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 4

And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: forthou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou arta virtuous woman. Ruth, Chapter 3:10-11

Here in Chapter 3, we see Ruth's relationship with Boaz transition from servant to an intimate relationship with her kinsman redeemer. Forsaking all worldly options of having a young husband and children, Ruth follows the advice and direction of her mother-in-law, Naomi, and agrees to claim her right of being redeemed by the older, Boaz.

Many of us in the body of Christ have been faced with the decision of foregoing the worldly options in life for something better (yet seemingly harder) offered by the heavenly father. Unlike Ruth, we sometimes shrink back, because what is asked by the Lord seems to be too hard. But the father strengthens us, and we are many times given a second opportunity to accept what is being offered.

Don't let the first opportunity pass! Be like Ruth and accept the invitation now!