Ruth 1 – 4

The story of Ruth is the story of the salvation of the Gentiles through the Hebrews. In many ways we find here the gospel in parable, even though the story is true. Understanding that to the Hebrew Paul the term “Greek” and “Gentile” were synonymous, consider the story of Ruth in light of this…

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Romans 1:16-17

In the midst of human tragedy, the plan of God to redeem all mankind through the seed of Abraham moves onward in the Ruth narrative. First and foremost we accept this story as truth from God. Ruth (a Gentile from Moab descended from the oldest daughter of Lot) as well as Naomi and Boaz (Hebrews of the tribe of Judah) were real people who lived and died. In a breach of faith, Naomi’s husband and sons abandoned their inheritance during a famine and moved to a foreign land. In a further breach of faith her sons took Moabite wives, contrary to the command of Yahweh. Total despair set in when her husband and sons died. Naomi knew she needed to go home.

Bidding her two daughters-in-law to return to their people and find new husbands, Naomi faced a bleak future with bitterness in her heart. She expected she would be alone, but Ruth insisted on coming with her. The two went back to the place Yahweh had given to Elimilech, Chilion and Mahlon and their descendants. Returning to the place of God, the people of God and the ways of God provided the only hope. Through the provision of Yahweh Elohim – the ever present God of His word – these two helpless women were provided for in accordance with the Law. Gleaning the fields provided food. Boaz, the kinsman redeemer, bought back the lost inheritance and brought Ruth into the family. Happy ending.

If that was all there was to the story, it would still be a good story. As with all scripture, a closer look reveals so much more. So, we see the plan of God for us moving on.

Ruth was lost, and then she was found. Without the Hebrew people and the truth of God that came through them, Ruth would have been forever lost in her sins. The gospel came to the Jew first and then the Gentile.

Ruth believed in another god, but true faith was born in her. Lot walked with Abraham. He knew the truth. His daughters knew whatever Lot passed on to them. Whenever it happened, her people had exchanged the truth for a lie and had worshipped the creature rather than the Creator (Romans 1:20-25). After encountering this Hebrew family, she rejected the religion she was raised in and made her wonderful profession “your God shall be my God”.

Ruth didn’t belong, but she was included. She could demand nothing of God and had no right to expect anything from Him. She was a Moabitess, not a Hebrew. She was a Gentile, not a Jew. Yet, in His mercy, Yahweh opened wide the gates of acceptance to include all people. We later learn this was His plan all along.

Ruth had no hope, but she was redeemed and made whole. Husbandless and possessionless Naomi and Ruth came into the land of Promise. The only lifeline was the compassion and benevolence of her countrymen. Amazingly, Yahweh had provided for them before they were even born. The Law of gleaning provided for the impoverished and the foreigner in the land. Ruth was both, and she received with gladness. The Law of the Kinsman Redeemer provided for inheritances sold or otherwise abandoned by Hebrews to be bought back by the closest relative and kept in the family. By marrying the widow of his blood kin, Boaz fulfilled the intentions of God in providing for the people. By the grace of God, the Gentile was fully brought in.

Ruth was an orphan, but she was adopted into the family of the King. She went from having nothing to having plenty. Ruth was now in the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Jacob’s son Judah would be the line of the kings. Boaz and Ruth were the great-grandparents of David, and the 16^th grandparents of Jesus. Jesus, the King of kings, the Son of God, Emanuel (God with us), the Lamb of God, the Redeemer of mankind and the Savior of the world is the descendant of a Jew and a Gentile.

But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Galatians 3:22-29

God’s plan moved on. We all can be saved. We all can belong. We all can share in the inheritance. We all can be “Ruth”.

Consider His nature. Consider His ways. Strive to love Him more!