Behind the Scenes

Have you ever wished or hoped for something for a long time? Think deeper than some Christmas gift you really wanted– has there been something you've hoped would happen in your life? What do you think your response would be if it did?

In a lot of ways, the book of Ruth is a book filled with longing. Ruth's story really starts with her mother-in-law, Naomi. Naomi lost her whole family. Shortly after her husband died, her two sons did as well. She tried to change her name to "bitter." Naomi tried to send her daughters-in-laws back to their own families, but Ruth stayed.

Naomi didn't send the two girls back home out of grief, but pity. Naomi understood what the death of all the men in her life meant for her. She had no prospects. She had no hope of provision, protection, or a livelihood. In her culture, no man meant no future. Though Naomi longed for a family, she and Ruth travelled to Naomi's homeland, Israel. Her plan was to depend on society for food.

God began to move in their lives as Ruth met a relative of Naomi's, Boaz.

Through a set of crazy circumstances*, Boaz took Ruth to be his wife. After they were married, they got good news:

"The Lord gave [Ruth] conception, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, ‘Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.’ Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse" (Ruth 4:13-16).

Think about what is happening here. This is not simply a woman holding a baby. This is Naomi, the one who lost everything. She lost her husband, her sons, but she also lost her future. She had no protection, no next chapter. She had no hope of ever seeing a next generation. When she travelled back home, her only thoughts were survival. This wasn’t even on the radar!

Truthfully, she was just trying to find some food! She never thought she would be holding a grandchild. Ever. And yet, here she is. Her husband’s not back. Her sons are still gone, but she’s holding a baby boy. She’s holding a future. Her story won’t end with her anymore.

The women around Naomi point out something very important. They have one answer to the question, "Who is responsible for this great blessing?" Before they begin congratulating Naomi about her grandchild, they bless the Lord for His provision. This salvation was from God. No one else could piece things back together for this family. The baby in Naomi's arms is not just a symbol of provision and a future, he is proof that God was working, even when Naomi and Ruth couldn't see it.

Suffering is real to all of us in different ways. We all have questions for God. Sometimes we can lose hope for restoration. Ruth and Naomi's story is a reminder that God can heal. He can restore. Ruth and Boaz name their baby Obed. Obed has a son named Jesse, who's youngest son was David. Yes, that David. The king! From the line of David comes our ultimate salvation, Jesus. Little did Naomi know, but her family (that she thought was finished) would one day bring forth salvation for the world.

There is no way for us to know exactly how God is working, moving, and shaping our lives. Our job is not to know the future. We don’t know what’s next. God may not show us the details, but He is calling us to remain faithful. What does that look like for you today? 

*If you have a few minutes today, read the book of Ruth– it doesn't take too long!