December 12

December 12                                                         

Ornament with Sheaves of Grain

Today we will be hanging an ornament with grain on it.  Can anyone take a guess about what we are going to discuss?

When Naomi’s husband and sons had died, she had no choice but to return to her home of Bethlehem.  Naomi’s daughter-in-law Ruth saw something different in her.  Something real enough that compelled Ruth to leave her home country and make a pilgrimage to a foreign land.  Remember, Ruth couldn’t go get a job and provide for her mother in law, and she knew that she was not signing up for an easy task.  However, Ruth decided that it was worth it and told Naomi, “Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.”  

They returned to Bethlehem from the land of Moab, and Ruth would have been known as the foreigner with Naomi.  She had not had any sons before her husband died, and now she needed a kinsman redeemer, someone who would provide for her needs and care for her.  

She went to work in the barley fields gathering grain, and one day she began working in the field of Boaz.  He noticed her and offered her water, protection, and extra grain.  When Ruth questioned his kindness toward her, he replied,

“All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know.  May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.”  (Ruth 2:12-13)

When Ruth related the events of the day to Naomi, Naomi told Ruth that Boaz was actually a close relative.  Naomi instructed Ruth on what to do next.  Ruth went to the threshing floor late one evening, uncovered Boaz’ feet, and lay down.  When he awoke, Ruth told him who she was.  This was Boaz’ response:

10 Then he said, “May you be blessed of the Lord, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence. (Ruth 3:10-11)

Ruth went to Boaz humbly, not with demands, and he covered her.  A closer relative was not interested in having Ruth for his wife, and so Boaz became Ruth’s kinsman redeemer.  

They were married, and Ruth and Boaz became the parents of a son named Obed.  Obed grew up to be the father of Jesse, and we know that Jesse grew up to be the father of King David!

During this season of Advent, we remember Ruth and Boaz not only for being part of Jesus’ family tree, but also because it is a good time for us to think about our need for a Kinsman Redeemer.  Just like Ruth, we need a Redeemer.   Not to take care of our physical needs, but one who can give us a covering of righteousness and take care of our spiritual needs.  

In the same way Boaz showed compassion to Ruth and covered her, Christ does not turn away those who see their need and come to Him in faith and humility.

In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

As we hang the ornament with the grain and think about Ruth and Boaz, let’s rejoice in preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus, who came to this earth as a man in order to become OUR kinsman redeemer!