Before reading the below, please watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPjEY3F8gHs and / or read The Book of Ruth.
I like movies! I appreciate films based on a true story with an inspirational ending, films such as Freedom Writers or Remember the Titans! Believe it or not, I appreciate romcoms (romantic comedies) especially Leap Year!
The book of Ruth is a love story but unlike the romcoms, there are important lessons in the story, some of which are relevant for us today.
Despite Elimelech’s error in moving his family to Moab from Bethlehem, God made good his mistake. In the Bible, we read of numerous characters who stumble, making a mess of their lives . However, God in His goodness, turns their mistakes into blessings .
God is always a step ahead of us! Before Naiomi and Ruth have arrived back at Bethlehem, God is already there before them, awaiting their return. It was the barley harvest and God’s hand was already upon the heart of Boaz! God would bless every step in the narrative.
Whatever our situation, God is with us. The Lord will never leave us or forsake us because we are the apple of his eye!
Boaz was willing to pay for the inheritance Naiomi would lose. Boas is her redeemer, just as Jesus is our redeemer, purchasing our inheritance through his death on the cross … by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:14)
Jesus, the Lamb of God, went to the cross to die in our place. He paid the sum total of our great debt; he cancelled all our bills. Through His death, we can inherit forgiveness, peace and freedom.
The book ends with a marriage and the birth of Obed. We see God turning a mistake into something beautiful. Despite being Moabite, Ruth was a descendant of Jesus Christ!
…and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of David the king. Matthew 1: 5-6
Prayer:
There is no one like you, Lord! You see, know and can do everything. Yet you are near and care for us. You have even counted the hairs on our head!
O Lord, your greatness is immeasurable, you are the King of kings.
We acknowledge our sins. We think and do things which we shouldn’t. There are things we should have done but didn’t bother to do.We deserve nothing less than your rejection and judgement.
BUT in your mercy and forgiveness, you have arranged a means of escape for us! Just as Boas bought back Ruth’s inheritance, so too did your Son redeem us and paid off all our debts. We can now reclaim what we lost!
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Saviour’s blood?
Died He for me who caused His pain
For me who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou my God should die for me?
All we can say is, thank you Lord!
My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who bore my pain;
Who plumbed the depths of my disgrace
And gave me life again;
Who crushed my curse of sinfulness
And clothed me in His light
And wrote His law of righteousness
With pow’r upon my heart.
Amen