Ruth: A Typology of Love- Part 2
Yesterday we looked at the book of Ruth and, in particular, the meaning of the names mentioned and the deeper messages found in Ruth.
And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter. And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech. And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The Lord be with you. And they answered him, The Lord bless thee. Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this? And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab: And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house. Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn. Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger? And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. 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. Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens. Ruth 2:1-13 (KJV)
Ruth, whose name means friend, beauty, something worth seeing, was noticed by Boaz, whose name means in him is strength. Boaz is a type of Christ and Ruth was a type of the church. Ruth was apparently beautiful, but she was also worth looking at because she was a friend to Naomi. Boaz noticed her because he heard of her dedication to her mother-in-law. When we are dedicated to Him, God will put us where we need to be for what He has for us and cause us to be noticed. Boaz was the kinsman redeemer for Naomi and had the ability to purchase Ruth as his bride. Jesus is our Redeemer and He has redeemed our lives from all trouble, loss, etc. We are His bride. He bought us back from the slave market of sin and now God is our King and we delight in Him. He turned our sickness and weakness into strength. Ruth wasn’t just blessed to be married to Boaz but to be in the lineage that produced both King David and King Jesus. As we accept Jesus and become covenant friends with Him, it affects us and generations to come.
God plants us in our the house of bread and we work in His fields to bring in the harvest. We learn how to follow God and stay away from Moab, or works of the flesh. However, when we find ourselves surrounded by enemies or carnality, we die to self and live unto our Redeemer, Jesus. We are in covenant with Jesus- He is our Briedgroom and we are His bride. We are eternal covenant friends. We live to praise Him, to break the bread of His Word, to do His work and sit at His feet. As the love between us and our Redeemer goes on, it affects generations to come- even throughout eternity.
