Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Women as participants in the Divine: He Redeems Me
Ruth 4:9-22“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)
Did you know that in the Hebrew Bible, the book of Ruth appears right after the Book of Proverbs? The character of Ruth is a carnate version of the Proverbs 31 woman. In fact, the term ‘noble character’ used by Solomon to describe a good wife (Proverbs 31:10) is the same term used by Boaz to describe Ruth (Ruth 3:11). How can a widow, a foreigner from the land of Moab, wrapped in poverty be this embodiment of the perfect woman? Because of her heart.
Ruth believed in and loved her Lord. She refused to return to her old ways, and insisted on accompanying Naomi and accepting her culture. She did what was right and honorable, and as a result, was under the providence of a kinsman-redeemer, Boaz. And she was blessed with the reward of a husband, a son and a role in the lineage of Christ. So much that Ruth is praised to be better than ‘seven sons’ for Naomi.
The story of Ruth’s brokenness and her kinsman-redeemer Boaz is a representation of a more significant redemption story – that of Christ and his Church. Through this story, God displays His role as patriarch of all, and his desire to redeem family members and all of creation, restoring their relationships with each other and with Him. We may be outcasts from a foreign land but we are Jesus’ chosen bride, and loved beyond measure. Just like Ruth, even in our brokenness, even in our poverty, even when in our shame, we are never too far from being able to be used and redeemed. Just like Boaz, Jesus is waiting for an opportunity to provide for us and redeem us.
Ruth believed in and loved her Lord. She refused to return to her old ways, and insisted on accompanying Naomi and accepting her culture. She did what was right and honorable, and as a result, was under the providence of a kinsman-redeemer, Boaz. And she was blessed with the reward of a husband, a son and a role in the lineage of Christ. So much that Ruth is praised to be better than ‘seven sons’ for Naomi.
The story of Ruth’s brokenness and her kinsman-redeemer Boaz is a representation of a more significant redemption story – that of Christ and his Church. Through this story, God displays His role as patriarch of all, and his desire to redeem family members and all of creation, restoring their relationships with each other and with Him. We may be outcasts from a foreign land but we are Jesus’ chosen bride, and loved beyond measure. Just like Ruth, even in our brokenness, even in our poverty, even when in our shame, we are never too far from being able to be used and redeemed. Just like Boaz, Jesus is waiting for an opportunity to provide for us and redeem us.
Prayer
Lord, Thank you that you are our Redeemer and that you see us and provide for us just like Boaz did for Ruth. Remind us daily that even in the middle of physical and spiritual famine, there is redemption. Help us to walk with you and in you, as you light up our paths today. Amen
Thought for the Day
There is no level of brokenness that God can’t fix; If only we would seek His will and not that of the world’s.
Ms. Namita Joshua
St. James MTC, NY
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church
Lord, Thank you that you are our Redeemer and that you see us and provide for us just like Boaz did for Ruth. Remind us daily that even in the middle of physical and spiritual famine, there is redemption. Help us to walk with you and in you, as you light up our paths today. Amen
Thought for the Day
There is no level of brokenness that God can’t fix; If only we would seek His will and not that of the world’s.
Ms. Namita Joshua
St. James MTC, NY
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church