This short act of worship has been prepared for you. I invite you to share in a few moments with God knowing that other people within Paulton, Trinity and Chew Stoke Methodist Churches are sharing this act of worship with you.
Revd Martin Slocombe
Psalm 105
God’s Faithfulness to Israel
1 O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples.
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wonderful works.
3 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
4 Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually.
5 Remember the wonderful works he has done,
his miracles, and the judgements he has uttered,
6 O offspring of his servant Abraham,
children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
Hymn – All my days I will sing this song of gladness www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3ILdnift8c
1 All my days I will sing this song of gladness,
give my praise to the fountain of delights;
for in my helplessness you heard my cry,
and waves of mercy poured down on my life.
2 I will trust in the cross of my Redeemer,
I will sing of the blood that never fails,
of sins forgiven, of conscience cleansed,
of death defeated and life without end.
Beautiful Saviour, wonderful Counsellor,
clothed in majesty, Lord of history,
you're the Way, the Truth, the Life.
Star of the Morning, glorious in holiness,
you're the risen one, heaven's champion,
and you reign, you reign over all!
3 I long to be where the praise is never-ending,
yearn to dwell where the glory never fades,
where countless worshippers will share one song,
and cries of ‘worthy' will honour the Lamb!
Beautiful Saviour …
Stuart Townend (b. 1963)
Prayer
O God, mere words cannot convey what a privilege it is to be heirs to your kingdom. As we explore your word today, help us to learn about new treasures as well as old. May we see the amazing things you can do in our lives.
We are part of your kingdom, and we come to you in awe and wonder.
Amen.
Lord God, sometimes I feel so set in my ways.
I’m not always ready to give something up
to gain the thing of value that you promise.
Forgive me, Lord, as I open my heart to you.
I want to keep my treasures locked up
in a storeroom, safe from prying eyes.
Forgive me, Lord, as I open my heart to you.
Sometimes I just expect things on a plate.
I’m not always ready to work for something
that you call me to do.
Forgive me, Lord, as I open my heart to you.
Sometimes I take my eyes off you and feel so lost.
Bring me back, please, Lord.
Forgive me, Lord, as I open my heart to you.
Amen.
This week we come to the end of our journey with Ruth. Last week we wondered about the happenings on the threshing floor when Boaz awoke to find Ruth lying at his feet. I think we may have done Boaz and Ruth an injustice, for in Chapter 4 this week it is clear that Boaz is an honourable man, who sets about fulfilling the proper process of redeeming Ruth and Naomi.
Reading - Ruth 4
The Marriage of Boaz and Ruth
4No sooner had Boaz gone up to the gate and sat down there than the next-of-kin, of whom Boaz had spoken, came passing by. So Boaz said, ‘Come over, friend; sit down here.’ And he went over and sat down.2Then Boaz took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, ‘Sit down here’; so they sat down. 3He then said to the next-of-kin, ‘Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our kinsman Elimelech. 4So I thought I would tell you of it, and say: Buy it in the presence of those sitting here, and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if you will not, tell me, so that I may know; for there is no one prior to you to redeem it, and I come after you.’ So he said, ‘I will redeem it.’ 5Then Boaz said, ‘The day you acquire the field from the hand of Naomi, you are also acquiring Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead man, to maintain the dead man’s name on his inheritance.’ 6At this, the next-of-kin said, ‘I cannot redeem it for myself without damaging my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it.’
7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, one party took off a sandal and gave it to the other; this was the manner of attesting in Israel. 8So when the next-of-kin said to Boaz, ‘Acquire it for yourself’, he took off his sandal. 9Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, ‘Today you are witnesses that I have acquired from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon.10I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, the wife of Mahlon, to be my wife, to maintain the dead man’s name on his inheritance, in order that the name of the dead may not be cut off from his kindred and from the gate of his native place; today you are witnesses.’ 11Then all the people who were at the gate, along with the elders, said, ‘We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your house like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you produce children in Ephrathah and bestow a name in Bethlehem; 12and, through the children that the Lord will give you by this young woman, may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah.’
The Genealogy of David
13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came together, the Lord made her conceive, and she bore a son. 14Then the women said to Naomi, ‘Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin; and may his name be renowned in Israel! 15He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him.’ 16Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became his nurse. 17The women of the neighbourhood gave him a name, saying, ‘A son has been born to Naomi.’ They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David.
18 Now these are the descendants of Perez: Perez became the father of Hezron, 19Hezron of Ram, Ram of Amminadab, 20Amminadab of Nahshon, Nahshon of Salmon, 21Salmon of Boaz, Boaz of Obed, 22Obed of Jesse, and Jesse of David.
Hymn – Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDeiy9-t2GE
1 Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine:
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God;
born of his Spirit, washed in his blood:
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Saviour all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Saviour all the day long.
2 Perfect submission, perfect delight,
visions of rapture burst on my sight;
angels descending bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love:
3 Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Saviour am happy and blest —
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with his goodness, lost in his love:
Frances Jane van Alstyne, (Fanny Crosby) (1820–1915)
Reflection
Boaz is an honourable man who does not take advantage of what is clearly his high standing in the community at the meeting at the city gate, but ensures that his kinsman is given fair opportunity to redeem Ruth if he so desires. Ruth’s next-of-kin initially wants to buy Elimelech’s land, but when he realises that the land and Ruth come as a package, he backs away, suddenly citing problems with his inheritance. The actual problem is not identified, but perhaps he fears that his heirs’ inheritance will be diluted by any heirs of Ruth. Clearly his concern about his inheritance takes precedence over his concern for Ruth and Naomi’s wellbeing.
Boaz, by contrast, has no such conflicts, and redeems the women as he had said he would, even though he is not obliged to do so. Boaz’s actions also ensure that Naomi’s future is secure, that the family name continues, and that a son is born.
The importance of inheritance and family lines is confirmed again at the end of the chapter, as Boaz is confirmed as a direct descendant of Perez, son of Judah, Jacob, Isaac and ultimately, Abraham; and he becomes the great-grandfather of David, and ultimately, an ancestor of Jesus. His significance to Jewish and Christian readers is confirmed.
I hope you have enjoyed this series looking at the story of Ruth, and that it has given you a greater understanding of the themes which run through the story rather than reading it piecemeal. But if this story is not to be confined to history, we must now consider what it says to us today, in 2020.
The dominant themes throughout this story of Ruth are:-
- hesed – a Hebrew term meaning loyalty or faithfulness born out of a sense of caring and commitment. It is used to describe God’s relationship with Israel, as well as the relationship between members of a family
- grace – Naomi had no legal responsibility for her daughters-in-law, but was concerned that they find themselves new husbands and a new life; Ruth had no responsibility to Naomi, but remained steadfastly with her; Boaz redeemed the family land and married Ruth, enabling the family name to be perpetuated.
- home and belonging - we have migrants setting up home in foreign lands, we have problems of acceptance and justice for the ones on the fringes of society
- redemption – salvation from poverty which is all too prevalent in the world, and in this country today
- emptiness and fullness – starting with a drought and ending with a harvest, a girl gleaning in the fields who takes home more than she needs, the death of sons followed by the birth of a longed-for son who secures the future
This story is about loyalty beyond what might be expected, rooted in unconditional care for another. These are relationships created and held in the same hesed with which God loves and cares for us
The current Black Lives Matter campaign highlights the real sense of being an outsider still being felt within a society, even many generations later. Boaz’s generous treatment of Ruth should tell us much about the treatment and acceptance of foreigners in our society that our faith demands.
God’s hesed relationship with us today, his loyalty and commitment to us especially in the face of pandemic, job losses and financial ruin, speaks of a grace-filled relationship which still exists, despite everything, not because we have done anything to deserve it, but in which we are blessed. God’s hesed is manifested in these individuals being rewarded for their loyalty to each other by finding security and fulfilment. We too share in that reward.
We should welcome all with that same sense of hesed that God relentlessly shows towards us.
Intercessions & Lords Prayer
Ever-present God, we bring before you this day, our thoughts and concerns for others, those known to us and strangers alike.
We pray that you will inspire us to show love and care to all we meet this week, that we will be loyal and faithful to our friends and to you, that we will have the courage to reach out and embrace those you send to us, and that we might care for them as you care for us.
We pray for our families and friends, and for all those in need at this present time.
We pray for the churches in our Circuit as we struggle to find our way out of lockdown and resume our fellowship gatherings, this week especially for Paulton, and for me as I minister to and amongst you.
Amen
Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Hymn – O Jesus, I have promised www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQFLOCoYaPI
1 O Jesus, I have promised
to serve you to the end;
Lord, be for ever near me,
my master and my friend;
I shall not fear the battle
if you are by my side,
nor wander from the pathway
if you will be my guide.
2 O let me feel you near me;
the world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
the tempting sounds I hear;
my foes are ever near me,
around me, and within;
but, Jesus, now draw nearer,
and shield my soul from sin.
3 O let me hear you speaking
in accents clear and still,
above the storms of passion,
the murmurs of self-will;
O speak to reassure me,
to hasten or control;
Lord, speak, and make me listen,
O guardian of my soul.
4 O Jesus, you have promised
to all who follow you,
that where you are in glory
your servant shall be too;
and, Jesus, I have promised
to serve you to the end;
O give me grace to follow
my master and my friend.
John Ernest Bode (1816–1874)
Blessing
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw-Z2Vfskvo
An Irish Blessing
I do not wish you a pathway free of troubles, nor a life of ease on a bed of roses.
I do not wish that you should never feel pain, or endure the bitter pangs of sorrow and regret.
I do not wish you these, for they are not the things that matter.
My wish for you is that you find courage in times of trial.
When the skies darken and the outlook is bleak, when others load their burdens on your shoulders, and even blame you for their woes, when all seems darkness, may you find the ray of light, and may all the gifts God gave you grow and flourish.
May you always have friends who are worthy of the name, who will help in times of need and share your times of joy. And may you offer friendship in return as you enrich the lives of all you meet.
But this is not all ….. One more wish I have for you: In every moment of every day may you feel God’s love and be inspired.
This is my wish for you, and all who are dear to you. This is my wish for you now, always and forever.
And the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you, now and forever more. Amen
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