289. RUTH
"Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God"
The story of Ruth presents a virtuous young Gentile woman desiring the companionship of her Hebrew mother-in-law, graciously receiving an inheritance in Israel, and finally becoming an ancestor of David and Christ. God guided Ruth to Boaz whose attitude to her needs reveals humility despite his wealth.
The aim of this lesson is to show that God is "no respecter of persons" € in this time of anarchy in Israel, the grace of God was extended to Ruth, a faithful Gentile, on the basis of her faith and actions.
Ruth 1 to 4
A BACKGROUND OF ANARCHY.
The story of Ruth is more impressive when viewed in the context of the times. Her character is more outstanding when compared with the terrible anarchy of her surroundings € the days "when the judges ruled" in which "every man did that which was right (or convenient) in his own eyes." The record of Ruth is placed between the record of the spiritual decline and apostasy of Israel during the time of the Judges and the record of the re-organization under Samuel who prepared the way for the establishment of the Kingdom of God under David. It is significant then that a few individuals were faithful in the midst of depressing conditions. Such has been the case in other times. For example, 7,000 had not bowed the knee to Baal in the time when the wicked king Ahab and Jezebel reigned (1 Kgs. 19:18).
Our own times mirror the days of the Judges. In the story of Ruth we can gain encouragement to quietly, humbly and faithfully seek our inheritance through the acceptance of the hope of Israel and serve Yahweh in readiness for participation in the Kingdom of God € despite the faith-destroying times in which we live. The virtue of Ruth, the strong faith of Boaz, and the patient endurance of Naomi, all present contrasts to the ungodliness of today.
FAMINE IN THE LAND (Ruth 1:1-2).
There was a famine in the land. It could well have been indicative of Israel's spiritual poverty (Amos 8:11), for God chastened his people in this way (see Lev. 26:18-20; Psa. 105:16; Amos. 4:6-10). Elimelech (whose name means "My God is King"), under the trial of famine, chose to leave Bethlehem-Judah ("The House of Bread and Praise") and to sojourn in Moab, a Gentile country away from the land of his heritage. The need to seek sustenance was natural, but a lack of faith is also apparent.
Elimelech deserted the House of Bread and Praise for the land of sin and death, thus prefiguring the exile and tragedies to come upon his people in following generations. Elimelech took with him to Moab, his wife Naomi and his two sons Mahlon and Chilion.
THE EXPERIENCES OF NAOMI'S FAMILY (Ruth 1:3-22).
Naomi's sorrows commenced with the death of Elimelech. Then her two sons married Moabitish women, Mahlon marrying Ruth (4:10), and Chilion marrying Orpah. It appears from verse 15 that Orpah at least, was an idolater, indicating the assimilation of Elimelech's family into Moabitish customs. Here was a clear case of being "unequally yoked with unbelievers" (2 Cor. 6:14-18; Deut. 7:1-4), an error as much a danger today as then. Mahlon (meaning "sickly, weak") and Chilion ("pining, wasting") died within ten years. Their names perhaps indicated their physical condition.
Naomi's plight was terrible: she was widowed and childless in a foreign land. The family had left the "House of Bread" (Bethlehem) to find food in Moab, but now the very "breadwinners" of the family were dead.
However, news reached her of God's provision of bread in Judah, whereupon she decided to return (v. 6). She encouraged her daughters-in-law to remain in Moab. After some hesitation, Orpah agreed, but Ruth determined to leave behind her Moabitish background and seek a new way of life accompanying Naomi (v. 14).
Her resolve (vv. 16, 17) is an outstanding hall-mark of sincerity and devotion to Naomi and Naomi's hope, people and God. As such she beautifully portrays the Gentile ecclesia willingly identifying herself with the Hope of Israel and renouncing former works of darkness. In like manner Moses chose to "suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season" (Heb. 11:25; see also Phil. 3:13; Acts 11:23).
The two returned to Bethlehem, much to the excitement of the city. Naomi wished to be no longer known as Naomi ("pleasantness, favour, sweetness"), but, because of her sorrows, to be known as Mara ("bitter"). They arrived "in the beginning of barley harvest" (v. 22) which coincides with Passover, the feast which speaks of deliverance. How apt it was for Naomi and Ruth to return at a time when hope of God's care and deliverance was being remembered in Israel.
THE HAND OF PROVIDENCE (Ruth 2 and 3).
Ruth courageously took up the role of supporting herself and Naomi by gleaning in the harvest and was unknowingly guided to the field of Boaz. Provision was made in the Law permitting the poor and strangers to glean (see Lev. 19:9-10; 23:22; Deut. 24:19), though some property owners would be more considerate than others. She was blessed in coming across the field of Boaz who showed a remarkable concern for the well-being of his servants. He greeted his servants with the words, "Yahweh be with you", and they responded, "Yahweh bless thee" (2:4). Thus lordship of Boaz and the submission of his servants was moderated by their mutual fear of God (Eph. 6:5-9). Though iniquity filled the land, there was righteousness in the fields of Boaz (whose name means "in him is strength").
Ruth industriously applied herself to her task (v. 7), and when she was noticed by Boaz, he spoke kindly to her, offering her sustenance and protection if she would keep close to his reapers (vv. 14, 21). Her work was rewarded by Yahweh "under whose wings she had come to trust" (vv. 11, 12). Boaz had instructed the reapers to leave behind plenty for Ruth to glean. We, too, are assured of blessings if we labour diligently in the fields of the one of whom Boaz was a type, The Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 11:9-13), even though we were once, like Ruth, "aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise" (Eph. 2:12, 13; 1 Pet. 2:9, 10).
On returning to Naomi with an abundant reward for her toil (an ephah was about 22 liters), Ruth learnt that Boaz was a near kinsman. She was therefore encouraged by Naomi to remain in his fields, keeping fast by his maidens, for in the wicked days of the Judges, danger lurked outside.
After some time, Naomi instructed Ruth to approach humbly before Boaz and to seek his help in redeeming her, thus providing the protection and security of a husband (3:1-5).
THE LAW OF REDEMPTION.
The Law of Redemption involved the following points:
€ If a man became poor, so that he had to sell his land, it was the duty of the nearest kinsman (his nearest relation) to redeem it for him, by buying it back, or paying what was owing (Lev. 25:25).
€ If a man became poor, so that he had to sell himself as a slave to a stranger, then his nearest relation could pay to set him free (Lev. 25:47-48).
€ If a man died, leaving no heir, it was the duty of the nearest kinsman to marry his widow and to raise children in the name of the dead man so that his name would not die out in Israel (Deut. 25:5-10; Luke 20:28).
Ruth was in the position of needing a redeemer.
BOAZ ACTS AS RUTH'S REDEEMER (Ruth 4).
Boaz was touched by the sincere appeal of Ruth. He knew she was of excellent character € "for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman", he said (3:11). He wanted to help but there was a closer kinsman who should first be given the opportunity to redeem her. Boaz took up Ruth's need with the kinsman, who turned down his right (4:6), thus permitting Boaz to rightfully take Ruth to wife.
In the course of time Ruth gave birth to Obed, bringing much joy to Naomi as now a seed had been raised up in the house of Elimelech. Obed was later the father of Jesse, the father of David (4:17). Thus the Gentile Ruth became an ancestor of The Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 1:5), a fact which illustrates the principle that it is faith and not fleshly lineage which makes a person acceptable to God.
CHRIST OUR REDEEMER.
By his excellent character Boaz ("in him is strength") prefigures Christ our redeemer who is willing to redeem us if we sincerely desire this gracious provision for our needs. By contrast, the unnamed kinsman prefigures the Law which stood in the way of redemption and was acknowledged to be unable to redeem (1 Pet. 1:18; Gal. 3:17-19).
Note the following points:
€ The redeemer must be a near-kinsman (Lev. 25:48-49). Christ is our kinsman because he himself was of our nature (Heb. 2:14-15).
€ The redeemer must be able to redeem (Ruth 4:6). Christ was able to give himself as a perfect sacrifice for our redemption (Rom. 3:24-25; Rev. 5:9-10).
€ The redeemer purchased both persons and inheritance (Ruth. 4:5; Lev. 25:25, 47, 48). Christ redeems those who are in bondage to the law of sin and death, and provides the inheritance in the Kingdom of God. Thus we are "redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Pet. 1:18-19; Isa. 61:1-3).
The lesson of Ruth is therefore a lesson of redemption. Salvation will be graciously extended to those who separate themselves from the world, who faithfully serve Christ. Those who humbly seek for redemption in Christ shall find it.
LESSONS FOR US:
€ Though the days of the Judges were wicked, people who feared God could still live faithfully. We too, can stand out from the wickedness of the world and learn to do the things which are pure and right before God.
€ There is no future in straying from the Truth, as Elimelech did by leaving Israel. A close association with others in the Truth will help our resolve to follow our Lord and Master.
€ The experiences of life taught Naomi this lesson and so she exhorted Ruth to stay in the fields of Boaz close to his servants. In effect, Ruth was told to stay within the ecclesia, working closely with her brethren and sisters.
€ In the typical aspect of the story, Ruth represents the Gentile ecclesia, while Boaz represents The Lord Jesus Christ who provides redemption.
REFERENCE LIBRARY:
"The Story of the Bible" (H. P. Mansfield) € Vol. 3, No. 5
"The Christadelphian Expositor" (H. P. Mansfield) € The Book of Ruth
PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:
1. What did Ruth say when Naomi told her to remain in Moab?
2. Why did Naomi want her name to be changed to "Mara"?
3. How was Ruth's faith in the God of Israel rewarded?
ESSAY QUESTIONS:
1. What lessons do we learn from Elimelech's journey to Moab and settlement there?
2. Write a character study about Ruth the Moabitess.
3. Describe how Boaz prefigured the work of redemption performed by Christ.
4. As Gentiles, what lessons can we learn from Ruth's inclusion in Israel and in the line which led to the birth of Jesus?