“I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer” (Ruth 3:9 ESV).
The little books of Ruth and Jonah have much in common. Four chapters, literary works of art, easily seen as 4-act plays, and more… But more profound is that they both foreshadow great doctrines of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Both books show how God’s message of salvation is for non-Jews too. In Jonah, it’s the Ninevites. In Ruth, it’s a Moabite. Jonah’s 3-days in the fish foreshadows Christ’s time in the tomb and resurrection. And Ruth’s redemption by Boaz foreshadows Christ’s redemption of all who come to Him.
In Boaz, we see the Hebrew “kinsman-redeemer,” the one according to Levitical law that was to redeem a deceased kin’s wife and property. The Hebrew word is “ga’al,” and foreshadows Christ redeeming His bride, which is the Church. The redeemed Moabitess Ruth became the great grandmother of David, and therefore in the line of Jesus. Now that’s amazing redemption!
Do you know the true Redeemer that Ruth’s story foreshadows? Have you asked Jesus to spread His wings of salvation over you?
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Your Word. For it points to Jesus as our true Redeemer on every page. We are thankful that You so loved us that You gave Jesus to us to redeem us. Strengthen us this day to follow Him in all things. In Jesus’ name, amen.