After the disaster of Judges, the book of Ruth comes along as a breath of fresh air. Ruth takes place during the period of the judges but was written sometime after David became king (see Ruth 4:17-22). While Judges shows the repeated rescue of unfaithful Israel by their faithful God, the language of redemption is what permeates Ruth. Most of us are pretty familiar with the story of Ruth, Naomi, and her kinsman redeemer, Boaz. In Jewish law, the kinsman redeemer was the closest living male relative and he had the duty to preserve the family’s name and land inheritance. This role is assumed by Boaz in the story of Ruth, a type who ultimately points to Christ.
I want to share a couple of devotional thoughts on this passage, not directly related to Boaz’s role as kinsman redeemer, but very applicable to us, nevertheless.
Ruth 1:1 – “In the days when the judges rules there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab.” Elimilech, the husband of Naomi, took his wife and two sons to Moab during a time of famine. While his intention was only a temporary stay (to sojourn), he ended up remaining there (v. 2) indicating a change of plans to stay for a long time. Moab was a pagan nation. Elimilech’s name meant “My God is king.” What he should have done is to live by his name. Elimilech should have trusted God and stayed with God’s people. Once a believer wanders away from holiness into worldliness, they are likely to be trapped, making it difficult to repent and return. In the midst of difficulties, we need to trust God as our king, not seeking safety or satisfaction from the world, but clinging to and remaining set apart for Him.
Ruth 2:12 – “The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come tot take refuge!” Boaz commends Ruth, both for her faithfulness to her mother-in-law, Naomi, and for her courage in leaving her people and choosing to submit to the God of Israel. Boaz shows great tenderness to Ruth and encourages her for her righteous actions. He crossed socio-economic classes and national boundaries to urge this young woman along in her walk with God. This is how more mature Christians should treat those who are younger in the faith. We should speak kind, comforting, and encouraging words to them, ministering with affection to their weakness. May God move us out of ourselves and empower each one of us to be more of an encourager and an exhorter to those who are less mature or who are struggling.
Blessings!