The Gospel of Ruth

Song: Seek Ye First

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

The gospel is preached throughout the OT and nowhere more succinctly and vividly than in Ruth.

Naomi and Ruth lost everything so that God prepared them for better things. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Naomi’s bitter tears were turned to joy by the love of Ruth and the compassion of Boaz. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

Ruth gave up her home, her people, her rights and privileges and clung to Naomi. “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.”

Ruth shows more concern for righteousness than for her rights. Won’t a person like that be run over by others? “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

Ruth’s charity to Naomi is met by the kindness of Boaz to her and God’s favor to them all. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

Amazing that a Moabite should be the great, great, great… grandmother of God’s Son. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

In Moses’ day, Moab’s leaders called Balaam to curse Israel. Hatred sometimes lasts for generations. Ruth was different. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

Ruth lived in the days of the Judges, when “every man did what was right in his own eyes.” It could not have been an easy time. “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Blessed are the Ruthful, for theirs is the gospel.

Jason Moore