Read Ruth 4:16–22
BABE IN ARMS
We sometimes use the old word ‘Noel’ at Christmastime, meaning the good
news of a joyful birth. It’s a fitting word for the end of this book too.
Naomi, the woman who lost her husband and both her sons, is now
holding a young boy in her arms. This indeed is a glorious Noel! Beautifully,
the Hebrew word for ‘child’ (literally, ‘young lad’, v. 16) was last used when
we were told, ‘Naomi was left without her two young sons [that is, lads]’
(1:5). Now, she has a young lad again – and what a journey it’s been!
WHOSE SON?
In fact, as Naomi holds her grandson, we may find the onlookers’ comment
a little strange: ‘Naomi has a son!’ (v. 17). Isn’t this Ruth’s boy?
But this is the whole point. The spotlight falls on Naomi to show us how
her situation has been completely reversed.
Once ‘empty’ (1:21), now her lap is filled with blessing. Twice she’s found
herself surrounded by piles of grain that Boaz has given to Ruth (2:18; 3:17).
Now, God has provided not just fruit of the land, but fruit of the womb. Her
heir is here and her emptiness has been turned to fullness. There is an
everlasting light that shines, even in the darkest of nights.
GLORY TO THE NEWBORN KING
But even this is no ordinary child. Named Obed, we’re told he becomes ‘the
father of Jesse, the father of David’ (v. 17). This book began with a reminder
that it was the time of judges (1:1), when ‘Israel had no king; everyone did as
they saw fit’ (Judges 21:25). Now, we have a child born who will be the
grandfather of Israel’s great king, David!
And so God has been at work on a level far greater than simply one family.
Just as the Lord provided bread to end Bethlehem’s famine, just as he
provided a redeemer to end Ruth and Naomi’s emptiness, so the Lord has
provided a child to end the desperate need of God’s people for a king.
As John Piper puts it, ‘This simple little story opens out like a stream into
an ocean of hope.’
11 We step back and see the epic vistas of God’s salvation
plan – and it truly is glorious.
COME AND SEE WHAT GOD HAS DONE
Of course, as we’ll hardly need reminding, King David was not the end of
the story. David’s line weaves down through history to Bethlehem’s most
famous son, Jesus of Nazareth – but more on that tomorrow. Every powerful
lesson and glorious truth displayed in this precious book of Ruth ends up
being magnified, for the ‘fullness’ of God’s kind provision is even greater
than Ruth, Boaz and Naomi could have ever imagined. As the hymn ‘O
Come, All Ye Faithful’ proclaims, ‘O come let us adore him, Christ the
Lord.’
12
I hope you’ll agree that Ruth is a glorious book for Advent.
REFLECTION
How have you felt as you’ve traced Naomi’s journey through this book? How
does she help you learn to trust in the Lord’s good hand on your life? Step back
from all the frantic activity of today and lift your eyes to the grand story of
God’s redemption plan for the world. Pray that today, tomorrow and always,
your heart would be strengthened by knowing this King has come – for us.
Listen to ‘Noel’ by Lauren Daigle and Chris Tomlin.
John Piper, A Sweet and Bitter Providence (IVP, 2009), p. 108.
Taken from John Wade’s hymn, ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ (1743).
Discipleship
Discipleship