WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.500 This week, we're going to get to Ruth chapter 3. 00:00:05.240 --> 00:00:08.660 Now, if you have enjoyed the story of Ruth so far, 00:00:08.660 --> 00:00:11.580 if you've enjoyed following along with this, 00:00:11.580 --> 00:00:13.800 and you've enjoyed the kind of the excitement, 00:00:13.900 --> 00:00:15.280 the ups and downs of Ruth, 00:00:15.700 --> 00:00:19.400 then chapter 3 is not going to leave you disappointed. 00:00:19.600 --> 00:00:20.879 It's an exciting chapter. 00:00:21.000 --> 00:00:23.760 There's a lot of things that happen in this chapter. 00:00:23.760 --> 00:00:26.440 But before I read this passage, 00:00:26.440 --> 00:00:30.060 I think it's important to establish some things 00:00:30.060 --> 00:00:32.000 that we have already determined, 00:00:32.300 --> 00:00:34.960 that we've already been able to see very clearly. 00:00:35.740 --> 00:00:37.840 First of all, it's who Boaz is. 00:00:38.299 --> 00:00:40.799 We've mentioned several times now, 00:00:40.859 --> 00:00:42.620 we've made an emphasis on this, 00:00:42.680 --> 00:00:45.120 that Boaz was a man of great wealth. 00:00:45.560 --> 00:00:47.380 He was somebody who had wealth. 00:00:47.780 --> 00:00:49.140 But in addition to this, 00:00:49.159 --> 00:00:51.540 and more importantly for our passage this week, 00:00:51.540 --> 00:00:52.980 it's important for us to remember 00:00:52.980 --> 00:00:56.280 that not only was Boaz a man of great wealth, 00:00:56.439 --> 00:01:00.679 but Boaz was a man of great moral character as well. 00:01:01.099 --> 00:01:03.119 He was somebody who followed the Lord. 00:01:03.239 --> 00:01:07.219 That stood in stark contrast to the people of his day. 00:01:07.599 --> 00:01:11.060 Remember, Ruth takes place during the time of the judges. 00:01:11.579 --> 00:01:12.959 And when you look through the judges, 00:01:13.120 --> 00:01:17.039 you see a nation who is on this rollercoaster ride 00:01:17.039 --> 00:01:19.539 where most people were not following the Lord. 00:01:19.920 --> 00:01:22.379 Most people were doing whatever they wanted to 00:01:22.379 --> 00:01:23.560 in their own eyes. 00:01:23.560 --> 00:01:27.240 And so Boaz is someone who stands in contrast 00:01:27.240 --> 00:01:29.680 to what everybody else is doing. 00:01:29.799 --> 00:01:33.060 He's somebody of high moral character. 00:01:33.980 --> 00:01:35.260 And so taken by itself, 00:01:35.299 --> 00:01:36.980 if you look at chapter three, 00:01:37.799 --> 00:01:39.719 out of context, without the whole book, 00:01:39.820 --> 00:01:43.520 the chapter could seem a little suggestive, let's say. 00:01:43.579 --> 00:01:46.420 But I want to encourage you not to jump to that conclusion. 00:01:47.140 --> 00:01:49.560 But let us do what we should do with scripture, 00:01:50.140 --> 00:01:51.599 as we should do with all of scripture. 00:01:51.599 --> 00:01:54.099 Take it within the context that it is written 00:01:54.099 --> 00:01:56.959 and let scripture interpret scripture. 00:01:57.619 --> 00:01:59.379 And so with this understanding, 00:01:59.739 --> 00:02:02.359 I want to encourage you to follow along 00:02:02.359 --> 00:02:05.640 as I read Ruth chapter three. 00:02:06.259 --> 00:02:08.039 This is what the word of the Lord says. 00:02:08.139 --> 00:02:08.400 It says, 00:02:08.400 --> 00:02:11.219 Then Naomi, her mother-in-law, said to her, 00:02:11.780 --> 00:02:16.020 My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, 00:02:16.120 --> 00:02:17.560 that it may be well with you? 00:02:18.180 --> 00:02:19.900 Is not Boaz our relative, 00:02:20.120 --> 00:02:21.659 with whose young women you were? 00:02:22.080 --> 00:02:24.240 See, he is winnowing barley tonight 00:02:24.240 --> 00:02:25.700 at the threshing floor. 00:02:26.340 --> 00:02:28.860 Wash therefore and anoint yourself 00:02:28.860 --> 00:02:30.180 and put on your cloak 00:02:30.180 --> 00:02:32.280 and go down to the threshing floor. 00:02:32.340 --> 00:02:35.259 But do not make yourself known to the man 00:02:35.259 --> 00:02:37.580 until he has finished eating and drinking. 00:02:37.580 --> 00:02:39.660 But when he lies down, 00:02:40.120 --> 00:02:42.120 observe the place where he lies, 00:02:42.500 --> 00:02:45.900 then go and uncover his feet and lie down, 00:02:46.160 --> 00:02:47.980 and he will tell you what to do. 00:02:48.540 --> 00:02:49.580 And she replied, 00:02:49.720 --> 00:02:51.939 All that you say I will do. 00:02:52.400 --> 00:02:54.700 So she went down to the threshing floor 00:02:54.700 --> 00:02:58.160 and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her. 00:02:58.420 --> 00:03:00.160 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk 00:03:00.160 --> 00:03:01.640 and his heart was merry, 00:03:01.860 --> 00:03:04.760 he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. 00:03:04.759 --> 00:03:08.560 Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down. 00:03:09.419 --> 00:03:11.979 At midnight, the man was startled and turned over. 00:03:12.419 --> 00:03:14.379 And behold, a woman lay at his feet. 00:03:14.719 --> 00:03:15.280 And he said, 00:03:15.340 --> 00:03:16.060 Who are you? 00:03:16.099 --> 00:03:16.840 And she answered, 00:03:17.239 --> 00:03:18.959 I am Ruth, your servant. 00:03:19.500 --> 00:03:22.099 Spread your wings over your servant, 00:03:22.259 --> 00:03:24.280 for you are a redeemer. 00:03:24.979 --> 00:03:25.560 And he said, 00:03:25.560 --> 00:03:28.659 May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. 00:03:29.240 --> 00:03:32.379 You have made this last kindness greater than the first, 00:03:32.740 --> 00:03:35.060 in that you have not gone after a young man, 00:03:35.120 --> 00:03:36.379 whether poor or rich. 00:03:36.719 --> 00:03:39.439 And now, my daughter, do not fear. 00:03:39.939 --> 00:03:42.120 I will do for you all that you ask. 00:03:42.800 --> 00:03:44.840 For all my fellow townsmen know 00:03:44.840 --> 00:03:47.400 that you are a worthy woman. 00:03:48.140 --> 00:03:50.580 And now it is true that I am a redeemer, 00:03:50.939 --> 00:03:53.819 yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. 00:03:53.819 --> 00:03:56.079 Remain tonight and in the morning, 00:03:56.419 --> 00:03:58.120 if he will redeem you good, 00:03:58.419 --> 00:03:59.439 let him do it. 00:03:59.799 --> 00:04:02.939 But if he is not willing to redeem you, 00:04:03.340 --> 00:04:05.939 then as the Lord lives, 00:04:06.340 --> 00:04:07.819 I will redeem you. 00:04:08.459 --> 00:04:09.959 Lie down until morning. 00:04:10.579 --> 00:04:12.680 And so she lay at his feet until morning, 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:15.939 but arose before one could recognize another. 00:04:16.360 --> 00:04:17.019 And he said, 00:04:17.139 --> 00:04:20.259 Let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor. 00:04:20.259 --> 00:04:20.759 And he said, 00:04:21.139 --> 00:04:23.920 Bring the garment you were wearing and hold it out. 00:04:24.259 --> 00:04:25.439 And so she held it out, 00:04:25.480 --> 00:04:27.980 and he measured out six measures of barley 00:04:27.980 --> 00:04:29.000 and put it on her. 00:04:29.459 --> 00:04:30.920 Then she went into the city, 00:04:31.399 --> 00:04:33.539 and when she came to her mother-in-law, 00:04:33.740 --> 00:04:34.319 she said, 00:04:34.560 --> 00:04:35.980 How did it fare, my daughter? 00:04:36.519 --> 00:04:39.420 Then she told her all that the man had done for her, 00:04:39.500 --> 00:04:39.719 saying, 00:04:39.819 --> 00:04:42.719 These six measures of barley he gave me, 00:04:42.779 --> 00:04:44.180 for he said to me, 00:04:44.500 --> 00:04:47.599 You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law. 00:04:47.600 --> 00:04:48.879 She replied, 00:04:49.439 --> 00:04:50.379 Wait, my daughter, 00:04:50.460 --> 00:04:53.180 until you learn how the matter turns out, 00:04:53.300 --> 00:04:55.760 for the man will not rest, 00:04:56.080 --> 00:04:58.900 but will settle this matter today. 00:04:59.860 --> 00:05:01.580 As we look at this passage, 00:05:02.240 --> 00:05:05.500 I want to encourage you to see a theme 00:05:05.500 --> 00:05:07.740 that I believe is coming out of this passage. 00:05:07.860 --> 00:05:10.439 It may not be something that we immediately jump to, 00:05:10.520 --> 00:05:15.560 but I believe that rest is a central theme to this chapter. 00:05:15.560 --> 00:05:18.439 As I was preparing this message this week, 00:05:18.519 --> 00:05:21.839 I almost had to laugh as I was thinking about that, 00:05:21.879 --> 00:05:23.860 because this week, in many ways, 00:05:23.899 --> 00:05:25.759 has felt like anything but rest. 00:05:26.100 --> 00:05:27.280 Somebody asked me yesterday, 00:05:27.399 --> 00:05:30.379 Has this been one of the busiest weeks in this church in a long time? 00:05:30.379 --> 00:05:30.560 I said, 00:05:30.600 --> 00:05:31.840 It's been a pretty busy week. 00:05:31.899 --> 00:05:34.019 It started with a Veterans Day program 00:05:34.019 --> 00:05:35.660 that took the entire church 00:05:35.660 --> 00:05:37.319 and everybody coming together for that. 00:05:37.579 --> 00:05:38.840 We had to move heaven and earth 00:05:38.840 --> 00:05:40.439 to get into these new facilities 00:05:40.439 --> 00:05:43.360 and try to get everything set up for this morning. 00:05:43.360 --> 00:05:45.080 And to throw on top of that, 00:05:45.280 --> 00:05:49.220 a Jubal Brass concert in the sanctuary one night. 00:05:49.379 --> 00:05:50.720 And on top of all this, 00:05:50.759 --> 00:05:53.020 there's just the regular activities of church. 00:05:53.439 --> 00:05:56.639 And so, yes, it has felt like a very busy week. 00:05:56.800 --> 00:05:59.439 Many of you have been up here working all week 00:05:59.439 --> 00:06:02.600 and it felt probably like anything but rest. 00:06:03.420 --> 00:06:06.480 But as we look at this chapter more in depth, 00:06:06.699 --> 00:06:09.040 I believe that rest is something 00:06:09.040 --> 00:06:11.620 that keeps coming to the forefront. 00:06:11.620 --> 00:06:13.459 I believe it's something 00:06:13.459 --> 00:06:17.420 that is continuing to come out as we look at this. 00:06:17.540 --> 00:06:19.480 And I want us to see rest 00:06:19.480 --> 00:06:21.439 in light of four observations 00:06:21.439 --> 00:06:23.160 from this passage this week. 00:06:23.600 --> 00:06:24.420 And I want to go ahead 00:06:24.420 --> 00:06:25.899 and give you all four of these things 00:06:25.899 --> 00:06:27.600 so you can be seeing these things 00:06:27.600 --> 00:06:28.639 and see the progression 00:06:28.639 --> 00:06:30.879 as we make our way through it. 00:06:31.220 --> 00:06:32.399 To begin with, 00:06:32.519 --> 00:06:35.019 we see the desire for rest, 00:06:35.620 --> 00:06:38.220 the plan for gaining rest, 00:06:38.220 --> 00:06:41.020 the promise of rest, 00:06:41.020 --> 00:06:44.620 and finally the importance of finding rest. 00:06:45.380 --> 00:06:46.360 And so as we look at this, 00:06:46.400 --> 00:06:50.140 I want us to begin by looking at this desire for rest. 00:06:50.700 --> 00:06:52.140 If you look at this chapter, 00:06:52.260 --> 00:06:54.620 this chapter begins talking about rest 00:06:54.620 --> 00:06:56.740 and it ends talking about rest. 00:06:57.100 --> 00:06:59.020 It begins by saying in verse one, 00:06:59.140 --> 00:07:01.320 then Naomi, her mother-in-law said to her, 00:07:01.360 --> 00:07:05.060 my daughter, should I not seek rest for you? 00:07:05.060 --> 00:07:07.720 That it may be well with you. 00:07:08.300 --> 00:07:11.240 And then the chapter ends talking about rest. 00:07:12.079 --> 00:07:13.540 Naomi talking to Ruth, 00:07:13.620 --> 00:07:14.139 she replied, 00:07:14.759 --> 00:07:15.600 wait, my daughter, 00:07:15.680 --> 00:07:17.620 until you learn how the matter turns out. 00:07:17.680 --> 00:07:19.300 For the man will not rest, 00:07:19.319 --> 00:07:21.920 but will settle the matter today. 00:07:22.259 --> 00:07:24.939 And so it starts off with someone seeking rest, 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:26.740 of trying to find rest. 00:07:26.779 --> 00:07:30.100 And it ends with one who will not rest 00:07:30.100 --> 00:07:33.100 until he provides this rest for them. 00:07:33.100 --> 00:07:35.560 And so it starts off talking about rest. 00:07:35.680 --> 00:07:36.800 It ends by talking about rest. 00:07:37.100 --> 00:07:40.360 But what is this rest that it is talking about? 00:07:40.800 --> 00:07:43.600 This rest that Naomi is seeking for her daughter-in-law 00:07:43.600 --> 00:07:45.100 is marriage, 00:07:45.260 --> 00:07:45.760 it's home, 00:07:45.879 --> 00:07:46.480 it's stability. 00:07:46.660 --> 00:07:48.140 In this society at this time, 00:07:48.500 --> 00:07:50.680 marriage was pretty important to provide 00:07:50.680 --> 00:07:52.680 this type of rest. 00:07:53.379 --> 00:07:53.820 In fact, 00:07:53.920 --> 00:07:56.120 the Hebrew word translated as rest here, 00:07:56.220 --> 00:07:57.560 or places of rest, 00:07:57.620 --> 00:07:59.240 is the same root word that is found 00:07:59.240 --> 00:08:00.960 back in verse, 00:08:01.180 --> 00:08:01.980 or chapter 1, 00:08:02.060 --> 00:08:03.620 verse 9 of Ruth, 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:06.560 where Naomi is pleading 00:08:06.560 --> 00:08:08.100 with her daughter-in-law, 00:08:08.199 --> 00:08:08.840 with Orpah, 00:08:09.060 --> 00:08:09.920 and with Ruth, 00:08:10.060 --> 00:08:11.900 to go back to your parents' house. 00:08:12.060 --> 00:08:13.139 And in 1, 9, 00:08:13.220 --> 00:08:13.960 it tells them, 00:08:14.319 --> 00:08:17.180 the Lord grant that you may find rest, 00:08:17.280 --> 00:08:17.920 each of you, 00:08:17.980 --> 00:08:19.240 in the house of her husband. 00:08:19.319 --> 00:08:21.879 So there's this idea of rest 00:08:21.879 --> 00:08:24.060 that is being tied into this. 00:08:24.240 --> 00:08:26.360 The word speaks to the security 00:08:26.360 --> 00:08:27.160 and peacefulness 00:08:27.160 --> 00:08:28.580 that a woman in Israel, 00:08:29.020 --> 00:08:30.540 this time longed for 00:08:30.540 --> 00:08:31.860 and expected to find 00:08:31.860 --> 00:08:34.879 in the home of a loving husband. 00:08:35.779 --> 00:08:38.680 The NIV tries to capture this meaning 00:08:38.680 --> 00:08:40.620 when it translates this first verse. 00:08:40.680 --> 00:08:40.860 It says, 00:08:40.940 --> 00:08:41.379 My daughter, 00:08:41.680 --> 00:08:43.840 I must find a home for you 00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:46.360 where you will be well provided for. 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:50.860 This rest is what Naomi is longing for, 00:08:50.860 --> 00:08:53.300 for her beloved daughter-in-law, Ruth. 00:08:53.299 --> 00:08:55.039 What she is saying here 00:08:55.039 --> 00:08:57.219 is that this is the motivation 00:08:57.219 --> 00:08:58.299 for this plan 00:08:58.299 --> 00:08:59.740 that I'm about to give to you. 00:08:59.899 --> 00:09:02.539 This plan that I'm about to lay out for you, 00:09:02.819 --> 00:09:05.019 the motivation behind this plan 00:09:05.019 --> 00:09:07.659 is for you to find rest. 00:09:08.179 --> 00:09:09.759 You see, the desire for rest 00:09:09.759 --> 00:09:11.120 is something that is healthy. 00:09:11.899 --> 00:09:13.539 Rest is something that is essential 00:09:13.539 --> 00:09:14.459 to our welfare. 00:09:15.279 --> 00:09:17.959 We all have different levels of capacity. 00:09:18.439 --> 00:09:20.379 We all have different levels of ability 00:09:20.379 --> 00:09:21.859 to be able to continue to do things. 00:09:21.860 --> 00:09:23.440 I'm sure there's people that you know 00:09:23.440 --> 00:09:26.100 that seem to have a very high capacity. 00:09:26.600 --> 00:09:28.779 They have what seems like endless reserves. 00:09:28.940 --> 00:09:30.220 They're like the energizer bunny. 00:09:30.300 --> 00:09:32.259 They just keep going and going and going. 00:09:32.340 --> 00:09:33.039 They continue to go. 00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:34.539 But the truth of the matter is, 00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:37.919 none of us have endless reserves. 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:41.159 None of us have endless reserves 00:09:41.159 --> 00:09:41.800 where we can go. 00:09:41.879 --> 00:09:43.300 None of us have an endless capacity. 00:09:43.740 --> 00:09:46.539 We all need rest in our lives. 00:09:46.539 --> 00:09:50.000 This desire for rest is a good thing. 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:52.679 We cannot simply will ourselves 00:09:52.679 --> 00:09:54.200 into doing more and more. 00:09:54.539 --> 00:09:56.059 In both the Old and New Testament, 00:09:56.200 --> 00:10:00.779 we see rest as a part of God's good design for us. 00:10:01.620 --> 00:10:05.519 And what we see is that Naomi desperately wants rest 00:10:05.519 --> 00:10:07.700 and security for her daughter-in-law. 00:10:08.559 --> 00:10:10.360 The desire for rest is good, 00:10:10.720 --> 00:10:12.080 which means it's something 00:10:12.080 --> 00:10:15.379 that we should be intentional about gaining. 00:10:15.379 --> 00:10:18.039 Since the desire for rest, 00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:21.000 and God places this good desire is there, 00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:23.399 this is something that we should be intentional 00:10:23.399 --> 00:10:24.419 about gaining, 00:10:24.500 --> 00:10:26.620 which brings us to the next observation 00:10:26.620 --> 00:10:27.840 in this passage, 00:10:28.360 --> 00:10:30.840 this plan for gaining rest. 00:10:31.240 --> 00:10:32.559 This plan for gaining rest. 00:10:32.620 --> 00:10:35.200 Now, I want you to listen again to this dialogue 00:10:35.200 --> 00:10:37.519 in these first five verses right here 00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:40.539 between Naomi and her daughter-in-law, Ruth. 00:10:40.899 --> 00:10:42.600 This is the dialogue between them. 00:10:42.600 --> 00:10:42.820 It says, 00:10:42.879 --> 00:10:45.320 My daughter, should I not seek rest 00:10:45.320 --> 00:10:47.779 for you that it may be well with you? 00:10:48.700 --> 00:10:50.500 Is not Boaz our relative 00:10:50.500 --> 00:10:52.560 with whose young women you were? 00:10:52.879 --> 00:10:55.120 See, he is winnowing barley tonight 00:10:55.120 --> 00:10:56.440 at the threshing floor. 00:10:57.000 --> 00:10:59.259 Wash, therefore, and anoint yourself 00:10:59.259 --> 00:11:00.279 and put on your cloak 00:11:00.279 --> 00:11:01.920 and go down to the threshing floor. 00:11:02.279 --> 00:11:05.080 But do not make yourself known to the man 00:11:05.080 --> 00:11:07.480 until he is finished eating and drinking. 00:11:08.040 --> 00:11:09.660 But when he lies down, 00:11:10.180 --> 00:11:12.200 observe the place where he lies, 00:11:12.200 --> 00:11:15.520 then go and uncover his feet and lie down 00:11:15.520 --> 00:11:18.700 and he will tell you what you are to do. 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:19.780 And she replied, 00:11:19.920 --> 00:11:22.920 All that you say I will do. 00:11:23.540 --> 00:11:25.180 You see, rest is something 00:11:25.180 --> 00:11:26.980 that needs to be intentional, 00:11:27.259 --> 00:11:28.840 something you plan for. 00:11:29.200 --> 00:11:31.640 And here, we have quite the plan 00:11:31.640 --> 00:11:32.940 for gaining rest, don't we? 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:35.000 We have quite the interesting plan 00:11:35.000 --> 00:11:37.480 that Naomi is sharing with Ruth 00:11:37.480 --> 00:11:38.620 to find this. 00:11:38.940 --> 00:11:40.140 The harvest is over. 00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:41.360 The winnowing has begun. 00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:43.000 All of the workers have moved 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:45.200 from the field into the threshing floor. 00:11:45.399 --> 00:11:47.320 And what this man is that they are there 00:11:47.320 --> 00:11:48.940 and they're trying to separate 00:11:48.940 --> 00:11:50.600 the chaff from the grains. 00:11:50.700 --> 00:11:52.560 And so they're at the threshing floor. 00:11:52.680 --> 00:11:55.120 They're using shovels or winnowing forks. 00:11:55.120 --> 00:11:57.500 And they're taking this mixture of chaff, 00:11:57.539 --> 00:11:59.200 which is useless material in there, 00:11:59.419 --> 00:12:00.000 and grain. 00:12:00.279 --> 00:12:00.980 And what they're doing, 00:12:01.039 --> 00:12:02.279 they're throwing it up in the air 00:12:02.279 --> 00:12:03.740 so that the wind, as it blows, 00:12:04.019 --> 00:12:05.519 it will blow away the chaff, 00:12:05.560 --> 00:12:07.080 all of the useless material in there, 00:12:07.080 --> 00:12:09.040 and that the grains will fall down. 00:12:09.480 --> 00:12:11.520 And so this is what they're all there doing. 00:12:11.720 --> 00:12:13.860 And this is something that would take some time. 00:12:14.280 --> 00:12:15.540 And it was something that the workers 00:12:15.540 --> 00:12:17.960 would stay at the threshing floor to do 00:12:17.960 --> 00:12:19.800 because they would want to get up early 00:12:19.800 --> 00:12:20.480 to work on this. 00:12:20.540 --> 00:12:22.300 They'd want to stay up late working on this, 00:12:22.420 --> 00:12:24.860 but also probably to provide some security 00:12:24.860 --> 00:12:26.379 and protection for the grains 00:12:26.379 --> 00:12:28.500 that they had just harvested. 00:12:28.720 --> 00:12:30.480 And so they were working on this. 00:12:30.840 --> 00:12:32.560 But the threshing floors, 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:35.720 however, could also be a very promiscuous place. 00:12:35.720 --> 00:12:39.019 This is a place where many activities 00:12:39.019 --> 00:12:39.860 would take place 00:12:39.860 --> 00:12:41.759 that should not have been taking place. 00:12:41.860 --> 00:12:44.580 In fact, we read about this in Hosea 9, 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:45.800 verse 1. 00:12:45.920 --> 00:12:46.360 It tells us, 00:12:46.519 --> 00:12:47.960 Rejoice not, O Israel. 00:12:48.320 --> 00:12:50.120 Exile not like the peoples, 00:12:50.240 --> 00:12:51.720 for you have played the whore, 00:12:52.100 --> 00:12:53.180 forsaken your God, 00:12:53.240 --> 00:12:55.779 and you have loved a prostitute's wages 00:12:55.779 --> 00:12:57.840 on all threshing floors. 00:12:58.540 --> 00:13:00.100 And so there was a lot of activities 00:13:00.100 --> 00:13:02.300 that took place in this threshing floor 00:13:02.300 --> 00:13:04.000 that were questionable. 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:06.139 Barry Webb notes, he says, 00:13:06.200 --> 00:13:07.299 In view of this, 00:13:08.500 --> 00:13:11.259 Naomi put Ruth at considerable risk 00:13:11.259 --> 00:13:13.159 by telling her to approach Boaz 00:13:13.159 --> 00:13:14.100 in such a place. 00:13:14.700 --> 00:13:17.460 But the fact that Ruth is young 00:13:17.460 --> 00:13:19.879 and has already attracted Boaz's attention, 00:13:20.320 --> 00:13:24.440 plus the signs of God's providential involvement 00:13:24.440 --> 00:13:25.080 in this, 00:13:25.320 --> 00:13:27.080 have evidently convinced Naomi 00:13:27.080 --> 00:13:30.779 that this is a risk worth taking. 00:13:30.779 --> 00:13:33.379 And so before we look at this risk worth taking, 00:13:33.439 --> 00:13:35.579 let's just identify those things, 00:13:35.679 --> 00:13:38.939 those instructions that Naomi gave to Ruth. 00:13:39.319 --> 00:13:41.439 She first of all told her to take a bath. 00:13:41.839 --> 00:13:43.860 This is a good thing to make a first impression, right? 00:13:44.199 --> 00:13:46.240 This is probably something we could all gather from this. 00:13:46.299 --> 00:13:47.199 If you want to make a good impression, 00:13:47.279 --> 00:13:47.879 take a bath. 00:13:48.720 --> 00:13:49.740 And then it says to, 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:50.720 and then it told, 00:13:51.360 --> 00:13:53.519 Naomi told Ruth to anoint herself. 00:13:54.120 --> 00:13:56.240 Now, the ESV here 00:13:56.240 --> 00:13:57.100 and some of these other translations, 00:13:57.240 --> 00:13:58.839 it'll try to kind of spiritualize this a little bit 00:13:58.840 --> 00:13:59.340 and say anoint, 00:13:59.420 --> 00:14:00.440 but what they're saying is, 00:14:00.720 --> 00:14:01.660 put on some perfume. 00:14:02.420 --> 00:14:02.740 Put on, 00:14:02.840 --> 00:14:05.139 anoint yourself with this mixture 00:14:05.139 --> 00:14:06.500 of olive oil 00:14:06.500 --> 00:14:08.340 and these spices and herbs 00:14:08.340 --> 00:14:09.580 that have an aroma to it. 00:14:09.700 --> 00:14:11.360 And so put on some perfume. 00:14:11.860 --> 00:14:13.500 Put on something that smells nice. 00:14:13.580 --> 00:14:14.639 One person I was listening to 00:14:14.639 --> 00:14:15.240 reading one, 00:14:15.560 --> 00:14:15.879 they said, 00:14:16.360 --> 00:14:17.220 Naomi's telling us, 00:14:17.320 --> 00:14:18.860 put on that midnight Moabite. 00:14:19.220 --> 00:14:20.639 Put on that that's going to attract 00:14:20.639 --> 00:14:23.440 and that's going to really get his attention here 00:14:23.440 --> 00:14:25.160 and to get that involved. 00:14:25.160 --> 00:14:26.060 And so she says, 00:14:26.180 --> 00:14:27.080 hey, wash yourself, 00:14:27.259 --> 00:14:28.040 anoint yourself. 00:14:28.039 --> 00:14:29.939 It says to put on your cloak. 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:31.719 Now, this is where I think 00:14:31.719 --> 00:14:34.339 the NIVA can make it a little confusing for us 00:14:34.339 --> 00:14:35.899 because it says that it, 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:36.659 and the NIVA, 00:14:36.740 --> 00:14:37.879 I believe it translates it as 00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:39.319 put on your best clothes. 00:14:39.860 --> 00:14:41.899 But that's not the actual Hebrew word 00:14:41.899 --> 00:14:42.579 that is in here. 00:14:42.620 --> 00:14:44.219 It's just talking about an outer garment. 00:14:44.759 --> 00:14:45.539 Put on a cloak. 00:14:45.699 --> 00:14:47.879 And so I think what it's really getting at 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:50.659 is the fact that Naomi is realizing 00:14:50.659 --> 00:14:53.019 that she's going to be spending the night out 00:14:53.019 --> 00:14:54.419 in this area 00:14:54.419 --> 00:14:56.439 that could probably be pretty chilly at night. 00:14:56.440 --> 00:14:57.920 And so for a lot of people, 00:14:58.040 --> 00:14:59.980 especially poor people, 00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:01.860 they would have this cloak 00:15:01.860 --> 00:15:02.880 that would serve two purposes. 00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:04.000 It would be an outer garment, 00:15:04.180 --> 00:15:05.320 but it would also be something 00:15:05.320 --> 00:15:07.540 that would keep them warm during the night. 00:15:07.620 --> 00:15:09.460 And so it's just put on your cloak 00:15:09.460 --> 00:15:12.140 and go to Boaz at the threshing floor 00:15:12.140 --> 00:15:13.640 when he's in a good mood. 00:15:13.840 --> 00:15:16.100 Now, this is a very important part 00:15:16.100 --> 00:15:17.180 of the instructions right here. 00:15:17.740 --> 00:15:19.540 Observe where he lies down. 00:15:20.300 --> 00:15:22.160 Make sure that you know 00:15:22.160 --> 00:15:23.160 that it's Boaz 00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:25.159 before I give you these next instructions. 00:15:25.980 --> 00:15:27.699 Make sure that you see 00:15:27.699 --> 00:15:29.159 where Boaz is lying down 00:15:29.159 --> 00:15:30.159 so that you know 00:15:30.159 --> 00:15:31.259 that this is him 00:15:31.259 --> 00:15:32.639 before I give you this next instructions. 00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:35.039 It was a great amount of trust 00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:37.299 in the character of Boaz. 00:15:38.199 --> 00:15:40.219 If Boaz were a lesser man, 00:15:40.939 --> 00:15:43.059 a man like the men of his day, 00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:45.199 if you flip back one page 00:15:45.199 --> 00:15:46.719 at the end of Judges, 00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:48.519 the Judges ends with 00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:50.899 everyone did what was right 00:15:50.899 --> 00:15:51.939 in his own eyes, 00:15:52.579 --> 00:15:54.879 if he were like the other men of his day 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:56.120 that just did right 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:58.079 of what was in his eyes, 00:15:58.240 --> 00:15:59.100 then this would be 00:15:59.100 --> 00:16:00.399 a very difficult place 00:16:00.399 --> 00:16:01.039 that she's putting around. 00:16:01.179 --> 00:16:03.079 But there's a lot of trust in Boaz. 00:16:03.579 --> 00:16:07.179 This act shows a great amount of trust 00:16:07.179 --> 00:16:08.639 in the character of Boaz. 00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:12.319 Then when you understand it like this, 00:16:12.840 --> 00:16:14.740 it understands that this risk 00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:15.759 is not significant. 00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:17.939 But as Naomi gives these instructions 00:16:17.939 --> 00:16:21.860 and as Ruth wholeheartedly accepts them, 00:16:22.360 --> 00:16:25.139 they are placing an enormous amount 00:16:25.139 --> 00:16:27.980 of trust in the integrity of Boaz. 00:16:28.659 --> 00:16:29.980 I love how Tony Morita 00:16:29.980 --> 00:16:31.559 describes this situation. 00:16:32.019 --> 00:16:32.399 He says, 00:16:32.559 --> 00:16:34.539 The riskiness of the strategy 00:16:34.539 --> 00:16:36.240 Naomi commends to Ruth 00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:38.939 serves to expose one thing 00:16:38.939 --> 00:16:40.319 that will make it secure. 00:16:41.059 --> 00:16:43.340 This risk that this strategy 00:16:43.340 --> 00:16:44.939 is talking about here, 00:16:44.940 --> 00:16:46.960 there's one thing that it shows 00:16:46.960 --> 00:16:47.940 that it highlights 00:16:47.940 --> 00:16:50.040 that makes it secure, 00:16:50.420 --> 00:16:52.420 and that is Boaz. 00:16:53.060 --> 00:16:54.700 Ruth and Naomi are not trying 00:16:54.700 --> 00:16:55.640 to take a shortcut 00:16:55.640 --> 00:16:57.760 to the path of rest 00:16:57.760 --> 00:16:59.420 by compromising their morals, 00:16:59.580 --> 00:17:01.620 but they're going about this 00:17:01.620 --> 00:17:02.920 the right way. 00:17:03.660 --> 00:17:05.380 Previously, we mentioned the fact 00:17:05.380 --> 00:17:07.519 that this desire for rest 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:08.400 is a good thing. 00:17:08.539 --> 00:17:10.160 Now we see the plan 00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:12.200 for gaining it, 00:17:12.200 --> 00:17:14.259 the plan that we're looking for it. 00:17:15.140 --> 00:17:16.420 But we have to be careful 00:17:16.420 --> 00:17:17.559 in our day and time 00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:18.740 that we go about it 00:17:18.740 --> 00:17:20.039 the right way as well. 00:17:20.100 --> 00:17:20.840 We have to be careful 00:17:20.840 --> 00:17:22.980 to where we look to find rest. 00:17:23.360 --> 00:17:24.940 Yes, the desire is good. 00:17:25.340 --> 00:17:26.900 Yes, we should be seeking rest. 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:28.220 We should be planning for it. 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:29.880 But we've got to be very careful 00:17:29.880 --> 00:17:31.279 on where we plan for it. 00:17:31.620 --> 00:17:34.480 Sometimes we look for rest 00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:36.500 in compromising ways. 00:17:37.180 --> 00:17:39.380 Sometimes we look for this rest 00:17:39.380 --> 00:17:41.160 in ways that go against 00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:42.020 the good character 00:17:42.020 --> 00:17:43.500 that Christians are called 00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:44.280 to live by. 00:17:44.600 --> 00:17:46.260 Sometimes we look for rest 00:17:46.260 --> 00:17:48.620 by working longer hours 00:17:48.620 --> 00:17:50.340 that are well beyond 00:17:50.340 --> 00:17:51.320 what is healthy. 00:17:52.280 --> 00:17:53.560 And I know that sounds crazy 00:17:53.560 --> 00:17:55.280 to think about working longer hours 00:17:55.280 --> 00:17:56.540 just seeking rest, 00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:57.680 but in doing so, 00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:59.380 in hopes that we can have 00:17:59.380 --> 00:18:00.380 enough financially 00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:01.380 to give us comfort 00:18:01.380 --> 00:18:03.880 and ultimately security and rest. 00:18:04.820 --> 00:18:07.380 Or sometimes we see our hard work 00:18:07.380 --> 00:18:08.560 and you can, 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:09.620 or sometimes we see 00:18:09.620 --> 00:18:11.120 that someone else 00:18:11.120 --> 00:18:12.100 can see our hard work 00:18:12.100 --> 00:18:13.360 and we can rest in that. 00:18:13.660 --> 00:18:14.280 Like, oh, well, 00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:15.700 I've given a long hard work. 00:18:15.820 --> 00:18:16.860 Now people will think 00:18:16.860 --> 00:18:17.940 that I'm a good hard worker. 00:18:18.060 --> 00:18:19.440 They'll think all of these things 00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:20.260 about me. 00:18:20.340 --> 00:18:21.060 But ultimately, 00:18:21.520 --> 00:18:22.540 money is not going 00:18:22.540 --> 00:18:23.340 to provide rest. 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:25.020 Recognition is not going 00:18:25.020 --> 00:18:26.700 to provide lasting rest. 00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:29.480 Sometimes the opposite is true. 00:18:30.320 --> 00:18:31.840 Sometimes we look for rest 00:18:31.840 --> 00:18:33.800 in getting as little 00:18:33.800 --> 00:18:35.080 as possible done. 00:18:35.079 --> 00:18:37.579 where we just are not working hard, 00:18:37.659 --> 00:18:38.679 where we're not putting in the effort, 00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:40.159 we're not doing everything 00:18:40.159 --> 00:18:41.139 as unto the Lord, 00:18:41.559 --> 00:18:42.740 and rest itself 00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:43.699 is our ultimate goal. 00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:44.960 So we don't work hard, 00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:46.339 we don't put forth the effort, 00:18:46.599 --> 00:18:48.299 and assume that someone else 00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:49.439 will take care of it. 00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:50.960 That's not fulfilling, 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:52.659 and ultimately will probably 00:18:52.659 --> 00:18:53.480 leave you looking 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:55.079 for another job as well. 00:18:56.559 --> 00:18:57.740 But sometimes, 00:18:58.119 --> 00:19:00.619 rest looks more like 00:19:00.619 --> 00:19:01.919 an unhealthy distraction 00:19:01.919 --> 00:19:02.980 than anything else. 00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:06.180 sometimes we're seeking rest. 00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:08.539 And what we're really doing 00:19:08.539 --> 00:19:09.519 is just trying to 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:10.640 distract ourselves 00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:12.259 when unhealthy practices. 00:19:13.140 --> 00:19:14.319 It looks like drinking 00:19:14.319 --> 00:19:15.039 for the purpose 00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:16.559 of momentarily escaping. 00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:19.220 It looks like endless scrolling 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:20.240 on social media 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:21.640 to take your mind off the day, 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:23.240 but at the expense 00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:24.000 of being present 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:24.519 with the ones 00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:26.339 that you love the most. 00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:28.120 Unfortunately, 00:19:28.339 --> 00:19:29.700 for many in our day and time, 00:19:29.779 --> 00:19:30.420 it looks like 00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:31.599 a pornography addiction 00:19:31.599 --> 00:19:33.219 that gives you 00:19:33.219 --> 00:19:34.339 a momentary escape 00:19:34.339 --> 00:19:35.759 from the difficulties 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:36.500 of the day. 00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:39.240 We seek to find rest 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:40.119 in all of these things. 00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:41.899 Seek to remove 00:19:41.899 --> 00:19:43.839 the stress from our lives 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:45.000 by going in all 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:46.059 of these different directions 00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:47.399 that are unhealthy ways. 00:19:47.639 --> 00:19:48.980 All of these things, 00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:50.299 they promise rest. 00:19:50.859 --> 00:19:52.459 They promise to make you forget. 00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:54.500 They promise to give purpose 00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:55.159 and security, 00:19:55.159 --> 00:19:57.019 but they never deliver 00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:58.359 on what they promise. 00:19:58.359 --> 00:20:00.839 Only God can deliver 00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:01.699 on what He promises, 00:20:02.179 --> 00:20:03.479 which brings us 00:20:03.479 --> 00:20:04.759 to this next observation, 00:20:05.619 --> 00:20:07.159 the promise of rest. 00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:09.279 The promise of rest 00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:09.859 that we see here, 00:20:09.879 --> 00:20:10.519 and we see this 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:12.619 in verses 10 through 13. 00:20:13.179 --> 00:20:13.740 And it says, 00:20:13.819 --> 00:20:14.399 And He said, 00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:15.839 May you be blessed 00:20:15.839 --> 00:20:17.419 by the Lord, my daughter. 00:20:17.779 --> 00:20:20.039 You have made this last kindness 00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:21.299 greater than the first 00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:22.099 and that you have not 00:20:22.099 --> 00:20:23.279 gone after young men, 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:24.959 whether poor or rich. 00:20:25.679 --> 00:20:26.839 And now, my daughter, 00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:27.699 do not fear. 00:20:28.119 --> 00:20:29.240 I will do for you 00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:30.500 all that you ask, 00:20:30.679 --> 00:20:32.199 for all my fellow townsmen 00:20:32.199 --> 00:20:33.119 know that you are 00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:34.299 a worthy woman. 00:20:34.939 --> 00:20:36.319 And now it is true 00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:37.919 that I am a Redeemer, 00:20:38.059 --> 00:20:39.319 yet there is a Redeemer 00:20:39.319 --> 00:20:40.599 nearer than I. 00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:42.459 Remain here tonight, 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:43.220 and in the morning, 00:20:43.319 --> 00:20:44.639 if He will redeem you, 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:46.099 good, let Him do it. 00:20:46.579 --> 00:20:48.599 But if He is not willing 00:20:48.599 --> 00:20:49.539 to redeem you, 00:20:49.539 --> 00:20:52.879 then as the Lord lives, 00:20:53.199 --> 00:20:54.939 I will redeem you. 00:20:54.940 --> 00:20:57.299 As the Lord lives, 00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:59.960 I will redeem you. 00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:01.880 Ruth can rest 00:21:01.880 --> 00:21:04.039 because what she has longed for 00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:06.240 and ultimately couldn't accomplish 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:07.100 on her own 00:21:07.100 --> 00:21:08.420 is being accomplished 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:09.640 by her Redeemer. 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.400 These words 00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:12.700 and this promise of redemption 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:14.920 and rest 00:21:14.920 --> 00:21:16.279 are only as good 00:21:16.279 --> 00:21:17.180 as the one who is 00:21:17.180 --> 00:21:18.720 making the promise. 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:20.500 There is a reason 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:21.340 the narrator 00:21:21.340 --> 00:21:23.700 has put such an emphasis, 00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:25.880 not only on the ability, 00:21:26.019 --> 00:21:27.000 not only on the means 00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:28.440 that Boaz has 00:21:28.440 --> 00:21:29.180 to be a Redeemer, 00:21:29.259 --> 00:21:30.319 that he's a man 00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:31.000 of great wealth, 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:32.340 but also this emphasis 00:21:32.340 --> 00:21:33.100 that he's placed 00:21:33.100 --> 00:21:34.039 on Boaz 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:35.480 being one of great character. 00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:36.980 There's a reason 00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:38.000 that we have made 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:39.240 such an emphasis on this 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:40.279 as we've looked 00:21:40.279 --> 00:21:41.980 through this book so far, 00:21:42.100 --> 00:21:43.360 that Boaz is a man 00:21:43.360 --> 00:21:44.120 of great wealth, 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:44.940 but he's also a man 00:21:44.940 --> 00:21:46.700 of great moral integrity 00:21:46.700 --> 00:21:48.480 because the promise 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:49.539 that he is making 00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:51.660 hinges on these things. 00:21:51.660 --> 00:21:52.900 The reason being 00:21:52.900 --> 00:21:53.640 the validity 00:21:53.640 --> 00:21:55.259 of the promise 00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:56.720 is directly linked 00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:57.540 to the ability 00:21:57.540 --> 00:21:58.580 and the character 00:21:58.580 --> 00:21:59.700 of the one 00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:00.940 making the promise. 00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:02.660 Think of it like this. 00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:03.640 I like to think 00:22:03.640 --> 00:22:06.840 that I'm a pretty honest person. 00:22:07.360 --> 00:22:08.700 I know you at least hope 00:22:08.700 --> 00:22:09.220 that I would be 00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:10.320 a pretty honest person, 00:22:10.640 --> 00:22:11.740 and so imagine 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:13.279 that I came to one of you 00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:15.880 after the service today 00:22:15.880 --> 00:22:16.220 and I said, 00:22:16.300 --> 00:22:16.540 look, 00:22:16.900 --> 00:22:18.360 I just appreciate you. 00:22:18.460 --> 00:22:19.120 Here's what I want to do. 00:22:19.120 --> 00:22:20.100 I want to give you 00:22:20.099 --> 00:22:21.519 one million dollars. 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:22.859 I want to give you 00:22:22.859 --> 00:22:23.819 one million dollars. 00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:25.779 None of you would get excited 00:22:25.779 --> 00:22:26.740 because, 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:27.519 I mean, 00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:28.719 you understand that 00:22:28.719 --> 00:22:29.000 I'm a, 00:22:29.079 --> 00:22:29.279 you know, 00:22:29.319 --> 00:22:30.019 my characters, 00:22:30.139 --> 00:22:30.379 they're like, 00:22:30.419 --> 00:22:31.679 I'm an honest person, 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:32.619 but you realize 00:22:32.619 --> 00:22:33.759 I don't have the ability 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:34.500 to do that. 00:22:34.919 --> 00:22:36.339 I don't have the means 00:22:36.339 --> 00:22:36.959 to do that. 00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:38.240 I don't have the ability 00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:38.879 to do that, 00:22:39.159 --> 00:22:40.079 nor would you get 00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:40.759 very excited 00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.399 if, let's say, 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:42.379 a bank robber 00:22:42.379 --> 00:22:43.240 showed up in here 00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:44.799 with a million dollars 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.639 in a suitcase 00:22:45.639 --> 00:22:46.899 that he had just robbed 00:22:46.899 --> 00:22:47.439 from a bank 00:22:47.439 --> 00:22:48.719 and they told you that, 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:48.940 hey, 00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:49.880 I'm going to give you 00:22:49.880 --> 00:22:50.480 a million dollars. 00:22:50.579 --> 00:22:51.480 You wouldn't get excited. 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:53.279 They may have the means 00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:54.120 to do it, 00:22:54.160 --> 00:22:55.140 but their character's 00:22:55.140 --> 00:22:55.700 not there. 00:22:56.059 --> 00:22:57.000 And so what we see 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:58.319 is that there has to be 00:22:58.319 --> 00:23:00.140 both the ability 00:23:00.140 --> 00:23:01.339 and the willingness 00:23:01.339 --> 00:23:01.960 to do it. 00:23:02.380 --> 00:23:03.700 I love to think about this 00:23:03.700 --> 00:23:04.400 when it comes to our 00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:05.460 relationship with God 00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:07.299 in terms of a trust fall. 00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:08.400 I've shared this 00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:09.019 numerous times, 00:23:09.100 --> 00:23:09.620 but to me, 00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:11.259 it's the easiest way 00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:12.200 to understand 00:23:12.200 --> 00:23:12.799 what it means 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:13.960 to trust the Lord. 00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:15.420 In a trust fall, 00:23:15.579 --> 00:23:16.640 what you realize 00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:17.440 and what you're, 00:23:17.640 --> 00:23:18.240 you're answering 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:19.060 two questions 00:23:19.060 --> 00:23:19.620 without whether 00:23:19.620 --> 00:23:20.700 you realize it or not. 00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:22.040 The first question 00:23:22.040 --> 00:23:23.080 you're answering is, 00:23:23.360 --> 00:23:24.200 does this person 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:25.060 have the ability 00:23:25.060 --> 00:23:25.840 to catch me? 00:23:26.060 --> 00:23:26.840 Because you're not 00:23:26.840 --> 00:23:27.660 going to do a trust fall 00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:28.220 if this person 00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:29.360 doesn't have the ability 00:23:29.360 --> 00:23:30.040 to catch you. 00:23:30.540 --> 00:23:31.160 We could go into 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:32.340 this new children's area 00:23:32.340 --> 00:23:33.240 and all these kids 00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:33.660 over there, 00:23:33.920 --> 00:23:34.759 there's a lot of kids 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.380 that would do their 00:23:35.380 --> 00:23:36.580 very best to catch me 00:23:36.580 --> 00:23:37.720 if I turned around 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:38.180 and fell, 00:23:38.580 --> 00:23:39.600 but I would never do it 00:23:39.600 --> 00:23:40.300 because they don't 00:23:40.300 --> 00:23:41.280 have the ability 00:23:41.280 --> 00:23:42.060 to do that. 00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:43.579 And many of you 00:23:43.579 --> 00:23:44.539 in this room today 00:23:44.539 --> 00:23:45.960 have the ability 00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:46.700 to catch me, 00:23:46.819 --> 00:23:48.059 but there's no way 00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:49.259 that I would trust you 00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:49.759 to do that 00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:50.579 because they would like 00:23:50.579 --> 00:23:51.940 to see me fall probably. 00:23:52.599 --> 00:23:53.539 And so there's, 00:23:53.700 --> 00:23:54.539 when we make 00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:55.399 these decisions 00:23:55.399 --> 00:23:56.220 and when we start 00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:57.539 looking at what it means 00:23:57.539 --> 00:23:59.200 to trust the Lord, 00:23:59.299 --> 00:24:00.899 to trust in those promises, 00:24:01.159 --> 00:24:02.179 we're looking at 00:24:02.179 --> 00:24:04.200 does He have the ability 00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:05.539 to do what He says 00:24:05.539 --> 00:24:06.339 He's going to do 00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:07.179 and does He have 00:24:07.179 --> 00:24:07.700 the willingness 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.440 to do it? 00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:10.700 And when we look 00:24:10.700 --> 00:24:11.319 at the Lord, 00:24:12.059 --> 00:24:13.279 we can take 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:14.079 His promises 00:24:14.079 --> 00:24:14.859 to the bank 00:24:14.859 --> 00:24:16.599 because we know 00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:18.299 that He has the ability 00:24:18.299 --> 00:24:19.379 to do whatever He says 00:24:19.379 --> 00:24:20.139 He's going to do. 00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:21.619 And we also know 00:24:21.619 --> 00:24:23.000 that He has the willingness 00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:24.740 to do those things. 00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:27.539 Boaz had the means 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.559 to provide redemption 00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:29.740 and rest 00:24:29.740 --> 00:24:31.259 and he had the willingness 00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:32.639 to provide redemption 00:24:32.639 --> 00:24:33.799 and rest. 00:24:34.159 --> 00:24:35.359 What this means 00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:36.740 is that His promise 00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:38.480 to provide this 00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:39.279 for Ruth, 00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:40.899 it carries weight. 00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:42.220 is a promise 00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:43.900 that gives Ruth hope. 00:24:44.440 --> 00:24:45.660 Chapter 3 concludes 00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:46.400 when they only tell 00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:46.660 Ruth, 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:47.780 wait my daughter 00:24:47.780 --> 00:24:48.620 until you learn 00:24:48.620 --> 00:24:49.759 how the matter turns out 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.820 for the man 00:24:50.820 --> 00:24:52.480 will not rest 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:53.840 but will settle 00:24:53.840 --> 00:24:55.040 the matter today. 00:24:56.380 --> 00:24:57.820 Ruth can rest 00:24:57.820 --> 00:24:59.300 because her Redeemer 00:24:59.300 --> 00:25:00.740 will not rest 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:01.840 until her redemption 00:25:01.840 --> 00:25:03.280 is secure. 00:25:04.600 --> 00:25:05.560 And what this means 00:25:05.560 --> 00:25:06.500 for us is that 00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:08.640 if God promises rest, 00:25:09.140 --> 00:25:10.359 if He promises 00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:11.740 redemption, 00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:13.559 then we can take Him 00:25:13.559 --> 00:25:14.339 at His word. 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:15.960 You heard it earlier 00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:17.420 but Matthew 11, 28 00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:17.839 says, 00:25:18.259 --> 00:25:19.039 Come to me 00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:20.380 all who labor 00:25:20.380 --> 00:25:21.480 and are heavy laden 00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:23.460 and I will give you rest. 00:25:24.339 --> 00:25:25.660 Take my yoke upon you 00:25:25.660 --> 00:25:26.319 and learn from me 00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:27.079 for I am gentle 00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:28.180 and lowly in heart 00:25:28.180 --> 00:25:29.759 and you will find 00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:30.839 rest 00:25:30.839 --> 00:25:32.619 for your souls. 00:25:33.400 --> 00:25:34.740 For my yoke is easy 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:36.380 and my burden is light. 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:38.720 Ruth was finding rest 00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:39.539 in her Redeemer. 00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:41.220 I want to encourage you 00:25:41.220 --> 00:25:43.039 to do the same thing today. 00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:44.180 You see, 00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:45.160 what makes Christianity 00:25:45.160 --> 00:25:46.079 different than 00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:47.180 all other religions 00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:49.099 is that our hope 00:25:49.099 --> 00:25:50.039 is not in that 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:51.500 we are doing this ourselves. 00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:53.839 Every other religion says, 00:25:54.359 --> 00:25:55.220 Do enough works. 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:56.839 Follow these pillars. 00:25:57.339 --> 00:25:58.380 Do all that you can 00:25:58.380 --> 00:25:59.359 and one day, 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:00.259 hopefully, 00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:01.779 you will have done enough 00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:02.640 that maybe, 00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:03.799 just maybe, 00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:04.639 you can obtain 00:26:04.639 --> 00:26:05.180 what it is 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:06.220 that you really hope for. 00:26:06.659 --> 00:26:07.099 Maybe, 00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:08.779 you'll have done enough good 00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:09.759 to outweigh the bad 00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:10.500 and you can obtain 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:11.039 what it is 00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:12.119 that you long for. 00:26:13.119 --> 00:26:14.039 I mentioned a couple 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:15.079 of months ago 00:26:15.079 --> 00:26:15.720 about a trip 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:17.279 that Jason and I 00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:17.940 had the opportunity 00:26:17.940 --> 00:26:18.799 to take to Utah. 00:26:19.899 --> 00:26:20.859 We met with several 00:26:20.859 --> 00:26:21.539 church planners 00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:22.759 but one interaction 00:26:22.759 --> 00:26:24.339 really struck a nerve 00:26:24.339 --> 00:26:24.839 to me. 00:26:25.639 --> 00:26:26.720 We were standing 00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:27.799 outside of a 00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:28.859 Mormon temple 00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:30.240 in Saratoga Springs 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:30.960 talking about 00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:32.099 the lives of Mormons 00:26:32.099 --> 00:26:33.819 and this never-ending 00:26:33.819 --> 00:26:35.740 quest to be good enough. 00:26:36.359 --> 00:26:37.339 To make sure 00:26:37.339 --> 00:26:38.319 that you kept 00:26:38.319 --> 00:26:39.619 your temple recommend 00:26:39.619 --> 00:26:40.379 card so that you 00:26:40.379 --> 00:26:40.919 could have your 00:26:40.919 --> 00:26:41.399 eternal family. 00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:42.519 Make sure you're 00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:43.079 doing enough. 00:26:43.179 --> 00:26:43.639 Make sure you're 00:26:43.639 --> 00:26:44.559 doing all of these 00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:45.000 things. 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.179 Stayed in good 00:26:46.179 --> 00:26:46.919 standing with the 00:26:46.919 --> 00:26:47.159 church. 00:26:47.379 --> 00:26:48.000 Gave money. 00:26:48.139 --> 00:26:48.659 Did good. 00:26:48.879 --> 00:26:49.980 All in hopes 00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:50.699 of securing 00:26:50.699 --> 00:26:52.079 where you will 00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:53.279 spend in eternity. 00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:54.899 This is the 00:26:54.899 --> 00:26:56.079 opposite of rest. 00:26:58.500 --> 00:26:59.199 That's not 00:26:59.199 --> 00:27:00.139 restful at all. 00:27:00.140 --> 00:27:01.259 This is not what 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:02.320 Jesus promises. 00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:03.660 The Bible tells us 00:27:03.660 --> 00:27:04.560 very clearly that 00:27:04.560 --> 00:27:06.020 we are all dead in 00:27:06.020 --> 00:27:07.060 our trespasses and 00:27:07.060 --> 00:27:07.759 sins and no matter 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:09.380 how hard we try we 00:27:09.380 --> 00:27:10.820 can never be good 00:27:10.820 --> 00:27:11.360 enough. 00:27:11.880 --> 00:27:12.860 But that we have a 00:27:12.860 --> 00:27:14.380 redeemer who tells us 00:27:14.380 --> 00:27:15.820 that we can come to 00:27:15.820 --> 00:27:17.600 him and find rest. 00:27:18.300 --> 00:27:19.660 We can come to him 00:27:19.660 --> 00:27:21.180 to gain that which we 00:27:21.180 --> 00:27:22.280 could not obtain on 00:27:22.280 --> 00:27:22.940 our own. 00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:24.820 You see if we live 00:27:24.820 --> 00:27:25.680 this life where we're 00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:27.540 constantly trying to 00:27:27.540 --> 00:27:28.320 be good enough. 00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:29.600 Trying to thank you. 00:27:29.599 --> 00:27:31.059 You know Lord I hope 00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:31.639 that I've done 00:27:31.639 --> 00:27:32.059 enough. 00:27:32.439 --> 00:27:33.079 I hope that I've 00:27:33.079 --> 00:27:33.339 done enough. 00:27:33.419 --> 00:27:34.899 Maybe one day if 00:27:34.899 --> 00:27:36.439 I'm really good from 00:27:36.439 --> 00:27:37.240 this point forward 00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:38.399 then maybe one day 00:27:38.399 --> 00:27:39.359 that'll be enough. 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:41.439 Even if you could be 00:27:41.439 --> 00:27:42.919 perfect from this 00:27:42.919 --> 00:27:44.459 day forward it's not 00:27:44.459 --> 00:27:44.899 enough. 00:27:45.599 --> 00:27:46.519 Because present 00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:47.980 obedience doesn't 00:27:47.980 --> 00:27:48.959 make up for past 00:27:48.959 --> 00:27:49.879 disobedience. 00:27:50.240 --> 00:27:51.000 You're just doing 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:52.259 what is the bare 00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:53.079 minimum required. 00:27:53.079 --> 00:27:53.279 Lord. 00:27:55.339 --> 00:27:58.319 But Jesus says come to 00:27:58.319 --> 00:28:00.159 me all who labor and 00:28:00.159 --> 00:28:01.740 I and are heavy laden 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:03.460 and I will give you 00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:03.960 rest. 00:28:04.919 --> 00:28:06.279 And so as we close I 00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:07.939 want to clearly see and 00:28:07.939 --> 00:28:09.859 understand the importance 00:28:09.859 --> 00:28:10.960 of finding rest. 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:13.099 There are two ways in 00:28:13.099 --> 00:28:14.720 which we see finding 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:16.240 rest in Ruth chapter 00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:16.699 three. 00:28:17.639 --> 00:28:19.079 To begin with Ruth 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:20.539 seeks this rest. 00:28:20.539 --> 00:28:22.740 There's a proper place 00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:23.799 for planning and 00:28:23.799 --> 00:28:25.299 seeking this rest. 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:26.940 So long as no moral 00:28:26.940 --> 00:28:28.200 boundaries are crossed. 00:28:28.819 --> 00:28:29.859 Look for opportunities 00:28:29.859 --> 00:28:31.019 to rest from the 00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:31.720 busyness of life. 00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:33.539 Be intentional about 00:28:34.220 --> 00:28:35.259 providing this for 00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:35.920 your family. 00:28:37.119 --> 00:28:38.379 Be intentional about 00:28:38.379 --> 00:28:40.079 setting the tone in 00:28:40.079 --> 00:28:41.899 your family's lives. 00:28:42.599 --> 00:28:43.859 And not adding one 00:28:43.859 --> 00:28:44.799 more thing to an 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:46.460 already full and 00:28:46.460 --> 00:28:47.799 busy schedule. 00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:49.279 Be intentional about 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:49.539 this. 00:28:49.539 --> 00:28:50.539 Plan for rest and 00:28:50.539 --> 00:28:51.279 seek it. 00:28:52.159 --> 00:28:53.319 But the second way in 00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:53.980 which this chapter 00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:55.220 teaches us to find 00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:56.940 rest is by 00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:58.379 understanding that it 00:28:58.379 --> 00:28:59.639 is ultimately a 00:28:59.639 --> 00:29:01.220 gift and it cannot 00:29:01.220 --> 00:29:02.940 be found by our 00:29:02.940 --> 00:29:03.700 planning for it 00:29:03.700 --> 00:29:04.099 alone. 00:29:04.819 --> 00:29:06.079 The truth is Naomi 00:29:06.079 --> 00:29:07.500 and Ruth's request 00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:09.079 to find rest could 00:29:09.079 --> 00:29:09.980 not have been 00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:12.139 possible if Boaz had 00:29:12.139 --> 00:29:13.799 not made a promise. 00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:15.700 His promise was to 00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:17.139 provide for them what 00:29:17.139 --> 00:29:18.599 they could not obtain 00:29:18.599 --> 00:29:19.519 on their own. 00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:20.939 And ultimately this 00:29:20.939 --> 00:29:23.119 goes beyond Boaz. 00:29:23.419 --> 00:29:24.359 Ultimately this goes 00:29:24.359 --> 00:29:26.059 beyond Boaz and 00:29:26.059 --> 00:29:27.039 above his head and 00:29:27.039 --> 00:29:28.240 ultimately we see that 00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:29.679 where Ruth ultimately 00:29:29.679 --> 00:29:30.719 finds this is in 00:29:30.719 --> 00:29:31.740 serving the Lord. 00:29:32.399 --> 00:29:33.179 And back in chapter 00:29:33.179 --> 00:29:34.939 2 verse 12 00:29:34.939 --> 00:29:37.139 as Boaz is 00:29:37.139 --> 00:29:38.599 encouraging Ruth he 00:29:38.599 --> 00:29:39.259 says the Lord 00:29:39.259 --> 00:29:40.199 repay you for all 00:29:40.199 --> 00:29:40.879 that you've done a 00:29:40.879 --> 00:29:42.299 full reward be given 00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:43.139 to you by the Lord 00:29:43.139 --> 00:29:44.059 the God of Israel 00:29:44.059 --> 00:29:46.899 under whose wings you 00:29:46.899 --> 00:29:47.899 have come to take 00:29:47.899 --> 00:29:48.639 refuge. 00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:50.599 Ruth is already 00:29:50.599 --> 00:29:52.379 looking to God. 00:29:52.819 --> 00:29:54.039 She's already finding 00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:55.079 her refuge in Him. 00:29:55.279 --> 00:29:56.359 She's already finding 00:29:56.359 --> 00:29:57.700 that identity in Him. 00:29:58.019 --> 00:29:59.059 This is ultimately 00:29:59.059 --> 00:30:00.679 where she is finding 00:30:00.679 --> 00:30:01.859 this rest. 00:30:02.359 --> 00:30:03.720 The only way that you 00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:04.859 and I can ultimately 00:30:04.859 --> 00:30:06.819 find rest in this life 00:30:06.819 --> 00:30:08.319 is trusting in the 00:30:08.319 --> 00:30:09.759 finished work of Christ. 00:30:10.639 --> 00:30:12.059 The quest for rest 00:30:12.059 --> 00:30:13.539 is the search for 00:30:13.539 --> 00:30:14.259 acceptance, 00:30:15.059 --> 00:30:15.899 for inclusion, 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:17.240 for provision, 00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:18.379 a future of purpose 00:30:18.379 --> 00:30:19.039 and meaning. 00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:20.539 And we will never 00:30:20.539 --> 00:30:21.980 experience these things 00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:23.000 the way that God 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:24.700 intended us to 00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:26.079 apart from the 00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:27.139 finished work of 00:30:27.139 --> 00:30:27.619 Christ. 00:30:28.899 --> 00:30:29.819 Jesus says come to 00:30:29.819 --> 00:30:31.319 me all who labor 00:30:31.319 --> 00:30:32.079 and heavy laden 00:30:32.079 --> 00:30:33.200 and I will give you 00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:33.639 rest. 00:30:34.779 --> 00:30:35.799 He's giving us rest 00:30:35.799 --> 00:30:36.619 for our souls. 00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:39.119 Rest that this is not 00:30:39.119 --> 00:30:40.039 some understanding 00:30:40.039 --> 00:30:40.759 that this is not 00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:41.679 something that we can 00:30:41.680 --> 00:30:42.500 obtain on our own 00:30:42.500 --> 00:30:43.519 but it can only be 00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:45.060 accomplished with a 00:30:45.060 --> 00:30:45.860 redeemer. 00:30:46.620 --> 00:30:47.460 And so are you 00:30:47.460 --> 00:30:48.779 looking for rest today? 00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:50.980 I imagine that most 00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:52.799 of us, if not all of us, 00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:54.160 could use a little rest. 00:30:54.700 --> 00:30:55.740 I imagine most of us, 00:30:55.779 --> 00:30:56.340 not all of us, 00:30:56.420 --> 00:30:57.759 are looking for rest 00:30:57.759 --> 00:30:58.700 in different ways. 00:30:58.920 --> 00:30:59.880 But the question that I 00:30:59.880 --> 00:31:00.779 want you to answer 00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:02.140 before we get to that 00:31:02.140 --> 00:31:03.000 question is, 00:31:03.360 --> 00:31:04.259 have you placed your 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:05.060 faith and your trust 00:31:05.060 --> 00:31:05.560 in Jesus? 00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:09.220 Because if you haven't 00:31:09.220 --> 00:31:10.120 placed your faith and 00:31:10.119 --> 00:31:11.059 your trust in Jesus, 00:31:11.959 --> 00:31:12.599 then you're not 00:31:12.599 --> 00:31:13.699 ultimately going to 00:31:13.699 --> 00:31:14.719 find rest. 00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:16.059 You're not ultimately 00:31:16.059 --> 00:31:16.959 going to find that 00:31:16.959 --> 00:31:18.399 rest that you long 00:31:18.399 --> 00:31:18.759 for. 00:31:18.919 --> 00:31:19.799 But if you have 00:31:19.799 --> 00:31:20.779 placed your faith and 00:31:20.779 --> 00:31:21.559 your trust in Jesus, 00:31:21.739 --> 00:31:23.339 then live in that. 00:31:24.039 --> 00:31:25.259 Understand the gospel 00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:25.659 message. 00:31:26.099 --> 00:31:26.979 Don't let the gospel 00:31:26.979 --> 00:31:27.919 be something that you 00:31:27.919 --> 00:31:29.319 accept and then move 00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:30.339 past, but let it be 00:31:30.339 --> 00:31:31.119 something you grow 00:31:31.119 --> 00:31:32.000 deeper into. 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:33.599 Where you constantly 00:31:33.599 --> 00:31:35.259 see your need and 00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:36.539 that this need is so 00:31:36.539 --> 00:31:37.219 great that you can 00:31:37.219 --> 00:31:38.059 never do this on your 00:31:38.059 --> 00:31:39.000 own, but let it 00:31:39.000 --> 00:31:39.980 point you to Jesus. 00:31:40.460 --> 00:31:41.480 Let it point you to 00:31:41.480 --> 00:31:42.319 the one who has 00:31:42.319 --> 00:31:44.119 already paid that 00:31:44.119 --> 00:31:45.139 price so that you can 00:31:45.139 --> 00:31:46.779 rest in his finished 00:31:46.779 --> 00:31:47.240 work. 00:31:47.720 --> 00:31:48.759 This doesn't mean that 00:31:48.759 --> 00:31:50.179 we don't live for him. 00:31:50.259 --> 00:31:50.839 This doesn't mean that 00:31:50.839 --> 00:31:51.700 we don't serve him, 00:31:51.740 --> 00:31:52.679 that we don't work for 00:31:52.679 --> 00:31:54.419 him, but we do so 00:31:54.419 --> 00:31:55.980 out of the rest that 00:31:55.980 --> 00:31:56.659 he provides. 00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:58.480 And so let me 00:31:58.480 --> 00:32:00.379 encourage you to 00:32:00.379 --> 00:32:01.539 look to Jesus for 00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:02.000 this rest. 00:32:02.299 --> 00:32:03.059 Look to your 00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:04.500 redeemer because he 00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:06.339 has promised this. 00:32:06.339 --> 00:32:07.980 And if this is 00:32:07.980 --> 00:32:08.639 something that you 00:32:08.639 --> 00:32:09.720 haven't taken care of, 00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:10.539 if this is something 00:32:10.539 --> 00:32:11.639 where you haven't 00:32:11.639 --> 00:32:12.720 placed your faith and 00:32:12.720 --> 00:32:13.679 your trust in Jesus, 00:32:13.939 --> 00:32:15.279 then don't leave here 00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:16.720 today without doing 00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:17.019 so. 00:32:17.139 --> 00:32:18.199 Father, I thank you so 00:32:18.199 --> 00:32:18.819 very much. 00:32:20.039 --> 00:32:21.519 For Jesus, I thank you 00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:22.559 for the rest that only 00:32:22.559 --> 00:32:23.539 he can provide. 00:32:24.779 --> 00:32:25.959 Lord, I thank you that 00:32:25.959 --> 00:32:28.179 you are our great 00:32:28.179 --> 00:32:29.419 redeemer, that you are 00:32:29.419 --> 00:32:30.319 the one who is 00:32:30.319 --> 00:32:31.519 providing what we 00:32:31.519 --> 00:32:32.819 long for, what we 00:32:32.819 --> 00:32:34.159 couldn't do on our 00:32:34.159 --> 00:32:34.439 own. 00:32:34.440 --> 00:32:35.480 And so, Lord, I 00:32:35.480 --> 00:32:36.279 pray that as we 00:32:36.279 --> 00:32:37.980 continue to look at 00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:39.700 the book of Ruth, as 00:32:39.700 --> 00:32:41.140 we continue to look 00:32:41.140 --> 00:32:42.660 at Boaz being this 00:32:42.660 --> 00:32:43.720 great redeemer for 00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:44.460 Ruth, Lord, that we 00:32:44.460 --> 00:32:45.440 would look beyond 00:32:45.440 --> 00:32:47.440 this and see how it 00:32:47.440 --> 00:32:49.460 points us to you, our 00:32:49.460 --> 00:32:50.960 true and better 00:32:50.960 --> 00:32:52.860 redeemer who is 00:32:52.860 --> 00:32:54.400 always there for us, 00:32:55.019 --> 00:32:56.500 who never leaves us, 00:32:56.960 --> 00:32:58.980 who provides rest that 00:32:58.980 --> 00:33:00.580 no one else can 00:33:00.580 --> 00:33:01.120 provide. 00:33:02.080 --> 00:33:03.200 And so, Lord, help us 00:33:03.200 --> 00:33:04.160 to look to you. 00:33:04.620 --> 00:33:05.519 Help us to look to 00:33:05.519 --> 00:33:08.400 the cross to see the 00:33:08.400 --> 00:33:09.480 way that you have 00:33:09.480 --> 00:33:11.680 redeemed us, redeemed 00:33:11.680 --> 00:33:12.900 us in a far greater 00:33:12.900 --> 00:33:13.740 way than we could ever 00:33:13.740 --> 00:33:14.259 imagine. 00:33:14.980 --> 00:33:16.059 And so, Lord, help us 00:33:16.059 --> 00:33:16.860 to look to your 00:33:16.860 --> 00:33:18.819 finished work and rest 00:33:18.819 --> 00:33:20.340 and serve you out of 00:33:20.340 --> 00:33:20.680 that. 00:33:21.740 --> 00:33:22.799 Lord, I thank you so 00:33:22.799 --> 00:33:24.779 much for everything 00:33:24.779 --> 00:33:25.400 that you do. 00:33:26.120 --> 00:33:27.160 Be with us today. 00:33:27.500 --> 00:33:28.400 Help us to honor you 00:33:28.400 --> 00:33:29.160 with all that we say 00:33:29.160 --> 00:33:29.539 and do. 00:33:30.039 --> 00:33:31.500 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:33:31.500 --> 00:33:32.880 I want to invite you 00:33:32.880 --> 00:33:33.339 to stand. 00:33:33.440 --> 00:33:34.359 If the Lord is speaking 00:33:34.359 --> 00:33:35.259 to you this morning, 00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:36.640 won't you respond as 00:33:36.640 --> 00:33:37.900 we stand together and 00:33:37.900 --> 00:33:38.220 sing?