In the Book of Ruth chapter 4, we will come to the climactic end of our story. We began the Book of Ruth with a story of famine and death. We will end the book of Ruth with a story of provision and birth. The book of Ruth is, above all else, a story of redemption. God is in the business of redeeming what was lost.
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3 Episodes ago we discussed the themes of the Book of Ruth. There are 3.
1. Hesed (love and loyalty) is fundamental to God’s plan for us. Every one of our 3 main characters shows hesed for someone. In chapter 2 Ruth takes initiative with hesed to Naomi. In chapter 3 Naomi takes initiative with hesed Ruth. In chapter 4, Boaz takes initiative with hesed to Naomi and Ruth The hesed of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz lays the foundation for a salvation that extends way beyond their generation and nation.
But none of these acts of hesed can compare to the hesed of God. His loving-kindness is ever present in every scene of the Book of Ruth. His hesed lead Ruth to Boaz’s field. His hesed caused Boaz to appear at the field and notice her. His hesed brought about their marriage and His hesed produced a child, a seed, in the line to a savior.
2. Providence. All of the above happened because of God’s providence, because of God’s hesed (love and loyalty) for us. He is ALWAYS at work in the world, even in the midst of suffering and loss. And his work in the world has a purpose…to redeem us. In the difficult times of our lives and in the world around us, the message of Ruth should give us comfort and hope. God is always at work fulfilling his plan, even when the world around us seems dark as it did during this time of Judges.
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- Note: Never forget that you can’t always see what God is doing.
3. Redemption on an individual and global level has been God’s plan from the beginning. I have never in any other season of Bible Book Club used the word redeem so much and this has been our shortest book by far! I can only say, remember God’s ultimate desire is to redeem you!
One of the greatest lessons of the Book of Ruth chapter 4 is that God uses his people to achieve his purpose. God uses individuals: like Naomi. God uses couples: like Boaz and Ruth. God uses families: like Abraham… Judah…Boaz + Ruth…David…Jesus.
We ended the book of judges with this verse..
25 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.
We end the book of Ruth with
22 Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David.
David the king, is on the way.
SCENE 1: BOAZ GOES TO TOWN TO WIN A WIFE
SCENE 2: RUTH AND BOAZ ARE BLESSED WITH HAYIL
SCENE 3: RUTH AND BOAZ MARRY
SCENE 4: FROM RUTH THE MOABITE TO DAVID THE KING
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