1. BACK TO BETHLEHEM - THE HOUSE OF BREAD Study 2. BLESSED WITH ABUNDANCE AT BETHLEHEM Ruth Chapters 2 - 4 Introduction: Matt. 1:1. “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David the son of Abraham…. Matt. 1:5. “Boaz begot Obed by Ruth….” Matt.1:16. “Mary of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ” Hebrews 7:25. “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him….” (The Message) – “He’s there from now to eternity to save everyone who comes to God through Him…”

2. BACK TO BETHLEHEM - THE HOUSE OF BREAD Study 2. BLESSED WITH ABUNDANCE AT BETHLEHEM Ruth Chapters 2 - 4 5 Necessities for a water supply connection: There must be an overall PLAN – There is a PLAN for your life. Eph. 2:10 There must be PREPARATION – You are being prepared for your future. There must be POSITIONING – You are being positioned for your next move. There must be PERMITTING – The authority will give the “go ahead”. Turn on the tap! There is the PRESENTING both now and in the future - Col.1:22; Eph. 5:27; Jude 24

3. BACK TO BETHLEHEM - THE HOUSE OF BREAD Study 2. BLESSED WITH ABUNDANCE AT BETHLEHEM Ruth Chapters 2 - 4 1. GOD’S OVERALL PLAN FOR RUTH. Ruth 2:2. “So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, ‘Please let me go to the field and glean heads of grain…’ ”. A despised Moabite destined to become a Mother in Israel. 2. RUTH PREPARED TO RECEIVE GOD’S BLESSINGS – or, made ready for the “connection”. - i. (Chapter 1) – Ruth came under the godly influence of Naomi. - ii. Ruth 1:16 - Ruth chose to follow Jehovah God. - iii. Ruth 1:16 – Ruth chose to associate with God’s people. - iv. Ruth 1:16 – Ruth obviously had a humble and teachable spirit.

4. BACK TO BETHLEHEM - THE HOUSE OF BREAD Study 2. BLESSED WITH ABUNDANCE AT BETHLEHEM Ruth Chapters 2 - 4 3. RUTH POSITIONED TO RECEIVE GOD’S BLESSINGS – Put in place for usefulness. (we now follow the story line….) Ruth 2:3. “Then she left and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz…” - The Law regarding Gleaning, Lev. 9:9-10 Ruth 2:4. “Now behold Boaz came from Bethlehem and said to the reapers….” Ruth 2:8-9. – Ruth is given assurance of provision.

5. BACK TO BETHLEHEM - THE HOUSE OF BREAD Study 2. BLESSED WITH ABUNDANCE AT BETHLEHEM Ruth Chapters 2 - 4 Ruth 2:10. “So she fell on her face…and said, “Why have I found favour in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner”. Ruth 2:14. “…So she sat beside the reapers and he passed parched grain to her and she ate and was satisfied”. Ruth 2:15. “Let her glean among the sheaves and when she is near you, let fall in her pathways some handfuls of sheaves on purpose.” Ruth 2:19. “Where have you gleaned today? And where did you work? Blessed be the one who took notice of you”.

6. BACK TO BETHLEHEM - THE HOUSE OF BREAD Study 2. BLESSED WITH ABUNDANCE AT BETHLEHEM Ruth Chapters 2 - 4 Ruth 2:20. “Blessed be he of the Lord who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead…This man is a relation of ours, one of our close relatives”. (Close relative = “Goel” meaning “kinsman-redeemer) The Law of Redemption and of Levirate Marriage. Lev. 25:47-55 / Dt.25:5-10 4. RUTH PERMITTED TO RECEIVE GOD’S BLESSINGS – The permit had to be given (legally) to allow the connection. Ruth 3:2-4. “Now Boaz whose young men you were with, is he not our relative? In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight in the threshing floor”.

7. BACK TO BETHLEHEM - THE HOUSE OF BREAD Study 2. BLESSED WITH ABUNDANCE AT BETHLEHEM Ruth Chapters 2 - 4 Ruth 3:9. “I am your servant Ruth” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman- redeemer”. Ruth 3:11. “I will do for you all that you request…” Ruth 3:12. “Now it is true that that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I”. Ruth 3:13. “Lie down until the morning” or “Tarry this ….” Ruth 3:18. “…Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day”.

8. BACK TO BETHLEHEM - THE HOUSE OF BREAD Study 2. BLESSED WITH ABUNDANCE AT BETHLEHEM Ruth Chapters 2 - 4 Ruth 4:4. “And he said, ‘I will redeem it”! Ruth 4:5. “…Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance”. Ruth 4:8. “Therefore the close relative said to Boaz, ‘Buy it for yourself.’ So he took off his sandal.” Ruth 4:9-10. “…You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimalech’s and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, from the hand of Naomi. Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon I have acquired as my wife that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from his position in the gate…”

9. BACK TO BETHLEHEM - THE HOUSE OF BREAD Study 2. BLESSED WITH ABUNDANCE AT BETHLEHEM Ruth Chapters 2 - 4 4. RUTH PRESENTED WITH GOD’S BLESSINGS Through Boaz the Kinsman-Redeemer, her life changed dramatically From an outcast Moabite to a Mother in Israel with security and favour. From being a broken-hearted childless widow she became an ancestor of Jesus Christ the Messiah. Matt. 1:16.

10. OUR KINSMAN-REDEEMER – JESUS CHRIST Song of Solomon 6:3. “I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved is mine”. Song of Solomon 6:3 “I am my Beloved’s …” Eph. 1:4-5; John 16:16. We have been ELECTED and CHOSEN – The Plan Col. 1:16. We were CREATED by Him and for Him – The Preparation John 17. We have been GIVEN by the Father to the Son – The Positioning 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 1 Peter 1:18-19. We have been REDEEMED by Jesus Eph. 5:27. We will be PRESENTED to Him a glorious Bride!

11. OUR KINSMAN-REDEEMER – JESUS CHRIST Song of Solomon 6:3. “I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved is mine”. “My Beloved is mine” John 10:28-29. I am eternally secure. Eph.1:3. I am immeasurably enriched. 1 Cor. 9:15. I am indescribably blessed. “Thanks be unto God for His indescribable gift!” It’s time for the Bride to make herself ready

12. OUR KINSMAN-REDEEMER – JESUS CHRIST Song of Solomon 6:3. “I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved is mine”. Revelation 19:7 “…For the wedding of the Lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteousness acts of the saints)”. (NIV) ARE YOU READY FOR THE RECEPTION OR ARE YOU HOLDING UP THE PROCEEDINGS? Proverbs 8:34. “Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors”