Guardian-Redeemer

The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! Ruth 4:14 NIV

The opening three verses of Ruth tell of significant loss. First, Naomi’s husband dies, followed ten years later by her two sons. In those days, women depended upon men for life's physical necessities. Stranded in a foreign land with her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth (Moabites, i.e., Gentiles), Naomi decides to return home to Bethlehem. Ruth cannot be dissuaded from going with Naomi, fervently asserting, “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” (1:16)  

Within a short time, Ruth meets Naomi’s husband's cousin, Boaz, and they fall in love. When Ruth and Boaz marry, it is not only a union of two individuals but also a fulfillment of God’s providential plan. Boaz acted as a guardian-redeemer, marrying Ruth to restore her from destitute status and provide for her and her mother-in-law, Naomi.

But that is not the end; their union also plays a more significant part in God’s plan. The child to be born to them is Obed, grandfather of David, who would become another guardian-redeemer in the unification of a divided Israel and the coming of another far greater guardian-redeemer of our souls, Jesus. 

The truly remarkable thing about this story is how God uses situations and unlikely people to bring about his plan. After the deaths in the opening chapter, a Gentile woman clings to her mother-in-law, who is moving to a strange land to bring about restoration. This narrative tells a captivating account of redemption, love, and loyalty and is a beautiful example of God’s grace and provision in their lives.

It can sometimes be challenging to know how God is working in our lives. Like Naomi, we may not know how things will turn out. But we can trust God’s providential care because we have Jesus as our guardian-redeemer. 

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude and awe. Just as the women proclaimed to Naomi, we praise You today. You are the Lord who has not left us without a Redeemer. Your grace and provision have transformed our lives.

Lord Jesus, we bring our bitterness, barrenness, hurt, and despair to You. You are the One who turns mourning into dancing, bitterness into blessing, and hopelessness into hope. We trust in You, knowing that our faith is well-founded. You conquered death itself, and we have eternal hope because of You.

God of Power and Redemption strengthen us in our weakness. Write a script for our lives that surpasses our imagination. Turn our trials into victories, our pain into purpose, and our despair into joy. May Your name be renowned throughout our lives as we walk in the light of Your grace.

In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Blessings, 

Pastor Tim