"Integrity, Compassion, Inclusion"

The story of a foreigner, an old lady, a son of a harlot, and God.

A story with 2 bookends, the Days of Unleavened Bread and Pentecost.

Ruth is traditionally read this time of year -- it is actually our story.

Naomi left with a husband and both sons.  God at times uses adversity to work His plan (Jacob to Egypt, Abraham to Egypt, Jesus/Joseph to Egypt).  - Naomi is left hopeless in a foreign land.

"Bethlehem" - house of bread

Ruth 1:7 Ruth 1:7Why she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.
American King James Version×a pilgrimage

Ruth 1:13 Ruth 1:13Would you tarry for them till they were grown? would you stay for them from having husbands? no, my daughters; for it grieves me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.
American King James Version×Naomi brutally honest and therefore could begin to be used (v 20, also)

Ruth 1:14 Ruth 1:14And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth joined to her.
American King James Version×Ruth clung - both physically and loyalty-wise

Ruth 1:17 Ruth 1:17Where you die, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part you and me.
American King James Version×Ruth totally embraced Naomi and Naomi's family.  Ruth was going to give her all, without looing back.  Ruth was turning her back on her life, culture and gods, and turning to God (a type of repentance)

Ruth 1:18 Ruth 1:18When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking to her.
American King James Version×determined (like Daniel 1:8 Daniel 1:8But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
American King James Version×)

Ruth 1:20 Ruth 1:20And she said to them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.
American King James Version×Current circumstances are not always the best way to determine how God is working with us.

Ruth 1:22 Ruth 1:22So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
American King James Version×recognizes Ruth's gentleness.  God will choose as He sees fit.  Barley harvest season - Days of Unleavened Bread.

Ruth 2:4 Ruth 2:4And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless you.
American King James Version×The tone is set joyously by Boaz.  Boaz played a big role in God's plan, but would not have if he hadn't obeyed the "leave gleanings" command.  See Deut:15:7-8  Boaz went beyond the letter, but thrived on the spirit of the law.

Ruth 2:10 Ruth 2:10Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said to him, Why have I found grace in your eyes, that you should take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?
American King James Version×grace comes into play.  God cares less about the origin that He does the destination.

Ruth 2:12 Ruth 2:12The LORD recompense your work, and a full reward be given you of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you are come to trust.
American King James Version×the 2nd part of repentance, not just turning away from your past, but turning to God in faith, no matter what the circumstances.

Ruth 2:16 Ruth 2:16And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.
American King James Version×A type of God as a provider, but we need to observe, notice, and pick it up.  We need to go out and look for how God is answering our prayers.

Ruth 3:15 Ruth 3:15Also he said, Bring the veil that you have on you, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.
American King James Version×All you say I will do - like "So Abram went"  There was an "all-ness" about Ruth (whatever your hand finds to do . . .)

Ruth 3:7 Ruth 3:7And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.
American King James Version×submission and surrender.  Not sexual.

Ruth 3:9 Ruth 3:9And he said, Who are you? And she answered, I am Ruth your handmaid: spread therefore your skirt over your handmaid; for you are a near kinsman.
American King James Version×"under your wing" a type of God (Ruth 2:12 Ruth 2:12The LORD recompense your work, and a full reward be given you of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you are come to trust.
American King James Version×).  God may put us under His wing by puttingh us under His servant's wing (Boaz, in this case).

Ruth 3:13 Ruth 3:13Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform to you the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to you, then will I do the part of a kinsman to you, as the LORD lives: lie down until the morning.
American King James Version×A type of Christ -- it is not about Boaz -- it is about Ruth and God's will.

Ruth 3:15 Ruth 3:15Also he said, Bring the veil that you have on you, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.
American King James Version×Boaz protected her

Ruth 3:18 Ruth 3:18Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.
American King James Version×Sit and waith (like Israel at the Red Sea).  Isaiah 62:1 Isaiah 62:1For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burns.
American King James Version×God will do what He wants, restlessly!

Ruth was in the line of David - Jesus the ultimate redeemer - as was Boaz in the same line

Redeem land, person, family name.  Christ, the greater Boaz, redeems us from sin.  The land, lost in Eden, is redeemed by Christ.  We were all hopeless, but have been brought into the family of God.

Integrity - we not only give God our best, but our all.

Compassion - we not only obey the letter, but the spirit because we want to.

Inclusion - God chooses a family and who to include.

The story of the Bible is that God takes ordinary peopel to do extraordinary things to glorify Him.