Ruth 4: You Wanted the Land but Not the Moabite, Big Mistake!

Welcome to chapter by chapter for your Welcome to chapter by chapter for your journey through the greatest book given journey through the greatest book given journey through the greatest book given to the human race, the word of God, the to the human race, the word of God, the to the human race, the word of God, the Bible. We get to go through it chapter Bible. We get to go through it chapter Bible. We get to go through it chapter by chapter, 7 minutes a day, 7 days a by chapter, 7 minutes a day, 7 days a by chapter, 7 minutes a day, 7 days a week. Join us each day and share it with week. Join us each day and share it with week. Join us each day and share it with others so they can join this journey others so they can join this journey others so they can join this journey that will be life-changing. We'll stop that will be life-changing. We'll stop that will be life-changing. We'll stop at unexpected places on the journey and at unexpected places on the journey and at unexpected places on the journey and be challenged. Some verses will create be challenged. Some verses will create be challenged. Some verses will create awe and wonder, we'll have chapters that awe and wonder, we'll have chapters that awe and wonder, we'll have chapters that will be instructive, and in others we'll will be instructive, and in others we'll will be instructive, and in others we'll find joy and comfort. We will find joy and comfort. We will find joy and comfort. We will occasionally be convicted and want to occasionally be convicted and want to occasionally be convicted and want to change, but all in all the journey will change, but all in all the journey will change, but all in all the journey will be worth it. Once in a while we may take be worth it. Once in a while we may take be worth it. Once in a while we may take a detour on the journey and hear from a detour on the journey and hear from a detour on the journey and hear from some of God's servants of their favorite some of God's servants of their favorite some of God's servants of their favorite passages from a chapter of scripture and passages from a chapter of scripture and passages from a chapter of scripture and let them give you their insight. Every let them give you their insight. Every let them give you their insight. Every journey needs a small detour journey needs a small detour journey needs a small detour occasionally. The best way to get the occasionally. The best way to get the occasionally. The best way to get the most from this podcast is read the most from this podcast is read the most from this podcast is read the chapter we are discussing before or chapter we are discussing before or chapter we are discussing before or after. It's his word that transforms. after. It's his word that transforms. after. It's his word that transforms. You'll find more and see more than I can You'll find more and see more than I can You'll find more and see more than I can ever articulate. Welcome to chapter by ever articulate. Welcome to chapter by ever articulate. Welcome to chapter by chapter and today's chapter is Ruth 4. chapter and today's chapter is Ruth 4. chapter and today's chapter is Ruth 4. You wanted the land but not the Moabite, You wanted the land but not the Moabite, You wanted the land but not the Moabite, big mistake. big mistake. big mistake. It is considered the greatest Bible It is considered the greatest Bible It is considered the greatest Bible daily devotional written and it's called daily devotional written and it's called daily devotional written and it's called My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers.

Chambers. Chambers. It has blessed countless millions around It has blessed countless millions around It has blessed countless millions around the world. Oswald was a British military the world. Oswald was a British military the world. Oswald was a British military chaplain at 40 years old during World chaplain at 40 years old during World chaplain at 40 years old during World War I and volunteered to go to Egypt. In War I and volunteered to go to Egypt. In War I and volunteered to go to Egypt. In the shadow of the pyramids, he would the shadow of the pyramids, he would the shadow of the pyramids, he would meet in a little hut for Bible studies meet in a little hut for Bible studies meet in a little hut for Bible studies with the British teenagers who would be with the British teenagers who would be with the British teenagers who would be shipped off to Turkey to fight and where shipped off to Turkey to fight and where shipped off to Turkey to fight and where many would die. many would die. many would die. As Oswald would speak to the soldiers, As Oswald would speak to the soldiers, As Oswald would speak to the soldiers, his wife Gertrude, a trained court his wife Gertrude, a trained court his wife Gertrude, a trained court stenographer capable of taking shorthand stenographer capable of taking shorthand stenographer capable of taking shorthand at 250 words per minute, would write at 250 words per minute, would write at 250 words per minute, would write down every word he spoke. down every word he spoke. down every word he spoke. One day Oswald had a pain in the side One day Oswald had a pain in the side One day Oswald had a pain in the side that was appendicitis. He needed surgery that was appendicitis. He needed surgery that was appendicitis. He needed surgery but he would not take a bed from a but he would not take a bed from a but he would not take a bed from a British soldier who he felt needed it British soldier who he felt needed it British soldier who he felt needed it more and he died from a ruptured more and he died from a ruptured more and he died from a ruptured appendix. Gertrude went back to England appendix. Gertrude went back to England appendix. Gertrude went back to England with her little baby and she was with her little baby and she was with her little baby and she was penniless. She ran a boarding house and penniless. She ran a boarding house and penniless. She ran a boarding house and had eight borders. This widow would go had eight borders. This widow would go had eight borders. This widow would go into her damp basement each night and on into her damp basement each night and on into her damp basement each night and on a typewriter transcribe those words she a typewriter transcribe those words she a typewriter transcribe those words she wrote down in the desert.

wrote down in the desert. wrote down in the desert. When you would open up an Oswald When you would open up an Oswald When you would open up an Oswald Chambers devotional, it was written from Chambers devotional, it was written from Chambers devotional, it was written from a basement by a widow who took notes in a basement by a widow who took notes in a basement by a widow who took notes in the desert. Biddy, Oswald's nickname for the desert. Biddy, Oswald's nickname for the desert. Biddy, Oswald's nickname for her, went on to write 30 books under his her, went on to write 30 books under his her, went on to write 30 books under his name that she took shorthand for. name that she took shorthand for. name that she took shorthand for. I have almost all of those books in my I have almost all of those books in my I have almost all of those books in my library and they are deep and they are library and they are deep and they are library and they are deep and they are powerful. powerful. powerful. I am not sure Oswald knew the kind of I am not sure Oswald knew the kind of I am not sure Oswald knew the kind of woman he would be getting when he woman he would be getting when he woman he would be getting when he married Biddy. married Biddy. married Biddy. She was a gift. She was a prize and she She was a gift. She was a prize and she She was a gift. She was a prize and she preserved the legacy of this man. preserved the legacy of this man. preserved the legacy of this man. Ruth was like Gertrude Chambers Ruth was like Gertrude Chambers Ruth was like Gertrude Chambers and a man passed on her in Ruth chapter and a man passed on her in Ruth chapter and a man passed on her in Ruth chapter 4. A man who has no legacy preserved for 4. A man who has no legacy preserved for 4. A man who has no legacy preserved for his name because it would have been his name because it would have been his name because it would have been found in Ruth. The unnamed man in Ruth 4 found in Ruth. The unnamed man in Ruth 4 found in Ruth. The unnamed man in Ruth 4 wanted land but not the Moabite woman. wanted land but not the Moabite woman. wanted land but not the Moabite woman. That was a big mistake. That was a big mistake. That was a big mistake. Boaz would be Ruth's kinsman redeemer Boaz would be Ruth's kinsman redeemer Boaz would be Ruth's kinsman redeemer but he was not first in line to redeem but he was not first in line to redeem but he was not first in line to redeem her and the family's land.

her and the family's land. her and the family's land. There was another relative who has the There was another relative who has the There was another relative who has the right of first refusal right of first refusal right of first refusal and did they ever get it wrong? Boaz was and did they ever get it wrong? Boaz was and did they ever get it wrong? Boaz was compelled by law to go to him. So, he compelled by law to go to him. So, he compelled by law to go to him. So, he went to him to see if he wanted to went to him to see if he wanted to went to him to see if he wanted to redeem Ruth and her property. The redeem Ruth and her property. The redeem Ruth and her property. The exchange was telling and it went like exchange was telling and it went like exchange was telling and it went like this starting in verse 1. Now, Boaz went this starting in verse 1. Now, Boaz went this starting in verse 1. Now, Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there and up to the gate and sat down there and up to the gate and sat down there and behold the close relative of whom Boaz behold the close relative of whom Boaz behold the close relative of whom Boaz spoke was passing by. So, he said, "Turn spoke was passing by. So, he said, "Turn spoke was passing by. So, he said, "Turn aside, friend. Sit down here." And he aside, friend. Sit down here." And he aside, friend. Sit down here." And he turned aside and sat down, and he took turned aside and sat down, and he took turned aside and sat down, and he took 10 men of the elders of the city and 10 men of the elders of the city and 10 men of the elders of the city and said, "Sit down here." So, they sat said, "Sit down here." So, they sat said, "Sit down here." So, they sat down. down. down. Then he said to the closest relative, Then he said to the closest relative, Then he said to the closest relative, "Naomi, who has come back from the land "Naomi, who has come back from the land "Naomi, who has come back from the land of Moab, has to sell the piece of land of Moab, has to sell the piece of land of Moab, has to sell the piece of land to which belonged to our brother to which belonged to our brother to which belonged to our brother Elimelech. So, I thought to inform you Elimelech. So, I thought to inform you Elimelech. So, I thought to inform you saying, 'Buy it before those who are saying, 'Buy it before those who are saying, 'Buy it before those who are sitting here and before the elders of my sitting here and before the elders of my sitting here and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem people. If you will redeem it, redeem people. If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if not, tell me that I may know, it. But if not, tell me that I may know, it. But if not, tell me that I may know, for there is no one but you to redeem for there is no one but you to redeem for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am after you.'" it, and I am after you.'" it, and I am after you.'" And he said, "I will redeem it." Then And he said, "I will redeem it." Then And he said, "I will redeem it." Then Boaz said, "On the day you buy the field Boaz said, "On the day you buy the field Boaz said, "On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also from the hand of Naomi, you must also from the hand of Naomi, you must also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of the deceased, in order to raise up the the deceased, in order to raise up the the deceased, in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his name of the deceased on his name of the deceased on his inheritance." The closest relative said, inheritance." The closest relative said, inheritance." The closest relative said, "I cannot redeem it for myself because I "I cannot redeem it for myself because I "I cannot redeem it for myself because I would jeopardize my own inheritance.

would jeopardize my own inheritance. would jeopardize my own inheritance. Redeem it for yourself. You may have my Redeem it for yourself. You may have my Redeem it for yourself. You may have my right of redemption, for I cannot redeem right of redemption, for I cannot redeem right of redemption, for I cannot redeem it." The closest relative wanted the it." The closest relative wanted the it." The closest relative wanted the land, but not the Moabite woman. He land, but not the Moabite woman. He land, but not the Moabite woman. He messed up big-time. That young lady was messed up big-time. That young lady was messed up big-time. That young lady was the reward, not the property. He saw the reward, not the property. He saw the reward, not the property. He saw real estate, and Boaz saw Ruth. That real estate, and Boaz saw Ruth. That real estate, and Boaz saw Ruth. That young Moabite woman would change young Moabite woman would change young Moabite woman would change history. The closest relative said, history. The closest relative said, history. The closest relative said, "I'll redeem it." Until Boaz said, "You "I'll redeem it." Until Boaz said, "You "I'll redeem it." Until Boaz said, "You must take the girl with the property." must take the girl with the property." must take the girl with the property." To which he said, "You can redeem it." To which he said, "You can redeem it." To which he said, "You can redeem it." He did not want the Gentile and the He did not want the Gentile and the He did not want the Gentile and the land. Boaz hit the lottery. Boaz got land. Boaz hit the lottery. Boaz got land. Boaz hit the lottery. Boaz got Ruth. Charles Spurgeon said, "There are Ruth. Charles Spurgeon said, "There are Ruth. Charles Spurgeon said, "There are two great certainties about things two great certainties about things two great certainties about things coming to pass. One is that God knows, coming to pass. One is that God knows, coming to pass. One is that God knows, and the other is we do not know. Only and the other is we do not know. Only and the other is we do not know. Only God knew the future that would be found God knew the future that would be found God knew the future that would be found in this Moabite widow who's about to be in this Moabite widow who's about to be in this Moabite widow who's about to be redeemed and married. After the marriage redeemed and married. After the marriage redeemed and married. After the marriage of Boaz and Ruth, it all started to of Boaz and Ruth, it all started to of Boaz and Ruth, it all started to become clearer why God did all of this become clearer why God did all of this become clearer why God did all of this to get Ruth from Moab to Bethlehem to a to get Ruth from Moab to Bethlehem to a to get Ruth from Moab to Bethlehem to a field and to this man who would be her field and to this man who would be her field and to this man who would be her husband. The Bible says this in Ruth husband. The Bible says this in Ruth husband. The Bible says this in Ruth 4:13.

4:13. 4:13. So, Boaz took Ruth and she became his So, Boaz took Ruth and she became his So, Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife and he went into her and the Lord wife and he went into her and the Lord wife and he went into her and the Lord enabled her to conceive and she gave enabled her to conceive and she gave enabled her to conceive and she gave birth to a son. Now, the story gets birth to a son. Now, the story gets birth to a son. Now, the story gets pretty amazing. Listen to verse 16. Then pretty amazing. Listen to verse 16. Then pretty amazing. Listen to verse 16. Then Naomi took the child, laid him in her Naomi took the child, laid him in her Naomi took the child, laid him in her lap, and became his nurse. The neighbor lap, and became his nurse. The neighbor lap, and became his nurse. The neighbor women gave him a name women gave him a name women gave him a name and saying, "A son has been born to and saying, "A son has been born to and saying, "A son has been born to Naomi." So, they named him Obed. He is Naomi." So, they named him Obed. He is Naomi." So, they named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of the father of Jesse, the father of the father of Jesse, the father of David. Now, these are the generations of David. Now, these are the generations of David. Now, these are the generations of Perez. To Perez was born Hezron and to Perez. To Perez was born Hezron and to Perez. To Perez was born Hezron and to Hezron was born Ram and to Ram Aminadab Hezron was born Ram and to Ram Aminadab Hezron was born Ram and to Ram Aminadab and to Aminadab was born Nahshon and to and to Aminadab was born Nahshon and to and to Aminadab was born Nahshon and to Nahshon Salmon and to Salmon was born Nahshon Salmon and to Salmon was born Nahshon Salmon and to Salmon was born Boaz, to Boaz Obed and to Obed was born Boaz, to Boaz Obed and to Obed was born Boaz, to Boaz Obed and to Obed was born Jesse and to Jesse David. These names Jesse and to Jesse David. These names Jesse and to Jesse David. These names and genealogy tell the miracle. and genealogy tell the miracle. and genealogy tell the miracle. According to these verses, Boaz's father According to these verses, Boaz's father According to these verses, Boaz's father was Salmon. was Salmon. was Salmon. But, do you know who married Salmon and But, do you know who married Salmon and But, do you know who married Salmon and was part of this genealogy? It was was part of this genealogy? It was was part of this genealogy? It was Rahab, the Jericho prostitute. Salmon Rahab, the Jericho prostitute. Salmon Rahab, the Jericho prostitute. Salmon and Rahab had a son and his name was and Rahab had a son and his name was and Rahab had a son and his name was Boaz and Boaz's mom is the miracle woman Boaz and Boaz's mom is the miracle woman Boaz and Boaz's mom is the miracle woman from the wall of Jericho, which means from the wall of Jericho, which means from the wall of Jericho, which means Ruth's mother-in-law is an ex-prostitute Ruth's mother-in-law is an ex-prostitute Ruth's mother-in-law is an ex-prostitute from Jericho. Can you imagine the from Jericho. Can you imagine the from Jericho. Can you imagine the stories around that dining room table stories around that dining room table stories around that dining room table with Ruth and Rahab? I could hear the with Ruth and Rahab? I could hear the with Ruth and Rahab? I could hear the questions over their Middle Eastern questions over their Middle Eastern questions over their Middle Eastern dinner.

dinner. dinner. Tell us again about the sound of the Tell us again about the sound of the Tell us again about the sound of the walls coming down. Tell us about the walls coming down. Tell us about the walls coming down. Tell us about the scarlet cord in your window. Do you Do scarlet cord in your window. Do you Do scarlet cord in your window. Do you Do you still have the cord? The miracle is you still have the cord? The miracle is you still have the cord? The miracle is coming together and it even gets better. coming together and it even gets better. coming together and it even gets better. Here is Ruth's story continued in the Here is Ruth's story continued in the Here is Ruth's story continued in the New Testament. This is Matthew 1:1. New Testament. This is Matthew 1:1. New Testament. This is Matthew 1:1. The record of the genealogy of Jesus the The record of the genealogy of Jesus the The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Messiah, the son of David, the son of Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. the father of Judah and his brothers. the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar. by Tamar. by Tamar. And Perez was the father of Hezron and And Perez was the father of Hezron and And Perez was the father of Hezron and Hezron was the father of Ram. Ram was Hezron was the father of Ram. Ram was Hezron was the father of Ram. Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon. Salmon was the father of Boaz by Salmon. Salmon was the father of Boaz by Salmon. Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab. And Boaz was the father of Obed Rahab. And Boaz was the father of Obed Rahab. And Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth and Obed the father of Jesse. by Ruth and Obed the father of Jesse. by Ruth and Obed the father of Jesse. Jesse was father of David the king. If Jesse was father of David the king. If Jesse was father of David the king. If you didn't notice, this is the genealogy you didn't notice, this is the genealogy you didn't notice, this is the genealogy of Jesus.

of Jesus. of Jesus. Ruth and Rahab are part of the son of Ruth and Rahab are part of the son of Ruth and Rahab are part of the son of God's lineage. And some Bethlehem God's lineage. And some Bethlehem God's lineage. And some Bethlehem relative wanted the real estate and relative wanted the real estate and relative wanted the real estate and missed the true reward. The psalmist missed the true reward. The psalmist missed the true reward. The psalmist says this about Ruth and all of us in says this about Ruth and all of us in says this about Ruth and all of us in Psalm 139:16. Psalm 139:16. Psalm 139:16. You saw me before I was born and You saw me before I was born and You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I scheduled each day of my life before I scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded began to breathe. Every day was recorded began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book. Ruth's schedule book was in your book. Ruth's schedule book was in your book. Ruth's schedule book was thick with events and so was Oswald and thick with events and so was Oswald and thick with events and so was Oswald and Gertrude Chambers. Gertrude Chambers. Gertrude Chambers. There would be pain, rejection, the There would be pain, rejection, the There would be pain, rejection, the unknown and it was all part of God's unknown and it was all part of God's unknown and it was all part of God's plan. Just like God brought a family plan. Just like God brought a family plan. Just like God brought a family from England to Egypt, God would once from England to Egypt, God would once from England to Egypt, God would once again move a family from the familiar to again move a family from the familiar to again move a family from the familiar to the unknown. This time from Israel to the unknown. This time from Israel to the unknown. This time from Israel to Moab. A Bethlehem family would come to Moab. A Bethlehem family would come to Moab. A Bethlehem family would come to Ruth's town in Moab. They would suffer Ruth's town in Moab. They would suffer Ruth's town in Moab. They would suffer through the grief and loss. She would through the grief and loss. She would through the grief and loss. She would then have the anxiety of moving to a new then have the anxiety of moving to a new then have the anxiety of moving to a new country and remarrying a foreigner. And country and remarrying a foreigner. And country and remarrying a foreigner. And all this was in God's plan.

all this was in God's plan. all this was in God's plan. Ruth told Naomi that your God would be Ruth told Naomi that your God would be Ruth told Naomi that your God would be my God. That was a great choice, Ruth. my God. That was a great choice, Ruth. my God. That was a great choice, Ruth. You did the right thing, Naomi, letting You did the right thing, Naomi, letting You did the right thing, Naomi, letting her come back with you to the land of her come back with you to the land of her come back with you to the land of Israel. You made a great choice, Boaz, Israel. You made a great choice, Boaz, Israel. You made a great choice, Boaz, by marrying her. And you failed by marrying her. And you failed by marrying her. And you failed miserably, closest relative, who has no miserably, closest relative, who has no miserably, closest relative, who has no name in the story, cuz you saw property name in the story, cuz you saw property name in the story, cuz you saw property and not the person. and not the person. and not the person. I was reading the words of Ashley Hales I was reading the words of Ashley Hales I was reading the words of Ashley Hales about choices. She writes, "When every about choices. She writes, "When every about choices. She writes, "When every option is available to us, we don't option is available to us, we don't option is available to us, we don't actually have freedom. We tend to shut actually have freedom. We tend to shut actually have freedom. We tend to shut down. down. down. I've experienced what sociologists call I've experienced what sociologists call I've experienced what sociologists call choice overload or paralysis and choice overload or paralysis and choice overload or paralysis and decision fatigue. decision fatigue. decision fatigue. If you've ever tried to pick out a paint If you've ever tried to pick out a paint If you've ever tried to pick out a paint color for a wall, stood in your closet color for a wall, stood in your closet color for a wall, stood in your closet full of clothes with nothing to wear, or full of clothes with nothing to wear, or full of clothes with nothing to wear, or found yourself trying to find the right found yourself trying to find the right found yourself trying to find the right word at the end of the day, but your word at the end of the day, but your word at the end of the day, but your head is muddled from the thousands of head is muddled from the thousands of head is muddled from the thousands of decisions you've already sifted through, decisions you've already sifted through, decisions you've already sifted through, you know this doesn't feel like freedom. you know this doesn't feel like freedom. you know this doesn't feel like freedom. What happened in Ruth 4 to this closest What happened in Ruth 4 to this closest What happened in Ruth 4 to this closest kinsman is devastating. He didn't have kinsman is devastating. He didn't have kinsman is devastating. He didn't have choice overload. He had two choices to choice overload. He had two choices to choice overload. He had two choices to make and messed up.

make and messed up. make and messed up. 19th century British politician Sir John 19th century British politician Sir John 19th century British politician Sir John Lubbock could have helped this nameless Lubbock could have helped this nameless Lubbock could have helped this nameless kinsman with that choice. This is what kinsman with that choice. This is what kinsman with that choice. This is what he said, he said, he said, "If we are ever in doubt about what to "If we are ever in doubt about what to "If we are ever in doubt about what to do, it is a good rule to ask ourselves do, it is a good rule to ask ourselves do, it is a good rule to ask ourselves what we shall wish on the morrow that we what we shall wish on the morrow that we what we shall wish on the morrow that we had done." Someone in Bethlehem was late had done." Someone in Bethlehem was late had done." Someone in Bethlehem was late with asking that morrow question. with asking that morrow question. with asking that morrow question. Thank you for joining Chapter by Thank you for joining Chapter by Thank you for joining Chapter by Chapter. Every chapter from the greatest Chapter. Every chapter from the greatest Chapter. Every chapter from the greatest book, the Bible, the word of God. 7 book, the Bible, the word of God. 7 book, the Bible, the word of God. 7 minutes a day, 7 days a week. We'll see minutes a day, 7 days a week. We'll see minutes a day, 7 days a week. We'll see you tomorrow.