A Happy Ending (Ruth 4:16-22)

Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him. Also the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “There is a son born to Naomi.” And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David. Now this is the genealogy of Perez: Perez begot Hezron; 19 Hezron begot Ram, and Ram begot Amminadab; Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon; Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Obed; Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David.
(Ruth 4:16-22, NKJV)

Let’s recap for a moment. We started with a journey. Elimelech and Naomi left their homeland, along with their sons, Chilion and Mahlon, because of a famine. They landed in Moab. Elimelech died, but Naomi was cared for by her sons, who each married a Moabitess. All seemed well—until both sons died.

In her grief, Naomi returned to her homeland, expecting, well, we’re not really sure other than she called herself Mara or "bitter." It appears Naomi thought she’d be all alone. But one of her daughters-in-law, Ruth, pledged her devotion to Naomi, and the two of them—together—started a new life. At first, it seems they struggled a bit as their only food came from Ruth’s picking up the reapers’ leftovers.

At first blush, this isn’t a “happily ever after” story. In fact, it often is quite grim. However, as we’ve talked about all along, God had an amazing plan for these two women. And for us as well. Because Boaz did become their kinsman-redeemer. Naomi retained her land and Ruth became the mother of Obed. Who was the father of Jesse. Who was the father of “a man after God’s own heart” David.

And our Savior, Jesus Christ, was from the line of David. Jesus was a descendant of Boaz and Ruth. What a wonderful plan God had all along!

I often speak of how we may not see God’s plan until we reach the other side of a valley, and when we’re able to look back, we see how even the most painful times were crucial for the blessing. Naomi had no idea that her heartbreaking losses would turn out the way they did: She’d be the great-great-great (and so on) grandmother of the Messiah!

This is the lesson we can all take away from this short, fascinating book: God is faithful. He will redeem our pain. He will bless us beyond what we can even imagine. And His plan is always best.

Always.

Join me tomorrow as we start digging into a new scripture.