E56 - Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions - Ruth - The Legacy She Leaves - Part 6

Hope’s Harbor

Gritty Bible Devotions

Episode #56

Title: Ruth – The Legacy – part 6

Date: May 30, 2022

Contact: info@hopesharbor.net

Key verse(s): Ruth 4:13 – ‘So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son.’

Intro: In episode 55 Ruth presented herself to Boaz for marriage in the custom of that day. Boaz agreed and followed a protocol with the village elders in his role of kinsman-redeemer. This role is a type of Jesus in that He redeemed us.

Devotion focus: Ruth and Boaz create a legacy -

Their action to marry created a legacy with eternal consequences. Throughout the story of Ruth and Boaz, the Bible reveals how each one always did what was right. They did right by the requirements of GOD upon the nation of Israel and by following GOD’s order, they did right by each other. They were loyal.

I know it is likely anyone listening has been done wrong by others. And the closer they are to us the more it hurts. Loyalty is at its best when times are tough. However, tough times also reveal disloyalty.

Have you seen or heard of these acts of disloyalty: you know what? I’m not going into disloyalty.

Instead, listen to a few acts of loyalty and see if it stirs your heart…

Would you believe I found it difficult to find examples of loyalty? An online search of the word ‘loyalty’ revealed numerous opinions about what loyalty should look like, but no real-life examples.

Another search I did was for acts of loyalty from history and there were several examples, mostly from military campaigns, one going all the way back to 755, whether BC or AD the article didn’t specify.

So let me ask you: when you think of a spouse or close friend what qualities do you hope for? Is loyalty something you look for in a person?

Now, this is just me wondering… what if a person’s loyalty causes them to confront you for wrong behavior or wrong action on your part. (And maybe these two are the same thing.) But would you listen to this loyal person?

I found that as I considered the loyalty I expect in a friend much of friendship is based on convenience - on my part as well as others, so much so that most people are actually acquaintances. Isn’t this odd?

I’m sorry for the digression concerning loyalty. I’ll get back to the story -

But listen, GOD honors loyalty. In the case of Boaz and Ruth, Boaz did what was right by her and what was right by the accepted means of marriage in those days. He didn’t cut any corners. A grand jury could have examined Boaz’s dealings with Ruth and found no wrong.

The same with Ruth – she was a faithful and loyal woman.

And how did GOD honor the faithfulness of Ruth and the loyalty of Boaz?

Ruth 4:13 – ‘So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son.’    

Ruth 4:21b - ‘… and Boaz begot Obed;

Ruth 4:22 - ‘Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David.’

That is King David, by the way. And if you’ll read the lineage of Jesus in Luke 3:23-38 you’ll see Boaz there and by inference Ruth also.

Summary: Every person ever born leaves some sort of legacy, whether for good or ill. What is your legacy? It may not be a lasting one, but no matter.

What legacy are you leaving behind for your family and friends?

Action to consider: You and I can leave behind legacies of loving-kindness, thoughtfulness… loyalty. We get one shot at this life. Will we look back with regret, or with a longing to do more, to love more?

If you’ve been disloyal as a habit, not caring about others, you can change if you will make the effort. Every Christian will one day stand before Jesus at the bema seat of judgment, not for wrath or punishment, but for rewards depending on how we lived during our short time here on this earth.

Your legacy – what will it be?

Next week’s devotion: Center Chapter of the Bible