Christmas With Great Grandma Ruthنموونە

Well, you've done it! Congrats. You've read the entire book of Ruth... Unless you skipped to this final devotional. There's no shame in that, I just rescind my "congrats" to you.

It's the end of the book of Ruth but it's the beginning, or at least a continuation, of a much larger story. Verse 17 says, "they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David." It's a very quick, subtle line in the book of Ruth, but it connects Ruth with the rest of the Bible’s narrative. Up close, this book is about Naomi and Ruth, two women who are suffering, experiencing God’s provision and kindness. But something even more significant is taking place here. Ruth, a Gentile (Non-Jewish person) from Moab will become the great-grandmother of Israel’s most famous king: David. A woman who was not considered one of God’s “chosen people” is chosen by God to be the ancestor of one of the greatest figures in Jewish history. Along with her mother-in-law, Ruth is a grieving woman who can't clearly see God's purpose in her pain. But her great-grandson would be God's chosen ruler over Israel, slaying giants with a slingshot, leading God's people with boldness, and writing the most famous worship songs in history.

That's where the book of Ruth ends. If that's where Ruth and Naomi's story ended too, it would be pretty powerful as it is. But as we look back on the book of Ruth, we have the benefit of seeing how it all connects to God's grand story of redemption. Ruth's grandson, David was not just chosen by God to be a good king that could sing some divine ditties. He was chosen by God to be the first king of a kingdom that would last forever. Many descendants of David would sit on the throne and rule over God's people, but one descendant would sit on the throne and never be displaced. He would become king and reign forever, redeeming God's people and restoring the world around them. His name would be Jesus. He wouldn't be the sort of king most would expect. He wouldn't be wealthy or refined. He wouldn't be a fearsome military leader like his great-grandpa, David. Instead, he would be a little like his great-grandma, Ruth: no stranger to suffering and poverty and a perfect picture of loyalty. From his very birth, he would be humble and lowly. Again, not the type of king anyone would expect, but the type of person God always seems to use.

God worked through the suffering and sweet romance in Ruth’s life to do something far bigger than she could’ve imagined. He brought the Savior into the world. The story of Ruth and Naomi gives us a reason to hope that God is moving in our hardships. The story of Jesus gives us a reason to hope that one day we will live in right relationship with God and in a fully redeemed world.

Reflection Prompt:

• This Christmas, what aspect of a fully redeemed world ruled by Jesus are you looking forward to most? Ask God to fill you with hope in the redemption and restoration that Jesus will bring.