“The Gospel in Ruth”

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

BIBLE READING: Ruth 1-4

Ruth is a compelling story of a faithful woman, who ends up among the people of God almost by chance and would go on to become a lasting figure in the genealogy of King David and Jesus Christ (Ruth 4.18-22; Matthew 1.5). Her story is one of hope; but her entrance into the biblical narrative is a provocative plot twist as our attention shifts from the power struggles and pride of the Israelite nation to the story of a widower and her daughter-in-law’s fight for survival.

Culturally the story has shock value, as Ruth was a Moabite (Ruth 1.22; 2.2, 21; 4.5, 10; [1.4; 2.6]). These people were a perineal enemy of Israel following the Exodus. Moab belligerently refused help to Israel in their time of need, even warring against them on their way to the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 2.1-ff). So, Moses would curse them saying, “no Moabite may enter the assembly of the LORD… you shall not seek their peace or their prosperity all your days forever” (Deuteronomy 23.3-6). These people were under judgment by God; and yet this Moabite woman suddenly becomes a temporary focal point in the narrative.

Ruth is a sharp contrast to the characters in the Judges. She is both loyal and honorable. In many ways, her actions are a reversal of what the Moabites did to Israel. She was faithful to Naomi, even refusing to leave her when asked (Ruth 2.2). Naomi was destitute and Ruth sought to provide for her by her own means. This quality in Ruth not only overrode the curse, but also demonstrated that far from being a liability, her Moabite component in the royal Davidic lineage was a significant bonus. Ruth was not born into privilege; she chose to commit to these people. Indeed, the deeper the enmity between Moab and Israel, the more profound was Ruth’s switch of allegiance, and the more amazing her present action and the more noble her character. The fact that Ruth is both accepted and exalted from her cursed position is a powerful foreshadowing of the gospel. God is making a point that even those cut off from God and under judgment can find hope among the people of God through covenant faithfulness.

There is nothing miraculous in the story of Ruth. But God is clearly at work to ensure Ruth and Naomi are provided for, and the lineage of Judah is secured and established as promised (Genesis 49.10). We need the reminder that we don’t have to see everything God is doing to appreciate his work. Furthermore, this Old Testament story continues the thought that God’s promises continue through unexpected people and circumstances. He opened the Red Sea. He rained manna from heaven. He knocked down impenetrable walls. He raised leaders who were self-deprecating and unsure of themselves to defeat armies thousands. This is God’s MO [mode of operation]. Don’t think you’ve got him figured out… he won’t work like you think he does. And sometimes his help comes when you least expect it

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