by Pastor Ray Viola | Apr 24, 2025 | Selah
Today’s passage ends with one of the most read and loved stories in all of Scripture: the wedding of Ruth and Boaz. Coincidence? No! Providence. What we have before us in this short book is a lesson about God’s sovereign hand at work in the lives of Naomi, Ruth, and...
by Pastor Ray Viola | Apr 23, 2025 | Selah
It is doubtful that Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz were aware of the full purpose and importance of their God-honoring decisions. Like us, they would wake up every morning, pray, and live out their faith in God. Seek to live your life for God’s glory and watch God’s providence...
by Pastor Ray Viola | Apr 22, 2025 | Selah
Scripture portrays Ruth and Boaz as paragons of virtue. Rather than pursue relationships with young men, Ruth, out of respect for Naomi and her deceased husband, offered herself to a much older relative. Boaz, though entitled by law, did not force himself upon Ruth,...
by Pastor Ray Viola | Apr 21, 2025 | Selah
The Book of Ruth contains many images of Christ and the Christian life. In one of those images, Naomi sought rest in a God-ordained marriage for Ruth to a kinsman redeemer named Boaz. This parallels a sinner entering into rest when they cease from their own works and...
by Pastor Ray Viola | Apr 18, 2025 | Selah
Some believe that spirituality can replace hard work. However, Ruth did not sit at home praying for food when she knew that God’s Law allowed her to glean in the fields. Ruth was a hard-working, virtuous woman, which probably did as much to catch Boaz’s attention as...
by Pastor Ray Viola | Apr 17, 2025 | Selah
To provide for herself and Naomi, her mother-in-law, Ruth went out to glean in the fields. According to God’s sovereign plan, Ruth unknowlingly chose to glean in a field owned by Boaz, who was a close relative of Naomi. Her choice and the favor of Boaz played a key...