Joyful Moments in Christ

A Memory Verse

After much suffering and struggle, the concluding chapter of the book of Ruth brings redemption and honor to Naomi through the actions of Ruth. Remembering that our actions can bring redemption to another is important; after all, Jesus brought us the ultimate redemption through his death and resurrection! Memorizing Ruth 4:14:15 may help us remember this important concept.

Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.”

Ruth 4:14-15 (ESV)

At the end of chapter 1, Naomi struggles with bitterness over loosing her husband and two sons and asks people of the town to call her Mara, which means bitter. In chapter 2, Ruth faithfully cares and supports Naomi with some aid from Boaz, which begins to soften Naomi’s heart. In chapter 3, Naomi starts to see the value in Boaz and hatches a plan to find a way to get him married to Ruth and rescue the two women from poverty. It appears that she is starting to feel alive again! In chapter 4, we find that Naomi’s plans were successful and she ends up with both a grandchild and the praise of the other women in the town. Naomi is no longer childless in a culture that highly values children. While the passage doesn’t actually say whether Naomi changed her attitudes, my guess is that she joyfully takes her place in society, leaving her bitterness in the past.

Naomi’s story closely parallels how each one of us can gain redemption through Jesus. As you consider the following paragraphs, remember that Naomi’s redemption into society was mostly through the efforts of Ruth, and not of her own doing.

1. Just as Naomi was cut off from her people in poverty and bitterness, we are cut off from God through our selfishness and sin. Naomi needed someone to step in and remove that bitterness. In Ruth 1:16-17, another memory verse, Ruth make a pledge to both Naomi and God to care for Naomi no matter what happens. In later chapters, she joyfully fulfilled this promise, earning the praise of the women of the town: “your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons.” Very high praise from a patriarchal society!
2. Just as Ruth stepped in and cared for Naomi, Jesus steps in and cares for us. Sometimes we aren’t even aware of the things he is doing behind the scenes!
3. Just as Naomi started to see a glimmer of hope in Ruth’s situation with Boaz, we eventually start to spot signs that Jesus is real and present in our lives.
4. Just as Boaz rescues Naomi and Ruth through marriage, Jesus binds himself to us and we can claim his purity for ourselves, gaining complete forgiveness and redemption for anything that has happened in the past.

Reflection Questions

Reflection Questions for Christians

1. Has anyone ever rescued you from a difficult situation? How did you feel?
2. Even though you are redeemed, all Christians struggle with sin. Identify an emotion or situation, like Naomi’s bitterness, that may be holding you back from Jesus. What needs to happen to grow closer to Jesus?
3. What is your redemption story? How did Jesus reveal himself to you and what path did you take to forgiveness, redemption, and purity in Christ?

Reflection Questions for non-Christians

1. Has anyone ever rescued you from a difficult situation? How did you feel?
2. Identify an emotion or situation, like Naomi’s bitterness, that may be keeping you from Jesus. How would this need to change in order for you to see Jesus as the Lord of your life?
3. Have you seen any glimpses of Jesus working in your life?
4. What does it mean to be redeemed by Jesus? Which events in your life have made you think that Jesus’ claims of redemption might be true?

Reflection Questions for Kids

1. Has anyone ever rescued you from a terrible situation? How did you feel?
2. Have you ever rescued someone from a difficult situation? How did you feel?
3. What situation in your life do you need help from Jesus? Who or what might he send to rescue you?
4. What does it mean to be redeemed by Jesus?

Use this memory verse to pray using the ACTS method: Adoration, Confession, Thankfulness, Supplication

• Adoration: Praise God. Does this verse bring any specific characteristics of God to mind?
• Confession: Tell God that you are sorry for specific sins. Does this verse bring any specific sins to mind?
• Thankfulness: Show gratitude towards God. Does anything from this verse inspire gratitude?
• Supplication: Make requests for yourself and for others. Does anything from this verse inspire a prayer?

If helpful, you can use a prayer journal template.

Respond

As you consider the themes of rescue and redemption, are there any Bible verses that came to mind? If so, add a comment at the end of this post!

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Related Resources

Read: Ruth 4 – A Bible Study about Diplomacy and Redemption

Read: Musings about Shrewd Diplomacy

Read: A Prayer about Pleasing God During Diplomatic Negotiations

Visit the Joyful Moments in Christ homepage for all posts, or scroll through other blog posts related to the book of Ruth:

English Standard Version (ESV): Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are taken from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.