God’s Critical Role In The Book of Ruth
The Book of Ruth tells a powerful story of how a Moabite named Ruth met an Israelite named Boaz and how their marriage ensured the continuation of her mother-in-law Naomi’s family line and valuable inheritance (4:3-5, 9-10, 14-15).
But, the book is about more than immediate relief for the family. The coming together of Boaz and Ruth is a result of God’s providence, and God’s providence plays the long game. From their line will come David and, in the fullness of time, David’s greater Son.
I see a typological relationship between Boaz and Jesus. Put simply, Boaz is a type of Christ, and Jesus is a true and greater Boaz.
There are at least seven connections between Boaz and Jesus:
1. They are both from the royal tribe of Judah. In the generations after Boaz, King David was from the tribe of Judah (1 Sam 17:12) and, a thousand years after David, so was King Jesus (Matt 1:2-3, 16; Heb 7:14). Boaz belonged to the tribe of the Messiah.
2. The town of Bethlehem. Generations after Boaz and Ruth, David was also from Bethlehem in Judah (1 Sam 16:1; 17:12). Later out of Bethlehem came Jesus, in fulfillment of the Micah 5:2 prophecy. Jesus grew up in Nazareth of Galilee (Matt 2:22-23), but the Gospels of Matthew and Luke deliberately showcased his birthplace.
3. The Role of Redeemer. The role Boaz plays in the story is a Kinsman-redeemer. This role stems from Leviticus 25 where a relative can redeem property and even slaves by bearing the cost himself. This redemption would bring restoration to destitution. The redeemer helped the helpless.
4. A Bride from the Nations. The entrance of Ruth into the promised land and her worship of Yahweh (Ruth 1:16-22) reminds readers that God promised blessing through Abraham to all families of the earth (Gen 12:2-3).
5. Constant Acts of Kindness. Even before Boaz was aware of Ruth’s relationship to Naomi, he treated this foreigner with kindness, mercy and protection. Jesus moved toward the despised and reached out to the untouchables. The leper, demoniac, tax collector, Samaritan woman, beggar, were deliberate targets of Christ’s kindness.
6. A Keeper of the Law and Then Some! Boaz permitted Ruth to glean in ways that were above and beyond what was required by the law. Jesus not only fulfilled the Law of Moses, he spoke with divine authority about it, prefacing his teaching with phrases like “You have heard that it was said…But I say to you” (Matt 5:28).
7. An Abundant Provider. A central motif in the Book of Ruth is the journey from emptiness to fulfillment. Boaz was an abundant provider. In the Four Gospels, Jesus is shown to be generous with provision to a scandalous degree. He proclaimed the gospel and healed “every disease and affliction among the people” (Matt 4:23).
If someone invited you to listen to a story about a redeemer from Bethlehem in Judah who fulfilled and exceeded the law with his acts of mercy and abundant provision before entering into covenant with a bride from the nations, that story could be about Boaz or Jesus. Such is the beauty and brilliance of the Word of God!
The beauty and relevance of the Bible to today’s world is the focus of our teachings at Foothills Community Church. We want the time you spend in our Sabbath services to grow your understanding of how God is speaking to you today to guide your life as a strong Christian.
See you at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Sabbath service,
Duff
