The Book of Ruth - Part 7

And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem: And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman. Ruth 4:11-12

We finish up with Chapter 4 where Boaz redeems Naomi and the Moabitess, Ruth, in a public, formal, legal setting before the elders of Israel. Great rejoicing ensues and a blessing is declared over Boaz's house and Ruth's womb. She is compared to Leah and Rachel, the wives of Jacob who bore the sons of Israel, and Tamar, another righteous woman mentioned in the lineage of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ruth is a picture of the Gentile Church who has been redeemed by the heavenly Boaz, Jesus Christ. This is a wonderful time of spiritual rejoicing in that the sinful, heathen man can now be grafted into the family of God.

Read this amazing book in the Old Testament and be blessed!

The Book of Ruth - Part 6

Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance. And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it. Ruth 4:5-6

Starting in Chapter 4 of Ruth, we see that Boaz makes a formal, legal request of the unnamed kinsman redeemer (representing the Law) who has first place to redeem Naomi and Ruth.

It is important that this procedure be made in a public setting, at the city gates, in front of the elders of the community. Interestingly enough, there are 10 elders invited to sit with the potential kinsman redeemers to witness what will transpire (10 Commandments)!

The same is true for what the Lord Jesus Christ did on the cross. What happened in the spiritual realm while He took on sin, the curse, and death is not dissimilar to what happened with Boaz when he formally redeemed Ruth, the Moabitess widow. Only He could do what the Law could not do. He formally and legally fulfilled the Law, set it aside, and rendered God's courtroom closed! Sin, the Law, and the Old Covenant requirements are obsolete!

Listen and learn more about what was done for you on the day of Crucifixion and Resurrection by the Lord Jesus Christ!

The Book of Ruth - Part 5

Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day. Ruth 3:18

We are continuing in Chapter 3 where Boaz assures Ruth that he will do exactly as she asks by redeeming her as a close kinsman under the Jewish Law. And yet, there is a closer kinsman who must first be given the opportunity to do the task.

This closer kinsman represents the Law, which is good and holy, but which cannot redeem sinful man. Jesus, our heavenly Boaz, satisfied the Law by taking away sin, the curse, and death, thereby setting us free from guilt and condemnation, among many other things!

Like Boaz's promise to Ruth to provide her a place of rest and protection, our savior has done the same for us by going to the cross, dying for our sins, and then being resurrected from the dead.  IN HIM, we have rest, protection, and peace.

That's the message of the empty tomb. No more law, no more curse, no more death. We have been delivered, indeed!