Saintly role model

Ruth 4:14-15 (NLT)

Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family!  May this child be famous in Israel.  May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age.  For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!”

The book/story of Ruth, tucked between the books of Judges and I Samuel, is one of those books of the Bible that are rarely preached about or taught in Bible classes so most people know little to nothing about this book.  My paternal grandmother was named Ruth so when I first started reading the Bible in my late 20s, I was attracted to this little book and its story.  It is a story of unconditional love, dedicated faith, and steadfast loyalty, e.g. read Ruth 1:16-17.   It is also a story of redemption and how a Gentile became part of the lineage of Jesus Christ.   

  

Ruth was from the country of Moab.  Moab was the grandson of Lot, but a product of incest between Lot and his eldest daughter (Genesis 19:30-38).  Moab migrated to the region southeast of the Dead Sea, now part of the country Jordan.  The Moabites were cursed by God because of their paganism (e.g. Amos 2:1-3).  The story of Balaam, the diviner who represents a hypocritical teacher attempting to lead God’s people astray and his talking donkey took place in Moab (Numbers 22-24).

Ruth was the widowed daughter-in-law of Naomi.  Naomi lived in Bethlehem, moved to Moab due to a famine in Israel, then after her married sons died, there, Naomi moved back to Bethlehem with Ruth.  While in Bethlehem, Ruth met Boaz, eventually married him, they had a child, Obed, and Obed was the grandfather of David.  David, of course, was a key ancestor of Jesus. 

Boaz represents Jesus Christ in that he was Ruth’s redeemer.  Titus 2:14 describes Jesus as our redeemer in that He “redeemed us from every lawless deed……”  Boaz represents the sovereignty of God in that God provided him to His faithful servant, Ruth, to take care of her just like Jesus Christ takes care of those who are faithful to Him.

Ruth represents a saintly role model of a person who is virtuous (like the woman described in Proverbs 31) and faithful.  Ruth remained with Naomi while Naomi’s other daughter-in-law left her (Ruth 1:15).  The book and story of Ruth teaches us that genuine love and loyalty requires sacrifice and such sacrifice will be rewarded.

The book of Ruth has been described by some scholars as the most beautiful love story in the Bible.  Have you ever read the book of Ruth?  Have you ever seen God act providentially and redemptively in your life as He did with Ruth’s life?  Have you seen what happens when you put your trust in Him?  Read the story of Ruth and be inspired what God can and will do in your life if/when you choose to put your trust in Him.