Ruth 4 Devotional
By Pastor Lawrence

In Proverbs 10:7 Solomon says, “The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.” The book of Ruth as a whole evolves around the memory of Boaz and Ruth, who both become a blessing and make a name for themselves for years to come through their many acts of sacrificial love.

Boaz, a man characterized by his integrity and kindness, exhibits his love by his gracious charity to the poor, by marrying a penniless widow, and by redeeming the property of Naomi’s deceased husband and son. His actions are driven by a desire to preserve their family’s name and inheritance, rather than seeking personal gain. Boaz’s selfless and faithful love earns him honor and renown in the history of Israel.

Ruth, a Moabitess, also demonstrates selflessness and devotion by leaving her homeland to care for her mother-in-law, Naomi. She works hard to provide for both of them and willingly agrees to marry Boaz, not for her own benefit, but to preserve the family’s name. Her profound love and commitment to her mother-in-law demonstrates her faith in the God of Israel, and her desire to honor her dead husband’s name and property in the Promised Land, also showing her selfless acts of love.

But the ultimate example of sacrificial love is found in the union of these two selfless individuals through the birth of their children’s offspring, Jesus Christ. The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. Jesus proves to be the ultimate kinsman-redeemer through his sinless life, his perfect sacrifice, and his securing of an eternal inheritance for all his relatives who lost their rights through their own sin and failure. He humbly took on flesh and willingly endured death on the cross to save us from eternal destruction and to reconcile us with God. Just as Boaz was remembered for his act of love, Jesus’ name is renowned and celebrated throughout the world.

And as we remember the name of Jesus this morning, we too are inspired and equipped by the Spirit to die to sin and to live lives marked by sacrificial love, serving others with kindness and compassion. Rather than seeking to make a name for ourselves, we seek to honor and hallow his name. But in so doing, we will find that we will share in his honor, his joy, and his inheritance that will far exceed anything that we could ever obtain for ourselves. Thus again, we find that the way up is down, and that to make a name for ourselves, we don’t exalt ourselves or focus on our name, but humble ourselves and seek the name that is above all names, the one before whom every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord!