The story of Ruth and her kinsman redeemer has special appeal to believers, because we see in Ruth and Boaz an outline of our own spiritual history and of our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, our Kinsman Redeemer, of whom Boaz was but a type. I have not attempted to give a thorough exposition of this blessed little history. I leave that to others who are more capable. It has been my purpose simply to show forth the grace and glory of God in Christ, our Kinsman Redeemer, as he is portrayed in these four chapters. In this final study, we will take an overview of the entire book. We will begin in chapter one, verse one, and pick up seven of the golden nuggets scattered through these four chapters.
In these four chapters, the Holy Spirit clearly sets before us seven specific lessons regarding the grace of God, redemption by Christ, and our relationship to him by faith.
The first lesson is a very sad and regrettable one, but one we all must learn. It is set before us in the very first verse of the first chapter. Here we are taught THE COST OF UNBELIEF AND DISOBEDIENCE. "Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem-Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons."
In a time of famine, Elimelech, whose name means, "My God is King," took what he determined was a prudent step. He moved to Moab. But his move was a very costly one. The move was instigated and made by selfishness and unbelief, and ended in tragedy. Elimelech died in Moab and left his family in a godless, pagan land, far away from the people of God, the house of God, and the Word of God. Elimelech’s disobedience led his sons into disobedience. They both married Moabitess women. The move to Moab cost Elimelech dearly. There he died in poverty. Both his sons died in poverty and disobedience to God. His wife was reduced to a bitter existence (1:20-21). Elimelech reminds me a great deal of Bro. Lot. Let all who are wise learn from Elimelech’s error.
It is always less costly to obey God.
All disobedience is manifest unbelief.
Bad decisions made early in life will have bad consequences in years to come.
Our example is at least as important as our words, and probably much more important.
Do not, for any reason, move your family anywhere you would not want to die and leave them.
The second thing clearly taught in this Book is GOD’S SOVEREIGN, UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION. "Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread" (1:6). Ruth was a Moabitess, the daughter of a cursed race. She was a stranger. Some suggest that her name means "Satisfied Stranger." Ruth was a stranger to God by nature; but she found satisfaction in the Lord God by grace. Ruth was chosen of God to be an heir of eternal salvation in Christ. Let us ever rejoice in and give thanks to our God for his free, electing love in Christ (Psa. 65:4; John 15:16; Eph. 1:3-6; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Thess. 5:9). God’s election is an eternal, unconditional, immutable act of love and grace to sinners in Christ, by which all the blessings of grace are secured to the objects of his love.
Third, the Book of Ruth beautifully unfolds THE WONDROUS MYSTERY OF GOD’S WISE AND ADORABLE PROVIDENCE. Providence is the unfolding and accomplishment of God’s everlasting purpose, which is the salvation of his elect (Rom. 8:28-30). Once we get to the end of the story, especially reading it with hindsight and in the light of the completed Volume of Inspiration, we can see God’s providence in everything that took place in this story.
Providence brought the famine in Bethlehem and gave bounty in Moab. Elimelech’s move was an act of great wickedness on his part, for which he alone was entirely responsible; but even that was totally ruled by God’s sovereign providence and according to his eternal purpose of grace.(Psa. 76:10). Let no one imagine that the family bloodline of our Savior was left to chance! The Lord God had chosen Ruth as an heir of his grace and to be the ancestral grandmother of our Lord’s earthly family (Matt. 1:5). Therefore, Elimelech came to Moab. Then, at God’s appointed time, Naomi heard good news in Moab, good news of God visiting his people in mercy.(1:6). By the arrangement of special providence, Ruth came to the field of Boaz (2:3). There, Boaz (the type of our sovereign Lord and Redeemer) commanded his young men to protect her, give her handfuls of purpose, and let her drink at his fountains. Will we ever learn to trust God’s providence?
"God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs And works His sovereign will!"
Fourth, this little Book is most precious, because it sets before us in a beautiful, typical picture THE BLESSEDNESS OF REDEMPTION BY CHRIST. "And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen" (2:20). What a beautiful picture of Christ Boaz is!
He was a kinsman redeemer. – Christ assumed our nature. "The Word was made flesh."
He was a mighty redeemer. – Our blessed Savior is mighty indeed. His name is "The Mighty God!"
Boaz was a wealthy redeemer. – Christ is filled with infinite, inexhaustible treasures of grace for sinners.
He was a willing redeemer. – Christ willingly laid down his life for us.
He was a lawful redeemer, such a redeemer as the law required. – So, too, is our Lord Jesus Christ.
Boaz was an effectual redeemer. He got Ruth, the object of his love. – The Son of God, our effectual Redeemer, shall get the people of his choice.
Boaz was a complete redeemer, too. When Ruth got Boaz; she got him and everything in him. – And it is written, concerning all God’s elect, "Ye are complete in him" (Col. 2:10).
I am not straining inspiration at all when I tell you that the fifth lesson set before us in the Book of Ruth is THE INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE WORD IN CONVERSION. "Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread" (1:6). God has ordained the salvation of his people; and he has ordained the means by which he will save them. When the appointed time of love comes, when God is pleased to call the sinner he has chosen to life and faith in Christ, he will do so by sending someone to the chosen sinner with the gospel of his grace. To many, this teaching seems inconsistent with the message of God’s sovereign grace; but man’s inability to comprehend the consistency of Scripture does not alter the plain statements of Holy Scripture. And the Scriptures plainly declare that God saves sinners only by the instrumentality of the gospel. "It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" (Rom. 10:17; 1 Cor. 1:21; Eph. 1:13; Heb. 4:12; James 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23-25).
Sixth, the Book of Ruth shows us THE CHARACTER OF TRUE FAITH. True faith is commitment to Christ. "And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God :Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her" (1:16-18).
The difference between Ruth and Orpah was commitment. True faith acknowledges personal unworthiness (2:10) and humbly takes its place at the feet of Christ (3:4-8). This is the place where Mary was found, hearing the Savior’s words. The leper fell at the Master’s feet, when he came seeking mercy. When John saw Christ in his glory and heard his voice, he fell at his feet. Let us ever be found "at his feet." This is the place of humility, reverence, faith, worship, rest, love, and honor. We serve Christ best, when we serve at his feet, leaning upon his Word, trusting his grace, seeking his glory.
Seventh, this precious little Book gives a hint regarding THE REWARD OF FAITH. "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 trust" (2:12). Faith is taking shelter under the wings of the Almighty, fleeing to Christ our Refuge. Faith, above all else, honors God. And faith obtains the reward of grace. Our faith in Christ is not the cause of God’s grace to us. Indeed, our faith in him is the gift and operation of his grace (Eph. 1:19; 2:8-9; Col. 2:12). Yet, it is by faith that we obtain the enjoyment and blessedness of all the blessings of God’s grace in Christ. Believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, all that he is is ours. All grace is ours. All things in time are ours. All things in eternity are ours. If Christ is ours, all is ours!
The Lord Jesus Christ is our great Boaz. In him we are blessed with all spiritual blessings, from everlasting to everlasting. "Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel."
AMEN.