Gleanings from the Book of Ruth

[I just ran across a devotional article I penned 5 years ago, and it was just what I needed to read! Yes, the past me teaches the present me!]

The Book of Ruth is an account of God’s sovereignty, faithfulness, and mercy. Beyond being a “heartwarming story,” this book of the Old Testament gives me some valuable truths and lessons to consider and apply to my own life...

Introduction

First, as a bit of background, I considered the times in which the central characters lived—“the days of the judges.” The very last verse in the Book of Judges, coming right before the Book of Ruth, states, “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” This period in Israel’s history was characterized by anarchy and lawlessness, and God’s people were not following His commandments. We live in times very similar, do we not?

A more immediate context of this story is a famine in Bethlehem. Ironically, this city’s name means “house of bread.” Perhaps this was a part of God’s chastening hand and judgment on His disobedient people. Yet amidst the chaos of the time, God was working out His purpose for His kingdom through His people!

Naomi’s View of Things

As Naomi prepared to return to Bethlehem following the death of her husband and sons, she advised her daughters-in-law to remain in their homeland of Moab. It is a bit ironic that she said to them, “May the LORD deal kindly with you… May the LORD grant that you may find rest…” (1:8-9), and yet she denied God’s kindness in her own circumstances: “The hand of the LORD has gone forth against me” (1:13). “The Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me” (1:20). Naomi interpreted her situation to be indicating that God had turned against her and her family.

Like the Israelites when they left Egypt and found themselves in the wilderness, she looked nostalgically to her past: “I went out full, but the LORD has brought me back empty.” Solomon addresses this harmful attitude in Ecclesiastes 7:10, 14 – “Do not say, ‘Why is it that the former days were better than these?’ For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this… In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider—God has made the one as well as the other…” His words sound like the apostle Paul, who reminds us that God works all things according the counsel of His will (Eph. 1:11), and all things work together for our growth in Christlikeness (Rom. 8:28-29)!

Sometimes I tend to think like Naomi, letting my circumstances wrongly affect our view of God. I may start to deny God’s faithfulness because things aren’t going “my way.” I need to walk by faith, not by sight. Let us all remember to look at our “Naomi tragedies” as opportunities to testify of God’s providence, believing that He will accomplish His good will and glorify Himself through us!
 
The Responses of Ruth and Orpah

The two daughters-in-law each responded differently to Naomi’s advice to remain in Moab. Though Orpah loved Naomi, and at first expressed some desire to go with her, there was no genuine follow-through. She couldn’t bring herself to tear herself from familiar surroundings and comfort. Likewise, when faced with the prospect of forsaking all to follow Christ, many people find it to be more of a sacrifice than they can muster. They do not love God nor value Christ enough to make such a “surrender.”

Ruth, however, had come to know Naomi’s God, the God of Israel. She pictures for me a heart changed by the grace of God, a faithful follower devoted to Him despite the future uncertainties of life. Ruth left her home, well aware that as a Moabite she would most likely not be welcome in Israel, yet for her it was worth the risk, because God had become more real to her than any of her problems!

Am I making decisions based on conventional common-sense and pragmatism (i.e., worldly wisdom), or does my God-given faith prompt my daily obedience and devotion? May I seek to be like loyal, trusting Ruth!
 
Mere Happenstance?

The Law made provision “for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow” (Deut. 24:19) by stipulating that landowners allow them to gather whatever was dropped or left behind from the regular reaping of grain in their fields. It was such a circumstance that Ruth found herself in, as she needed to find food for herself and Naomi once they arrived in Bethlehem. But Ruth was a Moabite! The Law had instructed Israel not to have dealings with unfriendly Moab. God told His people, “You shall never seek their peace or their prosperity all your days” (Deut. 23:6). So Ruth found herself in a precarious situation. She knew she must come across the field of someone “in whose sight I may find favor.”

Ruth “happened to come” to Boaz’s land (Ruth 2:3). The wording of the text almost makes it sound like it was pure chance, but not so! God directed Ruth to the field of this godly man, who was in fact a relative of Ruth’s father-in-law (more about that later). I sometimes find myself in a bleak circumstance, not seeing any possible solutions that I could work out on my own. I must not forget that God is working behind the scenes. Nothing just “happens”—God is in control, and nothing takes Him by surprise! His wisdom and care for His children can be a comfort for me today as I reflect on how God worked in wonderful ways for Ruth and Naomi even in small everyday matters. He will do the same for all His children!
 
Favor and Refuge

When Ruth was directed by God to the fields of Boaz, she did indeed find favor with this landowner. Boaz’s kindness included not only permitting her to glean there, but also allowing her to use his servants’ water supply and offering her a meal!

Ruth was amazed at this demonstration of kindness. “Why have I found favor in your sight that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” she inquired. Boaz answered Ruth by acknowledging that he had heard about her loyalty to God and to Naomi. “May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge” (2:12). It was evident to the people of Israel, including Boaz, that this woman from Moab had a real relationship with the one true God!

Does my life radiate the same strong testimony that Ruth demonstrated? O that those who look upon me would be able to testify that I have taken refuge under Jehovah’s wings!
 
The Kinsman-Redeemer

Upon returning home after gleaning in Boaz’s field, Ruth reported to Naomi what had transpired. Naomi’s response again demonstrates a wrong view of God’s sovereignty. Perceiving that this relative of Elimelech could ensure them a future (as a kinsman-redeemer), Naomi came up with a not-so-prudent scheme for Ruth to communicate her dependence on this “deliverer.” Naomi’s plan put Ruth in an awkward position—indeed, it had potential for ruining Ruth’s reputation—yet God worked even in this situation and granted discernment to Ruth and Boaz.

Though Boaz was willing to fill the role of kinsman-redeemer, he knew of one who was more closely related to Elimelech’s family, one who had more right to deliver Ruth and Naomi from their circumstances. Boaz approached him about this opportunity, but this unnamed relative was not willing to absorb these costs and jeopardize his own inheritance. “Redeem it for yourself; you may have my right of redemption,” he told Boaz. Thus Boaz was able to rightfully meet the need that Ruth had presented to him.

So what exactly would a kinsman-redeemer be able to do for Ruth and Naomi? They needed a male relative who could buy back the rights to Elimelech’s land and preserve the family’s inheritance for future descendants. This kinsman-redeemer is a picture of Christ’s work for His people. I have found favor in the sight of God. He has taken me, a poor and needy stranger, under His protection. Christ has paid the price for my sin and secured my inheritance!
 
No More a Stranger

The elders of the city and others who witnessed the dealings of Boaz with Ruth and Naomi prayed for God’s blessing on them. They looked upon Ruth with acceptance—they saw her as one of their own! Here I see even in Old Testament times the inclusion of a Gentile in God’s covenant promises to His people.

God has likewise reached out to me. The apostle Paul explains this inclusion: “You [Gentiles] were . . . separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ... So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household” (Eph. 2:12, 19). What a privilege I now enjoy! Does my life as a child of God show my gratitude for what Christ has done for me? Am I living to serve Him and tell others this good news of a Redeemer?
 
Conclusion

When a son was born to Ruth and Boaz, some women offered a very astute remark to Naomi: “Blessed is the LORD who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may his name become famous in Israel.” These observers never could have envisioned how God would indeed bless Ruth’s family. The genealogy that concludes the Book of Ruth gives a look into God’s purpose. Ruth in effect became a participant in God’s plan for redeeming His people. Her son Obed, the heir of Elimelech’s land, would be an ancestor of David, and that same royal line would one day see the coming of the Messiah, the true Redeemer of God’s people.

I can see how Naomi was mistaken when she assumed that God had turned against her and her family. Through Ruth and Boaz, Naomi was able to observe God’s loyal love towards His faithful people. May I too learn that God uses my faithfulness, even in small everyday acts of obedience, to magnify His wisdom and glory. I may never see the results of what God does through me , but my understanding (or lack of it) is not the point.

Perhaps I will never see how my trust in the sovereignty of God can edify those around me and accomplish God’s purpose in the world. But may we all remember these lessons from Naomi and Ruth and Boaz, and rejoice in our sovereign, faithful, merciful God!