Daily Reading: Ruth chapters 1 thru 4

Key Verse: Ruth 3:1

The story of Ruth is a love story.  It is a story about a pagan girl who comes out of the land of idolatry into the knowledge of the Almighty God.  Ruth chose to remain with Naomi, her mother-in-law, after the death of her husband instead of returning to her native homeland. 

The love story begins when Naomi returns to her homeland and Ruth is introduced to Naomi's relative, Boaz.  Boaz takes notice of Ruth as she is working in the fields.  Ruth was working according to Mosaic law by placing herself in a position to be noticed by the kinsmen-redeemer.  Once Boaz took notice of her, Naomi stepped in with instructions to Ruth on how to claim the kinsman- redeemer for herself.  In 3:1, Naomi gives Ruth four distinct commands.  These four steps are parallel to what a sinner experiences at salvation.  

First, Naomi told Ruth to wash herself, as she stood she was not fit to receive her redeemer.  When we come to Christ, we are saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5) to make us fit for heaven. 

The second thing Naomi tells Ruth to do is to anoint herself  with perfume.  Christians are anointed with the Holy Spirit (1John 2:27) that now abides in us. 

The third thing she instructs Ruth to do is to put on her best clothes.  Ruth probably regularly dressed in mourning attire.  Now it was time for Ruth to set aside those widow's clothes and put on her best.  When we accept Jesus as our Savior, the old clothes of the flesh are set aside, and He covers us in His righteousness (Romans 3:22).  

The final thing Naomi instructed Ruth to do was to go down to the threshing floor to let Boaz know that she wanted to claim him as her kinsman-redeemer.  This is the most important step to understand.  There are many people who join churches but do not receive Jesus.  They never go to Him and claim Him as their Savior and Redeemer.  Boaz may have loved Ruth, but it was up to Ruth to claim Boaz according to the Law.  Jesus has already proven His love for us, but it is up to us to claim Him as our Savior. 

Have you truly claimed your Redeemer?  When was the last time you gave someone instructions on how to claim their Savior and Redeemer?