"Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day."
Ruth 4:10
Without a doubt, the story of Ruth is one of the greatest love stories in scripture. Who has not been encouraged to see bitter and heart-broken Naomi joyfully exulting in the wedding plans of Ruth and Boaz? Yet, as always, there is more to this glorious true story of God's providence than meets the eye. This is also a very prophetic book and one that may settle the rapture timing issue when understood. Let's come and see!
The story opens with Naomi's husband and sons dying in a foreign land leaving her alone and homesick for the land of Judah. Orpah seems to make a run for it back to her world (her name means "gazelle") and leaves her grieving mother-in-law. Her other widowed daughter-in-law, Ruth (Friendship) chooses to leave her world and follow her mother-in-law back to Bethlehem. This is the choice of all mankind. We either choose to run our own course or follow God's plan which ultimately leads us to a baby in a manger at Bethlehem of Judea. Naomi is a shadow of the Jewish nation from whom the Redeemer comes. God worked through this people to bring Christ the Savior to humanity.
In the course of time this gentile girl is found working in the barley fields eking out a meager existence. Her mother-in-law has her in the right place but another agent is needed to get her to her future husband. Chapter 2:6-7 tells us of the agency of an unnamed servant of Boaz who shows kindness to Ruth while giving her permission to work the field. This servant also informs the questioning Boaz about the beautiful young lady working the field so diligently. For those who find Christ, He is found only by the agency of God the Holy Spirit who reveals the Savior and the need for his redemption.
The story opens with Naomi's husband and sons dying in a foreign land leaving her alone and homesick for the land of Judah. Orpah seems to make a run for it back to her world (her name means "gazelle") and leaves her grieving mother-in-law. Her other widowed daughter-in-law, Ruth (Friendship) chooses to leave her world and follow her mother-in-law back to Bethlehem. This is the choice of all mankind. We either choose to run our own course or follow God's plan which ultimately leads us to a baby in a manger at Bethlehem of Judea. Naomi is a shadow of the Jewish nation from whom the Redeemer comes. God worked through this people to bring Christ the Savior to humanity.
In the course of time this gentile girl is found working in the barley fields eking out a meager existence. Her mother-in-law has her in the right place but another agent is needed to get her to her future husband. Chapter 2:6-7 tells us of the agency of an unnamed servant of Boaz who shows kindness to Ruth while giving her permission to work the field. This servant also informs the questioning Boaz about the beautiful young lady working the field so diligently. For those who find Christ, He is found only by the agency of God the Holy Spirit who reveals the Savior and the need for his redemption.
The apex of the story is the stressful scene where the land of Naomi's family is to be redeemed. Boaz has a relative that is closer, but the relative refuses to marry Ruth as this was a part of the redemption price. He did not wish to marry nor have children from an unwanted gentile girl thus marring his name. Boaz, however, is in love and no price is too great. Soon a deed would be prepared with writing inside and out giving all of the details of the transaction including the bride price. Boaz later marries Ruth from who eventually comes the royal line of David and ultimately Jesus Christ. It is also interesting to note that the moment Ruth is redeemed, the Hebrew text puts an untranslated "aleph-tav" in front of her name for the rest of the text. It does not appear until the redemption is complete and then she is ever marked. "Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)." By the way, this barley harvest revolves around the Feast of Pentecost--the churches birthday! The LORD does nothing by accident!
This same scenario is portrayed in Revelation 4 and 5. In Revelation 5, the LORD is given a scroll that has writing "within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals". This is the title deed to the land Christ has purchased with His own blood. Of course, a part of that deal would be the purchase of the bride who goes along with the world he has purchased. It is at this point the bride, the church, begins to sing, "Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth (Revelation 5:9-10)."
Now! This event can't take place if the church is not standing beside the Groom who has brought her out of the world now can it? Of course that took place with the open door of heaven in Revelation 4:1 after Jesus addressed the church age. Look up friends--we will soon be singing praises in His presence as He opens the deed! After all--Jesus Christ is Soon2Come!
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