Ruth 4:1-22

Bringing the sermon home:

The main themes that have been running throughout the book of Ruth reach their climax in the concluding chapter, most notably the theme of God’s providential care for His people as His invisible hand directs the ordinary affairs of ordinary people in ordinary towns to achieve His extraordinary purposes.

Of course, there’s also the theme of humbly seeking redemption, to which is added a new wrinkle in this closing act. Ruth and Naomi’s nearest kinsman redeemer denies them redemption because of what it will cost him, thus highlighting the great cost of redemption and the need for a redeemer who is willing to selflessly sacrifice for the wellbeing of those in desperate need of the redemption that only he can provide.

In case there’s any confusion as to the divine author’s intentions regarding the application of these themes to our lives, the book concludes with the genealogy of King David, which then gets repeated and extended in the opening verses of the Gospel of Matthew, all the way down to the birth of another redeemer in that same little town of Bethlehem: Jesus. The redemption He provides for us came at a great cost to Himself, requiring the selfless sacrifice of His very life.

Let us rejoice in our costly redemption and take heart in knowing that there is no such thing as an “ordinary” life, for God is working all things together to accomplish His extraordinary plan to redeem this fallen world through our great Redeemer.

Sermon Outline:

1. Redemption comes at a great cost to the redeemer. (vv. 1-6)
2. Redemption requires selfless sacrifice from the redeemer. (vv. 7-12)
3. Redemption is a gracious gift of divine providence. (vv. 13-22)