Reclaiming the Truth
“Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a redeemer today.” Ruth 4.14
Redeeming the Time
The story of Ruth is a picture of our redemption. It’s not simply a story of a business transaction or a legal transaction. This is a love story. Take the time to read all four chapters. It’s absolutely beautiful.
Our friends from the Amazing Collection point out how many people in the church have become accustomed to thinking of our salvation as a transaction in which God brought us out of the slave market because of our sin and because He had the right price to pay. All of this is true.
But the story of Ruth and Boaz reminds us again that the foundation of redemption is God’s love for us, as we read in John 3.16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.” Boaz redeemed both Naomi’s property and Ruth because of His love for Ruth. In expressing that love, He fulfilled the law of the kinsman redeemer.
This picture is clearly a visualization on the human level of what Jesus did for us. Our Kinsman Redeemer willingly became a near kinsman by becoming a man and by paying our redemption through His death on the cross. Why? Because He loved us so deeply. Jesus Himself said, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15.13)
Reflection
- What does this text show you about the loveliness of God?
- What is it about God in this text that calls for your love for Him?
- What does this text show you about people and about what love requires of you on their behalf?
- As one who has been shown mercy and love from God, what empowerment from Him do you need to overcome your obstacles to love?
- What about the love of God in Jesus gives you hope and provision for your own lovelessness?
- What does it look like to rest and receive His redemptive love today?
Resting in His Redemption
Write a prayer of thanksgiving in response to His redemptive love.
