God’s faithfulness that was expressed to Ruth and Naomi in their journey from Moab to Bethlehem continues in Ruth chapters 3 and 4. With the disobedience that was continually seen in Judges so fresh in my mind I am encouraged to see that there were people still following God in the midst of the turbulent time of the judges. I am challenged to stand firm in my faith no matter what circumstances I find myself in even when there are ways that would seem to give me an easy way out of difficulty. I will never know if God will use my faithfulness today to bring great deliverance to future generations.
When a man died in Israel without a son there were laws in place that would allow for his legacy to live on. In Deuteronomy 25 the process to redeem a deceased brother who is childless is given. When the man dies his closest relation is given the ability to redeem the line of his brother by taking his wife for his own and the first child born of this union would bear the name of the name of the dead brother. The events of Ruth 3 and 4 are following Ruth as she seeks to be redeemed from her widowed state.
It is a unique relationship between Naomi and Ruth where they each desire the best for the other above their own needs. In Ruth 3 Naomi counsels Ruth to go quietly to the threshing floor to see where Boaz lays down to sleep. Once Ruth sees Boaz asleep she uncovers his feet and sleeps near his feet. What did Ruth’s actions signify to Boaz? When Boaz is startled awake during the night he notices a woman sleeping at his feet so he inquires who it is. “I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering over your maid, for you are a close relative.” Ruth 3:9 This language that Ruth speaks tells Boaz that her well being is for him to decide because only a close relative can redeem Ruth and she places he future in the hands of Boaz who tells her that he will speak on her behalf.
Boaz was true to all he said to Ruth and he follows the law of redemption before all of the elders of Bethlehem. He first gave the right of redemption to a relative that was closer than himself to Ruth and Naomi but when this man cannot redeem Naomi and Ruth the right to redeem falls to Boaz. All the land that was owned by Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon was bought by Boaz before all the elders and he took Ruth to be his wife. Boaz was blessed with Ruth as a wife because he knew of her faithfulness that was shown to Naomi and Ruth was blesses with Boaz as a husband because she experienced his goodness first hand when she was gleaning in the field.
This story of Ruth, Boaz, and Naomi is just a small part of the greater story of God redeeming humanity from their bondage to sin. The son that was born to Ruth and Boaz was named Obed, who was the father of Jesse, who was the father of David. Little did Ruth and Boaz know that their acts of faithfulness would bring forth a great king of the Israelites. All too often I look upon my life as having little significance in God’s overall design. This story of Ruth is proof that our acts of faithfulness today can pave the way to a great future because through her descendant Jesus Christ would come. I cannot know what God has in store for my life as I go through each day but I can rest knowing that my faithfulness today will be woven in the the tapestry of God.
