Ruth 4:17 NKJV

13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a [f]close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! 15 And may he be to you a restorer of life and a [g]nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.” 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him. 17 Also the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “There is a son born to Naomi.” And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Ruth had been married to Naomi’s son Mahlon for at least 10 years according to chapter 1 of the book. During this time, they were not able to conceive a child, they were not fruitful. Mahalon died leaving Ruth as a widow with no child.

What I find interesting is that as soon as Boaz redeems Ruth and takes her as his wife, she conceives and gives birth to a son. Redemption comes with the blessing of being a wife and having a husband to take care of her and also the fruit of the womb and the respect and honor that is given to a mother. Not only that, she also ends up in the geneology of Jesus Christ.

What I also find interesting is that at the end of the book the focus shifts back to Naomi. He who had refused to be called Naomi and had called herself Mara which means bitter is now no longer bitter. She came back bitter because she thought she had lost everything, her husband and her two sons but now here she is holding her grandson in her hands unaware that this is the grandfather of David who would become the greatest king of Israel.

The women of the city surround her and speak a blessing over her. Ruth had no name she was barren and had no inheritance but God changed her story. In the same manner, we who were lost in sin had no name, we were barren and had no inheritance but we have been redeemed. Now we are called by His name, we have become fruitful because he is the vine and we are the branches and we have an inheritance stored up for us.

Glory to God!!!

Reflections:

• In which area of your life do you need to be fruitful?
• Which situation in your life has God turned from Bitter to Better?
• Take some time today to specifically thank God for redeeming you and blessing you.