​We’ve been on an incredible adventure, from the towns of Moab to the fields of Bethlehem.  We’ve seen the power of God to direct and control each small detail of life and orchestrate all things according to His plans and purposes.  We’ve watched the faithfulness of Ruth, bitterness and sorrow of Naomi, and the mercifulness and graciousness of Boaz.  We’ve witnessed an unlikely marriage, the redemption of a former outsider, and the blessing of new life.  All this rolled into a single, brief book!

​Redeemed.  Loved beyond measure.  Called by name.  Children of God.  Co-heirs with Christ.  This is our new position, new identity, and new place.  We are no longer strangers and enemies of God, but part of His family.  And while God brought this reconciliation through Christ, we also have a responsibility in this work, not to facilitate our salvation—Jesus did that—but to accept it.

We’re coming to the end of our time together in this wonderful book of Ruth.  Having methodically traveled through the entire book, we’ve learned and gleaned much from this moving narrative in the faithfulness of one Moabite, the power of love, and the blessings given when one waits upon the Lord for all good things. 
 
So as we spend this last week reflecting on all that we’ve learned, let’s take some time to turn our eyes to the One whom this book is really about.

​Over nine months after the scene at the city gate, Boaz and Ruth are happily established as man and wife, and are welcoming into the world their firstborn son.  They seem to have achieved a fairytale ending, but one of the characters in the story appears to still be unhappy.

​The redemption was finalized.  The cost was paid.  Details settled.  Legal work completed.  It was finally official:  Ruth, formerly known as the Moabite widow of Mahlon, was now the wife of Boaz and honored citizen of Bethlehem.
 
However, before the union of Boaz and Ruth, the people and elders of Ephrathah wanted to bestow a special blessing upon the new couple.