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Can you believe we’ve all but finished the book of Ruth? I hope the Holy Spirit has revealed amazing treasure for you these past seven weeks. Here’s my work for week 8 of this study.
Last Week’s Work
LESSON(S) LEARNED
As I thought through the lessons learned over the last eight weeks, the Spirit drew me to the contrast between Boaz (who, from chapter 2 on, has acted the part of a redeemer for Ruth and Naomi) and the nearer redeemer—a negative comparison I should have noticed in week 4, but didn’t.
In my study of Chapter 3, I commented about how Jesus, our Brother in God’s family, rescued us from slavery to sin and death. Similarly, Boaz provided for the physical needs of Ruth and Naomi though technically he could have let them starve. All along, he was the real redeemer here. He could have turned away from them. Instead, he stepped up so the nearer redeemer could “do what was right in his own eyes.” Boaz was the self-sacrificing lover of the undeserving, just as Jesus was.
CONVICTION
As part of my observations this week, I checked how many times redeem and redeemer appear in the New Testament. I found redeem three times (Luke 24:21, Galatians 4:5, and Titus 2:14) and redeemer only once (Acts 7:35).
In the letter to Titus, Paul describes Jesus as the one who brings “salvation for all people” and trains His followers “to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.” (Titus 2:11-12). I couldn’t help but think of Ruth: when she left Moab, she wasn’t just changing her residence. In Ruth 1:16-17, she renounced her Moabite citizenship, their gods, even her own family. And her new life wasn’t easy. Boaz mentions her self-controlled, upright life at least a couple of times (Ruth 2:11-12, 3:10-11). Again, Ruth’s example convicts me. What faith and trust she must have had to commit everything to a God she only experienced through her first husband’s family. And, in the end, God blesses her with Boaz and Obed, through whom she blessed Israel (King David) and the world (Jesus).
CORRECTION
You may remember some time ago I mentioned I’m working on a book detailing the DISO study process. I submitted it to an editor in late October and received his feedback this week. I can’t help but think this might be how Ruth felt staring at the barley field that first morning she went to glean: “looks like a lot of work!!”
While looking at the context of redeem above, the Spirit drew my attention to this from Titus 2:7-8:
Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
The Spirit seems to be connecting Paul’s admonition above to my work on the edits. Some are simple, but a handful will require much research and effort to do well. I believe I’m being reminded to do this work to the best of my ability. Friend, please pray for me. This won’t be easy, but I know it will be worth it in the end.
ACTION PLAN
From today forward, as I work on improving the book, I will pray over Titus 2:7-8. I pray for energy, courage, and stamina to move this project forward as the Lord directs.
Our Next Study
Next week is Christmas Eve and I have a special gift for you! Rather than launch into another study, I’m preparing a short overview of the Digging into Scripture Ourselves (DISO) process, plus a 6-page guide that walks you through all five steps of the process and includes bonus codes you can use to quickly access the free, online tools I use in my personal studies. With the Holy Spirit, this booklet is all you need to dig deeply and confidently into any passage on your own. I can’t wait to share it with you!