Podcasts about elimelek

Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/354059/episodes/17138348-11-05-25-ruth-part-2-dave-watmore.mp3Everything happens for a reason?·   There is NO accident with God.·   If chance exists, then God doesn't.·   Chance would mean there is something out of His control.·   God ordained it. God either orders it or gives permission.·   We miss miracles sometimes because we label it chance.·   God has left nothing to chance luck or coincidence. ·   God's day to day interactions with you is called providence.·   It goes unseen but He is always working.Ruth 1 v 19 – 22, 2 v 1-3.Recap·   Ruth was married to Naomi and Elimelek's (God is King) son Mahlon (weakness). Boaz means Strength.·   Barley harvest occurs during Passover when the barley is harvested for the poor.·   Naomi has lost her husband and her two sons and decided to return to Israel and Bethlehem where her husband's family came from.·   The whole of scripture points to the work of the Almighty to bring about His plan of redemption.·   God wanted to use Ruth (a gentile) in His redemption plan. Naomi and Elimelek had to go to Moab for Mahlon to meet and marry Ruth, his father, his and Mahlon himself had to die to drive Naomi and Ruth back to Judah/Bethlehem. But there is often bitterness in our daily walk in life.·   Although Naomi had returned with the Ruth showing her love and loyalty and the people of Bethlehem were delighted to see he, she blamed God for the calamity and her bitterness. It's amazing that even though she was railing against the unfairness of God, he does not strike her down and she has the confidence in knowing the kindness and character of God to be able to express that openly without the appearance of fear.·   However, Ruth has a prompt to action and break out of the poverty mentality of her mother – in- law. Cake illustration.·   Toss of a coin at birth – Not by chance. “I don't see that you're working. “My Mum might have prayed for a child after 2 miscarriages.·   Twisted chain of a door. “I don't feel that you're working.” Lesley prayed a prayer for a man she could trust. We both had broken, long term relationships.·   Asking for a family to buy the house. “You never stop working.” Keeping his promises to us and to CitP.Is Jesus showing you what he wants you to do?·   Is that why you had the miracle?·   It's why the miracle happens.The earth is the Lords and everything in it.·   God loves details. ·   Trusting in Gods providence means believing a string of seemingly unrelated events to accomplish a bigger purpose. We don't always understand what He is doing but we don't have to.Isaiah 45:2. It reads, "I will go before you and level the mountains; I will break down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron."““As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”Isaiah 55:9 NIVRomans 8 v 28“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”Romans 8:28 NIV

Ruth - Chapter One Mark kicks off the series on the book of Ruth by exploring the context of the first chapter, the power of names, and a foreshadow of God's  redeeming provision. Discussion Questions 1. What does your name mean? 2. How do you see the use of names and the loss of the meaning of names in this story? 3. What has stayed with you from the sermon- either as encouraging, challenging or confusing?  4. With the few characters we have here, we find archetypes of how people respond to vulnerability and a crisis. How do the following people respond- Elimelek, Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth? 5. What is so astounding about Ruth's actions and words (vv16-18)?  6. As you reflect on all that takes place in chapter one, what do you think this story is about? 

In this Bible Story, Naomi loses everything because of the death of her husband and two sons, and the only person to remain faithful to her was Ruth, her daughter-in-law. Both Ruth and Naomi venture to Bethlehem, Naomi's hometown. There, Ruth works the fields of a kind and noble-man named Boaz. This story is inspired by Ruth 1-2. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Ruth 1:17 from the King James Version.Episode 73: During the time the Judges ruled, we learn of a man named Elimelek, who left the land of Israel during a famine and settled in the land of Moab with his wife Naomi and their two sons. While they were in the land of Moab, Naomi's two sons married and died, as did her husband. Heartbroken, she decided to return to the land of Bethlehem and encouraged her daughters-in-law to stay behind and find new men to marry. But Ruth shows us what faithfulness looks like. She stays with Naomi and comforts her in her time of grieving, even going to live with her in Bethlehem and working in the field of Boaz.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pastor Jeff shares today through the story of Ruth that God is in control of all things and provides for our needs in many ways. Ruth 2:2-3 2 And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” 3 So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.

The book of Ruth opens with the phrase, In the days when the judges ruled to set the stage for Elimelek and his family moving from Bethlehem to Moab. In Moab, Naomi experienced great loss and suffering, leading her to state that the Lord had afflicted her. This sermon on Ruth 1:1-22 was preached by Pastor Philip Thomas at New Life Fellowship Church, Concord, NC, on Sunday, March 30, 2025. Subscribe, Like, and Share the Facebook page and YouTube channel to spread the word about this content and the church.

Today’s Bible Verse: “So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek” — Ruth 2:3

Our text is from Ruth 4:7-10 (Now in earlier times in Israel, for the redemption and transfer of property to become final, one party took off his sandal and gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactions in Israel.) So, the guardian-redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it yourself.” And he removed his sandal. Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, “Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelek, Kilion and Mahlon. I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, Mahlon's widow, as my wife, to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from his hometown. Today you are witnesses!” In ancient Israel, land was God's gift to his people, as promised to Abraham. “The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, ‘Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever” (Genesis 13:14-15). Also, “The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God” (Genesis 17:8). However, the Israelites were not to consider themselves owners of the land, for it belonged to God. Thus, Psalm 24, “The earth is the Lord's and everything in it” (1). So, when Israel entered the land, Joshua divided it among the tribes, clans and families. Each received its own parcel. It was to remain the gift to each family forever. Of course, there might be occasions when land might need to be sold, financial disaster or leaving town as in our story. But that buy out would only be temporary. Regarding this, God instructed, “The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you reside in my land as foreigners and strangers. Throughout the land that you hold as a possession, you must provide for the redemption of the land…It will be returned in the Jubilee, and they can then go back to their property” (Leviticus 25:23-24, 28). The price of land was based on how many years were left before the next Jubilee. These laws stand behind the transaction in the Bethlehem town square. There also seems to be this part, If brothers are living together and one of them dies without a son, his widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband's brother shall take her and marry her and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to her. The first son she bears shall carry on the name of the dead brother so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel (Deuteronomy 25:5-6). God gave Israel these laws so that the people would take care of each other. He owned the land and didn't want it exploited by rich people taking advantage of poor people and widows. As we have already mentioned, neither the kinsman-redeemer, nor Boaz is obligated to carry out this last part. They are too far removed. Yet, Boaz happily announced that he would redeem the property and marry Ruth himself. He would go beyond the letter of the law and gladly carry out its intent. The key word in this chapter is redemption. The words “redeem,” “buy,” and “purchase” are used at least fifteen times. As God redeemed Israel from Egypt, Boaz redeemed Ruth and Naomi, and Jesus redeems us. In Boaz, we get a glimmer of the delight God takes in redeeming us. Like Boaz, the price tag doesn't matter. Go now with God's blessing: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

Meanwhile Boaz went up to the town gate and sat down there just as the guardian-redeemer he had mentioned came along. Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down. Boaz took ten of the elders of the town and said, “Sit here,” and they did so. Then he said to the guardian-redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our relative Elimelek. I thought I should bring the matter to your attention and suggest that you buy it in the presence of these seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, do so. But if you will not, tell me, so I will know. For no one has the right to do it except you, and I am next in line.” “I will redeem it,” he said. Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the dead man's widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property.” At this, the guardian-redeemer said, “Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it.” (Ruth 4:1-6)   Boaz acts precisely as Naomi assumes.  He does not rest until the matter is settled.  But as it turns out—the matter entails a bit of drama. As Pastor Michael noted yesterday, Boaz will wait in trust on the Lord to work this matter through.  For his part, Boaz will trust the proper procedure and the rights of others.  He'll not break the law in pursuit of his aims.  We readers get concerned though, because Boaz appears to be giving up on Naomi and Ruth—indeed, his stubborn submission to the rules almost loses him the right to play a part in their lives at all! Boaz starts off in a different way than we might expect.  He doesn't say a thing about Ruth, but rather presents the matter as Naomi's sale of land.  The man Boaz speaks to jumps on the idea of a new field.  Without hesitation, he declares: “I will redeem it.”  The assumption would have been that Naomi would come with the property being sold.  This was at least part of the work of the guardian-redeemer—to ensure land stayed in the tribe, but also to ensure family members were cared for.  The care of Naomi in her old age would fall to the new owner of the field.  This wouldn't be too difficult though: Naomi was old.  She would not live long.  After she died, the field would remain in the man's own family, bringing profit and an inheritance for his children. But after declaring his intention to redeem, something suddenly changes in the calculus when Boaz adds the rest of the story: “on the day you buy… you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the dead man's widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property.”  At this, the man must refuse.  If he is forced to marry Ruth for the purpose of raising up an heir for Elimelek—this means that the field will not remain in his own family after all!  It will transfer back to Ruth's son.  Noami, Ruth, and any children Ruth has will need to be supported by the land, and then the land will be gone, meaning their support has to come from the man's current estate.  Should Ruth have any additional children after the firstborn dedicated to taking on the inheritance of Elimelek, it's also possible that those future children would have a claim on the man's current inheritance—thinning it out further.  So the man refuses to redeem the land.  Not because he is stingy or heartless, but because he knows the math and is responsible with what the Lord has given him.  This is the key in the text.  As with Orpah turning from Naomi to go back to her own home, so it is with this unnamed man of chapter 4.  Both of them are utterly sensible.  They show a perfectly ordinary and responsible amount of hesed kindness, stewardship, and care.  The text does not fault either of them.  But by setting Boaz and Ruth next to this pair of sensible people—it says “just look at the extraordinary hesed kindness and generosity of these two!”  Boaz and Ruth go above the expectation, they risk everything, and are willing to give anything.  In just this way, they tell us something of God's own extraordinarily generous and risky ways of redemption that will bring rest to his people.       As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:     May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you : wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing : once again into our doors.  

Now Naomi had a relative on her husband's side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek. Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, “The Lord be with you!” “The Lord bless you!” they answered. Boaz asked the overseer of his harvesters, “Who does that young woman belong to?” The overseer replied, “She is the Moabite who came back from Moab with Naomi. She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.' She came into the field and has remained here from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.” So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don't go and glean in another field and don't go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me. Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled” (Ruth 2:1-9).   Let me start with an aside: here we find the inspiration for the words from our Lord's Supper practice: “The Lord be with you!” Boaz says.  “The Lord bless you!” replies his workers.  Whenever we speak these words during the Lord's Supper—your mind should come here, to the barley harvest.  It is God's full-ripened provision and redemption for his people.  A moment of joy.  God's whole good news story of Ruth and her place in King David and King Jesus' family lines is evoked every time we speak these words of greeting. As we enter chapter 2, then, we've come from the death and desolations of Moab to the fully ripe house of bread where there is provision enough.   Yet not everything is sure.  Ruth is bold and determined to support her and Naomi in this new home.  But the fact that she is a Moabite rings out a few times—she's not from around here.  Will that become a problem?  A number of times across this chapter, Boaz will ensure that “no one lays a hand” on Ruth.  Did they otherwise want to?  Gleaning was a practice established in the law God gave his people.  In Leviticus 23:22 for instance, it says this: “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner residing among you. I am the Lord your God.'”  The trick of course, is that the law does not say how big the edges and gleanings you leave in your field ought to be.  Each landowner had to decide for themselves how generous they would be with the harvest God had given them.  It's also true that Israel didn't always follow its own law.  Gleanings were designated for the poor and the foreigner.  Ruth was both.  And yet her safety as a foreigner was not guaranteed until Boaz himself came to guarantee it.  Upon his arrival, we find out that in his field, the law would be upheld—the foreigner, protected. Provision for the poor, protection for the foreigner—these were gifts of God to Ruth, through the righteousness and generosity of Boaz.  It is God who manages the happenstance of Ruth winding up in Boaz's field.  It is God's gift of the law and the land that sets the context for Boaz's protection and provision for Ruth.  What about us?  All the things that you have are gifts of God.  How generous will you be with them?  As so many Immanuelites have shown over the years—we also have a lot of power that can be stewarded to protecting and providing for newcomers from foreign lands.  How can you join this good work of ensuring the foreigners among us receive God's protection? We never know the part that we might play in God's stories of redemption, but the invitation is always there—every time ordinary life and “happenstance” bring a new gift or opportunity.  So be looking for them.   As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:     May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you : wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing : once again into our doors.

Our text is from Ruth 1:6-13 While Naomi was in Moab, she heard that the Lord had helped his people. He had begun to provide food for them again. So, Naomi and her two daughters-in-law prepared to go from Moab back to her home. She left the place where she had been living. Her daughters-in-law went with her. They started out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah. Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Both of you go back. Each of you go to your own mother's home. You were kind to your husbands, who have died. You have also been kind to me. So may the Lord be just as kind to you. May the Lord help each of you find rest in the home of another husband.” Then she kissed them goodbye. They broke down and wept loudly. They said to her, “We'll go back to your people with you.” But Naomi said, “Go home, my daughters. Why would you want to come with me? Am I going to have any more sons who could become your husbands? Go home, my daughters. I'm too old to have another husband. Suppose I thought there was still some hope for me. Suppose I married a man tonight. And later I had sons by him. Would you wait until they grew up? Would you stay single until you could marry them? No, my daughters. My life is more bitter than yours. The Lord's power has turned against me!” Yesterday, Pastor Anthony reflected on the chunky soup of God's holistic salvation, rich with real meat and vegetables! Good soup is more enjoyable when accompanied with freshly baked bread, our appetites having been whetted by the aromas of the oven mingling with the savory scents of the stove top. I have good memories of Saturday mornings with my hands deep in a sink full of dough, kneading and kneading. Ten people sat around our kitchen table, devouring that bread. Saturday morning bread baking was a necessity. Bread was and is a staple. It fed the people of Naomi's day, of Jesus' day, and much of the world today. And here we begin to see the messes that sin brings into human living. Messes for which we need a saviour. The story begins in Bethlehem. The word literally means, “the house of bread”. But there is no bread. There is famine. The granaries are empty, the fields are bare, the harvesters have no work. That's why Elimelek took his wife and sons to Moah. It was the days of the judges, when “everyone did what they saw fit” (Judges 21:25), the last word of the book of Judges. This was a time of national disobedience. Israel did not follow God's ways. As a result, God withheld the blessings of the covenant. The world was created good and full of life. Sin causes deprivation. There is not enough to go around. Elimelek goes to look for bread in places he should not go. Moab was not a place where an Israelite ought to look for help. But this is not a story about Elimelek. Its not a story about Israel's disobedience. Even though Ruth is mentioned in Matthew's genealogy; our main character is Naomi. Already in verse 3, we find something odd, “Elimelek, Naomi's husband”. In this story, he becomes subordinate to his wife, making her the main character. He dies, his sons marry Moabite women, another “no, no”. They die. And then this in the Hebrew text, “the woman was left bereft…the woman started to return…” (5,6). This is a story about a woman in a man's world. With her husband and sons dead, this woman is in a foreign country with without income or support. She decides to return home, to cast her lot in with her own people and her own God. Will she find anyone to care for her there? Will Israel's God save her? This is the question we are invited to ask as we journey with Naomi back to her home. This is a story about a voiceless woman in a male world. God has come to the aid of his people, but will he come to the aid of a woman like Naomi? Will there be bread for her in Bethlehem, ‘the house of bread?' How thick is the soup of God's redemption? Is it savoury enough to redeem a woman like Naomi? She senses the hand of God is against her. Will it stay that way? This is our Advent story. For today, go with God's blessing: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man's name was Elimelek, his wife's name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there. Now Elimelek, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband. (Ruth 1:1-5) Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David. (Matthew 1:5-6) She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)   This Advent season, we'll be walking through the short, four-chapter Old Testament book of Ruth. Matthew includes Ruth in his genealogy of Jesus at the opening of his Gospel.  She is fully part of the Christmas story along with three other women, but why is she there?  Perhaps it is because each of the women included tells a unique story of God's salvation, and not of the sort that we usually consider.  Matthew tells us through the angel's words that the baby born to Joseph and Mary is to be named “Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”  When we hear this, we get the sense that Jesus has come to clear away our record of sin in the court of God's law, so that when we stand at the pearly gates and God says “why ought I let you into my heaven,” we can point to Jesus and get through to eternal bliss.  Now: this is a true part of the story indeed, but it is also a horribly flat reduction of the story—unable to bear the weight of real human lives.  If the lives we live equate to nothing more than a cold courtroom scene where with the right passcode (Jesus!) can get you through to an equally sterile eternity of who-knows-what—I'm not sure I want in.  If we are to have a hope that we can hang onto and hold out to others, it has to be a little thicker soup than that.    Thanks be to God: the soup is indeed thicker.  Chunky even with real meat and vegetables! The women of Matthew's genealogy put some flesh on these bones of “Jesus saving his people from sin” so that we can understand a bit better what it actually looks like.  Not just at the end of life: but already now, here, in the real unresolved messes of our human lives as we live them.  Jesus' saving of his people from sin includes the legal case, yes, but also the effects of sin and the curse on all of Creation, including on our marriages, families, workplaces, moves, and more.    The opening verses of Ruth set the stage for this holistic redemption of God to unfold.  It will take place in the life of a woman whose lost everything: her home country, her husband, her sons, and with these men, also her provision, security, and place in society.  Her plight is not because of any sin that she has committed, we note, but simply because of her life in a yet sin-broken and cursed Creation.  Her sons' names mean “sickness” and “wasting away:” these are the impacts of sin on Naomi's life.  So in the life of this refugee who has lost everything, can salvation come?  Join us as we find out how.   As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:     May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you : wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing : once again into our doors.

Today our text comes from Ruth 3:14-4:17. This week began reflecting on the extreme actions of a widow's generosity under the rule of religious leaders who “devoured widow's houses.”  She gave more than all the rich: all she had to live on.  Today, we hear of the scandalous actions of another widow who risked much to seek the redemption of her family.  In doing so, Ruth joined the family line of Jesus alongside of other scandalous widows who nevertheless sought justice and redemption from God, like Tamar. May God bless you as you hear his word today.   14 So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he said, “No one must know that a woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 He also said, “Bring me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he poured into it six measures of barley and placed the bundle on her. Then he went back to town. 16 When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “How did it go, my daughter?” Then she told her everything Boaz had done for her 17 and added, “He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, ‘Don't go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.'” 18 Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.” Meanwhile Boaz went up to the town gate and sat down there just as the guardian-redeemer he had mentioned came along. Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down. 2 Boaz took ten of the elders of the town and said, “Sit here,” and they did so. 3 Then he said to the guardian-redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our relative Elimelek. 4 I thought I should bring the matter to your attention and suggest that you buy it in the presence of these seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, do so. But if you will not, tell me, so I will know. For no one has the right to do it except you, and I am next in line.” “I will redeem it,” he said. 5 Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the[c] dead man's widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property.” 6 At this, the guardian-redeemer said, “Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it.” 7 (Now in earlier times in Israel, for the redemption and transfer of property to become final, one party took off his sandal and gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactions in Israel.) 8 So the guardian-redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it yourself.” And he removed his sandal. 9 Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, “Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelek, Kilion and Mahlon. 10 I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, Mahlon's widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from his hometown. Today you are witnesses!” 11 Then the elders and all the people at the gate said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the family of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. 12 Through the offspring the Lord gives you by this young woman, may your family be like that of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah.” 13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. 14 The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! 15 He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.” 16 Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. 17 The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.     This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.   As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:     Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping, That awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep rest in his peace. May Almighty God bless, preserve, and keep us, this day and forevermore. Amen.

Dr. Brian Hill (Senior Pastor), "Lessons From the Book of Ruth:  Life of Generosity", Modern Worship Praise Team (11:15 Service).1.  Now Naomi had a relative on her husband's side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz.2.  And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.”  Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.”3.  So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.  4..  Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, “The Lord be with you!”  “The Lord bless you!” they answered.  5.  Boaz asked the overseer of his harvesters, “Who does that young woman belong to?”  6.  The overseer replied, “She is the Moabite who came back from Moab with Naomi.  7.  She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.' She came into the field and has remained here from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.”8.  So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don't go and glean in another field and don't go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me.  9.  Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.”  10.  At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”  11.  Boaz replied, “I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before.  12.  May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”  13.  “May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord,” she said. “You have put me at ease by speaking kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servants.”14.  At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.”  When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over. 15.  As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, “Let her gather among the sheaves and don't reprimand her.  16.  Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don't rebuke her.”17.  So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah.           (Ruth 2:1-18 NIV)

Dr. Brian Hill (Senior Pastor), "Lessons From the Book of Ruth:  Life of Generosity", Orchestra, Choir, Blended Worship Praise Team (8:45 Service).1.  Now Naomi had a relative on her husband's side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz.2.  And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.”  Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.”3.  So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.  4..  Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, “The Lord be with you!”  “The Lord bless you!” they answered.  5.  Boaz asked the overseer of his harvesters, “Who does that young woman belong to?”  6.  The overseer replied, “She is the Moabite who came back from Moab with Naomi.  7.  She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.' She came into the field and has remained here from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.”8.  So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don't go and glean in another field and don't go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me.  9.  Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.”  10.  At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”  11.  Boaz replied, “I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before.  12.  May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”  13.  “May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord,” she said. “You have put me at ease by speaking kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servants.”14.  At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.”  When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over. 15.  As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, “Let her gather among the sheaves and don't reprimand her.  16.  Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don't rebuke her.”17.  So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah.           (Ruth 2:1-18 NIV)

Dr. Brian Hill (Senior Pastor), "Lessons From the Book of Ruth:  Life of Generosity".1.  Now Naomi had a relative on her husband's side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz.2.  And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.”  Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.”3.  So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.  4..  Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, “The Lord be with you!”  “The Lord bless you!” they answered.  5.  Boaz asked the overseer of his harvesters, “Who does that young woman belong to?”  6.  The overseer replied, “She is the Moabite who came back from Moab with Naomi.  7.  She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.' She came into the field and has remained here from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.”8.  So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don't go and glean in another field and don't go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me.  9.  Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.”  10.  At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”  11.  Boaz replied, “I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before.  12.  May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”  13.  “May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord,” she said. “You have put me at ease by speaking kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servants.”14.  At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.”  When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over. 15.  As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, “Let her gather among the sheaves and don't reprimand her.  16.  Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don't rebuke her.”17.  So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah.           (Ruth 2:1-18 NIV)

Dr. Brian Hill (Senior Pastor), "Lessons From the Book of Ruth:  Life of Generosity", Modern Worship Praise Team (11:15 Service).1.  Now Naomi had a relative on her husband's side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz.2.  And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.”  Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.”3.  So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.  4..  Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, “The Lord be with you!”  “The Lord bless you!” they answered.  5.  Boaz asked the overseer of his harvesters, “Who does that young woman belong to?”  6.  The overseer replied, “She is the Moabite who came back from Moab with Naomi.  7.  She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.' She came into the field and has remained here from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.”8.  So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don't go and glean in another field and don't go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me.  9.  Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.”  10.  At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”  11.  Boaz replied, “I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before.  12.  May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”  13.  “May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord,” she said. “You have put me at ease by speaking kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servants.”14.  At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.”  When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over. 15.  As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, “Let her gather among the sheaves and don't reprimand her.  16.  Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don't rebuke her.”17.  So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah.           (Ruth 2:1-18 NIV)

Dr. Brian Hill (Senior Pastor), "Lessons From the Book of Ruth:  Life of Generosity", Orchestra, Choir, Blended Worship Praise Team (8:45 Service).1.  Now Naomi had a relative on her husband's side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz.2.  And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.”  Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.”3.  So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.  4..  Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, “The Lord be with you!”  “The Lord bless you!” they answered.  5.  Boaz asked the overseer of his harvesters, “Who does that young woman belong to?”  6.  The overseer replied, “She is the Moabite who came back from Moab with Naomi.  7.  She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.' She came into the field and has remained here from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.”8.  So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don't go and glean in another field and don't go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me.  9.  Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.”  10.  At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”  11.  Boaz replied, “I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before.  12.  May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”  13.  “May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord,” she said. “You have put me at ease by speaking kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servants.”14.  At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.”  When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over. 15.  As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, “Let her gather among the sheaves and don't reprimand her.  16.  Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don't rebuke her.”17.  So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah.           (Ruth 2:1-18 NIV)

Dr. Brian Hill (Senior Pastor), "Lessons From the Book of Ruth:  Life of Generosity".1.  Now Naomi had a relative on her husband's side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz.2.  And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.”  Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.”3.  So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.  4..  Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, “The Lord be with you!”  “The Lord bless you!” they answered.  5.  Boaz asked the overseer of his harvesters, “Who does that young woman belong to?”  6.  The overseer replied, “She is the Moabite who came back from Moab with Naomi.  7.  She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.' She came into the field and has remained here from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.”8.  So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don't go and glean in another field and don't go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me.  9.  Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.”  10.  At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”  11.  Boaz replied, “I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before.  12.  May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”  13.  “May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord,” she said. “You have put me at ease by speaking kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servants.”14.  At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.”  When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over. 15.  As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, “Let her gather among the sheaves and don't reprimand her.  16.  Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don't rebuke her.”17.  So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah.           (Ruth 2:1-18 NIV)

Dr. Brian Hill (Senior Pastor), "When Hard Times Come:  Ruth 1", Video Presentation, Modern Worship Praise Team (11:15 Service).1.  In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. 2. The man's name was Elimelek, his wife's name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.3.  Now Elimelek, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, 5. both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.6.  When Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. 7. With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.8. Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother's home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. 9. May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.”Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept aloud 10. and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.”11. But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? 12. Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— 13. would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord's hand has turned against me!”14. At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.15. “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”16. But Ruth replied, “Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.  17. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” 18. When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.19. So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?”20. “Don't call me Naomi,[b]” she told them. “Call me Mara,[c] because the Almighty[d] has made my life very bitter. 21. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted[e] me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”22. So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.            (Ruth 1:1-22 NIV) 

Dr. Brian Hill (Senior Pastor), "When Hard Times Come:  Ruth 1", Choir, Video Presentation, Blended Worship Praise Team (8:45 Service).1.  In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. 2. The man's name was Elimelek, his wife's name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.3.  Now Elimelek, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, 5. both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.6.  When Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. 7. With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.8. Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother's home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. 9. May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.”Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept aloud 10. and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.”11. But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? 12. Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— 13. would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord's hand has turned against me!”14. At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.15. “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”16. But Ruth replied, “Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.  17. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” 18. When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.19. So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?”20. “Don't call me Naomi,[b]” she told them. “Call me Mara,[c] because the Almighty[d] has made my life very bitter. 21. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted[e] me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”22. So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.            (Ruth 1:1-22 NIV) 

Dr. Brian Hill (Senior Pastor), "When Hard Times Come:  Ruth 1".1.  In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. 2. The man's name was Elimelek, his wife's name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.3.  Now Elimelek, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, 5. both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.6.  When Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. 7. With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.8. Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother's home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. 9. May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.”Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept aloud 10. and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.”11. But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? 12. Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— 13. would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord's hand has turned against me!”14. At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.15. “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”16. But Ruth replied, “Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.  17. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” 18. When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.19. So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?”20. “Don't call me Naomi,[b]” she told them. “Call me Mara,[c] because the Almighty[d] has made my life very bitter. 21. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted[e] me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”22. So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.            (Ruth 1:1-22 NIV) 

Ruth and Her Guardian-Redeemer (Ruth): In the stunning conclusion, Boaz legally becomes the guardian-redeemer, Boaz and Ruth get married, and a new baby provides redemption for Naomi. But the Lord was doing much more than providing a "happily ever after." As the ultimate Guardian-Redeemer, God was doing immeasurably more than anything they asked or imagined! Recorded on Aug 25, 2024, on Ruth 4:1-22 by Pastor David Parks. This sermon is part of the series Ruth: The Love of a Redeemer. In the Bible, the book of Ruth tells the story of a family that experienced a series of bitter tragedies. But through loyalty, integrity, and faithful love (hesed), they find unexpected redemption, restoration, and hope. Our God is a redeemer. Sermon Transcript So, all month, we've been working through a series on the OT book of Ruth called The Love of a Redeemer. As we've seen, Ruth is all about facing the bitter tragedies of life by leaning on the hesed, or the steadfast loving-kindness of God, but also on the men and women in our lives who have the character and integrity to reflect this kind of redeeming love to us. The Bible, from cover to cover, is a redemption story. And sometimes, the people of the Bible, people like Ruth and Boaz, reflect the redemptive love that God ultimately gives through Jesus Christ, his son. I do hope this short series has been helpful to you. I've really enjoyed it personally. But today, in Act 4 of our play, we'll see this inspiring story come to its conclusion. We'll see that the covenant love (hesed) of Boaz would make the cost of redemption a joy, not a burden. But also, we'll see that the redeeming work that God was doing would have an impact far beyond the lives of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz. God was doing something so much greater than anyone could ever imagine! If you have your Bible/app, please open it to Ruth 4:1.But before we jump back in, let me give you a little context. So, last week, we saw that, at Naomi's suggestion, Ruth got dressed up nice, put on some perfume, and went down to the threshing floor when Boaz and the others were winnowing the grain they had harvested. Ruth pulled off what seemed to be a sketchy plan to go to Boaz at night and let him know that she was interested in him as more than a friend, shall we say? But when Boaz woke up and realized Ruth was there, she boldly asked him if he would be willing to serve as her guardian-redeemer. Now, we'll see more about what exactly she was asking of him today. But instead of taking advantage of Ruth there on the threshing floor, Boaz was blown away and responded with a blessing, telling her he would do everything she asked. But there was one potential problem: there was another who was a closer relative to Elimelek who, according to their custom, should have the first opportunity to be the guardian-redeemer ahead of Boaz. But Boaz would not rest until the matter was settled the very next day. Now, we have Act 4, scene 1. Ruth 4:1–4 (NIV), “1 Meanwhile Boaz went up to the town gate and sat down there just as the guardian-redeemer he had mentioned came along. Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down. 2 Boaz took ten of the elders of the town and said, “Sit here,” and they did so. 3 Then he said to the guardian-redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our relative Elimelek. 4 I thought I should bring the matter to your attention and suggest that you buy it in the presence of these seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, do so. But if you will not, tell me, so I will know. For no one has the right to do it except you, and I am next in line.” “I will redeem it,” he said.” Uh oh. Ok! So Boaz went up from the threshing floor to the town gate. Now, I mentioned last week that Ruth clearly embodied the “wife of noble character” described in Proverbs 31. Proverbs 31:23 says of this kind of woman,

Ruth and Naomi (Ruth): When dealing with the tragedies of this broken world, it's hard not to let those bitter experiences define you. Due to a famine in Judah, Naomi's family moved to the foreign country of Moab. However, when Naomi's husband and both her sons died there, she decided to return home to Bethlehem. Unexpectedly, Ruth, one of Naomi's daughters-in-law, made the beautifully brave decision to commit her life to love and care for Naomi, even in her bitterness. In the end, the faithful, sacrificial love of Ruth points to the greater love of Jesus. Recorded on Aug 4, 2024, on Ruth 1:1-22 by Pastor David Parks. This sermon is part of the series Ruth: The Love of a Redeemer. In the Bible, the book of Ruth tells the story of a family that experienced a series of bitter tragedies. But through loyalty, integrity, and faithful love (hesed), they find unexpected redemption, restoration, and hope. Our God is a redeemer. Sermon Transcript For the next month, we'll be working through a series on the OT book of Ruth called The Love of a Redeemer. In the Bible, the book of Ruth tells the story of a family that experienced a series of bitter tragedies. But through loyalty, integrity, and faithful love, they find unexpected redemption, restoration, and hope. Now, this is an ancient story, well over 3,000 years old, and is an absolute masterwork of ancient literature. But because it's so well-told, this ancient story is just as powerful for us today. Because how can we face the tragedies of this broken world? How can we remain faithful, find healing, and avoid becoming embittered or resentful when we experience a great loss? Can we ever recover our joy and peace after enduring real pain and suffering? The answer in the book of Ruth is found in the difficult-to-translate Hebrew word: hesed. But for now, if you have your Bible/app, please open it to Ruth 1:1. This is Act 1, scene 1 of our story. Ruth 1:1–2 (NIV), “1 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. 2 The man's name was Elimelek, his wife's name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.” V. 1 places us in a certain period of history for ancient Israel. “…the days when the judges ruled” took place after the Exodus but before the time of the ancient kings of Israel — probably about 3,200 years ago. The book of Judges takes place during the same time as Ruth but paints a very bleak picture. However, Ruth reveals that not everyone was corrupt or faithless during this dark time. There were good men and women who were faithful to God and his word despite their difficult circumstances. But here, in the opening scene of our story, we're introduced to a family from Bethlehem in Judah. There was a man named Elimelek, his wife, Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Kilion, but there was a problem. There was a famine in the land. Now, ironically, Bethlehem means “house of food” or “house of bread” in the Hebrew language. Because of the famine, the house of bread was empty. So the man decided to move his family to live for a while (sojourn) in Moab. If we look at a map, we can see that Bethlehem was a small town about five miles south of the city of Jerusalem in the southern region of Canaan, known as Judah. Moab was the country to the east of the Dead Sea and had a violent history with Israel. They were not historically friendly. Now, if there was some disaster that happened in Wisconsin, we wouldn't think anything of moving to another state to escape it, right? There would be no moral question about that move. But for ancient Israel, it was not necessarily a good thing for this family to move to Moab. According to the Mosaic Law, a famine in the Promised Land was God's judgment against his people. Now,

“Boaz took ten of the elders of the town and said, “Sit here,” and they did so. Then he said to the guardian-redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our relative Elimelek. I thought I should bring the matter to your attention and suggest that you buy it in the presence of these seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, do so. But if you will not ...” (Ruth 4) Part 3 of 3 Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com   Donate: www.walkintruth.com

“Boaz took ten of the elders of the town and said, “Sit here,” and they did so. Then he said to the guardian-redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our relative Elimelek. I thought I should bring the matter to your attention and suggest that you buy it in the presence of these seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, do so. But if you will not ...” (Ruth 4) Part 2 of 3 Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com   Donate: www.walkintruth.com

“Boaz took ten of the elders of the town and said, “Sit here,” and they did so. Then he said to the guardian-redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our relative Elimelek. I thought I should bring the matter to your attention and suggest that you buy it in the presence of these seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, do so. But if you[b] will not ...” (Ruth 4) Part 1 of 3 Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com   Donate: www.walkintruth.com

“Now Naomi had a relative on her husband's side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter...” (Ruth 2) Part 3 of 3 Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com   Donate: www.walkintruth.com

“Now Naomi had a relative on her husband's side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter...” (Ruth 2) Part 2 of 3 Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com   Donate: www.walkintruth.com

“Now Naomi had a relative on her husband's side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter...” (Ruth 2) Part 1 of 3 Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com   Donate: www.walkintruth.com

“In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man's name was Elimelek, his wife's name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there....” (Ruth 1) Part 3 of 3 Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com   Donate: www.walkintruth.com

“In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man's name was Elimelek, his wife's name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there....” (Ruth 1) Part 2 of 3 Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com   Donate: www.walkintruth.com

“In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man's name was Elimelek, his wife's name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there....” (Ruth 1) Part 1 of 3 Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com   Donate: www.walkintruth.com

“The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself. . . .” — Leviticus 19:34 The Bible includes a number of stories about God's people fleeing their homes to find refuge elsewhere. Abram and Sarai took refuge in Egypt because of a famine (Genesis 12:10). So did Jacob and his whole clan (Genesis 46). Elimelek and Naomi did something similar (Ruth 1:1-2). Jacob had also fled for his life after stealing his brother's birthright (Genesis 27:41-44). And Joseph and Mary fled with baby Jesus when King Herod sent soldiers to kill him (Matthew 2). As we read these stories, we are relieved to find God's people welcomed into foreign lands! The Bible also instructs God's people on how to treat foreigners. Leviticus 19:34 makes clear that the foreigner was to have the same legal protection as the native-born Israelite. Like a neighbor, the foreigner was also to be loved as oneself! Our world remains a place where countless people flee from one place to another. Escaping from war, famine, persecution, and poverty, millions of people are on the move. Is there any reason to think that God would have his people treat foreigners differently today than long ago? In what ways can we show God's love and care for the foreigners among us? Lord, help us to love foreigners as we love ourselves. Please help us to see each person we meet as your imagebearer, and to love everyone as you love us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

In this Bible Story, Naomi loses everything because of the death of her husband and two sons, and the only person to remain faithful to her was Ruth, her daughter-in-law. Both Ruth and Naomi venture to Bethlehem, Naomi's hometown. There, Ruth works the fields of a kind and noble-man named Boaz. This story is inspired by Ruth 1-2. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Ruth 1:17 from the King James Version.Episode 73: During the time the Judges ruled, we learn of a man named Elimelek, who left the land of Israel during a famine and settled in the land of Moab with his wife Naomi and their two sons. While they were in the land of Moab, Naomi's two sons married and died, as did her husband. Heartbroken, she decided to return to the land of Bethlehem and encouraged her daughters-in-law to stay behind and find new men to marry. But Ruth shows us what faithfulness looks like. She stays with Naomi and comforts her in her time of grieving, even going to live with her in Bethlehem and working in the field of Boaz.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Audio recordingSermon manuscript:I'd like to begin tonight by orienting ourselves. Last week we heard the first two chapters of the book of Ruth. The two most important people in this book are Naomi and Ruth. Naomi used to live near Bethlehem with her husband and two sons, but they needed to leave when a famine came on the land. They had to move to Moab. As they were living in Moab, Naomi's two sons married Moabite women named Orpah and Ruth. Not long after that all three husbands died. Naomi's husband died. Orpah's husband died. Ruth's husband died. The women were left alone in their widowhood. This was an especially vulnerable situation to be in during ancient times. Men worked to provide for the family. They also protected the family. Naomi, Orpah and Ruth were poor and extremely vulnerable. What I focused on during last week's sermon was how Naomi and Ruth, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, loved one another. Naomi urged her daughters-in-law to go back to their homes, to marry new husbands, and allow Naomi to fend for herself. This was sensible advice. It was their best shot at happiness. Ruth, however, refused to leave Naomi. Wherever Naomi would go Ruth would go. Where Naomi then went was back home. The famine by this time was over. When Elimelek was still living, Naomi and he farmed some land near Bethlehem. Bethlehem was home. So Naomi and Ruth went to Bethlehem. When Naomi and Ruth arrived, they needed to have a way to support themselves. Neither of them had two nickels to rub together. Naomi was old and frail. So it fell upon Ruth to work and support them both. The job she took was very lowly—the kind of work that beggars do. She was a gleaner of the fields. Being a gleaner meant that you would go through the field after it was harvested and pick up the leftovers. If the harvesters missed some grain at the side of the field, the gleaners could harvest that for themselves. Or if some stalks fell out of a bundle, the gleaners could take that for themselves. The gleaners didn't have a right to take what they wanted. They could only take what was left over. The good thing, though, was that Ruth ended up being a gleaner in the right field. The owner of the field ended up being a relative of Naomi's. His name was Boaz. He was also a redeemer, which I'll explain in a moment. It was good that Ruth worked in Boaz's field because Boaz treated Ruth kindly. He commanded his workers to allow Ruth to work right next to the harvesters. He even told them purposely to drop so stalks. Boaz wanted Ruth's gleaning to be worth her time, and it was. When she came home to Ruth with what she had gleaned, Naomi was thrilled. Now I mentioned that Boaz was a redeemer. Our reading tonight was very much about the redemption process that Boaz underwent for the benefit of Naomi and Ruth. So what is this redeeming about? To understand it, you need to know that loans and the ownership of property worked differently in Israel than how they work among us. God stipulated in his Law how the Israelites needed to handle these things. Basically nobody owned land in Israel, according to God's Law. God was the owner of all the land. The people leased the ability to live on the land and work it from God. Now if there came a time when the people who lived on the land came into financial difficulty, they could sell their right to work the land to somebody else, but this was always only a temporary arrangement.   The family who sold their right to work the land could get their original land back in two ways. One way was by what was called the jubilee year. Every 50 years was a jubilee year. During that year all debts were cancelled. The selling of rights to the land was cancelled. Then the family who originally owned the land would get it back, free and clear. The other way that a family could get their land back was by a redeemer. This is what happened with Naomi and Ruth. Naomi and her late husband Elimelek had some land near Bethlehem years ago. When the famine came, they must have sold their rights to that land to somebody else when they moved to Moab. Naomi still had a right to that land, but the debt needed to be redeemed. More prosperous relatives were able to redeem their poorer relatives to restore them to the land. So in our reading tonight we heard about how Boaz set about redeeming Naomi's land, which also meant that these widows would come under his wing. Ruth would become his wife. This was a big commitment. It would be expensive for Boaz. He also would be taking on the responsibility of caring for these women. But this was something that Boaz was happy to do, because, as you heard, he loved Ruth. The real driver behind our story tonight is not the peculiarities the Law that God gave to Israel about debt and property. It's a love story. Last week I talked about the love that existed between Naomi and Ruth. Tonight we heard about the marital love that Ruth had for Boaz, and Boaz for Ruth. For the love of Ruth Boaz redeemed Naomi and her. He had to play his cards right to do that, because a closer relative had the ability to redeem them too. Boaz had to meet with the council, and that's where there was that strange exchange of a sandal. Long story short, Boaz did play his cards right. They married, and in this way God provided for Naomi and Ruth—lifting them out of poverty and danger. They were even blessed for generations after them. King David would be born from this line. This also means that Ruth and Boaz are Jesus's ancestors too. Now as we look to how we might apply what we've heard to our own time and place, I'd like to talk about something that pastors don't talk about very much—the importance of marrying a good spouse. God's Word actually speaks about this in many places, and with many examples, both good and bad. One of the most important factors for people's life of faith is the person they marry—either for good and for ill. A godly, pious spouse is very powerful for helping the other retain his or her faith. On the other hand, an impious spouse will be a powerful hindrance to living faithfully. And this is not only the case for the spouses themselves. It also has its effect on the coming generations. This is easily proven. When both husband and wife are pious, faithful, church-goers, they are going to raise their children the same way. Boys learn how to be husbands and fathers from their dads. Girls learn how to be wives and mothers from their moms. As the Proverb says: Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. On the other hand, when moms and dads are not on the same page when it comes to their faith and attending church, the coming generations will have mixed signals about how to live and what to do. If mom and dad don't attend church, the children won't either. By the time the second or third generation is born, the children might not even be baptized and confirmed. So we should be wise and serious about marriage. We can speak about this negatively and positively. Negatively speaking, Christians should not continue in relationships where their potential spouse is not Christian, does not want to become a Christian, or doesn't actively live a Christian life. Being a Christian is not just saying that you believe in God or in Christ. It also means that you repent of sins, believe in Jesus, and want to do better. It means that you are active in your congregation—helping your fellow congregation members, even as they help you. If the person you are dating is not an active Christian and does not want to become one, then the relationship should end. Positively speaking, Christians should, first of all, pray for God to give them a godly spouse. You parents and grandparents should pray for godly spouses for your children and grandchildren. There's nothing more beneficial you could ask for them. And then, second of all, when an opportunity presents itself to marry a pious Christian, don't just sit on your hands. Get out there and make it happen. We see good examples of this with Ruth and Boaz. When Naomi heard about Boaz, I bet you her wheels started turning immediately. Notice how she encouraged Ruth to go to Boaz and to make known her affection for him. Naomi was a matchmaker. Being a matchmaker is no sin. Making known your affection is no sin. It's risky, of course. Hearts can be broken. But even in a situation where things do not turn out how we would want, it is better to try and fail than to never try at all. If I may be so bold, I'd even like to speak personally. I was captivated by Jana from the moment I first laid eyes on her. The feeling, however, was not mutual. When eventually, years later, I made known to her my long-standing affection in an email, she was not immediately on board. But, being wise, she talked to her father about it, and I'm glad she did. He basically said to her, don't be too hasty. Give it a chance. Long story short, less than a year later we were married. I hope that she hasn't been too disappointed; I know that I haven't been. If it hadn't been for my father-in-law, who knows if we would have gotten married. So romantic relationships do not need to be only how they get depicted in movies or sung about in songs. Movies and songs can be a lot of fun, but that might not be how God would have it be for you with your spouse. What is important to recognize are the things that were recognized by Boaz and Ruth. Each recognized in the other that here was someone who was loving, honorable, generous, pious, and so on. That said, neither was probably “perfect” in every respect. Ruth was practically a beggar. Boaz sounds like he was an older man. Maybe he didn't have the best of looks anymore. But God gave them both the gift of love. God brought them together. The two became one flesh. The blessings carried on for several generations. So my encouragement is that we be wise and serious about marriage for ourselves and for those whom we love. Being wise and serious does not come out of thin air. If anything, what seems to come naturally is getting carried away by the feelings that are stirred up by stories and songs. God is the key factor. He is the one from whom all good things come. You young people, you're never too young to pray for a godly spouse. You older people, pray for godly spouses for your children and grandchildren. There's hardly anything more important you could ask for to help them not only in this life, but even to eternity.

The story in Ruth begins with Naomi and her family relocating to Moab from Bethlehem due to a famine in Israel, which is ironic given that Bethlehem means "house of bread." Naomi's husband, Elimelek, meaning "my God is king," reflects a connection to the final verse of Judges, stating that in those days, Israel had no king. Tragedy befalls Naomi, whose name means sweet, in Moab as her husband and sons die, both having married Moabite women in violation of God's laws for Israel. The marriages, lasted ten years without producing children. Naomi, left in personal famine, a childless widow, learns of the end of the famine in Israel and decides to return, marking a turning point.Naomi returns to Israel, empty and bitter. She encourages her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to seek a new beginning with their Moabite families. However, Ruth, displaying unwavering loyalty, chooses to stay with Naomi. This pivotal decision underscores Ruth's unwavering devotion to Naomi and her newfound faith in the God of Israel. Orpah returns to Moab, while Ruth makes a covenant-like pledge to Naomi and the God of Israel.The narrative unfolds in Bethlehem, where Naomi's bitterness lingers. Despite being embraced by God and Israel, Ruth remains identified as "Ruth the Moabite," highlighting her foreign status. The story sets the stage for God's providential intervention in the lives of Naomi and Ruth.Ruth Advent Bonus Episodes: The Book of Ruth is creatively a Christmas Story because the solution to the Israelite's problem, the need for a king, is announced at the end of the Book of Ruth. So, for season 8, the 4 episodes of Ruth will each have a bonus Advent episode. There is much meaning to the song O Little Town of Bethlehem and it starts here in the Book of Ruth!Thank you for being a part of the club. Show NotesBlogThe Old Testament BooksBible TimelineContact Bible Book ClubLike, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's InstagramLike or comment on Susan's Facebook or InstagramLeave us an Apple reviewContact us through our website formThanks for listening and happy podcasting!

Putting the Pieces Together1. My People.naomi had a relative on her husband's side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz... So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech. Ruth 2:1,3 NLT2. God's Providence.Providence of God: when God uses natural circumstances to bring about His supernatural plansAnd we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28If you Start working for God, His Providence starts working for youOne day Ruth's mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for. 2 Now Boaz ... is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. Ruth 3:1-23. Strategic Proximity.Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don't let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.” “I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered. So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do. Ruth 3:4-6When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down. In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turned—and there was a woman lying at his feet! “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.” Ruth 3:7-9Guar/Kins-Redeemer—A relative who had the responsibility and privilege to provide for a family member in time of need.Even if you don't get it right, God can still make it right.Discussion questions:Read Ruth 3:1-9. What stands out to you in this passage? What do you think empowered Ruth to take this kind of initiativeWhat qualities or habits do you see in Ruth and Boaz as they're honoring God with their lives? Do you know someone with similar qualities?As we navigate different seasons of life, we won't always get it right. Share about a time when you didn't make the best choice, but God still made it right. What did you learn about Him through that experience?Sometimes God wants us to go after what we want. Is He calling you to take a step of faith and go after something? Talk about that with your Small Group.

In this Bible Story, Naomi loses everything because of the death of her husband and two sons, and the only person to remain faithful to her was Ruth, her daughter-in-law. Both Ruth and Naomi venture to Bethlehem, Naomi's hometown. There, Ruth works the fields of a kind and noble-man named Boaz. This story is inspired by Ruth 1-2. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Ruth 1:17 from the King James Version.Episode 73: During the time the Judges ruled, we learn of a man named Elimelek, who left the land of Israel during a famine and settled in the land of Moab with his wife Naomi and their two sons. While they were in the land of Moab, Naomi's two sons married and died, as did her husband. Heartbroken, she decided to return to the land of Bethlehem and encouraged her daughters-in-law to stay behind and find new men to marry. But Ruth shows us what faithfulness looks like. She stays with Naomi and comforts her in her time of grieving, even going to live with her in Bethlehem and working in the field of Boaz.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.This episode is sponsored by Medi-Share, an innovative health care solution for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Judges 2:8-12 Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of a hundred and ten. 9 And they buried him in the land of his inheritance, at Timnath Heres in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. 10 After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. 11Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals.  12 They forsook the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them.   Judges 21:5 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.   Ruth 1:1-18 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab.  2 The man's name was Elimelek, his wife's name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there. 3 Now Elimelek, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons.  4 They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband. 6 When Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there.  7 With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah. 8 Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother's home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. 9 May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.” Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept aloud 10 and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.” 11 But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands?  12 Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons—  13 would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord's hand has turned against me!” 14 At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her. 15 “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” 16 But Ruth replied, “Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.  17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”  18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.   Ruth 2:10-13 At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?” 11 Boaz replied, “I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before.  12 May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” 13 “May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord,” she said.   Judges 21:5 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.   Ruth 4:17 . . . And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.   Matthew 1:1 This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham . . .

In the rousing conclusion to be book of Ruth, Boaz attempts to redeem Ruth. It looks like the other redeemer has the upper hand and then Boaz says Ruth is a part of the deal, and that's just too much, and the other redeemer backs out. This means Boaz is the one who can redeem Elimelek's land and marry Ruth. The storybook ending proceeds with a wedding and a child, but there's more than just fairytales here. Join Mike and Ken as they wade through the details of a sandal trade, weddings, and a child. Also, a listener is using an ancient baking recipe and asks the guys for some help with the biblical measurements. Can they help this baker in distress?Passage: Ruth 4

Naomi's husband. Ruth.Support the show

Today we pick up in Chapter 2 of the Story of Ruth. Ruth and Naomi have settled back in Bethlehem and now Ruth must go out into the fields to glean for food so that they may survive. Ruth happens upon the fields of Boaz, a relative of her Father in Law, Elimelek. I have also provided a guide for this weeks episode you can find it on our socials @ourancientfuturestorySupport the show

Church of the Nazarene - East Rock The Relationship Keys: Loyalty The deep commitment and willingness it takes to overcome the hardships that sometimes come in relationship. What if today one of the greatest stands we could take against the enemy in our lives was to cultivate God honoring relationships? That's exactly what our new teaching series is all about. Through this series we are committed to seeing God's emphasis on the importance of our relationships- with family, members of the church, our community and friends How do we cultivate deeper, stronger, healthier relationships through the challenges we all experience in those relationships?That takes loyalty. Loyalty- To be faithful, unswerving in allegiance, constant, steadfast, and resolute in relationship You have heard it said before from someone going through a difficult time “You really find out who your friends are…” That's the issue of loyalty in real life.‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭24‬‬One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. There is no real relationship until two people have undergone challenges or hardships together. In those moments, loyalty plants the seeds for growth and fruit through the hardship. Loyalty is upheld as the foundation of relationships throughout Scripture. Moses and Joshua, David and Jonathan, Jesus, and Mary Magdalene and many more teach about loyalty to God and to each other. But perhaps the most direct example comes from a woman that walked the earth close to 3000 years ago. They are the words of Ruth to her mother-in-law Naomi.‭‭ Ruth‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭18‬‬ In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man's name was Elimelek, his wife's name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there. Now Elimelek, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband. When Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah. Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother's home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.” Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept aloud and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.” But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord's hand has turned against me!” At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her. “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” But Ruth replied, “Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. As we begin to look at Naomi and Ruth's relationship, we see that they had endured a lot together. Their bond of loyalty had grown through immense suffering and grief together. As Naomi plans to return to her home, she knows there is no prospect for her daughter-in-law's there. Naomi urges them to leave behind their relationship in favor of a better more secure life. Orpah concedes to her mother-in-laws request, but Ruth stands on loyalty. It's the glue that holds us together in God honoring relationship. Loyalty for Ruth represented a significant and life changing sacrifice. There was hardly any guarantee that it would all work out, but Ruth couldn't forsake her relationship or her commitment to Naomi. That's because her commitment to loyalty flowed from her character. Faithful and loyal love was at the core of who she was. We can all recognize within ourselves that we want a friend like Ruth or even Sheriff Andy Taylor. Someone who sticks with us, even when there's nothing in it for them. But the call of loyalty for us today- our call and commission as followers of Jesus- is to BE that friend, to be an Andy or a Ruth, or to be more exact- to be Christ like in our loyalty to others. Loyalty is the essence, the character of God's faithful love. We experience the faithful, loyal, steadfast love of God through Christ Jesus- Friends loyal love is the message of the gospel. ‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭34‬-‭35‬‬“ A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” To be loyal, faithful, un-swerving, constant and steadfast in relationship is to love out of the very nature of Christ within us.Loyalty flows from our Character, from our heart transformed by grace. Why do I need to stick it out in relationship- Why should I put myself through that? Because we have been loved by an immeasurable and loyal love, and we are commanded to love others with that same love. The way we engage relationship is to be so radical, so loyal, that the world knows we are different- that we belong to Christ. That's loyalty. That's honoring God in relationship, especially when the going gets tough. Lord, give me the courage (and conviction) to love the people in my life with your selfless and loyal love. Giving at COTN If you have ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@abeaconofhope_pbz6m2 Thank you for your partnership in the Kingdom of Christ! https://www.cotnaz.org/giving/

In this Bible Story, Naomi loses everything because of the death of her husband and two sons, and the only person to remain faithful to her was Ruth, her daughter-in-law. Both Ruth and Naomi venture to Bethlehem, Naomi's hometown. There, Ruth works the fields of a kind and noble-man named Boaz. This story is inspired by Ruth 1-2. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Ruth 1:17 from the King James Version.Episode 73: During the time the Judges ruled, we learn of a man named Elimelek, who left the land of Israel during a famine and settled in the land of Moab with his wife Naomi and their two sons. While they were in the land of Moab, Naomi's two sons married and died, as did her husband. Heartbroken, she decided to return to the land of Bethlehem and encouraged her daughters-in-law to stay behind and find new men to marry. But Ruth shows us what faithfulness looks like. She stays with Naomi and comforts her in her time of grieving, even going to live with her in Bethlehem and working in the field of Boaz.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.This episode is sponsored by Medi-Share, an innovative health care solution for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are destiny decisions? Destiny decisions are those decisions we have made or we are yet to make which changed or will change our destinies. They are choices and decisions we make that take us to a different destiny, and most often we don't even recognize how impactful that destiny decision was until we look back in retrospect. No doubt you can think of some “destiny decisions” you've made in your life that, in retrospect, you see that they changed the destiny of your life. And no doubt you'd like to do some of those decisions over! New beginnings has an appeal for us, does it not? Just the idea of starting all over again, making better choices, taking a different path, avoiding the mistakes we made, wiping out the past. It just sounds good. Or maybe we'd just like something new and exciting in our lives. Something to liven things up and put a little “jazz” in our lives. During the restless years of my life, when I was wandering far from God, I was always looking for something new to perk me up. My first choice was a man, but if no man was around, then some new clothes or a new adventure—go somewhere for fun. I changed jobs three times because I was restless and was looking for something new to make life more interesting, more exciting. I remember that Saturday nights were particularly difficult for me. I never wanted to sit home on a Saturday night. I mean, if you were sitting home alone on a Saturday night, something must be wrong with you—that's what I thought. So I always made plans for Saturday night, looking for something or someone who would fill my life with interest or excitement. Sometimes people look for changes in their lives to get out of a bad situation. They're in a job they don't like, so they look for a new one. They're married to a person who doesn't suit them, so they have affairs or get divorced. How many people do you know who have made terrible decisions because they simply wanted to get out of a bad situation? True, sometimes we need to get out of some situations we're in, but if we move in haste or without God's guidance, then we can make the wrong decision and choose the wrong road. The Bible tells us of people who made poor destiny decisions. People like Eve and Esau, Sarah and Judas. Case Study: Elimelech There is another story in the Bible of a man who was looking for a change. His name was Elimelech, and he was a citizen of Bethlehem, somewhere between 1200 and 1300 B.C., in one of the most tumultuous times in Israel's long, troubled history. Ruth 1:1 – 2: In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab.The man's name was Elimelek, his wife's name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there. Elimelech made a destiny decision: He took his wife, Naomi, and their two sons, and moved from Israel to Moab, a neighboring nation. I'm sure he must have given it much thought and decided that a geographical change was exactly what they needed in order to survive. He had what would appear to be a good reason. There was a great famine in his land and he was having difficulty feeding his family. It would seem a good plan to human logic. Yet when Elimelech left the borders of the Promised Land, he left the protection and provision God had promised to his people. On Our Own Terms What Elimelech did is one of those things we are all sometimes inclined to do under the stress of circumstances; we are tempted to step outside of God's promise and seek solutions to our problems on our own terms. The Bible says, "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death." (Proverbs 14:12). It looked right to Elimelech—going to this new place—but it brought him and his two sons actual death.

What are destiny decisions? Destiny decisions are those decisions we have made or we are yet to make which changed or will change our destinies. They are choices and decisions we make that take us to a different destiny, and most often we don't even recognize how impactful that destiny decision was until we look back in retrospect. No doubt you can think of some “destiny decisions” you've made in your life that, in retrospect, you see that they changed the destiny of your life. And no doubt you'd like to do some of those decisions over! New beginnings has an appeal for us, does it not? Just the idea of starting all over again, making better choices, taking a different path, avoiding the mistakes we made, wiping out the past. It just sounds good. Or maybe we'd just like something new and exciting in our lives. Something to liven things up and put a little “jazz” in our lives. During the restless years of my life, when I was wandering far from God, I was always looking for something new to perk me up. My first choice was a man, but if no man was around, then some new clothes or a new adventure—go somewhere for fun. I changed jobs three times because I was restless and was looking for something new to make life more interesting, more exciting. I remember that Saturday nights were particularly difficult for me. I never wanted to sit home on a Saturday night. I mean, if you were sitting home alone on a Saturday night, something must be wrong with you—that's what I thought. So I always made plans for Saturday night, looking for something or someone who would fill my life with interest or excitement. Sometimes people look for changes in their lives to get out of a bad situation. They're in a job they don't like, so they look for a new one. They're married to a person who doesn't suit them, so they have affairs or get divorced. How many people do you know who have made terrible decisions because they simply wanted to get out of a bad situation? True, sometimes we need to get out of some situations we're in, but if we move in haste or without God's guidance, then we can make the wrong decision and choose the wrong road. The Bible tells us of people who made poor destiny decisions. People like Eve and Esau, Sarah and Judas. Case Study: Elimelech There is another story in the Bible of a man who was looking for a change. His name was Elimelech, and he was a citizen of Bethlehem, somewhere between 1200 and 1300 B.C., in one of the most tumultuous times in Israel's long, troubled history. Ruth 1:1 – 2: In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab.The man's name was Elimelek, his wife's name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there. Elimelech made a destiny decision: He took his wife, Naomi, and their two sons, and moved from Israel to Moab, a neighboring nation. I'm sure he must have given it much thought and decided that a geographical change was exactly what they needed in order to survive. He had what would appear to be a good reason. There was a great famine in his land and he was having difficulty feeding his family. It would seem a good plan to human logic. Yet when Elimelech left the borders of the Promised Land, he left the protection and provision God had promised to his people. On Our Own Terms What Elimelech did is one of those things we are all sometimes inclined to do under the stress of circumstances; we are tempted to step outside of God's promise and seek solutions to our problems on our own terms. The Bible says, "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death." (Proverbs 14:12). It looked right to Elimelech—going to this new place—but it brought him and his two sons actual death.

A Romance of Grace Judges 21:25 (ESV)“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”Ruth 1:1-5 (NIV)“In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So, a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man's name was Elimelek, his wife's name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.”“Now Elimelek, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.Ruth 1:16-18 (NIV)“…Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.” Ruth 2:3 (ESV)“…she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech.”Ruth 3:3 (NIV)"Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don't let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking.”Ruth 3:4 (NIV)"When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.”Matthew 1:1 (NIV)“This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:Matthew 1:5-6 (NIV)“Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,Obed the father of Jesse,and Jesse the father of King David.”Matthew 1:16 (NIV)“…Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.”John 1:17 (ESV)“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” 

Ruth 3 1 One day Ruth's mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for. 2 Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. 3 Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don't let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.” 5 “I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered. 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do. 7 When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turned—and there was a woman lying at his feet! 9 “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.” 10 “The LORD bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. 11 And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. 12 Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. 13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.” 14 So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he said, “No one must know that a woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 He also said, “Bring me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he poured into it six measures of barley and placed the bundle on her. Then he went back to town. 16 When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “How did it go, my daughter?” Then she told her everything Boaz had done for her 17 and added, “He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, ‘Don't go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.' ” 18 Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”   Ruth 4:1-11 1 Meanwhile Boaz went up to the town gate and sat down there just as the guardian-redeemer he had mentioned came along. Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down. 2 Boaz took ten of the elders of the town and said, “Sit here,” and they did so. 3 Then he said to the guardian-redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our relative Elimelek. 4 I thought I should bring the matter to your attention and suggest that you buy it in the presence of these seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, do so. But if you will not, tell me, so I will know. For no one has the right to do it except you, and I am next in line.” “I will redeem it,” he said. 5 Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the dead man's widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property.” 6 At this, the guardian-redeemer said, “Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it.” 7 (Now in earlier times in Israel, for the redemption and transfer of property to become final, one party took off his sandal and gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactions in Israel.) 8 So the guardian-redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it yourself.” And he removed his sandal. 9 Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, “Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelek, Kilion and Mahlon. 10 I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, Mahlon's widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from his hometown. Today you are witnesses!” 11 Then the elders and all the people at the gate said, “We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the family of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.   God can redeem it.

Ruth 2 1 Now Naomi had a relative on her husband's side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz. 2 And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” 3 So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek. 4 Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, “The LORD be with you!” “The LORD bless you!” they answered. 5 Boaz asked the overseer of his harvesters, “Who does that young woman belong to?” 6 The overseer replied, “She is the Moabite who came back from Moab with Naomi. 7 She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.' She came into the field and has remained here from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.” 8 So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don't go and glean in another field and don't go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me. 9 Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.” 10 At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?” 11 Boaz replied, “I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. 12 May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” 13 “May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord,” she said. “You have put me at ease by speaking kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servants.” 14 At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.” When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over. 15 As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, “Let her gather among the sheaves and don't reprimand her. 16 Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don't rebuke her.” 17 So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah. 18 She carried it back to town, and her mother-in-law saw how much she had gathered. Ruth also brought out and gave her what she had left over after she had eaten enough. 19 Her mother-in-law asked her, “Where did you glean today? Where did you work? Blessed be the man who took notice of you!” Then Ruth told her mother-in-law about the one at whose place she had been working. “The name of the man I worked with today is Boaz,” she said. 20 “The LORD bless him!” Naomi said to her daughter-in-law. “He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead.” She added, “That man is our close relative; he is one of our guardian-redeemers. ” 21 Then Ruth the Moabite said, “He even said to me, ‘Stay with my workers until they finish harvesting all my grain.' ” 22 Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It will be good for you, my daughter, to go with the women who work for him, because in someone else's field you might be harmed.” 23 So Ruth stayed close to the women of Boaz to glean until the barley and wheat harvests were finished. And she lived with her mother-in-law. Glean again.   Participate in God's provision. Position yourself to pick up God's provision. Praise God for the provision. Give again.   Participate in God's provision. Purposefully let provision flow to you and through you.  Praise God for the provision.

Ruth 1:1-19 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab.  2 The man's name was Elimelek, his wife's name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there. 3 Now Elimelek, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons.    4 They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband. 6 When Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there.    7 With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah. 8 Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother's home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me.    9 May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.”  Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept aloud 10 and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.” 11 But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands?    12 Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons—    13 would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord's hand has turned against me!” 14 At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her. 15 “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” 16 But Ruth replied, “Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.    17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”    18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. 19 So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem.