“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)
