Jesus in the Old Testament, Ruth

Jesus in the Book of Ruth

I can hear some of ya. OK, OK, I get Jesus in Genesis, well, all the Books, up to now. Of course, people like Moses and Joshua were Shadows of Jesus. Of course, Jesus is the Bread from Heaven, the Sacrificial Lamb, the Final Sacrifice. I get all that. I even see how Judges would point to Jesus being the ultimate Judge. But Ruth? Isn’t the whole Book about a Woman named Ruth?

Yes. Sort of. Who is Ruth? Let start at the beginning. Ruth 1:1-5

“In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.”

Ruth is not a Descendent of Abraham. She is a descendant of Abraham’s Nephew, Lot. Moab was born from Sexual Sin as Lot and his two Daughters left Sodom and Gomorrah going into the hills. His Daughters, concerned they would never Marry or bare Children, decided to get their father drunk and have sex with him. Two Sons came of this and their names were Moab and Ammon. Ruth was a descendant of Moab. I know I know, But this is what really happened.

So Ruth had no part in the Inheritance of God’s Chosen People. She was outside the Blessings and the Promise. Naomi heard that there was a Blessing of God on the Fields in Bethlehem and decided to turn back and head there. She tells Ruth to return to her Mother’s House and expected her to go as Orphah did. However, Ruth would not.

“And she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more.” {Ruth 1:15-18}

When she returned, people of Moab looked at her and said,

““Is this Naomi?” She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?” So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.”

After Elimelech, Mahlon and Killion all died Naomi tried to leave Ruth and Orphah there so she could return to Bethlehem hoping for mercy. Orpah didn’t stay with Naomi but Ruth clung to her. Think about this in your own life. You will find that some People only stay with you as long as it benefits them to be with you. Other people understand you are part of their Life, no matter what, and they remain with you through all of the Good Times and all the Adversity. Ruth clung to Naomi and they hoped together for a better future.

Bad things are going to happen. We must move on and always keep our focus up and not down. forward, and not back. Keep your company with those who are with you and of like Mind. Keep it in the Family if you will.

Continuing in Ruth we see Naomi and Ruth came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the Harvest Season. They were poor. Their allotted Inheritance in Israel was gone. They had no one to support them and take care of them. The Law required that, in Israel, the Poor were to be allowed to follow the Reapers through the Fields and glean, or pick up what the Reapers left behind.

Ruth knew that there was a Kinsman who could Redeem her. The law of the Kinsman Redeemer was given in Leviticus 25:25

“If your brother becomes poor and sells part of his property, then his nearest redeemer shall come and redeem what his brother has sold.”

Boaz was a Kinsman. He was a Mighty Man of Great Wealth. She went out into the fields to glean with the Poor, hoping she might find Grace in the eyes of Boaz, hoping that he would become her Kingsman. She went to the place where she was most likely to meet her Boaz, with the hope that he might be Gracious to her.

As Ruth went to the Harvest Fields, where the had the greatest prospect of meeting Boaz, we Sinners in need of Mercy are Wise to meet with God’s people in the House of Worship. There Christ walks with and reveals Himself to his Chosen Matthew 18:20

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Also in Revelations 2:1 we read.

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.”

Over and over again, Jesus talks about the Fields, Harvest, and the need for Workers. He calls The Word of God Seed, those that share it Sowers, and those that receive it, differing types of Grounds producing different amounts of Increase. We should go and seek out OUR Redeemer in the Fields of the Harvest.

However, I want you to notice this, although Ruth was going out seeking a Redeemer, the Redeemer saw Ruth before she could know who he was, and had compassion on her.

“Then Boaz said to his young man who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?” And the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered, “She is the young Moabite woman, who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves after the reapers.’ So she came, and she has continued from early morning until now, except for a short rest.” 

Then we see how, although she was not worthy, he made her equal to the other Young Women in his care.

“Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.” 

Then when Ruth fell down and “Prayed to Him” and began to question his Kindness.

“Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” Then she said, “I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not one of your servants.”

So we see her Redeemer found her. He already knew her and all about her. He accepted her as she was, and he Redeems her. Jump ahead to Chapter 4:13-17

“So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David. who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.”

Ruth, the Pagan Moabitess, or Gentile, born into Sin, became the Wife of Boaz, Heir to all his Estate, including becoming the Great Grandmother of King David and was placed in the direct lineage of Christ.

All who accept Jesus, and come onto Him, are married to Christ, Heirs of God and Joint Heirs with Christ, and are made to be the Sons and Daughters of God Almighty.

“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” {Romans 8:16-17}

All by grace! All through Christ our Kinsman Redeemer.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” {Ephesians 2:8-9}

Boaz set his eyes upon Ruth, took notice of her, and had Compassion on her before she even knew who he was. Even so, the Lord Jesus Christ took notice of us, loved us, and chose us before we, and even though we could never, know who He was.

“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”{Romans 5:8}

Jesus IS The Way, Truth, Life, Door, Gate, Shepard, Key to Heaven, the Great I Am. He IS our Kinsman Redeemer.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!!