100:00:00,000 –> 00:00:03,400.200:00:03,560 –> 00:00:07,280What we have here really is a template prayer300:00:07,440 –> 00:00:09,320for a newly married couple.400:00:09,480 –> 00:00:11,640What should we ask of God500:00:11,800 –> 00:00:17,040for a couple who are starting out in married life together?600:00:17,200 –> 00:00:19,600What should they pursue?700:00:19,760 –> 00:00:24,120Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith, I’m David Pick.800:00:24,280 –> 00:00:28,680Glad you could be with us today, and Colin, as we round off our series,900:00:28,760 –> 00:00:33,880ordinary people, extraordinary God, we’re today looking at blessing.1000:00:34,040 –> 00:00:38,599That’s right, and the story began with three funerals,1100:00:38,759 –> 00:00:40,320not one, but three,1200:00:40,480 –> 00:00:44,400and now, at the end, we’re going to attend a wedding together.1300:00:44,560 –> 00:00:47,560So this is a great day in the story.1400:00:47,720 –> 00:00:50,320We’ve seen how God, in his marvellous kindness1500:00:50,480 –> 00:00:53,080has provided for Ruth and Naomi.1600:00:53,240 –> 00:00:54,720And now the story ends1700:00:54,720 –> 00:00:58,919with an outpouring of the blessing of God upon these two women.1800:00:59,080 –> 00:01:00,560It’s a wonderful story.1900:01:00,720 –> 00:01:02,119It’s full of hope.2000:01:02,279 –> 00:01:05,120I hope it will be a strength and encouragement to us all2100:01:05,279 –> 00:01:06,680as we look at it together today.2200:01:06,839 –> 00:01:08,160Let’s do that.2300:01:08,320 –> 00:01:10,199Join us, if you can, in the book of Ruth,2400:01:10,360 –> 00:01:13,160chapter 4, as we begin the message, Blessing.2500:01:13,320 –> 00:01:14,400Here’s Colin.2600:01:15,000 –> 00:01:17,800Now, we saw last time that the main purpose2700:01:17,959 –> 00:01:22,480of the book of Ruth is to shine a light on Jesus2800:01:22,879 –> 00:01:26,360and what it means for Jesus to be our Redeemer.2900:01:26,519 –> 00:01:31,080We saw that a Redeemer must be a member of the same family.3000:01:31,239 –> 00:01:36,120Boaz was a member of the family of Elimelech.3100:01:36,279 –> 00:01:40,599And Jesus became a member of our human family3200:01:40,760 –> 00:01:43,000in order to redeem us.3300:01:43,160 –> 00:01:46,400He entered the human family to become our Redeemer.3400:01:46,559 –> 00:01:48,239This is what we celebrate at Christmas.3500:01:48,400 –> 00:01:51,959God became a man in Jesus Christ, and He did it.3600:01:52,279 –> 00:01:57,040He was born in Bethlehem in order to be our Redeemer.3700:01:57,199 –> 00:02:00,519Then we saw not only that a Redeemer must be a member of the same family3800:02:00,680 –> 00:02:04,040but a Redeemer must be ready to pay a price.3900:02:04,199 –> 00:02:09,119Naomi had another relative who was not willing to redeem the family.4000:02:09,279 –> 00:02:11,759He wouldn’t do it and the reason he wouldn’t do it4100:02:11,919 –> 00:02:14,880was simply that it was too costly.4200:02:15,039 –> 00:02:16,960But Boaz was willing4300:02:16,960 –> 00:02:22,399and he points us to the Lord Jesus who was ready to pay the price.4400:02:22,559 –> 00:02:25,559We are redeemed by the precious blood of Christ4500:02:25,720 –> 00:02:31,279and he was willing to lay down his life in order to redeem us.4600:02:31,440 –> 00:02:33,520And then we saw very beautifully4700:02:33,679 –> 00:02:40,119that Jesus redeems us by uniting us to himself.4800:02:40,279 –> 00:02:45,639Boaz became Ruth’s Redeemer by uniting her to himself in marriage.4900:02:45,639 –> 00:02:49,320And we saw that this is really a very beautiful picture in the Bible5000:02:49,479 –> 00:02:51,520of how Jesus redeems us.5100:02:51,679 –> 00:02:55,639John the Baptist described Jesus as the bridegroom5200:02:55,800 –> 00:02:59,279and we saw that faith unites us to Jesus5300:02:59,440 –> 00:03:02,600as a bride and a groom are united together5400:03:02,759 –> 00:03:08,520and when we’re united with Christ everything that is his becomes ours.5500:03:08,679 –> 00:03:10,919We’re clothed in his righteousness.5600:03:11,080 –> 00:03:13,399We become children of God.5700:03:13,759 –> 00:03:16,000We are heirs of God, fellow heirs with Christ5800:03:16,160 –> 00:03:21,039and we are destined with him for glory forever.5900:03:21,199 –> 00:03:23,360Now we ended last time then with the6000:03:23,520 –> 00:03:26,039wedding of Ruth and Boaz.6100:03:26,199 –> 00:03:29,320They were married in the presence of many witnesses6200:03:29,479 –> 00:03:32,320and what follows in these last verses of the book6300:03:32,479 –> 00:03:35,360can I think be summed up in one simple word,6400:03:35,520 –> 00:03:37,759it’s all about blessing.6500:03:37,919 –> 00:03:41,479Blessing is written all over these verses6600:03:42,080 –> 00:03:44,000and we’re going to see today three things6700:03:44,160 –> 00:03:47,360that the blessing comes from the Lord,6800:03:47,520 –> 00:03:49,759that it comes through the Redeemer6900:03:49,919 –> 00:03:53,440and that it is for the whole world.7000:03:53,600 –> 00:03:56,479First then blessing comes from the Lord7100:03:56,639 –> 00:03:58,399and we take it up at verse 11,7200:03:58,559 –> 00:04:00,360where the elders and the witnesses7300:04:00,520 –> 00:04:04,320pray for this newly married couple.7400:04:04,479 –> 00:04:06,320And what we have here really7500:04:06,479 –> 00:04:11,119is a template prayer for a newly married couple.7600:04:11,119 –> 00:04:14,679What should we ask of God for a couple7700:04:14,839 –> 00:04:18,480who are starting out in married life together?7800:04:18,640 –> 00:04:20,320What should they pursue?7900:04:20,480 –> 00:04:23,079Well, the elders and the witnesses8000:04:23,239 –> 00:04:24,799to this particular wedding8100:04:24,959 –> 00:04:28,040pray for this couple in three ways.8200:04:28,200 –> 00:04:32,359First they pray for the gift of children, verse 11,8300:04:32,519 –> 00:04:34,839then all the people who are at the gate8400:04:35,000 –> 00:04:37,440and the elders said, We are witnesses.8500:04:37,600 –> 00:04:38,839May the Lord make the woman8600:04:39,000 –> 00:04:40,559who is coming into your house8700:04:40,559 –> 00:04:42,440like Rachel and Leah,8800:04:42,600 –> 00:04:47,799who together built up the house of Israel.8900:04:48,320 –> 00:04:50,640Now, it’s natural9000:04:50,799 –> 00:04:53,079for a young couple9100:04:53,239 –> 00:04:54,720when they get married9200:04:54,880 –> 00:04:57,200to simply assume9300:04:57,359 –> 00:05:00,119that they will have the gift of children.9400:05:00,279 –> 00:05:04,119But remember that Ruth had been married to Mallon9500:05:04,279 –> 00:05:06,519for ten years9600:05:06,679 –> 00:05:08,679and there had been no children.9700:05:08,959 –> 00:05:11,920And so Ruth’s story had been very similar9800:05:12,079 –> 00:05:13,880to the story of Rachel,9900:05:14,040 –> 00:05:16,519who you may remember was married to Jacob10000:05:16,679 –> 00:05:20,239and for years she had no children.10100:05:20,640 –> 00:05:23,600And of course, she saw Leah having children10200:05:23,760 –> 00:05:26,640and that caused her all kinds of distress.10300:05:27,359 –> 00:05:30,920Why is this happening for other people?10400:05:31,079 –> 00:05:34,279But it’s not happening for me.10500:05:35,000 –> 00:05:38,399Then the scripture tells us that the Lord10600:05:38,600 –> 00:05:41,119opened Rachel’s womb10700:05:41,679 –> 00:05:45,440and Rachel conceived and she bore a son.10800:05:46,160 –> 00:05:49,279Now, here are the witnesses at this wedding,10900:05:49,279 –> 00:05:52,519they know that Ruth was married for 10 years11000:05:52,519 –> 00:05:55,000to her husband who had then died11100:05:55,000 –> 00:05:57,519and there had been no children,11200:05:57,920 –> 00:06:02,640and they pray that she will have a child.11300:06:02,679 –> 00:06:05,480They speak in verse 12 of the offspring11400:06:05,920 –> 00:06:08,839the Lord will give you,11500:06:08,839 –> 00:06:10,679and in verse 11 they pray that11600:06:10,679 –> 00:06:16,559the Lord will make Ruth like Rachel and like Leah.11700:06:16,559 –> 00:06:19,600So they’re praying that Ruth will have11800:06:19,600 –> 00:06:21,799the gift of children11900:06:22,200 –> 00:06:24,839and knowing her personal history,12000:06:24,839 –> 00:06:26,119they no doubt would have prayed this12100:06:26,119 –> 00:06:29,959with great tenderness and with special sensitivity.12200:06:30,600 –> 00:06:33,320And in verse 13, we’re told that the Lord12300:06:34,040 –> 00:06:36,600heard their prayer and answered it very wonderfully12400:06:36,600 –> 00:06:41,000we’re told the Lord gave her conception.12500:06:41,000 –> 00:06:42,760So here we’re being reminded of12600:06:42,760 –> 00:06:44,279something very important,12700:06:44,279 –> 00:06:49,079that children are a gift, not a right.12800:06:49,079 –> 00:06:51,720And where children are given,12900:06:51,720 –> 00:06:54,359they are to be received gladly13000:06:54,359 –> 00:06:56,519and with great gratitude13100:06:56,519 –> 00:07:00,040as a gift from the hand of God.13200:07:00,040 –> 00:07:01,640So first there is this prayer13300:07:01,640 –> 00:07:03,160that they will have children.13400:07:03,160 –> 00:07:04,760Second, there is this prayer13500:07:04,760 –> 00:07:06,519for this newly married couple13600:07:06,519 –> 00:07:10,200that they will continue to pursue godliness.13700:07:10,200 –> 00:07:11,320Verse 11,13800:07:11,320 –> 00:07:15,399May you act worthily in Ephrathah13900:07:15,959 –> 00:07:19,880and be renowned in Bethlehem.14000:07:19,880 –> 00:07:21,160Ephrathah and Bethlehem14100:07:21,160 –> 00:07:24,440are two names for the same place.14200:07:25,079 –> 00:07:27,000May you act worthily.14300:07:27,959 –> 00:07:30,040Now we’ve seen this word worthy14400:07:30,200 –> 00:07:32,200twice before in the book of Ruth.14500:07:32,200 –> 00:07:33,720In chapter 2 in verse 1,14600:07:33,720 –> 00:07:35,959Boaz is described as a worthy man.14700:07:36,920 –> 00:07:38,519And in chapter 3 in verse 11,14800:07:38,519 –> 00:07:41,959Boaz describes Ruth as a worthy woman.14900:07:42,839 –> 00:07:44,679So Boaz and Ruth15000:07:44,679 –> 00:07:47,160were really, really well-matched.15100:07:47,160 –> 00:07:49,239They had both lived lives15200:07:49,239 –> 00:07:52,200of character and integrity.15300:07:52,200 –> 00:07:53,799They were devoted to God.15400:07:53,799 –> 00:07:57,239They exuded kindness and love15500:07:57,239 –> 00:07:58,920that was what they were known for.15600:07:58,920 –> 00:08:00,200And at their wedding,15700:08:01,079 –> 00:08:02,679the elders and the witnesses15800:08:02,679 –> 00:08:04,839to this marriage are saying15900:08:04,839 –> 00:08:07,559may you always pursue these things.16000:08:08,519 –> 00:08:11,399May this always be what you’re known for,16100:08:11,399 –> 00:08:13,720renowned for in Bethlehem.16200:08:14,359 –> 00:08:16,519Boaz, you’re an older man now,16300:08:16,519 –> 00:08:18,040but don’t slow up16400:08:18,839 –> 00:08:21,160on the pursuit of godliness.16500:08:21,160 –> 00:08:23,880You keep going all the days of your life,16600:08:23,880 –> 00:08:27,160and Ruth, you keep going after this too.16700:08:27,160 –> 00:08:29,720May you act worthily in Ephrathah16800:08:29,720 –> 00:08:32,679and be renowned in Bethlehem.16900:08:32,679 –> 00:08:33,640May you be known17000:08:34,520 –> 00:08:38,280for your continued pursuit of godliness.17100:08:39,159 –> 00:08:41,239Now, whether or not you are married17200:08:41,239 –> 00:08:43,000and whether or not you have children,17300:08:44,359 –> 00:08:46,679pursue godliness.17400:08:47,880 –> 00:08:50,919Pursue a God-centred life.17500:08:52,599 –> 00:08:54,520If you do that, you will be blessed.17600:08:55,320 –> 00:08:59,080Godliness with contentment the Bible says17700:08:59,080 –> 00:09:00,200is great gain.17800:09:01,799 –> 00:09:05,719And whatever else you have or don’t have in your life,17900:09:05,719 –> 00:09:07,559if you pursue godliness,18000:09:07,559 –> 00:09:09,159you will be blessed.18100:09:09,159 –> 00:09:10,760And not only will you be blessed,18200:09:10,760 –> 00:09:13,000you will be a blessing to others.18300:09:14,280 –> 00:09:15,400And then thirdly,18400:09:15,960 –> 00:09:18,520they pray for this new married couple18500:09:18,520 –> 00:09:21,479for the triumph of grace.18600:09:21,479 –> 00:09:22,419Of grace.18700:09:22,419 –> 00:09:25,239Now i see that in verse 12.18800:09:25,799 –> 00:09:26,520Where we read,18900:09:27,159 –> 00:09:28,840May your house…19000:09:29,960 –> 00:09:32,520be like the house of Perez,19100:09:34,039 –> 00:09:36,520whom Temar bore to Judah,19200:09:36,520 –> 00:09:38,840because of the offspring that the Lord19300:09:38,840 –> 00:09:42,359will give you by this young woman.19400:09:44,200 –> 00:09:46,359Now the reason that I use the word19500:09:46,359 –> 00:09:47,719grace here19600:09:47,719 –> 00:09:49,880and speak about the triumph of grace19700:09:50,840 –> 00:09:53,080is that the story of Perez19800:09:53,880 –> 00:09:55,960whom Temar bore to Judah19900:09:57,239 –> 00:09:58,760is so painful20000:10:00,520 –> 00:10:01,960that you wonder how any good20100:10:01,960 –> 00:10:03,559could ever possibly come out of it.20200:10:05,559 –> 00:10:07,080It’s so bad, I’m not even going to20300:10:07,080 –> 00:10:09,479describe the details of the story today.20400:10:09,479 –> 00:10:11,000You can read it for yourself if you20500:10:11,000 –> 00:10:13,960want to, in Genesis and Chapter 38.20600:10:14,919 –> 00:10:21,559Suffice to say, Judah was Temar’s father-in-law.20700:10:23,880 –> 00:10:26,599So, the story of how Peres came20800:10:26,599 –> 00:10:30,119to be born is a story that involves20900:10:30,119 –> 00:10:32,440all kinds of sin and even abuse.21000:10:34,440 –> 00:10:36,039It is without question, one of21100:10:36,039 –> 00:10:39,400the saddest, most painful stories21200:10:39,400 –> 00:10:41,080in all of the Bible21300:10:41,080 –> 00:10:42,280and it leaves you saying,21400:10:42,280 –> 00:10:43,799well this little boy Perez21500:10:43,799 –> 00:10:45,880is born, what hope is there21600:10:45,880 –> 00:10:48,359for a little boy who is born21700:10:48,359 –> 00:10:50,359into circumstances like this.21800:10:53,320 –> 00:10:54,840And yet, here is Perez21900:10:57,159 –> 00:10:58,119and we’re reading about22000:10:58,119 –> 00:10:59,719the house of Perez, in other words,22100:10:59,719 –> 00:11:01,719the line that descends from Perez22200:11:01,719 –> 00:11:03,799and he is being listed22300:11:05,000 –> 00:11:07,159in the honored line of22400:11:07,159 –> 00:11:08,679Abraham’s descendants22500:11:09,719 –> 00:11:10,679by whom God brings22600:11:10,679 –> 00:11:11,719blessing into the world.22700:11:11,719 –> 00:11:14,840And that is an amazing22800:11:14,840 –> 00:11:15,799triumph of grace.22900:11:16,440 –> 00:11:17,000Amazing.23000:11:17,719 –> 00:11:18,520You’re listening to23100:11:18,520 –> 00:11:19,159Open The Bible,23200:11:19,159 –> 00:11:20,520with Pastor Colin Smith.23300:11:20,520 –> 00:11:21,719We’ve got to pause23400:11:21,719 –> 00:11:23,159the message briefly there,23500:11:23,159 –> 00:11:24,599but we’ll be back shortly.23600:11:25,400 –> 00:11:27,159Messages called Blessing23700:11:27,159 –> 00:11:28,440and it’s part of our series23800:11:29,000 –> 00:11:31,400Ordinary People, Extraordinary God,23900:11:31,400 –> 00:11:32,840based on the book of Ruth.24000:11:33,479 –> 00:11:34,599Don’t forget, if you ever24100:11:34,599 –> 00:11:35,559miss one of the series24200:11:35,559 –> 00:11:36,440or if you want to go24300:11:36,440 –> 00:11:37,799back and listen again,24400:11:37,799 –> 00:11:39,000you can do that by coming24500:11:39,000 –> 00:11:40,599online to our website24600:11:40,679 –> 00:11:43,559openthebible.org.uk.24700:11:43,559 –> 00:11:44,919There you’ll find all the messages24800:11:44,919 –> 00:11:46,840which have already been broadcast.24900:11:46,840 –> 00:11:48,039And you can also find them25000:11:48,039 –> 00:11:48,919as a podcast25100:11:48,919 –> 00:11:50,840if you prefer listening in that way,25200:11:50,840 –> 00:11:51,640and those are on all25300:11:51,640 –> 00:11:53,320the main podcast sites.25400:11:53,320 –> 00:11:54,520The easiest way to find them25500:11:54,520 –> 00:11:57,080is to search for openthebibleuk.25600:11:57,880 –> 00:11:59,239Here’s Open The Bible’s25700:11:59,239 –> 00:12:00,840Amanda Cunningham to talk about25800:12:00,840 –> 00:12:02,840a special Open The Bible25900:12:02,840 –> 00:12:04,520promotion this Easter.26000:12:04,520 –> 00:12:05,640How will you reach out26100:12:05,640 –> 00:12:07,000to your local community26200:12:07,000 –> 00:12:08,119this Easter with the26300:12:08,119 –> 00:12:09,960good news of the gospel?26400:12:09,960 –> 00:12:11,799How will you inspire awe26500:12:11,799 –> 00:12:13,080in your Church family26600:12:13,080 –> 00:12:14,840at the wonder of the cross26700:12:14,840 –> 00:12:16,440when the story is familiar?26800:12:17,080 –> 00:12:18,520Open The Bible UK26900:12:18,520 –> 00:12:19,799would love to help you.27000:12:20,440 –> 00:12:22,359We filmed a one-actor,27100:12:22,359 –> 00:12:23,479one-hour performance27200:12:23,479 –> 00:12:25,400of Colin’s well-known book,27300:12:25,400 –> 00:12:27,000heaven how I got here,27400:12:27,000 –> 00:12:28,919the story of the thief on the cross.27500:12:29,479 –> 00:12:31,400It’s a powerful gospel message27600:12:31,400 –> 00:12:32,599and we’re making the film27700:12:32,599 –> 00:12:34,119available to you for free.27800:12:34,840 –> 00:12:35,799Alongside it,27900:12:35,799 –> 00:12:37,080we have also created28000:12:37,080 –> 00:12:39,479a complete Easter Resource pack,28100:12:39,479 –> 00:12:41,080including event artwork28200:12:41,080 –> 00:12:42,679and an event guide28300:12:42,679 –> 00:12:45,400designed as an easy evangelistic event28400:12:45,400 –> 00:12:46,679for inviting friends28500:12:46,679 –> 00:12:48,280or the local community,28600:12:48,280 –> 00:12:49,799especially those hesitant28700:12:49,799 –> 00:12:51,640about attending a church service.28800:12:52,280 –> 00:12:53,400It’s also perfect28900:12:53,400 –> 00:12:54,679for small groups to watch29000:12:54,679 –> 00:12:56,359and discuss during Holy Week.29100:12:56,919 –> 00:12:57,960To find out more,29200:12:57,960 –> 00:13:01,880go to openthebible.org.uk29300:13:01,880 –> 00:13:02,919Thanks Amanda.29400:13:02,919 –> 00:13:04,280Back to the message now.29500:13:04,280 –> 00:13:05,479Here’s Colin.29600:13:05,479 –> 00:13:07,159Now friends there is hope here,29700:13:07,159 –> 00:13:08,039wonderful hope,29800:13:08,679 –> 00:13:11,320for every person who has had29900:13:11,320 –> 00:13:14,200the worst possible start in life.30000:13:15,880 –> 00:13:17,640If you were born into30100:13:17,640 –> 00:13:19,400a dysfunctional family,30200:13:21,000 –> 00:13:24,840if you were raised in a way30300:13:25,799 –> 00:13:27,640that left all kinds of scars,30400:13:29,640 –> 00:13:31,799there is hope here for you.30500:13:33,080 –> 00:13:36,840Perez could say with the Apostle Paul,30600:13:38,200 –> 00:13:40,599it is by the grace of God30700:13:41,559 –> 00:13:43,799that I am what I am30800:13:43,799 –> 00:13:45,880and his grace to me30900:13:45,880 –> 00:13:49,000was not without effect.31000:13:49,000 –> 00:13:50,599It’s God’s kindness31100:13:50,599 –> 00:13:52,039that has redeemed me.31200:13:52,039 –> 00:13:53,559It is God’s grace31300:13:54,599 –> 00:13:55,719that has changed me.31400:13:56,280 –> 00:13:57,719The story of Perez31500:13:57,719 –> 00:14:01,159is the story of the triumph of grace.31600:14:02,840 –> 00:14:04,119And you see the elders31700:14:04,119 –> 00:14:06,359and the witnesses are now praying31800:14:06,359 –> 00:14:08,119that this will be the story31900:14:08,119 –> 00:14:10,919of the house of Boaz and of Ruth.32000:14:10,919 –> 00:14:12,840In other words the line of descent32100:14:12,840 –> 00:14:14,599that flows from them.32200:14:14,599 –> 00:14:16,599May God’s grace, they’re saying,32300:14:18,039 –> 00:14:20,520that has touched and changed your lives,32400:14:21,320 –> 00:14:22,760bless your house32500:14:23,640 –> 00:14:25,960as the house of Perez was blessed.32600:14:25,960 –> 00:14:27,479May God’s grace prevail32700:14:27,479 –> 00:14:28,840not only in your lives32800:14:28,840 –> 00:14:30,440but in the lives of your children32900:14:30,440 –> 00:14:31,960and of your children’s children33000:14:31,960 –> 00:14:33,880and of their children after them.33100:14:34,440 –> 00:14:39,000May God’s grace triumph in your family line.33200:14:40,679 –> 00:14:44,520We pray for a couple starting out in married life.33300:14:46,039 –> 00:14:48,039Lord bless them with children.33400:14:49,159 –> 00:14:50,200Lord bless them33500:14:51,239 –> 00:14:53,479with the continued pursuit of godliness.33600:14:54,520 –> 00:14:58,119Lord bless them with a triumph of grace33700:14:58,119 –> 00:15:01,559from generation to generation.33800:15:02,200 –> 00:15:06,599That’s the prayer of blessing at the wedding, it’s beautiful.33900:15:07,719 –> 00:15:09,559And then we read, verse 13.34000:15:10,679 –> 00:15:13,320So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife.34100:15:14,359 –> 00:15:17,400He went into her the lord gave her conception34200:15:18,280 –> 00:15:20,919and she bore a son.34300:15:22,200 –> 00:15:25,400So the story that began with the loss34400:15:25,400 –> 00:15:27,960of a husband and the loss of a son34500:15:28,599 –> 00:15:31,479is now ending with the gift of a husband34600:15:31,719 –> 00:15:33,880and the gift of a son.34700:15:35,799 –> 00:15:38,760The family inheritance has now been secured.34800:15:39,640 –> 00:15:42,840The family line is now going to continue34900:15:43,559 –> 00:15:47,159and it’s all because of the Redeemer.35000:15:48,520 –> 00:15:50,919And so now, the women of Bethlehem35100:15:51,719 –> 00:15:55,479who, earlier in the story, had grieved with Naomi35200:15:55,479 –> 00:15:56,919over her great loss,35300:15:57,719 –> 00:16:00,039they’re now rejoicing with Naomi35400:16:00,919 –> 00:16:02,679over what she has gained.35500:16:04,119 –> 00:16:08,119So, the elders and the witnesses at the wedding35600:16:08,840 –> 00:16:12,359are praying for blessing on the newly married couple,35700:16:12,359 –> 00:16:14,679Boaz and Ruth.35800:16:14,679 –> 00:16:16,599Now we are months later,35900:16:17,159 –> 00:16:18,919we’re at the birth of the baby36000:16:19,719 –> 00:16:22,200and we have the women of Bethlehem36100:16:22,200 –> 00:16:23,960and they’re now coming round Naomi36200:16:25,000 –> 00:16:28,280and they’re pronouncing words of blessing over her.36300:16:29,159 –> 00:16:30,840And their words of blessing36400:16:30,840 –> 00:16:35,239are focused entirely on the Redeemer.36500:16:35,239 –> 00:16:37,799So, we’ve seen that blessing comes from the Lord,36600:16:37,799 –> 00:16:40,919I want us to see that it comes through the Redeemer.36700:16:40,919 –> 00:16:43,880And in verse 14, the women say to Naomi,36800:16:44,760 –> 00:16:48,200blessed be the Lord who has not left you this day36900:16:48,919 –> 00:16:50,840without a Redeemer.37000:16:52,840 –> 00:16:55,159Now, we saw last time37100:16:55,159 –> 00:17:00,359that there was a close relative in Naomi’s family,37200:17:00,359 –> 00:17:02,440a close relative of Elimelech,37300:17:03,000 –> 00:17:04,920who could have redeemed,37400:17:04,920 –> 00:17:06,359but was not willing to do so.37500:17:07,640 –> 00:17:09,319He could have helped Naomi,37600:17:10,359 –> 00:17:11,400but he didn’t do it.37700:17:13,479 –> 00:17:17,160Now, maybe you’ve had something like that happen to you.37800:17:19,000 –> 00:17:22,359You needed help.37900:17:22,359 –> 00:17:24,920And there were friends or family38000:17:25,880 –> 00:17:26,280that didn’t do it.38100:17:26,280 –> 00:17:30,439There were people who could have helped you,38200:17:30,439 –> 00:17:31,479and they didn’t do it38300:17:33,160 –> 00:17:36,520and you were disappointed.38400:17:36,520 –> 00:17:38,359One of the things that we see at this point38500:17:38,359 –> 00:17:41,560in the story is that help doesn’t always come38600:17:41,560 –> 00:17:43,000from where you might expect it.38700:17:44,439 –> 00:17:47,000I mean, think about this from another story in the Bible.38800:17:48,040 –> 00:17:53,719David, David married the daughter of King Saul.38900:17:53,719 –> 00:17:57,079Saul was the first king of Israel.39000:17:58,439 –> 00:18:02,920Now, if your father-in-law was the king,39100:18:04,199 –> 00:18:05,560you might think you’d have all the help39200:18:05,560 –> 00:18:08,280in the world you could ever need.39300:18:08,280 –> 00:18:10,520Your father-in-law’s the king, you got it made.39400:18:11,640 –> 00:18:13,239Well, of course, if you know the story,39500:18:13,239 –> 00:18:15,160you’ll remember that nothing could have been further39600:18:15,160 –> 00:18:16,520from the truth for David.39700:18:16,520 –> 00:18:18,760I mean, if you have difficult in laws,39800:18:19,400 –> 00:18:21,239spare a thought for David39900:18:21,239 –> 00:18:23,160and what he had to put up with from Saul,40000:18:23,160 –> 00:18:24,359his father-in-law.40100:18:26,280 –> 00:18:28,520But you see, when the father-in-law40200:18:28,520 –> 00:18:30,280from whom he might’ve expected help40300:18:30,280 –> 00:18:31,640made his life a misery,40400:18:33,560 –> 00:18:37,239God gave him help through his brother-in-law40500:18:38,119 –> 00:18:40,280whose name was Jonathan.40600:18:41,640 –> 00:18:44,199And Jonathan’s friendship was the gift40700:18:44,199 –> 00:18:45,880that God David through.40800:18:46,040 –> 00:18:47,000Now here’s the point,40900:18:47,000 –> 00:18:49,800God will give you the help that you need.41000:18:51,800 –> 00:18:55,239And sometimes when the person or people41100:18:55,239 –> 00:18:57,319that you thought would be means of giving41200:18:57,319 –> 00:18:59,239that help disappoint you,41300:19:00,199 –> 00:19:02,280you need to open your eyes to the fact41400:19:02,280 –> 00:19:03,719that God will give you his help41500:19:03,719 –> 00:19:05,239through someone else.41600:19:06,680 –> 00:19:10,280When Saul became David’s greatest burden,41700:19:11,079 –> 00:19:12,439God gave him Jonathan41800:19:12,439 –> 00:19:13,880who became his greatest friend.41900:19:14,439 –> 00:19:19,319When Paul’s long-time ministry partner left him,42000:19:19,319 –> 00:19:21,719God gave him another ministry partner42100:19:21,719 –> 00:19:23,800for a whole new chapter in Silas.42200:19:25,560 –> 00:19:26,680And here in the story,42300:19:26,680 –> 00:19:28,920we have exactly the same thing,42400:19:28,920 –> 00:19:30,680when the unnamed relative42500:19:30,680 –> 00:19:33,959was just unwilling to help Naomi,42600:19:33,959 –> 00:19:35,239God gave Boaz.42700:19:35,239 –> 00:19:37,479And the women seeing this said to Naomi,42800:19:37,479 –> 00:19:38,959well, blessed be the Lord42900:19:38,959 –> 00:19:40,920because he’s not left you without us.43000:19:40,920 –> 00:19:42,280Well, blessed be the Lord43100:19:42,280 –> 00:19:44,760because he’s not left you without a Redeemer.43200:19:47,239 –> 00:19:48,920God will give you the help that you need43300:19:50,040 –> 00:19:51,239and he may surprise you43400:19:52,119 –> 00:19:54,599by the means through which it comes.43500:19:57,079 –> 00:20:02,199Now we’ve seen that Boaz was a Redeemer for this family,43600:20:03,560 –> 00:20:06,199but if you read on in these verses,43700:20:06,199 –> 00:20:09,319you will see something quite surprising here.43800:20:09,800 –> 00:20:11,959Look at it closely with me, if you would.43900:20:11,959 –> 00:20:14,119Then the women said to Naomi,44000:20:14,839 –> 00:20:17,079blessed be the Lord who has not left you this day44100:20:17,079 –> 00:20:18,040without a Redeemer.44200:20:18,680 –> 00:20:22,359And may his name, that is the name of the Redeemer44300:20:22,359 –> 00:20:24,439be renowned in Israel.44400:20:25,400 –> 00:20:27,400He, that’s the Redeemer,44500:20:28,119 –> 00:20:31,239shall be to you a restorer of life44600:20:31,239 –> 00:20:33,079and a nourisher of your old age44700:20:33,719 –> 00:20:36,040for your daughter-in-law who loves you,44800:20:36,280 –> 00:20:38,839is more to you than seven sons44900:20:38,839 –> 00:20:42,199has given birth to him.45000:20:44,680 –> 00:20:49,560So it’s not Boaz who’s being described45100:20:49,560 –> 00:20:52,280as the Redeemer in these verses.45200:20:53,239 –> 00:20:58,199It’s the Baby, the Baby born in Bethlehem.45300:20:59,880 –> 00:21:01,560Look at what these women say,45400:21:01,560 –> 00:21:05,479the Lord has not left you without a Redeemer.45500:21:05,560 –> 00:21:08,119Your daughter-in-law has given birth to him.45600:21:09,959 –> 00:21:15,640And it’s the Baby who will be a Restorer of Life to you.45700:21:15,640 –> 00:21:21,319It’s the Baby who will be a Nourisher of your old age.45800:21:22,839 –> 00:21:24,920Now, someone might reasonably say at this point,45900:21:24,920 –> 00:21:29,239well wait a minute, isn’t it Boaz who’s the Redeemer?46000:21:29,800 –> 00:21:34,119No, Boaz is a Redeemer.46100:21:35,000 –> 00:21:38,760There’s more redeeming to be done than Boaz can do.46200:21:40,040 –> 00:21:43,959And the Baby notice here is described as a Redeemer.46300:21:44,599 –> 00:21:47,319He will be a Restorer of Life46400:21:48,199 –> 00:21:51,800and a Nourisher of Naomi’s old age.46500:21:51,800 –> 00:21:52,760And of course, the point is46600:21:52,760 –> 00:21:54,680that there’s more redeeming to be done46700:21:55,400 –> 00:21:57,000than the Baby can do.46800:21:58,119 –> 00:22:00,040So you see, these words about the Baby,46900:22:00,040 –> 00:22:01,719like the whole of the Book of Ruth,47000:22:01,880 –> 00:22:05,079are just pointing us forward very clearly47100:22:05,079 –> 00:22:09,560to THE Redeemer, to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.47200:22:09,560 –> 00:22:13,079God has not left you without a Redeemer.47300:22:14,680 –> 00:22:17,239And the Baby born in Bethlehem47400:22:17,239 –> 00:22:18,599that we celebrate at Christmas47500:22:18,599 –> 00:22:21,800is THE Redeemer, our Redeemer.47600:22:21,800 –> 00:22:25,560He will be to you a Restorer of Life.47700:22:25,560 –> 00:22:31,000He will be the Nourisher of your old age.47800:22:32,040 –> 00:22:33,959You’ve been listening to Open the Bible47900:22:33,959 –> 00:22:37,160with Pastor Colin Smith and a message called Blessing.48000:22:37,160 –> 00:22:39,400It’s the final message in our series48100:22:39,400 –> 00:22:42,199Ordinary People, Extraordinary God.48200:22:42,199 –> 00:22:44,280And if you’ve ever missed one of the series48300:22:44,280 –> 00:22:46,439or if you want to go back and listen again,48400:22:46,439 –> 00:22:48,199they’re all available online48500:22:48,199 –> 00:22:49,640at our website openthebible.org.uk48600:22:52,599 –> 00:22:54,280Also available as a podcast48700:22:54,280 –> 00:22:56,520and those are on all the main podcast sites48800:22:56,520 –> 00:22:58,599search for open the Bible UK48900:22:58,599 –> 00:23:01,640and subscribe if you want to receive regular reminders.49000:23:02,280 –> 00:23:04,199Open the Bible is supported49100:23:04,199 –> 00:23:06,040by our listeners financially49200:23:06,040 –> 00:23:08,439and if you already give to support the work49300:23:08,439 –> 00:23:10,199we want to say thank you so much.49400:23:10,920 –> 00:23:12,439If you’re considering supporting49500:23:12,439 –> 00:23:14,599Open the Bible financially in the future49600:23:14,599 –> 00:23:15,959and you’re able to set up49700:23:15,959 –> 00:23:20,280a new direct debit in the amount of £5 per month or more49800:23:20,280 –> 00:23:23,160or a one-off gift of £50 or more49900:23:23,160 –> 00:23:24,439we’d love to thank you50000:23:24,439 –> 00:23:27,880by sending you a copy of Lee Strobel’s book50100:23:27,959 –> 00:23:29,479The Case for Easter50200:23:29,479 –> 00:23:32,119along with Pastor Colin’s booklet50300:23:32,119 –> 00:23:34,359Six Days That Changed the World50400:23:34,359 –> 00:23:38,680and a lovely Open the Bible tote bag, pen and bookmark.50500:23:39,479 –> 00:23:42,839Colin, what makes this book so useful?50600:23:42,839 –> 00:23:44,640Oh, well, it’s author Lee Strobel50700:23:44,640 –> 00:23:46,760was a journalist for the Chicago Tribune50800:23:46,760 –> 00:23:49,479when he began exploring the Christian faith50900:23:49,479 –> 00:23:51,239And in the case for Easter51000:23:51,239 –> 00:23:54,199he actually retraces his steps51100:23:54,199 –> 00:23:55,719showing the biblical evidence51200:23:55,719 –> 00:23:57,719that led him to the conclusion51300:23:57,719 –> 00:24:00,439that Jesus really rose from the dead.51400:24:00,439 –> 00:24:01,959It’s a fascinating book51500:24:01,959 –> 00:24:04,520because he interviews experts51600:24:04,520 –> 00:24:05,800who help us to sort through51700:24:05,800 –> 00:24:07,880the Bible’s evidence for the resurrection51800:24:07,880 –> 00:24:11,640So, for example, he interviews a medical doctor51900:24:11,640 –> 00:24:13,319to help us examine the evidence52000:24:13,319 –> 00:24:15,160that Jesus really died52100:24:15,160 –> 00:24:17,959and a psychologist to help us see52200:24:17,959 –> 00:24:19,640that Jesus appearances52300:24:19,640 –> 00:24:22,520could not have been simply hallucinations52400:24:22,520 –> 00:24:24,040So the Case for Easter52500:24:24,040 –> 00:24:25,959really helps Christians know52600:24:25,959 –> 00:24:28,199why we believe in the resurrection52700:24:28,199 –> 00:24:31,400and it can provide a wonderful pathway to faith52800:24:31,400 –> 00:24:32,839for someone who is beginning to52900:24:32,839 –> 00:24:34,839explore the truth of Christianity53000:24:34,839 –> 00:24:36,119Well, we want to thank you53100:24:36,119 –> 00:24:39,000by sending you a copy of Lee Stroebel’s book53200:24:39,000 –> 00:24:40,359The Case for Easter53300:24:40,359 –> 00:24:42,520along with Pastor Collins booklet53400:24:42,520 –> 00:24:44,520Six Days That Changed The World53500:24:44,520 –> 00:24:47,160and a lovely Open the Bible tote bag,53600:24:47,160 –> 00:24:48,439pen and bookmark53700:24:48,439 –> 00:24:51,400If you are able to set up a new direct debit53800:24:51,400 –> 00:24:53,560to the work of Open the Bible this month53900:24:53,560 –> 00:24:54,699in the amount of £554000:24:54,699 –> 00:24:56,199per month or more54100:24:56,199 –> 00:24:58,439or a one-off gift of £50 or more54200:24:59,160 –> 00:25:01,239Full details, terms and conditions54300:25:01,239 –> 00:25:02,280on our website54400:25:02,280 –> 00:25:03,880openthebible.org.uk54500:25:05,560 –> 00:25:08,040For Open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith54600:25:08,040 –> 00:25:09,079I’m David Pick54700:25:09,079 –> 00:25:11,079and I hope you’ll join us again next time54800:25:15,959 –> 00:25:17,959When someone you were relying on54900:25:17,959 –> 00:25:19,160fails to help55000:25:19,160 –> 00:25:20,760it’s disappointing55100:25:20,760 –> 00:25:22,599but if you keep your eyes open55200:25:22,599 –> 00:25:25,239God will provide through someone else55300:25:25,239 –> 00:25:26,680That’s next time55400:25:26,680 –> 00:25:28,599on Open the Bible