What role does marriage play in God's plan according to Ruth 4:13? The Verse in Focus “ So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife, and he went to her, and the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.” — Ruth 4:13 Marriage as Covenant Provision • God personally joins a man and woman (“the LORD enabled”), underscoring marriage as His ordained covenant (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6). • The union supplies protection, provision, and honor for Ruth, transforming widowhood into security (cf. 1 Timothy 5:8). • Boaz’s obedience to the kinsman-redeemer role shows that marriage often functions as God’s practical means of mercy within His people (Deuteronomy 25:5-10). Marriage and Redemption • Boaz redeems Ruth and Naomi’s family line, illustrating how marital commitment can mirror Christ’s ultimate redemption of His church (Ephesians 5:25-27). • The legal act of redemption is inseparable from the marital covenant, teaching that God weaves salvation history through faithful marriages. Marriage and the Lineage of Messiah • The son born to Boaz and Ruth, Obed, becomes grandfather to David, anchoring the Messianic line (Ruth 4:17; Matthew 1:5-6). • Through one godly marriage, God advances His promise in Genesis 3:15, threading redemption toward Christ (Galatians 4:4-5). Takeaways for Today • Marriage serves God’s larger narrative, advancing His purposes beyond the couple themselves. • Faithful spouses can trust that their covenantal obedience participates in God’s unfolding plan, whether through children, witness, or acts of redemptive love. • Just as Boaz and Ruth’s union bore fruit for generations, present-day marriages lived under God’s authority have eternal impact. |
    |