Corona Devo 595

The story of Ruth and Naomi (and Boaz) is an entertaining one. It has sorrow, love, redemption and the fingerprints of God throughout every stage of it. (Just like our lives!)

What I had never realized before is that this Old Testament Book of the Bible (Ruth) doesn't just tell the story of Ruth, Naomi and Boaz...it also tells the story of you and me and God.

Lean in and see what I mean:

Ruth was a widow from a foreign land and she did not know God. In those days/in her culture/and in her position, she was a nobody.

And without Christ, we are nobody. We spend lots of time and money and emotion trying to prove otherwise to ourselves or anyone watching, but inside we have a hole that can only be filled by our Savior.

Then Boaz asked his foreman, “Who is that young woman over there? Who does she belong to?”  ~Ruth 2:5

Boaz was a kind and established man who "noticed" Ruth before she even knew who he was, and he cared for her benevolently, even though she had not earned it and did not have anything to offer him.

Our Heavenly father "noticed" us while we were still in the womb (Psalm 139:13) He knows the number of hairs on our heads (Luke 12:7), and He rejoices over us with joy (Zephaniah 3:17).

Just as Boaz noticed Ruth (a foreigner in his land), Our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ have taken careful and loving notice of us, even though our humanity and sin makes us "foreigners" to their majesty and divinity. We have not earned their love and have nothing to "offer" them, but God's mercy, love and grace is poured over us still.

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Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.”  ~Ruth 3:10

Ruth was a widow and she was not a "follower of God". She came from Moab and was "a foreigner" (Ruth 3:10) to the Jewish Israelites, their ways, and their God, but Boaz protected her, blessed her, loved her.

Because of our sin, we were "foreigners" to God, also. He is timeless, holy and pure, and we come from sinful beginnings and engage in failed attempts at being righteous daily. And yet, God's kindness (salvation, love, acceptance, forgiveness) is offered freely to us. He protects us, blesses us and loves us.

Now don’t worry about a thing, my daughter. I will do what is necessary, for everyone in town knows you are a virtuous woman... (12) But while it’s true that I am one of your family redeemers, there is another man who is more closely related to you than I am. (13) ...in the morning I will talk to him. If he is willing...Let him marry you. But if he is not willing, then as surely as the Lord lives, I will redeem you myself!...  ~Ruth 3:11-13

In time, Boaz went through the proper channels and traditions to ask for Ruth's hand in re-marriage.

The man that would marry and care for her was her "kinsman/family redeemer". (This term could also relate to someone who redeemed another's freedom, property, or even their name.)

But if he is not willing...I will redeem you myself!...  ~Ruth 3:13

Jesus Christ is our kinsman redeemer. There is no one and nothing else that could ever redeem us (and our sin), except Him.

Jesus notices us, He pursues us, and He claims us as His own. He redeems our freedom when we give our hearts to Him. He redeems our "property"/self worth when we believe in Him. Jesus even redeems our name--we are His son or daughter, when we come to Him.

There is none other--He has redeemed us Himself! (Ruth 3:13)

Boaz lovingly redeemed Ruth, and they had a beautiful and God-honoring family and legacy. (Their son, Obed was the grandfather of David!).

Their stories of faith contained sorrow, love, redemption and the fingerprints of God throughout every stage of it. (Just like ours!)

Let the reality of our Royal Redeemer refresh our radiance for Him today.

Blessings, 

sarah     

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com