100:00:00,260 –> 00:00:07,540This is a marvellous story of hope200:00:08,720 –> 00:00:11,920and there’s bound to be some in the congregation today.300:00:11,940 –> 00:00:13,160Perhaps you came here400:00:13,220 –> 00:00:18,820and just in your mind and in your heart you were thinking I feel so hopeless.500:00:20,040 –> 00:00:26,500Let me in these last moments then just point you directly from the story to three ways to pursue hope600:00:26,600 –> 00:00:27,940and to find it.700:00:28,340 –> 00:00:31,340Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith.800:00:31,360 –> 00:00:32,180I’m David Pick900:00:32,180 –> 00:00:37,880I’m so pleased you could be with us today and Colin for someone who’s listening today who feels hopeless1000:00:38,240 –> 00:00:40,799You have a message of encouragement I think.1100:00:40,900 –> 00:00:44,400Yes it is because God always brings hope1200:00:44,419 –> 00:00:50,400and we’re gonna see that beautifully portrayed in the story of Ruth as she comes out into the fields1300:00:50,419 –> 00:00:55,419and she receives great kindness which ultimately of course comes from the hand of God1400:00:55,419 –> 00:01:04,180and it comes to her through this kind man by the name of Boaz who takes compassion on her and helps her1500:01:04,199 –> 00:01:08,339But we’re also going to see today that the God1600:01:08,360 –> 00:01:15,699who gives hope also calls us to act in a way that moves towards hope1700:01:15,720 –> 00:01:21,480and there are certain things that we can do that move in the direction of hope1800:01:21,480 –> 00:01:25,400and they’re very clearly modelled for us in this beautiful story of Ruth1900:01:25,419 –> 00:01:30,019Well let’s hear about that, so join us in your bible, if you can, in the2000:01:30,040 –> 00:01:35,080book of Ruth, second chapter, as we continue the message, Hope. Here’s Colin2100:01:35,099 –> 00:01:40,279Now, of course, rewards do not always follow virtue in2200:01:40,300 –> 00:01:45,300this world. Some rewards God gives now and others He withholds2300:01:45,320 –> 00:01:49,879until later. So if you find yourself at this point saying, well now wait a minute2400:01:50,139 –> 00:01:52,599I do not think that I have received at all2500:01:52,620 –> 00:01:56,480in a way that reflects what I have given. Well if that’s the case I just say to2600:01:56,500 –> 00:02:04,000you, don’t worry. Jesus said, not even a cup of cold water will go without its2700:02:04,019 –> 00:02:08,600reward if it’s given in my name2800:02:08,619 –> 00:02:14,559Your Father in heaven sees what you do in secret2900:02:14,559 –> 00:02:21,520and He will reward you openly3000:02:21,539 –> 00:02:24,119and Boaz prays that something of that3100:02:24,139 –> 00:02:30,240will be very clearly evident in Ruth’s life right now3200:02:30,259 –> 00:02:33,839the Lord repay you for what you have done3300:02:33,860 –> 00:02:38,199and a full reward be given to you by the Lord the God of Israel3400:02:38,220 –> 00:02:41,020and then I want you to notice the next phrase which is why3500:02:41,020 –> 00:02:47,759why should there be good that comes into the life of Ruth here3600:02:47,779 –> 00:02:53,500under whose wings you have come to take refuge3700:02:53,520 –> 00:02:56,020one of the most beautiful pictures3800:02:56,039 –> 00:02:59,240of our relationship with the Lord in all of the Bible3900:02:59,259 –> 00:03:02,100the picture here of course is of a henn4000:03:02,119 –> 00:03:06,020with newly born little fluffy cheeks4100:03:06,039 –> 00:03:09,839and they’re running around in the farmyard4200:03:09,839 –> 00:03:14,139and then some danger comes and the hen clucks4300:03:14,160 –> 00:03:18,259and when the hen clucks the chicks all run towards her4400:03:18,279 –> 00:03:23,339and she lifts her wings and the chicks run to her side4500:03:23,360 –> 00:03:26,339and then the wings come down4600:03:26,360 –> 00:03:29,660and the chicks are hidden from view4700:03:30,440 –> 00:03:32,419now you see boaz is saying to Ruth4800:03:32,440 –> 00:03:36,720this is exactly how it is with God and with you4900:03:36,740 –> 00:03:37,979like one of these little chicks5000:03:37,979 –> 00:03:40,880you have come to Him for refuge5100:03:40,899 –> 00:03:44,679you’ve said to Naomi your God will be my God5200:03:44,699 –> 00:03:47,080and now what has happened is that5300:03:47,100 –> 00:03:50,600His wings have come down over you5400:03:50,619 –> 00:03:52,800isn’t that a beautiful picture5500:03:52,820 –> 00:03:56,839of what it means to be a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ5600:03:56,860 –> 00:04:00,000you run to God for refuge5700:04:00,020 –> 00:04:02,199you look to Him for help5800:04:02,199 –> 00:04:05,580and He covers you5900:04:05,600 –> 00:04:09,059with His wings6000:04:09,080 –> 00:04:11,619and I’ve been struck by this that6100:04:11,639 –> 00:04:13,639King David, who6200:04:13,660 –> 00:04:15,660I can say because we’ve already mentioned it6300:04:15,679 –> 00:04:17,059right at the beginning of the story6400:04:17,079 –> 00:04:18,980and we are let in on the secret6500:04:19,000 –> 00:04:20,859as to how it’s all going to end6600:04:20,880 –> 00:04:22,380King David6700:04:22,399 –> 00:04:26,779we were told that the end of the story was the great grandson6800:04:26,799 –> 00:04:30,140of Boaz and of Ruth6900:04:30,140 –> 00:04:33,160he would there by have known and loved7000:04:33,179 –> 00:04:34,160the story7100:04:34,179 –> 00:04:36,119of his own great grandmother7200:04:36,140 –> 00:04:37,760and his own great grandfather7300:04:37,779 –> 00:04:39,119they got together in the field7400:04:39,140 –> 00:04:42,640and all that came and followed from that7500:04:42,660 –> 00:04:45,160and he must have drawn great comfort7600:04:45,179 –> 00:04:46,559and strength7700:04:46,579 –> 00:04:50,160from the words of his great grandfather Boaz7800:04:50,179 –> 00:04:52,679about taking refuge under the wings of God7900:04:52,700 –> 00:04:53,920because if you read the Psalms8000:04:53,940 –> 00:04:56,220what you find is, David just keeps repeating8100:04:56,260 –> 00:04:57,859what his great grandfather said8200:04:58,459 –> 00:05:00,119Psalm 178300:05:01,019 –> 00:05:03,540Keep me as the apple of your eye8400:05:03,579 –> 00:05:07,459Hide me in the shadow of your wings8500:05:07,500 –> 00:05:09,019Psalm 368600:05:09,140 –> 00:05:12,440How precious is your steadfast love O God8700:05:12,459 –> 00:05:14,600The children of mankind take refuge8800:05:14,619 –> 00:05:17,119in the shadow of your wings8900:05:17,579 –> 00:05:18,720Psalm 579000:05:18,739 –> 00:05:20,279Be merciful to me O God9100:05:20,299 –> 00:05:21,519Be merciful to me9200:05:21,540 –> 00:05:24,679For in you my soul takes refuge9300:05:24,700 –> 00:05:28,359in the shadow of your wings I take refuge9400:05:28,380 –> 00:05:30,059It’s almost like brackets9500:05:30,739 –> 00:05:34,200Just as my great-grandfather said to my great-grandmother9600:05:34,220 –> 00:05:36,359when they met that first time in the field9700:05:36,380 –> 00:05:37,339It’s beautiful9800:05:37,859 –> 00:05:39,420Psalm 639900:05:39,660 –> 00:05:41,880You have been my help10000:05:41,899 –> 00:05:45,239And in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy10100:05:45,260 –> 00:05:47,279Do you know what’s so striking to me about this?10200:05:47,299 –> 00:05:50,200David writing this three generations later10300:05:50,239 –> 00:05:53,260after his great-grandfather said it to his great-grandmother10400:05:55,260 –> 00:05:56,959The faithfulness of Ruth10500:05:57,459 –> 00:05:59,359and the kindness of Boaz10600:06:00,519 –> 00:06:02,459Are still bearing fruit10700:06:02,480 –> 00:06:05,220in the life of their great grandson10800:06:05,239 –> 00:06:06,559years after10900:06:07,079 –> 00:06:08,519their own lives have ended11000:06:11,239 –> 00:06:13,239never underestimate11100:06:13,279 –> 00:06:14,799what God can do11200:06:15,679 –> 00:06:17,040through your example11300:06:17,079 –> 00:06:19,720of loving and loyal faithfulness11400:06:19,760 –> 00:06:21,619even beyond your own lifetime11500:06:23,279 –> 00:06:24,920never underestimate11600:06:24,920 –> 00:06:26,720what God can bring11700:06:27,459 –> 00:06:29,579through your kindness11800:06:29,600 –> 00:06:31,660your words of blessing11900:06:32,799 –> 00:06:34,480in the life of a person12000:06:35,399 –> 00:06:36,399in great need12100:06:37,799 –> 00:06:38,720Boaz says to Ruth12200:06:38,760 –> 00:06:40,320may God’s blessing be upon you12300:06:40,359 –> 00:06:41,920because you have taken refuge12400:06:41,959 –> 00:06:43,359under his wings12500:06:45,720 –> 00:06:47,959if you take refuge12600:06:48,000 –> 00:06:49,559under the wings of the Lord12700:06:49,600 –> 00:06:50,640Jesus Christ12800:06:50,679 –> 00:06:53,760you too will be12900:06:54,040 –> 00:06:57,239blessed13000:06:58,600 –> 00:07:00,559the welcome13100:07:00,600 –> 00:07:02,079the blessing13200:07:03,799 –> 00:07:04,600and then thirdly13300:07:04,640 –> 00:07:06,880the meal13400:07:06,920 –> 00:07:08,559look at verse 1413500:07:08,600 –> 00:07:10,799and at meal time13600:07:11,519 –> 00:07:13,119Boaz said to her13700:07:13,200 –> 00:07:15,200come here and eat some bread13800:07:15,239 –> 00:07:17,959and dip your morsel in the wine13900:07:18,640 –> 00:07:20,799so she sat beside the Reapers14000:07:20,839 –> 00:07:23,440and he passed to her14100:07:23,440 –> 00:07:24,760roasted grain14200:07:24,799 –> 00:07:26,000and she ate14300:07:26,040 –> 00:07:27,799until she was satisfied14400:07:27,839 –> 00:07:31,160and she had some left over14500:07:32,559 –> 00:07:34,480Now the whole Bible is one story14600:07:34,480 –> 00:07:36,239as you know so very well14700:07:36,279 –> 00:07:37,799that consistently points14800:07:37,799 –> 00:07:39,679to our Lord Jesus Christ14900:07:39,720 –> 00:07:42,200and Boaz points very clearly15000:07:42,239 –> 00:07:43,959to the Lord Jesus Christ.15100:07:44,000 –> 00:07:45,359I wonder if you noticed in verse.15200:07:45,399 –> 00:07:47,279twenty Naomi describes him15300:07:47,320 –> 00:07:49,959as one of our redeemers.15400:07:50,720 –> 00:07:52,160and, of course, Jesus15500:07:52,200 –> 00:07:53,880is the Redeemer15600:07:53,880 –> 00:07:55,880who welcomes us15700:07:55,920 –> 00:07:57,839and who blesses us15800:07:58,279 –> 00:08:00,160and Jesus is the Redeemer15900:08:00,200 –> 00:08:04,160who invites us to his table.16000:08:05,040 –> 00:08:06,559Now notice how16100:08:06,600 –> 00:08:08,399this scene of the16200:08:08,399 –> 00:08:10,000lunch in the field16300:08:10,040 –> 00:08:11,119points us forward16400:08:11,160 –> 00:08:13,320to the Lord Jesus Christ first.16500:08:13,399 –> 00:08:16,679Boaz sits down for lunch16600:08:16,679 –> 00:08:18,640with his reapers.16700:08:20,200 –> 00:08:21,679Do you know the greatest16800:08:21,959 –> 00:08:23,359blessing of serving16900:08:23,359 –> 00:08:24,880the Lord Jesus Christ?17000:08:26,239 –> 00:08:27,000Is that there is17100:08:27,000 –> 00:08:28,399a special fellowship,17200:08:28,399 –> 00:08:29,839a special communion17300:08:29,880 –> 00:08:31,399with the Lord Jesus Christ17400:08:31,399 –> 00:08:32,200that is enjoyed17500:08:32,200 –> 00:08:33,239by those who serve Him.17600:08:35,080 –> 00:08:36,599Jesus uses this image of17700:08:36,640 –> 00:08:38,280reapers to describe us17800:08:38,679 –> 00:08:40,359remember the harvest is plentiful.17900:08:40,359 –> 00:08:41,440The labourers are few18000:08:41,520 –> 00:08:42,640pray that the Lord will18100:08:42,640 –> 00:08:43,840send out labourers18200:08:43,840 –> 00:08:45,200into the harvest and.18300:08:45,919 –> 00:08:47,840Like Boaz and his reapers,18400:08:47,840 –> 00:08:49,039the Lord Jesus Christ18500:08:49,039 –> 00:08:50,799sits down with those18600:08:51,200 –> 00:08:52,119who serve him.18700:08:53,359 –> 00:08:54,479That ought to be a description18800:08:54,479 –> 00:08:55,599of each and everyone of us.18900:08:55,599 –> 00:08:56,559If you are a believer19000:08:56,559 –> 00:08:57,880in the Lord Jesus Christ,19100:08:58,039 –> 00:09:00,719he calls you to serve Him.19200:09:01,679 –> 00:09:03,440And the greatest joy19300:09:04,400 –> 00:09:06,119in serving Christ19400:09:06,919 –> 00:09:08,200is the communion19500:09:08,200 –> 00:09:09,799we have with him19600:09:10,559 –> 00:09:12,479in the course of doing19700:09:12,479 –> 00:09:13,760what he calls us to do.19800:09:15,119 –> 00:09:16,000Now I want you to notice19900:09:16,000 –> 00:09:17,119that it was Boaz20000:09:17,119 –> 00:09:19,679who invited Ruth to the table20100:09:19,880 –> 00:09:21,640along with the Reapers,20200:09:22,119 –> 00:09:24,239just as Jesus invites20300:09:25,119 –> 00:09:26,760us to his table.20400:09:27,239 –> 00:09:29,359This is an open invitation.20500:09:29,359 –> 00:09:30,200Remember, at this point,20600:09:30,200 –> 00:09:31,119Ruth is not one20700:09:31,359 –> 00:09:33,559of the servants of Boaz.20800:09:33,559 –> 00:09:34,640She’s not employed by him.20900:09:34,640 –> 00:09:35,760She didn’t work for him.21000:09:35,919 –> 00:09:37,159She simply has happened21100:09:37,159 –> 00:09:38,280to come into the field.21200:09:39,440 –> 00:09:42,719But Boaz invites her to the table.21300:09:43,479 –> 00:09:45,559There is an open invitation21400:09:45,559 –> 00:09:47,520to the Lord’s table here21500:09:47,640 –> 00:09:49,119for all who are hungry.21600:09:50,200 –> 00:09:51,640For all who will come,21700:09:52,440 –> 00:09:53,599but all who will look21800:09:53,599 –> 00:09:55,159to the Lord Jesus Christ21900:09:55,400 –> 00:09:56,760for help and for hope.22000:09:56,760 –> 00:09:57,919For all who are ready22100:09:57,919 –> 00:09:59,960to receive from his hand,22200:10:00,280 –> 00:10:01,599the Lord Jesus Christ said,22300:10:01,599 –> 00:10:03,599you come, you come.22400:10:04,599 –> 00:10:06,280What I have done is for you22500:10:06,280 –> 00:10:08,080and you are to come and to receive.22600:10:10,119 –> 00:10:10,960And then notice that22700:10:10,960 –> 00:10:12,960when people come to his table,22800:10:13,000 –> 00:10:15,320Boaz is the one who feeds them.22900:10:15,960 –> 00:10:17,479Ruth sat, verse 14,23000:10:17,679 –> 00:10:18,799beside the Reapers,23100:10:18,799 –> 00:10:21,840and He Boaz passed to her23200:10:22,799 –> 00:10:23,799roasted grain.23300:10:25,520 –> 00:10:28,280And as we come to the Lord,23400:10:28,280 –> 00:10:30,719Christ is the one who feeds us23500:10:30,719 –> 00:10:33,320at his own table.23600:10:33,320 –> 00:10:35,919Draw near to him by faith23700:10:35,919 –> 00:10:36,719and you will find23800:10:36,719 –> 00:10:37,880that he himself23900:10:37,880 –> 00:10:39,320is the one who nourishes24000:10:39,320 –> 00:10:41,719you. He will feed you.24100:10:41,719 –> 00:10:44,799He will sustain you.24200:10:44,840 –> 00:10:45,640And then notice that24300:10:45,640 –> 00:10:47,880when Ruth came to the table,24400:10:48,000 –> 00:10:48,840we’re told here24500:10:48,840 –> 00:10:50,520that she ate24600:10:50,520 –> 00:10:52,840and she was satisfied.24700:10:53,719 –> 00:10:55,080She ate until24800:10:55,080 –> 00:10:56,280she was satisfied24900:10:56,280 –> 00:10:58,719and she had some leftover.25000:10:59,840 –> 00:11:00,559Well, no one who’s25100:11:00,559 –> 00:11:01,400read the Gospels25200:11:01,400 –> 00:11:02,840and know there’s a story of Jesus25300:11:02,840 –> 00:11:03,719could read that25400:11:03,719 –> 00:11:04,880without immediately25500:11:04,880 –> 00:11:06,239thinking about the story25600:11:06,239 –> 00:11:08,520of Jesus feeding the five thousand.25700:11:08,760 –> 00:11:09,679Do remember Marc25800:11:09,679 –> 00:11:11,520records at the end of that story25900:11:11,520 –> 00:11:12,760that they all ate26000:11:12,760 –> 00:11:14,119and were satisfied26100:11:14,119 –> 00:11:15,799and what was leftover26200:11:15,799 –> 00:11:17,359filled 12 baskets26300:11:17,400 –> 00:11:18,400as they picked up26400:11:18,400 –> 00:11:20,440the broken pieces.26500:11:22,280 –> 00:11:23,679So here is Ruth26600:11:23,679 –> 00:11:24,599and she eats26700:11:24,599 –> 00:11:26,080until she is satisfied26800:11:26,080 –> 00:11:27,640but there’s still more leftover.26900:11:29,359 –> 00:11:30,559And you know what she does with it,27000:11:31,679 –> 00:11:32,479she takes it home27100:11:32,479 –> 00:11:34,159to Naomi.27200:11:34,359 –> 00:11:35,159Verse 18,27300:11:35,159 –> 00:11:36,599she also brought out27400:11:36,599 –> 00:11:37,880and gave her, that is27500:11:37,880 –> 00:11:39,400Naomi, what food27600:11:39,400 –> 00:11:40,960she had left over27700:11:40,960 –> 00:11:43,359after being satisfied.27800:11:43,599 –> 00:11:44,960Listen, when the Lord27900:11:45,000 –> 00:11:47,000Jesus Christ feeds you.28000:11:48,520 –> 00:11:49,960You will be satisfied28100:11:49,960 –> 00:11:51,520and you will have enough left over28200:11:51,520 –> 00:11:53,799to give to someone else.28300:11:53,799 –> 00:11:55,119Not a great practice28400:11:55,119 –> 00:11:56,080as we gather under the word28500:11:56,080 –> 00:11:56,760and then we’re shortly28600:11:56,760 –> 00:11:57,960going to gather around the table.28700:11:57,960 –> 00:11:59,239Lord,28800:11:59,239 –> 00:12:00,719strengthen me in soul,28900:12:00,719 –> 00:12:03,039satisfy me in my inner being29000:12:03,200 –> 00:12:04,599and send me out of here29100:12:04,599 –> 00:12:05,359with something29200:12:05,359 –> 00:12:06,239that I can take29300:12:06,239 –> 00:12:07,280and share with others.29400:12:07,280 –> 00:12:08,159That’s his purpose29500:12:08,159 –> 00:12:09,520when we gather around this table29600:12:09,520 –> 00:12:10,640and underneath his word.29700:12:11,799 –> 00:12:13,119You’re listening to Open the Bible29800:12:13,119 –> 00:12:14,479with Pastor Colin Smith29900:12:14,479 –> 00:12:16,400and a message called Hope.30000:12:16,400 –> 00:12:17,679It’s part of our Series30100:12:17,679 –> 00:12:20,359Ordinary People, Extraordinary God30200:12:20,359 –> 00:12:22,119based on the book of Ruth.30300:12:22,119 –> 00:12:22,960And if you’ve missed30400:12:22,960 –> 00:12:24,400any of the series so far30500:12:24,400 –> 00:12:25,440or if you want to go back30600:12:25,440 –> 00:12:26,640and listen again,30700:12:26,640 –> 00:12:28,400come online to our website30800:12:28,400 –> 00:12:31,280openthebible.org.uk30900:12:31,280 –> 00:12:33,440or find us as a podcast31000:12:33,440 –> 00:12:34,119and those are on all31100:12:34,119 –> 00:12:35,080the main podcast31200:12:35,080 –> 00:12:36,719sites. Search for Open31300:12:36,719 –> 00:12:38,679the Bible UK.31400:12:38,679 –> 00:12:39,960Here’s Open the Bible’s31500:12:39,960 –> 00:12:41,000Amanda Cunningham31600:12:41,000 –> 00:12:42,820with a special message.31700:12:42,820 –> 00:12:43,900How will you reach out31800:12:43,900 –> 00:12:44,659to your local31900:12:44,659 –> 00:12:46,020community this Easter32000:12:46,020 –> 00:12:47,059with the good news32100:12:47,059 –> 00:12:48,260of the gospel?32200:12:48,260 –> 00:12:49,780How will you inspire32300:12:49,780 –> 00:12:51,340awe in your church family32400:12:51,340 –> 00:12:53,140at the wonder of the cross32500:12:53,140 –> 00:12:55,340when the story is familiar?32600:12:55,340 –> 00:12:56,820Open the Bible UK32700:12:56,820 –> 00:12:58,659would love to help you.32800:12:58,659 –> 00:13:00,659We filmed a one actor,32900:13:00,659 –> 00:13:01,739one hour performance33000:13:01,739 –> 00:13:03,619of Cullen’s, well-known book33100:13:03,619 –> 00:13:05,260Heaven, How I Got Here33200:13:05,260 –> 00:13:06,260the story of the33300:13:06,260 –> 00:13:07,780thief on the cross.33400:13:07,780 –> 00:13:08,700It’s a powerful33500:13:08,700 –> 00:13:09,700gospel message33600:13:09,700 –> 00:13:10,900and we’re making the film33700:13:10,900 –> 00:13:13,059available to you for free.33800:13:13,059 –> 00:13:14,099Alongside it.33900:13:14,099 –> 00:13:15,340We have also created34000:13:15,340 –> 00:13:17,659a complete Easter resource pack,34100:13:17,659 –> 00:13:19,340including event artwork34200:13:19,340 –> 00:13:20,859and an event guide34300:13:20,859 –> 00:13:22,260designed as an easy34400:13:22,260 –> 00:13:23,619evangelistic event34500:13:23,619 –> 00:13:24,940for inviting friends34600:13:24,940 –> 00:13:26,500or the local community,34700:13:26,500 –> 00:13:28,099especially those hesitant34800:13:28,099 –> 00:13:30,580about attending a church service.34900:13:30,580 –> 00:13:31,739It’s also perfect35000:13:31,739 –> 00:13:32,900for small groups to watch35100:13:32,900 –> 00:13:34,219and discuss during Holy35200:13:34,219 –> 00:13:39,859Week.35300:13:40,460 –> 00:13:41,380Back to the message.35400:13:41,380 –> 00:13:43,020Now here’s Colin.35500:13:43,020 –> 00:13:44,539The welcome.35600:13:44,539 –> 00:13:47,099Jesus will welcome you.35700:13:47,099 –> 00:13:48,380The blessing,35800:13:48,380 –> 00:13:48,940you will find35900:13:48,940 –> 00:13:52,580blessing from his hand.36000:13:52,580 –> 00:13:54,059The meal.36100:13:54,059 –> 00:13:55,460Jesus will feed you,36200:13:55,460 –> 00:13:56,820Jesus will nourish you.36300:13:56,820 –> 00:13:58,900Jesus will sustain you36400:13:58,900 –> 00:13:59,859for whatever lies36500:13:59,859 –> 00:14:03,539ahead in your journey.36600:14:03,539 –> 00:14:05,580And lastly, the provision36700:14:05,580 –> 00:14:08,179Jesus will provide for you.36800:14:08,260 –> 00:14:10,260Look at verse 15.36900:14:10,260 –> 00:14:11,619And she rose,37000:14:11,619 –> 00:14:14,419this is after lunch to glean.37100:14:14,419 –> 00:14:16,219And Boaz instructed his young men,37200:14:16,219 –> 00:14:17,419saying, let her glean37300:14:17,419 –> 00:14:19,500even among the sheaves37400:14:19,500 –> 00:14:22,020and do not reproach her.37500:14:22,020 –> 00:14:22,619And also,37600:14:22,619 –> 00:14:25,580pull out some from the bungles37700:14:25,580 –> 00:14:28,260for her and leave it for her37800:14:28,260 –> 00:14:32,739to glean and do not rebuke her.37900:14:32,739 –> 00:14:35,260Now Ruth, throughout the morning,38000:14:35,260 –> 00:14:36,900had been following the reapers38100:14:36,900 –> 00:14:38,900and picking up the scraps38200:14:38,900 –> 00:14:41,859that they had left behind.38300:14:41,859 –> 00:14:43,460But after the meal,38400:14:43,460 –> 00:14:45,700Boaz says to his reapers,38500:14:45,700 –> 00:14:47,219now this is what I want you to do38600:14:47,219 –> 00:14:48,500as you’re reaping38700:14:48,500 –> 00:14:49,580and then you’re gathering38800:14:49,580 –> 00:14:50,820these stalks of grain38900:14:50,820 –> 00:14:52,859into bundles.39000:14:52,859 –> 00:14:54,020I want you to pull out39100:14:54,020 –> 00:14:56,340some fistfuls from the bundles39200:14:56,340 –> 00:14:58,460and just drop them behind you39300:14:58,460 –> 00:14:59,979for her to pick up.39400:14:59,979 –> 00:15:02,500It’s beautiful, it really is.39500:15:02,500 –> 00:15:03,820And so, in the afternoon39600:15:03,820 –> 00:15:04,739as Ruth coming along,39700:15:04,739 –> 00:15:05,539I mean, no doubt to her39800:15:05,539 –> 00:15:06,619absolute amazement,39900:15:06,619 –> 00:15:08,340here she is right in front of her40000:15:08,340 –> 00:15:09,419on the ground40100:15:09,419 –> 00:15:12,780pre-cut stalks of grain.40200:15:12,780 –> 00:15:14,859And they’re just lying there40300:15:14,859 –> 00:15:17,739waiting to be picked up.40400:15:17,739 –> 00:15:18,500So of course,40500:15:18,500 –> 00:15:21,380when the day’s work was done,40600:15:21,380 –> 00:15:22,619well, Ruth returned home40700:15:22,619 –> 00:15:23,940and verse 17 tells us40800:15:23,940 –> 00:15:27,179she returned home with an effa40900:15:27,179 –> 00:15:28,419of barley.41000:15:28,419 –> 00:15:29,859Now, that is about41100:15:29,859 –> 00:15:34,41930 pounds in weight.41200:15:34,619 –> 00:15:36,940A gleaner in a full day’s work41300:15:36,940 –> 00:15:38,020would normally hope41400:15:38,020 –> 00:15:40,460to have picked up enough grain41500:15:40,460 –> 00:15:41,539to make a loaf41600:15:41,539 –> 00:15:43,219or two of bread.41700:15:43,219 –> 00:15:44,219Ruth comes home41800:15:44,219 –> 00:15:48,179with 30 pounds of flour.41900:15:48,179 –> 00:15:49,179I mean, she would hardly42000:15:49,179 –> 00:15:52,179have been able to carry this home.42100:15:52,179 –> 00:15:56,299And when Naomi sees her come back42200:15:56,299 –> 00:15:58,659she hardly knows what to say!42300:15:58,659 –> 00:16:00,219Naomi had said42400:16:00,219 –> 00:16:02,859that she went out full42500:16:02,859 –> 00:16:04,140and the Lord had brought her back42600:16:04,140 –> 00:16:05,859empty while on this day42700:16:05,859 –> 00:16:07,739Ruth went out absolutely empty42800:16:07,739 –> 00:16:10,219and the Lord brought her back full!42900:16:10,219 –> 00:16:13,500And Naomi says to Ruth,43000:16:13,500 –> 00:16:14,820well, verse 19,43100:16:14,820 –> 00:16:16,979where did you glean today?43200:16:16,979 –> 00:16:19,179I mean, someone’s been43300:16:19,179 –> 00:16:20,780helping you big time!43400:16:20,780 –> 00:16:21,780Verse 19,43500:16:21,780 –> 00:16:22,780blessed be the man43600:16:22,780 –> 00:16:25,460who took notice of you!43700:16:25,460 –> 00:16:27,760And then Ruth tells her,43800:16:27,760 –> 00:16:28,760the man’s name43900:16:28,760 –> 00:16:29,900with whom I worked today44000:16:29,900 –> 00:16:32,140is dramatic moment,44100:16:32,140 –> 00:16:33,260roll of the drums.44200:16:33,280 –> 00:16:36,179And then she says it to Naomi,44300:16:36,179 –> 00:16:38,640Boaz.44400:16:38,640 –> 00:16:40,940And immediately,44500:16:40,940 –> 00:16:42,640Naomi recognizes44600:16:42,640 –> 00:16:45,559the hidden hand of God44700:16:45,559 –> 00:16:47,840in this blessing.44800:16:47,840 –> 00:16:49,739May he be blessed.44900:16:49,739 –> 00:16:51,359That is, may Boaz be blessed45000:16:51,359 –> 00:16:53,539by the Lord45100:16:53,539 –> 00:16:56,119whose kindness has not forsaken45200:16:56,119 –> 00:16:57,140the living and the dead.45300:16:57,140 –> 00:16:58,099Do you see what she is45400:16:58,099 –> 00:16:59,039recognizing?45500:16:59,039 –> 00:17:02,039This is the kindness of God45600:17:02,039 –> 00:17:03,239and I am seeing45700:17:03,239 –> 00:17:06,219the kindness of the hidden hand of God45800:17:06,219 –> 00:17:09,099in the kindness that Boaz45900:17:09,099 –> 00:17:12,459has shown to you.46000:17:12,459 –> 00:17:14,439Here is a wonderful principle46100:17:14,439 –> 00:17:17,300at the heart of this story.46200:17:17,300 –> 00:17:22,859God works through means.46300:17:22,859 –> 00:17:25,060So God’s welcome46400:17:25,060 –> 00:17:27,300to the stranger46500:17:27,300 –> 00:17:29,140is seen and felt46600:17:29,140 –> 00:17:31,500by the welcome of his people.46700:17:31,500 –> 00:17:33,459That is why we must welcome46800:17:33,459 –> 00:17:36,319every person in the warmest way46900:17:36,319 –> 00:17:38,680that we possibly can.47000:17:38,680 –> 00:17:41,380And especially the stranger.47100:17:41,380 –> 00:17:43,119God’s kindness47200:17:43,119 –> 00:17:45,959is seen through the kindness47300:17:45,959 –> 00:17:48,140of his people.47400:17:48,140 –> 00:17:49,140That is why we must47500:17:49,140 –> 00:17:51,420show kindness to one another47600:17:51,420 –> 00:17:57,119and never speak an unkind word.47700:17:57,119 –> 00:18:00,040God’s provision47800:18:00,040 –> 00:18:01,040is received through47900:18:01,280 –> 00:18:04,540the provision of his people.48000:18:04,540 –> 00:18:06,660That is why where there is need48100:18:06,660 –> 00:18:10,160we must seek to do all that we can48200:18:10,160 –> 00:18:14,739to be a means of alleviating that need.48300:18:14,739 –> 00:18:16,239So do you see this is a48400:18:16,239 –> 00:18:21,239marvellous story of hope?48500:18:21,239 –> 00:18:22,540And there’s bound to be some48600:18:22,540 –> 00:18:23,979in the congregation today48700:18:23,979 –> 00:18:25,359perhaps you came here48800:18:25,359 –> 00:18:26,859and just in your mind48900:18:26,859 –> 00:18:27,859and in your heart49000:18:27,859 –> 00:18:28,859you were thinking49100:18:28,939 –> 00:18:33,359why do I feel so hopeless?49200:18:33,359 –> 00:18:34,400Let me in these last moments49300:18:34,400 –> 00:18:35,400then just point you49400:18:35,400 –> 00:18:36,640directly from this story49500:18:36,640 –> 00:18:40,119to three ways to pursue hope49600:18:40,119 –> 00:18:42,219and to find it.49700:18:42,219 –> 00:18:43,219The first is simply this49800:18:43,219 –> 00:18:46,300do all that you can.49900:18:46,300 –> 00:18:47,300You feel hopeless50000:18:47,300 –> 00:18:48,300you feel like I’m in50100:18:48,300 –> 00:18:49,719a desperate situation50200:18:49,719 –> 00:18:51,319this is the first principle50300:18:51,319 –> 00:18:52,319biblical principle50400:18:52,319 –> 00:18:53,400from the story50500:18:53,400 –> 00:18:55,400you must do all that you can.50600:18:55,780 –> 00:18:59,099Ruth took responsibility50700:18:59,099 –> 00:19:01,579let me go into the field.50800:19:01,579 –> 00:19:04,040She took the initiative50900:19:04,040 –> 00:19:05,040she worked hard51000:19:05,040 –> 00:19:06,199throughout the morning51100:19:06,199 –> 00:19:07,400and throughout the afternoon51200:19:07,400 –> 00:19:09,319this was a long day’s hard work51300:19:09,319 –> 00:19:10,520but she took the initiative51400:19:10,520 –> 00:19:11,520and she worked hard51500:19:11,520 –> 00:19:14,660she did everything that she could51600:19:14,660 –> 00:19:18,500she cultivated good relationships51700:19:18,500 –> 00:19:19,939she asked the servant51800:19:19,939 –> 00:19:21,939if she could glean in the field51900:19:21,939 –> 00:19:24,319she wasn’t presumptuous52000:19:24,319 –> 00:19:25,619she showed great respect52100:19:25,619 –> 00:19:27,040for Boaz52200:19:27,040 –> 00:19:28,040she was not resentful52300:19:28,040 –> 00:19:30,819to him for his wealth52400:19:30,819 –> 00:19:32,300she was grateful52500:19:32,300 –> 00:19:34,000for the help that she received52600:19:34,000 –> 00:19:36,140here’s the principle52700:19:36,140 –> 00:19:38,839stated in new testament terms52800:19:38,839 –> 00:19:41,800Work out your own salvation52900:19:41,800 –> 00:19:43,699in fear and trembling53000:19:43,699 –> 00:19:46,719for it is God who works in you53100:19:46,719 –> 00:19:48,500you see the principle53200:19:48,500 –> 00:19:49,500if you have come to know53300:19:49,500 –> 00:19:50,500and believe that53400:19:50,500 –> 00:19:52,760that God is at work in you53500:19:52,920 –> 00:19:54,199that is the greatest possible53600:19:54,219 –> 00:19:56,119motivation for you yourself53700:19:56,119 –> 00:19:58,680to do all that you can53800:19:58,680 –> 00:19:59,680and that principle53900:19:59,680 –> 00:20:00,680is seen very clearly54000:20:00,680 –> 00:20:03,319in the story of Ruth54100:20:03,319 –> 00:20:06,520second if you would find hope54200:20:06,520 –> 00:20:07,739stay close to where54300:20:07,760 –> 00:20:09,439blessing is found54400:20:09,439 –> 00:20:10,680it’s very clear in this story54500:20:10,680 –> 00:20:12,819Boaz says to Ruth verse 854600:20:12,819 –> 00:20:15,040do not go to another field54700:20:15,040 –> 00:20:16,339or leave this one54800:20:16,339 –> 00:20:18,780but keep close to my young women54900:20:18,979 –> 00:20:20,099stay close to the people55000:20:20,099 –> 00:20:21,780where blessing is found55100:20:22,979 –> 00:20:23,819do not go wandering55200:20:23,839 –> 00:20:24,839all over the place55300:20:26,380 –> 00:20:27,420find people who have55400:20:27,439 –> 00:20:28,439some care for you55500:20:28,439 –> 00:20:29,699show some kindness towards you55600:20:29,699 –> 00:20:31,339stay where blessing is found55700:20:31,339 –> 00:20:32,680you experience something55800:20:32,699 –> 00:20:33,719of the blessing of God55900:20:33,719 –> 00:20:34,719stick there56000:20:34,719 –> 00:20:35,699don’t go wandering56100:20:35,699 –> 00:20:36,699all over the place56200:20:38,119 –> 00:20:39,319Boaz was a wealthy man56300:20:39,319 –> 00:20:40,500but he showed great kindness56400:20:40,500 –> 00:20:41,500to Ruth56500:20:41,500 –> 00:20:42,500he knew that other fields56600:20:42,500 –> 00:20:45,000were fraught with danger56700:20:45,000 –> 00:20:46,099but in the kindness of God56800:20:46,099 –> 00:20:47,099she had been brought56900:20:47,099 –> 00:20:49,719to a good place57000:20:49,719 –> 00:20:50,439but why then would57100:20:50,439 –> 00:20:51,800she go anywhere else?57200:20:53,520 –> 00:20:54,660If you want to find hope57300:20:54,660 –> 00:20:55,479stay close to where57400:20:55,479 –> 00:20:56,900blessing is found57500:20:56,900 –> 00:20:59,780bad company ruins good character57600:20:59,780 –> 00:21:01,160remember that57700:21:01,160 –> 00:21:02,160that is why the book57800:21:02,160 –> 00:21:05,260of Proverbs warns57900:21:05,260 –> 00:21:07,420against ever making friends58000:21:07,420 –> 00:21:08,420with someone who is58100:21:08,420 –> 00:21:09,939habitually angry58200:21:11,780 –> 00:21:12,780and check that out58300:21:12,800 –> 00:21:14,020in Proverbs chapter 2258400:21:14,020 –> 00:21:15,359in verse 2458500:21:15,380 –> 00:21:16,380The company you keep58600:21:16,420 –> 00:21:17,719will shape the person58700:21:17,719 –> 00:21:18,719you become58800:21:18,719 –> 00:21:21,079So stay close58900:21:21,079 –> 00:21:22,800to where blessing59000:21:22,800 –> 00:21:24,280is found59100:21:25,280 –> 00:21:26,380and the last thing of course is59200:21:26,400 –> 00:21:28,300take refuge under59300:21:28,300 –> 00:21:30,180the wings of God59400:21:32,000 –> 00:21:33,000You know of course59500:21:33,000 –> 00:21:34,439that the Lord Jesus Christ59600:21:34,439 –> 00:21:35,520took up these words59700:21:35,520 –> 00:21:37,219of Boaz in the New Testament59800:21:37,219 –> 00:21:38,140when he wept59900:21:38,900 –> 00:21:40,099over Jerusalem60000:21:41,000 –> 00:21:41,599And he said60100:21:41,599 –> 00:21:43,000Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem60200:21:43,000 –> 00:21:44,219how often would I have60300:21:44,219 –> 00:21:45,839gathered your children60400:21:45,839 –> 00:21:47,079together as a hen60500:21:47,079 –> 00:21:48,040gathers her brood60600:21:48,040 –> 00:21:49,660under her wings60700:21:49,660 –> 00:21:51,500and you were60800:21:51,500 –> 00:21:53,380not willing60900:21:54,319 –> 00:21:55,300Four of the saddest61000:21:55,359 –> 00:21:56,359words in the Bible61100:21:56,359 –> 00:21:59,959You were not willing61200:22:02,079 –> 00:22:03,540When you find yourself61300:22:03,560 –> 00:22:05,040in great need61400:22:06,619 –> 00:22:07,619When you find yourself61500:22:07,640 –> 00:22:08,900in great sorrow61600:22:10,640 –> 00:22:11,640When you undergo61700:22:11,640 –> 00:22:12,839a great trial61800:22:12,839 –> 00:22:15,619The last thing61900:22:15,619 –> 00:22:16,619you should ever do62000:22:16,619 –> 00:22:17,680is push the lord62100:22:17,680 –> 00:22:19,719Jesus Christ away62200:22:21,319 –> 00:22:23,459Because it is in him62300:22:23,459 –> 00:22:26,359and it is in him alone62400:22:26,359 –> 00:22:29,420that you will find hope62500:22:29,420 –> 00:22:30,579The lord Jesus Christ62600:22:30,579 –> 00:22:31,579will welcome you62700:22:31,579 –> 00:22:34,099The lord Jesus Christ62800:22:34,099 –> 00:22:35,099will bless you62900:22:35,099 –> 00:22:38,060The lord Jesus Christ63000:22:38,060 –> 00:22:39,060invites you to come63100:22:39,060 –> 00:22:41,400and eat at his table63200:22:41,400 –> 00:22:42,400he will feed you63300:22:42,699 –> 00:22:43,699he will nourish you63400:22:43,699 –> 00:22:44,699sustain you63500:22:44,699 –> 00:22:46,699for whatever you need63600:22:46,699 –> 00:22:47,699The lord Jesus Christ63700:22:47,699 –> 00:22:49,099will provide for you63800:22:49,099 –> 00:22:50,380My god,63900:22:50,380 –> 00:22:52,040will supply64000:22:52,040 –> 00:22:53,619all that you need64100:22:53,619 –> 00:22:56,719according to his riches64200:22:56,719 –> 00:23:01,160In Christ Jesus64300:23:01,160 –> 00:23:02,359You’ve been listening to64400:23:02,359 –> 00:23:03,359Open The Bible64500:23:03,359 –> 00:23:04,660with pastor Colin Smith64600:23:04,660 –> 00:23:06,760and a message called Hope64700:23:06,760 –> 00:23:07,819part of our series64800:23:07,819 –> 00:23:08,959Ordinary People64900:23:08,959 –> 00:23:10,719Extraordinary God65000:23:10,780 –> 00:23:12,920And if you’ve missed any of the series65100:23:12,920 –> 00:23:14,880Do come online to our website65200:23:14,880 –> 00:23:17,520openthebible.org.uk65300:23:17,520 –> 00:23:19,520if you want to go back and listen again65400:23:19,520 –> 00:23:21,520or catch up with any of the series65500:23:21,520 –> 00:23:23,319that you might have missed65600:23:23,319 –> 00:23:25,319Open The Bible is supported entirely65700:23:25,319 –> 00:23:26,099by our listeners65800:23:26,099 –> 00:23:28,000that’s people just like you65900:23:28,000 –> 00:23:30,239And if that’s something you’ve been considering doing66000:23:30,239 –> 00:23:33,079and you want to start a new direct debit this month66100:23:33,079 –> 00:23:35,439in the amount of $5 per month66200:23:35,439 –> 00:23:36,439or more66300:23:36,439 –> 00:23:38,920or a one-off gift of £50 or more66400:23:38,920 –> 00:23:40,680we have a brilliant offer for you66500:23:40,680 –> 00:23:41,979this month66600:23:41,979 –> 00:23:42,900We’ll send you66700:23:42,900 –> 00:23:44,880A copy of Leigh Strobel’s book66800:23:44,880 –> 00:23:46,280The Case for Easter66900:23:46,280 –> 00:23:47,199along with67000:23:47,199 –> 00:23:48,979Pastor Colin Smith’s booklet67100:23:48,979 –> 00:23:51,079Six Days That Changed the World67200:23:51,079 –> 00:23:54,500as well as a lovely Open The Bible Tote Bag67300:23:54,500 –> 00:23:56,500Pen and bookmark67400:23:56,500 –> 00:23:58,479Colin what is the book about?67500:23:58,479 –> 00:24:02,000Well, Christian faith is not a blind leap in the dark67600:24:02,000 –> 00:24:03,599and the compelling evidence67700:24:03,599 –> 00:24:06,680on which we can take a reasoned step of faith in Jesus67800:24:06,680 –> 00:24:09,160is placed before us in the Gospels67900:24:09,160 –> 00:24:10,760but I think there are many many people68000:24:10,760 –> 00:24:13,959who’ve never really carefully considered the evidence68100:24:13,959 –> 00:24:16,280and the Case for Easter68200:24:16,280 –> 00:24:17,959is about the evidence68300:24:17,959 –> 00:24:20,579for the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ68400:24:20,579 –> 00:24:22,540the author Leigh Strobel examines68500:24:22,540 –> 00:24:24,239the medical evidence68600:24:24,239 –> 00:24:26,619that Jesus did indeed die68700:24:26,619 –> 00:24:29,560the evidence of Jesus missing body from the tomb68800:24:29,560 –> 00:24:32,939and of course the evidence of Jesus resurrection appearances68900:24:32,939 –> 00:24:35,959It really is a wonderful clear book69000:24:35,959 –> 00:24:38,199that will help Christian believers69100:24:38,239 –> 00:24:40,660and show why we believe in the resurrection69200:24:40,660 –> 00:24:43,719and it will help those who are beginning to explore Christian faith69300:24:43,719 –> 00:24:46,579to find a pathway to faith in the risen Lord69400:24:46,579 –> 00:24:48,599We’d love to send you a copy of that book69500:24:48,599 –> 00:24:51,300if you are able to set up a new direct debit69600:24:51,300 –> 00:24:52,939to the work of Open the Bible69700:24:52,939 –> 00:24:55,439in the amount of £5 per month or more69800:24:55,439 –> 00:24:58,400or a one-off gift of £50 or more69900:24:58,400 –> 00:25:00,560Full details, terms and conditions70000:25:00,560 –> 00:25:02,000are on our website70100:25:02,000 –> 00:25:05,000openthebible.org.uk70200:25:05,680 –> 00:25:08,239For Open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith70300:25:08,239 –> 00:25:09,560I’m David Pick70400:25:09,560 –> 00:25:11,319and I hope you’ll be able to join us again70500:25:11,319 –> 00:25:14,280next time on Open the Bible70600:25:19,939 –> 00:25:23,420The Book of Ruth is an ancient beautiful love story70700:25:23,420 –> 00:25:26,719But why should we be interested in it today?70800:25:26,719 –> 00:25:29,239Find out next time on Open the Bible
