Jesus' Spicy Grannies Devotions: Ruth

Ruth is our first spicy granny who didn't pretend to be, or was, a prostitute! But she did sleep with her husband before she was married, and proposed to him!! Her story is more sweet than savory and has so much to tell us about God's enormous, generous love for us. Enjoy diving into her story as you meditate on Scripture this week.

These devotions accompany my series: Jesus' Spicy Grannies

Here are five daily Bible readings on the story of Ruth, designed to guide you through the key themes and events in the book. The story of Ruth highlights faith, loyalty, and God’s providence.

Day 1: Ruth's Loyalty to Naomi

• Scripture: Ruth 1:1-18
• Focus: The beginning of Ruth's story, where she makes a life-changing decision to stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi, even after the death of her husband. Ruth's words in Ruth 1:16–17 show her commitment to Naomi and her faith in the God of Israel.
• Key Verse: Ruth 1:16 - "But Ruth replied, 'Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.'"

Day 2: Ruth's Arrival in Bethlehem

• Scripture: Ruth 1:19-22
• Focus: Ruth and Naomi return to Bethlehem during the barley harvest, after having faced loss. Naomi, feeling bitter from the loss of her husband and sons, returns to her homeland. The chapter sets the stage for God’s unfolding plan in their lives.
• Key Verse: Ruth 1:22 - "So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning."

Day 3: Ruth Gleans in Boaz's Field

• Scripture: Ruth 2:1-13
• Focus: Ruth goes to glean in the fields of Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s. God’s providence is evident as Ruth finds favor in Boaz’s eyes. This is a key moment where God begins to open doors for Ruth and Naomi.
• Key Verse: Ruth 2:12 - "May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge."

Day 4: Boaz Shows Kindness to Ruth

• Scripture: Ruth 2:14-23
• Focus: Boaz goes above and beyond to provide for Ruth, offering her extra grain and making sure she is protected while working in his fields. This passage reveals Boaz’s character and generosity, and it foreshadows the role he will play in Ruth's life.
• Key Verse: Ruth 2:16 - "Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don’t rebuke her."

Day 5: Ruth and Boaz's Redemption

• Scripture: Ruth 4:1-10
• Focus: The story of redemption comes to its climax when Boaz acts as a kinsman-redeemer, ensuring that Ruth’s family line is preserved. This act of redemption not only secures Ruth's future but also fulfills God's promise to her and Naomi.
• Key Verse: Ruth 4:9-10 - "Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, 'Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelek, Kilion, and Mahlon. I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from his hometown.'"

Bonus Reflection: The Lineage of David

• Scripture: Ruth 4:13-17
• Focus: Ruth and Boaz marry, and they have a son named Obed, who becomes the grandfather of King David. This passage is a beautiful reminder of how God’s providence works through generations and how Ruth, a foreigner, becomes part of the lineage of the Messiah.
• Key Verse: Ruth 4:17 - "The women living there said, 'Naomi has a son!' And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David."

These readings highlight God's faithfulness to Ruth, Naomi, and their descendants, showing how God’s love and providence work in the lives of ordinary people. As you read, consider how these themes of loyalty, faith, and redemption apply to your own life.