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BACKGROUND
1. WHAT IS AN ALLEGORY?
2. 'TYPES' IN SCRIPTURE
3. LIFE IN THE TIME OF RUTH
4. THE JEWISH 'SOCIAL WELFARE' SYSTEM
5. A KINSMAN-REDEEMER
.......THE KINSMAN-REDEEEMERS OBLIGATIONS
6. WHEAT AND BARLEY
.......BARLEY
.......WHEAT
.......THE HARVEST
.......THRESHING AND WINNOWING
The
full background to this teaching is available online at this link
Book of Ruth Background
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Online links to scriptures (New International Version [NIV] unless otherwise stated) are shown in blue
| The first two sections have been retained for reference purposes during your study. You may prefer to directly scroll down to to the new teaching from Chapter 2. |
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| THE PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS |
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To understand today's application of this amazing 'story' we must appreciate who or what each of the principal characters represents. So it is here we need to start.
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| BOAZ: A type of Jesus. |
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Galatians 3:13-14
His name means, 'in him is strength'. Boaz was the 'Kinsman Redeemer' (restorer) of Naomi and Ruth. Jesus is our redeemer.
Interestingly, the two pillars at the front of Solomon's Temple were named Jachin; 'He will establish' and Boaz; 'In Him there is strength.' Here we have the perfect picture of Jesus upon His return to reign in authority and power.
However He first came in weakness, as symbolized by the Tabernacle of Moses A perfect picture of us, today's believers, walking in the weakness of imperfection through the wilderness with Christ, as did the children of Israel so long ago. But He also overcame sin and death on the Calvary's cruel Cross, which we celebrate today, as typified by David's Tabernacle. While finally, the glory of the Temple pictures Christ's millennial reign! (See 'A Revelation of……. The Three Houses of Worship'). It was this final kingly reign that both the Jews, and many unbelievers today, expected Jesus to institute when He first came! The concept of a servant king to be imitated had and has much less appeal!
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| NAOMI: Type of the Jewish people and then the "Jewish church" |
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Naomi is a classic picture of a Jewish matriarch who, typical of women generally, is the power behind her husband's throne. But tragically, her husband, Elimelech (Meaning ' My God is King') dies. With extreme difficulty in the culture of the time, Naomi had to assume headship of the family. When things didn't go well, she cried out for her name to be changed from Naomi (my pleasantness) to Mara (bitter). But once the opportunity arises, her life quickly becomes focused on rectifying this situation through her daughter-in-law, Ruth.
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| RUTH: Type of the gentile church. |
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Ruth was a foreigner, from the land of Moab, (today's central Jordan) who was married to one of Naomi's two sons, Mahlon (puny, sick) or Chilion (pining, failing). Moab had a long history of conflict with the Jews, going back to the time when the Moabite King refused to let the Israelites pass through his land, shortly after their escape from a 400 year captivity in Egypt. This antagonism and conflict continued and intensified throughout the centuries that followed. Ruth, being a Moabitess was as 'unjewish' and as low as you could go in the Jewish societal structure of the day. So for her to return to Israel with her mother-in-law after the death of both their husbands, was a huge act of self-sacrifice.
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| ORPAH: Type of the end time church that falls away. |
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Orpah (back of the-neck, mane, stubborn) married Naomi's other son during the time the family spent in Moab, while escaping the drought in Israel. Orpah started on the journey back to Israel, but on the advice of Naomi, took the easy (and seemingly sensible!) option of returning to her family and remaining in Moab, in itself a type of 'the world'.
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| TO THE JEWS |
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The story represents a picture of the transformation of Naomi from despair to happiness and cultural fulfilment, through the selfless acts of Boaz and Ruth.
This is well expressed in a Jewish description of the traditional reading of Ruth on the Feast of Shavout, or Pentecost, as Christians know it.
"Reading of the Book of Ruth: On the morning of Shavuot, we read the Book of Ruth, one of the "five scrolls". The book is the story of Ruth, a Moabite who chose to convert to Judaism, and was the great-grandmother of King David. There are many reasons for this custom. One has to do with the main character of the book, Ruth. Ruth was a convert, meaning she took upon herself the yoke of Jewish law. So too on Shavuot, as we celebrate the giving of the Law, we take upon ourselves a new the yoke of the Torah." (http://www.geeboosh.com/shavuot.htm)
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| TO CHRISTIANS |
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A picture of Jesus (Boaz) and His care for His end time combined Gentile (Ruth) and Jewish (Naomi) Church.
This amazing truth is revealed in a simple story, ironically in one of only two books in the Bible that has no mention of God. A story that took place nearly 3,000 years ago. A family tragedy, ending in a family restoration. Yet, this seemingly simple story contains Kingdom truths revealing God's plan for His church in these end times.
Let's look closer, shall we?
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| UNDERLYING SPIRITUAL MEANING:
A PICTURE OF THE END TIME CHURCH |
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| 2:1-2:3 THE CALL TO HARVEST |
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Ruth 2:1-3
Ruth realizes that in order to survive, they need to gather a supply of grain. Naomi, probably reluctantly, but out of desperation allows her to do so, for she would have been well aware of the dangers Ruth would face in the fields. In normal circumstances, being a Moabite woman, she would have been open to rape and even murder, with no consequences for the perpetrators. But Ruth finds herself in Boaz's field.
Symbolic of a desire in the end time church to gather a harvest of people to Jesus. Jesus puts us in the right field under His protection and allows us to first gather the "gleanings", a foretaste of things to come.
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| 2:4 HARVEST TIME ANNOINTING |
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Ruth2:4
Boaz comes out to his field to supervise the harvest.
A symbol of a most powerful move of the Holy Spirit when the final harvest time comes.
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| 2:5-2:7 COMMITTMENT |
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Ruth 2:5-7
Boaz receives a positive report on Ruth's hard work in gleaning.
Symbolic of the commitment required for gathering the harvest.
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| 2:8-2:9 OBEDIENCE |
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Ruth 2:8-9
Boaz instructs Ruth to stay in his field, confirming that he will look after her generously.
Symbolic of our remaining under the cover of His church to receive His generous protection.
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| 2:10-2:13 FAVOUR RECEIVED |
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Ruth 2:10-13
Having now experienced life in the fields, Ruth asks why she has received such favour. She is told it is because of what she has done for Naomi (Israel). Ruth submits to him in deep gratitude.
Symbolic of how Jesus rewards us when we come to Him, even though we don't deserve it. Also speaks of His appreciation of the end time church's help for Israel.
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| 2:14-2:16 ASSISTANCE PROVIDED |
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Ruth 2:14-16
Boaz's generosity towards Ruth is illustrated in both personal provision and by making her work easier.
If we are fully committed to Jesus He will look after us personally and enable us to do His harvesting effectively.
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| 2:17 A BOUNTIFUL HARVEST |
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Ruth 2:17
Ruth collected an unexpectedly large harvest.
Our harvest will be greater than we imagine when we walk in His ways.
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| 2:18-2:23 MAKING AN IMPRESSION |
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Ruth2:18-23
Naomi was surprised how much grain Ruth had gathered. Ruth explained Boaz's generosity and protection. Naomi understood that Boaz was looking after her too, by getting Ruth to stay under his protection until the end of the harvest.
The works of the end time church will impress Israel, as they will see the source of them. Also reminding us, once again, that we need to stay under God's covering within His church.
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| PART 3 (OF 4) TO FOLLOW NEXT WEEK |
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| <i>NEXT WEEK</i>
A REVELATION OF…….THE BOOK OF RUTH continues. |
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 Discover the reward for boldness and commitment contained in Chapter 3.
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| A NOTE FROM DAVID |
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 As we get further into the story, the character of Ruth (Picture of the end time church) is becoming more apparent. Are we following her example?
On a lighter note, today and over the next 2 weeks I will reveal all, in pictorial form, of my saga of growing (well, trying to grow) a beard! Just to show that I am very human!
If you are really interested, you can look at the poem, 'To Beard or Not to Beard?' on the 'Waxing Lyrical' page of our website. Enjoy!
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So until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD!
His servant and yours
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A DAVID'S DOODLING
A believer loves the Lord, but the disciple's love is unconditional.
David Tait
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