Redeeming Love: Ruth & Boaz Unite

0:00and they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. Luke 2.16. Lord, I can almost see the shepherds rushing to the stable to see the great event they were told about. What a reverential moment as they entered in and saw exactly what the angels had announced to them. There lying in a manger, surrounded by Mary and Joseph and the cattle in Oxen was the baby Jesus, the little king born to save the world. My eyes fill up with tears as I envisioned that wonderful moment of revelation. You were not a man that you would lie, and you fulfilled exactly what was foretold in prophecy, and all the angels declared to the shepherds. Unto us a child is born, Emmanuel, God with us. You are with me, Jesus, and are pleased to dwell among your people. You took on the form of humanity and experienced every emotion I do, yet

1:07you were fully divine and overcame the works of the flesh. You proved that when you were tempted in the wilderness before you started your ministry, today I declare that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, and I will praise you all the days of my life, not just on Christmas, but all the days of my life. I will worship and adore you, for there is none other like you, or will there ever be. In Jesus name, amen. With share my trip from Uber, you can send your live trip location to the ones who matter most, like Dan and Hannah who always wait up to make sure their daughter gets back to her college dorm room. Or Tiffany, who's running late as usual, and her friends are tracking her trip to make sure she's actually on her way. Or Sam, who never goes anywhere without her roommate knowing exactly where she is. Some journeys are meant to be shared. Share your ride in real time with share my trip on Uber. One more way Uber is putting safety at every turn. Learn more on the Uber app.

2:35Featuring falls best dressed. Make your move. Order on the sweet green app. In the first week of the year, we have a lot of fun. It's not for those with 14 or fewer headaches a month. It's the number one prescribed branded chronic migraine preventive treatment. Prescription Botox is injected by your doctor. Effects of Botox may spread hours to weeks after injection causing serious symptoms. Alerture doctor right away is difficulty swallowing, speaking, breathing, eye problems or muscle weakness can be signs of a life threatening condition. Patients with these conditions before injection are at highest risk. Side effects may include allergic reactions, neck and injection site pain, fatigue and headache. Alertive reactions can include rash, welts, asthma symptoms and dizziness. Don't receive Botox if there's a skin infection. Tell

3:39your doctor your medical history, muscle or nerve conditions, including ALS, Lugeric's disease, Myastthenia Gravis or Lambert Eaton Syndrome and medications, including botulinum toxins as these may increase the risk of serious side effects. Why wait? Ask your doctor, visit Botox Chronic Migraine.com or call 1-800-44 Botox to learn more. Prelude to Chapter 4 Experience Life Mary did not know it at the time, but the sun she was about to birth would one day endure his own pain for the sake of others. Her cries continued as the sun finally set over the Western hills.

4:42Then, as the stars began to sprinkle across the sky like fireflies, Mary's whales were replaced with the whimpering of a newborn baby. In a dusty stable surrounded by a host of farm animals, the promised child of God was born. Mary and Joseph cried as the newborn baby breathed in his first breaths on Earth. There were no priests to sound trumpets or incense burned at his feet, just two doding parents, a few donkeys in sheep and silence. It was a truly humble birth for such a long-leaded king. Yet this was the prophecy of Isaiah long before, that a virgin would conceive and give birth to a sun in the city of Bethlehem and call him Emmanuel, which means God with us. This was that moment. The moment God had promised since the fall of mankind.

5:46God himself, creator and the word of life, came down to dwell among mankind. He did not do so with a procession of gold or a vast army. He did so by coming in the likeness of man in the most humble of ways, a baby swaddled in a manger. Mary leaned over and kissed his nose. The spirit of God was present and near. Joseph and Mary found themselves considering the words of Isaiah long ago, saying, for to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. They could not begin to imagine what this child would grow up to do. For now, they held him, kissed him, listened to his cries, and attended to his every need.

6:50For now, they were doding parents, humbly thanking God for the burden and blessing of caring for a king. Stories like these. If you've been here from the beginning, you've seen it all, heartbreak, loyalty, faith and bold moves. And now we are here at Ruth chapter 4, the grand finale. If you're new here, don't worry, I've got you covered. We've been following the story of Ruth, a woman, who shown us what it looks like to stay faithful even when life's falling apart. And chapter 1, we see

7:50Ruth's loyalty to Naomi when she could have just walked away. And chapter 2, we saw Ruth's hard work and God's provision through Boaz. And chapter 3 was all about bold moves. Ruth's risky step of faith to ask Boaz to be her kinsman redeemer. But now this is it. This is the chapter where it all comes together. Redemption, restoration, legacy. We began today's episode with a prelude, a different story that foreshadows today's themes. We met another woman of courage, Mary. Ruth and Mary's lives are connected in our profound way. We'll unpack that after today's story. Today we're going to see Boaz step up in a major way. We'll see Ruth's story go from brokenness to blessing. And we'll

8:51get a glimpse of God's bigger plan, a plan that's bigger than Ruth, bigger than Boaz, and yes, bigger than us too. With Share My Trip from Uber, you can send your live trip location to the ones who matter most. Like Dan and Hannah, who always wait up to make sure their daughter gets back to her college dorm room. Or Tiffany, who's running late as usual, and her friends are tracking her trip to make sure she's actually on her way. Or Sam, who never goes anywhere without her roommate knowing exactly where she is. Some journeys are meant to be shared. Share your ride in real time with Share My Trip on Uber. One more way Uber is putting safety at every turn. Learn more on the Uber app. Fall has never looked or tasted this good. Sweet Greens Fall Harvest Menu is back with seasonal favorites dressed to impress and made to be devoured. Warm roasted sweet potatoes, crisp apples, maple glazed brussels, and crave worthy flavors in the autumn harvest bowl, maple glazed salmon plate,

9:51and roasted bacon brussels side. The season's most desirable menu has returned to sweet green. Featuring Fall's Best Dressed, make your move, order on the sweet green app. The morning was alive with the song of birds and the whisper of a gentle breeze. Yet Boaz was far from tranquil. Love, duty, loyalty, and affection, all of these churned within him, pulling him in different directions. It was hard to say which had first compelled him to heed Ruth's request. Perhaps it was all of them. What was certain was the grip her presence had upon him. Her smile radiant even in the flicker of torchlight haunted him.

10:53Her voice gentle and resolute echoed in his thoughts. She was a marvel of steadfast devotion and quiet strength. Yet to marry her, that was no simple matter. There was another man, a closer kinsman whose claim by law came before his own. Boaz was a man of integrity and he would not abandon his honor now, no matter how much he wanted to. He stood at the base of the path leading to the other redeemer's estate, the gravel crunching beneath his sandals. The roads stretched before him, winding and still. The echoes of the previous night, Ruth's whispered words, her presence like a lantern in his darkened heart, still clung to him like a dream half remembered. You are a kinsman redeemer, Boaz. Your wings are able to uplift and raise up the broken and forgotten.

11:55Please spread your wings over me as a redeemer. He steadied himself, taking slow deliberate breaths as he approached the entrance. Most important meetings happened at the gate. Boaz lowered himself onto a stone near it and fixed his gaze on the horizon. The rising sun cast its golden light over the fields, turning them into a sea of shimmering gold. It was a sight meant to inspire peace, yet Boaz felt a knot of anxiety tightening within him. He thought of his mother, Reha. A harlot once marked as irredeemable, she had become a hero of Israel. Boaz knew the truth of redemption as few others did. It was a costly, beautiful thing, one that transformed brokenness into splendor. The thought of Ruth, of the legacy they might create together, stirred his heart. It was both thrilling and terrifying to him. He closed his eyes, offering a silent prayer for courage.

13:01The other kinsman's approached with a few runs. The man was older, his beard streaked with gray and his face weathered from years spent beneath the unforgiving sun. His movements were brusque and his toned sharp as he dismissed Boaz's polite bow. Ah Boaz, to what do I owe this visit? Lord be with you, brother. The man's reply was little more than a grunt. Boaz hid his dismay, truly, men of honor and kindness were rare in those days. Yet despite his course to mean her, this kinsman was not holy without virtue. He had a reputation for fairness at least. The two men sat side by side, their eyes on the field stretching before them. It was a fitting backdrop for the conversation at hand. As you know, Naomi, the wife of El-Emolek has returned to Bethlehem. Being a widow, she's no longer able to afford her property. It is up to a

14:06kinsman redeemer to buy it and keep it in the family. Is this something you would desire to purchase? It is your ride before it is mine. The home at the corner of the city? I could buy it from her. The ground hasn't been tilled in years, but that shouldn't be a problem for my oxen. I could certainly buy it from her, so she may have some wealth to live on for the rest of her days. However long that may be. It's within your right. Yet there is another aspect of this redemption though. Whoever buys the home will also redeem her daughter in law, Ruth, the widow of Marlon. She traveled with her to Bethlehem. As the words left his lips, Boaz felt the weight of his own longing, offering Ruth to another man stung more than he expected, but it also crystallized his resolve. He wanted her, not merely as a duty, but as a joy. He waited, the tension mounting, like a drawn

15:08bowstring. The kinsman sighed heavily, shaking his head. Ah, Blast, and I can't do that, Boaz! I have a bride of my own, and she's trouble enough for me, plus, with muddy up the inheritance laid up for my children. Messy, messy, I won't have that headache. He turned to Boaz and noticed the look of relief on his face. A sly smile crept across his face. I had to do what is our own. Eh, you and your honor. I do what's right in my own eyes. Meanwhile, I prefer to be practical, thank you. I do what makes sense, and frankly, this doesn't. Here, give me your sandal and let's be done with it. The two exchanged sandals, a gesture of tradition binding the transaction. They embraced briefly, the old man slapping Boaz's back with rough comradery. Thank you. Eh, don't thank me yet. You still need the elders to approve of this mess.

16:12Many of them wanted you to marry their daughters. I expect it will be a disappointment. Boaz rose, his stride firmer, his heart lighter. There was a fire within him now. The unmistakeable assurance of God's hand upon his life. The spirit of the Lord surged within him, filling him with the courage of a redeemer. As he made his way toward Ruth, he thought of the path ahead, not just the physical road, but the life they would build together. The Lord was moving, and Boaz was marching in step with his divine will toward a love that would shape generations to come. Boaz strode into the heart of the town where the elders gathered at the gate. These men, the appointed stewards of Bethlehem were accustomed to weighing matters of law and inheritance, but theirs was a generation marked by unrest and cynicism. The time of the judges had left them

17:14wary of hope, suspicious of joy. Yet Boaz stood among them, younger than most, a man whose courage and righteousness burned brighter than the sun that lit the town square. Messengers spread word of the meeting, and the elders convened in the place of judgment. They formed a circle, voices low, murmurs, as if unsure whether this summons would prove a waste of their time. When all were assembled, Boaz took his place in their midst, his broad shoulders and steady eyes, cutting a figure of resolve. The murmurs died away as he raised his hand. When Boaz spoke, his voice was steady, resonant, and filled with purpose. Men of Bethlehem, hear my declaration, and give me your blessing. You are witnesses to this day that I plan to buy from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to a limelick and all that belonged to Chullion and to Marlon. I will redeem the land that has gone

18:18untended and cultivated. And as for Ruth, the mohabite, the widow of Marlon, I intend to make her my wife. May the name of the dead never be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. You are all witnesses to this day. His words fell like stones into a still pond. For a moment there was only the shuffling of sandals against the dusty ground, the rustle of rose. Then the murmurs began, growing louder as the elders exchanged looks of skepticism and mutter their misdivings. Are you sure about this decision, Boaz? Strategy has followed the lineage of a limelick, perhaps the cursed. She's a mohabite pup. Best to leave her be. Who knows what trouble this foreigner will bring? Their objections carried the weight of prejudice and fear, born of years when hardship had dulled their faith. Boaz, however, was unmoved. He stood firm, his gaze unwavering as he raised

19:25his voice above the discord. Now wait right there. I've gone witness to the resolve of Ruth. I have seen the resilience of Naomi. They are women of character. Who have we become? If we allow our kin to wither away like this? Who are we as men, as Israelites? Did not the Lord say to our people? I am the Lord and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians and I will deliver you from their bondage. I will also redeem you with an outstretched harm and with great judgment. Then I will take you for my people and I will be your God. Is it not the heart of the Lord to redeem and uplift? If it is his heart, it shall be mine as well. You are all witnesses that I have made this decision. The elders grumbled their voices low and indistinct, but one by one they nodded. Their agreement was begrudging but sufficient. Boaz had won

20:28them over, not through coercion, but through the clarity of his conviction. Words spread quickly and soon all of Bethlehem buzzed with the news. Boaz, the honorable and generous, would marry Ruth, the Moa bite widow. The threshing floor became a place of celebration transformed by garlands of flowers and the laughter of those who came to prepare the feast. Boaz worked among them, directing the arrangements with care and precision. When at last the preparations were complete, a messenger was dispatched to bring Ruth to him and Boaz stood waiting, his heart a light with expectation. The Lord was in this union, his hand guiding it, his purpose woven into the fabric of their story. Boaz felt it in his very bones. History was turning and he was its instrument. Ruth and Naomi sat in silence in their hovel. Ruth's heart unsteady. She had heard nothing from Boaz

21:32and the silence nodded her. Every passing moment seemed to stretch impossibly long, filled with the clamor of her own thoughts, anticipation, hope and a shadow of doubt. Then a knock at the door broke the silence. A smile curved at the edges of Naomi's mouth. My child, I think that may be for you. Ruth's breath caught in her throat as she rose. Her feet hesitant but her heart racing. She reached the door and opened it slowly. The creek of the wood was the only sound for the world erupted into joyous commotion. A parade of people stood outside. Their shouts of joy and exaltation filling the air. Trumpets blared triumphantly and women stepped forward with arms laden with fragrant oils, flowers and garments of gleaming light. Before Ruth could process what was happening, they swept into the house like a tide.

22:33Their hands jemped yet insisted as they adorned her with the finerty of a bride. Blast! They called her. Chosen, pretend! The words swirled around Ruth along with garlands of wildflowers. She felt the press of hands smoothing her hair and settling a delicate veil over her brow. When the men melton presented her with a seat, she lowered herself into it. The seat was lifted high, carried upon their shoulders as they began their triumphant march. Ruth's heart swelled as the cheers rose around her. The procession moved down the road toward the threshing floor, where Boat's waited. Naomi walked behind the parade. Her heart brimming with an emotion she had not felt in years. Delight! Tears strained down Naomi's weathered cheeks as she whispered praises to the Lord. She thought of the bitter name she had once claimed, Ma'ra, and how far the Lord had brought her since those dark days. The sweetness of her true name,

23:36Naomi returned to her in waves. The Lord had never abandoned her. His hand was carrying her all along through the loyalty of her daughter-in-law Ruth. Faithful Ruth, redeemed Ruth. The crowd reached the threshing floor. There stood Boat's. His posture was tall and proud. His expression radiant with joy as he caught sight of Ruth. The men set Ruth gently at the start of the aisle. She remained there for a moment. Her hands trembling slightly as she took in the scene before her. Her gaze lingered on Boat's, her redeemer, and she thought of the journey that had led her through this moment. She remembered the tears shed at Ma'ra's grave. The nights spent in prayer beneath the vast, unyielding sky. She thought of the aching march from Moab, the weariness of gleaning in the fields. All of it, every sorrow and trial, had been a thread in the tapestry of God's

24:43breath, deeply, steadying herself, and stepped forward. Each step was a prayer of gratitude, a declaration of faith. The brokenness of her past melted away with each stride. Her path illuminated by the rising sun of redemption. When she reached Boaz, she took his hand. His fingers were rough, but his touch was gentle. Boaz looked at Ruth. His heart neared to bursting. She was radiant. Her beauty not merely in her outward adornment, but in the strength and faith that shone through her. She was a testament to the grace of God, a living emblem of redemption. Ruth, daughter of Moab, but beloved of Israel. Today I take you to be my wife, in the sight of the Lord of God, and before the witnesses of this assembly, you are no longer a stranger among us,

25:46but grafted into the people of Israel. As the Lord has redeemed me at my house, so I vow to redeem you, the cherished you, and to honor you all the days of my life. Boaz, I stand here today, not because of my worth, because of the kindness of our God and your steadfast heart. Pledge myself to you as your wife, to love you and serve you with loyalty, as I have loved and served me. May the God of Israel, under whose wings I have sought refuge, bless this union and guide our steps together. As it is written in the scroll of our forefathers, it is not good for man to be a fool. I will make a help her suitable for him. Ruth, you are my help, my companion, and the delight of my heart. I will love you as my own soul, honor you as my partner,

26:52and protect you as my bride. Where you go, I will go. Where you dwell, I will dwell. Your people will be my people, and your God, my God. The vows they exchanged echoed like music in the hearts of all who gathered. The people cheered, and their voices of chorus of celebration, their faces are light with the realization that they were witnessing more than a union of two souls. There was a foretaste of something greater, a glimpse of God's ultimate plan of redemption for his people. Boaz and Ruth's love story became a part of the grand and narrative of God's faithfulness. Through their union, a lineage was forged that would bring forth kings and eventually the king. Years later, when their son Obed was born, Naomi cradled him in her arms, her heart overflowing with joy. The women of Bethlehem gathered around, their voices lifting in song. Blessed be the Lord

28:00who has not left you without a redeemer. This child so be to you a restored of life. Their words were not merely a blessing, but a prophecy. Obed would grow to Father Jesse, and Jesse would Father David, the shepherd king of Israel. From David's line, under the same Bethlehem skies, a child would be born in a stable, a child who would redeem not only a family or a nation but the entire world. Through suffering and sorrow, through loyalty and love, God's redemptive plan unfolded. The story of Ruth and Boaz was but a thread in the grand tapestry. Yet it's beauty shown brightly, pointing to the ultimate Kinsman Redeemer, Jesus of Nazareth. The descendant of faithful Ruth and righteous Boaz, he would bear the weight of the storm and deliver his people, calling them beloved and restoring what was lost.

29:08On any journey using Uber, it helps to know you're getting into the right car. Pin verification adds an extra step to make sure your ride is your ride. Before the trip begins, your app gives you a unique pin. Just tell it to your driver and they'll enter it in their app before the ride can start. That way you know you're in the right car taking the right trip, and your driver knows you're the right passenger. Make sure your ride is your ride, with pin verification from Uber. One more way Uber is putting safety at every turn. Learn more on the Uber app. Pres. and made to be devoured. Warm roasted sweet potatoes, crisp apples, maple glazed brussels, and crave worthy flavors in the autumn harvest bowl, maple glazed salmon plate, and roasted bacon brussels side. The season's most desirable menu has returned to sweet green. Featuring falls best dressed. Make your move. Order on the sweet green app.

30:17And get back to your best self. What propels you? Prepell with Gatorade Electrolites. Wow, Ruth chapter four is one of my favorite full circle moments in the Bible. It proves that God's promises are never empty. If you've been waiting for a breakthrough, this chapter was for you. Here's the scene. Boaz goes straight to the town gate to handle business. Back in those days, the town gate was like city hall. It's where all the legal and official stuff happened. Boaz is ready to take action to Ruth. I absolutely love this. Can we pause for a minute and talk about what a man Boaz is? He's getting things done for this woman that he's fallen in love with. He doesn't wait for things to just happen. He's a man of action. He's intentional.

31:22He's ready to do what it takes to make Ruth his wife. I absolutely love it. And you know, every single Christian girl has a Boaz on her mind when looking for qualities in a future husband. Here's what stands out to me. Boaz didn't have to do any of this. He chose to. He didn't have to love Ruth or protect Naomi's family line, but he did it out of love, compassion, and obedience to God's ways. I'm telling you right now, if you've ever wondered if anyone would choose you, not out of obligation, but out of love, let Ruth chapter four be your reminder. Jesus chose you. Jesus is your Boaz. Jesus is your Kinsman Redeemer. Boaz bought Naomi's land with money and married Ruth. Jesus bought your salvation on the cross with his blood and called

32:28you his bride. And this love for you isn't based on obligation. He chose you every single time. Now here's the part that's going to get you shouting. Boaz and Ruth get married. And then oh y'all, then they have a son. His name is Obed. Here's why this matters. Obed becomes the grandfather of King David. And if you're familiar with the Bible, you know that Jesus, yes, our Redeemer comes through the lineage of David. So Ruth, a woman who started as a Moabite widow, becomes part of the family line of Jesus Christ. That's why the birth of Jesus was in our prelude. This moment between Ruth and Boaz made the birth of Christ possible. Do you know what this means?

33:28If Ruth's life filled with tragedy gave way to the coming of Christ, then what is your hardship making way for? What is God having store for you? This is why I love God for redemption story. He takes what looks broken, lost, and hopeless, and uses it for something eternal. Ruth's faithfulness didn't just change her story. It changed generations. And here's my takeaway for all of us. Your faithfulness matters. Your story matters. Ruth had no idea she was part of something bigger than herself. She was just trying to survive. But God took her ordinary acts of faithfulness and built something extraordinary out of them. I'll be honest with you. There have been seasons in my life where I've asked, God, is any of this even making a difference?

34:33I feel like that with much of my work, with inmates and prisons, it's hard, it's emotional, it's exhausting. But Ruth's story reminds me that faithfulness and the small things is never wasted. God's working in the background, weaving it all together. So here's the challenge I'm giving you today. Don't underestimate your ordinary faithfulness, your acts of love, your hard work, your decision to stay when you could walk away, because God sees it. And he's using it for something bigger than you could ever imagine. You might feel like Ruth right now doing what you've got to do with no idea how it'll turn out. But just know that God's got a bow as moment coming for you. And I'm telling you, it's coming. This wraps up our series on Ruth, but y'all, this isn't the end.

35:34It's just the beginning. God's still writing your story. And I'm cheering you on every step of the way. If this message spoke to you, share it with someone in their waiting season. Sometimes all it takes is one reminder that redemption is coming. You could be the only Bible someone ever reads. Thanks for joining me on this series. And remember, God's plans for you are good, even when you can't see them. If you want more epic stories like these, download the prey.com app today. On any journey using Uber, it helps to know you're getting into the right car. Pin verification adds an extra step to make sure your ride is your ride. Before the trip begins, your app gives you a unique pin. Just tell it to your driver and they'll enter it in their app before the ride can start. Hey, what's your pin? Mm-hmm. 2538. That way you know you're in the right car taking the right trip and your driver knows you're the right passenger. Make sure your ride is your

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