Monday,September 30

I Will Redeem You

Ruth 3:10-14

"The Lord bless you, my daughter," he replied. "This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character. Although it is true that I am near of kin, there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I. Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to redeem, good; let him redeem. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it. Lie here until morning."

So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he said,"Don't let it be known that a woman came to the threshing floor."

What a sweet story of respect, redemption, and love this is becoming. Just as Jesus may instruct us to do things that may make no sense at all , Ruth has chosen to follow the seemingly odd advice of her mother-in-law and goes to Boaz. Remember, she is a foreigner in a foreign land dressing up and going to the room of a well respected man at night asking to be redeemed by him. What a step of courage this took for Ruth to risk the awkwardness and follow through with Naomi's plan!

Just as Jesus sculpts something beautiful from our messy, somewhat complicated lives, He is walking along side of Boaz and Ruth sculpting their story into something beautiful. We see the righteousness of Boaz immediately as he says, "The Lord bless you, my daughter." Boaz wants to be God's loving wings for her. Boaz is as righteous at midnight as he is in daylight. He doesn't take advantage of the situation , rather treats her with the upmost respect and kindness and does exactly as she requests. He wants her gone by the morning so not to damage her reputation. He is looking out for Ruth, JUST as our God looks out for us. As Boaz spoke to Ruth after dark and unseen, so our God speaks to us from His word.

If you look closely, Boaz and Ruth's encounter at the threshing floor mimics our encounters with the Lord. As Warren Weirsbe says, he accepts her and he assures her. Isn't that what the Lord does for us all the time? He accepts us just as we are , no questions asked. He assures us that we are always loved and we belong to HIM! He IS the Great Kinsman-Redeemer for each one of us. He keeps and accomplishes His promises just as Boaz is doing for Ruth.

For further reading : Isaiah 41:10; Philippians 1:6; Acts 4:12.

Heavenly Father, how great You are. You will take us in our very most worse condition, no questions asked. Who else can love us like that? How can we ever thank You enough for following through on all the promises You have made to us? We ask You take each one of us and sculpt something beautiful like You did with Ruth's life. We praise Your name for You redeem us like no other. Amen.