A careful study
of the book of Ruth reveals a remarkable sequence of decisions. Some of those
decisions were life changing decisions for the people involved. Indeed some of
the decisions have impacted on the very history of mankind!
If you have been
following the previous two blog posts in this three part series on the Book of
Ruth; you will now be familiar with the family of Elimelech.
1.
Elimelech the
father
2.
Naomi the mother
3.
Mahlon a son
4.
Chilion a son
5.
Ruth the wife of
Mahlon
6.
Orpah the wife of
Chilion.
Also involved in
the book is their relative Boaz, a near kinsman, and another near (unnamed)
kinsman.
Let’s look at the
sequence of events and the subsequent decisions that the various people made.
Elimelech decides to leave Bethlehem-Judah, where famine
prevailed, and go to Moab.
Elimelech dies in
Moab.
Naomi follows her husband to Moab.
Mahlon when his father dies decides to stay in Moab and
marries Ruth a Moabite woman.
He dies also.
Chilion after his father dies, also decides to stay in Moab and
marries Orpah a Moabite woman. He also dies.
Naomi after about ten years in Moab hears that the famine is
over in Judah and decides to go back to Bethlehem-Judah.
Orpah initially decides to go with Naomi, but is persuaded to
go back to her mother and her gods in Moab.
Ruth decides to go with Naomi, and will not be persuaded to
go back to her mother and the Moabite gods.
Boaz’s Chief
Reaper decides to allow
Ruth to glean after the reapers (a provision under the Law).
Boaz decides to be gracious to Ruth and gives her more than
the law stipulates.
Ruth upon advice from Naomi decides to stay with Boaz’s
maidens until harvest time is over.
Naomi decides to follow the provision, under the Law, of the
kinsman redeemer and advises Ruth how to go about it.
Ruth acts upon Naomi’s advice and boldly makes her claim to
Boaz.
Boaz agrees to redeem Ruth and all of Naomi’s previous lands
and possessions; provided a nearer kinsman is not able to redeem them.
Nearer Kinsman decides he cannot redeem Ruth as it will mar his own
inheritance. He forfeits his right of redemption, in favour of Boaz.
Boaz pays the redemption price; which is publicly witnessed
by the elders of the city. He takes Ruth to himself as his wife. Boaz and Ruth
are blessed with a son, Obed, to continue Elimelech’s line in Israel.
Ruth’s Decisions
Ruth in chapter 1 -
although a Moabite foreigner decides she wants know Naomi’s God (Ruth 1:16);
and Ruth in chapter 2 - meets her kinsman
redeemer (Ruth 2:8).
Ruth in Chapter 3 -
rests at the feet of her kinsman redeemer (Ruth 3:14); and as a result Ruth in chapter 4 - through redemption
becomes the wife of her kinsman redeemer (Ruth 4:10)
Types
Naomi-
backslider, leaves the people of God and goes out into the world.
Orpah
- prefers the world to Christ.
Ruth - prefers Christ
to everything.
Boaz - a type of
Christ (as Redeemer).
Prophetical
Elimelech going to Moab is a picture of the nation of Israel
dispossessed of their land due to God’s judgement on the nation.
Naomi in Moab is a picture of the nation of Israel
dispossessed of her land and forced to live in Gentile countries.
Naomi back in Bethlehem-Judah is a picture of Israel today.
Back in their land, but not in full possession of their ancient lands.
Ruth the Moabitess is a picture of:
(a)
the Gentile nations brought into blessing through the Kinsman Redeemer (Christ);
(b)
the sinner, whether Jew or Gentile, redeemed by the Kinsman Redeemer (Christ);
(c) the Bride of Christ.
Naomi’s (Israel’s) redemption is irrevocably linked to Ruth’s
(Gentiles’) redemption.
Ruth resting at Boaz’s feet on the night of winnowing is a
picture of The Church resting with Christ during the Tribulation period.
Naomi’s (Israel’s) redemption and full restoration comes after
the night of winnowing (Tribulation).
Life changing decisions
Elimelech’s,
decision to go to Moab resulted in his death and the death of his two sons in
Moab. Naomi, Ruth and Orpah become penniless widows. Naomi has forfeited her
land and possessions in Israel. Orpah decides to stay in Moab and we don’t hear
about her again.
Ruth
purposes in her heart to follow Naomi back to Israel and to worship the God of
Israel. Ruth’s decision to glean the leftover grains of barley and wheat from
the harvest brings her into contact with Boaz, Naomi’s near kinsman. It is
obvious that Boaz is interested in Mahlon’s widow. When Naomi explains to Ruth her
right to be redeemed and become Boaz’s wife, Ruth has no hesitation in making
her claim on Boaz.
Boaz
agrees to redeem Ruth and Naomi’s inheritance. He lets no obstacles stand in
his way to bring this about. Boaz redeems Ruth, makes her his wife, and
restores Naomi’s (Elimelech’s) inheritance.
Boaz
and Ruth have a son Obed, who is King David’s grandfather. Ruth is mentioned in
the direct line of descendants of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 1:5)
We
make many decisions in life, some are life changing. Unbeknown to her, Ruth’s
decision to follow Naomi back to Israel has had a lasting global impact!
Jon Peasey
[All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version;
unless otherwise noted]
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