165. RUTH
"Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God"
Placed in between the Books of Judges and 1st Samuel, there is the short but beautiful story of Ruth. Compared with the violence and wickedness recorded in Judges, the story of Ruth emphasises all the things that Israel appeared to have forgotten about the love of God. It is a story of self-sacrifice and love that knew no bounds.
It teaches us that things are not always as bad as they seem. After the terrible anarchy of the period of Judges, when "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" we might wonder whether there was any good left in Israel at all. The story of Ruth is the answer. There had always been a few faithful ones. Similarly, later on, Elijah was told that there were 7,000 who had not bowed the knee to Baal (1 Kings 19:18). He thought all Israel had forsaken Yahweh.
Even in the chaotic period of the Judges there were faithful men and women in Israel. They quietly stood aside from the evils about them, and lived in peace with God (see Ruth 2:4). And the wonderful thing is this that the story of Ruth has been told time and time again during the ages that have elapsed. It is a reminder that there is always a faithful remnant. They have quietly lived a life of faith, service and love before their God in the midst of prevailing evil.
Ruth — all 4 chapters
IT IS A STORY OF LOVE.
The story commences with tragedy: with the record of famine, death and despair; but it ends in rejoicing and the appearance of new life, and the birth of an ancestor of David and Jesus.
It is a story of love, and is divided into four chapters, which can be headed as follows:—
- LOVE'S RESOLVE—Ruth's noble choice. She refuses to leave Naomi in her sorrow.
- LOVE'S RESPONSE—Ruth's faithful service. She responds to Naomi's need for a companion to help her.
- LOVE'S REQUEST—Ruth's tender appeal. She pleads for help from Boaz.
- LOVE'S REWARD—Ruth's final triumph. The ultimate joy of a beloved wife and mother. Ruth was the great-grandmother of King David.
THE STORY.
A man of Bethlehem named Elimelech, with his wife Naomi, and his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, left their own country in a time of famine, and went to live in the land of Moab. Elimelech died in Moab and his 2 sons married Moabitish women. Mahlon married Ruth, and Chilion married Orpah. Within ten years both sons died, and Naomi was left without husband or children. Meanwhile, the famine in Judah ended, and Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem. On the way she told her daughters-in-law to return to their own country and kindred. Orpah heeded her advice, and after an affectionate parting, returned. Ruth, however, insisted on accompanying her mother-in-law.
The words of Naomi to Orpah could indicate that these two Moabitish women had been worshippers of heathen gods (chapter 1:15), while the marriages of Mahlon and Chilion were contrary to the law of God (Deut. 7:1-4). When Ruth determined to continue with Naomi, her mother-in-law explained to her in effect that she could only do so by forsaking her country, her place of abode, her people and her worship. She had to separate herself completely from all that she had known and loved. But so unselfish was the love of Ruth, that she determined to do so. Consider her beautiful reply in chapter 1:16-17. This outstanding example of selflessness, sincerity and devotion is a lesson for us. We are Gentiles, attracted to the Hope of Israel. Let us have the dedication of Ruth, in gladly leaving the hopeless ways of the world behind us and determining to hold fast to the hope of the Kingdom.
When they arrived in Bethlehem, the people remembered Naomi and spoke to her by name. But she told them to call her henceforth Mara. Naomi means "pleasant", but Mara means "bitter" and bitter had been her experience.
They arrived in Bethlehem at the "beginning of barley harvest." This was about the time of the Passover, and Ruth went into the fields to glean for their living.
RUTH'S STEPS DIVINELY DIRECTED (Chapter 2).
Naomi was poor, so Ruth sought permission to glean, i.e. to gather the corn that had been missed by the reapers. This corn was to be left for the poor and the strangers, that they might live (Leviticus 19:9-10). The integrity of Boaz (strong one) is evident from the godly conversation of his household. He came to his reapers and addressed them thus, "Yahweh be with you" and they replied, "Yahweh bless thee." We can imagine how highly the Truth was esteemed by this man. God directed Ruth to the field of Boaz, a near kinsman or relative of Elimelech. Boaz found out who she was and gave orders for her to be kindly treated, and appointed
her both meat and drink with his own servants irrespective of her being a Gentile. And so it was that Ruth found that she was able to gather much barley.
But Boaz had yet to perform a more important duty for his close relation.
THE LAW OF REDEMPTION.
God, in His great mercy, made provision for those who suffered because of their poverty.
- If a man became poor and had to sell his land, it was the duty of the nearest kinsman (his nearest relation) to redeem it for him, by either buying it back or paying what was owing (Leviticus 25:25).
- If a man became poor and had to sell himself as a slave to a stranger, then his nearest relation had the right to redeem him with money (Leviticus 25:47-48).
- If a man died, leaving no heir, and there was a danger of his name dying out in Israel, it was the duty of his nearest kinsman to marry his widow, and raise children in his name (Deut. 25:5-10; Luke 20:28).
BOAZ AS RUTH'S REDEEMER (Chs. 3 & 4).
Counselled by Naomi, Ruth appealed to Boaz to redeem her, as he was a near relative. Boaz was glad to do this, but he was not the nearest kinsman. There was one (who is nameless in the story) nearer than himself. Boaz accordingly informed him but he refused to help Ruth, and forfeited his right. In those days important matters were conducted at the gate of Bethlehem before the elders of the city and this was the case with the redemption of Ruth. Boaz then took her to wife and acquired Elimelech's portion of land. Later, a son, Obed, was born and he was the father of Jesse, the father of David (4:17).
Naomi was consoled with the birth of a grandson and became the child's nurse. All of her friends rejoiced in her changed fortune (4:14,15).
THE BEAUTIFUL TYPE.
The story of Ruth is not only a delightful story of loving sacrifice that was suitably rewarded, but it teaches a very wonderful truth. It is a type of the work of God in Christ Jesus. All the characters of the story bear names that signify this. Particularly does this relate to Boaz the redeemer of Ruth. His name means "the Strong One" and he undoubtedly points forward in type to Jesus Christ, our Redeemer (Heb. 2:14, 15; 7:25-26, 1 Pet. 1:18-19).
In the story of Ruth we have two kinsmen — Boaz and the nameless one who refused to redeem. The former points to the Lord Jesus Christ and the latter to the Law of Moses which could not save (Galatians 2:16).
By birth we are as Ruth — Gentiles outside of the covenants of promise.
Like Ruth — we desire to follow the way of righteousness.
Like Ruth — we are prepared to forsake all to serve God.
Like Ruth — we are spiritually poor, and are prepared to "glean" in the fields of Israel, the field of Boaz, for spiritual food.
Like Ruth — we look to our Lord to redeem us from the poverty of our natural state.
THE REDEEMER.
By his excellent character, Boaz ("in him is strength") is very much like the Lord Jesus Christ who is more than willing to redeem us. Like Boaz, Christ is our kinsman because he is of like nature to us. By his perfect sacrifice, Christ is able to redeem us and to grant us a wonderful inheritance in his Kingdom. What we must do as a first step to redemption, is to willingly leave the hopeless ways of the Gentiles and gladly accept the Hope of Israel.
Naomi found that forsaking the land of the covenant brought further disaster and death, but the redemption of Ruth was manifested by a new life (Obed) and joy (Ruth 4:15).
We need to seek the redemption that the Lord Jesus offers, as Ruth did that of Boaz. If we do that, and show the loving service and faithful characteristics of Ruth, we too, will find the end of our pilgrimage a joyful experience.
Thus, amid the violence of the times of the Judges, Ruth and Boaz lived their lives teaching lessons of the greatest virtues — love, faith and obedience, which is of more importance, and greater value than the taking of cities, or the domination of fellow-beings. Let us learn the lesson of Ruth and lay hold of the Redeemer of Israel and the Hope of Israel.
REFERENCE LIBRARY:
Read Instructor No. 54
"The Story of the Bible" (H. P. Mansfield)—Vol. 3, No. 5
"The Christadelphian Expositor" (H. P. Mansfield)—The Book of Ruth
PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:
- What attitude did Ruth show when she left Moab with Naomi?
- What lessons can we learn from Ruth's attitude towards Naomi?
- How was Ruth's faith in the God of Israel rewarded?
- a) What does the name Boaz mean?
b) How is Boaz like the Lord Jesus Christ?
ESSAY QUESTIONS:
- Describe how God used His providential care in guiding Ruth out of Gentile darkness into the nation of Israel.
- Describe how Boaz redeemed Ruth and similarly how Christ can redeem us.