Ruth 4 "God Is In Control"

“So they named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.” (v.17b)

Every great story has a great ending, and Ruth’s story has one of the best. The writer doesn’t reveal the “punch line” until the last few verses, where we read that God blessed the romance and marriage of Ruth and Boaz by placing them in the line of the Messiah. Their son Obed would become the grandfather of king David.

Although David was still two generations away, God’s favor was on this family. For even in the dark days of Judges when everyone was doing what was right in their own eyes, God was working to provide Israel with what they needed—Godly leadership. Through this beautiful story, we see His hand providentially set the stage for Boaz to rescue Ruth and Naomi from a life of poverty and the shame of not having an heir.

Ruth could have been bitter about her status as a young widow, and Boaz might have thought that as a foreigner Ruth was not worth his time. But they recognized the hand of God in their circumstances and faithfully followed His plan. And yet, redeeming the land, the marriage of Ruth to Boaz, continuing the family name - are not the best parts of this story. Because of their faithfulness, salvation for the world was yet to come through their descendants—first David and then Jesus (Matthew 1:5-16).

This short book demonstrates that, sometimes the worst thing that happens to us can open the door for the best that God has for us, if we will follow His leading.

The Truth

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Ruth 3 "The Kinsman Redeemer"

“Sit still, my daughter, for the man will not rest, until he has finished the thing this day." (v.18)

Boaz had many good traits — his religious demeanor and speech, his courtesy in greeting his servants, his refusal to take advantage of Ruth’s trust; but none are more satisfactory than this well-known and acknowledged promptness of action. Naomi had recognized this quality in her kinsman, and knew that he was a man of his word, who would complete whatever he had undertaken to perform.

This is a characteristic that we should follow. Not arousing hopes that end in disappointment, nor making promises only to forget them. Our words should be our bond. Those who commit their trust to us should feel perfectly at rest about our executing what we have promised.

Jesus is our near kinsman. Therefore, we have no need of worry or fear. We can “sit still” in assured trust that He has undertaken our cause, and He will not rest until the marriage-feast is celebrated. He has made Himself responsible for us; and He will not rest until He has accomplished our redemption.

Take the advice of Naomi, "sit still" – know that your redeemer is working.

The Truth

“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

Ruth 2 "God's Direction

And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after one in whose sight I may find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech. (v.2-3)

Today we will see another theme in the book of Ruth: initiative. Ruth arrived in Bethlehem having made the choice to leave the comfort of food, family and home. While Naomi proclaimed her bitterness, Ruth showed initiative and got right to work.

An interesting little phrase sits in the middle of verse 3 (niv translates it), “As it turned out.” It's almost a little wink from the writer, as if to alert us that something seemingly random or coincidental, was really a demonstration of God's direction. When Ruth took the initiative to glean in the fields, she had no idea what would follow. But God blessed that step by leading her to the fields of Boaz.

Boaz might have felt justified in removing Ruth from his fields. After all, she was a foreigner. He could have instructed his workers to harass her. He lived in the time of Judges—he could have just fit in with the culture around him and sought to maximize his own gain. But Boaz chose faithfulness, kindness, and generosity instead.

As it turned out, God had a plan. He not only supplied their immediate need for food but (as we shall see later in the story) their future as well.

The Truth

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

Ruth 1 "Ruth Stands by Naomi"

“Your people will be my people and your God my God.” (v.16)

As we turn now to read the book of Ruth—which takes place during the time of Judges—we see how God continued to work out the salvation of His people. One key theme that appears in the book of Ruth is redemption. Through it (the book), we shall see how God takes tragedy and redeems it into beauty, love, restoration, and salvation. 

As the story opens, we see that Naomi and her family have chosen to leave Israel and go to Moab. Not only do they leave their land, but the sons marry foreign women, a direct violation of God's covenant with His people (Deut. 7:3). Then tragedy strikes as Naomi loses her husband and both sons. She decides to return to Judah, but she feels empty and bitter toward God (v. 20). 

In contrast to Naomi, Ruth, this Moabite woman, who was free to stay with her people and idols, chose to accompany her bitter mother-in-law, and worship the God of Israel. She must have seen something in Naomi that caused her to stand by her and return with her to Bethlehem-Judah. It wasn’t money, nor inheritance, nor land, not even another son to wed. I believe she saw repentance in Naomi who was returning to not only her homeland but her God as well.

Naomi, the prodigal daughter, returns home to her people and her God. This is only the beginning of a beautiful story of redemption and restoration, renewal and revival.

The Truth

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

Acts 28 "Where One Story Ends, Another Begins"

“Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.” (v.30-31)

Every story has an ending. But the great stories end with a new beginning. In the final chapter of C.S. Lewis’ Narnia series, the characters are invited “further up, further in” as the land of Narnia is restored. Lewis writes;

“The things that began to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them. And for us this, the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.” (C.S. Lewis, The Last Battle)

Just as one adventure leads to another in the Narnia series, so Paul’s story is not over. Even though the book itself comes to an abrupt end, another story is about to begin. The Epistles are loaded with more chronicles, if you will, on the life and ministry of this faithful servant of God.

The Truth

His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ (Matthew 25:21)