The Book of Ruth: A New Beginning in God's Redemptive Plan

The Book of Ruth: A New Beginning in God's Redemptive Plan

Dear Brethren, 

Grace and peace be with you all in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

As we journey through the sacred pages of the Scriptures, we are constantly reminded of the profound and awe-inspiring tapestry of God's redemptive plan for His people. Today, I wish to draw your attention to a remarkable and often overlooked interlude found in the Old Testament, nestled between the Book of Judges and the establishment of the Davidic Kingdom – the Book of Ruth.

In the Book of Judges, we witness a tumultuous era in the history of Israel, characterized by a cycle of sin, repentance, and redemption. The Israelites struggled to remain faithful to their covenant with the Lord, often turning away to follow the ways of the surrounding nations and experiencing the consequences of their actions. The book concludes with a solemn verse: "In those days, Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit" (Judges 21:25).

Amidst this time of failure and spiritual unrest, the Book of Ruth emerges as a beacon of hope and a glimpse into God's divine providence. Ruth, a Gentile woman, found herself in the land of Israel during the days of the harvest. The Overseer of the harvest, Boaz, took notice of her and, in an act of extraordinary grace and kindness, not only provided for her but also redeemed her, making her a part of his own lineage.

This beautiful narrative serves as a symbol of God's relentless pursuit of His people, both Jew and Gentile. It foreshadows the glorious truth we see in the New Testament, where we witness the Jews' failure to recognize Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah and Lord of the Harvest (Luke 19:41-44). Yet, in the midst of this, we witness the fulfillment of God's promise to seek and gather His bride, the Church, through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:25-27).

Just as Boaz embraced Ruth, a Gentile, into his lineage, Christ extends His arms to all who believe, making us part of His family and heirs to the promises of God (Galatians 3:28-29, Ephesians 2:11-22). The Book of Ruth thus reveals the heart of our Lord, who desires to reconcile all people to Himself and establish His Kingdom on earth.

As we reflect on the Book of Ruth, may we be reminded of God's faithfulness throughout history and be encouraged to remain steadfast in our faith, especially during times of adversity and uncertainty. Let us embrace our identity as part of the Church, the Bride of Christ, eagerly anticipating the day when He returns to establish His Kingdom in all its fullness (Revelation 19:6-9).

May this New Beginning in the Book of Ruth inspire us to seek the Lord earnestly, recognizing His providential care in our lives and His invitation to be a part of His eternal plan.

In Christ's love,

JK. Woodall, Ph.D.

Senior Pastor, @revivalcenterhesperia