It’s perhaps no surprise that two of the churches that I’m most associated with have, independently of each other, chosen to embark on a study series of the book of Ruth. Ruth’s story appears in the Bible after the book of Judges, a book which describes the depravity and sin that had overcome the world at this period of time. Account after account describes the immorality and falling away from God; then, like a refreshing shower on a scorching, parched landscape, we read the story of faithfulness, generosity, temperance, honesty and lives lived according to God’s principles.
It’s a story of difficult times- famine and loss of life. Yet we see God’s provision and guidance in the midst of loss. It’s a story of an actual historical episode, yet we see symbolism here in the character of Boaz- the family member who becomes the “kinsman redeemer” for Naomi and Ruth, redeeming their family property and marrying Ruth to provide both a home for them and a child to continue their family line. In the same way Jesus steps into our sinful, broken lives and redeems us, adopting us into the family of God and giving us a life, hope and a future.
Ruth is one of the few women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus, listed in Matthew chapter 1. She was, in fact, the great-grandmother of King David. God took a Moabite woman and grafted her into the family line of Jesus. Look at how God used the trials of the time. If there had been no famine in Israel, Naomi and her husband would have not travelled to Moab, where the sons married. Had the sons and her husband not died, Naomi and Ruth’s story would have been completely different.
Through it all we see the character of godly men and women. Naomi must have been a loving mother-in-law for Ruth to remain so steadfastly committed to her. Ruth declares “your God will be my God” ( v.16), perhaps not realising at that moment how God would lead and provide for them. Ruth proves herself hard working and trusting as she cares for Naomi. Boaz, whom God leads the women to, exemplifies a man who follows God- obedient to God’s laws, hard working, protective, honest and morally upright.
We are reminded as we read the book of Ruth that although we live in a world which is beset with troubles of all kinds, if we strive to live as God desires, to please Him, He will be faithful to us. His steadfast love never ceases. He will never leave us or forsake us as we journey through this life and He will direct and guide us always.
