From: May 6, 2024
“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.
From: May 6, 2023
‘Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel.”‘ (Ruth 4:14 NLT).
The little book of Ruth illustrates the use of the Levitical law which provided for a woman who had no male heir to retain her family’s property (See Lev. 25). This provision in the law called for a close family member to become a “ga’al” (גָּאַל), which is Hebrew for “kinsman-redeemer.” In Ruth, Boaz willingly takes on the role of the ga’al, a selfless act that enabled Naomi and Ruth not only to have an inheritance, but gave them a son to carry on the name of their dead son and husband.
It seems ironic that it was a foreign woman who activated this law. Yet, God often brings people that are far away, near to Him in faith. The story of Boaz and Ruth not only illustrates for us the love, beauty and self-sacrifice of the kinsman-redeemer practice. It prepares us for the appearance of the ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who is the son of David, son of Jesse, son of Obed, son of Boaz and Ruth, and the eternal Son of God. He is the ultimate fulfillment of the women’s blessing.
Jesus is the Famous One.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank you for Jesus. He is our Kinsman-Redeemer. Because of Him we are adopted into Your family as children of God. Jesus is the Famous One! Empower us to make Him even more famous today as we bear witness of Him to all that we meet. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: May 6, 2016
The little book of Ruth is unique. Only one of two books in the Bible named for a woman, it is considered one of the great literary works of the Bible. It is a book about faith, love and redemption. It illustrates the application of the redemption law as found in Leviticus 25, which provided for a woman who had no male heir to retain her family’s property. This provision in the law called for a close family member to become a “go’el,” which is the Hebrew word for “kinsman-redeemer.” In Ruth, a man named Boaz takes the role of the “go’el,” a selfless act that enabled Naomi and Ruth to not only have an inheritance, but gave them a son to carry on the name of their dead son and husband. It seems ironic that it was a foreign woman who activated this law. Yet, God loves to draw those far away, near to Him in faith. So, the love story of Boaz and Ruth informs us of the kinsman-redeemer practice and also prepares us for the ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
From: May 6, 2015
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 redemption. Both books show how God’s message of salvation is for non-Jews too. In Jonah it’s the Ninevites and 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. This 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. And Naomi (meaning “pleasant”), who had changed her name to Mara (“bitter”), was happier than ever! Now that’s amazing redemption!