|
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
If you think your past has disqualified you, take courage from the life of this Gentile widow.
It is truly profound that Ruth's name appears in the royal genealogy of Jesus Christ. The gospel of Matthew tells us: "Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of David the king" (Matt.1:5-6, NASB).
In Old Testament times women's names rarely appeared in genealogical records. Women were invisible. They were not valued for their gifts or talents; they simply faded into the background—even though they worked hard, served their husbands and raised children. Women had no voice.
| "We have ignored the message of the book of Ruth—and as a result many women have remained spiritually barren." |
For that reason alone it is amazing that Ruth's name appears in this biblical list. Yet it is more shocking that a destitute Gentile widow from the land of Moab ended up in the lineage of Christ. If normal cultural rules had been observed, Ruth would have been disqualified. She had too many strikes against her.
First she was a Moabite. These people traced their lineage to the incestuous relationship between Lot and one of his daughters (see Gen. 19:30-38). Ruth was carrying a huge load of family baggage, as well as the shame that is attached to sexual impurity.
Second Moabites had been cut off from the assembly of the Lord because of the way they had treated the nation of Israel during their wilderness journey. Deuteronomy 23:3 says the idolatrous Moabites were alienated from the Lord's presence to the 10th generation. Ruth must have felt a deep sense of rejection.
Third Ruth was not only a widow but was probably considered barren. She had been married to her husband, Mahlon, for several years yet she never had a child. In Old Testament times women were expected to produce heirs immediately after they married, but Ruth remained childless until her husband's untimely death. Widowhood and barrenness placed a doubly depressing stigma on her.
Yet against this sad backdrop the book of Ruth presents a beautiful picture of Christ's redemptive power. When Ruth pledges her loyalty to her mother-in-law, Naomi, she takes a courageous step of faith and chooses to serve the God of Israel. In response to both of these women's faith, God not only provides for them in a miraculous way but also enables them to find a place in His salvation plan. By the end of the story, Ruth marries into a Jewish family and she gives birth to an heir; meanwhile Naomi's tragic emptiness is turned to joy.
What does their story mean to you today? No matter how many strikes are against you, God wants to use you in His awesome plan. If He can do it for Ruth, He can do it for you!
If you want your life to count for God, all you have to do is participate with His grace and follow the same steps Ruth took:
1. Leave your shame behind. Walk away from your past by trusting fully in the blood of Jesus to forgive and cleanse you. Even if you have experienced abortion, rape, sexual abuse, domestic violence or addiction, you can leave your Moab and move to Bethlehem, the "house of Bread." God has made it possible for you to transfer from darkness to light.
2. Turn away from your idols. Ruth had to leave Moab even though her sister-in-law, Orpah, chose to stay in that land of idols. Sometimes we have to make hard choices when following God. But you must make a clean break. Don't give in to the temptation to compromise.
|
