When I was growing up my Grandad had a small spring fed pond. It was a little hike through the woods to get there and as I got a little older, I was allowed to make the hike on my own. One of the coolest moments was to hike down by yourself and catch the pond completely undisturbed. The surface of the water like a mirror, reflecting and folding the sky back into itself. Most deeply philosophical people might consider sitting at the edge of that undisturbed pool and contemplating the deep meaning of life, but come one, a thirteen year old Dan? I couldn’t wait to throw the first stone into that perfectly placid water. And as I did, the ripples came forth. A well thrown stone landed in the center would create perfectly symmetrical ripples that would radiate outwards in a beautifully slow, melancholy rhythm. It was mesmerizing to watch as the perfect circles lazily continued on. But you see, you only got this special moment from the first stone. Now the water was disturbed you’d have to wait what seemed like an eternity for it to completely settle back down. There was always tomorrow to walk back down and surprise that calm water again.
You know, there’s also a ripple effect in life. We can toss a single stone in our lives that will radiate ripples outward in all directions. One small toss can affect our lives in ways that will continue to ripple for days, weeks, years or possibly a lifetime. And yes, the stones we throw can be good or bad. And I think we’ve all had both. The goal in life? To throw those stones for Jesus and let His goodness ripple outwards into the world around us.
Today we wrap up the book of Ruth. I will be sad to see it in my rear view mirror. After a gaggle of Old Testament books of law, death, war and rebellion like Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Judges, the book of Ruth and it’s story of love and redemption hits like a cool breeze on a hot summer day. As we examine chapter 4 today, we see the ripple effects of Naomi’s stone toss way back in chapter one. Her husband and two sons had tragically died in Moab and all she is left with is two daughters-in-law. Naomi makes the huge decision to turn back to God. She decided that the whipping she took in Moab had gone on long enough, she is giving up the charade. She is turning back to God and turning back to Bethlehem. This was a huge decision for Naomi, and it must have been incredibly difficult. Difficult to leave one of her much loved daughters-in-law behind. Difficult to leave her home of ten years behind. Difficult to leave her friends behind. And it must have been especially difficult for her to imagine slinking back into her old hometown of Bethlehem, beaten and bitter. But go she did. She made the difficult decision to turn back to God and as a result, the stone she threw rippled all the way into the lineage of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Chapter 4 shows us the business of redemption. In chapter 3, Ruth made it known to Boaz that she needs to be redeemed and out of his great love for her, Boaz agreed to do all that is in his power to see that redemption occur. Chapter 4 starts with Boaz going to the city gates of Bethlehem to call court into session. You see, in Texas, small towns would build a big courthouse and then build the town around the courthouse. And all the business of that small town would happen at and around the courthouse, the very center of the community. But in ancient Israel, the main city gate served as the courthouse. Since all cities had high walls to protect citizens from marauders, thieves and enemies, all people were in and out of the gates multiple times a day. It is here where the elders of the city would hold their court, just as Boaz did. He eventually finds the man he is looking for, the man that is one spot nearer in relations to Naomi (and therefore Ruth). He must give this kinsman first choice to redeem Ruth. The man declines the responsibility and Boaz is freed to marry Ruth. It must have been a tense moment until that man declined, but Boaz had a plan to redeem Ruth and it worked perfectly.
Boaz and Ruth marry, and the rest plays out like a Hallmark movie. And rightfully so. You see, the book of Ruth is a book of love. It’s a book of romance. It’s a book of passion. But at it’s heart, it's a book of redemption. But you know what? They blend perfectly. For redemption is romance. Redemption is love. For God so loved us...He redeemed us.
Boaz and Ruth have a child and his name is Obed which means “servant.” And it just so happens that Obed would be the father of Jesse who would be the father of none other than the great King David, the giant slayer himself. What you see here is paramount in the lineage of our Savior. For you see, this is the only place in God’s Word that connects the family of David with the tribe of Judah...and therefoer the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.
Because one woman turned back to God, we see Ruth redeemed. Because one woman turned back to God, we see the beautiful picture of Boaz as a kinsman-redeemer. Because one woman turned back to God, we see the redeemer take his redeemed as his bride. And because one woman turned back to God, we see the lineage of Jesus Christ fulfilled.
The stone that Naomi threw the day she decided to turn back to God, rippled into events she never could have imagined. Yet this was the same woman that walked back into Bethlehem and said, “the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me, I went away full and came back empty. The Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity against me.” (Ruth 1:20b-21) Yes, Ruth threw that stone, but in the moment she uttered these words, she could only see the first few ripples. And they looked dire to her. But folks, the ripples kept going. And if you walk closely in the purpose that Christ has for your life, the ripples will work for good...it’s His promise. Our job? To throw stones for Christ, He will handle the ripples.
Today, may your stones be covered in the love of Jesus. Love those around you. Love their soul. Love them enough to tell them who Jesus is and what He did for them. Throw the stones of the gospel. And as you do, you never know, your throw just might allow the Holy Spirit to ripple into someone’s eternity.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
