Diaspora: People on the Move, God at WorkSample

Lesson 7 - God ordained the lineage of Jesus through people on the move

The pages of Scripture are intricately woven, revealing God's sovereign plan and boundless grace. The story of Ruth shines as a beautiful tapestry that underscores the role of a sojourner in advancing the purpose of God through the lineage leading to Jesus Christ. Ruth's journey from a foreign land to a vital part of Christ's genealogy showcases God's deliberate work through improbable circumstances.

The Book of Ruth begins with Naomi, a woman who leaves for Moab due to famine. Tragedy strikes as her husband and sons die, leaving her empty. Yet, amidst dispersion and disaster, God is at work. Left with nothing, Naomi returns to Bethlehem, urging her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to stay in Moab. While Orpah stays, Ruth becomes the one on the move, but God is at work.

Ruth, a Moabite, embarks on a journey interwoven with God's redemptive plan. Her loyalty to Naomi transcends cultural boundaries, as she pledges, "Your people will be my people, and your God my God" (Ruth 1:16b). Her choice to be a sojourner in a foreign land sets the stage for God's providence.

Upon arriving in Bethlehem, Ruth takes advantage of the gleaning system where landowners leave portions of fields for sojourners and the poor to glean during harvest. As Ruth gleans, she encounters Boaz, the owner of the field. He also is someone who can serve as their family’s kinsman-redeemer. Boaz's compassion, sacrifice, and willingness to fulfill the role of a kinsman-redeemer serve as a precursor to Jesus, our ultimate Redeemer. Their union reflects divine orchestration, offering a glimpse of ultimate redemption through Christ.

Ruth and Boaz's marriage bears fruit, with their son Obed being a link to the lineage leading to King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ. God's design is evident in every twist, revealing that even a sojourner's journey is purposefully woven into His grand plan.

Ruth's story resonates today. As Ruth left her homeland to join God's people, we're called to embrace sojourners among us. Perhaps God is moving people from gospel-deprived areas, modern-day Moabs, so that they may experience redemption. Our world is marked by diversity, and just as Ruth's faithfulness bore fruit, our openness to embracing the immigrant can contribute to advancing God's kingdom.

Ruth's journey as a sojourner emphasizes God's sovereignty, His redemptive plan, and His heart for all nations. We're inspired to welcome sojourners like the one million Punjabi Sikhs that now call North America home. Sikhism is one of the least-known major world religions. You can identify Sikh men by the turban they wear on their heads.

The final questions for us to consider today are: Who, How, and When?

• Who is the primary “actor” in Ruth?
• How did tragedy and migration play a part in the lineage of Jesus?
• When we experience tragedy, how can we better trust that God is working to progress His purposes and Kingdom?