KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Saturday, April 07, 2018
Chapters: Book Of Ruth
Message: Where Christ Goes I Go
Hello My Friend,
The Book of Ruth contains four chapters, the author is unknown, but is probable to be Samuel, and it was written to the Israel. The timeline for theses events is approximately 1300 BC, it is an extension from the Book of Judges during a time of famine. The purpose of the book was to show that God is not a respecter of persons, He will accept anyone who believes in and follows Him. What we are to learn from the book is that true rest only comes from a kinsman-redeemer relationship with God. Ruth was of Moab, if you study Bible history, he is descendant of Lot, Abraham’s nephew, with whom he had sons with his own daughters. Moab despised Israel, and the feelings were mutual, it was full of idolatry, and known for sacrificing their children to their god. When Elimelech decided to dwell there with his wife Naomi, and two sons during a terrible famine in Judah, you can imagine what it might have been like. The sons managed to find wives, and Ruth was one of them, in the process of time Elimelech and his sons died, leaving Naomi alone with her daughter-in-laws. Naomi decided to head back to Bethlehem, Ruth chose to come with her.
“And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her. So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?” – Ruth 1:16-21.
“and thy God my God:” Her reason, your God shall be my God. Contrary to what people think, God does not choose favorites, and while He did choose Israel to be the people known as His people, He will accept anyone who accepts His Son. When Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem I am sure there was a lot of talk about Naomi bringing a Moabite with her, but Ruth went right to work proving that she was no longer one of her own people, and it was no dainty work, she worked in a field, harvesting grain owned by a relative to Naomi’s husband, it was there that she met Boaz and discovered something else, the grace of God.
“Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger? And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” – Ruth 2:10-12.
“The LORD recompense thy work,” It truly does benefit us when we choose to work under the hand of Christ rather than of the world. It may be that we have to do a little more work because people notice and expect more, but in the end it is God that rewards us with things far greater than what the earth can ever give us. “For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” – Luke 12:30-32.
Since all arrangements for marriage were made by the parents in those days, it was Naomi’s duty to provide a husband for Ruth, and since Boaz was a relative to her husband, that could mean their lineage could be preserved. Naomi gave Ruth some strange instructions, dress nice, go into town, follow Boaz around and when he goes to sleep lay at the feet and when he awakes do what he tells her to do. Ruth followed her instructions, found Boaz asleep on a pile of corn, and laid at his feet.
“And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.” – Ruth 3:9-13.
“for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.” It is important that we live our lives in a way that others see that we are of Christ. You see, choosing Christ is more than just receiving Him as our Saviour, it is living our lives as a reflection of Him, and everyone around us ought to know that we are different from them. While our salvation is not based upon our works, our works after we are saved show that Christ indeed does live in us. Boaz promised to help anyway he could, but could not promise that he could do the part of kinsman redeemer because another man was a closer relative to him. Boaz stood before the man and elders, he would have to purchase Ruth to make her his wife and any children would be raised up as Elimelech’s.
“And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it. Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance. And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it. Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel. Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe. So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.” – Ruth 4:4-8,13.
“lest I mar mine own inheritance:” This man was not about to give up his name and his earthly inheritance to raise up children in his cousins name therefore he passed up the opportunity to not only to inherit the land of Elimelech, but also be a part of the inheritance that Jesus would ascend from. When we choose Christ we agree to give up our earthly inheritance to receive a far greater inheritance, one in which Christ not only redeems us and gives us a part of His Kingdom, but eternal life as well. “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” – Luke 9:23-24. Praise God!
Jesus Christ Magnified: “And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.” – Ruth 4:14-15.
Today’s Prayer: God, I know and believe with all my heart that Jesus is Your Son, who died for my sins, was buried, and arose again on the third day, and I have accepted Him as my only way to You and Your Kingdom. To acknowledge this truth comes so naturally with great enthusiasm, boldness, and conviction, but the real test is when I publicly acknowledge these truths among those who do not agree with me. Lord, where You go, I go, no matter where you place me or what test You give me, and by Your grace, I know I can and will endure the things before me, and I will reap the rewards for my faithfulness. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure You Are Going To Heaven?: http://readytofollow.com/
Receive The KJB Daily Devotions In Your Email: http://eepurl.com/2WMzT
Missed A Message: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/
Visit I’m Following Jesus: http://imfollowingjesus.com/index.html
Like I’m Following Jesus On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byhisstrength
Copyright © 2018 I’m Following Jesus, All rights reserved.