This summer on Sunday nights I have hosted a small group of ladies to study the book of Ruth with me. So much more has happened than just learn about the book of Ruth; the ladies and I have learned so much about each other and grown closer together. It has been a sweet time and tonight is our last night of Ruth.
We have learned not only about God's provision for Naomi and Ruth, but we have been reminded again about God's provision for all nations, the gift of salvation through His son. His son who was born through the lineage of Ruth, a Moabitess who was not originally one of God's people, but came from a wicked land that worshiped a false god.
Ruth...it's a beautiful story of redemption, of seeing God provide in even better ways than we could imagine through some bitter things that He allows to pass through His hand and into our lives.
It's a love story. A love story of grace and humility and making plans and trusting God.
A story to remind Naomi that He didn't bring her back to Bethlehem empty handed. She felt like it, but He made her full again through the offspring of Ruth.
Ruth....a story of showing that the grace and forgiveness and love of God can be for every single person on this planet. It isn't just for the white American who may seem to have it all together and dresses up pretty on a Sunday to go to church. It is also for those who live in dire poverty in our own cities or in far away lands across the ocean. It is for those who have made stupid decisions that have not only affected them, but others. It is for those who have led wicked paths or come from evil backgrounds (like Ruth.) It is for those who have come to the end of themselves and realize they can't save themselves.
His salvation is for all of us. His death on the cross once and for all is enough to cover all the wicked sin that floods our hearts. He can wash us pure as snow.
The story of Ruth is really about Jesus. I love seeing the story of redemption throughout the Old Testament and then flow into the new. Boaz was Ruth's redeemer and Jesus is our Redeemer!
To study the book of Ruth, I read A Sweet and Bitter Providence by John Piper and we listened to a sermon series by Mark Driscoll. You can follow this link and watch. There are six sermons.
http://marshill.com/media/redeemingruth
