JUNE 3, 2024
Topic: THE GLORIOUS EXCHANGE
Text: RUTH 1:15-18
Memory Verse: “But Ruth said, “Entreat me not to leave you or to return from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God; where you die I will die, and there will I be buried” – Ruth 1:16-17.
A Pastor went to a village, called Ikoyi in Oyo State preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. There, was a sango worshipper also listening to the message. When the invitation was given for those who wanted to accept Christ, some people came out. The sango worshipper was shedding tears where he sat. Later, the Pastor approached him and asked, “Baba why are you shedding tears?” His answer was, “I have gone so far in the worship of sango idol and cannot give it up, because it was handed over to me by my great grandfather.” Surely, he must have missed heaven if eventually he never gave up death in exchange for life until his death.
Ruth was a Moabite young woman, a gentile, who by marriage came in contact with Naomi and Chilon; worshippers of the God of Israel. She lost her husband Chilon through death, and became a widow at a young age. Naomi, her mother-in-law heard that the Lord had visited her people in Judah and the famine was over. She decided to return to Judah and encouraged Ruth to go back to her people, since there was no prospect of getting a husband through her. Read 1:8-13.
Ruth insisted on following Naomi to Judah and her response is our memory verse for today. She exchanged her place of lodging and her people for Naomi’s people; her place of burial from heathen location of Moab for Judah, God’s own country and finally her god Chemosh (Number 21:29) for the living God of Judah. What a glorious exchange! By embracing the God of Israel, Ruth exchanged death for life; she secured her redemption in Jesus Christ and her victory over death was secured.” Ruth had the grace of a new marriage, became integrated into the nation of Israel. A gentile woman became great grandmother of King David and of the lineage of Jesus Christ.
Is anyone willing to experience a glorious exchange? It is possible if only you make that decision. What happened to Ruth can also be your own experience, exchanging death for life and having victory over death
Prayer: My heavenly Father, I need a glorious exchange in my life. Grant me grace to experience it in Jesus’ name. Amen.