RUTH — The world might describe this book as a love story with a very happy ending. It, however, is God’s love story for us, as Ruth, a Moabite woman, becomes an ancestress of Jesus. (Cf. Matt. 1:5)
Monday, February 22, Ruth 1
Vv. 16-17 — Underline these verses. They make a good wedding text. How Ruth, a heathen, Moabite woman, became a Christian was through the influence of her husband and his family. Read I Cor. 7:12-14 in connection with this.
- 21 — Naomi left Israel full. She was referring to her husband and sons. She lost all through death. At this point, she doesn’t realize that in Ruth, her daughter-in-law who has become a Christian, God is going to make her life fuller and happier than it had ever been before.
Tuesday, February 23, Ruth 2
- 4 — this beautiful greeting between Boaz and his workers is the same exchange made between the pastor and congregation in the liturgy on Sunday morning. It’s found in the Common Service on page 17 in your Hymnal.
- 20 — Boaz was to be a kinsman for Naomi, or as the NIV translates, a kinsman-redeemer. In Naomi’s case, the kinsman-redeemer was to provide an heir. (Deut. 25:5-10) This is a beautiful picture of what Jesus did for us. In becoming our kinsman-redeemer, we who were dead in sin, are made heirs of eternal life through Jesus’ atoning work on the cross.
Wednesday, February 24, Ruth 3
Vv. 12-13 — The closest relative had the primary responsibility to marry the widow and produce an heir. Boaz apparently was not the closest relative. Boaz took an oath to carry out that responsibility if the one closer than he refused to do it.
Thursday, February 25, Ruth 4
Vv. 1-2 — All official business was carried out at the city gate. In ancient times, cities had walls around them. The gate probably was a hub of activity.
Vv. 11, 22 — From Ruth’s and Boaz’ seed many years later, came David. From David’s descendants came the Savior of the world. (Cf. Jer. 23:5,6) That Ruth, a Gentile, was in the ancestral tree of Jesus tells us that the Gospel was to be for both Jews and Gentiles. (Matt. 1:5,6) Notice the birthplace of Obed was later the birthplace of Jesus (Micah 5:2)
Ruth was the great-grandmother of David. In Rev. 22:16, St. John speaks of Jesus as “the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright Morning Star.” David not only was Israel’s greatest king in the Old Testament, but he became a prolific writer of the Psalms, 73 in all. Three outstanding Psalms of David are Psalms 22, 23 and 103.
Friday, February 26 — Psalms 22 and 23
Psalms 22 and 23 are Messianic Psalms written by David. In Psalm 22, David takes us to the cross of Jesus. He describes in agonizing detail the price Jesus paid to win for us our eternal salvation. The shepherd of Psalm 23 is described as the Lord. That’s Jesus. Read John 10:11. His work of comfort and guidance in the green pastures of His Word will keep us safe and secure in this life until we dwell someday in the house of the Lord forever!
Saturday, February 27, Psalm 103
This beautiful Psalm written by David gives us sinners peace, comfort, forgiveness and the hope of heaven. You’ll find that especially in vv. 2, 3, and 8-12.. (Underline)