Ruth 4:13-22 - Ruth is better to you than seven sons

4:13-15

So Boaz and Ruth were married and they had a son. The text makes it clear that it was the Lord who enabled her to conceive. In her earlier marriage she had been unable to have children. A significant number of key people in the Bible were born to women who had problems conceiving, Isaac being the most famous. On the birth of their son the women praised the Lord over what had happened with Naomi. She had endured much pain in her life, the loss of her husband and two sons, and because of that she felt that the Lord’s hand was against her. But now that whole situation had been reversed. They also declare that Ruth was better than seven sons. Ruth and her faithfulness is in many ways the highlight of the story. She had become fruitful, both physically, but also spiritually through her integrity.

4:16-22

The son was called Obed, which means “worshipper”. He would become the father of David, and humanly speaking Jesus was descended from David. The whole story can be seen as a picture of our redemption. Ruth’s life and her significance is utterly transformed. This is partly because of events beyond her control, and was dependent upon the actions and faithfulness of Boaz. But her faithfulness, her decisions also matter and are significant. When God saves us it is not just a matter of forgiveness, we are utterly dependent upon the work of Christ. His work on the cross, the work of the Holy Spirit. But at the same time we are no mere passive recipients. We should chase after God, and when He works in us He does so to transform us.