Our Ruth is waiting in obedience to Naomi. (I say “our Ruth” because we all feel a little bit protective over her at this point, don’t we?) And Boaz is pursuing a future with Ruth through the proper channels. He respects the law, and he’s demonstrating over and over again that he is an honorable guy.
Boaz wants this to be legal—for the agreement to be made in plain sight, in the presence of elders. When Boaz fairly and legally takes Ruth as his wife, the ten elders and those at the gate invoke this incredible, ancient blessing for fruitfulness on their union: “May the LORD make [Ruth]…like Rachel and Leah, who together built the house of Israel. May you be powerful in Ephrathah and your name well known in Bethlehem” (Ruth 4:11).
God reveals a peek at His awesome tapestry when we look at the bigger picture of Boaz and Ruth’s love story. We pull back the curtain and see that Ruth’s decision to follow Naomi was so much more than an address change; it is a tiny piece of God’s grand plan.
That blessing of fruitfulness would soon bring forth a son, Obed, who would be the father of Jesse. And one of Jesse’s sons was David. (The guy who slayed Goliath, was anointed king, and wrote many of the psalms.) David also happens to be the direct ancestor of a baby whose parents returned to their hometown, Bethlehem, to deliver Him in a manger. Jesus. Renowned in Bethlehem, indeed!
Ruth and Boaz have a remarkable family history of redemption. Even better, through this family tree, the Redeemer—our Redeemer—would come to buy back the world.
Christ has redeemed us like Boaz redeemed Ruth. In the most public way possible, Jesus redeemed us once and for all, a people for His possession. May we go forward today knowing we are loved so genuinely and incredibly by the One who redeemed us to be His. We are loved, indeed. And we are His.
In answer to yesterday, my desperation was with my son’s illness. I could only rely on God. God gave me what I asked for. I didn’t want to find my son dead in his home alone. God gave me the chance to get him to the ER and onto ICU. I had the chance to say goodbye. I’m very grateful that I was allowed that. We don’t always see God working or even like the result, but He is there.
MOLLY R – once again, thank you for your comment! I’m so thankful that Jesus has redeemed us!
Christ has redeemed us like Boaz redeemed Ruth. In the most public way possible, Jesus redeemed us once and for all, a people for His possession. May we go forward today knowing we are loved so genuinely and incredibly by the One who redeemed us to be His. We are loved, indeed. And we are His. Holy Spirit help us to know AND believe this whether we’re in the valley, on the mountaintop, or anywhere in between!
11 Then the elders and all the people at the gate said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the family of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. 12 Through the offspring the Lord gives you by this young woman, may your family be like that of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah.” – Ruth 4:11-12 this right here is proof that prayers are important!!! Let us pray for one another daily!
Sometimes when I read Ruth I think of my other favorite old testament book of a young woman: Esther. It hit me this morning that one of the big differences in these 2 women is that Esther was known by her beauty first, and her faith came as she stepped into the role of actual queen. She was given power, luxury, fame. And then there’s Ruth. We learn of her character, which builds up to a beautiful framework of a faith that was hewed from destitution – powerless, penniless, and homeless. And no mention of her physical attributes! The Jews chose to put the book of Ruth right after Proverbs…31 to be exact. “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised.” While both woman are huge factors in the overall theme of redemption that the Bible weaves, it’s this simple humility that draws us in. The realness and approachability of Ruth, of her circumstances, are so easy to relate to, for most. A humbling reminder of making sure I am taking steps inside God’s who has gone before me, so that my simple humble life can add to the tapestry of redemption for anyone who may glance my way.
Thank you for this insight, and thank you for the prayers.
Today’s Scripture and devotion brought to mind a song that I love to listen to by Hillsong titled “My Redeemer Lives”, here are some of the lyrics:
I know He rescued my soul
His blood has covered my sin
I believe, I believe
My shame, He’s taken away
My pain is healed in His name
I believe, I believe
I’ll raise a banner
‘Cause my Lord has conquered the grave
My Redeemer lives
My Redeemer lives
My Redeemer lives
My Redeemer lives
I know He rescued my soul
His blood has covered my sin
I believe, I believe
My shame, He’s taken away
My pain is healed in His name
I believe, I believe
I’ll raise a banner
‘Cause my Lord has conquered the grave….
You lift my burdens
I’ll rise with You
I’m dancing on this mountain top
To see Your kingdom come
My Redeemer lives
My Redeemer lives
My Redeemer lives
My Redeemer lives.
If you have a chance please listen to it.
Sisters be blessed and know OUR REDEEMER LIVES.
Prayers for all those with prayer requests!
@Erica, May the Lord show Himself faithful in your address change. In the words of Raechel Myers today- “We pull back the curtain and see that Ruth’s decision to follow Naomi was so much more than an address change; it is a tiny piece of God’s GRAND PLAN.” God has a grand plan for you, too!! :)
@Alexa– praise God ! I am so thankful to see you have come to the other side of such unknowns/hardship. May God bless you and your birth story to help and encourage other mothers faced with difficult decisions. May people have courage when they hear your story and know anything is possible with God. Let no doctors try to speak death where there is life!
@Lynne — prayers for strength. May God renew your strength. He always does. Dig deep into His promises and know He is faithful. You are loved and so is Jack. May you feel His nearness to you both and sense the movement of His Spirit. Even when we can’t see it, He is working. God bless and comfort you.
Discipline equals freedom (Jocko). Freedom in America was won by sacrifice and service for a collective whole. This other-centered foundation has long been shattered into tiny self-centered fragments. Reflecting on the redemption of Ruth and her marriage to Boaz, I appreciate the cultural values and family-centered honor displayed. I am awakened to the disciplines of respect and obedience. I see the beauty and the goodness that comes from following God’s plan. The freedom to choose well for the life of another over self builds on the awareness of a higher purpose. It builds character. And humility. Self-centeredness shrank my life to almost nothing, while God-centeredness has transformed my life to abundance. Everything is better with Jesus. The greatest story ever told has my name written in it. Redemption. Salvation. A daughter after the King’s heart. Freedom to use my voice to cry out in the wilderness “come home.” Father, help me to use my freedom well. Discipline me more. Refine me and reveal to me Your greater purpose for my life. Help me choose the well-being of others over my self. I trust You to care for me and provide for my needs. You are my Redeemer. I know You and I love You. Selah. Maranatha. Amen.