Ruth's Gospel

by R. Darke, Victoria, B.C. Canada | Category: General | Nov 1985

The dark clouds of sorrow, sickness and death had to give way to the bright sunshine of grace, hope and love, so that Ruth, the Moabitish idol worshipper, might become a living source of blessing in the nation of Israel. Her experience parallels today one who is delivered out of the power of darkness (Col. 1:13), for she was indeed bound by the cords of fear and bondage to a pagan god. Chemosh was the recognized deity of Moab, and Ruth would bring sacrifices and prayers to Chemosh, and burn incense before him. It may not have crossed her mind that her god had no ears that could hear, eyes that could see, or hands that could help. The sin of idolatry makes people as blind, deaf, and helpless as their idol. It is only the grace and love of God which can release them, now or in the past.

Because of her upbringing, idol worship became Ruth's way of life until one day she met an Israeli family which had migrated from Bethlehem in Judah to Moab, because of famine. This is the beginning of Ruth's gospel; the good news which enabled her to turn to God from idols, to serve the living and true God. The family consisted of Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons Mahlon

and Chilion. One of them married Ruth and the other married Orpah, another Moabitess. But both men died. Their deaths followed that of Elimelech, and so three widows were left. Stark tragedy indeed. Naomi said: "the hand of the LORD hath gone forth against me". Ruth, however, knew His hand in a different way; it was preparing, shaping, guiding, against the time of her access to the royal family of Judah. She was to become a princess, one of God's honourable women (Psalm 45:9).

Ruth showed herself to be after the calibre of a Timothy who confessed the good confession (1 Tim. 6:12). A day came when she had to make a decision at the behest of her mother-in-law, who was no doubt her mentor. Naomi encouraged her and Orpah to return to their god and their people. But Ruth's mind was firm that her future was wrapped up in Naomi's bundle of life. With passion and joy she declares assuredly: "thy God shall be my God". The good confession. We can judge the sincerity of her conversion by the words: "she was steadfastly minded" (1:18). No wavering here, a characteristic of the early disciples in churches of God who continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers (Acts 2:42). In modern parlance Ruth was not only saved, but she manifested a disciple spirit. "Thy people shall be my people", she said: a clear vision of where her future would be, and a desire to be in the will of God.

So Ruth went to Israel with Naomi, and Orpah returned to her home. Ruth became a part of God's holy nation, a participator in the divine covenant and the worship of a redeemed people. She took refuge under His wings (2:12), married Boaz, the man of strength and wealth, and was privileged to be linked with Rachel and Leah as builders of the house of Israel (4:11). Their firstborn was Obed, father of Jesse, father of David. From this royal line came Messiah (Mat. 1:5,6). Ruth's new mother-in-law was Rahab, wife of Salmon.

The good news concerning Ruth enlarges the grace of God toward us who are Gentiles also. We, who were as Ruth, far off, are made nigh in the blood of Christ. No more strangers and sojourners, but fellow citizens with the saints (Eph. 2:13,19). "Which in time past were no people, but now are the people of God." (1 Pet. 2:10). "Being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the chief corner stone; in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord" (Eph. 2:20,21) - the Israel of God (Gal. 6:16).

Ruth could have remained in Moab, but she knew where the King could best be served. So it is with us. "Ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation," (1 Pet. 2:9). "And He made us to be a kingdom. - priests unto His God and Father..." (Rev. 1:6).

Thank God for Ruth's gospel, and the divine grace we have known.

R. Darke, Victoria, B.C. Canada | Nov 1985
General