A Redeemer is Born

Let's go back to the Old Testament to the first part of the old part of the book is to say the gospel of Ruth.

It really is the book of Ruth where the gospel is powerfully foretold, the book of Ruth chapter 4, to turn their the book of Ruth chapter 4. See if you get to Joshua go on through judges then you get over there to Ruth and go over to chapter 4 will begin in verse 13. So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife and he went into her and the Lord enabled her to conceive and she gave birth to a son, then the women said to Naomi. Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a Redeemer today and made his name become famous in Israel may also be a restorer of life and the sustainer of your old age for your daughter-in-law who loves you and is better to you than seven sons has given birth to him that Naomi took the child and laid him in her lap and became his nurse. The neighbor women came I rather gave him a name saying a son has been born to Naomi and the name Tim Obed.

He is the father of Jesse, the father of David that these are the generations of Perez. The brass was born his Ron has Ron was born RAM into RAM a min a dab until amended that was born a Sean intonation on salmon. The salmon was born. Boaz and the Boaz Obed and Obed was born Jesse and to just see David and you know who was born David Jesus, I Redeemer is born.

That's what we are going to call this exposition this morning.

A man by the name dilemma lack lived in Bethlehem of Judea, but Bethlehem was experiencing a famine and in weakness of faith dilemma lack took his wife, Naomi's two sons may hello Ron and Keeley on any lease Bethlehem. He travels outside of Israel to the pagan place called Moab looking for a better life, and there they resided there.

His boys came of marriageable age and they married to Moabite women but soon the better life that Elimelech was looking for in a foreign land turned out not to be better they actually didn't find life they found death. First dilemma lack dies in both of his sons. They die and that left Naomi a liminal ex-wife, a widow, and both of her daughters and laws are now widows.

So now Naomi is there by herself with her to daughter-in-law's Orpha and Ruth, Naomi hears from someone I think someone probably just passing through Moab that there is bread in Bethlehem that the famine has been lifted Naomi destitute doesn't know what to do.

So she decides on returning back home so she leaves Moab and returns to Israel even to Bethlehem before she leaves. She urges her to Moabite daughter-in-law's to stay at Moab.

She tells them that you're young and you'll find another husband and you can have a good life here because I'm old.

I can't bear sons to be your husband so you two girls should stay here in two years. Orpha remains in Moab but Ruth does not. Ruth insists that she stay with Naomi.

Naomi is now elderly and beyond marrying age and in this day and time without a husband, are Lizza male son, you're basically destitute as a lady Ruth chapter 1 verse 16 through 18, but Ruth said do not urge me to leave you or turned back from following you from where you go I will go and where you live in Scheible Lodge.

Your people shall be my people and your God my God, where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord do to me. And worse, if anything but death parts you and me and when she that's Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her. She said no more to her. I think this is a powerful and clear testimony that Ruth had been converted to become a Jehovah worshiper.

She has left the pagan idolatry Moab she's come to embrace the God of a liminal act is now deceased and to Naomi and she's with Naomi journeys back with Ruth to Bethlehem, she finds herself their elderly broke without a husband without a son. She realizes she will have to begin selling her husband's land that he had inherited from his forefathers.

They remember each tribe in Israel was given by God. A portion of the land and within each tribe, each family was given a portion of that, I wouldn't just land to these folks.

It was sacred. It was precious. It was everything and in ancient Israel. The worst case for a woman was to grow old without a male child to continue to present possess the land and to continue his father's name in Israel and that's where Naomi is no husband, no son CC finds herself in this destitute financial position. Basically, without hope, Ruth chapter 1 verses 20 and 21 as the women are speaking to Naomi upon his return.

She says do not call me Naomi, call me marrow which means better for the Lord, the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.

I went out full of the Lord has brought me back empty. What you call me Naomi says the Lord has witnessed against me and the Almighty has afflicted me to try to give them some support to help just enough to live on Ruth, the daughter-in-law sets herself out to go blame and the harvest fields.

It was an ordinance in Israel that after the harvest was taken. The poorest of the poor were to be allowed to glean in the fields to gather together what scraps of gray name I could find to provide food for themselves.

But in the providence of Almighty God. Ruth happens upon the field of a man by the name of Boaz Boaz was a relative of her deceased father-in-law in labeling. Boaz finds an interest in this young lady, Ruth, his heart goes out to her. Boaz begins to instruct his men in the harvest that there look out for her and help protect her. I'm in a woman bar seven these days is vulnerable to a lot of people.

They tell. He tells his men make sure she drinks of the water pots and by the way when you're gleaning the harvest, throw some grain down on purpose so when Ruth comes behind you shall have a lot to take back when you talk for just a moment. Now about the ordinance or the statute in ancient Israel called the Kinsman Redeemer, the Kinsman Redeemer in ancient Israel. There was a statute that if a woman is left without a husband or a male child, then the closest relative to her deceased husband must marry her take her as a wife and raise up a son to take the dead husband's name and therefore that son would possess the deceased husband's land and carry forth his name in Israel, thus redeeming the name and redeeming the family from Lawson Israel, the son who would be born to this nearest relative of you. As he takes this widow as his wife would be considered the legal error of her former dead husband's land and all of his possession.

So in effect by raising up a son who will bear the deceased man's name and possess the deceased man's land his name and the land is redeemed back to its proper lineage to the ancient Israelite to lose your name in Israel and dilute your property was to Lose Your Pl. in God's kingdom, and especially in the promised messianic kingdom. They believe the Savior was coming, he would he would destroy other enemies of Israel and reclaim the land and usher in an era of peace and joy and love and prosperity. Reflection on this doctrine is seen in Deuteronomy 25 or six which says it should be that the firstborn, whom she bears shall assume the name of his dead brother that his name may not be blotted out from Israel, then first Kings 21. Three. To show you how important reported it was to maintain the land and the family name because God gave it to your family, but Naboth said to Ahab, the Lord forbid me that I should give you the inheritance of my father's so the statute of the Kinsman Redeemer, the law, the Kinsman Redeemer Prince preserved rather one's family line and the families divinely appointed inheritance in Israel back to the storyline. Boaz begins to fall in love with this young widow Ruth's journey back from Moab with Naomi, who is a Jew and he takes Ruth to be his wife and then Ruth bears a son, Obed, who will now reclaim Naomi Naomi's dead husband's name and his inheritance among God's people look if you will to verse 14 of our text, then the women said the Naomi. Blessed is the Lord who is not left you without a Redeemer today and made his name become famous in Israel there all beginning to marvel over how God's taken care of the situation. Obed the baby born the Boaz and Ruth is now a Redeemer himself. Nana and the idea of Jewish law, the man who took the widow and bore a son to bear the deceased man's name that men who took that woman was considered a Redeemer but now we see that the baby born is in fact he is a Redeemer. You know, the book of Ruth begins with the funeral and it ends with a wedding. It begins with death, but it ends with Earth. The book of Ruth illustrates the great providence of God. Think about this family they pervasive famine. They faced death.

Now Ruth and Naomi face this lonely list. This exile in this poverty, but then by divine providence gleaning in the field scraping for whatever she could find. Ruth finds favor in this wealthy godly man Boaz. He happens to be a relative of the deceased father-in-law he takes Ruth to be his wife because he has the law of the Kinsman Redeemer.

He assumes all the debts and responsibilities of Naomi and deceased dilemma leg so he could purchase is this broad purchase is this broad secures everything restores everything.

Everything is redeemed back through Boaz and this baby named Obed God had a perfect plan through it all just stop right here and exhort you child of God. Are you in troubled times.

Are you struggling with difficult days. I want to tell you, God has a plan and God has a Redeemer.

It could not have been darker for Naomi and Ruth could not have been more bleak. It could not have been more destitute.

You don't understand what up lady by herself placed in this counterculture in this day but God had a plan God had a Redeemer. So we see a wonderful portrait a wonderful prophecy of Christ our Redeemer, especially in the birth of Obed, here is Ruth a non-Jew. God uses her faithfulness to glean in the field to bring her in connection with Boaz, a relative of her deceased father-in-law. They produce a son, Obed, who produces a son, Jesse produces a son, David eventually produces a son, Jesus, you believe in the divine inspiration of Scripture who could make this up and hundred million years who could make this up and write it down.

Only God could do this so we see in the birth of this on Ruth son Obed a glorious and beautiful type of Christ, particularly in Christ birth. This look at it together. I. First of all know he was born in the city of Bethlehem. You might say village of Bethlehem because if you listed it might affect when the Scripture list the prominent cities of Judah, Bethlehem, usually left off. It just didn't make the list was nothing significant about it. I think about it. Ruth is from Moab.

Ruth is not from Bethlehem but Boaz. Her husband was from Bethlehem says on someone else does it not marry was not from Bethlehem but Joseph, her husband was from Bethlehem. Sovereignty of God portrait of Christ.

Luke chapter 2 verses four through seven and Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to dig into jaded Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and the family of David in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was with child and it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth and she gave birth to her firstborn son and she wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger or feed trough because there was no room for them in the end, this is what the prophet in Micah had foretold long ago Micah chapter 5 verse two that's for you, Bethlehem, Africa, too little to be among the clans of Judah from you. One will go forth from me. Ruth the Moabite just is somehow turned in faith and begins to embrace the God of Naomi and she agrees to come back, then the Gracie insists she comes back with her mother-in-law to Bethlehem. She becomes as loyal and faithful daughter Whittlesey grumbling and griping or complaining. She probably could've stated Moab and found a good life. She comes back to Bethlehem and she's gleaning in the fields but there gleaning in the field.

She just happens to glean in the field of wealthy Boaz. She had no idea but he was a relative of her deceased father-in-law makes him a good Kinsman Redeemer and their Boaz begins to notice her. He wasn't the first in line to be the Kinsman Redeemer.

Another man was a close relative, but he would not agree to be the Kinsman Redeemer. So Boaz said I will do it.

Others failed to rename. I will step up to the plate and I'll get the job done by somebody else on those called Redeemer, Jesus Christ. He steps up he takes on the role he takes responsibility he pays for it all secures his bride. All of these events coming together now. Ruth has a child he takes the name of the deceased father-in-law to redeem the name and redeem the lay of the land back to that family line into that limited miracle upon miracle upon miracle. Well, Jesus birth was indeed a miracle, was it not III at his birth, others proclaimed his greatness at his birth, others proclaimed his greatness. The ladies of the community are in all it's as if they sent something is happening, your God's doing a special work. There is greatness in this verse 14 Ruth four, then the limits of the Naomi Blessed is the Lord who is not left you without a Redeemer today and make his name become famous in Israel there that are not only just saying that there stating they see that this must be what God's doing greatness is connected with this child is a veteran of Jesus when he was born. What greatness was proclaimed about him now. The world didn't see it. The religious authorities in Jerusalem did not discern it. The leading authorities of the land missed it all. There were some who did not Luke chapter 2 verses eight through 11 and in the same region. There were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flocks by night. Can you imagine the pastoral quiet solemn stillness of the night. No shepherds out there, maybe just hearing the sheep or lamb every now and then and then called a band of holy angels appears terror struck verse nine and an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before. Think of the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terribly frightened member. The story was a guy one of these televangelist on TV and he said every morning Jesus comes in and stands beside him and talk to him why shaving like what John MacArthur cities that I will know did you keep shaving. This is just an angel of the Lord, and these men are scared to death. It's as if all of heaven says we know what's happening. We know what's about to take place. We know what God is doing and we can't hold it in and they choose these lowly shepherds to announce it to have the angel said to them, not be afraid to send bad news. This is good news today for behold I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people, Jews and Gentiles for the day in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. I got one I one has been born. Greatness proclaimed at his birth. Later on, when Joseph and Mary take Jesus to the to the temple. A godly man, Simeon, who had been told by the Lord that he would see the promise of the Messiah. Simeon Simeon holds Jesus and he said he's allied a revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel greatness proclaimed at his birth. While that was true of Ruth and Boaz's little boy Obed proclaimed his greatness at his birth. That was a foreshadowing a type a picture of the greatness proclaimed that Jesus birth IV he restores what sin has taken away. He restores what sin is taken away were not told explicitly in the narrative, but for a Jewish man to leave Holly Israel and go to pagan Moab to find help and to find hope it's a lack of faith. It's a breach it's backsliding it's CNN. What I what was result from a friend. The result of a linoleic's lack of faith. The result of a limb elects backsliding. The result of eliminating sin is the same result.

You and I experience today.

If we walk in and cohabit with and prolong ourselves with everything that's in CN headed backsliding and that is the wages of sin is death about us as a limb elects dies and mow his son May Holland dies Russo's son Keeley on this. Naomi and Ruth left alone. Travel back to Israel alone to Bethlehem alone. She has nothing that she knows that I don't know how this is going to work out.

She knew the doctrine of the Kinsman Redeemer but she's too old to have a child so she disqualifies she has no hope.

CN has taken everything away impoverished and in destitution but is it not true that sin has left everyone of us impoverished sin has left everyone a bust in a destitute state were all Moabites, the foreign country in a foreign land.

What happened to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden when they see end. They were driven out. The Bible says they lost it all. Sin takes it all away. Ephesians Chapter 212 describing our state are impoverished and destitute state in CN Ephesians 212 says, remember that you are at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel are God's people. Strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Ephesians 21 said we were dead in trespasses and in CN's what a destitute and desperate and hopeless place. John Tintin reminds us, the thief comes only to kill and steal and kill and destroy. But I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.

One little Obed was born. I mean I mean when Boaz married Ruth. I mean, their hearts begin to rise begin to rekindle the French but when the baby was born, and it's a boy. The name is restored, just settled a provision for Naomi, even into her old age is now secured, everything is given back through the baby being born Tanya child of God. I'm telling you why. When Jesus was born. He restores everything and borrower. That sin takes away hallelujah what a Savior. How much that had to be by the spirit of God in the hearts and minds of the remnant of Israel.

Who knew this story, they had to see with faith forward to the coming Savior who would be born of a virgin and he would be the one he is the means whereby everything that's lost is restore you know something you can on the whole world and have nothing until the Savior restores you these ladies had nothing but they got it back through the baby.

Obed, being born, Jesus brings us forgiveness.

Melissa just written listen, he brings us the forgiveness of God to stop her out there don't bypass that fast God forgives me listen. He doesn't just forgive you for what you've done, he forgives you for what you are he forgives you for what you've done what you are doing and what you might will do as a sinner. Jesus gives you back everything CN takes away is a powerful phrase in your look at verse 15 as these ladies are prophesying with joy about this wonderful gift that's come to Naomi through her daughter-in-law. The formal by just who married Boaz now babies been born. May he also be to you. That's over the little baby. May he be to you a restorer of life who brings us the new birth.

Jesus, the provision of Jesus we can have the new birth. We can be born again. Life can be restored to us the life of God can be restored to man.

We were not meant to live our lives spiritually empty but have spiritual life which CN took it away. Jesus restore the life.

Sin takes away the forgiveness of God. Now that we have new life because of Jesus. There is now fellowship with God. Obviously, and also a future with God. Naomi knows now now now there's a future for my family name in Israel because a boy's been born to carry my deceased husband's name and reclaim his inheritance in the promised land. V.

He brought security when it was needed the most.

He brought security when it was needed the most. You couldn't pick a more desperate situation and the more desperate time than this time when Naomi and Ruth get back to Bethlehem and Ruth is gleaning in fields and they're just wondering will we eat today will we eat today.

Naomi needed a provider for her and a protector for her in her old age and now as a widow. She needed someone who would generally care for her when she could not care for herself sick. I was working all that out way back in Moab when Naomi decided to leave Moab and go back to Bethlehem. God was working that out because he changed the heart of her daughter, Laura, Ruth, say don't asked me to leave you where you go. I'm going where you stay. I'm staying your God's now my God, your people are my people, and wherever you die, I'm going to die. Listen to me child of God. I don't know what you're facing what you're going through. But God did something long time ago to fix something you and just think you had seen the fix yet but it's coming. You listen to me it's coming.

He brings the security we made just when we needed. The mother said brother Jeff. I wish you would hurry up. It's not here yet. You don't need it quite.

You need to repent a little bit more something that's between you and God you to humble yourself a little bit more draw closer to God. He's doing something in you before he bring brings the solution for you. But he's bringing it Naomi and Ruth needed it so desperately think about how Christ how this pictures Christ, he is our provision. He is our protection when we need the most precious thing forward. Do you know you understand there's a day approaching when we will utterly be unable to stand alone. There's a day approaching when someone must go before us and advocate on our behalf or we will utterly and certainly perish. There's a day coming when we'll be totally and absolutely dependent upon another, to survive. Listen to me strongman.

Be strong at the judgment bar of God. If another does not go if another does not step up another does not bring you security that moment lost. People are so afraid of death brothers and sisters friend listen to me this morning. Death is not your problem God. Your problem that this a problem because it is at that point that you stand before God.

The Bible says that we have an advocate with the father, Jesus Christ the righteous, but the story I heard the knot I was driving my car at the Columbia Tennessee as a college freshman I turned on the radio. I was a lost college freshman turn on the radio and a Presbyterian minister was sharing a story story Christian minister chair. The story of a of a man who was the very best man that ever lived on the face of the earth. I mean the best guy. He worked hard but pleasing God and anybody else God sent an angel down to that managed to tell that man because he's worked harder than anybody else on earth being righteous. He gets to come up to heaven for a day and just enjoy the glories and the blessings and the love of the angel took the man and went up to the heavens. The atmospheric heavens, the terrestrial heavens with the stars are and they came to the abode of God. They got outside the gates of heaven and the man grabbed the angel said stop and just what's wrong. The man could speak for a moment and look to God sitting on his throne in heaven flowing out from God was holiness and righteousness and truth and love and joy and goodness and perfection. The man put his head down and he just wept. He said I can never deserve to be in his presence never while he was weeping. Jesus Christ walked over to the man put his arm around him and said father this one is mine and when Jesus said that the gates open. He was able to rush into heaven and enjoy that glorious beyond description. Love Joy peace holy oneness with the Almighty God tests what Jesus does for us. He gives us security at that moment when we meet God. But in fact that's just an illustration of story when when you say when you give your last breath here you're figuratively, figuratively speaking, your next breath will be with Jesus standing before you saying welcome home. I've secured secured you place right here just as this little baby born to Ruth and Boaz's names Obed, he secured the family's place in Israel. Jesus has secured our place in heaven hold lobules let me shout a while.

Think about it it's secure. It's not maybe so it is not my it's secure by Jesus sinners get to go home to be with God. VI last 10. I have 76 he produced prominent offspring.

The lady say here prominent offspring and may his name become famous in Israel. That means he will produce many offspring and carry on the faint, the name and the name will be prominent both in number and in character, in Israel.

Is this not speak of Jesus as Jesus not produce many offspring both in number and in character, you know, every one of Jesus offspring will be presented for the trigon holy God, blameless and holy before the be a great number of Jesus offspring and the be of great character because they will bear his righteousness. Isaiah 53 verse 10 Dorothy 54 verse one but the Lord that speaks of the father was pleased to crush EMS Jesus putting him to grief if he would render himself a guilt offering, he will see his offspring is going to have offspring and you're one of those on one of those he will prolong his days in the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in his hand.

As a result of the anguish of his soul, he will see it and be satisfied other words, when Jesus dies, he satisfied everything he accomplishes in procuring a great prominent any children, my servant will justify in verse 11, my servant will justify the many, as he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great that speaks of a great number and he would divide the booty with the strong, because he poured himself to doubt, to death, and was numbered with the transgressors. Yet he himself bore the sin of many, there it is again and interceded for transgressors.

Now watch this verse here in Tim if it didn't take you back to Ruth. If it doesn't take you back to Naomi. It doesn't take you back to our narrative verse 54 chapter 12 verse one shout for joy (one you have more no child break forth into joyful shouting and cry aloud, you have not travailed are you have not you who have not travailed for the sons of the desolate one. We more numerous than the sons of the married woman says the Lord. Naomi and Ruth were the desolate and yet through a miracle of provision by this blessed Redeemer baby open the descendents will be greater than the descendents of all others, because ultimately, of their lineage. Jesse will be born. David will be born in Jesus will be born. VII he removes the Shane called caused rather by our sin, a woman's wealth in a woman's respected ancient Israel depended upon her bearing a male child to carry out our carry forth the husband's name in Israel, and God's people have this land in their waiting on the Messiah to turn to this land and it was considered a curse. If a woman could not carry on the name of the family through bearing a male child, but Naomi is too old.

She has no son. She has no daughter of her own. She has this daughter-in-law miracle of miracles, the daughter-in-law meets Boaz bears a son and Naomi shame is removed. Think about Ruth.

Shame Ruth, a common pagan woman from the country of Moab, a worshiper of false gods and idols by Provident, she becomes the wife of Mae Holland.

Did you Jehovah worshiper you happen to come to Moab looking for a better life because his father was in rebellion and lacked faith in the backsliding left Israel and went to Moab limitless dies and then Killian dies Mae Holland has died and now this woman, this bull bodice woman is left alone with her mother-in-law, Naomi, she pledges to stay with Naomi. In desperation they travel back to Bethlehem. There should cruise great debt, along with Naomi as they begin to borrow against the family land to try to support themselves. Ruth goes out and gleans in the crop fields to try to keep from starving to death and there she meets a man named Boaz who just happens to be a kinsman to her deceased father-in-law. He sees her, he falls in love with her. He performs the legal obligations of the kinsman redeemer. He takes Ruth to be his wife. He takes responsibility for all of Ruth and Naomi's debts and now Ruth bears a son, Obed son, from whose limit lineage comes David from his lineage comes the promised Messiah Jesus.

This Ruth.

This former pagan more about worshiper becomes the tribe mother that produces the lion from which is born Jesus Christ about a reversal of fortunes, Ruth. Shame is removed.

What a redemption this is for Ruth. She's actually listed in the genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew pagan idol or spring all by who was converted she go for it goes from Moabite shame to church Hall of Fame.

Isn't that what Jesus does for all of us. Doesn't he not give us beauty for ashes, we were all Moabites in this world strangers to God. Without God, without hope in this world. Yet Jesus takes us as we are and in love and in forgiveness.

He cleanses us he gives us his own righteousness he makes us eternal members of his own glorious tribe is righteousness is imparted to us citizenship is granted to us were adopted into his very family all shame is abolished. All because I Redeemer was born. His name is Jesus