• Christian Mamahood
  • The Ruth Reflections
  • Breastfeeding, twins & other fun

What Mama Knows

Christian Encouragement For Moms

  • About me & this blog
  • Sign up here
You are here: Home / The Ruth Reflections / The Book of Ruth: such a wide and personal redemption

The Book of Ruth: such a wide and personal redemption

June 3, 2017 The FB 3 Comments

Ruth 4: The happy ending

So we’ve reached the final chapter of the Book of Ruth. As I read through these verses again, I have to admit, I love this book.

It’s an apparently small town domestic and social history of a little family in the time of the Judges. And it’s the family history of every believer who has put themselves under the protective wings of Yahweh.

It’s the birth of a little boy, who brings great joy to his granny. And it’s the birth of a savior who leads us directly to King David, who in turn leads us to our Savior King Jesus.

I love how the ending is beautifully understated. Just a brief genealogy. But the names at the end of the list send shivers down the spine.

"<yoastmark

A redeemer we can rely on

Boaz is a man of his word; he goes to the town gate where the business is done, and he sorts it out. The other redeemer – who doesn’t redeem- is intriguing. Why doesn’t he take up the responsibility to look after Elimelech’s inheritance? He doesn’t want to compromise his own inheritance.

As the reader I have a mixed reaction  – his response doesn’t seem in the spirit of being a kinsman redeemer. But of course I’m relieved – that leaves Boaz free to marry Ruth and that’s what we’re all cheering for. In any case, Boaz is shown to be the hero. 

Then the land is sold to Boaz in the presence of witnesses. The blessings of the witnesses starts to bring into view the wider significance of this family within Israel. They pray for Boaz and Ruth to be blessed with children, to “build up the house of Israel”. It’s an amazing thing that Ruth, the onetime outsider, the Moabite, is now to be listed with Rachel and Leah as mothers of the house of Israel.

 

A blessing for Naomi

A baby son arrives. The focus shifts back to Naomi, and the words of blessing spoken to her by the women around her. It seems fitting because the story started with Naomi and her losses, returning to her home town empty and bereaved.  And now the Lord has provided her and Elimelech with a redeemer.

"<yoastmark

The family inheritance has not faded away – there is a new baby to carry on the land and the inheritance.  “He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.”

I love this detail, that the women say that Ruth loves Naomi. When we first heard Ruth’s voice, she was speaking kindness and devotion to Naomi. And that kindness and devotion to Naomi and to Naomi’s God, has led to their redemption.

It’s a personal redemption

Kindness is such a powerful theme in this book. The kindness of Ruth, the kindness of Boaz, and the vast and tender kindness of the Lord. It truly changes the world.

The Book of Ruth draws us into a personal story. We come face to face with a broken world. The book aches with loss, despair and sheer hard work.

But we’re also drawn into the beautiful story of redemption. And the redemption is more personal, more practical, deeper, wider and higher with every reading of the book.

The Covenant Lord is bringing about the redemption of His people. And He is keeping His promise that His people will have an inheritance that will never perish, spoil or fade.

And throughout all this great unfolding of history, He is kindly and providentially right there in all the details of each believer’s life. Our Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He provides for our needs. Redemption is personal, for Naomi, for Ruth, and for us.

 

Matthew 1

“…the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham…

…and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.”

"<yoastmark

The Ruth Reflections: Is Naomi beyond grace?

The Ruth Reflections: Is Ruth always an outsider?

The Ruth Reflections: Why is Boaz so kind to Ruth?

The Ruth Reflections: Is God truly enough?

The Ruth Reflections: Our Redeemer who wouldn’t rest

Does God ever feel distant to you? Sometimes God's plan for the world is so huge, we feel a little lost within it. The Book of Ruth brings sweet Christian encouragement, that God is intimately involved in the life of each believer, while He brings about the redemption of His people. Read on to see how. Christian devotional Bible reading / online Bible study / Christian encouragement for women

 

The Ruth Reflections Boaz, Christian encouragement for moms, covenant, Obed, Redeemer, Ruth 4, The Book of Ruth, the kindness of the Lord

Comments

  1. Annabel says

    June 12, 2017 at 9:37 am

    I love your brief description of Naomi and Ruth how God showed his love….great I’m encouraged

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      July 10, 2017 at 11:04 pm

      Hi Annabel, thank you so much for your comment and for reading 🙂 I’m glad you were encouraged! This is really one of my favorite books…God’s love and kindness is amazing.

      Reply
  2. Bailey | The Thin Place says

    December 7, 2017 at 5:33 pm

    One of my favorite books of the Bible. I love seeing God’s faithfulness in the midst of the tragedy that Ruth and Naomi faced.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow on Pinterest & Facebook

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Keep in touch by email

Sign up for emails: posts & extras!

Recent Posts

  • What’s your motherhood manifesto?
  • Why is motherhood so challenging?
  • Treasure in jars of clay – does this make you a better mom?
  • Because sometimes we do lose heart…
  • Motherhood is physical. And spiritual and emotional, but also physical. 

I am looking for…

You might also enjoy…

Breastfeeding twins - 7 helpful tips

Breastfeeding twins – 7 helpful tips

It's twins! Do you need to buy two of everything?

It’s twins! Do you need to buy two of everything?

4 month old baby breastfeeding, some encouragement when you are learning to breastfeed

My baby is 4 months old: the good stuff about breastfeeding

Biblical ways to deal with disappointment. Christian encouragement for moms.

10 resolutions to make when moving house

Classic kids books: the retro list. These timeless books will take you right back to childhood and they are treasures to share with your kids!

6 classic kids books: the retro list

Which nipple cream is the best

Not all nipple creams are created equal

Keep in touch by Email

Sign up for emails: posts & extras!

I am reading…

On my reading list…

Copyright © 2021 · Daily Dish Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

What Mama Knows is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. All opinions are those of the author and links cause no extra charge to the readers of this blog. Thank you.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT