He will provide a guardian-redeemer

The book of Ruth presents the story of a family that moved to search for bread during a famine and ended up losing it all. Naomi lost her two sons in Moab within a period of ten years. The grieving Naomi decided to return to her home because the Lord had visited them and there was no longer a famine. The decision to go back was a difficult one as Naomi’s daughters-in-law also wanted to join the journey back home. In the long run, Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her (‭‭Ruth‬ ‭1:14‬).

In Bethlehem, Ruth joined the women to pick leftover grain in the field of Boaz. One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for (‭‭Ruth‬ ‭3:1‬). Ruth herself was content with her life in Bethlehem but Naomi knew that for Ruth to settle in well, she needed to help Ruth find a home. According to the law at that time, Naomi’s late husband’s property could be acquired by a family member and that person should also be ready to marry Ruth and raise children for the dead. Thus, whoever marries Ruth is helping to extend the lineage of Naomi’s family. Although this sounds strange today, it was no news to the people in Naomi’s days. The search for the redeemer began with Boaz who informed Ruth that another person is closer than him. Will this person redeem Ruth? Will Ruth find a home?

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)

The one expected to redeem Ruth did not because he didn’t want to endanger his own estate (‭‭Ruth‬ ‭4:6‬). Ultimately, Boaz became the guardian-redeemer who provided a home for Ruth, the Moabite. Ruth’s sacrifice of leaving her own family and following Naomi to Bethlehem paid off. She was no more alone, because God provided a guardian-redeemer. After losing her husband and her home in Moab, Ruth found a husband and a home in Bethlehem. 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). Boaz and Ruth’s marriage brought forth Obed and Obed was the father of Jesse, and Jesse was the father of king David. The great ancestor of our Lord Jesus Christ. Whatever Ruth lost in Moab, was restored in Bethlehem through the provision of the guardian-redeemer.

Many of us have been through a similar circle as Ruth, life has been harsh and we have lost precious people, time and resources. Leaving our Moab (place of comfort) to Bethlehem (the place to start again) seems unpleasant. However, until Ruth arrived in Bethlehem, she remained the widowed daughter-in-law of Naomi. If God had positioned your guardian-redeemer in Bethlehem, it is in Bethlehem you will receive your breakthrough. May we be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit so that we do not miss the prompting of God. He will always provide a guardian-redeemer but we must be aligned to His will, His time and His place. Be encouraged!

Ruth: The wife of Boaz and the mother of Obed

Ruth experienced a roller-coaster experience in Moab. She moved from a young and happy married woman to a young and poor widow. If her hopes were in her husband alone, her hopes would have been shattered. The only comfort around her were other widows (mother-in-law and sister-in-law) who were also in grief. Life indeed gave Ruth lemons. Instead of sulking about how sour the lemons were, Ruth made for herself a lemonade. She did not settle at the widowhood stage. She knew that life in Moab wouldn’t be easy either. Ruth challenged herself and moved to Bethlehem with Naomi. She knew that being a stranger in a foreign land comes with its own challenges. But, she was determined to brace Bethlehem and allow the God of Naomi  to fix her broken pieces.  

Sometimes, the only way to step into your destined future is to have faith in God. Faith without deed according to James (2: 20) is dead. Ruth took a step of faith when she followed Naomi to Bethlehem. Her relocation was very instrumental. While she remained a widow in Moab, she was of no use to the guardian-redeemer. However, when she moved to Bethlehem, she met her destiny helpers. In the previous post, we saw that Boaz promised Ruth that he wouldn’t relax until the matter of her redemption is settled. True to his words, Boaz met the closest guardian-redeemer at the town gate. Witnessed by the elders of the town, Boaz laid before them the case of Naomi and Ruth’s redemption. Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the dead man’s widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property.” At this, the guardian-redeemer said, “Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it.” (Ruth 4:5‭-‬6).

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.  (Ruth 4:13)

Boaz, being the next guardian-redeemer, took charge. He announced to the elders and all the people, “Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelek, Kilion and Mahlon. I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from his hometown. Today you are witnesses!” (Ruth 4:9‭-‬10). Thus Ruth and Naomi came under the authority and care of Boaz. “So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.” (Ruth 4:13). 

Ruth gained a home, a husband and a son. She received double for all her troubles. Many sons were born during the same period but the son of Ruth was different. He was no ordinary baby. “The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.” (Ruth 4:17). The son of Ruth was the grandfather of king David. Jesus Christ was a descendant of king David. 
“This, then, is the family line of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David.” (Ruth 4:18‭-‬22)

The blind beggar at the roadside of Jericho couldn’t see but his spirit could transcend to the ancestry of Jesus. “He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”(Luke 18:38). Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. (Luke 18:41‭-‬43). 

Naomi saw bitterness but Ruth saw a future and a hope. What you see determines how far you can go. Look beyond your pain, loss, grief and illnesses and see the good future the Lord has for you. Take a step of faith and move into your newness. Don’t stay longer in the Moab of your life, move to Bethlehem, that is where pleasantness is found. May God restore unto us a double blessing for all that we have lost.  Ephphatha…we can see victory in Bethlehem!

Ruth: Obedience is a key to breakthrough

Most people have a deep quest to have their way in matters concerning their lives. It seems ridiculous to some people to have others tell them what to do. Our quest for “What we want” in comparison with “What God wants for us” is the main reason people prefer not to serve God. We are in a generation of ME, MYSELF and I. We crave for things that will satisfy us and give us a sense of fulfillment. We barely consider how our cravings fit into God’s bigger plan for our lives. Some people see God as a Headmaster with a very big heart for discipline. They barely see the holy, merciful, gracious, just, righteous and sovereign God. Obedience is a key to breakthrough. Even mundane societies thrive on the obedience of its citizens. In 1 Samuel 15:22b, we are told that “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” As much as we love ourselves, our desires in life must be subjected to the word of God. If what we want goes contrary to God’s word,  then obedience to God is better than our desires.

Ruth had left everything in Moab and relocated to Bethlehem. To find food for sustenance, Ruth went to pick leftover grains and found favour before Boaz. All this while   Ruth’s dedication to Naomi had not changed. Naomi knew that Ruth deserved a good home, and a husband to take care of her. Naomi had a plan to put the needs of Ruth above her own needs. Ruth 3:1-4 records the following: “One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for. Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.”

“I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered. (Ruth 3:5)

Naomi’s plan would have been quite overwhelming in today’s contemporary society. Ruth did not complain about the details. She listened carefully and her response to Naomi showed her willingness to commit to the plan. Ruth told Naomi, “I will do whatever you say” (Ruth 3:5). As a sign of her obedience, “she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do” (Ruth 3:6). Ruth showed her obedience with her actions. She did not wait for days, weeks or even a month to decide what to do. The next action of Ruth after the conversation with Naomi, took place in Boaz’ threshing floor. Ruth was committed, she had the opportunity and she took it in obedience.

Boaz was startled to find a woman lying at his feet. “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.” (Ruth 3:9). Boaz was amazed by Ruth’s gesture. In response, he said:
“The Lord bless you, my daughter. This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.” (Ruth 3:10‭-‬13).

Before Ruth returned to her mother-in-law in the morning, she knew that the matter would be settled by the end of day. She would either be the wife of the closely related guardian-redeemer or the wife of Boaz. Ruth’s obedience to Naomi was the key to her marriage. If she disobeyed, she would have missed the opportunity. 

God has set before us many open doors. Our obedience to Him is the key to unlocking those doors. The door of breakthrough does not open until we break through with prayers, obedience, perseverance, dedication, and endurance. Ruth’s obedience was the access point to her marriage. Your obedience might be the only way to get what you want. What is God saying to you? 

Ruth picked leftover grain but found favour

Have you ever received love, care and attention from a stranger? If you ever meet someone whose random act of kindness changes your life for good, you would definitely be overjoyed. Whenever we receive a blessing we least expected, we show our gratitude. However, there are others who duly deserve to be recognized for their actions. But, they remain unnoticed. Imagine if someone organizes a surprise party for such people, their joy would be endless. From the previous posts, Ruth, the Moabite woman, followed her mother-in-law to Bethlehem. As a foreigner residing in Bethlehem, Ruth was susceptible to all sorts of racial discrimination. Her people were in the bad books of the Israelites and although she has shown kindness to Naomi, she might have lived in caution for fear of being rejected by the Israelites. 

And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” (Ruth 2:2)

Ruth knew that to survive in Bethlehem,  she needed to work. Ruth and Naomi arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest. Though Naomi didn’t own a barley field, Ruth knew that she could go into the fields and gather the leftovers. Leviticus 23:22 and Deuteronomy 24:19 commands the Israelites to leave the harvest that falls on the ground for the poor and the foreigner. Therefore, “Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” (Ruth 2:2). By requesting to go out to look for food, Ruth demonstrates his willingness to serve and to provide for herself and Naomi. She could have chosen to do anything but as a virtuous woman, she chose to pick leftover grain. She identified that she and Naomi were poor and she, being a foreigner,  might not easily find something else to do. 

Ruth humbled herself in order to survive and to provide for Naomi. Picking leftover grains was not a desirable task. You need to accept your need for food to make you stoop low to the level of the poor and the foreigner. Ruth was not concerned with the stigmatization, she knew that their survival depended on that leftover. God being so good, Ruth found herself in the field of Boaz, a relative of Elimelek.  She was well received by Boaz who told her, “My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me. Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.” (Ruth 2:8‭-‬9). Boaz’ act of kindness didn’t go unnoticed. Ruth bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favour in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?” (Ruth 2:10 NIV). Boaz made Ruth aware that she duly deserved to be recognized for what she had done. 

“Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” (Ruth 2:11‭-‬12).

Ruth’s selflessness was noticed by Boaz. She was given priority treatment on the fields and gathered about 13 kilograms of barley that day. Even Naomi was amazed when she saw how much Ruth gathered. When Naomi heard that Ruth worked in the field of Boaz, she said, “The Lord bless him! He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead. That man is our close relative; he is one of our guardian-redeemers.” (Ruth 2:20). Ruth didn’t just go to any field but the field of a close relative, one who could redeem Naomi and her. Boaz was not an ordinary person. He was a man of standing. He commanded power and wealth.

As we continue the discourse on Ruth, know that God’s plans are bigger than ours. We learn from today’s story how an act of service led Ruth to the right field and the right person. God desires us to be serviceable. The way to the top is from the bottom. Even airplanes are powered from the ground. Acceleration is dependent on the power exerted from the ground. Going down prepares one for the exponential take off. You go down to serve, not to be served. Christians should be willing to serve as much as we can. Whether you serve your family, your employer or the church, know that everything should be done with God in mind. You might be at your lowest point today, but remaining there is an option. You can choose to stay back and do nothing or move to the fields and gather grains. Your destiny helpers might be out on the fields as well. As we step out to attend to our daily activities, may we meet that person whom God will use to change our stories. 

Naomi has a son: Praise the Lord!

Have you ever encountered people who had nothing and suddenly had their lives changed? It may sound surreal but they are people who move from grass to grace in no time because they encountered their destiny helpers. Anyway, if you have not met one of such people yet, I believe I am one. God in His mercies called me out of my little community and led me to a place of grace. Left to my parents alone, I would still be living somewhere managing my life. But God’s mercy pulled me out and connected me to the right institutions and the right people. Over the years, I have come to understand that all these systems I have encountered were God’s ways to take me to where I have to be. Obviously, it didn’t happen overnight; it has been years but God is still leading me. 

If you ever wondered why God has not done anything spectacular for you, just know that living, having food to eat and clothes to wear is a daily provision of God we take for granted. You will appreciate all these better if you ever come across someone with a life-threatening issue. Naomi and her family experienced famine and as a means of escape, moved to Moab. By the time Naomi returned, she had lost her husband and her children. In her sadness, Naomi wanted people to call her Mara (bitter) instead of Naomi (pleasant). As we have seen, God didn’t leave Naomi alone. When Boaz accepted the challenge to buy out Naomi’s family possessions, he agreed to redeem Naomi and Ruth from every debt and be their provider.  

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! The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David. (Ruth 4:14‭, ‬17)

The people in Naomi’s community testified to the massive change this made to Naomi. Ultimately, Boaz and Ruth gave Naomi a reason to rejoice. In Ruth 4:14, “[t]he 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!” God was gracious to Naomi and enabled Ruth to conceive. In Moab, while Ruth was married to Mahlon, she had no child. But when the guardian-redeemer married Ruth, a child was born. Once again, “[t]he women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.” (Ruth 4:17).

These women were probably the same people who exclaimed when Naomi returned. They saw her face, her appearance and the sadness around her.
“So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?” (Ruth 1:19)
But, when God’s mercy made a way for Naomi to be redeemed and then have a son, the same women praised God and named the son Obed meaning servant of God/worshipper. What the women didn’t know was that the name given to the son was going to go beyond Bethlehem. Obed was the father of Jesse and the grandfather of king David. As we know, David was a man after God’s own heart. He was a servant of God and a great worshipper. Most of the Psalms were composed by David.

God was not done with Naomi, through the genealogy of David, the ultimate redeemer of the world was born. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the lamb of God who takes away the sins of men redeemed humanity from the clutches of sin and death.

Naomi’s restoration should remind us that God’s plans are bigger than ours. Whenever we need to make any move, we should consider this, “is this God’s plan for me?” Ask God to show you His perfect plan for you. 
As we lay our hearts before God, may he take away any form of Mara (bitterness) in our lives and give us Obed (worship)… Yes, we shall praise, worship and serve God for the rest of our lives. 

Naomi gets a guardian redeemer

In ancient Israel, a guardian-redeemer was an influential male person who the family can turn to for help and assistance. The guardian-redeemer also buys back all the assets of the family and even marries the widow in order to retain the family name and to ensure that possessions are not lost. The idea extends to people who even sold themselves because of a financial crisis. The guardian-redeemer is responsible for paying their debt and restoring them. A person without a guardian-redeemer is at risk of having their possessions taken away and at worst, such persons risk being taken and subjected to slavery if they are unable to settle their debt. The story of Er and Onan points to the picture of providing an Er for the family (Genesis 38:7-10). Onan refused to provide offspring for his brother Et and the Lord afflicted him because of his wickedness. 

Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, “Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelek, Kilion and Mahlon.” (Ruth 4:9)

Through our previous posts, we have seen that Naomi lost both her husband and her two sons. After living in a foreign land for a long time, Naomi and one of her daughters-in-law returned to Bethlehem. By that time, Naomi stood the risk of losing it all. With no husband to give her child and no son to continue the family name, both their possessions and their family name were at risk of being lost. In an attempt to provide a home for Ruth, Naomi goes out of herself to help her daughter-in-law secure a husband. After a public meeting with the closest guardian-redeemer, Boaz ends up accepting the offer to act as the guardian-redeemer. In Ruth 4:9, “Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, “Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelek, Kilion and Mahlon.” Thus, Naomi had a guardian-redeemer. She didn’t lose everything. The presence of Boaz meant that Naomi would be cared for and Ruth would finally find a home.

Naomi moved from a state of hopelessness to a state of hopefulness in just a day. Her bitter experience in Moab was replaced with a new lease of hope. Naomi’s guardian-redeemer saved her from shame, losses, extermination and poverty. Like Naomi, the nation of Israel itself experienced different seasons of loses, shame, pain and death. The only way out was the redemption of the Lord. The Lord used different men and women to bring momentarily freedom and peace but their ultimate redemption was in the coming of the Messiah. Isaiah 59:20 quotes that, “The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,” declares the Lord.” The arrival of Israel’s redeemer is initiated by repentance from sins. 

God wasn’t done with Israel and more than anything, God’s original plan was to ransom the whole world to Himself. Like Naomi, the world was in need of a guardian-redeemer. We had all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). However, God’s love exceeded His judgement and He sent His only Son Jesus, to redeem us from our sins while we were still in sin (John 3:16: Romans 5:8). In doing this, those who believe and repent are spared from the wages of sin (Romans 6:23). Ultimately, all those who believe and come to repentance are God’s children. As recorded in John 1:12, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” 

Naomi needed a human guardian-redeemer but God’s rescue plan is an eternal one. Ultimately, both Naomi, Ruth and Boaz died but our redemption has an eternity plan. Even if we die in the flesh, our redeemer would still welcome us into glory to spend eternity with Him. Such a joy knowing that our redemption has no expiry date. Even in eternity,  we would be with the Lord forever. 

Job understood this and said, “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth” (Job 19:25).

John the revelator saw this, “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:3‭-‬4)