GOD AND MAN IN ONE

Reading: Ruth 4

The beloved account of Ruth (and more importantly, Boaz) is story enough to warm the the heart of any Christian. Boaz loved Ruth, and being her kinsmen-redeemer, saved her form a life of heathen poverty, giving her part in a wealthy heritage. More so, their union made Ruth part of the lineage of Christ, an astonishing privilege for a widow of Moab. The truth of redemption runs throughout the book.

How we marvel at the humanity of Jesus! How we wonder (especially at Christmas) at his incarnation. Only a man could save men. Only a man could become sin for us.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us,who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Will we ever fully understand the incarnation? The LORD God, Immanuel, the God-man, deity in human flesh; He is worthy of our constant thanks and praise.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8)

FROM POVERTY TO PLENTY

Reading: Ruth chapter 2

I remember distinctly when my mother was widowed in 1965. My father died of a heart attack, aged 38. I was three years old, my brother was one. Life was tough for a widow in the mid 1960s. Government pensions were nothing like the level they are today. My grandparents looked after us two young boys while my mother went back to work. The situation of Ruth was dire. I imagine like so many countries even today, there was not much support for the widow. She decided that she was going to follow her mother-in-law, trusting her judgment and her God. It would mean relocating to a strange land, living among a hated people, the Jews.

The kindness of God is beautifully illustrated in Boaz’ treatment of Ruth, a stranger. She sought after Naomi’s God, Jehovah. She was blessed by doing so. Boaz made an incredible statement. Ruth was now being looked after by Jehovah God himself, “under whose wings thou art come to trust.” (v12) God always rewards those that seek Him.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

What an incredible situation Ruth found herself in! Destitute, lonely, possibly facing a poverty-stricken future; now she is under the care of Almighty God. Her improved situation is seen in her no longer having to search for scraps of food. Boaz instructed his men to drop grain, “handfuls of purpose”, so that she would have a bountiful supply for herself and her mother-in-law. Isn’t God incredible? He takes delight in his bounty. God is not a God that gives out scraps. He supplies our needs by the handful, plentifully. He owns the harvest. He delights in his children.

Friend, if today you are thinking about becoming a Christian, (by trusting Jesus Christ as your Saviour), what I can say to you is this: God is good. He is an incredible God, One who delights in those he owns. The true Christian is bought with a price, that being the shed blood of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross. He paid for our salvation with his very life. The life that comes through relationship with God is not just a meagre existence. It is an abundant life. God is always giving us handfuls of purpose.

“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10)

I can recommend the grace of God to you this very day.