Ruth:
A Prophetic Story of Faith, Grace, and Redemption
Table of Contents
Title Page
Ruth
A Prophetic Story of Faith, Grace, and Redemption
By
Russell M. Stendal
Ransom Press International
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Visit Russell’s website: www.cpcsociety.ca
Ruth A Prophetic Story of Faith, Grace, and Redemption
Russell M. Stendal
Copyright © 2019
First edition published 2019
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Russell M. Stendal
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Contents
Introduction.
Chapter 1. The Fields of Moab
Chapter 2 Ruth Finds Grace in the Field of Boaz
Chapter 3 The Threshing Floor
Chapter 4 The Legacy of Obed
Introduction.
The book of Ruth records historical events that literally happened, but it is also a living parable with great spiritual and prophetic significance. Ruth is the third gentile woman (after Tamar and Rahab) to be incorporated into the bloodline of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:3-5). Boaz, son of Salmon (apparently one of the two spies Joshua sent into Jericho), and Rahab (the pagan harlot who protected the spies and entered into a covenant with them, which God honored) was only one generation removed from those who entered and conquered the promised land. Ruth lived at a time when the people of Israel continued to serve the Lord (Judges 2:7).
Chapter 1. The Fields of Moab
Ruth 1
1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges governed that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem of Judah1 went to sojourn in the fields of Moab,2 he, and his wife, and his two sons.
Famine in the promised land could indicate that God was dealing with his people so they would look to him instead of trusting in their own ability to feed themselves. This also has spiritual application for us today.
2 And the name of the man was Elimelech,3 and the name of his wife Naomi,4 and the name of his two sons Mahlon5 and Chilion,6 Ephrathites7 of Bethlehem of Judah. And they came into the fields of Moab and continued there.
Throughout the history of Israel and the church, the people of God (to whom God is king) have had a tendency during times of famine (spiritual or otherwise) to leave the land of their inheritance and sojourn in the “fields of Moab.” They prefer to be disciples (or even proselytes) of a human father figure rather than pay the price to hear from and feed upon the words of their heavenly Father (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4).
Once God’s people decide to sojourn in the fields of Moab, it is very easy to continue there. The problem with doing this is that it creates spiritual widows and orphans.
3 And Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons,
4 who took wives for themselves of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah,8 and the name of the other Ruth;9 and they dwelt there about ten years.
Ten is a number associated with the Word of God as law (as in the Ten Commandments), and the two women represent two options. (In Scripture, the congregation is feminine and may be represented by a woman).
5 And Mahlon and Chilion both died also; and the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.
Individual believers are typed as male in Scripture – as “sons” (or children) of God. This is not necessarily an indication of gender. The two sons also represent two possibilities. After ten years (of going back under law instead of grace), the “woman” (or congregation) was left without her two sons and her husband.
6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law, to return from the fields of Moab, for she had heard in the field of Moab how the LORD had visited his people to give them bread.
How did the Lord visit his people?
In the highest sense, it was when Jesus was born in Bethlehem (the house of bread). Jesus is the real bread from heaven (John 6:51). The advent of Jesus Christ offers the possibility of his people leaving the legalism represented by the fields of Moab and returning to the grace symbolized by the promised land. Naomi represents the remnant of God’s people who return to hearing directly from God instead of from the intermediary clergy of “Moab.” It is only as we personally hear the voice of God (instead of only hearing from God secondhand) that we will receive the necessary grace to accomplish his will. This is also linked to faith (Romans 10:17).
7 Therefore she went forth out of the place where she had been and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.
Orpah and Ruth both went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.10 However, a separation took place along the way.
8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters-in-law, Go, return each of you to thy mother’s house; the LORD deal with you in mercy as ye have dealt with the dead and with me.
9 The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voice and wept.
10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
The way back to our inheritance and rest in Christ comes with a cost that we must be freely willing to pay. Naomi did not lay a guilt trip on her two daughters-in-law (quite the contrary).
11 And Naomi replied, Go back, my daughters; why must ye go with me? Do I have more sons in my womb that they may be your husbands?
12 Turn, my daughters, and go back, for I am too old to have a husband. Even if I should say, I have hope, if I should have a husband tonight and should also bear sons,
13 should ye tarry for them until they are grown? Should ye stay without husbands because of them? No, my daughters, for I have greater bitterness than you because the hand of the LORD has come out against me.
14 And they lifted up their voice and wept again, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth cleaved unto her.
Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her. There was no condemnation by Naomi when Orpah turned back. Ruth, however, demonstrated true friendship11 with Naomi and cleaved unto her.
15 And she said, Behold, thy sister-in-law has returned to her people and to her gods; return thou after thy sister-in-law.
16 And Ruth said, Do not intreat me to leave thee or to return from following after thee, for wherever thou goest, I will go; and wherever thou shalt lodge, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people and thy God my God.
17 Where thou diest, I will die, and there will I be buried; let the LORD do so unto me and let him give unto me that only death shall part thee and me.
This was a sincere profession of faith in God by Ruth that Naomi soon picked up on.
18 When she saw that she was courageous to go with her, then she left off speaking to her.
A good part of the reason why Ruth was courageous to go with Naomi was because they would be traveling through barren desert. Food and water would be scarce, or maybe even nonexistent. There was no marked way, and it would be very easy to get lost. They would contend with razor-sharp rocks, hot sand, serpents, dangerous wild animals, and lawless bandits. Unless God granted them grace, they would almost certainly die. Naomi was determined to go back to the land of Israel even if she had to go alone. She did not attempt to force or intimidate Orpah or Ruth in any way; in fact, she encouraged them to go home to Moab, and not risk accompanying her through the desert.
When Ruth cleaved to Naomi and committed to making the trip, she realized that this could easily cost her physical life. Ruth also realized that the gods of Moab would be of no use to her, and that she must place all of her hope, trust, and confidence in the Lord. Most likely she would never again see her natural family. Perhaps, over the previous years, Naomi’s faithful example in the midst of suffering, pain, and loss had inspired Ruth.
19 So the two walked until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, entering into Bethlehem, that all the city was moved because of them, and they said, Is this Naomi?
20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara;12 for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.
21 I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?
So it seems to all of those who respond to God’s call and find themselves struggling through the bitter dealings of the way of the cross.
22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her, who returned out of the fields of Moab, and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley13 harvest.
There are two very interesting points in this verse: First, Bethlehem, as you remember, means “house of bread.” The barley harvest in Scripture is linked to the coming of the Holy Spirit This happened on the Feast of Pentecost (Leviticus 23:15-22, Acts 2:1-4), which was at the time of the barley harvest. Second, according to Scripture (under the law) a Moabite could never enter into the congregation of the Lord, not even unto the tenth generation (Deuteronomy 23:3).
What about Ruth the Moabitess and all she represents? The story is about to take an interesting turn into grace and redemption.
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1 Bethlehem means “house of bread,” and Judah means “praise.”
2 Moab, meaning “of her own father,” was the incestuous son of Lot by his own daughter.
3 Elimelech means “to whom God is king.”
4 Naomi means “pleasant.”
5 Mahlon means “meek.”
6 Chilion means “wasting away.”
7 Ephrath (another name for Bethlehem) means “ash heap,” or “place of fruitfulness.”
8 Orpah means “mane.”
9 Ruth means “friend.”
10 Remember, Judah means “praise.”
11 Mercy is a component of true friendship.
12 Mara means “bitter.” This points to the way of the cross.
13 Out of thirty-six references to barley in Scripture, six are found in the book of Ruth.
Chapter 2 Ruth Finds Grace in the Field of Boaz
Ruth 2
1 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of strength, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz.14
Boaz, the kinsman of Elimelech (who represents those to whom God is king), is a mighty man of strength. In this living parable, Boaz represents Jesus Christ.
2 And Ruth, the Moabitess, said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field and glean ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.
Ruth intuitively knew where, and in whose sight, she would find grace. She did, however, double-check with her mother-in-law. The grace she sought was linked to gleaning ears of grain and also to the presence (sight) of Boaz.
3 And she went and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and it came to pass that her lot15 was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.
Ruth came from the fields of Moab all the way into the field belonging unto Boaz. This was her lot. God obviously had his hand on this situation.
4 And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.
5 Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?
6 And the servant16 that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the damsel of Moab that came back with Naomi out of the fields of Moab;
7 and she has said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves; so she came and has continued from the morning until now except a short while that she was in the house.
8 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hear, my daughter, do not glean in another field, nor leave here; thou shalt cleave to my maidens.
In her first sign of total commitment to the Lord, Ruth cleaved to Naomi. Now Boaz commands her: thou shalt cleave to my maidens.
Who are the maidens of Boaz? They are among the “reapers.” Maidens in this context are also equivalent to virgins (pure and undefiled).
If we are part of the remnant of God’s people who leave the fields of Moab and find that our “lot” is to glean in the field of Boaz, then we will be wise to heed his instructions. Do not glean in another field (our inheritance is linked to gleaning in the field of Boaz), nor leave here (we will find that increased grace and blessing are linked to us being close to Boaz); thou shalt cleave to my maidens (we should associate with those who are pure and undefiled in the service of Jesus Christ, represented here by Boaz).
9 Look carefully upon the field that they reap and go after them, for I have charged the young men not to touch thee. And when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels and drink of that which the young men have drawn.
Boaz instructed Ruth: Look carefully upon the field that they reap (to be a worker in Boaz’s field at the time of the barley harvest was a major responsibility). We are to look carefully upon the field. We are to glean and make sure that no one seeking to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ is overlooked.
Boaz continued: for I have charged the young men not to touch thee. None of the “young men” are allowed to touch us (none of those who are immature in Christ are allowed to order us around or abuse us in any way). In fact, the reverse is true. Ruth was instructed: And when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels and drink of that which the young men have drawn.
Culturally, it would have been the task of the women to draw water for the men. Boaz recognized a level of maturity in Ruth that caused him to invert the established protocol. A wonderful romance was underway. In seeking the will of God, Ruth chose the field of Boaz as her “lot,” and Boaz responded by honoring her above all of the “young men.”
10 Then she fell on her face and bowed herself to the ground and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes that thou should acknowledge me, seeing I am a stranger?
Ruth now knew beyond any shadow of doubt that she had truly found grace in the eyes of Boaz. This inspired her to worship. She also knew she was a “stranger” (a gentile among Jews), and she was bewildered as to why she was so well-received. Boaz, though, already knew a great deal about her.
11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It has fully been showed me all that thou hast done unto thy mother-in-law since the death of thy husband17 and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother and the land of thy nativity and art come three days ago18 unto a people whom thou didst not know before.
12 Let the LORD recompense thy work and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to cover thyself.
Jesus said: There is no one that has left house or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my sake and the gospel’s who shall not receive one hundredfold (Mark 10:29-30). This promise seems to apply to Ruth and to those whom she represents. To be under the wings of the Lord God is to be under his direct covering and protection.
13 Then she said, Let me find grace in thy sight, my lord, for thou hast comforted me and hast spoken unto the heart of thy handmaid though I am not like unto one of thy handmaidens.
Even though Ruth has found grace with Boaz, she desires even more grace. Simon Peter wrote: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you in the knowledge of God and of our Lord Jesus (2 Peter 1:2). Therefore, grace is not one size fits all. We may obtain more and more grace as we come to know God the Father and our Lord Jesus better and better. The more Ruth gets to know Boaz, the more grace she will find. Boaz has comforted Ruth and spoken directly into her heart. Ruth knows she is uniquely special, not merely another of Boaz’s handmaidens.19
14 And Boaz said unto her at mealtime, Come here and eat of the bread and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers, and he gave her of the pottage, and she ate and was satisfied, and some was left over.
Jesus said: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (Matthew 5:6). The only way for any of us to be satisfied is to feed on what Jesus (represented here by Boaz) provides for us.
15 And when she had risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves and do not reproach her
16 and let fall also some of the handfuls on purpose for her and leave them that she may glean them and do not reprehend her.
At harvest time, what does the harvest consist of? Souls that are being gathered into the kingdom of God.
In one of his parables, Jesus says that the reapers are angels (Matthew 13:39). Significantly, Boaz commanded his young men (among his reapers) to let Ruth (his future bride) glean even among the sheaves. This implies that those who are part of the future bride of Jesus Christ will also be allowed to “glean” at harvest time and help make sure that absolutely none of the potential harvest is lost. What a wonderful responsibility!
17 So she gleaned in the field until evening and beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah20 of barley.
An ephah is a full measure (of ten homers). The apostle Paul wrote: But unto each one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of the Christ (Ephesians 4:7).
18 And she took it up and went into the city, and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. She also brought forth that which had been left over after she had been satisfied and gave it to her.
At the beginning of the story, Naomi was ministering to Ruth. At this point, Ruth has a ministry to Naomi. Ruth’s appetite for righteousness had been filled and satisfied by provision from Boaz, and Ruth had enough left over so that she could give to Naomi.
19 And her mother-in-law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned today? Where hast thou worked? Blessed be he that acknowledged thee. And she declared unto her mother-in-law all that had happened to her with him and said, The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.
Imagine coming home from working in the “field” and giving a good report to our loved ones who have encouraged us in the things of the Lord. Instead of returning from a missionary trip during which we advertised for a program, or in which we indoctrinated people into a denomination or mission organization, what if we were able to report: The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz! Imagine the joy of working directly for Jesus, with no other intermediary between us and God.
20 And Naomi said unto her daughter-in-law, Let him be blessed of the LORD, who has not left off his mercy unto the living nor unto the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, and one of whom has the right to redeem us.
21 And Ruth, the Moabitess, said, He also said unto me, Thou shalt cleave to my servants until they have finished all my harvest.
If Jesus personally commands us, Thou shalt cleave to my servants until they have finished all my harvest, and if we embrace his words with faith, we will receive sufficient grace to keep his word. This command will require keen discernment on our part to differentiate those servants who truly belong to the Lord from those who do not really belong to him (even though they may claim to be his servants). Jesus said, Ye shall know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:16a). This has to do with the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
22 And Naomi replied unto Ruth her daughter-in-law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens that they not meet thee in any other field.
23 So she kept close by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest and dwelt with her mother-in-law.
Once we are receiving our orders directly from “Boaz,” it is good for us to associate with those who are also under his direct orders. No one should find us in a stranger’s “field” helping to harvest souls for a person, ministry or group that does not really belong to Jesus Christ.
Note that the barley harvest came first21 and then the wheat harvest. Also observe that Ruth dwelt with her mother-in-law. Each of these historical details have prophetic implications for the sequence of end-times events.
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14 Boaz means “in him is strength.” Boaz is the kinsman redeemer. One of the two main pillars at the entrance of Solomon’s Temple was named Boaz (2 Chronicles 3:17). The name “Boaz” occurs twenty-four times in the Old Testament (including two mentions of the temple pillar). Boaz is spelled “Booz” in the New Testament, where it occurs three times. Total use in Scripture of this name is twenty-seven (three times nine or three cubed, which represents the ultimate consequences of fruitfulness).
15 In this context, lot can mean inheritance.
16 Who does this unnamed servant represent? The servant that was set over the reapers had the spiritual discernment to allow Ruth to glean in the field of Boaz. He also, after observing her work ethic and character, gave a good report to his master, Boaz. This is typical of the Holy Spirit who works in and through the servants of Jesus (represented here by Boaz), for in reality it is the Holy Spirit who is set over the reapers.
17 Meditate on this in light of Romans 7:1-6.
18 “Three days” could be a prophetic reference to the end times. Jesus was resurrected on the third day, and Scripture strongly hints that his body of many members will participate in the first resurrection at the beginning of the third prophetic day when Jesus returns for his bride. Remember that for God, one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years are as a day (Psalm 90:4; 2 Peter 3:8). It has now been almost two thousand years since Jesus’ death and resurrection, and we are about to enter the third prophetic day. It is symbolic that Ruth had come to Bethlehem three days ago, when she came face to face with Boaz (who already knew all about her).
19 The “handmaidens” could represent the maids of honor at a wedding, but Ruth represents the bride!
20 Under the law, a tenth of an ephah of grain (representing the work of our hands) was required to be offered with every blood sacrifice. Yet under grace, when the “prince” returns to his people, he offers an entire ephah with every sacrifice (Ezekiel 45:24; 46:5, 7). In other words, under grace the commitment of Jesus to his bride (and vice versa) is not a tithe, but a total.
21 Scripture mentions two phases related to the harvest: the firstfruits (which the barley may symbolize), and the fullness of the harvest (the wheat). The Feast of Pentecost is also known as the Feast of the Firstfruits (Exodus 34:22). If firstfruits were offered to the Lord, the green ears were to be dried by the fire (Leviticus 2:14). Thus, those who receive the firstfruits receive it in the midst of the fire of tribulation. Such was the case with Ruth and Naomi until they arrived back in the promised land.
Chapter 3 The Threshing Floor
Ruth 3
1 Then Naomi, her mother-in-law, said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee that it may be well with thee?
2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnows barley tonight in the threshing floor.
According to Scripture, evening is the beginning of a new day (Genesis 1:5). Therefore, the prophesied end-times day of the Lord may begin in the evening.
Naomi was aware of the timetable. She could see that “tonight” was when Boaz would winnow the barley in the threshing floor.22 Those who have prophetic insight like Naomi will also know what night God will begin to winnow the barley (representing his firstfruits who will reign and rule with Christ) in his threshing floor.23
If we have truly been born again by the Spirit of God, then Jesus is of our kindred. It also helps if we have been with his “maidens” (if our close companions have been those who are pure and undefiled before God). It is the fervent desire of Naomi that Ruth would enter into God’s rest. This is what all of God’s prophets fervently desire for all the people of God. Tragically, however, many of God’s people have failed to enter into his rest (Hebrews 3:7-19). May we learn from their mistakes not to be obstinate, disobedient, and unbelieving.
For the things that were written beforehand were written for our instruction that we, through patient endurance and through the comfort of the scriptures, might have hope. (Romans 15:4)
3 Therefore, thou shalt wash thyself and anoint thyself and put thy raiment upon thee and go down to the threshingfloor,24 but do not make thyself known unto the man until he shall have finished eating and drinking.
Ruth was to wash herself, anoint herself, put on her raiment (clothing or covering), and go down to the threshing floor. Scripture states: For he that is entered into his rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from his (Hebrews 4:10). Therefore, we are to wash ourselves in the Word of God (Ephesians 5:26), we are to anoint (or sanctify) ourselves for the exclusive service of the Lord, and we are to be clothed in his righteousness instead of our own (Colossians 3:9-10).25 Then, like Ruth, we will be ready at the proper time to go down to the threshing floor.
4 And it shall be when he lies down that thou shalt perceive the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in and uncover his feet and lie down there, and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.
Apparently there was quite of bit of activity about to go on down at the “threshing floor,” and it was necessary for Ruth to be discrete and prudent. This is also true prophetically regarding the events leading up to, and surrounding, Jesus’ second coming. Daniel saw when the image representing all the existing and future empires of the world became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors (Daniel 2:35).
John the Baptist testified that Jesus shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire, whose fan is in his hand; and he will thoroughly purge his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the storehouse, but he will burn up the chaff with fire that shall never be quenched (Matthew 3:11b-12; also Luke 3:16b-17).
Ruth had to wait until Boaz was finished eating and drinking and until he had laid down to rest (this meant Boaz had finished dealing with the chaff). She also had to carefully observe everything that went on at the threshing floor so she would know exactly where Boaz would lie down to rest. It would be a disaster if Ruth were to uncover the feet of the wrong man and lie down there.
5 And she said unto her, All that thou dost command me I will do.
6 And she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law had commanded her.
The phrase take heed occurs forty-four times in Scripture, as does the word threshing (as in “threshing floor”). Moses admonished each one of the children of Israel that would inherit the promised land to: Therefore, take heed to thyself and keep thy soul diligently (Deuteronomy 4:9a). Joshua repeated this warning after they entered the land and after all their enemies were overcome (Joshua 23:11). When the disciples wanted to know about the future, Jesus prefaced his remarks by saying: Take heed that no one deceive you (Matthew 24:4).
The last use of the phrase, take heed, occurs again toward the end of the New Testament: We have also the most sure word of the prophets, unto which ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts (2 Peter 1:19).
At the proper time, Ruth (after making herself ready) went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law had commanded her.
7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap, and she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down.
Boaz’s heart was merry when he went to lie down at the end of the heap of winnowed barley. Jesus’ heart will also be merry when he has finished winnowing the “barley” (or firstfruits) on his threshing floor (Jude 24; Revelation 14:1-5).
8 And it came to pass at midnight that the man was startled and took hold, and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
The Father participates in the preparation of the bride, and thus with the admonition from the prophets that we are to take heed of. Ruth prepared well by heeding the words of Naomi. Jesus said he does not know the day or the hour of his return and that only the Father knows (Matthew 24:36). Those who make up the bride of Jesus Christ will, of course, be thrilled and overwhelmed when they see him as he is. On the other hand, after all the “barley” has been winnowed, Jesus, like Boaz, may very well be “startled” when he beholds what at first seemed to be a heap of barley of the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb (James 1:17-18; Revelation 14:3-5) and perceives his beautiful bride laying at his feet at “midnight.”26
9 Then he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth, thy handmaid; spread therefore the edge of thy mantle over thy handmaid; for thou art a redeemer.
Ruth, the Moabitess, could enter into covenant with God and be part of the congregation of Israel only if she found a redeemer. She knew this, and it is also true for us.
10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter, for thou hast shown more mercy in the end than at the first, not going after the young men, whether poor or rich.
At the first, Ruth showed mercy to Naomi and did not let her mother-in-law travel alone through the wild, dangerous wilderness on her way back to Bethlehem. Ruth then showed mercy to Boaz when she picked his field as her lot and chose him instead of going after the young men,27 whether poor or rich.
11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do unto thee all that thou hast said, for all the city of my people know that thou art a valiant woman.
Not only was Boaz impressed and enamored with Ruth, but he declared: for all the city of my people know that thou art a valiant woman. Quite a compliment! Quite a testimony.
12 And now it is true that I am thy redeemer; however, there is another redeemer nearer than I (in kinship).
We know that Jesus is our kinsman redeemer, but is there really another redeemer nearer to us than him in kinship? We shall see.
Boaz continued:
13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning that if he will redeem thee, well, let him redeem thee, but if he does not wish to redeem, then I will redeem thee, as the LORD lives; lie down until the morning.
The marriage between Boaz and Ruth could not take place secretly at midnight. There was an important legal question that first had to be resolved. This had to take place in the morning, in public.28
14 And she lay at his feet until the morning, and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that the woman has come to the threshing floor.
15 Also he said, Bring the veil that thou hast upon thee and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley and laid it on her, and she went into the city.
Ruth had apparently arrived at the threshing floor wearing a veil. Likewise, the identity of those who make up the true bride of Christ (and rest at his feet) is veiled today. Boaz commanded Ruth to take off her veil and hold it, while he measured six measures of barley and laid it on her. Ruth left the threshing floor unveiled but under cover of darkness. Three measures of barley (or meal) are associated with the Feast of Pentecost and are a type of the infilling of the Holy Spirit.29 Six measures of barley represent a double portion, and there is an overwhelming difference. Ruth went back into the city (where she arrived seemingly out of nowhere) unveiled, and with a double portion.30 Something similar will happen with the bride of Christ, who will be given a double portion of the Spirit on the eve of the day of the Lord.
16 And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, What now, my daughter? And she told her all that had happened to her with the man.
17 And she said, He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, Do not go empty unto thy mother-in-law.
18 Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou shall know how the matter will fall, for that man will not rest until he has concluded the thing today.
Ruth had experienced what it was like to rest at the feet of Boaz. She would continue to follow her mother-in-law’s prophetic advice to sit still until everything had been concluded. It was Boaz’s turn to “not rest” until he had settled the matter.
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22 In Scripture, the threshing floor has to do with judgment. For the righteous, however, once God gets rid of the chaff, the judgment will turn out to be a reward. Remember, the judgment begins from the house of God (1 Peter 4:17).
23 For those who are struggling to see the connection between Naomi expecting Boaz to winnow his barley that night to why it matters if a day begins or ends after dark or at sunrise remember that there are seemingly subtle things that God may choose to deal with at “night” such as removing any “chaff ” from the grain (representative of his bride) prior to the events described in Malachi 4:1-3. It is also very important to note that Ruth received the double portion and was dispatched back to Naomi under cover of darkness so that her identity was veiled.
24 Ruth is the eighth book in the Bible, and this is the eighth time the term “threshing floor” is used in Scripture. The number eight is associated with new beginnings.
25 Ruth started out by listening to and obeying Naomi and then she transitioned into listening to and obeying Boaz. This is all symbolic of being clothed (or covered) by the righteousness of Christ.
26 The temple that David planned, which was actually built by his son, Solomon, was to be the footstool of the Lord (1 Chronicles 28:2). Under the new covenant, we are the temple. We are his footstool, and Ruth lying at the feet of Boaz symbolizes this. God also told David (in a messianic prophecy) that he would make his enemies into his footstool (Psalm 110:1; Matthew 22:44; Hebrews 10:13-14), and the gentiles were considered enemies of God.
27 There are many young men in the service of “Boaz” who are hard workers, but they have not come to maturity in Christ. There are many able ministers of the gospel with small or large congregations who fit into this category today. Ruth is symbolic of those who have eyes only for Boaz (for the Lord Jesus Christ) and will not fall in love with anyone else, no matter how “poor or rich.
28 In fact, in most public wedding ceremonies throughout history, there has always been opportunity for anyone to object with any valid reason that the marriage would not be lawful.
29 See Genesis 18:6, Matthew 13:33, Luke 13:21, and Revelation 6:6 regarding three measures of barley (or meal).
30 Compare the single portion ministry of Elijah with the double portion ministry of Elisha to see that Elisha was always at rest.
Chapter 4 The Legacy of Obed
Ruth 4
1 And Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there, and, behold, the redeemer of whom Boaz spoke came by unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! Come here and sit down. And he came and sat down.
The “other redeemer” of whom Boaz spoke is identified as such a one! There continue to be many “such ones” who believe God has placed them in authority over God’s sheep. Why, however, was such a one closer in kin to Ruth than Boaz?
For instance, if we contemplate the natural family of Jesus, with his four brothers and his sisters, we can see that they would only be his half-brothers and half-sisters, because even though Jesus was born of Mary, Joseph was really his stepfather. This is why Jesus is referred to in Scripture as “the only begotten Son of God,” the only Son of God actually born of a woman as a man, who was also the living Word of God from the beginning (John 1:1-4), and who was resurrected from the dead as the first of the firstfruits of a new creation.31 Therefore, in terms of kinship, would we be naturally closer in kin to Jesus’ half-brothers and half-sisters and Mary? Or would we be closer in kin to Jesus and to his Father, God? Remember, Jesus said that his brother and sister and mother are those who do the will of God (Mark 3:35).
2 Then he took ten32 men of the elders of the city and said, Sit down here. And they sat down.
3 And he said unto the redeemer, Naomi, that is come again out of the field of Moab, sold a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s,
4 and I decided to cause thee to know this and tell thee to take it before the inhabitants and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it, but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me that I may know, for there is no one to redeem it besides thee, and I after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.
There are only two possible redeemers: such a one, or Boaz.
When the matter at hand is described as the ownership of a parcel of land that Naomi sold, such a one decides that he is in. He will redeem it.
5 Then Boaz replied, The day that thou dost receive the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must also receive Ruth, the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.
6 And the redeemer said, I cannot redeem it for myself lest I ruin my own inheritance; redeem thou; I cede my right to you, for I shall not be able to redeem it.
Such a one liked the idea of redeeming the field, but he is unable to redeem the person of Ruth, the Moabitess. In fact, such a one now thinks that if he attempts to redeem the field for himself, he will ruin his own inheritance! Therefore, he figures he had better cede his right to Boaz. What is going on?
Such a one, could have redeemed Ruth and raised up an heir of Mahlon (meekness) at the expense of his own inheritance and his own name. Instead, he remains nameless in Scripture, and Boaz, who chose the apparent reproach of marrying Ruth, the Moabitess, went down in God´s Book as a hero, directly in the bloodline of the promised seed of Abraham and son of David, as an example of our ultimate redeemer, Jesus Christ.
7 Now for a long time in Israel there had been this custom concerning redemption or contracts, that for the confirmation of all matters: one plucked off his shoe and gave it to his neighbour, and this was a testimony in Israel.
8 Therefore, the former owner of the right of redemption said unto Boaz, Buy it thyself. So he drew off his shoe.
For such a one, redemption was nothing more than a commercial transaction in which he was no longer interested if it meant marrying a Moabitess and raising up the name of the dead upon his inheritance. On the other hand, for Boaz, the commercial value of the land was secondary because he was head over heels in love with Ruth.
Who does the former owner of the right of redemption represent?33
Today, there continue to be many would-be redeemers like such a one, who have managed to place themselves between the people and God. And if they were to do something as politically incorrect as marrying a gentile Moabitess (remember that a Moabite was not ever to be allowed into the congregation of Israel even unto the tenth generation), they figure that this might ruin their own inheritance. What kind of inheritance was such a one worried he might ruin? Obviously, he was concerned about temporal things such as power, influence, and land.
The legal testimony was concluded in front of the ten elders when such a one took off his shoe and gave it to Boaz.34
9 And Boaz said unto the elders and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand of Naomi.
In this living parable, we are represented by Ruth, who was redeemed by Boaz (a type of Jesus Christ). Our forefathers, Adam and Eve, managed to lose title to the entire earth. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a life-giving Spirit (1 Corinthians 15:45). In order to redeem the earth and lift the curse, God’s people must be redeemed. The entire race that descended from the first man, Adam, is trapped by sin and death. Only the last Adam, who was made a life-giving Spirit, can redeem us, give us eternal life, and break the curse over the earth. And it certainly appears that the curse will not be broken and redemption will not be complete until Jesus marries his bride.
Boaz continues:
10 Moreover, I also take Ruth, the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, as my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance that the name of the dead not be cut off from among his brethren and from the gate of his place.35 Ye shall be witnesses of this today.
The beginning of the book of Ruth mentioned that Naomi had two sons, Chilion and Mahlon. Both of these sons took Moabite wives – Orpah and Ruth. It is not until here, however, we find out that Ruth was the wife of Mahlon, whose name means “meek.” It is Mahlon’s name that will be raised up on his inheritance and not cut off. Jesus said: Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5).
11 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 thy house like Rachel and like Leah, who built the house of Israel; and be thou a man of valour in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem;
12 let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bore unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman.
All the people in the gate and the elders were now witnesses to the marriage. They spoke their desire for the Lord to make Ruth the Moabitess like Rachel and Leah, who built the house of Israel. They also desired Boaz to be a man of valour in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem. What a wonderful legacy with strong prophetic implications!
Counting from Pharaz, Boaz was the seventh generation of the line of Judah (counting Judah, he was the eighth). Boaz, unlike such a one, understood what God desired to do with the gentiles because his mother was Rahab, and the in-laws of his father, Salmon, were the only family saved out of Jericho (Joshua 2:1-21; 6:25; Matthew 1:5).
13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife, and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son.
All the time that Ruth had been married to Mahlon over in the land of Moab, she had apparently been sterile. Many of God’s special friends have gone through sterile times prior to becoming fruitful for the kingdom of God.
14 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, who has not left thee this day without a redeemer, whose name shall be famous in Israel.
15 And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy soul and a sustainer in thy old age, for thy daughter-in-law, whom thou doth love, who is better to thee than seven sons, has given birth.
The women of Bethlehem were not a bunch of old gossips; they were godly women who gave forth a wonderful prophecy over Boaz, the redeemer, and over his valiant bride, Ruth. This prophecy pointed to the ultimate redeemer, whose name shall be famous in Israel.
16 And Naomi took the child and laid it in her bosom and was his nurse.
17 And the women, her neighbours, named him saying, There is a son born to Naomi, and they called his name Obed. This is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
It was the godly women, neighbors of Naomi, who got to name the child. Obed means “serving or worshipping (God).” Jesse means “gift.” David means “beloved.” What a wonderful, delightful time in the history of the town of Bethlehem, and of the people of God.
18 Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,
19 and Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab,
20 and Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon,
21 and Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,
22 and Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.
God states right in the Ten Commandments: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the sons unto the third and fourth generation of those that hate me and showing mercy unto thousands of generations of those that love me and keep my commandments (Exodus 20:5-6).
It is clear from Scripture that Salmon (likely one of the excellent spies sent by Joshua into Jericho) was joined in marriage to Rahab who is commended for doing what was right (Matthew 1:5; Hebrews 11:31, James 2:25) and that they raised a godly son, Boaz. From the blessing pronounced on little Obed when he was born to Ruth and Boaz (with delightful, pleasant Naomi as his nurse), we can surmise that God had great plans for him as well and that he rose to the occasion. The godly line continued to Jesse (and there is nothing negative in Scripture about him). So there were at least four godly generations leading up to David, who was known as a man after God’s own heart. David, therefore, was well-qualified for the sure mercies of God, which we may also inherit in Christ (Isaiah 55:3-5; Acts 13:32-34).
All these events would lead to the advent of Jesus Christ, prophesied as the seed of Abraham and the son of David. The genealogies in Scripture all culminate at the generation of Christ in which we, like Ruth, may be included by faith and grace as part of the body of Christ. This is the generation that shall not pass until Jesus returns (Matthew 24:34; Mark 13:30; Luke 21:32)
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31 I know that Adam is also referred to in Luke 3:38 as a son of God, but Adam was not born of a woman. He was created of the dust of the earth and God breathed life into him. Therefore he was not a begotten son of God. And those of us who share the heritage of Adam may become sons and daughters of God by adoption if he has placed his Spirit in us (Romans 8:15). We were not born of a woman with the fullness of the nature of God as was Jesus, the incarnate Lord of heaven, who had always been with God the Father. Neither have we been resurrected from the dead, as was the case with Jesus, the first begotten of the dead (Revelation 1:5). Adam is described as of the earth, earthy while Jesus is the Lord of heaven (1 Corinthians 15:45-50).
32 Ten is a number linked to the law. Ten men of the elders (as witnesses) means that there was a legal issue to resolve regarding who was going to redeem Ruth (and ultimately us).
33 Neither Adam nor any of his natural descendants are qualified to redeem the people of God, although they obviously would like to have the “land.” Even if someone were to give his or her life to redeem someone else, they would never be able to break the power of death and come forth in resurrection like Jesus did (therefore, like such a one, they would ruin their own inheritance). And even though Satan was the architect of the fall of man and managed to usurp the authority of Adam, who rebelled against God and therefore became subject to death (which he passed on to the entire human race), Satan, by his very nature, is unable to redeem anyone.
34 Taking off a shoe and using it for a testimony probably started when people like such a one began to modify the law, which states: When brethren dwell together and one of them dies and has no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry outside unto a stranger; her husband’s brother shall go in unto her and take her to him to wife and perform the duty of a husband’s brother unto her. And it shall be that the firstborn which she bears shall be raised up in the name of his brother who is dead that his name be not blotted out of Israel. And if the man does not desire to take his brother’s wife, then let his brother’s wife go up to the gate unto the elders and say, My husband’s brother refuses to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel; he will not perform the duty of my husband’s brother. Then the elders of his city shall call him and speak unto him, and if he stands and says, I desire not to take her; then shall his brother’s wife come unto him in the presence of the elders and loose his shoe from off his foot and spit in his face and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother’s house. And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that is barefoot (Deuteronomy 25:5- 10). Note that being barefoot may imply that the person is unprepared to minister the gospel of peace, which, of course, includes redemption (Ephesians 6:15).
35 Jesus died for us and redeemed us with his blood. He is also a life-giving Spirit and can raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance that the name of the dead not be cut off from among his brethren and from the gate of his place. Jesus is the only redeemer who can break the curse, overcome death, and place the human race back into the full[1]ness of the will of God. This is the way to eternal life. The apostle Paul summed it up like this: For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled with God by the death of his Son, much more, now reconciled, we shall be saved by his life (Romans 5:10). As demonstrated by the marriage of Boaz and Ruth, the redeemed bride of Christ will also play a key role in the future plans that God has for mankind. This is at least one reason why there is such a big celebration at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:5-9).
