Ruth 1:14-17
Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. 15 And she said, "Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law." 16 But Ruth said: "Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me."
Chapter 1 of Ruth gives us the story of Naomi's afflictions. First she and her husband, along with her two children Mahlon and Chilion, are forced by famine to leave Judah and retreat to the land of Moab. It is in Moab that Naomi's husband and two sons die and she is left a widow along with her two daughter-in-laws, Orpah and Ruth. After the death of her husband and two sons Naomi, along with her two daughter-in-laws, decides to return to her own country. It is in chapter one that we read how Naomi encourages Orpah and Ruth to return to their mother's house, but only Orpah returns. We read that Ruth "clung to her" mother-in-law and both of them came to Bethlehem, the former residence of Naomi. The chapter concludes with the people of Judah recognizing Naomi, but she is so downcast that she makes this statement: "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?"
What stands out to me this morning is how the book of Ruth is such a beautiful story of love, loyalty, and redemption. In verses 14-17 we read how Ruth describes her determination to remain with Naomi and her assertion that Naomi's God would be her God. This is clearly an affirmation of faith in the Lord, the God of Israel. Ruth's use of the divine name Yahweh translated as the Lord in an oath indicates her commitment to the living God. She was choosing to cling not only to Naomi, her land, and her people, but also to her God. In effect, Ruth was forsaking all that she had ever known to follow the one true God.
The book of Ruth is a perfect example of God's impartiality. Although Ruth belonged to a race often despised by Israel, she was blessed because of her faithfulness. She became a great-grandmother of King David and a direct ancestor of Jesus. No one should feel disqualified to serve God because of race, sex, or national background.
Remember Ruth, she was a cleaving widow, clinging to Naomi in spite of the afflictions she faced. When Ruth chose a new life with Naomi, she knew that it wouldn't be easy. There was hard work and challenges ahead since they were without a male provider. There was separation from home and loved ones, too.
I pray that you would experience the characteristics of this story: Love, Loyalty, and Redemption. Continue to walk with you LORD and Savior. Do not turn back, but rather cling to the One who said "I will never leave you nor forsake you"(Hebrews 13:5).
Love in Christ,
Alan J. Schrader
Ruth 2:11-13
And Boaz answered and said to her, "It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before. 12 The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge." 13 Then she said, "Let me find favor in your sight, my lord; for you have comforted me, and have spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your maidservants."
Chapter 2 of Ruth is where Ruth meets Boaz. The chapter starts out with Ruth gleaning corn in the fields of Boaz, who is a close relative to Naomi. Boaz inquires from his reapers who this young woman is, and the reapers respond favorably. After hearing of Ruth's love and loyalty to her mother-in-law Boaz instructs the gleaners to leave extra food for her. The chapter concludes with Ruth returning to Naomi with what she had gleaned that day and the report of how Boaz had showed her such favor.
What stands out to me this morning is how Boaz explained that he favored Ruth because she had shown "loyal love" to her mother-in-law, Naomi. He then gave her a blessing, asking that God would abundantly reward Ruth for her remarkable loyalty. Boaz expressed the idea of God's protection by saying that Ruth had come under God's wings.
This expression of "God's wings" has the idea of warmth, covering, protection, and mercy in mind. The truth is Ruth's life exhibited admirable qualities: she was loyal, loving, hardworking, kind, faithful, and brave. These qualities gained for her a good reputation, but only because she displayed them consistently in all areas of her life. Wherever Ruth went or whatever she did, her character remained the same.
One thing we can glean from this chapter is that our reputation is being formed by the people who are watching us at work, in our communities, in our neighborhoods and in our churches. A good reputation comes by consistently living out the qualities we believe in?no matter what group of people or surroundings we are in.
I pray that God would help you to live consistently and faithfully in the characteristics that really matter and make a difference. Remember Ruth and be inspired to live a selfless life.
Inspired,
Alan J. Schrader
Ruth 3:1-9
Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? 2 Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3 Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do." 5 And she said to her, "All that you say to me I will do." 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her. 7 And after Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was cheerful, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. 8 Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet. 9 And he said, "Who are you?" So she answered, "I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative."
In chapter 3 of Ruth we have the strategic plan by Naomi for her daughter-in-law to go Boaz to ask him to act as her redeeming relative. Ruth's obedience to the instruction of Naomi becomes fruitful as Boaz recognizes Ruth's loyalty and commits to act on her behalf.
First let me give some background to this phrase "kinsman-redeemer". A kinsman-redeemer was a relative who volunteered to take responsibility for the extended family. When a woman's husband died, the law (Deut. 25:5-10) provided that she could marry a brother of her dead husband. But Naomi had no more sons. In such a case, the nearest relative to the deceased husband could become a kinsman-redeemer and marry the widow. The nearest relative did not have to marry the widow. If he chose not to, the next nearest relative could take his place. If no one chose to help the widow, she would probably live in poverty the rest of her life because in Israelite culture the inheritance was passed on to the son or nearest male relative, not to the wife.
What stands out to me this morning is how Boaz, awakened at midnight, found Ruth at his feet. Far from rebuking her, he blessed her after she had asked him to act as her redeeming relative. The word wings in 2:12 is the plural of the same word here translated "wing" (see July 29, 2008 devotion). Boaz had commended Ruth for seeking refuge in Jehovah; how could he refuse her the refuge she was seeking from him according to Jehovah's laws? Ruth deliberately used the same word that Boaz used in reference to God. Though she spoke here of the edge of the garment of Boaz, she was clearly asking him for protection and security in the same way that Boaz spoke of Ruth seeking God's protection. The final phrase, "for you are a close relative", shows that she was seeking his refuge in the sense of requesting him as her marriage partner. Since her husband had died without giving her a child, it was the responsibility of a close relative to marry her in order to provide an heir for her deceased husband. Boaz commended her for her loyalty, saying that her latter kindness (her personal devotion to him) was better than her first (her leaving home and family to be with Naomi).
I leave you with some wonderful news: We have a kinsman-redeemer in Jesus Christ, who though He was God, came to earth as a man in order to save us. By His death on the cross, He has redeemed us from sin and hopelessness and thereby purchased us to be His own possession. This guarantees our eternal inheritance.
I Peter 1:17-21 "And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God."
Redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb,
Alan J. Schrader
Ruth 4:13-21
So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! 15 And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him." 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him. 17 Also the neighbor women gave him 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.
18 Now this is the genealogy of Perez: Perez begot Hezron; 19 Hezron begot Ram, and Ram begot Amminadab; 20 Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon; 21 Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Obed; 22 Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David.
Chapter 4 of Ruth reveals how Boaz cleverly presented his case to the relative. First he brought in new information not yet mentioned in the story?Elimelech, Naomi's former husband, still had some property in the area that was now for sale. As the nearest relative, this man had the first right to buy the land, which he agreed to do (Leviticus 25:25). But then Boaz said that according to the law, if the relative bought the property he also had to marry the widow. At this stipulation, the relative backed down. He did not want to complicate his inheritance. He may have feared that if he had a son through Ruth, some of his estate would transfer away from his family to the family of Elimelech. Whatever his reason, the way was now clear for Boaz to marry Ruth. The marriage was publicly recognized and the elders of the city gave Boaz their blessing. The book concludes with the genealogy of David, who came from this child born to Ruth and Boaz.
What stands out to me this morning is how God brought great blessings out of Naomi's tragedy, even greater than "seven sons," or an abundance of heirs. The truth is the events recorded in Ruth were part of God's preparations for the births of David and eventually Jesus, the promised Messiah.
Just as Ruth was unaware of this larger purpose in her life, we too may not know the full purpose and importance of our lives until we are able to look back from the perspective of eternity. We must make our choices with God's eternal values in mind. Taking moral shortcuts and living for short-range pleasures are not good investments into God's eternal Kingdom. Because of Ruth's faithful obedience, her life and legacy were significant even though she couldn't see all the results.
I pray that you would live in faithfulness to God, knowing that the significance of your life will extend beyond your lifetime. Remember the rewards will outweigh any sacrifice you will every make.
Desiring to Live for His Glory,
Alan J. Schrader
