Protecting Ruth
I am starting this one with a spoiler: Ruth is in the lineage of Jesus, the Savior of the World. Keep that in mind as you learn more about her story and come to realize how simple actions can lead to grand impact.
When Ruth married a man from Judah, she had no way of knowing that her future son would be the grandfather of King David.
When her husband, father-in-law, and brother-in-law all died, she had no way of knowing that she would find favor with family she hadn’t met yet.
When she refused to leave her mother-in-law, Naomi, in her bitter grief as she traveled back to her home in Judah, she had no way of knowing that provision was coming in the most unique way.
>>Go read the book of Ruth in the Old Testament. It’s only 4 chapters and won’t take you too long! It will put into context what I’m about to share with you.
Welcome back! Wasn’t that a great story?
Despite all of the unknowns, Ruth pressed forward. She is the kind of daughter-in-law every mother-in-law wants, right? Faithful to the end. Obedient beyond measure. Hard-working, diligent, and selfless.
Be like Ruth. I could end the post right here, but I will continue because I want you to see God’s work in all of this.
Each step of her journey, Ruth chose to obey the Lord and be faithful to her family. She didn’t know what the future held, but she trusted that God had a plan for her life.
>>Sometimes we think, if I just knew how this would turn out…then I would promise to be faithful. Thankfully, God gives us the strength to rely on Him and His spirit so that we can continue to live our lives as offerings of worship. We shouldn’t need to know the results in order to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our Lord (Micah 6:8). We should do those things despite whatever may come.
After the tragedy and death in the family, Ruth decided to stay with her mother-in-law and head to Bethlehem, even though Naomi had encouraged her to return to her own family. This is where she meets the family’s redeemer (one who could purchase the land and the widow of the male relative who had passed away). Boaz was a kind man who owned land and had many harvesters who worked for him. I love that he greets his workers with a kind and joyful, “The Lord be with you!” in verse 4 of chapter 2. What a great example of biblical leadership that fosters respect and camaraderie.
Boaz continues to provide for Ruth as she gleans the leftovers from his field, with very little rest, to help provide for her and her mother-in-law. When Ruth asked him about why he was showing her favor, he replied that her reputation preceded her. He had heard about how she faithfully continued to serve and support her mother-in-law despite not having the chance to find another husband in a foreign land. Boaz said to her, “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 to take refuge!” He knew that God would provide for Ruth in her obedience, and we have already seen evidence of that in the beginning of this story.
Shortly after, Naomi encourages Ruth to make herself available to Boaz by going to him on the threshing floor (where they brought the wheat and barley after harvest). After being shown much kindness by Boaz, and trusting her mother-in-law, she immediately responds in obedience to Naomi’s instructions. She didn’t even ask why she had to go sleep at his feet (but that was more because she would have understood that as a customary way to ask for protection in marriage).
I love how that exchange between Ruth and Naomi in chapter 3 ends. Naomi gives her instruction, and then says, “…[Boaz] will tell you what to do.” It’s almost as if she was trusting that God was in control and had it all planned out even though she didn’t.
When Boaz rolls over and sees a girl at his feet, he questions her presence and identity. After some explanation, he is actually somewhat flattered that Ruth didn’t choose to pursue younger or wealthier men, but instead chose to follow Naomi’s wishes and seek his protection as the kinsman redeemer. After an interesting Old Testament tradition that includes the handing over of a sandal, Boaz upholds the law of Moses by buying Elimelech’s (Naomi’s late husband) land and in turn gets Ruth as his wife.
Boaz and Ruth have a son. Remember that one I mentioned in the 2nd paragraph? Naomi’s friends recognized the baby as a blessing for her in her old age despite the tragedy and heartache she had faced that made it seem impossible that she would ever have a grandson. They praised God, for He had seen Naomi’s pain and suffering and provided a baby to rejuvenate her and bring her joy. That sweet baby, Obed, eventually became the father of Jesse, who was the father of King David.
God used Ruth’s faithfulness to continue the line of Jesus’ ancestors. You now know Ruth’s story (hopefully better than you did before), but you probably don’t know the story of Perez, Hezron, or Salmon. These men were also part of Jesus’ lineage, but we don’t know much about their lives from the bible. Even though their stories weren’t included, I would guess that they lived many years, loving their wives and children, probably herding sheep, sharing meals with friends and family, listening to stories of people close to them, and providing for their families. These aren’t outstanding things, but doing them faithfully, day in and day out, is imperative. We are called to live the human experience and let God do the big stuff. In our mundane, He is still at work. Remember that your life is just a small part of His grand story. Doing your work diligently, living faithfully, and supporting your family are all things that bring glory to God.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.”