In the final chapter of Ruth we are presented with Boaz’s strategy for dealing with the other “family redeemer” who has the right to marry Ruth instead of him. Through a clever series of arguments, Boaz leads this man to forgo his right to Ruth’s hand, clearing the way for Boaz to marry her legally. Boaz and Ruth are married and she gives birth to a son who can carry on the family name. Only now is the biggest twist in the story revealed: this son is none other than Obed, the grandfather of King David himself!
As with the rest of the story, we do not see God acting in supernatural, miraculous ways. However, we can see his hand at work through the faithfulness of his people in every word of the story. Every single prayer offered up in the story is answered (including the prayer by the women of the town that this child of Ruth and Boaz be “famous!”). And we can see how the faithfulness of his people to love and care for the marginalized and outcast plays a part in God’s plan to not only lead his people through King David, but ultimately to rescue and redeem the world through David’s descendent, Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 1:5).
