From a Nobody to a Somebody
“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.” Ruth 4:16-17
We have come to the end of our study of the Book of Ruth. I hope that you have been blessed as much as I have. Let us take one more look at the main characters in the story:
- Naomi – a woman who was bitter but became blessed. When she thought her life was over, that she had nothing left to live for, God allowed her to return to her own country. The blessings she received at the end of the book, far outweighed what she had lost.
- Ruth – who went from being a widow, barren and unfruitful to a wife and mother. She had been far from the knowledge of the true God but became intimate in her relationship with Him and thus gained a family.
- Boaz – the wealthy landowner who was willing to redeem the fields of Elimelech and marry Ruth.
This story shows us how the Lord Jesus Christ can turn our lives around and make something out of nothing.
I John 3:1-3 “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
Isaiah 61:3 “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”
From studying the Book of Ruth, we have learned that the only redemption is through the blood of Jesus, which frees us from the penalty of sin, and that freedom leads to fruitfulness. Wherever we are in our relationship with the Lord, we need to be reminded of these truths.
God has a plan and a purpose for your life and mine. Though we may feel unworthy of His love and grace, He can take the broken pieces of our lives and make them over into something beautiful. Just as He did for Ruth, He can take us from a “nobody” to a “somebody.”
Prayer: Lord, you brought Naomi from bitter to blessed and Ruth from a stranger to a beloved wife for Boaz. You have promised us beauty for ashes, and we rest in that promise.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
