Ruth

As I continue to look at the Old Testament with the eye glasses of the promised Savior I decided to re-read this wonderful book. And what can I say but marvel at every verse seeing how grace is portrayed after every incidence in this rather small book.

We begin this with that popular verse in chapter one which many  brides love quoting from during their weddings; “…Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried….Ruth 1:16-17.a” Oh! First time I read that I wouldn’t stop to admire this lady’s love and commitment. Do remember these words are not said to a bridegroom  though but to a mother in law. Hmm! I wonder when is the last time I heard or saw this  in-law relationship portrayed from this angle. But as it is this is not your  usual daughter in law as painted by our movies, there’s much to admire her already. How privileged must Naomi have felt.

Next incidence takes us to Boaz a chapter later and my favorite verse here is verse 10 of chapter 2; “At this point she (Ruth) bowed down with her face to the ground. She exclaimed, Why have I found favor in your eyes that you  notice me—a foreigner?” Well, that feels plenty much like how I feel as I look unto the Cross and see how loved I am. So far  if you haven’t seen it, I see God’s grace at work. Grace that a mother in law finds unrivaled love and commitment from her daughter in law who has no reason to be with her. I see grace as a wealthy man, a respectable Jew shows favor to a foreigner even  to be ready to marry her endangering his own estate out of this intermarriage. The very idea of a kinsman  redeemer points us to the cross.

As the story proceeds we see Ruth, a gentile becoming the ancestor to Jesus through Obed. And this to me sends the message that salvation  is for all and through God’s grace. What a privilege to be loved beyond comprehension, to be favored and find hope in the most  hopeless state of my sinfulness. I have found a kinsman redeemer who wouldn’t rest till I was saved and such as will present me to Himself in heavenly glory. Amen.