#167: Ruth and the Gospel (Part 1)

 

On this blog, we believe that the bible is a unified text that leads to Jesus. If the bible is the Word of God, and if God were to speak, what would He say? A systematic study of scriptures shows that from the beginning of time, God was always proclaiming the gospel. It was relevant to the ancients (pointing forward to Jesus) and as relevant to us today (pointing backwards to Jesus).

Over the course of two webisodes, beginning today, we will be looking together at the story of Ruth as recorded in scripture through the lens of the gospel and see how this familiar narrative points us to our LORD and His saving grace.

Today we will focus on the relationship between Ruth and Boaz.

A Redeemer:

It is so fascinating that scriptures described Boaz as Ruth's redeemer (Ruth 3:9).

And she answered, “I am Ruth your slave. Now spread your garment over your slave, for you are a redeemer.”

We need to be in the condition that Ruth was in, in order to desire a redeemer. When we have come to the end of ourselves and nothing seems to be working anymore, may we rejoice at the hope and thought that we have a redeemer and that He lives (Job 19:25).

Perhaps we have had other husbands that did not yield any result, there is only one way to live in fruitfulness - when we submit to our redeemer.

Those who regard worthless idols forsake their own Mercy (Jonah 2:8)

The Transaction:

Another fascinating fact about the Ruth - Boaz relationship is that Boaz did not redeem Ruth abstractly, he did it in a way that no one would lay an accusing finger on his redeemed. In a sense, Boaz bought Ruth from the other relative who was rightly meant to have Ruth. Boaz went at any length to do this (Ruth 4:1-10). It is the same our LORD came all the way and paid the ultimate price for our redemption in order to have us (Eph 2:1-7; Col 2:14&15).

In our next and final webisode on looking at Ruth through the lens of the gospel, we will study together on trying to answer the lingering question: What exactly was God doing in those days of the famine that characterises the era where this narrative fits into? And by God's grace, we shall see Jesus as we study.

Prayer: LORD Jesus as I approach the throne of mercy and grace today, recognising you as my redeemer, I ask that you spread your garment over me as I surrender to you.

Thought:

Jesus: Fear not; I have redeemed you! I have called you by name!! you are mine!!! (Isaiah 43:1; Ruth 3:11)

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. I Cor 6:20