The Second Husband | FOUNDRYsermon 3.25.18

In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem.

When was the last time you remember being a stranger? Sometimes I enjoy it. Going to a movie by yourself or sitting down at a bookstore to read a book isn’t that bad. But when was the last time you had to spend a long amount as a stranger, especially when everyone else knows each other?

It isn’t fun.

This week we continue our journey into the women in the family tree of Jesus from Matthew chapter 1. We will focus on two women; Ruth and Bathsheba. Both of their stories are about being known. Here is a quick peek into their story.

Then Boaz asked his foreman, “Who is that young woman over there? Who does she belong to?”

6 And the foreman replied, “She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi. 7 She asked me this morning if she could gather grain behind the harvesters. She has been hard at work ever since, except for a few minutes’ rest in the shelter.”

8 Boaz went over and said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Stay right here with us when you gather grain; don’t go to any other fields. Stay right behind the young women working in my field. 9 See which part of the field they are harvesting, and then follow them. I have warned the young men not to treat you roughly. And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well.”

10 Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.”

11 “Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers.12 May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”

And the story of Bathsheba

2 Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. 3 He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” 4 Then David sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her. She had just completed the purification rites after having her menstrual period. Then she returned home. 5 Later, when Bathsheba discovered that she was pregnant, she sent David a message, saying, “I’m pregnant.”

Both of these women were known in different ways. One way ending up redeeming and other ended up..well, let’s just say it got rough.

Let’s learn together from scripture, how it talks about moral complexity, but above all, how each of our lives are wrapped up in redemption inside the life of Jesus.