Ruth Redeemed

Boaz has won the right of redemption. He redeems Noami's land and marries Ruth. He has now taken responsibility for their future and family inheritance. A blessing is declared over Ruth. The people at the gate ask that the Lord would make her like Rachel and Leah, who built up the house of Israel. They ask that Boaz would act worthily and be renowned. They ask that his house would be like that of Perez (born of Tamar and Judah). This is all because of the offspring that the Lord would give Boaz through Ruth.

Rachel and Leah were Arameans (Gen 30:14-15, 31:19-20). Tamar was probably a Canaanite (Gen 38:2, 6, 14-18, 26). These foreign women gave birth to the descendants of Israel. Ruth would join this illustrious list of women. The Lord gave her conception and she gave birth to a son.

It is interesting to note that it is the women who visit Naomi who name the child. They name him Obed. Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament states "This name was given to the boy (the context suggests this) evidently with reference to what he was to become to his grandmother. Obed, therefore, does not mean "servant of Jehovah" (Targum), but "the serving one," as one who lived entirely for his grandmother, and would take care of her, and rejoice her heart."

The Lord not only blessed Naomi and Ruth. Obed was the ancestor of King David through whom the Messiah would come. "Now this is the genealogy of Perez: Perez begot Hezron; Hezron begot Ram, and Ram begot Amminadab; Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon; Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Obed; Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David (Ruth 4:18-22)."  "God moved on behalf of this nation through his covenant blessing reaching out to them (The Lutheran Study Bible)."

Jesus is truly the 'Serving One'. "For God's covenant blessing has come to us. God sent his One and Only Son to be our redeemer. God's faithfulness and covenant were seen when He did not spare His Son for the forgiveness of our sins. May the Holy Spirit work in out hearts a desire for faithfulness to Jesus Christ and the new covenant (The Lutheran Study Bible)."

May we extend that grace, mercy and covenant blessing to others. For Jesus has commanded us to go to all nations to make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; teaching them to obey all the things which Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:19-20).