Day 12 - Boaz and Ruth

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!" (Ruth 4:1)

                      Ornament:  Wheat

Scripture Readings:
Ruth 1:1-4:21
Matthew 1:1-6

Verse:   Ruth 4:14

Christmas Song: O Come Little Children (the tune) (the text)

Hymn: I will Sing of My Redeemer

The Ology: God is in Control (25)
                   Adopted (160)

  Ruth is a story of redemption. This is another time we read and wonder, is God really in control? So many bad things are happening: there is a famine, God's people are making poor choices, and death is everywhere. But even though God's people are not reliable, God is reliable. This is why we must always read to the end of the story - the story of Ruth and the Greatest Story, the Bible. God works through the unpleasant situations in life and restores them to something lovely. God is a redeemer. God brought Ruth to Israel and to Boaz. God was at work to redeem her (Ruth) for His own. Boaz redeemed her in exchange for payment, and God brought her into the line of the King of Kings, Jesus. This Jesus was an even greater Redeemer than Boaz. Jesus did more than exchange monetary payment. He had a debt to clear - our debt.  God was and is at work to redeem His people. God delights in saving His people. Simple truth today, but important. Ruth is a story of redemption, just like the story of our lives ... God's redemption. I can think of no other reason greater to sing!

Below is a beautiful text by Fanny Crosby. If you aren't familiar with her poetry, you can read about her here.

    Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!

Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child and forever I am.

Redeemed, and so happy in Jesus,
No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence
With me doth continually dwell.

I think of my blessèd Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long:
I sing, for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song.

I know I shall see in His beauty
The King in whose law I delight;
Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps,
And giveth me songs in the night.

I know there’s a crown that is waiting,
In yonder bright mansion for me,
And soon, with the spirits made perfect,
At home with the Lord I shall be.

Refrain

Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am.

Tidings and Tidbits:

• This is another day where we don't have readings from the children's Bibles. However, Ruth is an important book in the Bible. Read portions of it to your children, even your young ones. Or, simply tell them the story ad talk about redemption.