Daily Bible Devotion - RUTH 4:1–22
- Rev. Joseph Antwi
- 4 days ago
- 8 min read
The Book of Ruth
03. September 2026
Devotion by Reverend Joseph Antwi
Theme: Raising Godly Families Scripture Reading: RUTH 4:1–22
INTRODUCTION
Hello Church, welcome to the final chapter of the book of Ruth.
We have journeyed through tragedy, loss, bitterness, loyalty, service, favour, redemption and now restoration. Ruth 4 brings the story to a beautiful conclusion. What began with famine, death and uncertainty ends with marriage, a child, restoration and a legacy that would affect generations.
Ruth, the Moabite widow, becomes the wife of Boaz. They have a son named Obed. Obed becomes the father of Jesse, Jesse becomes the father of David, and through the lineage of David comes Jesus Christ.
As we enter September, our theme is Raising Godly Families. Ruth 4 reminds us that what God does through one family can affect generations. So let us open our Bibles, read Ruth 4:1–22 carefully, and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us.
1. BOAZ WENT TO THE GATE — RUTH 4:1–4
“Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there…” — Ruth 4:1
Church, the Bible says Boaz went to the gate. This is very significant because the gate was not simply an entrance into a city. The gate was a place where decisions were made, legal matters were settled, witnesses were called, and important transactions were confirmed.
Boaz understood that if the matter concerning Ruth and the family inheritance was going to be settled, it had to be settled properly at the gate.
And I believe there is something prophetic for us here as we enter September. A gate represents an entry point into a new season. September is a gate, and today is the third day of entering this gate.
Whenever we enter a gate, we must understand that decisions are being made. Therefore, we must stay in prayer. We must pray that matters will be settled in the spirit before they manifest in the natural.
Don’t wait until something appears physically before you begin to pray. Stand at the gate in prayer and contend for what heaven has ordained.
Remember Daniel 5. Belshazzar, the son of Nebuchadnezzar, was having a feast when the handwriting appeared on the wall.
Daniel interpreted the writing and declared:
“You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting.” — Daniel 5:27
The judgment had already been determined. What was happening in the physical was revealing what had already been settled in the heavenly courtroom.
Church, this is why prayer is important at the gates of our lives. There are matters that are settled in the spirit before they manifest in the natural.
As we enter September, let us pray over our families, marriages, children, ministry, businesses, finances, calling and future. Let us ask God to settle matters in the spirit according to His will.
Boaz did not hide. He went to the gate and dealt with the matter openly, properly and honourably.
Godly families are built on truth, responsibility, honour and covenant.
2. REDEMPTION REQUIRED RESPONSIBILITY — RUTH 4:5–8
Boaz approached the closer relative and explained the situation. The man initially agreed to redeem the land, but when he understood that redeeming the land also involved taking responsibility for Ruth, he withdrew.
Why?
Because redemption came with responsibility.
Church, this is important, especially as we speak about raising godly families.
Marriage and family are not simply about receiving benefits. They require responsibility. There is sacrifice, prayer, discipline, provision, forgiveness, patience and spiritual leadership.
The nearer relative wanted the land, but he did not want the responsibility that came with Ruth.
Boaz, however, was willing to take responsibility.
This is one of the marks of a godly person: we don’t only ask, “What can I receive?” We also ask, “What responsibility has God entrusted to me?”
As men, we must prepare ourselves to lead and serve. As women, we must prepare ourselves to build and nurture. As parents, we must take seriously the spiritual responsibility of raising children who know God.
Redemption is beautiful, but redemption always comes with responsibility.
3. THE DECISION WAS SETTLED AT THE GATE — RUTH 4:9–12
After the nearer relative declined, Boaz publicly declared his willingness to redeem Ruth and the property.
“And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said, ‘We are witnesses.’” — Ruth 4:11
Look at this, Church. The decision was made at the gate. Witnesses were present. The elders confirmed what had happened, and the matter was settled publicly.
Then they released a powerful blessing over Boaz and Ruth:
“May the woman who is coming to your house be like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel…” — Ruth 4:11
And they continued:
“May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring which the LORD will give you from this young woman.” — Ruth 4:12
Wow!
Think about this carefully. They were proclaiming a blessing over Ruth, a woman who was not part of the original genealogy of Rachel and Leah. She was a Moabite, a foreigner and a widow. Yet at the gate, words were spoken over her that connected her to the house of Israel.
Church, never underrate proclamation or blessing.
When a blessing is released over your life in prayer, in church, or through a man or woman of God, don’t treat it casually. Receive it in faith, test everything according to Scripture, and continue to pray over what God has spoken.
A word spoken over your life today can become a testimony tomorrow.
And notice something beautiful. The same gate where the legal matter was settled became a place where blessing was proclaimed.
The gate was a place of decision, but it was also a place of declaration.
That is why, as we enter September, we must be intentional about what we declare over our families. We should not only speak about what we see; we must speak according to what God’s Word says.
4. RUTH BECAME THE MOTHER OF OBED — RUTH 4:13–17
Boaz married Ruth, and the Bible says:
“The LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son.” — Ruth 4:13
Look at the transformation.
Ruth came into Bethlehem as a widow and a foreigner. Now she is married, settled and has become a mother.
But there is another beautiful part of the story.
The women said to Naomi:
“Blessed be the LORD who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel!” — Ruth 4:14
Naomi had once said:
“Call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.” — Ruth 1:20
But now the woman who thought her life was empty is holding a child.
Then the Bible says:
“Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him.” — Ruth 4:16
Church, look at this relationship!
Ruth stayed with Naomi when Naomi had nothing to offer her. Ruth followed Naomi when the future was uncertain. And now Ruth has a child, and Naomi becomes part of raising and nurturing that child.
What began in loyalty ended in legacy.
Never underestimate the relationships God gives you.
Sometimes the person you are serving today is connected to something God will use tomorrow. Sometimes your loyalty in a difficult season is preparing you for a future you cannot yet see.
5. YOUR FAMILY IS PART OF A BIGGER STORY — RUTH 4:18–22
The chapter ends with a genealogy:
“Now this is the genealogy of Perez: Perez begot Hezron; Hezron begot Ram; and Ram begot Amminadab…” — Ruth 4:18–20
And eventually we arrive at David:
“Salmon begot Boaz; Boaz begot Obed; Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David.” — Ruth 4:21–22
Ruth probably could not see David when she was gleaning in the field.
She could not see the kingdom when she was serving Naomi.
She could not see Jesus when she was following Naomi back to Bethlehem.
But God was working through her obedience to build something much bigger than her immediate circumstances.
Obed became the father of Jesse. Jesse became the father of David. And from the lineage of David came Jesus Christ.
Matthew 1:5–6 records Ruth within the genealogy leading to Christ.
Hallelujah!
Church, never underestimate what God can do through one relationship, one decision, one act of loyalty, one family and one generation.
This is why raising godly families matters.
We are not only raising children for today. We are raising people whose lives can affect generations we may never see.
WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US?
Ruth 4 is a story of redemption, responsibility, covenant, restoration and generational legacy.
The story began with Naomi experiencing loss and bitterness. Ruth entered the story through loyalty. Boaz entered through responsibility and integrity. The matter was settled at the gate. Blessing was proclaimed. Ruth became a mother. Naomi became a caregiver. And eventually, their family became part of the lineage of David and ultimately Jesus Christ.
Church, families don’t become godly by accident. We must intentionally build them.
We must pray together. We must teach the Word. We must forgive one another. We must honour marriage. We must serve God together. We must create homes where Christ is honoured.
Your children should not only hear you talk about faith; they should see faith in your life.
They should see you pray.
They should see you forgive.
They should see you serve.
They should see you honour God.
They should see you love your spouse.
They should see you trust God when things are difficult.
Because your home is one of the first places where the next generation learns what it means to follow Christ.
So ask yourself:
What am I building?
What am I transferring?
What kind of family will I leave behind?
Church, as we enter this new gate called September, let us stand in prayer. Let us settle matters in the spirit. Let us build our homes on the Word of God. Let us raise children who know the Lord. Let us become families that carry the fire of God from one generation to another.
May our families become altars of prayer.
May our marriages become testimonies of God’s faithfulness.
May our children walk with God.
And may what God begins in our homes today continue to speak for generations to come.
PRAYER POINTS
* Thank God for your family and ask Him to heal, restore, strengthen and establish every family represented in our church.
* Pray for grace to raise children and build marriages that honour God, with the Word, prayer, love, discipline, forgiveness and godly example at the centre.
* Pray that our families will leave a godly legacy that affects generations, just as Ruth and Boaz became part of the lineage leading to David and ultimately Jesus Christ.
DAWN PRAYERS
Join us every morning for Dawn Prayers from 5:00 a.m. to 6:30 a.m., live on YouTube and Zoom.
Invite someone and let us continue to stand together in prayer as we enter this new gate.
Also, don’t forget to get a copy of my book, Whether to Know He or She Is the One. It is a practical resource to help you understand God’s will and make wise decisions concerning relationships and marriage.
May the Lord bless your family, strengthen your home, establish your children and make your household a testimony to generations.
Shalom,
Rev. Joseph Antwi
Author: Rev. Joseph Antwi
Rev. Joseph Antwi is the District Pastor of the Basel City Churches District. He is passionate about teaching God’s Word, raising young disciples, and empowering believers to live purposefully and impact their generation through Christ.
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Rev. Joseph Antwi has released his first book called; "How to know if he or she is the right one" in which he dives into seven biblical keys to a succesfull relationship.
@revjosephantwi
+41 79 663 63 24
What did you learn from today’s devotion?
Leave a comment below and share what spoke to you. Scroll down to the comments section and inspire others with what God revealed to you!
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Thank you Pastor for this powerful sermon.
One thing I took from this devotion is mainly from the point 4 “ We should take our social relationships seriously “. One thing I’ve learned from one of Apostle Joshua Selman’s sermon is that, for God to prove His supremacy and sovereignty, He doesn’t need the help of man. But for God’s purpose and will for humanity to be fulfilled, He requires the help of man. That is why we ought to honor our relationship with those around us. We should not treat relationships anyhow, for God to redeem Naomi and Ruth from their afflictions, He needed the help of Boaz( vessel) just like He needed Daniel and His three friends, but…
What I learned in this devotional from the new theme of the month is:
We need to prepare ourselves beforehand for the future. How important it is to pray for our families, ministries, and the things God has placed in our hearts. And not to wait for things to happen before we start praying.
We dream of having a husband, children, a house and the right job. But are we intentionally praying for these things? And when those things come, are we willing to take on the responsibilities that come with them?
We want a perfect family and a perfect marriage, but what I learned is that behind every treasure is a responsibility.
Thank you Pastor Joseph and the Comms…
What a powerful start to the new monthly theme and a beautiful conclusion to the Book of Ruth!
Two key takeaways for me today:
In her faithfulness, Ruth had no idea the impact her actions would have. She didn't know that the lineage of a king would spring from her, or that the Savior of the world would be born from her line. Yet, she served with full devotion and heart—not because she wanted to receive, but because she wanted to give.
"Families don't become God-fearing by accident. We have to build them intentionally."
We need to sow the seed and put in the work right now to build a God-fearing family for the future. Because marriage and children are…