SHE HEARD Reflections: Ruth

SHE HEARD is the first for-purchase devotional published by Deliberate Women. Over the next eight weeks, we'll be reading reflections written by our readers of the eight Biblical women featured in SHE HEARD. Up today: RUTH

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“Ok! Well, let me talk with my wife and I’ll get back to you,” I heard him say in the other room. He was suddenly walking down the hallway, phone in hand, about to open the door into our side office where I was sorting through papers. “Yes, we’re really excited. Thank you!” He opened the door and I could see it in his face. It was finally happening. 

I don’t know if Ruth knew she was on the starting line of a new adventure either when she left Moab to go to an unknown land. I don’t know if she felt God’s tug or if she just knew her only option was to take the next step. The text isn’t explicit on what she knew nor how she felt, but her story reveals Christ not only in her dramatic move but also in her love life. Just as Ruth left the comfort of her homeland for the good of another, Christ left the glory of Heaven for his children. Just as Boaz came to Ruth’s rescue, so did Christ redeem His children.

Ruth had no idea at the time, but she would later serve as a glimpse of what Christ would do for us. Similar to how she left the familiarity of Moab, He would leave His comfort for our sake and enter into our mess to bring life abundantly. Although Ruth’s adventure may have been a defining point in her life, it was a microcosm of what Christ did for us. He lived a perfect life and He died a gruesome death. But His death gave birth to life. He defeated death and rose from the grave. 

Ruth’s faithfulness eventually paved a way for that to happen. She gave birth to Obed who was the father of Jesse who was the father of David. It’s from David’s line that Christ eventually came. 


Ruth also exemplified Christ in her love life. Her marriage to Boaz points back to Christ’s redemption for us. Boaz acted as a kinsman redeemer, a male relative who would step in for a family member in need. In Boaz’s case, it meant a marriage to Ruth. Both she and her mother-in-law, Naomi, needed help. Gleaning in the fields as an unmarried, young woman left Ruth vulnerable. It kept Naomi in shame. They needed a rescuer and Boaz stepped up to the plate. 


We needed rescuing, too. In our sin, we are destitute and vulnerable. We cannot help ourselves; we fail any time we try. But with Christ, we are fulfilled. We are saved. We are freed from the bondage of sin. Boaz was Ruth’s kinsman reedemer; Christ is ours. For those who confess with their mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in their hearts that God raised Him from the dead, Christ has brought life. 


Only a few weeks after that phone call, our house had sold and I found myself stuffing a haphazardly taped box storing our set of ten plates and bowls into the front seat of my RAV4. Although it was only a move 40 miles north to allow my husband to finish seminary and take an exciting church residency, our hearts were being stripped bare. Signing an apartment lease, we said goodbye to almost 1,000 square feet and a spacious backyard. Taking new jobs in a new town, we said goodbye to over 80% of our income. Living an hour north, we said goodbye to regular dinners with friends.


Nine months after our great adventure, however, I can confidently say that God is good. Nearly every morning, I can’t help but think on his provision for us over a cup of steaming loose-leaf mint tea. We left our comforts, but had the privilege of watching God work. Ruth did too and saw not only her life redeemed but also bring about the redemption for all those who believe. 

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Mikaela Mathews is a freelance writer, self-taught graphic designer and a budding loose leaf tea enthusiast. She’s married to her super smart and super cute husband, Derek, and live in a little apartment with their two furry, four-legged children, Mishka and Lulu outside of Dallas, TX. Mikaela also runs a small Etsy business called
​The Tabitha Shop, where she gets to express her passion for design, the written word and equipping women in third world countries. 

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