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. Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.” Ruth 4:13-15
True love is rewarded by God!
Over one-thousand years after Boaz married Ruth, the apostle Paul would write: “Now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). Love is the greatest of those virtues, because while both faith and hope are limited to this life, love transcends this life and will last throughout eternity. Because of this, when the Spirit of God moves someone to love—especially to love as he or she has been loved by God—that true love is rewarded by God!
We see this as the story of Ruth concludes. Boaz loved God, and that love led to his love for his neighbors, for his relatives, and ultimately his love for Ruth. God rewarded that love by giving Boaz Ruth as his wife–a partner to share the pleasures and pain of life. Ruth, who likewise came to love God and trust in Him, demonstrated her love for Naomi, her dear mother-in-law and friend. She was rewarded with both a new husband and a son—Obed, the grandfather of David and ancestor of Jesus. And dear Naomi, who in sorrow once suggested she be called by a new name…Mara (bitter), but who was willing to sacrifice her entire future for Ruth, was rewarded with a most blessed future—an honored position within the home of Boaz and Ruth where she was entrusted with the care of her new grandson.
Indeed, love…true love is the greatest of all virtues. It flows from the heart of God to bring blessing to all God’s children in this world. And when it is embraced by faith, it transforms our hearts and lives.
O LORD God, fill our hearts and lives with Your love. Amen.