Anglican Devotional 23 March 2026 – Restoration

Biblical Context

The book of Ruth gives us a beautiful story set during the turbulent time of the Judges in Israel. This was a period when, as the Bible says, ‘everyone did what was right in their own eyes’ (Judges 21:25). It’s a stark contrast to the small, intimate story of faith, loyalty, and God’s caring plan we find in Ruth. The author is not named, but tradition suggests Samuel, or perhaps someone writing in the early monarchy, possibly to show the lineage of King David. The book itself serves as a light in a dark era, showing how God works through common people, even Gentiles, to carry out His big plan for salvation.

The story starts with a famine, pushing an Israelite family—Elimelech, Naomi, and their two sons—from Bethlehem-Judah to Moab. This move, meant to find food, brings them great sorrow instead. The book focuses on a simple family drama, yet it holds deep truths about God’s faithfulness, kindness, and His plan to provide a ‘kinsman redeemer’ to buy back what was lost. Ruth isn’t just a love story; it’s a story about God’s family line, showing how Ruth, a Moabite, becomes an ancestor of King David and, many generations later, Jesus Christ. It tells us that God’s plan is always at work, even when life feels broken and hopeless.

Key Word Study

Let’s look closely at the word ‘restorer’ from Ruth 4:15. In Hebrew, the word used for ‘restorer’ is ‘מֵשִׁיב’ (měshîḇ), which comes from the root ‘שׁוּב’ (shuv). This Hebrew root word means ‘to return,’ ‘to bring back,’ ‘to restore,’ or ‘to revive.’ It carries the idea of turning things around, of taking something that was lost or broken and bringing it back to its original or even better state.

Think about what that means for Naomi. She had lost everything – her husband, her sons, her security, and her hope. When the women call Obed a ‘restorer of thy life,’ they mean he is someone who literally brings back what was taken from her. He doesn’t just make her feel better; he reverses her sorrow, giving her a future and a family again. This word isn’t just about emotional comfort; it’s about a complete turnaround, a new beginning where things are made whole and good once more. It’s about life coming back after death, joy returning after great sadness.

Naomi’s Hard Journey to "Mara"

You know, Naomi left Bethlehem-Judah, her homeland, looking for better prospects in Moab. She thought she’d find greener pastures there. But sometimes, what we think will bring us good things can actually lead to the toughest times. She didn’t know the deep sorrow waiting for her. While she lived in Moab, she lost her husband and then both of her sons. Can you imagine that kind of loss? It stripped her of everything. When she finally made her way back, she was so bitter, she told people to call her ‘Mara,’ which means bitter. She truly felt that God had dealt bitterly with her.

Before her sad return, she was so without hope, she tried to talk her two daughters-in-law out of following her. She felt like there was nothing left for them with her. She said, ‘Go back, my daughters; why will you go with me? have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?’ (Ruth 1:11). She was utterly defeated.

Ruth’s Unwavering Choice

But Ruth, one of those daughters-in-law, made a truly brave and personal decision. She wouldn’t leave Naomi. She vowed to her, and it’s a vow we still talk about today: "… where you go, I will go; and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God shall be my God…." (Ruth 1:16). That wasn’t just a statement of loyalty to Naomi; it was a decision to embrace the God of Israel, the God of heaven. She could’ve gone back to her own family, her own gods, her own culture. But she chose a hard path, a path of faith and love, even when things looked bleak.

Boaz: The Kinsman Redeemer Steps In

Because of Ruth’s faith and her decision to make the God of heaven her God, a kinsman redeemer came into the picture for their restoration. This man was Boaz. He was a relative of Naomi’s late husband, and he had the right to buy back family property and marry a childless widow to carry on the family name. Boaz saw Ruth’s goodness and her strong loyalty. He acted with kindness and honor. So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son. (Ruth 4:13). This wasn’t just a happy ending to a love story; it was God’s hand moving to restore a broken family line.

Obed: A Restorer of Life

The birth of Ruth and Boaz’s son, Obed, brought such joy and a complete turnaround for Naomi. The women in Bethlehem told Naomi, "Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him." (Ruth 4:14-15). Think about what those words mean. Obed wasn’t just a baby; he was a symbol, a living sign that God hadn’t forgotten Naomi. He was someone to bring back her joy, her purpose, and to care for her in her later years. Her daughter-in-law, Ruth, who loved her so much, had done more for her than having seven sons could have!

Life’s Bitter Moments and God’s Response

Sometimes in life, you’ll find that circumstances throw bitter moments at you. These moments can feel really heavy, bringing with them hopelessness and helplessness. You might feel lost, like Naomi did when she changed her name to ‘Mara.’ You might feel like there’s no way out, no way forward. But the story of Ruth and Naomi shows us that even in those deepest valleys, God is at work, preparing a way for your restoration.

Ruth made a personal decision, a powerful vow to Naomi: "… your God shall be my God…." Because of that decision, that choice to follow God, a kinsman redeemer was provided for their restoration through her. It wasn’t about her own strength or ability; it was about her turning to God, and God acting on their behalf.

Jesus Christ: Our Kinsman Redeemer

Just like Boaz was Naomi and Ruth’s kinsman redeemer, Jesus Christ is our kinsman Redeemer. He came to buy us back from sin and death, to set us free, and to bring us back into a right relationship with God. He’s not far off; He’s available for your restoration from discouragement in life, from whatever bitter circumstances you’re facing. He offers you a new start, a fresh breath.

The Bible tells us plainly, "In Him was life; and the life was the light of men" (John 1:4). That life, that light, is available to you today. Whatever situation you have found yourself in, no matter how tough or how hopeless it seems, you can run to Jesus. He is truly able to save you and grant you a brand new beginning. He wants to turn your ‘Mara’ into joy, your hopelessness into hope, and your brokenness into wholeness. Don’t carry that heavy weight alone. Lay it at His feet.