Blessings and Legacy
Downtown Campus Pastor
In these final verses of Ruth, God shows himself the author of an incredible story of reversal and blessing—blessing that is both intimate and universal. Ruth, the outsider, finds a home; Naomi, who was empty, has been filled; and the line of Boaz is continued with a son, Obed. The hesed love of this family foreshadows Jesus’ love for his people.
Study Questions
Application
The townswomen help Naomi celebrate God’s blessings. How can you take time to look back on what God has done in your life and give him praise? Who else can you encourage to praise him?
How do you relate to Ruth, an outsider in need of a redeemer? In what ways do you feel like an insider, self-sufficient in a world that works well for you?
Key Points
Boaz’s provision of a home for Ruth represents a key theme—God wants to bring outsiders to a place of refuge, safety, and security.
Although God is not often explicitly mentioned, he has been working behind the scenes all along. We won’t always understand God’s plan, but we can trust he is always in control.
We can best experience God when we create rhythms of prayer and praise. To do this, we must take intentional steps to slow down and reject self- sufficiency.
What God is doing is simultaneously bigger than us and personal for us.
Ruth and Boaz’s hesed love points to God’s character. He uses weak, broken, and humble people to display his power and love.