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The Book of Ruth concludes with a powerful story of redemption that speaks directly to anyone facing difficult circumstances. When life seems darkest, God is often working behind the scenes to bring about unexpected blessings.

The Story of Ruth: From Foreigner to Family

Ruth's journey began with tremendous loss. As a Moabite woman (considered cursed by the Israelites), she lost her husband and chose to follow her mother-in-law Naomi back to Bethlehem. They arrived with nothing - no land, no family, no food, and no place to call home.

In Bethlehem, Ruth began gleaning in fields to survive, where she met Boaz. He showed her kindness, allowing her to gather more grain than usual. When Naomi realized Boaz was a potential kinsman-redeemer (someone who could marry Ruth and restore their family line), she instructed Ruth to approach him.

What is a Kinsman-Redeemer and Why Does It Matter?

A kinsman-redeemer needed three qualifications:

Be an adult male next in line of kin

Have the resources to redeem the widow and her property

Have the resolve to fulfill this responsibility

 

This role was so important that God built it into Israelite law. If a man refused to fulfill this duty, he would face public shame - having his sandal removed and being spat upon in front of the elders.

The Redemption Scene: When Love Overcomes Obstacles

In Ruth chapter 4, Boaz strategically approaches the man who was actually first in line to redeem Ruth and Naomi. Initially, this unnamed man agrees to redeem the property, thinking it would be a good investment. But when Boaz reveals that marrying Ruth is part of the deal, the man backs out, saying "I cannot redeem it because it might endanger my own estate."

Though this man had both the right and resources to redeem Ruth, he lacked the resolve. He counted the cost and decided it was too high.

Boaz, however, was different. He loved Ruth and was willing to pay the price to redeem her. He publicly announced, "I have bought from Naomi all the property... I have also acquired Ruth the Moabitess as my wife."

How God Transforms Our Identity Through Redemption

Ruth's identity transformation is remarkable:

In chapter 2:6, she was "a Moabitess" (cursed)

In chapter 2:10, she was "a foreigner" (outsider)

In chapter 2:13, she was "a slave" in Boaz's field

In chapter 3:9, she was "a servant" at Boaz's feet

In chapter 4:10, she became "the wife of the richest man in Bethlehem"

 

This progression mirrors our own spiritual journey. We move from being outsiders and strangers to becoming beloved members of God's family.

When God Seems Silent: Is He Still Working?

Throughout Ruth's story, God is rarely mentioned directly. Yet His hand is clearly guiding events. The text specifically notes God's involvement at two critical moments: when He ended the famine in Israel and when He enabled Ruth to conceive.

This teaches us an important truth: God is always working, whether we can feel it, see it, or believe it. At any point, Ruth could have given up and returned to Moab. But by persevering through dark times, she positioned herself for a blessing beyond imagination.

The Unexpected Legacy: From Ruth to Jesus

The story concludes with an astonishing revelation. Ruth and Boaz have a son named Obed, who becomes "the father of Jesse, the father of David." Yes, King David! Ruth, once an outsider and foreigner, becomes the great-grandmother of Israel's greatest king.

Even more remarkably, Matthew 1 reveals that Ruth appears in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. This Moabite woman, once considered cursed, becomes part of the lineage of the Messiah.

The story also reveals that Boaz's own mother was Rahab, the former prostitute from Jericho. Perhaps this explains Boaz's compassion for Ruth - he understood what it meant to welcome an outsider into God's family.

Life Application

The Book of Ruth offers several powerful lessons for our lives today:

Never give up on God's timing. At the right time, God gives us what He promised. If you're hanging onto a promise that seems delayed, remember Ruth's story.

Your past doesn't determine your future. Ruth was a foreigner under a curse, yet became part of the Messiah's lineage. Your past mistakes don't disqualify you from God's purposes.

God uses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. Ruth and Boaz were ordinary people who simply remained faithful. Their obedience changed history.

God brings beauty from ashes. The book begins with three funerals and ends with a wedding and a baby. God specializes in turning mourning into dancing.

 

Ask yourself:

Where in my life am I tempted to give up because I can't see God working?

What "identity labels" am I carrying that God wants to transform?

How might God be using my current difficulties to position me for future blessing?

Am I willing to trust God even when His timing doesn't match mine?

 

Remember: In our darkest times, when we think we're just barely making it, God is often preparing us for unexpected blessing. Don't give up - you may be closer to breakthrough than you realize.