BIBLICAL SUMMARY SERIES – RUTH

Last blog post, I touched on the story of God’s people found in the book of Judges, which contains a tragic but grace-filled pattern of Israel wandering away from God, falling into sinful & destructive behavior, being oppressed by other kingdoms, turning to God for forgiveness and deliverance, and God showing His love by sending a deliverer (“judge”) before the pattern would start over again. The next book, Ruth is an interesting episode of hope, positivity, and redemption in the midst of the Judges story as the two books take place at the same time. 

What is remarkable about the book of Ruth is that it features the most unlikely duo of characters: a poor Jewish widow Naomi, and her Gentile, also-widowed daughter-in-law Ruth. With all of the men and caretakers in their lives gone and against all odds, the women are left with a choice: Will Naomi despair and lose all hope? Will Ruth return to her home country and maybe a more comfortable life? Or will both cling to God and each other and move forward. The rest of the book shows us the answer, displaying God’s promises to those who trust in Him. Even the downtrodden, the “least of these” whom the world has abandoned; they hold a special place in God’s heart. The book of Ruth can teach us a few insights. Although I will only go over them briefly, my prayer is that you would read this book for yourself. It is only four chapters long but contains a story rich in courage, loyalty, and God’s faithfulness. 

Loyalty-One of the verses many know from the book of Ruth is 1:16. After both of their husbands have died, Naomi offers her daughter-in-law Ruth a chance to return home since her future will be bleak if she stays with Naomi. Ruth understands the path ahead of both of them will be tough, yet somehow God has made himself known to this woman who was not even born an Israelite. This “outsider” has such confidence that she declares to Naomi, “Your people are my people. Your God is my God!” Ruth displays her loyalty to Naomi, and by extension, God’s people and further to God Himself. The chips may be down, but Naomi and Ruth cling to the only Rock of salvation. Yet, this also shows us something about God’s loyalty to us. Even when we are faithless, He is faithful, promising to be loyal to us because of His great love. 

Redemption-Boaz became Ruth’s “kinsman redeemer”. Whereas Ruth was not born Jewish and was therefore looked at as an “outsider”, her love and faithfulness touched Boaz who upheld his duty to preserve the family line and so married Ruth. God’s grace was behind all of this the entire time. Similarly, that grace shone brightest when Jesus Christ, our “kinsman redeemer” saw us when we were “outsiders” not because of any ethnicity, but because of sin. Jesus, through His death on the cross, took us the church as His bride and married us, redeeming us to new life. In Naomi, we find her in the beginning of the book aching for God’s redemption and by the end, she is singing because the ache has been met by His grace, and the baby Ruth has is evidence.

The Least of These-Naomi and Ruth had many factors working against them. They were both widows, both women, Naomi was elderly, and Ruth began the book without any children. If we were trying to write a good heroic story, this probably would not be where we would want to start. Yet, even here, we can see God’s protection over those the world neglects. From this protection, God would bless Ruth with a son, who was the ancestor of King David, and was an ancient ancestor of Jesus Christ Himself! Ruth is in Jesus’ family tree! God does not regard a person’s age, gender, or family status. The only question that matters is are we going to respond to His offer of grace. He can use anybody to accomplish His purposes, and it is not those who are born into a certain people, a certain time, or a certain place who make up His people. All throughout the Old and New Testaments, it is “any who call on the name of the Lord will be saved”. The only question that matters is, “Do you and I have a relationship with this God based on His mercy and grace.”

May the God of Naomi, Ruth, and all who call on His name bless you and keep you in perfect peace.

Your Brother, 

Craig