Prep+Plus Podcast: Ruth Study 2
Transcript
(This is a transcript generated by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy or content by Crossroads)
00:00:00:11 - 00:00:41:17
Unknown
Welcome to the second of our Prep Plus podcast, looking at the Book of Ruth. And we're looking at study number two. In dealing with chapter two of the Book of Ruth. Now, just a few things there to help us and, and let's pray. But as we start, Lord and father, we pray as we open your word, as we reflect on it, we think, honour that you would give us Your Holy Spirit, that we may be led to know you better, to know who you are, to know your love for us and your sovereign hand at work, in working at your sovereign purposes and bringing us to the knowledge of God through Christ.
00:00:41:20 - 00:01:06:00
Unknown
Help our groups as we look at chapter two. Help leaders as they prepare. Thank you so much for this time together. Well, we are introduced right at the start of this were the man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. And there's a there's just this. There's one line that's given to us at this point, this wonderful one line.
00:01:06:02 - 00:01:36:20
Unknown
And we're going to see this grow. As the time goes on, Ruth, Ruth comes to us now as someone who's, active. She's taking initiative. She's come back with Naomi. Naomi has sort of faded. Naomi is really, depressed. You can might say she's down. She's. She's commented about what? It's like. She's been brought back empty, and he, we see Ruth step up, and Ruth, they're both impressive, aren't they?
00:01:36:20 - 00:02:00:10
Unknown
Both Naomi and Ruth are impressive in this chapter. We don't know what they look like. We've got no description of them, but we know what they're like from the way they act and the way they speak to each other. And so you're going to spend time. And please do take the time to spend well in the dialogue between Ruth and Boaz in verses 8 to 14 of chapter two.
00:02:00:12 - 00:02:24:00
Unknown
Look at that. Look at that difference there between them, where Boaz speaks of, the reward. He's he's heard. He's heard somehow. He's heard about Ruth. And so he comes and there's Ruth, and she just happens. That's the language she happens to be gleaning in the field that belongs to Boaz, the kinsman redeemer. She just happens to be there.
00:02:24:00 - 00:02:45:03
Unknown
The Lord has brought this about. And there we see, her gleaning and her reputation is known by the other, other people who are working the Reapers, who are working in the field. And then, Boaz comes and asks the question, who? Who is this woman? And then he gets the answer, and then we see them come together and we see them speaking to each other.
00:02:45:06 - 00:03:22:07
Unknown
And, how, Boaz is, is full of admiration for her, for what she's done for her mother in law and, Ruth herself. Speaking about, his graciousness towards her, she he's taken notice of her even though she's a foreigner. And you've got that that key verse that, that Boaz says, the Lord, verse 12, the Lord repay you for what you've done, a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.
00:03:22:09 - 00:03:54:25
Unknown
She's taken refuge amongst God's people in the land of Israel, a foreigner, a moabite. She's taking refuge with the God of Israel. And, you have this undercurrent of of, you have this undercurrent going on where, Naomi really doesn't recognise how valuable Ruth is to her. What what she's been to, how she contributes for how great she is.
00:03:54:27 - 00:04:19:18
Unknown
She comes back with all that extra food. I call it a doggy bag. She brings back to give to an army. And, we see, Naomi sort of coming awake again as she recognises, Abadi's kind of. She asked that question as you. Whose field are you? I'm gleaning today? You know, with again, you know, how is it that sort of thing.
00:04:19:21 - 00:04:55:27
Unknown
And, you know, maybe blessed may the man who, whoever it is, be blessed his kindness. And then the word comes out that that man, that man's name is Boaz. And you get that bit of information here. Because that man is a close relative of ours. One of our Redeemer's, one of the Redeemer's. And, and then, as you can see at the end, you know, this, this, this idea of fullness is there that the the their future, their future at the moment, doing this harvest is now secure.
00:04:55:27 - 00:05:10:22
Unknown
There's going to be plenty of food for them as long as she stays in that field. And Boaz has promised him, stay there, stay in my field and glean there. And she does to the end of the barley harvest.
00:05:10:24 - 00:05:35:11
Unknown
Great thing that see how the Lord is intervening to save his people in the book of Ruth. We don't we don't see miraculous. We don't see extraordinary actions of the Lord intervening like we do through the book of judges or through the Exodus, etc. but we see in the kindness of Boaz the kindness of the Lord in looking after her and knowing her.
00:05:35:11 - 00:06:23:25
Unknown
So all these events that are taking place, all these little things that are happening, it's all because the Lord is moving his purposes forwards. And we leave us in thinking about the blessings that we have in one Peter chapter one, the incredible blessings that are ours in Christ. And we invite you to spend some time praying in your group and then, as you turn to the last ten minutes, as you're thinking about this year and you've asked you group to share together how they've grown, how they've grown in repentance and faith this year, how, you know, according to Ephesians three, what God is doing in the world and how, this year,
00:06:24:02 - 00:06:51:04
Unknown
what we've done and thought and said and shared together have aligned with God's purposes for us to grow in Christ. We ask group members to reflect on what God has been doing in their lives, in their lives and those around them and members of their group, and to pray in thankfulness for 2026. And looking back on that, and maybe this is a time for you as leaders to share, what your plans are for 2027.
00:06:51:07 - 00:07:15:04
Unknown
As we all think and make plans for next year. For so some of you, you're stepping down or you're changing your leadership. We want to thank you so much for the way that you've laid in 2026 and some of you from many years before, as well. Thank you for your faithful service towards, the people in your growth groups over these years.
00:07:15:07 - 00:07:15:19
Unknown
Thanks.