We live in a culture that is very hostile to Christianity, perhaps increasingly becoming hostile. This is also because the Lord Himself prophesied about persecution. The Lord prophesied about it because the world was already hostile to Him. In this passage, the Lord teaches us how we can endure persecution.
In this final section of the Book of Ruth, we see an extraordinary event that takes place. It’s a remarkable testimony of God’s grace in His people’s life. It’s an event where God turns people’s mourning into a season of joy, and a great fulfillment of God’s promise to be with His people at all times. This passage also teaches us to be patient in our suffering and trust in the Lord.
Christian life is not devoid of suffering. It is not always filled with happiness. Christian life involves suffering because of the sin we carry with us, and also the sin and evil we see around us. Sometimes, this reality of suffering and hardship can be daunting. But this is where a great comfort lies, because it is God who enables us to persevere, assuring us that our suffering is momentary. In this passage, we learn how to endure suffering with eternity in mind.