A Redeemer (the book of Ruth)
Reflect ❤️
“Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel!”
Ruth 4:14
Today's reading is the whole book of Ruth - but instead of a reflection after the reading, here are some thoughts to consider as you read it through…
Who was Ruth?
Ruth was a foreigner and a widow. Someone who, in that society, was the most vulnerable and very much excluded. Someone who had to rely on the kindness of others. Ruth was also the great grandmother of David, one of the greatest kings of Israel. So how did she get from one to the other?
Ruth did not have an easy start to life. Her husband had died, she had followed Naomi back to her people, but in doing so left her own people. She was gleaning in the field, a way for people who had no income to still get food. She had no real hope, no real future, and no way of getting out of the situation she was in. She needed someone to redeem her.
But then Ruth was redeemed by Boaz. Boaz showed extraordinary kindness to Ruth, providing for her and caring for her. He included her in his family and so the people of Israel, giving her a hope and a future.
We, in many ways, are like Ruth.
We did not start in a great place. We were separated from God - outcasts and foreigners. We were excluded from God’s people. We had no hope, no future, and no way of getting out of our situation. Stuck in the sin we were in, we needed a saviour, a redeemer.
But we have been redeemed. Jesus has grafted us into his family, to give us a hope and a future. To give us access to God. All because of his amazing grace and kindness.
Read 📖
As you read, think about how we are similar to Ruth, and how her story mirrors the story of our own salvation.
Pray 🙏
Lord Jesus, thank you for redeeming us. Thank you that we are grafted into your people and now can come to the Father. Thank you for your amazing grace. Amen