Key word: Redemption
Ruth is one of the most beautiful stories in all the Scripture. It takes place during the time of the Judges, demonstrating that not everyone was living godless lives, and that the Lord had not forsaken His people even if most had rejected Him. It is instructive that in the Hebrew arrangement of the Old Testament books that Ruth is placed after Proverbs, and specifically immediately after Proverbs 31 and the virtuous woman. Ruth epitomizes the Proverbs 31 woman.
The story line follows a Jewish family which fled from Israel to Moab during the terrible famine. While staying in Moab for 10 years, Naomi’s husband and sons died and she returns home with her Moabite daughter-in-law Ruth. Ruth is determined to take care of Naomi and does. Along the way, she meets and marries the godly Boaz and has a son who will be the grandfather of David , the king of Israel and ancestor of Jesus.
But this simple story has deeper significance, as found in the Hebrew word “Gaal”, meaning kinsman-redeemer, used 13 times in Ruth. The kinsman-redeemer was a near relative who would just back a relative’s property if they had to sell due to financial problems. They would also marry a widow and raise up children in the name of the dead husband thus keeping his line alive and his property in the family. Boaz would be Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer. This picture points straight to Christ who would become our Redeemer – buying us back from sin and giving us a new life in Him.
Key verse: Ruth 4:14 – “Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a redeemer today.”
