Jesus foreshadowed in a marriage. Ruth 4
Jesus throughout the Scriptures: Joshua, Judges, Ruth (7)
Pray Psalm 119.57-60.
You are my portion, O LORD;
I have said that I would keep Your words.
I entreated Your favor with my whole heart;
Be merciful to me according to Your word.
I thought about my ways,
And turned my feet to Your testimonies.
I made haste, and did not delay
To keep Your commandments.
Sing Psalm 119.57-60.
(Leoni: The God of Abraham Praise )
I vow to keep Your Word; You are my portion, LORD.
Let favor fill my heart; have mercy by Your Word!
When I think on my way, I turn my feet to You;
to Your path I shall not delay, Your Word to do.
Read ruth 41.22; meditate on verses 13-17.
Preparation
1. Why did Boaz gather the elders of the city?
2. What was the result of their decision?
Meditation
Boaz is referred to as a “kinsman-redeemer” in the book of Ruth, meaning that he was in the line of Naomi’s deceased husband and therefore in line to inherit his property. But this would also entail marrying the wife of Elimelech’s son, who had also died. And Boaz was prepared to do this.
There was only one glitch. Another “kinsman-redeemer” was closer in line than Boaz. A judgment was required, as Boaz insisted on resolving this “by the Book”, so to speak. Their case—that of Boaz and the other kinsman—resembled elements of God’s Law, but not exactly (Lev. 25.25, 26). The elders of the city were charged with interpreting God’s intent at such times. The kinsman was willing to inherit the land, but not to marry Ruth. He forfeited his claim, and the elders approved Boaz to proceed with his plan.
Most important, God blessed this decision and Ruth’s marriage to Boaz. In a sense, both Boaz and Ruth point forward to Jesus. Boaz kept the Law and redeemed a bride; Ruth, the redeemed, opened the way for the ingrafting of Gentiles into the household of Israel. The story of Christ’s work of redemption is beautifully typified throughout the story of Ruth and Boaz. The genealogy added at the end of this chapter bridges the time from Judah (Perez was Judah’s son) to David, thus carrying the promises of God’s covenant forward to the beginning of the dynasty that led to Shiloh (Gen. 49.8-11)—Jesus.
Jesus is our Kinsman-Redeemer and our King, the first-born of our Father Who redeemed us from sin to life in Him and His Kingdom. Thanks be to God!
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
And through this kinsman-redeemer we share the same blessing that was blessed upon Naomi: “And may he (her grandson, Obed) be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age…” (Ruth 4.15).
Jesus Christ, our Kinsman-Redeemer, has come specifically to bring that kind of life. “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (Jn. 10.10).
“Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come” (Ps. 71.18).
“Even to your old age, I AM He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you” (Is. 46.4).
And then there is a fulfillment of this promise at Jesus’ birth through the immense blessing bestowed upon Simeon and Anna. Two old faithful folk who saw with their own aged eyes, The Promise, The Son of God, The Messiah (Lk. 2.25-38).
As Christians, we have a life-long calling to serve The One Who came to save—The God With us—Immanuel. Regardless of how old we get, we are still called to trust, obey, and serve Him. Naomi did. Boaz and Ruth did. And we must also. God promises to enable us to do so until death. “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2.10).
As John Milton wrote in his beautiful sonnet When I Consider How My Light is Spent (aka On His Blindness):
When I consider how my light is spent,
Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,
And that one Talent which is death to hide
Lodged with me useless, though my Soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest he returning chide,
“Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?”
I fondly ask. But patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, “God doth not need
Either man’s work or his own gifts; who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is Kingly; thousands at his bidding speed,
And post o’er land and ocean without rest;
They also serve who only stand and wait.”
Stand and “Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart;”
Stand and “Wait, I say, on the LORD!” (Ps. 27.14).
Jesus, our Kinsman-Redeemer restores and nourishes our lives until He takes us Home.
Serve Him well, for “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints” (Ps. 116.15).
Reflection
1. In what ways will you serve as a “kinsman” to people today?
2. How will you share the message of our Redeemer’s love?
3. Is your calling to serve the Lord expanding in any ways? Explain.
Ruth bore a son, through whom thousands and myriads were born to God; and in being the lineal ancestor of Christ, she was instrumental in the happiness of all that shall be saved by him; even of us Gentiles, as well as those of Jewish descent. She was a witness for God to the Gentile world, that he had not utterly forsaken them, but that in due time they should become one with his chosen people, and partake of his salvation. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Ruth 4.13-22
Pray Psalm 119.61-64.
Pray that the Lord will help you grow ever deeper into His Word, and that all your companions—family members, friends, and fellow church members—may know His grace and truth through you this day.
Sing Psalm 119.61-64.
(Leoni: The God of Abraham Praise )
Though wicked ways constrain and bind my hands in sin,
yet I recall Your Word and turn to You again.
By night I thank You, LORD; my voice to You I raise;
for all Your righteous, holy Word I give You praise.
All those who fear You, LORD, go with me on my way,
all those who keep Your holy Word from day to day.
Around us all the earth declares Your mercy, LORD.
That I might know Your glorious worth, teach me Your Word
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Our Scriptorium study on the book of Ruth, Ruth: Redeeming Grace, is now available in a free PDF. Download your copy by clicking here, then share it freely with friends and start your own Scriptorium study group.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
