 --> 00:40:44.179
 way we would like.

00:40:45.639 --> 00:40:46.900
 Even when the Lord,

00:40:47.240 --> 00:40:48.500
 even when we fail you,

00:40:48.599 --> 00:40:49.340
 even when your brothers

00:40:49.340 --> 00:40:50.400
 and sisters fail and we

00:40:50.400 --> 00:40:51.420
 don't notice you and we

00:40:51.420 --> 00:40:53.000
 don't see you, the Lord

00:40:53.000 --> 00:40:55.320
 God takes notice of

00:40:55.320 --> 00:40:55.639
 you.

00:40:56.840 --> 00:40:57.800
 He sees you.

00:40:58.199 --> 00:40:58.900
 He's the God of

00:40:58.900 --> 00:40:59.420
 seeing.

00:41:03.340 --> 00:41:05.119
 Psalm 34, 15 to 18

00:41:05.119 --> 00:41:06.340
 says, the eyes of the

00:41:06.340 --> 00:41:07.519
 Lord are toward the

00:41:07.519 --> 00:41:09.239
 righteous and his ears

00:41:09.239 --> 00:41:10.320
 toward their cry.

00:41:10.739 --> 00:41:11.940
 When the righteous cry

00:41:11.940 --> 00:41:13.719
 for help, the Lord hears

00:41:13.719 --> 00:41:15.340
 and delivers them out of

00:41:15.340 --> 00:41:16.380
 all their troubles.

00:41:17.179 --> 00:41:19.599
 The Lord is near to the

00:41:19.599 --> 00:41:21.840
 brokenhearted and saves

00:41:21.840 --> 00:41:23.280
 the crushed in spirit.

00:41:24.780 --> 00:41:26.000
 That's our God.

00:41:26.519 --> 00:41:27.519
 That's Yahweh.

00:41:29.280 --> 00:41:31.760
 And come under his

00:41:31.760 --> 00:41:32.320
 wings.

00:41:32.940 --> 00:41:34.660
 Take refuge under his

00:41:34.660 --> 00:41:35.100
 wings.

00:41:35.440 --> 00:41:37.780
 In Matthew 23, 37,

00:41:37.960 --> 00:41:39.840
 Jesus cries out in lament

00:41:39.840 --> 00:41:41.579
 over the unrepentant city

00:41:41.579 --> 00:41:42.180
 of Jerusalem.

00:41:42.400 --> 00:41:44.700
 Oh, Jerusalem, Jerusalem,

00:41:45.059 --> 00:41:46.820
 how often would I, would

00:41:46.820 --> 00:41:47.920
 I have gathered your

00:41:47.920 --> 00:41:49.720
 children together as a

00:41:49.720 --> 00:41:51.440
 hen gathers her brood under

00:41:51.440 --> 00:41:53.440
 her wings and you were

00:41:53.440 --> 00:41:54.260
 not willing.

00:41:57.599 --> 00:41:58.420
 Prophesying of his

00:41:58.420 --> 00:42:00.159
 crucifixion, Jesus said

00:42:00.159 --> 00:42:02.360
 in John 12, 32, and I,

00:42:02.880 --> 00:42:04.260
 when I am lifted up from

00:42:04.260 --> 00:42:05.200
 the earth, he's talking

00:42:05.200 --> 00:42:08.460
 about the cross, will draw

00:42:08.460 --> 00:42:10.099
 all people to myself.

00:42:10.099 --> 00:42:15.039
 the outstretched arms of

00:42:15.039 --> 00:42:17.839
 Jesus on the cross are the

00:42:17.839 --> 00:42:20.239
 very wings of Yahweh

00:42:20.239 --> 00:42:21.579
 inviting you.

00:42:22.099 --> 00:42:23.779
 Come under the auspices of

00:42:23.779 --> 00:42:24.559
 my wings.

00:42:25.400 --> 00:42:26.860
 Come under this cross.

00:42:27.319 --> 00:42:28.500
 Come under the shadow of

00:42:28.500 --> 00:42:30.019
 the cross that provides

00:42:30.019 --> 00:42:32.819
 refuge for sinners, refuge for

00:42:32.819 --> 00:42:35.259
 embattled sinners, shelter for

00:42:35.259 --> 00:42:36.759
 those who are receiving the

00:42:36.759 --> 00:42:38.219
 withering attacks of the enemy,

00:42:38.219 --> 00:42:40.199
 the condemnation and accusation

00:42:40.199 --> 00:42:40.679
 of Satan.

00:42:41.099 --> 00:42:42.799
 Come under the shadow of my

00:42:42.799 --> 00:42:43.159
 wings.

00:42:43.480 --> 00:42:44.859
 Come under the shadow of the

00:42:44.859 --> 00:42:47.239
 cross and there you will find

00:42:47.239 --> 00:42:48.199
 rest.

00:42:49.359 --> 00:42:51.659
 There you find refuge.

00:42:53.379 --> 00:42:56.079
 On the cross, Jesus died for our

00:42:56.079 --> 00:42:56.519
 sins.

00:42:57.399 --> 00:42:58.199
 He took our place.

00:42:58.199 --> 00:42:58.799
 place.

00:43:00.539 --> 00:43:04.460
 He bore the pain, the wrath, the

00:43:04.460 --> 00:43:06.419
 punishment, the shame, the

00:43:06.419 --> 00:43:08.239
 condemnation that we deserved

00:43:08.239 --> 00:43:11.019
 like a mother bird hovering over

00:43:11.019 --> 00:43:13.899
 her young, protecting them from

00:43:13.899 --> 00:43:15.719
 predators and the elements.

00:43:16.179 --> 00:43:19.099
 He took it all on that cross.

00:43:19.099 --> 00:43:27.159
 So that's the invitation.

00:43:31.319 --> 00:43:34.559
 Yahweh, the Lord, is the one who

00:43:34.559 --> 00:43:39.500
 notices foreigners, strangers, the

00:43:39.500 --> 00:43:43.119
 outcasts, sinners like you and me.

00:43:43.119 --> 00:43:48.000
 So come take refuge under his

00:43:48.000 --> 00:43:48.539
 wings today.

00:43:48.980 --> 00:43:49.839
 Let's pray.

00:44:01.920 --> 00:44:03.259
 Oh, Lord God.

00:44:05.859 --> 00:44:09.079
 We find such comfort under the

00:44:09.079 --> 00:44:10.119
 shadow of your wings.

00:44:10.119 --> 00:44:21.480
 Oh, Lord, we know well that

00:44:21.480 --> 00:44:25.219
 outside of that protection, we

00:44:25.219 --> 00:44:26.239
 would not last.

00:44:28.539 --> 00:44:33.299
 We are guilty sinners, guilty as

00:44:33.299 --> 00:44:33.819
 charged.

00:44:35.699 --> 00:44:37.259
 Condemnation is what we deserve.

00:44:38.139 --> 00:44:40.099
 Eternal damnation in hell is what

00:44:40.099 --> 00:44:40.880
 we deserve.

00:44:43.639 --> 00:44:45.119
 Yet how can it be?

00:44:47.559 --> 00:44:49.539
 That my Lord should die for me.

00:44:52.659 --> 00:44:56.239
 Oh, Lord, we love your cross.

00:44:58.360 --> 00:45:00.319
 Thank you for stretching out your

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 arms and your wings over us in

00:45:03.880 --> 00:45:08.639
 mercy, in grace, in undeserved,

00:45:08.639 --> 00:45:13.019
 unmerited favor, in loving kindness,

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 covenant loyalty.

00:45:18.679 --> 00:45:21.759
 Taking undeserving servants, the

00:45:21.759 --> 00:45:24.859
 lowliest servants, rebellious servants,

00:45:25.279 --> 00:45:29.619
 and adopting us as sons and daughters

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 of the kingdom of God.

00:45:30.940 --> 00:45:36.780
 O Lord, help us to stay, stay near the

00:45:36.780 --> 00:45:41.159
 cross, under the refuge of your

00:45:41.159 --> 00:45:41.440
 wings.

00:45:43.200 --> 00:45:44.579
 In Jesus' name we pray.

00:45:44.579 --> 00:45:45.460
 Amen.