OURS IS AN AGE OF BATTLING FOR PRESTIGE AND RECOGNITION, WANTING TOP BILLING BEFORE THE WORLD

• Every group demands their rights, and the Women's Liberation Movement wants to change God to She instead of He.
• But two women in Bible days were of import to have Bible books named after them- what secret.
• Though we must not copy the faults - these two displayed courage and virtue needed today-

THE SWEETEST LOVE STORY IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

• A great gem in literature, showing true sainthood in adversity - for a Gentile woman -RUTH
• During the period of the Judges - this Gentile girl earned the privilege - ancestor of Christ!

REST FORSAKEN (RUTH 1:1-5) FOR THE LAPSE OF FAITH ALMOST ALL IS LOST

• Elimelek and Naomi ran from Bethlehem - famine in the land and in the soul - can't escape trial.
• Their sons married Gentiles - then all the menfolk died - in Orient this is great disgrace-

REST DESIRED (RUTH 1:6-) BEFORE A PERSON CAN CLAIM WHAT GOD HAS FOR THEM - MUST HAVE DESIRE!

• Naomi knew where she should be - and when she had lost all, she got there - even as a pauper!
• One girl stayed in the world - v.14 but one girl grabbed her one chance to know God - will you?
• Both took a pledge - 1:16-17 - and would to God husbands and wives would take this vow - NOW!
• Though it was in poverty 19-21 they returned home.  We come back rich, proud, demanding.

REST SOUGHT (RUTH 2,3) THE MYSTERIOUS WORKING OF A WOMAN TO HELP ANOTHER FIND LOVE

• Naomi provided the good sense - but Ruth had the grace to listen to her - 2:1, 3:1
• Boaz is the kinsman - the one who could redeem Naomi's possession - symbol of Jesus Christ
• Ruth went to glean in His fields - v.3, protection -9, prayer - 12, provision - 13, plenty - 16.
• Ruth's faithfulness to hard work earned a special charity from Boaz - Godly conversation - Ch2

REST SECURED (RUTH 3,4) THROUGH FAITHFULNESS RUTH FOUND THE GREATEST JOY SHE COULD DESIRE

• Naomi instructed Ruth to place her all upon her trust of Boaz  - have you cast all on Jesus?
• Some would accuse Ruth of immorality here - I say NO! - but it was an act of submission!
• There was the problem of the nearer kinsman 3:12, but he would not sacrifice his interest 4:6
• It was Jesus who loved you enough to sacrifice His own self for you- not Satan!  Choose Jesus!
• Ruth became the grandmother of David - (long range) - but immediate goal - she and Namoi redeemed!
• Thus a Gentile widow became a part of God's economy - a book in the Bible - ancestor of Christ!

THE WOMAN WHO CLAIMED HER HIGHEST DUTY

• A woman who, though an orphan, captive, rose to be queen of an empire, and risked it all for her people.
• A strange book - God's name is not mentioned, yet His great power moving throughout it - Eternal Will

ESTHER'S STRANGE RISE TO FAME, GLORY, WEALTH, POSITION, BUT THROUGH DUBIOUS AND QUESTIONABLE WAYS

• It is just as wrong to idealize and worship women as to throw them in the dust to walk on!
• Queen Vashti refused to be prostituted by Ahasuerus - 1:10,11 admire her for this if you will.
• The King could pass the law - 1:20b, 22b - but he couldn't enforce it in his own palace!
• War and captivity had left Esther with her uncle - 2:7 and he put her in a contest to become queen - 10
• Her beauty, grace, and loveliness won the king's heart - and he made her queen - 2:17

ESTHER'S MOMENT OF DECISION, WHEN SHE FACED THE DANGER OF THE LOSS OF ALL LIFE, POSITION

• The story of Haman and Mordecai is one of the most natural - enacted in every shop, office, etc.
• There is hatred, war, in world - and talking peace will not stop Haman's plans of death - then or now.
• 3:8,9 was written for spite - Mordecai wept 4:1, exchange with Esther - but death 4:11 - all risked!

ESTHER'S GRAND CHOICE IN THE MOMENT OF GREATNESS - 4:14 - WHO KNOWS WHEN YOUR OWN MOMENT WILL COME?

• Esther did not hesitate - she chose right - prepared right - v.16 prayed and fasted and acted!
• There is nothing wrong with strategy and timing, and she used her womanly wiles - trap Ch 5
• God sprung His trap - 6  and Haman is compelled to honor Mordecai - King's insomnia and records
• Esther sprung her trap 7 - and events could not have been more stacked against Haman - 7:10
• Though the king could not recall his order - he issued another - and Jews defended themselves.
• Though Ether is not listed as a mother, she mothered an entire nation.
• We need such women today - for men are the weaker sex - and we have lost our nation!

THERE IS NO BETTER DAY THAN MOTHER'S DAY TO CLAIM THE REDEMPTION GOD HAS FOR YOU!

• The Kinsman Redeemer can save you now!  If you will submit yourself to Him in trust!
• The Time of the Kingdom is in the hands of the Lord - but are you ready to seek God's will?
• Don't count on one grab at the ring of fortune to fulfill your purpose in life-
• Make it your habit to be faithful to the Lord then you won't miss your main purpose.