Ruth 1
The setting of the book of Ruth occurs during the time of the
Judges 1. Elimelech and Naomi (his wife) take their two sons and
leave Bethlehem to live in Moab because of a famine 2. Elimelech
dies and the two sons marry Moabite women 3-4. After 10 years the
sons die leaving Naomi as widow with two daughters in law 5. By
God's hand the famine ends 6. Naomi plans to return to Judah and
urges her daughters in law to return to their homes in Moab 7-13.
Ruth refuses and clings to Naomi 14. She makes a total commitment
to Naomi and Naomi's God (who is the Lord Jehovah) 15-18. The two
return to Bethlehem which causes a stir in the town 19. Naomi wants
to be called Mara which means 'bitter' for she says the Lord has
made her life bitter 20-21. Note: I find it amazing that Ruth is
drawn to Naomi and the Lord considering the negative view Naomi has
of the Lord's dealings with her. This entire account shows the
kindness, grace, provision, and patience God has towards Naomi (one
of His people) and also towards Ruth (a foreigner/Gentile) whom He
desires to include in His plan, family, and kingdom.
Ruth 2
Enter Boaz, a relative of Elimelech, Naomi's husband. He is kind,
gracious, and godly. Boaz is a fitting type of the Lord Jesus
Christ. This is clearly seen in the way Boaz shows kindness (grace)
to Ruth, a foreigner. Ruth recognizes her own 'undeserving'
position in this circumstance 1-11. Boaz blesses Ruth in the name
of the Lord 12 and Ruth sees and acknowledges his comfort and kind
words 13. Note: Is this not the way the Lord Jesus deals with each
of us. The kindness of the Lord is meant to lead us to repentance
and to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 2:4, Acts 20:21).
Boaz goes over and above the law of gleaning to insure that Ruth
receives enough 14-16. Note: My sense is that Boaz was this way
towards others as well. He, being a godly man, overflowed with the
grace of God that was demonstrated in his actions. It is also
amazing that he lived in the dark period of the Judges where the
majority of people lived by their own standards, in rebellion
towards God. The Lord always has a godly remnant in every age. Boaz
was one of them. Are you ? Ruth brings the grain to Naomi 17-18.
She is amazed and sees the Lord's hand in directing Ruth to Boaz's
field 19-20. She urges Ruth to remain in his field until the end of
the harvest 21-23. Naomi also states that Boaz is a near relative
who is one of their kinsman-redeemers 20b. Note: The
kinsmen-redeemer is explained in Leviticus 25:47-55 which allowed
for a near relative to pay a price to redeem the one who is poor
and in need, thus permitting the land to remain 'in the family'
while providing for the needs of the poor.
Ruth 3
Naomi directs Ruth to go to Boaz while he is at the threshing floor
1-4. Ruth obeys 5-6. By these actions Ruth asks to be redeemed by
Boaz 7-12. He is willing, but is not the first who has the right
and privilege to do so 13-17; thus there is a delay until the
matter can be settled legally. Naomi tells Ruth to wait for the
outcome 18. Note: Boaz keeps the law, following the Lord's commands
in all these matters. Here again we see him as a type of Christ, in
that, The Lord Jesus is willing to redeem us as His own, but in
doing so He must (and does) keep, uphold, and fulfill the Law of
God perfectly. He does this in order to redeem us.
Ruth 4
Boaz approaches the nearer kinsman and tells him of the land and
the woman Ruth who he is entitled to redeem 1-4. Ar first he is
willing to do so, until he hears of Ruth. He then refuses, least he
endanger his own estate 4-5. Twice he says 'I can not' 6. Note: I
wonder if the nearer kinsman represents 'the Law' which can not
redeem the sinner by itself. (The Law, says Romans 3:20 reveals
sin, but can not redeem one from it). Thus God can not set aside
the requirements of His Law in order to redeem and forgive us. He
must fulfill His own law which reveals His Holy Character. "You
redeem it yourself" 6b is the declaration made referring to Boaz
and pointing to Christ, who alone can redeem us as sinners.
Publicly Boaz 'redeems' the property and Ruth, Mahlon's widow. She
becomes his wife 7-10. The Elders witness this and pronounce a
blessing on Ruth, that she maybe fruitful, and on Boaz to have
standing in Epharathah and have fame in Bethlehem 11. Perez, son of
Tamar is a forefather of Boaz 12,18. They marry and the Lord gives
them a son 13. The women of the town also praise the Lord for His
grace to Naomi through Ruth 14-15. Naomi is honored by this
grandson as though her own child. God graciously restores her in
this way 16-17. This son, Obed is the father of Jesse, who is the
father of David, who became king of Israel 17,21-22. This book ends
with the lineage from Perez to David 18-22 and is the bridge to
what is recorded in later books of the Old Testament. The plan of
God continues to unfold and the history of Israel advances. The
entire account of Ruth is rich with the love, grace, and
redemption of God as seen in the characters and details in the
book. Note: I am moved to worship and praise the Lord when I
recognize that Jesus Christ is my kinsman-redeemer who
willingly pays the price and takes me as His own. How amazing
that the New Testament believer is called a Christian (Christ's one
or belonging to Christ) along with being called 'the bride of
Christ'. We are also made part of 'God's Story' and have a part in
the heritage of the Israel, though not replacing them. This is all
by God's grace that we enter into this relation through faith
in Christ. Wow !