When we act as agents of redemption, we open the door for the Lord to do amazing things for all concerned.

The book of Ruth is a beautiful story of redemption that emerged from tragic events. Both she and her mother-in-law, Naomi, were stricken with the grief of death. Naomi’s husband had died, and then both her sons. 

Naomi decided to return home to Bethlehem, and Ruth asked to go with her. When Naomi wanted to free Ruth from any future obligation, she replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me” (Ruth 1:16-17). 

At that point, Naomi relented and took Ruth with her back to her hometown. Both widows settled in Bethlehem, where they also faced a life of poverty. The build-up and ongoing sorrow and disappointment in Naomi produced a bitterness of heart. And bitterness blinded her to any hope in her future. 

As events unfolded, Boaz, one of Naomi’s family members, wanted to take Ruth as his wife. He married her, and the Lord enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son. (4:13). 

“Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel. May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!” (4:14-15).

“Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own. The neighbor women said, “Now at last Naomi has a son again!” And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David” (vs. 16-17).

The redemption of Ruth by Boaz placed her in the lineage of Jesus Christ through one act of kindness. Anytime we choose to act as God’s redeeming agent in our family, or for a stranger, our kindness will open doors and produce a legacy of faith that will be multigenerational.