PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Ruth 3-4
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age.” (Ruth 4:15)
Naomi returned to Israel bitter because she had been emptied of life and hope (Ruth 1:20-21).
Her husband and sons dead, she was essentially homeless and destitute.
Life for widows and orphans in that day was terrible, they bared lived off of charity.
But this story does not end with empty despair, but with overflowing hope.
This is the back story to the birth of Israel’s greatest king, David (Ruth 4:22).
But more than this, David is the back story to the coming messiah, Jesus the Son of David!
If Naomi’s story moves from emptiness to fullness, how much more OUR story in Christ.
“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.” (Colossians 2:9-10)
Through Jesus, the promise to Naomi is also fulfilled for us.
God has renewed our lives, and beyond old age He has guaranteed eternal life!
The story of Naomi and Ruth assures us that God has a ‘guardian redeemer’ for us.
He has rescued us from emptiness and destitution; He has claimed us as His Bride.
This is how my story ends, this is how your story ends – my cup overflows!
PRAYER
Lord, in You have have life, life to the full! In You my cup overflows, and I will dwell with You in the house of the Lord forever!
This is got to be one of my favorite stories – the provision of a guardian-redeemer in Jewish law – as provided through Moses – is a safety net of families in trouble- like that of Jubilee -it provides a second chance. It is a foreshadow of what Jesus does for me – it redeems me and provides me with security in life and death with him. The things that Naomi instructed Ruth to do may have seemed strange – but she was obedient – trusting her mother-in-law! So to I must entrust my life and service to the spirit’s leading – for in it is life!
Being a foreigner in the land without a husband would be a hardship, but in the land Naomi left, there were rules for the fatherless, widows, etc. Naomi knew the word of the Lord as was shown by her telling Ruth what to do. Once again I am reminded of the words of Joshua, but as for me and my household, we will serve the living God. God provided a way to be restored to life and life eternal. No longer bitter but joy filled.
Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.