Bible Survey #22 - Ruth

So where did David come from?

The end of Judges is full of moral fog and unbelief. In particular, the town of Gibeah in Benjamin, King Saul's hometown, is the site of an episode of extreme depravity. In contrast to this we read in Ruth about Bethlehem in Judah, and the line that produced the great King David.

This brief book begins with the tragedy of Naomi, who loses her husband and her two sons during a lengthy sojourn in Moab. One of her daughters-in-law, Ruth the Moabitess, makes a life and death commitment to Naomi, and returns with her to the town of Bethlehem.

There Ruth is brought into contact with the godly and honorable Boaz, a relative of Naomi who honors the Lord and cares for those around him. He knows of Ruth's faithfulness, and is determined to not only protect her from danger, but also to provide for both women.

Naomi makes plans to put Ruth into contact with Boaz in order to make a secret appeal to him to be their redeemer. The older man is flattered by this bold proposal. Protecting Ruth's reputation, he seeks to marry her in a way that would be appropriate to the law of God and the customs of their time.

From this blessed and holy union of Boaz and Ruth, the Lord grants fruitful increase that leads to King David, and beyond him, to Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.

The world we know below is stung by loss.

The bitterness of death would steal our hope.

But God has kept a Boaz to redeem

A royal bride to bring forth His own Son.