1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:07,100 You’re listening to a sermon from Pastor Colin Smith of Open The Bible. 2 00:00:07,100 –> 00:00:15,460 To contact us, call us at 1-877-Open365 or visit our website openthebible.org. 3 00:00:15,460 –> 00:00:17,740 Let’s get to the message. 4 00:00:17,740 –> 00:00:19,020 Here is Pastor Colin. 5 00:00:19,020 –> 00:00:26,799 Well please open your Bible at the passage that been read for us in Ruth chapter four. 6 00:00:26,799 –> 00:00:33,619 This is our last Sunday in this marvelous book of the Bible and as we approach Christmas 7 00:00:33,619 –> 00:00:39,700 it seems appropriate that we should look at these verses that describe the birth of a 8 00:00:39,700 –> 00:00:43,000 baby in Bethlehem. 9 00:00:43,000 –> 00:00:49,700 Now we saw last time that the main purpose of the book of Ruth is to shine a light on 10 00:00:49,700 –> 00:00:54,619 Jesus and what it means for Jesus to be our redeemer. 11 00:00:54,619 –> 00:00:58,900 We saw that a redeemer must be a member of the same family. 12 00:00:58,900 –> 00:01:08,980 Boaz was a member of the family of Elimelech and Jesus became a member of our human family 13 00:01:08,980 –> 00:01:11,580 in order to redeem us. 14 00:01:11,580 –> 00:01:15,019 He entered the human family to become our redeemer. 15 00:01:15,019 –> 00:01:20,639 This is what we celebrate at Christmas, God became a man in Jesus Christ and he did it. 16 00:01:20,639 –> 00:01:25,680 He was born in Bethlehem in order to be our redeemer. 17 00:01:25,680 –> 00:01:29,580 Then we saw not only that a redeemer must be a member of the same family but a redeemer 18 00:01:29,580 –> 00:01:32,680 must be ready to pay a price. 19 00:01:32,680 –> 00:01:37,680 Naomi had another relative who was not willing to redeem the family. 20 00:01:37,680 –> 00:01:43,860 He wouldn’t do it, and the reason he wouldn’t do it was simply that it was too costly. 21 00:01:43,919 –> 00:01:51,620 But Boaz was willing and he points us to the Lord Jesus who was ready to pay the price. 22 00:01:51,620 –> 00:01:57,779 We are redeemed by the precious blood of Christ and He was willing to lay down His life in 23 00:01:57,779 –> 00:02:00,620 order to redeem us. 24 00:02:00,620 –> 00:02:09,419 And then we saw very beautifully that Jesus redeems us by uniting us to Himself. 25 00:02:09,479 –> 00:02:14,979 Boaz became Ruth’s redeemer by uniting her to Himself in marriage. 26 00:02:14,979 –> 00:02:20,559 And we saw that this is really a very beautiful picture in the Bible of how Jesus redeems 27 00:02:20,559 –> 00:02:21,559 us. 28 00:02:21,559 –> 00:02:25,660 John the Baptist described Jesus as the bridegroom. 29 00:02:25,660 –> 00:02:32,600 And we saw that faith unites us to Jesus as a bride and a groom are united together and 30 00:02:32,600 –> 00:02:38,619 that when we’re united with Christ, everything that is his becomes ours. 31 00:02:39,479 –> 00:02:44,899 We are clothed in his righteousness, we become children of God, we are heirs of God, fellow 32 00:02:44,899 –> 00:02:51,520 heirs with Christ, and we are destined with him for glory forever. 33 00:02:51,520 –> 00:02:56,399 Now we ended last time then with the wedding of Ruth and Boaz. 34 00:02:56,399 –> 00:02:59,800 They were married in the presence of many witnesses. 35 00:02:59,800 –> 00:03:05,039 And what follows in these last verses of the book can I think can be summed up in one simple 36 00:03:05,039 –> 00:03:08,399 word, it’s all about blessing. 37 00:03:08,699 –> 00:03:13,559 Blessing is written all over these verses and we’re going to see today three 38 00:03:13,559 –> 00:03:19,720 things that the blessing comes from the Lord, that it comes through the redeemer, 39 00:03:19,720 –> 00:03:24,100 and that it is for the whole world. 40 00:03:24,100 –> 00:03:29,479 First then blessing comes from the Lord and we take it up at verse 11 where the elders 41 00:03:29,479 –> 00:03:35,179 and witnesses pray for this newly married couple. 42 00:03:35,880 –> 00:03:41,820 What we have here really is a template prayer for a newly married couple. 43 00:03:41,820 –> 00:03:46,839 What should we ask of God for a couple who are starting out in 44 00:03:46,839 –> 00:03:49,539 married life together? 45 00:03:49,539 –> 00:03:51,240 What should they pursue? 46 00:03:51,240 –> 00:03:55,880 Well, the elders and the witnesses to this particular wedding 47 00:03:55,880 –> 00:03:58,600 pray for this couple in three ways. 48 00:03:58,600 –> 00:04:02,479 First, they pray for the gift of children. 49 00:04:02,479 –> 00:04:06,179 Verse 11, then all the people who were at the gate and the 50 00:04:06,179 –> 00:04:08,520 elders said, we are witnesses. 51 00:04:08,520 –> 00:04:11,880 May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your house like 52 00:04:11,880 –> 00:04:19,059 Rachel and Leah who together built up the house of Israel. 53 00:04:19,059 –> 00:04:26,260 Now, it’s natural for a young couple when they get married, 54 00:04:26,260 –> 00:04:32,279 to simply assume that they will have the gift of children. 55 00:04:32,779 –> 00:04:38,179 But remember that Ruth had been married to Mellon for 10 years 56 00:04:38,920 –> 00:04:40,320 and there had been no children. 57 00:04:40,320 –> 00:04:45,380 And so, Ruth’s story had been very similar to the story of 58 00:04:45,380 –> 00:04:49,519 Rachel, who you may remember was married to Jacob, and for 59 00:04:49,519 –> 00:04:53,160 years she had no children. 60 00:04:53,160 –> 00:04:56,859 And of course, she saw Leah having children and that caused 61 00:04:56,859 –> 00:04:59,779 her all kinds of distress. 62 00:04:59,779 –> 00:05:04,839 Why is this happening for other people, but it’s not happening 63 00:05:04,920 –> 00:05:07,579 for me? 64 00:05:07,579 –> 00:05:14,339 Then the Scripture tells us that the Lord opened Rachel’s womb 65 00:05:14,339 –> 00:05:17,339 and Rachel conceived and she bore a son. 66 00:05:18,640 –> 00:05:22,179 Now here are the Witnesses at this wedding. 67 00:05:22,179 –> 00:05:26,399 They know that Ruth was married for 10 years to her husband who 68 00:05:26,399 –> 00:05:32,720 died and there had been no children, and they pray that 69 00:05:32,720 –> 00:05:35,200 she will have a child. 70 00:05:35,220 –> 00:05:40,720 They speak in verse 12 of the offspring, the Lord will give 71 00:05:40,720 –> 00:05:46,239 you. And verse 11, they pray that the Lord will make Ruth 72 00:05:46,359 –> 00:05:49,339 like Rachel and like Leah. 73 00:05:49,339 –> 00:05:54,760 So they’re praying that Ruth will have the gift of children 74 00:05:55,100 –> 00:05:58,359 and knowing her personal history, they no doubt would 75 00:05:58,359 –> 00:06:01,380 have prayed this with great tenderness and with special 76 00:06:01,920 –> 00:06:07,079 sensitivity and in verse 13 we’re told that the Lord heard 77 00:06:07,079 –> 00:06:10,239 their prayer and answered it very wonderfully, we’re told 78 00:06:10,239 –> 00:06:13,760 the Lord gave her conception. 79 00:06:14,279 –> 00:06:17,920 So here we’re being reminded of something very important that 80 00:06:18,260 –> 00:06:21,220 children are a gift not a right. 81 00:06:22,440 –> 00:06:27,839 And where children are given, they are to be received gladly 82 00:06:27,839 –> 00:06:32,920 and with great gratitude, as a gift from the hand of God. 83 00:06:33,619 –> 00:06:36,700 So first there is this prayer that they will have children. 84 00:06:36,720 –> 00:06:40,459 Second, there is this prayer for this newly married couple that 85 00:06:40,459 –> 00:06:43,679 they will continue to pursue godliness. 86 00:06:44,000 –> 00:06:48,920 Verse 11, may you act worthily in Ephrathah and 87 00:06:48,920 –> 00:06:53,179 be renowned in Bethlehem. 88 00:06:53,579 –> 00:06:58,619 Ephrathah and Bethlehem are two names for the same place. 89 00:06:59,100 –> 00:07:01,179 May you act worthily. 90 00:07:02,000 –> 00:07:05,980 Now, we’ve seen this word worthy twice before in the book of 91 00:07:05,980 –> 00:07:09,760 Ruth and chapter 2 and verse 1, Boaz is described as a worthy 92 00:07:09,760 –> 00:07:10,260 man. 93 00:07:11,119 –> 00:07:15,760 And in chapter 3 in verse 11, Boaz describes Ruth as a worthy 94 00:07:15,760 –> 00:07:16,239 woman. 95 00:07:17,040 –> 00:07:21,100 So Boaz and Ruth were really, really well matched. 96 00:07:21,480 –> 00:07:26,440 They had both lived lives of character and integrity. 97 00:07:26,700 –> 00:07:28,279 They were devoted to God. 98 00:07:28,320 –> 00:07:31,480 They exuded kindness and love. 99 00:07:31,760 –> 00:07:33,279 That was what they were known for. 100 00:07:33,480 –> 00:07:37,679 And at their wedding, the elders and the witnesses to this 101 00:07:37,679 –> 00:07:42,119 marriage are saying, may you always pursue these things. 102 00:07:43,160 –> 00:07:47,700 May this always be what you’re known for, renowned for in 103 00:07:47,700 –> 00:07:48,420 Bethlehem. 104 00:07:49,079 –> 00:07:51,100 Boaz, you’re an older man now. 105 00:07:51,299 –> 00:07:55,760 But don’t slow up on the pursuit of Godliness. 106 00:07:56,019 –> 00:07:58,799 You keep going all the days of your life. 107 00:07:58,799 –> 00:08:01,920 And Ruth you keep going after this, too. 108 00:08:02,119 –> 00:08:06,600 May you act worthily in Ephratha and be renowned in 109 00:08:06,820 –> 00:08:07,600 Bethlehem. 110 00:08:07,600 –> 00:08:13,440 May you be known for your continued pursuit of Godliness. 111 00:08:14,200 –> 00:08:17,299 Now, whether or not you are married and whether or not you 112 00:08:17,299 –> 00:08:26,160 have children, pursue godliness, pursue a God-centered life. 113 00:08:27,799 –> 00:08:29,959 If you do that, you will be blessed. 114 00:08:30,959 –> 00:08:36,500 Godliness with contentment, the Bible says, is great gain. 115 00:08:37,760 –> 00:08:42,119 And whatever else you have or don’t have in your life, if you 116 00:08:42,119 –> 00:08:46,619 pursue godliness, you will be blessed, and not only will you 117 00:08:46,619 –> 00:08:50,059 be blessed, you will be a blessing to others. 118 00:08:50,059 –> 00:08:55,099 And then thirdly, they pray for this new married couple for the 119 00:08:55,099 –> 00:08:57,020 triumph of grace. 120 00:08:57,719 –> 00:09:11,219 May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Temar bore to 121 00:09:11,219 –> 00:09:15,979 Judah because of the offspring that the Lord will give you by 122 00:09:15,979 –> 00:09:18,520 this young woman. 123 00:09:18,520 –> 00:09:23,820 Now, the reason that I use the word grace here, and speak 124 00:09:24,280 –> 00:09:29,280 about the triumph of Grace, is that the story of Perez, 125 00:09:30,119 –> 00:09:35,119 whom Temar bore to Judah, is so painful that you wonder how 126 00:09:37,840 –> 00:09:40,080 any good could ever possibly come out of it. 127 00:09:42,020 –> 00:09:44,919 It’s so bad, I’m not even going to describe the details 128 00:09:44,919 –> 00:09:45,960 of the story today. 129 00:09:45,960 –> 00:09:48,239 You can read it for yourself if you want to 130 00:09:48,239 –> 00:09:51,460 in Genesis, and chapter 38. 131 00:09:51,739 –> 00:09:56,739 Suffice to say, Judah was Temar’s father-in-law. 132 00:10:00,760 –> 00:10:05,760 So the story of how Perez came to be born is a story 133 00:10:06,419 –> 00:10:10,140 that involves all kinds of sin and even abuse. 134 00:10:11,599 –> 00:10:14,460 It is without question one of the saddest, 135 00:10:14,460 –> 00:10:18,239 most painful stories in all of the Bible, 136 00:10:18,239 –> 00:10:21,000 and it leaves you saying where this little boy Perez 137 00:10:21,059 –> 00:10:24,580 is born, what hope is there for a little boy 138 00:10:24,580 –> 00:10:28,219 who is born into circumstances like this? 139 00:10:30,799 –> 00:10:32,640 And yet, here is Perez 140 00:10:34,700 –> 00:10:36,739 and we’re reading about the house of Perez, 141 00:10:36,739 –> 00:10:39,219 in other words, the line that descends from Perez 142 00:10:39,219 –> 00:10:41,539 and he is being listed 143 00:10:42,559 –> 00:10:47,380 in the honored line of Abraham’s descendants 144 00:10:47,380 –> 00:10:49,719 by whom God brings blessing into the world. 145 00:10:51,020 –> 00:10:54,200 That is an amazing triumph of grace. 146 00:10:54,200 –> 00:10:55,039 Amazing. 147 00:10:56,780 –> 00:10:59,840 Now friends, there is hope here, wonderful hope 148 00:10:59,840 –> 00:11:02,479 for every person who has had 149 00:11:02,479 –> 00:11:05,719 the worst possible start in life. 150 00:11:07,159 –> 00:11:10,840 If you were born into a dysfunctional family, 151 00:11:12,159 –> 00:11:17,000 if you were raised in a way 152 00:11:17,000 –> 00:11:19,280 that left all kinds of scars, 153 00:11:19,840 –> 00:11:24,280 there is hope here for you. 154 00:11:24,280 –> 00:11:29,280 Perez could say, with the Apostle Paul, 155 00:11:29,359 –> 00:11:34,359 it is by the grace of God that I am what I am 156 00:11:34,919 –> 00:11:39,919 and His grace to me was not without effect. 157 00:11:40,239 –> 00:11:43,280 It’s God’s kindness that has redeemed me, 158 00:11:43,280 –> 00:11:47,520 it is God’s grace that has changed me. 159 00:11:47,539 –> 00:11:52,580 The story of Perez is the story of the triumph of grace 160 00:11:53,799 –> 00:11:56,359 and you see, the elders and the witnesses 161 00:11:56,359 –> 00:11:59,380 are now praying that this will be the story 162 00:11:59,380 –> 00:12:02,159 of the house of Boaz and of Ruth, 163 00:12:02,159 –> 00:12:05,679 in other words, the line of descent that flows from them. 164 00:12:05,679 –> 00:12:08,179 May God’s grace, they’re saying, 165 00:12:09,280 –> 00:12:12,580 that has touched and changed your lives, 166 00:12:12,580 –> 00:12:17,159 bless your house as the house of Perez was blessed. 167 00:12:17,159 –> 00:12:20,159 May God’s grace prevail not only in your lives 168 00:12:20,159 –> 00:12:21,700 but in the lives of your children 169 00:12:21,700 –> 00:12:23,200 and of your children’s children 170 00:12:23,200 –> 00:12:25,640 and of their children after them. 171 00:12:25,640 –> 00:12:29,159 May God’s grace triumph in your family line. 172 00:12:31,840 –> 00:12:36,219 Well, do you pray for a couple starting out in married life? 173 00:12:37,219 –> 00:12:39,539 Lord, bless them with children. 174 00:12:40,400 –> 00:12:45,400 Lord, bless them with the continued pursuit of godliness. 175 00:12:45,679 –> 00:12:49,280 Lord, bless them with a triumph of grace 176 00:12:49,280 –> 00:12:53,460 from generation to generation. 177 00:12:53,460 –> 00:12:57,280 That’s the prayer of blessing at the wedding. 178 00:12:57,280 –> 00:13:00,940 It’s beautiful, and then we read verse 13 179 00:13:01,820 –> 00:13:04,719 so Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. 180 00:13:05,640 –> 00:13:09,440 He went into her, the Lord gave her conception 181 00:13:09,440 –> 00:13:12,479 and she bore a son. 182 00:13:13,400 –> 00:13:17,580 So the story that began with the loss of a husband 183 00:13:17,580 –> 00:13:21,200 and the loss of a son is now ending with the gift 184 00:13:21,200 –> 00:13:25,400 of a husband and the gift of a son. 185 00:13:27,119 –> 00:13:30,979 The family inheritance has now been secured. 186 00:13:30,979 –> 00:13:34,880 The family line is now going to continue 187 00:13:34,880 –> 00:13:38,719 and it’s all because of the Redeemer. 188 00:13:39,440 –> 00:13:41,739 And so now the women of Bethlehem 189 00:13:41,739 –> 00:13:46,719 who earlier in the story had grieved with Naomi 190 00:13:46,719 –> 00:13:51,059 over her great loss, they’re now rejoicing with Naomi 191 00:13:51,059 –> 00:13:54,159 over what she has gained. 192 00:13:55,260 –> 00:13:58,539 So the elders and the witnesses 193 00:13:58,539 –> 00:14:02,080 at the wedding are praying for blessing 194 00:14:02,080 –> 00:14:05,820 on the newly married couple, Boaz and Ruth. 195 00:14:05,840 –> 00:14:08,479 Now we are months later. 196 00:14:08,479 –> 00:14:10,919 We’re at the birth of the baby 197 00:14:10,919 –> 00:14:13,460 and we have the women of Bethlehem 198 00:14:13,460 –> 00:14:16,219 and they’re now coming around Naomi 199 00:14:16,219 –> 00:14:20,400 and they’re pronouncing words of blessing over her. 200 00:14:20,400 –> 00:14:22,000 And their words of blessing 201 00:14:22,000 –> 00:14:26,580 are focused entirely on the redeemer. 202 00:14:26,580 –> 00:14:29,119 So we’ve seen the blessing comes from the Lord. 203 00:14:29,119 –> 00:14:32,080 I want us to see that it comes through the redeemer. 204 00:14:32,340 –> 00:14:35,280 And in verse 14, the women say to Naomi, 205 00:14:44,020 –> 00:14:47,760 Now we saw last time that there was 206 00:14:47,760 –> 00:14:51,599 a close relative in Naomi’s family, 207 00:14:51,599 –> 00:14:56,200 a close relative of Elimelech who could have redeemed 208 00:14:56,200 –> 00:14:57,760 but was not willing to do so. 209 00:14:58,859 –> 00:15:01,640 He could have helped Naomi 210 00:15:01,640 –> 00:15:03,280 but he didn’t do it. 211 00:15:04,619 –> 00:15:08,700 Now, maybe you’ve had something like that happen to you. 212 00:15:10,099 –> 00:15:15,099 You needed help and there were friends or family. 213 00:15:17,599 –> 00:15:20,460 There were people who could have helped you 214 00:15:21,700 –> 00:15:22,919 and they didn’t do it. 215 00:15:24,359 –> 00:15:25,940 And you were disappointed. 216 00:15:27,760 –> 00:15:30,260 One of the things that we see at this point in the story 217 00:15:30,299 –> 00:15:32,780 is that help doesn’t always come 218 00:15:32,780 –> 00:15:34,380 from where you might expect it. 219 00:15:35,780 –> 00:15:39,239 I mean, think about this from another story in the Bible, 220 00:15:39,239 –> 00:15:40,080 David. 221 00:15:41,059 –> 00:15:44,859 David married the daughter of King Saul. 222 00:15:44,859 –> 00:15:48,679 Saul was the first king of Israel. 223 00:15:49,659 –> 00:15:54,659 Now, if your father-in-law was the king, 224 00:15:55,479 –> 00:15:57,260 you might think you’d have all the help in the world 225 00:15:57,260 –> 00:15:58,359 you could ever need. 226 00:15:59,280 –> 00:16:02,820 Your father-in-law’s the king, you got it made. 227 00:16:02,820 –> 00:16:04,320 Well, of course, if you know the story, 228 00:16:04,320 –> 00:16:06,200 you’ll remember that nothing could have been further 229 00:16:06,200 –> 00:16:07,640 from the truth for David. 230 00:16:07,640 –> 00:16:10,400 I mean, if you have difficult in-laws, 231 00:16:10,400 –> 00:16:13,559 spare a thought for David and what he had to put up with 232 00:16:13,559 –> 00:16:16,039 from Saul, his father-in-law. 233 00:16:17,440 –> 00:16:19,559 But you see when the father-in-law 234 00:16:19,559 –> 00:16:21,400 from whom he might have expected help 235 00:16:21,400 –> 00:16:23,239 made his life a misery, 236 00:16:23,919 –> 00:16:28,919 God gave him help through his brother-in-law 237 00:16:29,400 –> 00:16:34,219 whose name was Jonathan and Jonathan’s friendship 238 00:16:34,219 –> 00:16:37,599 was the gift that got David through. 239 00:16:40,020 –> 00:16:40,840 Now here’s the point. 240 00:16:40,840 –> 00:16:43,460 God will give you the help that you need. 241 00:16:45,099 –> 00:16:48,580 And sometimes when the person or people 242 00:16:48,580 –> 00:16:51,260 that you thought would be the means of giving that help 243 00:16:51,320 –> 00:16:54,880 would disappoint you, you need to open your eyes 244 00:16:54,880 –> 00:16:57,020 to the fact that God will give you his help 245 00:16:57,020 –> 00:16:58,640 through someone else. 246 00:16:59,859 –> 00:17:04,180 When Saul became David’s greatest burden, 247 00:17:04,180 –> 00:17:07,339 God gave him Jonathan who became his greatest friend. 248 00:17:09,060 –> 00:17:13,699 When Paul’s long-time ministry partner left him, 249 00:17:13,699 –> 00:17:16,020 God gave him another ministry partner 250 00:17:16,020 –> 00:17:18,260 for a whole new chapter in Silas. 251 00:17:19,640 –> 00:17:20,959 And here in this story, 252 00:17:21,439 –> 00:17:23,140 we have exactly the same thing. 253 00:17:23,140 –> 00:17:24,959 When the unnamed relative 254 00:17:24,959 –> 00:17:28,339 was just unwilling to help Naomi, 255 00:17:28,339 –> 00:17:29,640 God gave Boaz, 256 00:17:29,640 –> 00:17:31,219 and the women seeing this, 257 00:17:31,219 –> 00:17:32,060 said to Naomi, 258 00:17:32,060 –> 00:17:33,459 well blessed be the Lord 259 00:17:33,459 –> 00:17:36,180 because he’s not left you without a redeemer. 260 00:17:38,500 –> 00:17:41,260 God will give you the help that you need, 261 00:17:41,260 –> 00:17:43,260 and he may surprise you 262 00:17:43,260 –> 00:17:46,079 by the means through which it comes. 263 00:17:47,060 –> 00:17:52,060 Now we’ve seen that Boaz was a redeemer for this family. 264 00:17:54,239 –> 00:17:57,339 But if you read on in these verses, 265 00:17:57,339 –> 00:18:01,119 you will see something quite surprising here. 266 00:18:01,119 –> 00:18:03,180 Look at it closely with me if you would. 267 00:18:03,180 –> 00:18:06,020 Then the women said to Naomi, 268 00:18:06,020 –> 00:18:08,339 blessed be the Lord who has not left you this day 269 00:18:08,339 –> 00:18:09,859 without a redeemer, 270 00:18:09,859 –> 00:18:11,660 and may his name, 271 00:18:11,660 –> 00:18:13,579 that is the name of a redeemer, 272 00:18:13,660 –> 00:18:15,579 be renowned in Israel. 273 00:18:16,719 –> 00:18:19,300 He, that’s the redeemer, 274 00:18:19,300 –> 00:18:22,540 shall be to you a restorer of life 275 00:18:22,540 –> 00:18:24,979 and a nourisher of your old age, 276 00:18:24,979 –> 00:18:27,300 for your daughter-in-law who loves you, 277 00:18:27,300 –> 00:18:30,040 who is more to you than seven sons, 278 00:18:30,040 –> 00:18:33,800 has given birth to him. 279 00:18:35,859 –> 00:18:40,760 So it’s not Boaz who’s being described 280 00:18:40,760 –> 00:18:44,459 as the redeemer in these verses. 281 00:18:44,459 –> 00:18:46,099 It’s the baby. 282 00:18:47,099 –> 00:18:49,739 The baby born in Bethlehem. 283 00:18:51,219 –> 00:18:52,780 Look at what these women say. 284 00:18:52,780 –> 00:18:56,680 The Lord has not left you without a redeemer, 285 00:18:56,680 –> 00:18:59,560 your daughter-in-law has given birth to him. 286 00:19:00,979 –> 00:19:03,199 And it’s the baby, 287 00:19:03,199 –> 00:19:06,859 who will be a restorer of life to you. 288 00:19:06,859 –> 00:19:08,420 It’s the baby, 289 00:19:08,439 –> 00:19:12,939 who will be a nourisher of your old age. 290 00:19:14,140 –> 00:19:16,280 Now someone might reasonably say at this point, 291 00:19:16,280 –> 00:19:17,459 well, wait a minute, 292 00:19:17,459 –> 00:19:21,020 isn’t it Boaz who’s the redeemer? 293 00:19:21,020 –> 00:19:25,359 No, Boaz is a redeemer. 294 00:19:26,560 –> 00:19:30,300 There’s more redeeming to be done than Boaz can do. 295 00:19:31,579 –> 00:19:36,040 And the baby notice here is described as a redeemer. 296 00:19:36,040 –> 00:19:39,680 He will be a restorer of life 297 00:19:39,680 –> 00:19:43,300 and a nourisher of Naomi’s old age. 298 00:19:43,300 –> 00:19:45,500 And of course the point is that there’s more redeeming 299 00:19:45,500 –> 00:19:48,540 to be done than the baby can do. 300 00:19:49,560 –> 00:19:51,439 So you see these words about the baby, 301 00:19:51,439 –> 00:19:53,199 like the whole of the book of Ruth, 302 00:19:53,199 –> 00:19:56,300 are just pointing us forward very clearly 303 00:19:56,300 –> 00:20:00,800 to the redeemer, to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 304 00:20:00,800 –> 00:20:04,500 God has not left you without a redeemer, 305 00:20:05,439 –> 00:20:09,300 and the baby born in Bethlehem that we celebrate 306 00:20:09,300 –> 00:20:12,859 at Christmas is the redeemer, our redeemer. 307 00:20:12,859 –> 00:20:16,739 He will be to you a restorer of life. 308 00:20:16,739 –> 00:20:21,739 He will be the nourisher of your old age. 309 00:20:24,020 –> 00:20:26,300 Now let’s pause for just a moment 310 00:20:26,300 –> 00:20:29,819 on these two phrases, the restorer of life 311 00:20:29,819 –> 00:20:31,579 and the nourisher of your old age. 312 00:20:31,619 –> 00:20:36,119 They clearly both point us to the challenges 313 00:20:36,119 –> 00:20:38,239 of our later years. 314 00:20:38,239 –> 00:20:42,660 Remember, Naomi was getting on in years at this point. 315 00:20:44,099 –> 00:20:48,739 Now, old age isn’t easy. 316 00:20:48,739 –> 00:20:49,939 There should be a few amens 317 00:20:49,939 –> 00:20:52,800 to that incontrovertible statement. 318 00:20:53,900 –> 00:20:54,920 It ain’t easy. 319 00:20:56,300 –> 00:20:59,540 You feel that life is slipping away from you. 320 00:20:59,540 –> 00:21:04,119 What you can do becomes less. 321 00:21:04,119 –> 00:21:05,140 It takes longer. 322 00:21:06,640 –> 00:21:08,859 Your strength is depleted. 323 00:21:09,939 –> 00:21:12,439 Your joys are diminished. 324 00:21:13,439 –> 00:21:18,459 You wish you could have a richer and a fuller life. 325 00:21:18,599 –> 00:21:20,859 Now, Naomi knew all about that. 326 00:21:22,780 –> 00:21:25,160 But God blessed her with the birth 327 00:21:25,160 –> 00:21:28,160 of this child born to Ruth 328 00:21:28,239 –> 00:21:32,119 and the women of Bethlehem are saying, 329 00:21:32,119 –> 00:21:36,439 Naomi, this baby that has been born to Ruth 330 00:21:36,439 –> 00:21:40,119 is a gift from God to you. 331 00:21:41,160 –> 00:21:43,800 This little bundle of joy is going to be 332 00:21:43,800 –> 00:21:46,239 a blessing to you 333 00:21:46,239 –> 00:21:48,579 in your old age. 334 00:21:49,760 –> 00:21:53,459 Now, how will the baby be a restorer of life 335 00:21:53,459 –> 00:21:57,079 and a nourisher of Naomi’s old age? 336 00:21:57,079 –> 00:22:00,619 Well, three things that are very evident here 337 00:22:00,619 –> 00:22:03,479 that all point us towards how the redeemer 338 00:22:03,479 –> 00:22:06,959 restores and nourishes us. 339 00:22:06,959 –> 00:22:10,359 First, the redeemer brings love. 340 00:22:10,359 –> 00:22:13,680 Verse 15, for your daughter-in-law who 341 00:22:13,680 –> 00:22:16,020 loves you, 342 00:22:16,020 –> 00:22:19,079 who is more to you than seven sons, 343 00:22:19,079 –> 00:22:21,079 has given birth 344 00:22:21,079 –> 00:22:21,920 to him. 345 00:22:23,459 –> 00:22:25,260 Naomi, 346 00:22:25,260 –> 00:22:26,619 never forget 347 00:22:27,119 –> 00:22:29,599 in your later years how much you are loved. 348 00:22:31,660 –> 00:22:32,939 You are loved. 349 00:22:34,500 –> 00:22:38,060 Your daughter-in-law loves you 350 00:22:38,060 –> 00:22:41,540 with an extraordinary love and loyalty, 351 00:22:41,540 –> 00:22:43,199 better than anything you could have hoped for 352 00:22:43,199 –> 00:22:44,979 from even seven sons. 353 00:22:46,800 –> 00:22:49,680 And this little boy to whom she has given birth 354 00:22:49,680 –> 00:22:51,380 is gonna love you, too. 355 00:22:52,959 –> 00:22:55,459 The love of the redeemer 356 00:22:55,520 –> 00:22:59,500 is going to renew your life 357 00:23:00,380 –> 00:23:04,660 and it’s going to nourish you in your later years. 358 00:23:05,739 –> 00:23:07,859 Never forget Naomi how much you’re loved. 359 00:23:07,859 –> 00:23:09,219 That’s what they’re saying. 360 00:23:10,439 –> 00:23:12,380 Second, the Redeemer brings purpose. 361 00:23:12,380 –> 00:23:13,939 Look at verse 16. 362 00:23:13,939 –> 00:23:16,780 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap 363 00:23:16,780 –> 00:23:18,339 and became his nurse. 364 00:23:20,199 –> 00:23:23,920 Now, when you lose someone you love 365 00:23:24,239 –> 00:23:29,239 and as Naomi you remember had endured a triple bereavement. 366 00:23:31,160 –> 00:23:33,040 One of the struggles you may face 367 00:23:33,040 –> 00:23:35,500 is just wondering why you’re still here. 368 00:23:36,920 –> 00:23:41,699 Your life was so tied up with the one that you love 369 00:23:41,699 –> 00:23:43,560 and when he or she is gone, 370 00:23:43,560 –> 00:23:45,500 you think well what’s the point of me? 371 00:23:45,500 –> 00:23:46,719 Why am I still here. 372 00:23:46,719 –> 00:23:48,339 What is there for me to do? 373 00:23:48,339 –> 00:23:52,640 The answer to that question is you are still here 374 00:23:53,199 –> 00:23:57,640 because God still has work for you to do. 375 00:23:59,119 –> 00:24:01,719 And as long as you are still here, 376 00:24:01,719 –> 00:24:05,280 there is still work that God has for you to do. 377 00:24:05,280 –> 00:24:07,040 And you see this very beautifully here 378 00:24:07,040 –> 00:24:08,760 that when the baby is born, 379 00:24:08,760 –> 00:24:13,099 Naomi clearly finds a new sense of purpose and calling, 380 00:24:13,099 –> 00:24:14,680 she becomes the baby’s nurse, 381 00:24:14,680 –> 00:24:19,680 there’s something for her to do and she does it with joy. 382 00:24:19,719 –> 00:24:21,280 Joy. 383 00:24:21,280 –> 00:24:22,819 So the Redeemer brings love, 384 00:24:22,819 –> 00:24:25,180 the Redeemer brings purpose 385 00:24:25,180 –> 00:24:27,500 and the Redeemer brings hope. 386 00:24:27,500 –> 00:24:28,339 Verse 14 again, 387 00:24:28,339 –> 00:24:30,760 Then the women said to Naomi, 388 00:24:30,760 –> 00:24:33,280 bless be the Lord who has not left you this day 389 00:24:33,280 –> 00:24:35,239 without a Redeemer. 390 00:24:35,239 –> 00:24:38,199 Remember that when her sons had died, 391 00:24:38,199 –> 00:24:41,319 it seemed that there was no future. 392 00:24:41,319 –> 00:24:45,459 But God did not leave her without a Redeemer, 393 00:24:45,459 –> 00:24:48,199 Boaz has now secured the inheritance 394 00:24:48,319 –> 00:24:53,319 and through Ruth the family line is now going to continue. 395 00:24:55,160 –> 00:25:00,160 So the story that began with Naomi’s terrible loss 396 00:25:00,500 –> 00:25:05,500 has ended with Naomi’s significant gain. 397 00:25:06,780 –> 00:25:11,020 Now none of this changes the reality 398 00:25:11,020 –> 00:25:15,180 or the pain of Naomi’s loss. 399 00:25:15,180 –> 00:25:17,540 The story is very clear 400 00:25:17,540 –> 00:25:20,920 in telling us the great sorrow 401 00:25:20,920 –> 00:25:24,099 and the great loss that this lady endured. 402 00:25:24,099 –> 00:25:28,219 I mean her husband died and she lost both of her sons. 403 00:25:29,640 –> 00:25:32,040 And neither the marriage of Ruth nor the birth 404 00:25:32,040 –> 00:25:35,880 of this baby could restore what she had lost. 405 00:25:36,959 –> 00:25:39,839 But it remains true that the story 406 00:25:39,839 –> 00:25:44,839 that began with such great sadness does end with blessing. 407 00:25:45,239 –> 00:25:49,839 And you see, the women of Bethlehem 408 00:25:49,839 –> 00:25:53,079 who have grieved so deeply with her 409 00:25:53,079 –> 00:25:55,579 are now coming around her and they’re saying 410 00:25:55,579 –> 00:26:00,479 yes, Naomi, you have suffered greatly. 411 00:26:01,920 –> 00:26:06,780 But remember this, God has not left you without a Redeemer. 412 00:26:08,239 –> 00:26:12,520 You’re loved, you have hope. 413 00:26:12,520 –> 00:26:14,719 There is a future for your family 414 00:26:15,199 –> 00:26:19,540 and God has work for you to do. 415 00:26:20,880 –> 00:26:24,920 Naomi, you may not have all that you want 416 00:26:26,199 –> 00:26:28,459 but look now at what you have. 417 00:26:29,619 –> 00:26:34,699 God has given to you in Ruth a deep love 418 00:26:34,959 –> 00:26:37,040 that’s more than you could ever expect 419 00:26:37,040 –> 00:26:38,560 even from seven sons. 420 00:26:39,719 –> 00:26:42,459 And God has given you in Boaz a Redeemer 421 00:26:42,500 –> 00:26:44,619 who’s secured your inheritance 422 00:26:44,619 –> 00:26:46,640 and will continue your family line 423 00:26:46,640 –> 00:26:48,219 and God’s giving you this baby 424 00:26:49,560 –> 00:26:52,300 and in him you’re gonna find new joy. 425 00:26:52,300 –> 00:26:55,020 You’re gonna find a whole new purpose 426 00:26:55,020 –> 00:27:00,020 and he will nourish you in your later years. 427 00:27:02,060 –> 00:27:03,099 Now friends, before we move on 428 00:27:03,099 –> 00:27:04,459 to the last thing today 429 00:27:04,459 –> 00:27:07,819 there is some practical wisdom 430 00:27:07,819 –> 00:27:11,280 that I want us to gather and to take to heart 431 00:27:11,359 –> 00:27:15,140 and to apply into our lives from these verses 432 00:27:15,140 –> 00:27:17,000 and it comes in three parts. 433 00:27:17,000 –> 00:27:21,199 There is some practical wisdom for those who are older. 434 00:27:21,199 –> 00:27:22,880 There is some practical wisdom 435 00:27:22,880 –> 00:27:26,300 in regards to those who are younger 436 00:27:26,300 –> 00:27:31,300 and there is some practical wisdom in regards to in-laws. 437 00:27:32,540 –> 00:27:33,479 So these three. 438 00:27:34,400 –> 00:27:37,959 First, wisdom for those who are older. 439 00:27:39,119 –> 00:27:41,260 Stay close. 440 00:27:42,199 –> 00:27:43,459 To those who love you. 441 00:27:45,819 –> 00:27:47,260 Don’t take that for granted. 442 00:27:48,979 –> 00:27:50,359 Naomi, you’re loved. 443 00:27:51,540 –> 00:27:52,819 Don’t lose sight of that. 444 00:27:54,020 –> 00:27:59,020 Stay close to those who love you. 445 00:28:00,800 –> 00:28:05,219 Second, take an active interest in the lives of others 446 00:28:05,219 –> 00:28:07,619 and especially those who are young. 447 00:28:07,619 –> 00:28:10,540 Younger members of your own family. 448 00:28:10,619 –> 00:28:12,160 Children of your friends. 449 00:28:13,819 –> 00:28:17,979 And then anticipate blessings that are yet to come. 450 00:28:19,219 –> 00:28:22,180 Naomi, don’t ever think that God’s blessing 451 00:28:22,180 –> 00:28:23,780 in your life’s at an end. 452 00:28:23,780 –> 00:28:25,900 God’s blessings that are coming to you 453 00:28:25,900 –> 00:28:28,339 and through you have hardly even begun. 454 00:28:30,739 –> 00:28:32,319 And then for those who are younger, 455 00:28:32,319 –> 00:28:35,339 this very practical wisdom from this story, 456 00:28:35,339 –> 00:28:40,060 never underestimate the blessing you can bring 457 00:28:40,060 –> 00:28:43,099 to older people God has placed in your life. 458 00:28:44,619 –> 00:28:47,979 This little baby as he grows up, becomes a little boy, 459 00:28:47,979 –> 00:28:49,859 grows up, becomes a teenager, 460 00:28:49,859 –> 00:28:54,859 he will be the nourisher of Naomi’s older years. 461 00:28:55,540 –> 00:28:56,739 Now you think about that. 462 00:28:56,739 –> 00:28:58,939 Who are the older people 463 00:28:58,939 –> 00:29:02,099 that God has placed in your life? 464 00:29:02,099 –> 00:29:04,520 You realise how much joy you can bring them? 465 00:29:05,479 –> 00:29:08,119 You can be the nourisher of their old age. 466 00:29:09,060 –> 00:29:11,500 And if you follow the Lord Jesus Christ 467 00:29:11,500 –> 00:29:14,500 and walk in the truth, you will be their greatest joy. 468 00:29:15,839 –> 00:29:18,319 Nothing will bring them greater joy than that. 469 00:29:19,959 –> 00:29:23,020 I have no greater joy, the apostle says in the New Testament 470 00:29:23,020 –> 00:29:26,979 than that my children are walking in the truth. 471 00:29:26,979 –> 00:29:28,979 And then a word regarding in-laws. 472 00:29:30,380 –> 00:29:34,680 Boaz very obviously brought blessing to Ruth, 473 00:29:34,680 –> 00:29:36,959 but he brought blessing not only to Ruth 474 00:29:37,359 –> 00:29:41,479 but also to her mother-in-law, Naomi. 475 00:29:42,719 –> 00:29:45,359 And so there’s something very important here 476 00:29:45,359 –> 00:29:50,359 about the blessing that you can bring to in-laws. 477 00:29:52,579 –> 00:29:56,000 See, God makes you one if you’re married 478 00:29:56,000 –> 00:29:58,839 with your husband or your wife. 479 00:29:58,839 –> 00:30:02,719 And in becoming one with your husband and your wife, 480 00:30:02,760 –> 00:30:07,760 you also become a member of his or her family. 481 00:30:09,640 –> 00:30:10,939 That’s important. 482 00:30:12,859 –> 00:30:15,939 Sinclair Ferguson has this very helpful comment 483 00:30:15,939 –> 00:30:18,439 that I’d like simply to quote for you. 484 00:30:18,439 –> 00:30:19,439 He says, 485 00:30:20,339 –> 00:30:25,339 “‘Bowaz’ recognizes that love for a woman 486 00:30:25,819 –> 00:30:29,819 implies responsibilities toward her family”. 487 00:30:30,800 –> 00:30:35,099 He says while marriage involves a new family unit, 488 00:30:35,099 –> 00:30:36,500 a man leaves his parents 489 00:30:36,500 –> 00:30:39,900 in order to hold fast to his wife, Genesis 2.24, 490 00:30:39,900 –> 00:30:41,239 and though that’s the case, 491 00:30:41,239 –> 00:30:43,760 he says he does not abandon 492 00:30:43,760 –> 00:30:46,800 either his or his new wife’s family. 493 00:30:48,160 –> 00:30:51,739 Love me, love my family 494 00:30:51,739 –> 00:30:54,739 is part and parcel of marriage 495 00:30:54,739 –> 00:30:58,880 even when families are difficult. 496 00:31:00,739 –> 00:31:03,619 But now as we gather to celebrate Christmas, 497 00:31:03,619 –> 00:31:06,939 we can say with the women of Bethlehem, 498 00:31:06,939 –> 00:31:08,579 blessed be the Lord, 499 00:31:08,579 –> 00:31:13,260 he has not left us without a Redeemer. 500 00:31:13,260 –> 00:31:14,660 And the baby we celebrate 501 00:31:14,660 –> 00:31:18,000 being born at Bethlehem and Christmas is our Redeemer. 502 00:31:18,000 –> 00:31:19,660 The Redeemer loves you. 503 00:31:20,859 –> 00:31:23,660 The Redeemer has work for you to do. 504 00:31:24,780 –> 00:31:28,140 The Redeemer has secured your future inheritance. 505 00:31:28,219 –> 00:31:30,199 He will give you everlasting life. 506 00:31:30,199 –> 00:31:33,180 God has not left you without a Redeemer, 507 00:31:33,180 –> 00:31:37,599 and this Redeemer will be to you, a restorer of life. 508 00:31:38,839 –> 00:31:40,180 And when the time comes, 509 00:31:40,180 –> 00:31:44,400 he will be the nourisher of your old age. 510 00:31:44,400 –> 00:31:46,140 Stay close to him 511 00:31:47,020 –> 00:31:52,020 and you will be blessed all the days of your life. 512 00:31:54,319 –> 00:31:56,040 Blessing comes from the Lord. 513 00:31:56,959 –> 00:31:59,819 Blessing comes through the Redeemer, 514 00:31:59,819 –> 00:32:01,060 and then here’s the last thing. 515 00:32:01,060 –> 00:32:04,219 Blessing is for the world. 516 00:32:04,219 –> 00:32:07,719 Verse 17, the women of the neighborhood gave him, 517 00:32:07,719 –> 00:32:11,040 that’s the baby, a name saying, 518 00:32:11,040 –> 00:32:13,719 a son has been born to Naomi. 519 00:32:13,719 –> 00:32:18,500 They named him Obed, and he was the father of Jesse. 520 00:32:18,500 –> 00:32:20,579 And then you feel like there’s gotta be a roll of the drums 521 00:32:20,579 –> 00:32:25,479 for the last phrase in this book, the father of David, 522 00:32:25,479 –> 00:32:28,260 the great Old Testament King. 523 00:32:29,500 –> 00:32:32,959 Now, we’ve seen that the baby born in Bethlehem 524 00:32:32,959 –> 00:32:37,099 is described in these verses as a Redeemer. 525 00:32:37,099 –> 00:32:41,400 Now we are being told that they named him Obed, 526 00:32:41,400 –> 00:32:45,719 and the name Obed, very simply, means servant. 527 00:32:45,719 –> 00:32:50,719 So the baby born in Bethlehem was a Redeemer and a servant 528 00:32:50,979 –> 00:32:53,780 and a servant. 529 00:32:53,780 –> 00:32:58,780 And, from him comes a future king. 530 00:32:58,900 –> 00:33:03,300 They named him Obed and he was the father of Jesse, 531 00:33:03,300 –> 00:33:05,599 the father of David. 532 00:33:06,939 –> 00:33:09,660 Well, what would Ruth have said 533 00:33:09,660 –> 00:33:14,660 if you had told her the refugee who had come from Moab 534 00:33:14,859 –> 00:33:19,180 that she would end up being the great grandmother 535 00:33:19,180 –> 00:33:21,560 of Israel’s future king. 536 00:33:23,760 –> 00:33:26,439 And then, in these last verses of the book of Ruth, 537 00:33:26,439 –> 00:33:29,420 we’re given the line of descent 538 00:33:29,420 –> 00:33:34,400 all the way from Perez, down to King David. 539 00:33:34,880 –> 00:33:37,280 And, when you get to the New Testament, 540 00:33:37,280 –> 00:33:40,500 if you turn over right to the beginning of Matthew’s gospel, 541 00:33:40,500 –> 00:33:41,339 you will see that, 542 00:33:41,339 –> 00:33:44,000 that the very first verses of Matthew’s gospel 543 00:33:44,000 –> 00:33:46,160 take up this same genealogy 544 00:33:46,160 –> 00:33:48,880 that we have at the end of the Book of Ruth, 545 00:33:48,880 –> 00:33:50,780 and tell us that this is the line 546 00:33:50,780 –> 00:33:55,780 into which Jesus Christ, himself, was born. 547 00:33:56,540 –> 00:34:00,739 You see, it’s all pointing us to Jesus, the Redeemer, 548 00:34:00,739 –> 00:34:04,239 Jesus who took the form of a servant, 549 00:34:04,239 –> 00:34:09,239 Jesus who is the King of Kings. 550 00:34:09,699 –> 00:34:12,979 And the extraordinary thing is 551 00:34:12,979 –> 00:34:17,020 that Naomi, and Boaz, and Ruth 552 00:34:17,040 –> 00:34:21,139 would all have died before any of this came to pass. 553 00:34:21,139 –> 00:34:23,620 They could never have known the blessing 554 00:34:23,620 –> 00:34:26,860 that God was going to bring out of their ordinary lives 555 00:34:26,860 –> 00:34:29,500 that were filled, in so many ways, with so much pain 556 00:34:29,500 –> 00:34:32,360 and yet were wonderfully redeemed. 557 00:34:32,360 –> 00:34:37,239 God would use this to bring blessing to the whole world. 558 00:34:40,000 –> 00:34:42,639 And in Matthew’s gospel 559 00:34:42,639 –> 00:34:45,080 where we are given the line of descent, 560 00:34:45,080 –> 00:34:48,939 we’re given just a little more detail on this line 561 00:34:48,939 –> 00:34:51,260 than we are at the end of Ruth 562 00:34:51,260 –> 00:34:53,260 because in Matthew chapter one in verse five, 563 00:34:53,260 –> 00:34:58,260 we’re told that Solomon, who was the father of Boaz, 564 00:35:00,419 –> 00:35:04,939 Solomon was the father of Boaz by Rahab. 565 00:35:07,179 –> 00:35:10,659 So Rahab was Boaz’ mother. 566 00:35:11,479 –> 00:35:17,239 And then it says that Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth. 567 00:35:18,520 –> 00:35:23,520 So both Rahab and Ruth are given an honored mention 568 00:35:26,120 –> 00:35:29,199 in the family line, 569 00:35:29,199 –> 00:35:34,199 into which the Lord Jesus Christ was born. 570 00:35:34,320 –> 00:35:36,600 And why is that so significant? 571 00:35:36,600 –> 00:35:39,239 Well, it’s so significant for this reason 572 00:35:39,239 –> 00:35:44,239 that Boaz’s mother, Rahab, was a Canaanite, 573 00:35:45,580 –> 00:35:50,040 and Boaz’s wife, Ruth, was a Moabite, 574 00:35:51,500 –> 00:35:55,580 and God’s plan and purpose is that the blessing 575 00:35:55,580 –> 00:35:59,419 that comes from him and through the Redeemer 576 00:35:59,419 –> 00:36:02,020 will reach the whole world. 577 00:36:03,199 –> 00:36:06,399 Remember that God said to Abraham, 578 00:36:06,459 –> 00:36:09,300 I will bless you. 579 00:36:10,699 –> 00:36:15,679 And in you, all the families of the earth will be blessed. 580 00:36:19,020 –> 00:36:23,080 Abraham, the blessing is going to begin with you, 581 00:36:23,080 –> 00:36:25,280 but it’s certainly not going to end with you. 582 00:36:25,280 –> 00:36:29,580 It is for every family on the face of the earth. 583 00:36:29,580 –> 00:36:32,739 And you see, even here in the Book of Ruth, 584 00:36:32,739 –> 00:36:36,780 God’s purpose of bringing in the nations, 585 00:36:36,780 –> 00:36:38,679 bringing them into the blessing 586 00:36:38,679 –> 00:36:40,439 that was promised to Abraham. 587 00:36:40,439 –> 00:36:45,120 Already it is being realized through Salmon, 588 00:36:46,100 –> 00:36:51,100 Boaz’s father, Rahab, a Canaanite, 589 00:36:51,560 –> 00:36:55,360 is brought into the line of blessing 590 00:36:55,360 –> 00:36:58,120 that will be the means of blessing for the whole world. 591 00:36:59,040 –> 00:37:01,899 And through Boaz’s marriage to Ruth, 592 00:37:01,919 –> 00:37:06,020 who was a Moabite, she also is brought in. 593 00:37:06,020 –> 00:37:10,399 Do you see that God is weaving in this story 594 00:37:10,399 –> 00:37:13,199 the lives, the loves 595 00:37:13,199 –> 00:37:16,620 and the losses of these ordinary people? 596 00:37:16,620 –> 00:37:19,520 He’s weaving them into his hidden plan 597 00:37:19,520 –> 00:37:22,659 to bring blessing to the world. 598 00:37:23,580 –> 00:37:24,800 And that is why you see 599 00:37:24,800 –> 00:37:27,219 when the Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem 600 00:37:27,219 –> 00:37:30,179 and the angels announced the significance of this birth, 601 00:37:30,179 –> 00:37:33,540 they said it’s good news of great joy 602 00:37:33,540 –> 00:37:35,020 for who? 603 00:37:35,020 –> 00:37:36,699 All people. 604 00:37:36,699 –> 00:37:39,139 All people. 605 00:37:39,139 –> 00:37:41,780 Jesus is the savior of the world. 606 00:37:41,780 –> 00:37:43,860 And that’s why he sends out his disciples 607 00:37:43,860 –> 00:37:46,659 not only to Jerusalem and to Judea but 608 00:37:46,659 –> 00:37:49,260 to Samaria and to the ends of the earth. 609 00:37:49,260 –> 00:37:52,620 His blessing is for people of every tribe 610 00:37:52,620 –> 00:37:55,620 and tongue and nation and language. 611 00:37:55,620 –> 00:37:58,540 Joy to the world! 612 00:37:58,780 –> 00:38:00,820 Now the Lord has come. 613 00:38:00,820 –> 00:38:02,780 And the reason it’s joy to the world 614 00:38:02,780 –> 00:38:04,939 is that he comes 615 00:38:04,939 –> 00:38:07,500 to make his blessing 616 00:38:07,500 –> 00:38:12,020 flow far as the curse 617 00:38:12,020 –> 00:38:14,060 is found. 618 00:38:16,860 –> 00:38:19,659 A pastor by the name of Edward Donnelly 619 00:38:19,659 –> 00:38:21,780 who is now with the Lord 620 00:38:21,780 –> 00:38:25,659 summed up the book of Ruth 621 00:38:25,699 –> 00:38:27,780 in these very beautiful words 622 00:38:27,780 –> 00:38:31,659 that I think will not be surpassed. 623 00:38:31,659 –> 00:38:33,060 And I quote, 624 00:38:33,979 –> 00:38:37,620 The book begins with a famine. 625 00:38:37,620 –> 00:38:40,139 It ends with riches. 626 00:38:40,139 –> 00:38:42,820 It begins with sorrow. 627 00:38:42,820 –> 00:38:45,379 It ends with joy. 628 00:38:45,379 –> 00:38:48,379 It begins with loneliness. 629 00:38:48,379 –> 00:38:51,340 And it ends with a family. 630 00:38:51,340 –> 00:38:54,379 It begins with despair. 631 00:38:54,379 –> 00:38:56,820 And it ends with hope. 632 00:38:56,820 –> 00:38:59,540 It begins with an end. 633 00:38:59,540 –> 00:39:02,459 And it ends with a beginning. 634 00:39:02,459 –> 00:39:05,060 It begins with death. 635 00:39:05,060 –> 00:39:07,860 And it ends with life. 636 00:39:07,860 –> 00:39:09,340 And it is the Redeemer 637 00:39:09,340 –> 00:39:12,979 who changes the beginning into the end. 638 00:39:12,979 –> 00:39:13,979 And the end of the book 639 00:39:13,979 –> 00:39:17,699 is the birth of a baby in Bethlehem. 640 00:39:17,699 –> 00:39:22,540 It all leads and points to the Lord Jesus Christ. 641 00:39:22,620 –> 00:39:27,939 It is Christ who brings us from famine to riches. 642 00:39:27,939 –> 00:39:32,300 It is Christ who leads us from sorrow to joy. 643 00:39:32,300 –> 00:39:35,100 It is Christ who takes us from loneliness 644 00:39:35,100 –> 00:39:38,699 and brings us into the family of God. 645 00:39:38,699 –> 00:39:42,300 It is Christ who delivers us from despair 646 00:39:42,300 –> 00:39:45,300 and brings us hope. 647 00:39:45,300 –> 00:39:50,780 It is Christ who saves us from death 648 00:39:50,820 –> 00:39:54,620 and brings us into everlasting life. 649 00:39:56,260 –> 00:39:58,820 Blessed be the Lord, 650 00:39:58,820 –> 00:40:01,179 who has not left us 651 00:40:02,139 –> 00:40:03,979 without a redeemer. 652 00:40:03,979 –> 00:40:06,060 Let’s pray. 653 00:40:06,060 –> 00:40:08,500 Father, we can scarcely fathom 654 00:40:08,500 –> 00:40:12,860 the transformation of life as we know it 655 00:40:12,860 –> 00:40:19,540 and eternity as we will enter into it one day 656 00:40:19,540 –> 00:40:22,860 that has come in and through your son, Jesus Christ, 657 00:40:22,860 –> 00:40:26,860 the Redeemer, the Servant, the King. 658 00:40:28,179 –> 00:40:30,260 We bless you for him 659 00:40:30,260 –> 00:40:33,659 and all that is ours in him. 660 00:40:35,020 –> 00:40:37,820 We ask father that you would help us 661 00:40:37,820 –> 00:40:39,419 ever to love him, 662 00:40:39,419 –> 00:40:41,060 to trust him, 663 00:40:41,060 –> 00:40:42,020 to pursue him 664 00:40:43,139 –> 00:40:45,100 and to gladly commend him 665 00:40:45,979 –> 00:40:48,500 as the redeemer to others. 666 00:40:49,500 –> 00:40:51,020 Hear our prayers 667 00:40:51,020 –> 00:40:54,139 and read the granditude of our hearts. 668 00:40:54,139 –> 00:40:56,540 In Jesus’ name, amen. 669 00:40:58,659 –> 00:40:59,899 You’ve been listening to a sermon 670 00:40:59,899 –> 00:41:02,320 with Pastor Collin Smith of Open the Bible 671 00:41:02,320 –> 00:41:03,360 to contact us, 672 00:41:03,360 –> 00:41:05,919 call us at 1-877-Open365 673 00:41:07,580 –> 00:41:09,060 or visit our website, 674 00:41:09,060 –> 00:41:11,100 OpenTheBible.org.