Devotional Thought -- Redemption

The sons of Abraham. The sons of Lot. So notorious was the enmity between these nations that the law of Moses forbade any descendant of Lot from entering into the assembly of the Lord, even to the tenth generation (Deut. 23:3). Moab especially resisted Israel's inheritance in the land after the exodus from Egypt. Balak, king of Moab, charged Balaam to curse Israel (Numb. 22:1-6), and the daughters of Moab enticed the sons of Israel into harlotry at Baal Peor (Num. 25:1-3).

The pattern of enmity between Moab and Israel continued for many centuries and Israel continued for many centuries. But in the tenth generation from Abraham, according to the prophecy of the law (Deut. 23:3) and as recounted in the genealogy of Jesus (Matt. 1:2-5), something wonderful occurred. God healed the ancient quarrel between Abraham and Lot when Ruth, a daughter of Moab, married Boaz, a son of Abraham (Ruth 4:10).

What redemption was represented in the marriage of Ruth and Boaz, the covenant children of Lot and Abraham! As Boaz acquired the property of Elimelech of Bethlehem through Ruth, the descendants of Abraham and Lot once again dwelt together in the land of promise, sharing in the blessing of the inheritance of the Lord. And Ruth, the bride of Boaz, became the mother of Obed, who was the father of Jesse, who was the father of David, the king (Ruth 4:22). Thus this humble Moabite mother, who in the law was forbidden entry to the tabernacle of God, became the ancestress of Christ, who is the true tabernacle (John 1:14). At the marriage supper of Ruth and Boaz, celebrating the union of Moab and Israel, God ordained on earth a glimmer of the unity of a renewed heaven and earth -- along with faithful Abraham (Matt. 8:11) and righteous Lot (2 Peter 2:7).

Adapted from Dr. Warren A. Gage, Tabletalk -- July 2006