Rest with the Redeemer

Devotion: Ruth 3:10-13

Happy New Year!
Welcome back to the blog after our Christmas recess. If you need to catch up on where we last left Ruth and Boaz, take a minute to read our last blog. Caught up? Great!
Ruth had gone to Boaz with Naomi's instructions. She had uncovered his feet and led him to wake up in the middle of the night as he slept on the threshing floor, presumably guarding his harvest. She boldly commanded him to take her under his wing and be her redeemer. We left off on a cliffhanger (of course, you know the story, but if not, it really was a moment of anticipation). What would Boaz do?

"And he said, 'May you be blessed by the LORD, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman. And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the LORD lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.' " -Ruth 3:10-13 ESV

Throughout the book of Ruth, Boaz is presented as the ideal Israelite. He keeps the law. He cares for widows. He understands that as a faithful and true Israelite that he is to follow all of the Law as God has given it. So, while Boaz is touched by Ruth's boldness and her willingness to enter into marriage with him, he knows that another redeemer lives that has a greater claim. Now, if I were to play fast and loose with the text, I could make a play for Christ being that redeemer, but this would be disingenuous. If anything, Boaz and Ruth are both Christlike in the book and point to a greater one who works on behalf of his people and redeems his people from their labors.
Yet here we have vulnerability in the form of Ruth. Ruth is completely at the mercy of Boaz. She is a woman alone with a man. She is a foreigner with a native. She is poor with a rich man. She is young with an old man. In every way she can be vulnerable, she is vulnerable. Plus, she has labored long and the hour is late. So vulnerable and weary Ruth comes to her redeemer with nothing but hope.
In the end, that is how we all come to the Savior, our Redeemer, Christ Jesus. We are vulnerable and weary and we have only hope as we approach him. This is not a hope that is left to chance (like playing the lotto), but a hope born of observation and experience. Christ has demonstrated his character through his actions, specifically his atoning death on the cross. Our hope in Christ as our redeemer is sure. Unlike Boaz, there is no nearer redeemer. So when we come to him it is to find our rest with our true redeemer.
Are you weary? Are you at your rope's end? Are you ready to throw up your hands or throw in the towel? Go to the redeemer. Ruth's labors will not end this night, but her redemption will begin. Her labor will continue, but now it will not be in vain. Let it be true with you and Christ in the same way through hope in him.

News for You:

• The Okanogan Community Homeless Shelter is looking for volunteers to be overnight hosts on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at New Life Church in Okanogan.  Please see the sign-up sheet at the Welcome Center for available dates. Interested hosts can also come to a training at New Life Church in Okanogan on January 6 at 3 p.m.
• We are seeking a part-time youth director. If you know of anyone who is qualified for the position, please contact the church. See it at
• Articles for the January/February newsletter need to be submitted no later than Friday, January 5.
• Committee reports for the 110^th Annual Congregational Meeting are due no later than Wednesday, January 10.
• Beth Moore will be hosting her Living Proof Life Event at Overlake Christian Church in Redmond, WA from February 9-10.  Ladies, if you are interested in going, please sign up at the Welcome Center.
• CPC is sending Rooshie Mintzer to Malaysia for a short-term mission trip in February 2018.  If you feel called to support her financially, please indicate so on your tithing.
• The men’s breakfast will be Saturday, January 13, at the church.  Breakfast is provided by Ron DeHaan and the devotional will be given by Elder Paul Freese.