Recently I read the book of Ruth and afterwards started to ponder what it was in this story that meant the most to me. Whilst everyone will have their own revelation, this is mine and therefore part of the journey I am on with the Lord.
At first glance we can see the book a little like the story of Job, who after losing everything cherished to him has everything restored in double and this famous quote "the latter part of Job's life was greater than the former". It is also true to say that Naomi lost everything or at least was willing to lose everything including the only two people that might sustain her in her latter days. Yet as we see, one of those whom she was willing to let go of became a great blessing by staying with her in her darkest hour.
As a result, the story quickly turns to Ruth and her faithfulness to Naomi in these difficult days. But both of these woman became a blessing to each other as they committed to one another. On one hand without Ruth's dedication to stay with her mother in law it would have been extremely difficult for Naomi to survive in a world were there was no "social security". And on the other hand Ruth as a foreigner would have found it exceptionally hard to be excepted and survive in this harsh climate.
But through their commitment to one another, they in turn became the blessing to each other and brought not only survival but what would appear a great ending to this story. Yet in my eyes this is only the beginning, as this book reveals a deeper truth for all to see.
The story I refer to is the story of the inheritance we have both as seen here in the natural and secondly in the spiritual. As a result of Naomi's natural inheritance, being an Israelite and having a place in which she truly belongs and where the rule of the land was to ensure the survival of widows and the names of their lost husbands. Because of this natural inheritance, Naomi knew it better for her to return to where she belonged and as a result of this longing to be with her fellow Israelites God's hand was at work.
In a similar way, when we find ourselves lost in a foreign place, irrespective of how it looks and how we came to be there, there is always the hope of our spiritual inheritance. Our home is in heaven, the ways of this world and the circumstances of it's ways and culture are all temporal and according to God's word will one day pass away like "chaff". But knowing of the inheritance we have in Christ and our heavenly destination we have the ability to call on "Abba Father" who leads us by His Spirit to our spiritual destination.
In addition, I see Naomi as a helper to Ruth, just as the Holy Spirit or paraclete is a "helper" to you and I as stated in John 14, to lead and guide us on this journey to our spiritual destination. Who is Boaz in this story, well he can only be symbolised by the "bridegroom" himself. Our Lord Jesus who not only prepares the room for us but makes the way possible becoming the very gate to this heavenly realm. Boaz made legal right to have Ruth his wife just as the Lord bought you and I with the price of His blood shed on the cross of Calvary.
As a result of His love for us, we now belong to Him and that he has and owns has becomes ours!
God Bless
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