We Can Trust
We can trust in many different people – but who do we trust with our life? Ruth became the ancestor of Jesus who can trust as our Redeemer.
A Long Spiritual Journey
By the end of the book of Ruth, she has come such a long way in her spiritual journey. From Moab where
her people worshipped a cruel god named Chemosh, to the true God, Jehovah, and his lovingkindness. She put her full trust in
“the God of Israel, under whose wings (she came) to take refuge”. (Ruth 2:12)
She trusted God even when life was filled with pain.
During the Boxer Rebellion, when the workers with the China Inland Mission were experiencing great suffering, founder James Hudson Taylor, then in his late seventies, said to some colleagues,
“I cannot read; I cannot think; I cannot even pray; but I can trust.” James Hudson Taylor
The Redeemer Who Backed Down
“Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of whom Boaz had
spoken, came by. Then he said to the redeemer, ‘Naomi, who has come back from the country of
Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our relative Elimelech. So I thought I would tell you
of it and say, ‘Buy it in the presence of those sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my
people.’ If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if you will not, tell me, that I may know … and I come after
you.’” (Ruth 4:1, 3-4)
The Redeemer had to have: “The Relationship” – a near relative. He had to have “The Resources” – enough money to buy back the land. He had to have “The Resolve” – the willingness to pay.
This redeemer seems to have all three, but he backs down.
The Redeemer Who Stepped Up
The Lord Jesus became human to be our near relative and he was able and willing to pay the full price to redeem us – his own precious blood.
Boaz steps in and redeems Naomi and Ruth. After Boaz and Ruth get married, God blesses them with a
baby boy, Obed, and we are given a genealogy that starts with who led up to Boaz and Ruth and important people who follow. Have you ever been amazed at what had to happen for you to be here today?
Geneaology
If you go back 30 generations, your total number of parents of parents of parents, in a line leading exactly to you, is over 1 billion. There were 70 generations from Adam to Jesus. Do you know how many parents that totaled .. . a whole lot! God planned and protected the millions of parents needed to lead to … Jesus. Satan couldn’t contaminate the plan, re-route the plan or prevent the plan.
You and I exist, we are here, by the providence of God. This makes the genealogy at the end of Ruth more
interesting, doesn’t it? A genealogy – usually something full of dust, is now full of destiny.
Let’s look at the ast 5 people in the genealogy. “Salmon fathered Boaz.” Salmon’s name means “Clothing” or “Cloak” and reminds us how Boaz put his cloak over Ruth to protect her. Boaz means “In Him is Strength” and reminds us that Boaz was able and willing to redeem Ruth. “Boaz fathered Obed.” Obed’s name means “Serve” or “Work” and reminds us of Ruth’s gleaning in the barley field. “Obed fathered Jesse.” Jesse means “He will Return” and reminds us of Ruth and Naomi returning to Bethlehem. “Jesse fathered David.” David means “Beloved” and points us way ahead to the great Son of David, God’s Beloved Son. (Ruth 4:21-22)
The Redemption Plan
How is the redeemer plan in Ruth like God’s great redeeming plan for you and me? Boaz showed Ruth his
favor, his grace:
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses,
according to the riches of his grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)
Boaz paid the ransom price for Ruth:
“The Son of Man came … to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
God brought Ruth from Moab to Bethlehem, to bring her to the true God.
“Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.” (1 Peter 3:18)
We can trust him with our past, present and future.
Do you trust God with your life? Is Jesus your Redeemer? Share with us. Contact us at HopeStreamRadio, or comment below.
Brian Stapley
Brian Stapley is the husband of Margaret and “Christian-proud” father of Tabitha, Ben, Jeremy and Joel. He has been director of the Boys JIM Club of America since 1981 and a “JIM Clubber” since 1958, the year he became a Christian. The mission statement of the JIM Club is, “Discipling boys to love Jesus deeply and express him vividly.”
He has been an educator since 1970, primarily as a high school English Teacher. (Don’t dangle your participles.) He has been in fellowship at Scottlea Gospel Chapel, St. Catharines, since 1976 and travels to preach about three dozen times a year, in Ontario and New York State. He is a ventriloquist, in company with Casey, Theodore, Dodo, Grumpa, and a menagerie of others. Also, a bit of a magician.
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Images Courtesy of:
Children – cine_journey
Night Market – Pixabay
Such a well constructed spiritual writing. I can tell you are not only a wonderful English teacher, but a person of deep faith.