Gleaning 1.Obtaining information from various sources, often with difficulty. 2.Collecting leftover crops from farmers' fields after they have been harvested. The law of gleaning: Leviticus 19:9-10 and 23:22, Deuteronomy 24:19-21

Gleanings in Ruth – part 2 Book of Ruth chapters 3 and 4 (following on from part 2 – Ruth 1 and 2) Then it was Pentecost and today its Father’s day and our story has tenuous links with both of these events (also this is the day after John Birch’s wedding) Primary object of today’s talk is to exalt Christ – that which we are able to glean from the book of Ruth will do just that A beautiful story – full of suspense and depth but remarkably little by way of direct teaching or revelation, yet so much to glean (read in the Message, follow in the NIV, quote from the KJV)

Five main characters Naomi – the bereaved woman Orpah – Naomi’s daughter in law Ruth – Naomi’s daughter in law Boaz – a relative and landowner God – ever present presence

The story up to half way

Naomi Married to Elimelech; mother of two sons – Mahlon and Kilion; married Orpah and Ruth Famine appears to be the reason for leaving their home (Bethlehem) to live in Moab Tragedy strikes – loss of husband and sons An underlying bitterness was the result Returning home – desolate, in poverty Yet she doesn’t lose hope - seeing God work

Orpah A dutiful daughter in law Began to journey back to Naomi’s home Genuine affection and kindness toward Naomi Persuaded by Naomi’s arguments For in the end she turned back when the invitation was given and opportunity arose

Ruth A dutiful daughter in law One that went far beyond the call of duty An excellent companion A resourceful woman Having a humble spirit Acting with due decorum

Boaz A well to do landowner A good, God fearing man Attentive to detail Heart of compassion Wanting to do the right thing The nearest kinsman (to Naomi)

God Ever present throughout the story even though He doesn’t speak directly In control come what may – working His purposes out when things don’t make sense God may seem silent, but he is ever active Society functions best when God is feared Gleaning – part of the then welfare culture Looking after the foreigner is important The importance of marriage and the family The law concerning redemption

Part one - conclusions The unraveling of the principle characters – Naomi, Orpah, Ruth and Boaz A woeful beginning but things get better Things that don’t just happen; God is working Marvel at the human spirit God can turn tragedy into triumph We gain more than what we lose if for God Things looking up but the best is yet to come

The story – half way until the end

8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. 9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. 10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. 12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.

Redeem (secular) definition 1.compensate for the faults or bad aspects of e.g. "a disappointing debate was redeemed only by an outstanding speech“ 2.do something that compensates for poor past performance or behavior e.g. “England redeemed themselves for their past failures by playing well and winning against New Zealand in the recent one day cricket series”

Redeem (biblical) definition New Testament: The Greek word used for redeemed is “lytrōsis” meaning “a ransoming, deliverance” or “a rescue” and that is what Jesus did by giving His own life for sinners such as us, 2,000 years ago, by dying on the cross. Old Testament: Finding its context in the social, legal, and religious customs of the ancient world, the metaphor of redemption includes the ideas of loosing from a bond, setting free from captivity or slavery, buying back something lost or sold, exchanging something in one's possession for something possessed by another, and ransoming. Redemption involves deliverance from bondage based on the payment of a price by a redeemer. NT and OT the redeemed normally could not redeem himself.

Redemption verses – Old Testament “But because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt”. Deuteronomy 7:8 “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:” Job 19:25 “Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” Isaiah 51:11

Redemption verses – New Testament “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,” Luke 1:68 “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” 1Peter 1:18,19 “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;” Revelation 5:9

Redemption Ground (hymn) Come sing, my soul, and praise the Lord, Who hath redeemed thee by His blood; Delivered thee from chains that bound, And brought thee to redemption ground. Refrain Redemption ground, the ground of peace! Redemption ground, O wondrous grace! Here let our praise to God abound! Who saves us on redemption ground.

There is a redeemer (1) There is a redeemer, Jesus, God's own Son, Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Holy One, Jesus my redeemer, Name above all names, Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Hope for sinners slain. Thank you oh my father, For giving us Your Son, And sending Your Spirit, 'Til the work on Earth is done. When I stand in Glory, I will see His face, And there I'll serve my King forever, In that Holy Place.

There is a redeemer (2) Thank you oh my Father, For giving us Your Son, And sending Your Spirit, 'Til the work on Earth is done. There is a Redeemer, Jesus, God's own Son, Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Holy One, Thank you oh my Father, For giving us Your Son, And sending Your Spirit, 'Til the work on Earth is done. And sending Your Spirit, 'Till the work on Earth is done.

Extend your cover over me (1) “Cover me, cover me, extend the border of Thy mantle over me, because Thou art my nearest kinsman. Cover me, cover me, cover me.” This song is based upon the words of Ruth to Boaz; “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer.” [3:9] Redemption is that activity of the grace of God that not only forgives a man’s sins but also restores and overrules all the loss occasioned by his sin. With God failure is never final. How wonderful! Let us shout it from the rooftops so that those caught in the web of deceit may be set free by the power of God’s redemptive love. We can be certain that God’s invitation to experience our nearest Kinsman-Redeemer covers all of our sin, condemnation and failure and pursues us relentlessly with a deep affection and unchanging love. Roy Hession

Extend your cover over me (2) What in one age or nation would be improper, is not always so in another age or another nation. Being a judge of Israel, Boaz would tell Ruth what she should do; also whether he had the right of redemption, and what methods must be taken, and what rites used, in order to accomplishing her marriage with him or another person. The conduct of Boaz calls for the highest praise. He attempted not to take advantage of Ruth; he did not disdain her as a poor, destitute stranger, nor suspect her of any ill intentions. He spoke honourably of her as a virtuous woman, made her a promise, and as soon as the morning arrived, sent her away with a present to her mother-in-law. Boaz made his promise conditional, for there was a kinsman nearer than he, to whom the right of redemption belonged. Matthew Henry

Ruth 4:4 - And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it. Ruth 4:6 - And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it. Ruth 4:7 - Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel.

The genealogy of Jesus Matthew 1: 1-17 Luke 3: Five women given prominence in the ancestral line: Tamar Rahab Bathsheba Ruth Mary What do you think these women had in common?

Final thoughts Boaz and Ruth – a marriage made in heaven The wonderful gift of redemption Boaz – Ruth’s kinsman redeemer Jesus – Our kinsmen redeemer Naomi – all’s well that ends well A line in posterity that leads to our Saviour God is at the heart of all that went on To Him be all honour and glory