“So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.” Ruth 4:13
I love to read, and I like books that have a happy ending. Romance stories usually begin with two people meeting, getting to know one another, facing some difficulties along the way, and ending with them living happily ever after.
The Book of Ruth does not fail us in this respect. The lonely stranger who followed the reapers to provide food for her and her mother-in-law now need no longer do so. She is now married to the owner, and all the fields are now hers.
What a picture of redemption. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we become one with Him. Our redemption is complete. All of His riches are at our disposal.
Romans 7:4 “Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.”
What a beautiful picture is portrayed in Ruth 4:16-17 “And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.”
These two women: Naomi, and Ruth, had gone together through the valley of death, and now they are rejoicing. God has turned their mourning into gladness. Psalm 30:11 “Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness.”
The women of Bethlehem gather around Boaz, Ruth, Naomi, and the baby, giving praise to the Lord, and predicting a great future for the child.
“And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.” Ruth 4:14-15
Though Ruth was a stranger in Israel, God chose her to be included in the lineage of Jesus. Because of Calvary, all nationalities, all people, are included in His great plan of redemption.
Colossians 3:11 “Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.”
Prayer, Jesus, what a privilege it is to know you, to be part of your kingdom, and to share in all the riches that you have available for us. We are so blessed.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
