100:00:00,140 –> 00:00:04,000MAX PICK200:00:04,000 –> 00:00:08,220God will give you the help that you need.300:00:08,220 –> 00:00:10,280And sometimes when400:00:10,280 –> 00:00:14,920the person or people that you thought would be the means of giving that help disappoint500:00:14,920 –> 00:00:16,299you600:00:16,299 –> 00:00:20,459you need to open your eyes to the fact that god will give you his help through someone700:00:20,459 –> 00:00:21,820else.800:00:21,820 –> 00:00:26,420Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. I’m David Pick, and glad you could900:00:26,420 –> 00:00:27,320be with us today.1000:00:27,320 –> 00:00:27,740And Colin,1100:00:28,200 –> 00:00:32,580I think it’s fair to guess that many of us have faced some challenge or difficulty in1200:00:32,580 –> 00:00:33,900our life,1300:00:33,900 –> 00:00:37,459and we’ve prayed and expected God to answer in a certain way,1400:00:37,459 –> 00:00:38,639maybe to a certain person,1500:00:38,639 –> 00:00:41,700and in the end God answered it in a way we weren’t expecting.1600:00:41,700 –> 00:00:43,320COLIN Yes, that’s exactly right,1700:00:43,320 –> 00:00:46,060and everyone has experiences of disappointment.1800:00:46,060 –> 00:00:51,779You thought and hoped that someone would be the means of helping you in a particular way1900:00:51,779 –> 00:00:52,220and then2000:00:52,220 –> 00:00:54,619they didn’t come through for you.2100:00:55,259 –> 00:00:59,299It’s easy to make too much of particular people,2200:00:59,299 –> 00:01:02,919and it’s important for us to remember that the One who provides for us,2300:01:02,919 –> 00:01:05,900the One who will never fail us, is God Himself.2400:01:05,900 –> 00:01:10,260It is my God, Paul says, who will supply all of your need,2500:01:10,260 –> 00:01:13,800according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.2600:01:13,800 –> 00:01:15,779So, we’re going to see today2700:01:15,779 –> 00:01:17,260some examples,2800:01:17,260 –> 00:01:18,059very clearly,2900:01:18,059 –> 00:01:21,500of where there was disappointment on the one hand3000:01:21,500 –> 00:01:23,400because of someone who didn’t come through3100:01:23,400 –> 00:01:25,599and bring the help that might have been expected.3200:01:25,599 –> 00:01:28,419But there was hope and peace and joy and blessing3300:01:28,419 –> 00:01:29,839that came on the other hand3400:01:29,839 –> 00:01:31,900because God provided in another way.3500:01:31,900 –> 00:01:34,400God is the One who never fails.3600:01:34,400 –> 00:01:37,639It’s good to remember that as we begin our time together.3700:01:37,639 –> 00:01:40,400So, we’re in Ruth and chapter 4.3800:01:40,400 –> 00:01:42,260As we continue the message,3900:01:42,260 –> 00:01:43,860blessing, here’s Colin4000:01:43,860 –> 00:01:45,339now we’ve seen4100:01:45,339 –> 00:01:50,059that Boaz was a redeemer for this family.4200:01:50,779 –> 00:01:53,459But if you read on in these verses,4300:01:53,459 –> 00:01:57,220you will see something quite surprising here.4400:01:57,220 –> 00:01:59,279Look at it closely with me if you would.4500:01:59,279 –> 00:02:02,120Then the women, said to Naomi,4600:02:02,120 –> 00:02:04,440blessed be the Lord who has not left you this day4700:02:04,440 –> 00:02:05,980without a Redeemer,4800:02:05,980 –> 00:02:09,699and may His name, that is the name of the Redeemer,4900:02:09,699 –> 00:02:12,660be renowned in Israel.5000:02:12,660 –> 00:02:14,500He, that’s the Redeemer,5100:02:15,419 –> 00:02:16,899shall be to you,5200:02:16,899 –> 00:02:18,619a restorer of life5300:02:18,619 –> 00:02:21,100and a nourisher of your old age,5400:02:21,100 –> 00:02:23,419for your daughter-in-law, who loves you,5500:02:23,419 –> 00:02:26,139who is more to you than seven sons,5600:02:26,139 –> 00:02:30,100has given birth to him.5700:02:31,979 –> 00:02:36,860So it’s not Boaz who’s being described5800:02:36,860 –> 00:02:40,559as the Redeemer in these verses,5900:02:40,559 –> 00:02:42,039it’s the baby,6000:02:43,220 –> 00:02:45,839the baby born in Bethlehem.6100:02:46,740 –> 00:02:48,300And it’s the baby6200:02:49,020 –> 00:02:52,619who will be a restorer of life to you,6300:02:52,619 –> 00:02:57,619it’s the baby who will be a nourisher of your old age.6400:02:59,660 –> 00:03:03,979Now, let’s pause for just a moment on these two phrases,6500:03:03,979 –> 00:03:07,240the restorer of life and the nourisher of your old age.6600:03:07,240 –> 00:03:10,000They clearly both point us6700:03:10,000 –> 00:03:13,899to the challenges of our later years.6800:03:13,899 –> 00:03:18,300Remember, Naomi was getting on in years at this point.6900:03:19,380 –> 00:03:24,360Now, old age isn’t easy.7000:03:24,399 –> 00:03:25,559There should be a few amens7100:03:25,559 –> 00:03:28,559to that incontrovertible statement.7200:03:29,500 –> 00:03:34,500It ain’t easy, you feel that life is slipping away from you.7300:03:36,779 –> 00:03:41,199What you can do becomes less, it takes longer.7400:03:42,279 –> 00:03:44,300Your strength is depleted.7500:03:45,619 –> 00:03:48,100Your joys are diminished.7600:03:49,080 –> 00:03:54,119You wish you could have a richer and a fuller life.7700:03:54,199 –> 00:03:56,500Now, Naomi knew all about that,7800:03:58,399 –> 00:04:02,240but God blessed her with the birth of this child7900:04:02,240 –> 00:04:07,240born to Ruth and the women of Bethlehem are saying,8000:04:07,639 –> 00:04:12,000Naomi, this baby that has been born to Ruth8100:04:12,000 –> 00:04:15,699is a gift from God to you.8200:04:16,500 –> 00:04:21,500This little bundle of joy is going to be a blessing to you8300:04:21,660 –> 00:04:23,940in your old age.8400:04:25,179 –> 00:04:28,859Now, how will the baby be a restorer of life8500:04:28,859 –> 00:04:32,459and a nourisher of Naomi’s old age?8600:04:32,459 –> 00:04:36,019Well, three things that are very evident here8700:04:36,019 –> 00:04:38,899that all point us towards how the Redeemer8800:04:38,899 –> 00:04:42,380restores and nourishes us.8900:04:42,380 –> 00:04:44,940First, the Redeemer brings love.9000:04:45,980 –> 00:04:50,339Verse 15, for your daughter-in-law who loves you,9100:04:51,619 –> 00:04:54,679who is more to you than seven sons,9200:04:54,679 –> 00:04:57,339has given birth to Him.9300:04:59,059 –> 00:05:03,940Naomi, never forget, in your later years,9400:05:03,940 –> 00:05:05,339how much you are loved.9500:05:07,380 –> 00:05:09,399You are loved.9600:05:09,559 –> 00:05:13,760Your daughter-in-law loves you9700:05:13,760 –> 00:05:17,220with an extraordinary love and loyalty,9800:05:17,220 –> 00:05:18,899better than anything you could’ve hoped for9900:05:18,899 –> 00:05:20,519from even seven sons.10000:05:22,859 –> 00:05:25,399And this little boy to whom she has given birth10100:05:25,399 –> 00:05:26,859is gonna love you too.10200:05:28,660 –> 00:05:33,140The love of the Redeemer is going to10300:05:33,140 –> 00:05:37,540renew your life and it’s going to nourish you10400:05:38,880 –> 00:05:40,260in your later years.10500:05:41,380 –> 00:05:43,500Never forget, Naomi, how much you’re loved.10600:05:43,500 –> 00:05:44,899That’s what they’re saying.10700:05:46,059 –> 00:05:48,019Second, the Redeemer brings purpose.10800:05:48,019 –> 00:05:49,579Look at verse 16.10900:05:49,579 –> 00:05:52,399Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap11000:05:52,399 –> 00:05:53,920and became his nurse.11100:05:55,820 –> 00:05:59,720Now, when you lose someone you love,11200:06:00,619 –> 00:06:05,220as Naomi, you remember had endured a triple bereavement,11300:06:06,459 –> 00:06:08,660one of the struggles you may face11400:06:08,660 –> 00:06:11,100is just wondering why you’re still here.11500:06:11,619 –> 00:06:16,079Your life was so tied up with the one that you love11600:06:16,079 –> 00:06:18,619and when he or she is gone you think,11700:06:18,619 –> 00:06:20,059well, what’s the point of me?11800:06:20,059 –> 00:06:21,420Why am I still here?11900:06:21,420 –> 00:06:22,779What is there for me to do?12000:06:22,779 –> 00:06:27,459And the answer to that question is you are still here12100:06:28,579 –> 00:06:32,500because God still has work for you to do.12200:06:33,859 –> 00:06:36,459And as long as you are still here12300:06:36,459 –> 00:06:39,940there is still work that God has for you to do.12400:06:40,940 –> 00:06:42,660And you see this very beautifully here12500:06:42,660 –> 00:06:44,380that when the baby is born,12600:06:44,380 –> 00:06:48,739Naomi clearly finds a new sense of purpose and calling.12700:06:48,739 –> 00:06:50,339She becomes the baby’s nurse.12800:06:50,339 –> 00:06:52,059There’s something for her to do12900:06:53,500 –> 00:06:55,920and she does it with joy.13000:06:56,899 –> 00:07:00,799The redeemer brings love, the redeemer brings purpose13100:07:00,799 –> 00:07:03,100and the redeemer brings hope.13200:07:03,100 –> 00:07:04,440Verse 14 again,13300:07:04,440 –> 00:07:06,320”Then the women said to Naomi,13400:07:06,339 –> 00:07:08,859”Blessed be the Lord Who has not left you this day13500:07:08,859 –> 00:07:10,839”without a redeemer.”13600:07:10,839 –> 00:07:13,799Remember that when her sons had died,13700:07:13,799 –> 00:07:16,540it seemed that there was no future.13800:07:17,440 –> 00:07:21,079But God did not leave her without a redeemer.13900:07:21,079 –> 00:07:23,779Boaz has now secured the inheritance14000:07:23,779 –> 00:07:28,779and throw Ruth, the family line is now going to continue.14100:07:30,720 –> 00:07:35,720So the story that began with Naomi’s terrible loss14200:07:36,059 –> 00:07:41,059has ended with Naomi’s significant gain.14300:07:42,359 –> 00:07:46,579Now, none of this changes the reality14400:07:46,579 –> 00:07:50,760or the pain of Naomi’s loss.14500:07:50,760 –> 00:07:54,839The story is very clear in telling us14600:07:54,839 –> 00:07:59,679the great sorrow and the great loss that this lady endured.14700:07:59,679 –> 00:08:03,760I mean, her husband died and she lost both of her sons.14800:08:04,600 –> 00:08:07,040And neither the marriage of Ruth,14900:08:07,040 –> 00:08:11,459nor the birth of this baby could restore what she had lost.15000:08:12,559 –> 00:08:15,399But it remains true that the story15100:08:15,399 –> 00:08:20,399that began with such great sadness does end with blessing.15200:08:22,119 –> 00:08:25,440And you see, the women of Bethlehem15300:08:25,440 –> 00:08:28,640who have grieved so deeply with her15400:08:28,640 –> 00:08:31,079are now coming around her, and they’re saying,15500:08:31,200 –> 00:08:36,080yes, Naomi, you have suffered greatly.15600:08:37,559 –> 00:08:42,419But remember this, God has not left you without a Redeemer.15700:08:43,880 –> 00:08:48,140You are loved, you have hope,15800:08:48,140 –> 00:08:51,000there is a future for your family line,15900:08:51,000 –> 00:08:55,179and God has work for you to do.16000:08:55,559 –> 00:09:00,500Naomi, you may not have all that you want,16100:09:01,780 –> 00:09:04,059but look now at what you have.16200:09:05,200 –> 00:09:09,380God has given to you, in Ruth, a deep love16300:09:10,559 –> 00:09:12,700that’s more than you could ever expected,16400:09:12,700 –> 00:09:14,280even from seven sons.16500:09:14,760 –> 00:09:18,039And God has given you, in Boaz, a Redeemer16600:09:18,039 –> 00:09:20,200who’s secured your inheritance16700:09:20,200 –> 00:09:22,200and will continue your family line,16800:09:22,280 –> 00:09:23,940And God’s given you this baby,16900:09:25,140 –> 00:09:27,239and in him you’re gonna find new joy,17000:09:27,960 –> 00:09:29,919you’re gonna find a whole new purpose,17100:09:30,599 –> 00:09:35,599and he will nourish you in your later years.17200:09:37,599 –> 00:09:40,039Now friends before we move on to the last thing today,17300:09:40,039 –> 00:09:43,099there is some practical wisdom17400:09:43,440 –> 00:09:46,820that I want us to gather and to take to heart17500:09:46,820 –> 00:09:50,840and to apply into our lives from these verses,17600:09:50,900 –> 00:09:52,359and it comes in three parts.17700:09:52,359 –> 00:09:56,039There is some practical wisdom for those who are older.17800:09:56,380 –> 00:10:01,380There is some practical wisdom in regards to those who are younger,17900:10:02,280 –> 00:10:06,900and there is some practical wisdom in regards to in-laws.18000:10:07,859 –> 00:10:09,179So these three.18100:10:09,679 –> 00:10:13,780First, wisdom for those who are older.18200:10:14,840 –> 00:10:18,840Stay close to those who love you.18300:10:21,260 –> 00:10:23,919Don’t take that for granted.18400:10:24,359 –> 00:10:26,479Naomi, you’re loved.18500:10:26,859 –> 00:10:29,400Don’t lose sight of that.18600:10:29,400 –> 00:10:34,719Stay close to those who love you.18700:10:36,239 –> 00:10:40,340Second, take an active interest in the lives of others,18800:10:40,340 –> 00:10:43,200and, especially those who are young,18900:10:43,200 –> 00:10:45,700younger members of your own family,19000:10:45,700 –> 00:10:49,320children of your friends,19100:10:49,320 –> 00:10:54,400and then anticipate blessings that are yet to come.19200:10:54,780 –> 00:10:57,000Naomi, don’t ever think that19300:10:57,000 –> 00:10:59,380God’s blessing in your life’s at an end.19400:10:59,380 –> 00:11:01,460God’s blessings that are coming to you19500:11:01,460 –> 00:11:04,840and through you have hardly even begun.19600:11:06,299 –> 00:11:07,940And then, for those who are younger,19700:11:07,940 –> 00:11:10,859this very practical wisdom from this story,19800:11:10,859 –> 00:11:15,619never underestimate the blessing you can bring19900:11:15,619 –> 00:11:19,159to older people God has placed in your life.20000:11:20,179 –> 00:11:23,580This little baby, as he grows up, becomes a little boy.20100:11:23,580 –> 00:11:25,520Grows up, becomes a teenager.20200:11:25,520 –> 00:11:29,260He will be the nourisher of Naomi’s older years.20300:11:31,119 –> 00:11:32,380Now you think about that.20400:11:32,380 –> 00:11:36,539Who are the older people that God has placed in your life?20500:11:37,479 –> 00:11:41,099You realize how much joy you can bring them?20600:11:41,099 –> 00:11:45,039You can be the nourisher of their old age.20700:11:45,039 –> 00:11:47,440And if you follow the Lord Jesus Christ20800:11:47,479 –> 00:11:52,080and walk in the truth, you will be their greatest joy.20900:11:52,080 –> 00:11:56,159Nothing will bring them greater joy than that.21000:11:56,159 –> 00:11:58,159I have no greater joy, the Apostle says,21100:11:58,159 –> 00:12:00,440in the New Testament than that my children21200:12:00,440 –> 00:12:03,260are walking in the truth.21300:12:03,260 –> 00:12:06,520And then a word regarding in-laws.21400:12:06,520 –> 00:12:10,479Boaz, very obviously, brought blessing to Ruth,21500:12:10,479 –> 00:12:13,099but he brought blessing not only to Ruth,21600:12:13,099 –> 00:12:16,179but also to her mother-in-law Naomi.21700:12:18,380 –> 00:12:20,979And so there’s something very important here21800:12:20,979 –> 00:12:25,979about the blessing that you can bring to in-laws.21900:12:28,219 –> 00:12:31,640See, God makes you one if you’re married22000:12:31,640 –> 00:12:34,619with your husband or your wife.22100:12:34,619 –> 00:12:38,380and in becoming one with your husband and your wife,22200:12:38,380 –> 00:12:43,380you also become a member of his or her family.22300:12:45,260 –> 00:12:46,599That’s important.22400:12:48,119 –> 00:12:51,520Sinclair Fergusson has this very helpful comment22500:12:51,520 –> 00:12:54,020that I’d like simply to quote for you.22600:12:54,020 –> 00:12:55,119He says,22700:12:55,119 –> 00:12:59,099Boaz recognizes,22800:12:59,099 –> 00:13:01,479that love for a woman22900:13:01,479 –> 00:13:05,340implies responsibilities toward her family.23000:13:07,099 –> 00:13:10,719He says, while marriage involves a new family unit,23100:13:10,719 –> 00:13:12,159a man leaves his parents23200:13:12,159 –> 00:13:15,940in order to hold fast to his wife, Genesis 2.24.23300:13:15,940 –> 00:13:19,380Although that’s the case, he says he does not abandon23400:13:19,380 –> 00:13:22,460either his or his new wife’s family.23500:13:24,200 –> 00:13:27,400Love me, love my family23600:13:27,400 –> 00:13:30,400is part and parcel of marriage,23700:13:30,400 –> 00:13:34,539even when families are difficult.23800:13:36,679 –> 00:13:39,219Well now as we gather to celebrate Christmas,23900:13:39,219 –> 00:13:42,539we can say with the women of Bethlehem,24000:13:42,539 –> 00:13:47,539blessed be the Lord, he has not left us without a Redeemer.24100:13:48,859 –> 00:13:50,760And the baby we celebrate being born24200:13:50,760 –> 00:13:53,599at Bethlehem and Christmas is our Redeemer.24300:13:53,599 –> 00:13:55,260The Redeemer loves you.24400:13:56,460 –> 00:13:59,260The Redeemer has work for you to do.24500:14:00,380 –> 00:14:03,719The Redeemer has secured your future inheritance,24600:14:03,719 –> 00:14:05,840he will give you everlasting life.24700:14:05,840 –> 00:14:08,799God has not left you without a Redeemer24800:14:08,799 –> 00:14:11,559and this Redeemer will be to you24900:14:11,580 –> 00:14:15,859a restorer of life and when the time comes25000:14:15,859 –> 00:14:20,280he will be the nourisher of your old age.25100:14:20,280 –> 00:14:24,059Stay close to him and you will be blessed25200:14:25,000 –> 00:14:27,719all the days of your life.25300:14:28,619 –> 00:14:29,979You’re listening to Open The Bible25400:14:29,979 –> 00:14:33,380with Pastor Colin Smith and a message called Blessing.25500:14:33,380 –> 00:14:36,440It’s part of our series based on the book of Ruth25600:14:36,440 –> 00:14:40,020called ordinary people, extraordinary God.25700:14:40,020 –> 00:14:41,960If you’ve ever missed one of the series25800:14:41,960 –> 00:14:43,960or if you want to go back and listen again25900:14:43,960 –> 00:14:46,460it’s easy to do that by coming to our website26000:14:46,460 –> 00:14:50,440that’s at OpenTheBible.org.uk26100:14:50,440 –> 00:14:52,000or find us as a podcast26200:14:52,000 –> 00:14:54,140and those are on all the main podcast sites.26300:14:54,140 –> 00:14:57,299Again, search for Open The Bible UK.26400:14:57,299 –> 00:14:59,580Here’s Open The Bible’s Amanda Cunningham26500:14:59,580 –> 00:15:03,099to talk about a special Open The Bible presentation26600:15:03,099 –> 00:15:04,179this Easter.26700:15:04,179 –> 00:15:06,979Now I wonder what plans you have for Easter?26800:15:06,979 –> 00:15:08,340At Open The Bible26900:15:08,340 –> 00:15:09,700we have something that might be27000:15:09,940 –> 00:15:11,900of interest to you and your church.27100:15:11,900 –> 00:15:13,580We filmed a one actor27200:15:13,580 –> 00:15:14,919one hour performance27300:15:14,919 –> 00:15:16,780of Colin’s well known book27400:15:16,780 –> 00:15:18,460Heaven How I Got Here27500:15:18,460 –> 00:15:20,979The Story of the Thief on the Cross.27600:15:20,979 –> 00:15:23,159It’s a really powerful gospel message27700:15:23,159 –> 00:15:26,799and we’re making the film available to you for free.27800:15:26,799 –> 00:15:29,780If you’re church wanted to show the film this Easter27900:15:29,780 –> 00:15:33,020we have created a free resource pack to help you.28000:15:33,020 –> 00:15:34,159To find out more28100:15:34,159 –> 00:15:37,940go to OpenTheBible.org.uk28200:15:37,940 –> 00:15:38,859Thanks Amanda.28300:15:38,859 –> 00:15:40,940And that website address again28400:15:40,940 –> 00:15:44,260OpenTheBible.org.uk28500:15:44,260 –> 00:15:45,340back to the message now28600:15:45,340 –> 00:15:47,500we’re in Ruth and Chapter four.28700:15:47,500 –> 00:15:48,679Here’s Colin.28800:15:48,679 –> 00:15:50,380Blessing comes from the Lord.28900:15:51,299 –> 00:15:54,179Blessing comes through the Redeemer.29000:15:54,179 –> 00:15:55,380And then here’s the last thing.29100:15:55,380 –> 00:15:58,580Blessing is for the world.29200:15:58,580 –> 00:16:00,099Verse 17,29300:16:00,099 –> 00:16:02,059the women of the neighborhood gave him29400:16:02,059 –> 00:16:04,219that’s the baby a name,29500:16:04,219 –> 00:16:08,020saying a son has been born to Naomi,29600:16:08,020 –> 00:16:10,580they named him Obed.29700:16:10,580 –> 00:16:12,820And he was the father of Jesse.29800:16:12,820 –> 00:16:14,260And then you feel like there’s got to be a roll29900:16:14,260 –> 00:16:16,820of the drums for the last phrase in this book,30000:16:16,820 –> 00:16:19,820the Father of David,30100:16:19,820 –> 00:16:22,559the great Old Testament King.30200:16:23,799 –> 00:16:26,580Now we’ve seen that the baby born30300:16:26,580 –> 00:16:31,440in Bethlehem is described in these verses as a Redeemer.30400:16:31,440 –> 00:16:35,739Now we’re being told that they named him Obed.30500:16:35,760 –> 00:16:40,059And the name Obed very simply means servant.30600:16:40,059 –> 00:16:45,059So the baby born in Bethlehem was a Redeemer,30700:16:45,239 –> 00:16:48,099and a servant.30800:16:48,099 –> 00:16:53,099And from him comes a future King.30900:16:53,219 –> 00:16:54,940They named him Obed,31000:16:54,940 –> 00:16:57,580and he was the father of Jesse,31100:16:57,580 –> 00:17:00,020the father of David.31200:17:00,820 –> 00:17:03,960Well, what would Ruth have said31300:17:03,960 –> 00:17:07,000if you had told her the refugee31400:17:07,000 –> 00:17:09,140who had come from Moab31500:17:09,140 –> 00:17:13,479that she would end up being the great-grandmother31600:17:13,479 –> 00:17:15,540of Israel’s future King?31700:17:17,900 –> 00:17:20,760And then in these last verses from the Book of Ruth31800:17:20,760 –> 00:17:23,719we’re given the line of descent31900:17:23,719 –> 00:17:28,719all the way from Perez, down to King David.32000:17:29,140 –> 00:17:31,520And when you get to the New Testament,32100:17:31,520 –> 00:17:34,760if you turn over right to the beginning of Matthew’s Gospel32200:17:34,760 –> 00:17:36,959you will see there that the very first verses32300:17:36,959 –> 00:17:40,420of Matthew’s Gospel take up this same genealogy32400:17:40,420 –> 00:17:42,839that we have at the end of the Book of Ruth32500:17:42,839 –> 00:17:45,040and tell us that this is the line32600:17:45,040 –> 00:17:50,040into which Jesus Christ Himself was born.32700:17:50,839 –> 00:17:53,160You see it’s all pointing us32800:17:53,160 –> 00:17:55,040to Jesus the Redeemer,32900:17:55,040 –> 00:17:58,520Jesus who took the form of a servant,33000:17:58,599 –> 00:18:03,599Jesus who is the King of Kings.33100:18:03,859 –> 00:18:07,319And the extraordinary thing is33200:18:07,319 –> 00:18:11,359that Naomi and Boaz and Ruth33300:18:11,359 –> 00:18:15,479would not have died before any of this came to pass.33400:18:15,479 –> 00:18:17,920They could never have known the blessing33500:18:17,920 –> 00:18:19,439that God was going to bring out33600:18:19,439 –> 00:18:21,920of their ordinary lives that were filled33700:18:21,920 –> 00:18:23,800in so many ways with so much pain33800:18:23,800 –> 00:18:26,660and yet were wonderfully redeemed.33900:18:26,660 –> 00:18:31,660God would use this to bring blessing to the whole world.34000:18:34,300 –> 00:18:36,939And in Matthew’s Gospel34100:18:36,939 –> 00:18:39,380where we’re given the line of descent,34200:18:39,380 –> 00:18:43,219we’re given just a little more detail on this line34300:18:43,219 –> 00:18:45,540than we are at the end of Ruth34400:18:45,540 –> 00:18:47,540because in Matthew, chapter one, in verse five,34500:18:47,540 –> 00:18:52,540we’re told that Salman, who was the father of Boaz,34600:18:53,199 –> 00:18:57,920Salman was the father of Boaz by Rahab.34700:19:01,459 –> 00:19:04,920So Rahab was Boaz’ mother.34800:19:06,060 –> 00:19:08,000And then it says that Boaz34900:19:08,000 –> 00:19:12,859was the father of Obed by Ruth.35000:19:12,859 –> 00:19:17,859So both Rahab and Ruth are given an honored mention35100:19:18,300 –> 00:19:22,699in the family line into which35200:19:22,699 –> 00:19:25,500the Lord Jesus Christ was born.35300:19:26,619 –> 00:19:28,819And why is that so significant?35400:19:28,819 –> 00:19:30,300Well, it’s so significant35500:19:30,300 –> 00:19:33,339for this reason that Boaz’ mother,35600:19:33,339 –> 00:19:36,420Rahab, was a Canaanite,35700:19:37,500 –> 00:19:42,339and Boaz’ wife, Ruth, was a Moabite.35800:19:42,500 –> 00:19:45,339And God’s plan and purpose35900:19:45,339 –> 00:19:48,540is that the blessing that comes from Him36000:19:48,540 –> 00:19:52,819and through the Redeemer will reach the whole world.36100:19:54,060 –> 00:19:57,380Remember that God said to Abraham,36200:19:57,380 –> 00:20:00,020I will bless you,36300:20:01,260 –> 00:20:05,699and in you, all the families of the earth36400:20:07,219 –> 00:20:09,939will be blessed.36500:20:10,260 –> 00:20:12,180Will be blessed.36600:20:13,219 –> 00:20:17,260Abraham, the blessing is going to begin with you,36700:20:17,260 –> 00:20:19,420but it’s certainly not going to end with you.36800:20:19,420 –> 00:20:23,900It is for every family on the face of the earth,36900:20:23,900 –> 00:20:26,900and you see, even here in the book of Ruth,37000:20:26,900 –> 00:20:30,979God’s purpose of bringing in the nations,37100:20:30,979 –> 00:20:32,859bringing them into the blessing37200:20:32,859 –> 00:20:34,619that was promised to Abraham,37300:20:34,619 –> 00:20:39,300already, it is being realized through Salmon,37400:20:40,380 –> 00:20:45,380Boaz’s father, Arachab, a Canaanite37500:20:45,780 –> 00:20:49,579is brought into the line of blessing37600:20:49,579 –> 00:20:52,380that will be the means of blessing for the whole world.37700:20:53,300 –> 00:20:58,280And through Boaz’s marriage to Ruth, who was a Moabite,37800:20:58,280 –> 00:21:00,239she also is brought in.37900:21:00,239 –> 00:21:04,660Do you see that God is weaving in this story,38000:21:04,660 –> 00:21:07,439the lives, the loves,38100:21:07,459 –> 00:21:10,839and the losses of these ordinary people,38200:21:10,839 –> 00:21:13,800he’s weaving them into his hidden plan38300:21:13,800 –> 00:21:16,900to bring blessing to the world.38400:21:17,880 –> 00:21:19,040And that is why, you see,38500:21:19,040 –> 00:21:21,479when the Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem38600:21:21,479 –> 00:21:24,439and the angels announced the significance of His birth,38700:21:24,439 –> 00:21:27,800they said, it’s good news of great joy38800:21:27,800 –> 00:21:29,280for who?38900:21:29,280 –> 00:21:30,959All people.39000:21:30,959 –> 00:21:33,400All people.39100:21:33,400 –> 00:21:36,020Jesus is the savior of the world.39200:21:36,079 –> 00:21:38,140And that’s why he sends out his disciples39300:21:38,140 –> 00:21:40,780not over only to Jerusalem and to Judea,39400:21:40,780 –> 00:21:43,579but to Samaria and the ends of the earth.39500:21:43,579 –> 00:21:47,540His blessing is for people of every tribe and tongue39600:21:47,540 –> 00:21:49,939and nation and language.39700:21:49,939 –> 00:21:54,939Joy to the world, the Lord is come!39800:21:55,099 –> 00:21:57,119And the reason it’s joy to the world39900:21:57,119 –> 00:22:01,880is that He comes to make His blessing40000:22:01,880 –> 00:22:06,880flow far as the curse is found.40100:22:10,520 –> 00:22:14,339Blessed be the Lord who has not left us40200:22:16,439 –> 00:22:18,359without a Redeemer.40300:22:18,359 –> 00:22:20,180You’ve been listening to Open The Bible40400:22:20,180 –> 00:22:23,839with Pastor Colin Smith, and a message called Blessing.40500:22:23,839 –> 00:22:26,640It’s part of our series based on the Book of Ruth40600:22:26,640 –> 00:22:29,760called Ordinary People, Extraordinary God,40700:22:29,800 –> 00:22:31,880and if you’ve ever missed one of the series,40800:22:31,880 –> 00:22:34,719you can always catch up or go back and listen again40900:22:34,719 –> 00:22:39,719by coming online to our website openthebible.org.uk.41000:22:39,959 –> 00:22:41,319There you’ll find all the messages41100:22:41,319 –> 00:22:43,359which have already gone out on air.41200:22:43,359 –> 00:22:45,479You can also find them as a podcast41300:22:45,479 –> 00:22:47,400if that’s a better way for you to listen.41400:22:47,400 –> 00:22:49,479And those are on all the main podcast sites41500:22:49,479 –> 00:22:51,359and you can find them by searching41600:22:51,359 –> 00:22:54,000for Open the Bible UK.41700:22:54,000 –> 00:22:56,760Also available as a podcast and on our website41800:22:56,819 –> 00:22:58,359is our daily devotion41900:22:58,359 –> 00:23:01,199and that’s called Open the Bible Daily.42000:23:01,199 –> 00:23:03,560It’s based on Pastor Colin’s teaching42100:23:03,560 –> 00:23:06,140but read in the UK by Sue McLeish42200:23:06,140 –> 00:23:07,599and you’ll find there’s a new42300:23:07,599 –> 00:23:10,599two to three minute reflection every day.42400:23:10,599 –> 00:23:14,400Many Christians find it’s a great way to start the day.42500:23:14,400 –> 00:23:17,280Open the Bible is supported entirely by our listeners.42600:23:17,280 –> 00:23:19,079That’s people just like you.42700:23:19,079 –> 00:23:21,239And if that’s something you’ve been considering doing42800:23:21,239 –> 00:23:24,140and you want to start a new direct debit this month42900:23:24,180 –> 00:23:27,219in the amount of five pounds per month or more43000:23:27,219 –> 00:23:29,819or a one-off gift of 50 pounds or more,43100:23:29,819 –> 00:23:32,939we have a brilliant offer for you this month.43200:23:32,939 –> 00:23:35,819We’ll send you a copy of Lee Strobel’s book,43300:23:35,819 –> 00:23:37,420The Case for Easter.43400:23:37,420 –> 00:23:40,140Along with Pastor Colin Smith’s booklet,43500:23:40,140 –> 00:23:42,339Six Days That Changed The World43600:23:42,339 –> 00:23:45,459as well as a lovely open the bible tote bag43700:23:45,459 –> 00:23:47,540pen and bookmark.43800:23:47,540 –> 00:23:49,520Colin, what is the book about?43900:23:49,520 –> 00:23:53,040Well Christian faith is not a blind leap in the dark44000:23:53,099 –> 00:23:55,560and the compelling evidence on which we can take44100:23:55,560 –> 00:23:57,699a reason step of faith in Jesus44200:23:57,699 –> 00:24:00,140is placed before us in the gospels.44300:24:00,140 –> 00:24:01,680But I think there are many, many people44400:24:01,680 –> 00:24:05,219who’ve never really carefully considered the evidence.44500:24:05,219 –> 00:24:08,920And the case for Easter is about the evidence44600:24:08,920 –> 00:24:11,540for the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.44700:24:11,540 –> 00:24:15,119The author Lee Strobel examines the medical evidence44800:24:15,119 –> 00:24:17,680that Jesus did indeed die,44900:24:17,680 –> 00:24:20,579the evidence of Jesus missing body from the tomb45000:24:20,579 –> 00:24:23,000and of course the evidence of Jesus’ resurrection45100:24:23,180 –> 00:24:24,420and appearances.45200:24:24,420 –> 00:24:27,579It really is a wonderful clear book45300:24:27,579 –> 00:24:29,540that will help Christian believers45400:24:29,540 –> 00:24:32,319know why we believe in the resurrection.45500:24:32,319 –> 00:24:33,599And it will help those who are beginning45600:24:33,599 –> 00:24:35,400to explore Christian faith45700:24:35,400 –> 00:24:38,219to find a pathway to faith in the risen Lord.45800:24:38,219 –> 00:24:40,439We’d love to send you a copy of that book45900:24:40,439 –> 00:24:42,979if you are about to set up a new direct debit46000:24:42,979 –> 00:24:44,599to the work of Open The Bible46100:24:44,599 –> 00:24:47,119in the amount of five pounds per month or more46200:24:47,119 –> 00:24:50,140or one off gift of 50 pounds or more.46300:24:50,280 –> 00:24:52,079Details, terms and conditions46400:24:52,079 –> 00:24:53,380are on our website,46500:24:53,380 –> 00:24:54,979openthebible.org.uk46600:24:56,099 –> 00:24:59,439For Open The Bible and Pastor Colin Smith,46700:24:59,439 –> 00:25:01,239I’m David Pig and I hope you’ll be able46800:25:01,239 –> 00:25:04,979to join us again next time on Open The Bible.46900:25:11,180 –> 00:25:13,859Failing bodies, discouragement in ministry47000:25:13,859 –> 00:25:16,760and loved ones we have lost.47100:25:16,760 –> 00:25:19,959All these are addressed in one chapter in the Bible.47200:25:19,959 –> 00:25:24,040Find out where next time on Open The Bible.