Journey to Christmas With the Midwives of the Messiah

by Sharon W. Betters

TODAY’S TREASURE

Then she said, “I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not one of your servants.”

Ruth 2:13

Boaz, the Kinsman Redeemer, symbolizes our own Kinsman Redeemer Jesus. Ruth, the Gentile, symbolizes those who need a redeemer – each of us. Ruth’s declaration of her total trust in the God of the Israelites opened wide the door to God’s family. Out of the union of Boaz and Ruth came new life that would influence our lives today, generations later.

So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. 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! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.

Ruth 4:13-15 ESV

This declaration of the women is packed with treasures, but especially take note that they declare that Ruth, Naomi’s daughter-in-law is better than seven sons! In a culture that valued sons over daughters, this is a priceless assertion about Ruth’s character and love for her mother-in-law. Imagine the loss to Naomi and us if Ruth was rejected because she was a Gentile.

Through Ruth, God built a bridge to the Gentiles, so that when our Kinsman Redeemer came, the gate to salvation for us would not be locked, but instead, thrown wide open. Don’t let this truth escape you. Think of it. Ruth, the Moabite, the Gentile is the grandmother of Jesse, the great grandmother of David:

Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her lap, and became his nurse. The neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi!” So they named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David. Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron, Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminadab, and Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon, Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed, Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David.

Ruth 4:18-22 ESV

Imagine Ruth joining us on our Journey to Christmas, looking for the one woman who is keeping a distance on the pathway because she is uncomfortable around these women who are so different from her. Perhaps that woman is you and you are uncomfortable because you do not know the Messiah personally. The best Christmas gift the midwives offer, that gift that cannot be broken, is introducing you to the personal relationship you can have with Jesus. Perhaps you know Him, but you have drifted from enjoying intimacy with Him. What a perfect moment to accept the most priceless gift that cannot be broken. Admit your need for Jesus, your hunger to know Him better, to experience His presence in a life-giving way. Receive the gift that cannot be broken, salvation that leads to eternal life.

LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT

Dig deeper into Ruth’s life, read Chapter 3, Part 1, Ruth and the Kinsman Redeemer in Harlots and Heroines, The Midwives of the Messiah. Ask the Lord to unsettle your heart and open your eyes to places you are drifting away from Jesus. Pour out your thoughts and surrender to Him as your Sovereign and loving God.

Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.

Contact Sharon with comments or questions at d ailytreasure@markinc.org.