VICTORY IN JESUS!

No matter the challenges of the present, all believers are assured of conquest in the future. Ultimately, we have victory in Jesus!  It is an inexorable march of triumph over all the forces of hell. We see this in Revelation 15. 

Then, we will hear THE MUSICIANS, “And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God,” (v. 2). The victors form this mighty chorus. They play harps that echo through the holy halls of Heaven. 

Consider THE MESSAGE,  “They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: ‘Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!’ “ (v. 3). These are the saints who have been saved and the message in their music is to praise the Lord who has redeemed them. Two songs with one message are sung. 

“They sing the song of Moses,” extolling how God redeemed Israel from Egypt by the blood of the Passover Lamb. He brought Israel out from their bondage to make of them a covenant people. 

They also sing, “the song of the Lamb,” showing how that lamb of the Old Covenant was fulfilled by the blood of Christ on Calvary in the New Covenant, redeeming sinners from every tribe and tongue. 

The musicians and their message arise from THE MOTIVATION,  “Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.’ ” (v. 4‬‬). How can we help but reverence God and rejoice in Him—to bring glory to His name which is above all names!  He is holy, but has made a way for sinners to be made holy through redemption and regeneration, so that, “that He might be just and the justifier one who has faith in Jesus,” (Rom. 3:26).

Let’s warm up by singing E. M. Bartlett’s song, “Victory in Jesus!”

I heard an old, old story how a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins and won the victory

Chorus

O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him.
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood

Verse 2

I heard about His healing, of His cleansing pow'r revealing
How He made the lame to walk again and caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, "Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit,"
And some sweet day I'll sing up there the song of victory.

Chorus

O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him.
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood

Verse 3

I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory,
And I heard about the streets of gold beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing and the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I'll sing up there the song of victory.

Chorus

O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him.
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood!

GOD’S GOODNESS DEMONSTRATED

“So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.” (Mark‬ ‭10:18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬). Only God is inherently and utterly good. He is the source, substance, and sum of all goodness. Jesus was not denying His goodness here, but affirming His deity. If He is good, then He is God, for only God is good.

• Demonstrated in Creation.  In the Genesis 1 record, we find God fashioning the world and at the end of each creative day declaring His handiwork “good,” until day 6, and the completion of it all with the pinnacle of His creation—man made in His image—and pronouncing it all, “very good.”

What else could a good God do but good and very good? We see even in a fallen world that it can be breathtakingly beautiful—a golden sunrise and a blazing sunset; a majestic mountain and a verdant valley; a lovely lily and a beautiful butterfly—and on we could go.  God gave us eyes to see in color, a mind to comprehend what we see, ears to hear a baby’s laugh and fingers to touch their soft skin.  God could have made everything gray and made all food taste like gruel—but chose to demonstrate His goodness in creation.

• Demonstrated in Redemption.  In Creation, God exhaled a breath, but in redemption, He expended His blood.  He was not content to leave us in our sin, but His goodness sent His Son and sought us out.  His goodness demanded punishment on the guilty.  A good judge does not let a criminal off.  Instead, our good God enforced that good justice by pouring out His wrath on the Son of God—and our good Savior was willing to suffer in our place.  The good Holy Spirit sought you out.  What good was there in you to commend you to God?  None! The good was all His!

• Demonstrated in Providence.  “Divine providence is the governance of God by which He, with wisdom and love, cares for and directs all things in the universe. The doctrine of divine providence asserts that God is in complete control of all things.” (www.gotquestions.org) Study the story of Joseph in Gen.37-50 and you will see God’s providence in bringing Joseph from the pit to the palace, from ruin to reign, and from suffering to glory.  Here is the New Testament phrasing of this truth, “And we know that all things work together for GOOD to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Rom.8:28, emphasis added).

God, you are so very good!

CHRIST’S REIGN: The Victory of Calvary

Read John 12:31-33. 

The popularity of Christ among the masses was diminishing. The tide had turned.  Most of the religious leaders had rejected Him, and now the common people were following suit.  Christ had come as their rightful Ruler, but because He was not the kind of king they were looking for, they would crown Him with thorns, rather than gold. 

Yet, in judging Him unworthy to reign over them, they were actually judging themselves unworthy of His kingdom. Their act of rejecting Him on earth would bring His rejection of them in eternity.  The only way to evade judgment for sin is to receive by faith the Savior’s work on the cross.  To refuse to bow at His nail-scarred feet is to endure judgment for sin which is deserved.

In the apparent defeat of Christ in His death, was actually accomplished the true victory over death. The ruler of this world—Satan—was overthrown. This fulfills the first prophecy concerning Jesus in Genesis 3:15. Sin had entered the world, as the serpent seduced Adam and Eve, but God already had a plan of redemption in place. “I will put enmity between you [the serpent, Satan], and the woman [Christ would be born of a virgin—the Seed of a woman, rather than man], and between your seed and her Seed [the spiritual warfare between sinners and saints seen in the hostility of the world rejecting Christ]; He shall bruise your head [the death of Jesus, crushing the serpent’s head], and you shall bruise His heel [the suffering for sin Christ bore].”

The cross, far from ending Christ’s claim as Lord, assured it!  The message of the cross will have a magnetic effect on all people. The Jews rejected their Messiah, but the result would be people from every nation will have opportunity to bow to the Lord and Savior.  An old rugged cross would become a royal throne!  He would not be a victim, but the Victor!

A GOOD NEWS WORD FOR A BAD NEWS WORLD

Read Romans 1.

We are going to get a bird’s eye view of the book of Romans by reading and reflecting on a chapter each day. Today’s devotional will set the stage for the study as we are introduced to the Gospel as a good news word for a bad news world.  Here’s the key text:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’” (1:16-17‬)

Four times in the course of this chapter, Paul uses the word, “Gospel,” (v.1, 9, 15, 16). The term means, “good news.”  The good news is that God loves us and sent His Son to die for us, so that by faith in the crucified and risen Christ we can be saved.

What makes the good news so good is that there is incredibly bad news.  It is like a jeweler who displays a diamond on a piece of dark velvet, which brings out the luster and beauty of each facet.  Paul will shine the light on the radiance of redemption by first laying out the dark contrast of our sin, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.” (v.18-19‬)

As a prosecuting attorney, Paul will make his case, presenting the evidence before the Judge of the guilt of humanity.  In this chapter, he establishes the crimes of the heathen against God.  The pagan populace knew there was a Creator.  Creation bore testimony. But instead of glorifying God, they began to worship the creation, because of the depravity of their minds.  This depravity of belief became marked by increasing degeneracy in behavior.

What hope is there for such people?  The only hope for us all—the Gospel.  Jesus has provided a way for the heathen to get to heaven—the royal road of redemption.  It is the only way, and the Way is a person, Jesus. The sad news is a word of guilt and judgment, but the glad news is a word of grace and justification!

RELATIONAL HEALTH

How healthy are your relationships?  Whether, those relationships are with a spouse, another family member, a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker or fellow student, even a church member, are they healthy?  Paul gives us some vital signs to check in Ephesians 4:30-32 that register our relational fitness.

1.  RELATIONAL COMMITMENT IS PRACTICED. “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (v.30). There are many ways we can grieve the Holy Spirit.  A chief way is through our lack of commitment to those we love.  He has sealed us—that is the Spirit has come into the believer as a guarantee of salvation, and He has promised to be ever-present.  When we walk away from a relationship because it is difficult, He is broken-hearted, for He will never do that!

2.  RELATIONAL CANCERS ARE REMOVED. “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.” (v.31). If you are diagnosed with cancer, and the surgeon puts you under anesthesia and under the knife, the first question you will have for the doctor when you awake is, “Did you get it all?”  You know if any cancer remains, it will recur. Paul tells us to get rid of all relational malignancies.  These things will kill a relationship!

3.  REAL COMPASSION IS EXERCISED. “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (v.32). Real compassion means I do acts of kindness toward others. It is felt in how I am tenderhearted toward others. Essentially, it is given in how I forgive others.  In this, I follow the example of my Lord.  Surely, if He has forgiven me so much, then I can forgive others who have done less in comparison!  Read the story Jesus told in Matt.18:21-35. We will study that later this week.

How did your relational vitals read?

AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits….  (Psalm 103:2)

Your attitude determines your altitude.  Among the instruments in the cockpit of a plane is the attitude indicator.  It shows the relationship of the wings to the horizon.  If you want to climb higher, it requires an attitude adjustment.  That is true spiritually, as well.  If we want to soar, we must adjust our attitude according to the heavenly horizon.  If our attitude is set relative to earth’s perspective, then we’ll never take off.  What would happen if we adopted the attitude of gratitude displayed in Psalm 103?

We should be grateful for God’s benefits (v.1-5).  The Psalmist underscores this with the phrase, “forget not all His benefits” (v.2b).  There are so many.

The key benefit is forgiveness of iniquity (v.3a) for it unlocks the door other blessing.  It is the greatest provision for our gravest poverty.

The Great Physician—Jehovah Rapha—heals us body and soul (v.3b).  Someone asks, “Do you believe in divine healing?”  What other kind is there?  There is the guarantee of ultimate healing in the resurrection.

God redeems us (v.4a).  This means we are set free by payment of a price.  Jesus did that on the cross!

The Lord crowns our head (v.4b).  God promises a crowning grace.  The New Testament also teaches there are crowns we may win.  In heaven, we will cast all our crowns at the feet of Jesus recognizing that any crown given is for His glory.

God satisfies our needs (v.5a).  Only He can.  Everything this world offers is like trying to satisfy your thirst by drinking water from the ocean—the more you take in, the thirstier you become.

The Lord renews our strength (v.5b).  As the eagle molts--shedding feathers and gaining new ones so he can continue to soar—we exchange our weakness for God’s power.

Furthermore, we should be grateful for God’s bounty (v.6-10).  The text testifies that God is “abounding in mercy,” (v.8b).  The first stanza of the Psalm is personal and the second one is national.  In verses 1-5, there is a solo, and in v.6-10, the choir adds their voices.

God gives abundant liberty (v.6).  Israel had been oppressed in Egypt, but God set them free.  There are injustices and inequities in this sin-cursed world, but the hope that God may deliver us now, and will assuredly right every wrong in the end.

God bestows abundant life (v.7).  God led and fed His people through the wilderness and brought them into a land flowing with milk and honey.  In a place of barrenness, they had blessedness!  God has pledged to meet all our needs, too.

God grants abundant life (v.8-10).  It takes Him a long time to become angry and a brief time to forgive.  By grace He give us the eternal life we cannot deserve, and in mercy keeps us from the hell we do merit.

Finally, we should be grateful for God’s benevolence (v.11-22).  It is, “So great…So far” (v.11-12).  The song builds to a crescendo—from personal, to national, and now universal—the voice of every creature, terrestrial and celestial, blending their voices in a symphony of praise!

There is extensive mercy (v.11-14).  It is three-dimensional: in height (v.11), breadth (v.12), and depth (v.13-14).

There is enduring mercy (v.15-18).  Here we see a contrast between our frailty and God’s faithfulness.

There is exhaustive mercy (v.19-22).  The word, “all” is used nine times in this Psalm.  

Old Graham Scroggie put it well, “Those whom the Lord blesses should bless the Lord.”

OUR GREAT DELIVERER

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.  (Hebrews 2:14-15)

No matter who you are or what you have done—none is without the need of salvation or beyond the reach of the Savior.  He is mighty to save.  Jesus came into this world to deliver us from sin and bring us into the family of God.  This is the theme of Hebrews 2.

We are DELIVERED FROM THE CURSE OF SIN (v.5-9).  This speaks of Christ’s incarnation as the Last Adam. Jesus stepped out of the splendor of heaven into this sin-cursed world and did so to reverse the curse as the Last Adam.  It was the first Adam—a man who brought the curse upon this creation and it would be another Man—God become Man—that would establish a new creation.  The writer stresses that it will be a Man, not an angel that will rule over the new world to come (v.5).  Verses 6-8 come from Psalm 8.  In that psalm, David looks into the vastness of the night sky, considers the countless stars, and is amazed that he a little speck on a planet which is but a tiny particle in the cosmos, could claim the attention of the Creator who made it all.  What grace is this!  Yet, it is true.  God knows you and cares for you.  He placed humans in this world to exercise dominion over the creation.  Jesus came in human flesh as the Son of Man.  He has not brought all things under subjection to Himself yet—but He will!

We are DELIVERED BY THE CAPTAIN OF SALVATION (v.10-13).  We have Christ’s identification as the Captain of Salvation.  Jesus has so identified Himself with us that as the Father sees Him, so He sees us.  The sinless One perfectly fulfilled His mission and in His suffering on the cross could cry, “It is finished!”  The expression, “the captain of…salvation” shows Him charging the gates of Hell, securing our freedom, and leading us victoriously, “bringing many sons to glory” (v.10)!  It is our position in Christ that makes us acceptable to Holy God.  As C.S. Lewis said, “The Son of God became the Son of Man that the sons of men might become the sons of God.”  We are now in the family of God and can call God our Father in Heaven!

We are DELIVERED FROM THE CAPTIVITY OF SIN (v.14-16).  This is Christ’s intervention as the Seed of Woman.  This expression is found in Gen.3:15—the serpent struck His heel, but His heel crushed the serpent’s head.  He became one of us that He might die for us.  Jesus didn’t come to redeem fallen angels, but sinful people.  He sets us free from the fear of death.  Jesus came in fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant.

We are DELIVERED FROM THE CONDEMNATION OF SIN (v.17-18).  That is Christ’s intercession as the Great High Priest.  He was the Priest and the offering.  He is “merciful”—willing to save; He is “faithful”—able to save!  “Propitiation” means that God is satisfied with the sacrifice.  His righteous wrath is appeased.  Our High Priest understands for He has walked among us.  Jesus knows what you’re going through.  He is not aloof from our affliction.  More than caring—wonderful grace that is—He is able to deliver you!

HERE'S HOPE!

looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ….  (Titus 2:13)

Your world can be turned upside down in a heartbeat.   Just a few weeks ago, our little six-year old granddaughter, Mya, seemed a picture of health and bundle of energy.  Then she was diagnosed with cancer.  As I write these words, she is in the hospital fighting a deadly enemy.  What we desperately sought was hope—and the doctors told us this could be successfully treated—but, ultimately our hope rests in the Great Physician, Jesus Christ.  While she seems to be responding well to the treatments, we know the immediate future still contains uncertainties, yet Mya’s future—and ours—is in a hope that does not depend on earth’s circumstances, but God’s eternal assurances.  Do you have such a hope?  You can.  Titus 2:11-14 tells us how.  We see salvation is in three tenses—all bringing hope.

The first tense deals with our past: WE HAVE BEEN PURCHASED (v.11, 14a).  I have been saved from the penalty of sin.  That's justification.  It is the work whereby we are placed in right standing with God by faith in Christ.  There are three great Gospel words featured here: "grace" and "salvation" in verse eleven and "redeem" in verse fourteen.  The word redemption means to be set free by payment of a price.  When Paul wrote these words, men and women were sold in the marketplace like commodities.  Spiritually, we were in the slave market, held fast in the shackles of sin.  Christ paid the price to free us—and the price He paid was His own blood!  He "gave Himself for us" and the great exchange took place—Christ took my sins and gave me His righteousness.  

The second tense deals with our present: WE ARE BEING PURIFIED (v.12, 14).  I am being saved from the power of sin.  That’s sanctification.  It is an on-going process.  "Ungodliness" is all that is contrary to the nature of God. "Worldly lusts" are the perverse passions of our nature that are informed by the putrid philosophies of our culture.  These must be denied.  But the Christian life isn't just about what we avoid, but what we apply: "We should live soberly" in our inward disposition; "righteously" in our outward demonstration; "godly" in our upward devotion. We must be different to make a difference "in the present age" as we are in the world but not of it. A boat is of no use unless it's in the water, but get water in the boat and you're sunk!  Paul says that Christ has purified us "for Himself."  We belong to Him—“His own special people," who are to be "zealous for good works."

The third tense deals with our prospects: WE WILL BE PREPARED (v.13).  I will be saved from the presence of sin.  That’s glorification.  I’m "looking for the blessed hope...."  Some golden daybreak Jesus will come!  The Savior whom we have heard of, we will we see with our eyes!  John wrote, "everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as He is pure" (1 John 3:3).  The hope is verse thirteen connects with holiness in verses twelve and fourteen.  The most important aspect of prophecy is not to give us information about the future, but bring transformation anticipating it.  It is a call to readiness (see 2 Peter 3:10-14).

Is your hope secure?  Does it rest upon Jesus Christ?   Remember,  

Only one life;

‘Twill soon be past;

Only what’s done for Christ, will last.

THE REQUEST OF REDEMPTION

 

And he said, "Who are you?" So she answered, "I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative."  (Ruth 3:9)

Every religious system tries to present a path to reach its deity—some means of self-effort that can make a person acceptable to whomever or whatever they believe that deity to be.  Christianity is the one radical exception—for it says God has taken the path to reach humanity.  He has provided in Christ the way to be accepted—not through what we do, but what He has done!  This is the great story of redemption, and it is illustrated in the third chapter of Ruth.  Ruth’s redemption was totally dependent on a man from Bethlehem—and that is true for us!

This chapter is the turning point in this drama.  Ruth had known about Boaz, and now she will come to know him personally.  While our redemption requires knowing Christ is the Savior that is not enough.  We must come to know Him as our Savior.  Ruth was aided by Naomi—the matchmaker (v.1-5).  She told Ruth how a girl with a pagan past could enter into a wondrous future with Boaz.  God still uses people like us who know the Man from Bethlehem—Jesus Christ—to introduce others to Him.

Naomi’s guidance for Ruth was grounded in the Word of God (Lev.25:47-55; 27:9-25).  The Law provided for a kinsman-redeemer, and that is the truth that will form the basis of this new relationship.  God uses His Word as the seed of salvation, sown in the fertile soil of a soul that the Spirit has cultivated to bring forth the fruit of eternal life.  That is the power of the Gospel (Rom.1:16; 10:13-17).

Her relationship with Boaz is a private act before it becomes a public announcement (v.6-10).  Ruth responded in faith to the Word.  The testimony of Naomi is accepted and she comes personally to seek Boaz.  She comes to a worthy man, though Ruth herself is so unworthy, for she is helpless to change her situation, but knows Boaz can if he will.  If we would be saved, it is when we enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  His response is one of love.  It is amazing grace for a man like that to embrace a wretch like her—and that is the story of our Savior’s love for us! 

It is not sufficient for Boaz to love her—as wondrous as that is.  The demands of the law must also be satisfied (v.11-18).  Boaz will be her kinsman-redeemer, meeting the legal demands she could never fulfill.  That is what Jesus did for us on the cross!  He assures Ruth of the redemption she has sought.  We are reminded that Jesus promised, “The one who comes to Me, I will by no means cast out.”  (John 6:37) 

It would be 2000 years later that what was foreshadowed in Bethlehem would be fulfilled in the same city.  That dark night when a redeemer was revealed to a needy soul prefigured the arrival on another silent night in that little town One who would be our Kinsman-Redeemer!  Through Him and Him alone can the legal demands of righteousness and the loving desire of redemption become available in the Man who was born in Bethlehem—one of us and yet more than we are!  Fully God and fully man—Jesus is our Redeemer who reconciles unworthy sinners and Holy God.  All we need to do is ask Him and He will save us!

THE ROMANCE OF REDEMPTION

“The LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.”  (Ruth 2:12)

When our children were small, we would say, “How much do you love me?”  We taught them to spread their arms way out and say, “I love you this much!”  How much does God love you?  Jesus spread His arms out on the cross and said, “I love you this much!”  The second chapter of Ruth illustrates this wonderful truth—the romance of redemption.  The romance of Boaz and Ruth picture how God’s love reaches out to us, wins our heart, and brings us into salvation.

All through the story of Ruth we see God writing the plot line in His providence (2:1-3).  There are no dramatic miracles recorded in the book, yet we observe God’s mighty hand directing all the circumstances.  Ruth—from the human perspective—just happens to wind up gleaning grain in the field of Boaz, right where she needed to be.  This was not luck, she was led—the sovereign Lord orchestrating the events.  That a famine came, a family moved to Moab, three funerals brought Naomi and Ruth back to Bethlehem, a field was selected that belonged to their near kin Boaz, each event was a link in the chain to bring Ruth to the man who was her redeemer.  With God there are no accidents, just appointments.  Looking back at how we came to faith in Christ, the direction of God to get us to redemption is a testimony to providence.

So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.”  (v.2)  She sought favor—or as we might say, she was seeking grace.  Grace is God’s favor given to the undeserving.  Ruth fit that category.  She was a Moabite—a Gentile outside the covenant relationship of God with Israel.  She was a poor widow unable to meet her own needs.  That is representative of our spiritual state before meeting our Redeemer (see Eph.2:1-14).  When Ruth meets Boaz, everything will change (v.4-16)!  His name means strength.  He gave to her what she could never provide for herself. Boaz was man of power and possessions—his wealth was abundant.  Jesus is our Boaz—the Redeemer who is worthy and wealthy.  Ruth wasn’t looking for Boaz, but Boaz saw her and took the initiative.  That is what grace does.  It sees us, seeks us, summons us, and sustains us.  She came under the wings of God (v.12).  That is a wonderful place to abide!  Are you there?

When Ruth returns and shares her amazing story, Naomi rejoices (v.17-23).  She blesses the Lord because she recognizes God is at work.  Ruth brought home an ephah of grain—equivalent to what a working man might collect in ten days!  She didn’t return with a little, but with abundance!  That is the nature of grace!  When Naomi discovers that it is Boaz’ field where Ruth gleaned, she is overjoyed.  The man can be their redeemer because he is their relative!  Thus it is that the Son of God became the Son of Man, that the sons of men might become the sons of God.  That happened in the incarnation—and the place of our Redeemer’s appearance?  Where Ruth met Boaz—in Bethlehem!  Blessed Redeemer!

THE REACH OF REDEMPTION

But Ruth said:

“Entreat me not to leave you,

 Or to turn back from following after you;

 For wherever you go, I will go;

 And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;

 Your people shall be my people,

 And your God, my God.”  (Ruth 1:16)

The book of Ruth reveals the road to redemption.  It affords an Old Testament picture of a New Testament principle.  The road to redemption begins in Moab and ends in Bethlehem—a way out of a place that God called His wash pot and into the place meaning “house of bread.”  Chapter one of Ruth focuses on God reaching down in love.

Redemption begins with God’s sovereign act (v.1-4).  There was a famine in the house of bread.  Elimelech packs up his family and migrates to Moab, seeking greener pastures.  Though his name meant, “My God is King,” he was in rebellion against God’s will, walking by sight rather than by faith.  Canaan, despite its present woe was to be preferred over Moab and its pervasive wickedness.  Its inhabitants were the descendants of Lot’s incest with his daughter.  Moabites worshipped Chemosh, offering their little children in fire as sacrifices.  “But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more….”  (Rom.5:20b)  Despite Elimelech’s sin, God was still King and in His sovereign grace had chosen to overrule his straying child’s disobedience and reach a Moabite girl who was not looking for God.  God, however was looking for her.  As I survey my past, I can see how God was working even during my period as a prodigal to reach me—circumstances that He directed to drive me to Himself.

Two weddings and three funerals took place in Moab (v.3-5).  The chastisement of God fell upon Elimelech and his sons.  They were defiant against God’s will, going where they should not and marrying those they ought not.  “The wages of sin is death,” (Rom.6:23a).  Yet, without these sorrows, Ruth would have never journeyed to Bethlehem where she would meet Boaz, her kinsman-redeemer.  She might have become bitter toward God—many do when facing tragedy.  She could not have understood what this God of the Hebrews was up to, but later she would.  We live life forward, but we understand it backward.  All He does is ultimately for glory and good!

With the death of her husband and sons, there is nothing to hold Naomi in Moab (v.6-14).  She hears that the famine is over and the feasting has resumed—the House of Bread has become a bakery again.  It is time to go back to Bethlehem. 

Remember, that when Naomi and her family came to Moab they were in rebellion against God.  The counsel of a backslider is to be rejected.  Their senses are dulled by their disobedience.  Naomi tells her daughters-in-law to stay in Moab!  Orpah listens and turned back to her demon gods—into darkness forever.  Ruth clings to Naomi—grace at work drawing her to redemption (v.15-22).  This is the mystery of election—two girls so close, yet separated for eternity—like Cain and Abel; Esau and Jacob; Judas and Peter; the two thieves crucified on either side of Jesus.  Orpah and Ruth both had opportunity to go to the place of redemption, but only one did.  Orpah was not made to turn back, nor was Ruth forced to go up.  Still, grace drew her.  That is what makes redemption to be God seeking undeserving sinners. 

Have you reached up the empty hand of faith to the hand of God reaching down with the gift of salvation?  Are you Orpah or Ruth?