Book Introduction

The Book of Ruth is a fascinating book. The story, just in a literary sense, is captivating and has been respected throughout time by believers and unbelievers alike. Apart from that, we are told this woman's life story, which will later appear in the lineage of Jesus Christ.  Ruth and Boaz would have a child named Obed, King David’s grandfather. 

Verse one tells us the book was written during the time of the judges, a 400-year time frame during which Israel was oppressed and given to their enemies but marked by brief actions of the judges as a call to faithfulness. It is difficult to place the story accurately since there are very few clues. Some scholars put Ruth’s life in 1126 to 1105 B.C. As a point of reference, it was around this time that Troy was destroyed during the Trojan War.

The Book of Judges ends by saying that everyone did what was right in their own eyes. The same phrase is used in Judges, which gives us episodes as a sampling of just how bad things were. However, Ruth shows a different side of life at that time.

While the typology shouldn't be the main focus of studying Ruth, it is certainly a fascinating part of it.  Ruth's life typifies a normal Christian experience: she decides, serves, rests, and is rewarded.  In addition, note the following pictures and consider them as the story develops:

• Naomi is a type of Israel.
• Ruth is a gentile who comes to faith by Naomi.
• Boaz is Naomi’s kinsman; in verse 2:4, he arrives from Bethlehem.
• The availability of a kinsman for Ruth is only because of Naomi (Israel). 
  • Yet Naomi finds out about the kinsman from Ruth (the Gentile bride).
• No matter how much Boaz loved her, she had to initiate the redemption.
• In 2:14, she takes communion with her kinsman redeemer.
• In verse 2:23, she stays close to her redeemer until the harvest is over.
• Boaz redeems the land and takes Ruth, a Gentile, as his bride. 
  • Jesus refers to the Church as the bride.
• Naomi never meets Boaz face to face. 
• Where is Ruth when Boaz is on the threshing floor?  The threshing floor is judgment – and the bride is at the feet of her redeemer.
• The nearer kinsman is the law – the one unable to perform the redemption.

Providence 

God’s ongoing care, preservation, and governance of all creation, including the natural world and human history. This concept encompasses God’s sustaining power that maintains the universe and His direction of events towards the fulfillment of His purposes. Providence is not limited to specific interventions but is understood as God's constant and absolute rule over all creation. It includes both His foreknowledge and His active involvement in guiding circumstances.

While the Bible speaks of Satan as the ruler of this world, he answers to God.  While our enemy steals, kills, and destroys, God is at work in the midst of it.  His light shines brightest from the dark.

The dark clouds of life do not block out the providence of God.

©2015 Doug Ford; Updated & Revised, Sundays, October 2024