Thurs.’s Devo - Restoration

Read: Ruth 2:1-4:22; John 4:43-54; Psalm 105:16-36; Proverbs 14:26-27 Ruth wanted to be a help to Naomi and work so she asked to go into the fields and pick up grain that the harvesters dropped. That was what the poor people did; it was legal. Ruth just happened to end up in Boaz’s field. He was a relative of Naomi’s husband and a kinsman redeemer. Boaz noticed Ruth. (There must have been something about Moabite women that was attractive.) He asked his men about her and was told her story. Boaz went to speak to her and told her to stay behind his men for the duration of the harvest because he had told them to not harm her. He told her to help herself to the water he had for his men. She was so grateful and asked why he was showing her such favor. He told her he knew her story and commended her on her loyalty to Naomi. Boaz was the son of Rahab the harlot that hid the spies when they came to Jericho. Rahab and her family left their home to become a part of Israel’s life and serve their God just like Ruth had. Boaz felt a connection to Ruth and wanted to protect her as a memorial to his mother. Boaz had his men purposely drop grain for Ruth so when she come home with and entire basket of grain, Naomi questioned her about where she had been. Ruth told her of Boaz and his kindness. Naomi could see the hand of God. She told Ruth that Boaz was a kinsman redeemer and for her to stay in his field. At the end of harvest, Naomi told Ruth to go to the threshing floor and watch where Boaz laid down for the night. She was to go and uncover his feet and lie there. When Boaz woke up he felt a woman at his feet. Ruth told him that she asked him to be her covering in marriage. Boaz had already inquired about Ruth and knew that there was a relative that was closer and had first rights to her. He went to talk with him. Boaz took the relative to the city gates where all the official matters were done. He told him about Ebimelech’s land that he would inherit. The man wanted the land. Then Boaz told him that it required that he marry Ruth. The man didn’t want to do that so he gave the right to the land and Ruth to Boaz. Boaz and Ruth were married and she became pregnant with Obed who had Jessie who became the father of David. Naomi was rewarded with a daughter, a son and a baby. All of her needs were provided for and all the past pain was forgotten in the joy of the present. It was always God’s plan to save the whole world. He started with the family of Abraham but dispersed among his line is the Gentile. We see that in John. Jesus was not accepted in his own hometown but the Galileans welcomed him. They had been to the Passover and seen all the miracles he did. In Cana, a Roman official came and begged Jesus to help his dying son. Jesus healed him. Lord, thank you that your plan was always to save the “whosoever will’s.” Thank you that you can restore us and our inheritance…nothing is lost in You.