Dating & Redemption: Study of Ruth Part #4

Key passages

Ruth 2:20

Leviticus 25:25

Deuteronomy 25:5-10

Ruth 3:3-4

Ruth 3:10-11

Luke 7:37-38

Before meeting my husband, my dating life was a series of trials and lessons that ultimately prepared me for a deeper understanding of love and redemption. Drawing from my personal journey and the transformative story of Ruth, this episode weaves together scripture from Ruth, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Luke to reveal the incredible ways God's love manifests even in our most challenging experiences. Join me, Jessi Morgan, as I share anecdotes from my past dating life, including a memorable yet exhausting first date with a model in New York City, and how each relationship taught me invaluable lessons about self-worth, love, and God's unwavering presence.

In this heartfelt exploration, you'll be reminded of the power of God's guidance and redemption, much like Ruth's story of perseverance and faithfulness. As we journey through the key passages of Ruth Chapter 3, I hope to inspire and uplift you, offering encouragement to those navigating the complexities of relationships or seeking solace in their faith. Be assured that, just as Ruth discovered, redemption and grace are always within reach. Whether you're in a relationship or single, this episode promises to deepen your connection to God's word and offer a fresh perspective on love and faith.

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Hello, hello. You're listening to the Jesse Morgan Devotions for the Christian Heart Podcast, episode 29. This week's devotional is titled Dating and Redemption Study of Ruth, part 4. Let's go. Hi, I'm Jesse Morgan. I used to just share home decor and renovation tips on social media, but now I'm sharing something even closer to my heart my journey and love for Jesus Christ, my Savior. Welcome to the Jesse Morgan Devotions for the Christian Hawk Podcast.

Speaker 1: 0:30

This is a weekly devotional. I started back in May 2024, but the inspiration for it came much earlier. It was rooted in a faith journey that began when my daughter was born four months early in 2023. Through that challenging time, god worked in ways that truly amazed me. On this podcast, I share personal stories of faith, woven together with scripture to show just how incredible God's word can be in our everyday lives. My hope is that through these stories, you'll be encouraged, uplifted and reminded of God's love and presence, no matter what you're going through. So I invite you to spend less than 15 minutes with me each week as we reflect on these devotionals together. Let's all pray within Dating and Redemption Study of Ruth, part 4, episode 29. Key passages Ruth 2, 20,. Leviticus 25, 25,. Deuteronomy 25, 5-10,. Ruth 3, 3-4, ruth 3, 10-11, and Luke 7, 37-38. Welcome back to the podcast. I'm so excited to share this week's devotional with you. We're continuing our journey through the story of Ruth and today we'll dive into Ruth, chapter 3. So let's start off with a story that honestly came to me this week and it ties into this part of Ruth so effortlessly. I'm so thankful to God for blessing me with the gift of storytelling and I'm so thankful to God for you guys out there listening. So here we go. Thankful to God for you guys out there listening. So here we go.

Speaker 1: 2:10

Before I met my husband, my dating life was well, let's just say it wasn't great. For years I struggled to find the right person. I dated older men, thinking they'd be more mature, but still in the end I would be disappointed. Anyways, in 2013, I moved to New York City to work at Macy's on 34th Street, the biggest department store in the United States. The job was grueling and I was constantly exhausted. It didn't leave much time for me to meet people, but one day I met a guy on the train. He was a model, gorgeous and confident. He worked in the medical field and we went to dinner, but within five minutes of the date he started criticizing marriage and society, declaring he wanted to live outside the norm. What is a wedding dress? What is a vow? Why are we doing this? Blah, blah, blah, blah blah. I remember just smiling as I ate my appetizer. Blah, blah, blah, blah blah. I remember just smiling as I ate my appetizer but in my mind I was thinking this is way too much for a first date. Like homeboy needs to chill. There was no second date. I can tell you that.

Speaker 1: 3:21

Then I dated another guy who honestly didn't put any effort and he was really a bit cheap. I paid for everything groceries, meals, even museum tickets. When he forgot his wallet, we would go to dinner and he always wanted to split the bill. So he would pay his portion, which he basically would get like an appetizer and that's it. But he would never, ever offer to pay my portion ever. He just didn't show up for me emotionally or financially.

Speaker 1: 3:48

I knew if we stayed together I'd always be the one carrying the weight of the relationship by myself. So I ended it and then I met Keston, my husband. Funny thing is I hired him at work at the time. He was hardworking, dependable and kind, but at first I didn't see him like romantically in that way, another role. On his last day in my department I realized how much I'd miss him and I blurted out that I had feelings for him. Real smooth huh. We decided to talk about it after holidays and our first date came about six weeks later.

Speaker 1: 4:32

From the beginning, keston showed me what it meant to be loved, protected and supported. He redeemed my faith and love and actual marriage and supported. He redeemed my faith and love and actual marriage and every day he continues to lead our family with kindness and integrity. So why am I telling you this? Because as I reflect on my story, I can't help but think about Ruth's story and her relationship with Boaz. Just like Keston redeemed my faith and love, boaz, a family redeemer in the Israelite culture. This was mentioned back in Ruth, chapter 2. So in Ruth 2, 20, naomi tells Ruth these words the Lord bless him, as she's referring to Boaz. He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead. That man is our close relative. He is one of our guardian redeemers.

Speaker 1: 5:33

So a family redeemer or a guardian redeemer had three key roles in the Israelite culture that I could really put together from scripture. So number one property redeemer If a family member sold their land due to financial hardship, the redeemer would buy it back to keep it in the family. Leviticus 25, 25. Marriage to a widow If a woman's husband died without leaving children, the redeemer could marry her to preserve the family name. This is in Deuteronomy 25, 5 through 10. And number three clearly a Redeemer is also a protector. The Redeemer acted as an advocate for the family's well-being.

Speaker 1: 6:14

In Ruth's 3, 3 through 4, naomi gives Ruth bold instructions on how to approach Boaz, a family guardian, a guardian Redeemer. Because Naomi knew that in order for Ruth to have a future, she had to be protected and provided for. So Naomi tells Ruth this in Ruth 3, 3-4. Wash, put on perfume, get dressed in your best clothes, then go down to the threshing floor, uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do. Uncover his feet and lie down, he will tell you what to do. This might sound unusual to us today, but in Ruth's culture it was a humble and symbolic act. By lying at Boaz's feet, ruth wasn't seducing him. She was asking for redemption and protection, which usually means marriage. Back then, boaz's response in Ruth 3, 10 through 11 is just filled with compassion. He says the Lord. Bless you, my daughter. Don't be afraid, I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. Boaz agreed to assist in redeeming Ruth, not just out of obligation, but because he saw her integrity, humility and faith. Now let's take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Boaz redeemed Ruth in the end, but he's also a reflection of someone even greater Jesus Christ. Just as Ruth laid at Boaz's feet in humility, asking for redemption, we can come to Jesus laying our burdens and sins at his feet. Jesus is our ultimate redeemer, offering us salvation, protection and love.

Speaker 1: 8:06

This reminds me of the woman in Luke 7, 37 through 38. If you remember this famous story, it just touched me and I just had to include it in this podcast episode. A woman, the verse says, a woman in that town who lived a sinful life, came with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. This is a time that Jesus went to have dinner with a Pharisee and a woman who lived a sinful life came in, just weeping, crying, washed his feet with her tears, put perfume all over Jesus's feet and, just you know, poured herself out to him. This woman like Ruth came with humility and faith. Came with humility and faith, trusting Jesus to redeem her.

Speaker 1: 9:15

Ruth's story just reminds us of the beauty of redemption, not just in love and relationships, but within our walk with Christ. Boaz redeemed Ruth, offering her protection and a future. The same way, jesus redeems us, offering us salvation and eternal life. My husband is my Boaz when it comes to love and being in a relationship, just as Boaz represents redemption, love and protection for Ruth. But Jesus is my ultimate redeemer, my ultimate Boaz per se, the one who saves me and leads me to eternity with God.

Speaker 1: 9:57

So I ask you this when we sin, when we are wrong, do you fall to your feet and ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins? Do you drop the sarcasm, the busy mindset to lay at Jesus's feet so you can share your burdens, so that he can guide and protect you? Are you fulfilling your duty as a child of God? Is your marriage to God what it should be of God? Is your marriage to God what it should be? Think of those things. Being redeemed and accepting Christ as your Savior is the commitment that is as sacred as marriage for me. What about you? Let's pray.

Speaker 1: 10:42

Heavenly Father, thank you for being the ultimate Redeemer. Thank you for sending your Son to save us, to protect us, to restore us. Just as Boaz redeemed Ruth, jesus redeems us through his love and sacrifice every day. Help us to approach you with humility and faith, trusting in your plan for our lives. Thank you for the gift of salvation, lord, and for always leading us towards your goodness. For the gift of salvation, lord, and for always leading us towards your goodness. In Jesus' name, we always pray Amen. Thank you for listening today. I hope Ruth's story inspires you to trust in God's redemption and love.

Speaker 1: 11:21

Ruth. Part 5 concludes our mini-series. See you next week. Well, that wraps up this week's episode. I hope these devotions help you draw closer to God each day. If this episode encouraged you, please share it with someone who might need the same message and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss a weekly episode. For more information or to reach out, check the show notes or visit jessimorganhomecom or find me on Instagram at jessimorganlife. Remember God's timing is always perfect. Keep trusting him until next time.

Speaker 1: 11:49

This is Jesse Morgan praying off. I'm going to tell you right now I have some crazy dating life experiences and, honestly, my two best, my two besties, lorna and Adrian, can vouch for it. They have horrible, tough experiences as well, and maybe one day I'll get them on the podcast and somehow tie that into a devotion and have a really open, honest conversation and a fun conversation. So just shout out to my besties and shout out to anybody who's ever had a pretty tough dating experience. But in the end you knew that that was the right person for you or not. And you know what, as long as God is at the center and you're putting God first and letting God lead you to that right relationship, it will be all good. Love you guys.