WHO WROTE:  The author of this Book was probably Samuel, according to Jewish tradition.  However, statements such as, “It came to pass in the days when the judges judged,” Ruth 1:1, and the phrase, “in former time in Israel,” Ruth 4:7, would indicate a later writer, unless Samuel is showing the close of the Judges period and things that no longer take place.  However, Ruth 4:15, compared to First Samuel 1:8, has the same phraseology, leaning us back to Samuel.  Also, Ruth 1:6, compared to First Samuel 2:21, the phraseology is the same.

 

 

WHAT TIME PERIOD IS COVERED:  Partial lifespan of Ruth to David = B.C. 1119-1079?

 

 

WHEN WRITTEN:  After B.C. 1039.

 

 

INTRODUCTION:  The Book of Ruth was originally a part of the Book of Judges, but it now forms one of the twenty-four separate Books of the Hebrew Bible.  What is most interesting about this Book is that It is traditionally read by rabbis on the Feast of Pentecost, which is the only Feast that allows leavened bread.

 

It is also interesting to note, that the Books describing or written by Ruth or Luke are the only Books in the Bible that are not of Jewish heritage (Ruth) or authorship (Luke).

 

Originally the Book of Ruth followed after the Book of Proverbs.  The question would be why?  We find our answer in a little Hebrew word, found in Ruth 3:11.  That word is, “chayil,” meaning, “wealth, virtue, value, strength.”  This Hebrew word is applied to Boaz, in regards to his “wealth,” even though he also commands all these attributes.

 

However, in regards to Ruth, it is applied as “virtue,” or “value,” or “strength” of character.  Therefore, when the original compilers had the Book of Proverbs in hand, and the woman of Proverbs, Chapter 31, had the same Hebrew word applied to her, as seen in Proverbs 31:10 & 29, they were looking for a woman who would emerge after the woman of the Book of Proverbs, and they found that application in Ruth.

 

The Hebrew word “chayil” is mostly applied in Scripture as in a military status.  And therefore, the woman of Proverbs 31:10, is seen to have strength, as to not leave her post of duty.  She has not just “virtue,” but is willing to risk all in order to do good.  Thus, the word applies to Ruth, risking all to go to be with God’s people.  In fact, Solomon may very well have been writing about his Great-Grandmother Ruth in Proverbs, Chapter 31.

 

The Hebrew word for Ruth is, “Reuth,” which is a feminine of “Reu,” meaning, “friend.”

 

Five times Ruth is titled in this Book as, “Ruth the Moabitess,” Ruth 1:22; 2:2 & 21; 4:5 & 10.  Also, according to Deuteronomy 23:3:  “An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD.”  It must be that she represents the “tenth generation” since the Moabites attacked Israel in the wilderness, else the scribes would not have given her name the title.  Our Lord foresaw the future line of Christ and made allowances for it.

 

There are many women listed in the lineage of our Lord.  Certain ones stand out as being a misrepresentation of the Messianic lineage.

 

Leah:  Who acquired marriage through deception.

Tamar:  Who became a harlot for a day.

Rahab:  Who ran a brothel.

Ruth:  Who was a Moabitess.

Bathsheba:  Who submitted to adultery.

Athaliah:  Who was the daughter of Jezebel and just as wicked.

 

However, it is Ruth, whose only sin was that of being a Moabite (Gentile), that well represents righteous Gentiles; while Mary, the mother of our Lord, well represents righteous Israelites.

 

By contrast, we must take note that the “title” of this little Book should have been -- most likely -- “Boaz,” as he is the main character, being the “kinsman redeemer,” who really mostly represents our Lord.  Another reason to name this Book Boaz is, there are 85 verses in the Book of Ruth, and of those verses, 55 of them are dialog.  Ruth speaks a total of 120 words in the 10 speeches she has.  Naomi speaks 125 words in her 12 speeches.  However, Boaz speaks 251 words in his 14 speeches.

 

Therefore, the argument could be made for Boaz to be the name of this little Book, considering that Ruth has very little to say in regards to Boaz’ contribution.  However, the commitment and faith of Ruth are so dramatic of a changed life, as opposed to Boaz and Naomi who already possessed this faith, that the Book is most likely appropriately titled.

 

Now we know that Boaz was a Kinsman Redeemer (Lev. 25:25 & 47-54; Num. 36:8-9; Deu. 25:5-6).  However, what most people miss is that in order to be a “kinsman redeemer” you had to accomplish 5 things.

 

1) You had to be a man.  We learn from Revelation, Chapter 5, that only a worthy “man” could step up and open the 7 sealed Book; Christ our Lord being able to fulfill that obligation.

 

2) He had to be able to perform the act; in this context, meaning he had to be beyond reproach, and in our Lord’s context, meaning He had to be sinless.

 

3) He must be willing to perform the act; the other kinsman was not; whereas Boaz (Christ our Lord) was.  And Christ our Lord came to this earth willingly in order to save you and I.

 

4) “He must be qualified.”  The nearest “near kinsman” was qualified, but disqualified himself by not being willing.

 

5) He must assume all the obligations such as sharing land he owns.  In our Lord’s case, He must be willing to share Heaven.  In Boaz’s case, this would include Ruth’s children, with any other children that one may already have (Ruthhaving none).  In our Lord’s case, that would be to share with the angels of Heaven and their inheritance.  In Ruth’scase, that would include anything else that Ruth may bring with her.

 

It becomes even more clear as we move along into the Book of Ruth that Boaz represents Christ; the True Kinsman Redeemer, Who will restore to Naomi the land which was lost to her -- meaning Eden/Heaven.  And He will give to Ruth (representing Gentiles), a land offered to them through Naomi (representing the Israelites).  Remember, Israelwas supposed to give the Gospel to the Gentiles.

 

In regards to Boaz being sinless, thus representing Christ, his name means, “in it [or him] is strength.”  This meaning comes from First Kings 7:15-21 (see also 2Ch. 3:17), where we learn that Solomon’s temple had one of its main pillars named Boaz.  In Ruth 2:1, he is described as a “H1368; gibbor; H2428; chayil,” a phrase which can mean either “a mighty man of valor,” which has military implications and character implications all tied up into one.  Or else it can mean, “a man of position and wealth.”  It appears he was both.  To be placed as a pillar before the House of God, supporting and guarding the Holy Temple, and for Solomon to name one of the pillars as Boaz, a name in his ancestry, well represents that Boaz’s character was well known.

 

Boaz also represents Christ as being not the full-err to Naomi’s land, nor to Ruth, because a closer relative (Satan) has a claim upon them.  But Boaz (representing Christ) is more than willing to purchase these despised Gentiles; whereas Satan just wants to use them.  The only reason the first, or true kinsman redeemer (representing Satan), was interested in the first place, was to acquire what Ruth (representing Gentiles) owned or was to inherit later, i.e., Heaven.

 

The nearer “kinsman,” representing Satan, who lays claim upon us due to our sinfulness.  In Ruth 4:7, we have a scene of a court in session.  It is decided to whom you have given your allegiance to, the “Kinsman Redeemer,” Who is Christ, or the more “closer kinsman,” who is Satan and the things of this earth.  What happens to Satan when Christ steps in to claim you as His is a wonderful picture of Christ, our “Kinsman Redeemer,” Who claims us as His when we give allegiance to Him instead of the things of this earth.

 

Ruth well represents the converted Gentiles, showing how when they glean, they only glean at the outskirts of Heavens doors, as instructed in Leviticus 19:9-10; 23:22 (& Deu. 24:19-22): “And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. [10] And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger:  I Am the LORD your God.”

 

By contrast, Boaz (representing Christ), shows how God wants to open up to the Gentiles the storehouses and treasures of Heaven and pour them out a blessing, even saying to the reaping angels, “let fall also some of the handfuls” of the harvest on “purpose,” as seen in Ruth 2:16 when Ruth went out to glean.

 

Ruth also represents those Gentiles who will be converted, in that her name implies the beginning of how a Gentile is converted -- for remember, her name means “friend.”

 

Orpah (Ruth’s sister-in-law) represents Gentiles who are touched by Christ but turn back to their god’s (Ruth 1:15).  Although she must have been touched greatly, for David, who is the great-grandson of Ruth (Orpah’s sister-in-law), hid from Saul in the land of Moab, possibly being harbored by relatives, direct descendants, or at minimum, friends of Orpah’s family.

 

Naomi (representing Israel), shows how God’s people sin, leave the presence of the Lord, repent, and return to Him. Notice how it is that Naomi had to be out of the land (Jesus came out of Heaven) in order to bring Ruth into the picture (i.e., the inheritance of Heaven).

 

Now we come to the question, “Who really is Ruth?”  She is a Gentile and she is the Bride (of Christ).  Now notice: In order for Ruth to be redeemed, Naomi had to be exiled from her homeland (Christ had to leave Heaven; even though neither of these options were from the original design).  Then Ruth had to be brought into the land.  In other words, what the Law could not do or accomplish, Grace did.

 

However, Ruth does not replace Naomi.  Ruth learns of Boaz’s ways (meaning Christ’s ways) through Naomi.  But Naomi (representing Israel) meets Boaz (representing Christ) through Ruth (representing Gentiles.  Naomi’s faith is restored through contact with Ruth.  Notice that nowhere in the Book of Ruth does Naomi talk to Boaz directly until she is at the marriage and holding the child in her arms -- most likely)!

 

Isn’t that interesting?  Can you not see how this is going on in this, our day?  We, i.e., Gentiles, are bringing the message of Salvation through Jesus Christ to the Jewish people today. 

 

However, no matter how much Boaz (representing Christ) loved Ruth (representing the Gentiles), He had to wait for her move.  And not until then, and only then, could Boaz (representing Christ) take upon the entire confrontation with the other near kinsman (who represents Satan).  The Holy Spirit calls; but we must answer.  And are we not glad that Christ takes upon this task for our defense, and not just ourselves alone?

 

In Ruth 1:16, we have Ruth expressing her faith in the God of Israel -- “and thy God my God.”  And we can know for sure that Ruth expressed her belief in the True God, because Boaz confirms it in Ruth 2:12: “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.”

 

Thus, Ruth well represents those Gentiles that will hearken unto the voice of the Lord, while Orpah, her sister-in-law, well represents those Gentiles who have heard about the Lord, even follow Naomi (representing Israel), but do not go to meet our Lord (represented by Boaz).  Orpah does not chose to go down the road to Israel and towards Heaven, but ultimately refuses our Lords blessings.

 

At this point it must be understood what Ruth was doing by going with Naomi, and what Orpah was doing by not going with Naomi.  This way we can better understand why Orpah stayed.  What Ruth was willing to leave, in contrast to Orpah, was her way of life, her family, her friends, her life-style, her country, her countries god’s that she grew up with and understood, and in reality, what most of us are not willing to leave, that being our comfort-zone.

 

It is interesting to note that Ruth arrives in Israel, “in the beginning of [the] barley harvest,” Ruth 1:22.  That means that when Naomi was leaving Moab, Ruth and Orpah represent the Wheat and the Tares.  Christians will either completely leave the world behind, or turn back to it.  And when we arrive in Israel, i.e., Heaven, it will be the beginning of the Heavenly harvest.

 

Naomi represents those Christians, who, although leaving our Lords’ blessings, themselves being full of talent’s, possessions and abilities, loose them by searching for grasses that seem greener in Edom (which represents the world).

 

However, when Naomi (in this case, representing former Christians), hear of how the Lord is blessing their former brethren (i.e., meaning there is now food in Israel), they have a longing in their heart to return to Israel (that is, to return to God’s Kingdom values).

 

However, some still hold on to their sorrow like Naomi did, looking at Ruth 1:20-21: “[20] And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara:  for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. [21] I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty:  why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?”  She wanted to be called “bitterness,” for she returned empty (i.e., Naomireturned without her men-folk, which represents Christians without their former talents and blessings).

 

By contrast, our Lord blesses them anyway.  Because, although Naomi’s name meant “pleasantness,” she, like we, instead of looking at the overall picture, dwell on life’s trials and tribulations, and would fane call our names as did Naomi, into Mara, Ruth 1:20, meaning we hold a sense of “bitterness.”

 

For as Naomi would learn, and as you can see, when Naomi placed her thoughts, plans, and attention on Boaz, her Kinsman Redeemer (in Christ), life began to take on meaning again, such that all was pleasantness in the end:  Her talents returned, with the true born again experience of a new born baby at her breast; A child Redeemer to Come in her lineage; Her heritage, that we may all claim access to; The lineage, i.e., her name (Pleasantness/Christian); And the power of Christ.

 

Now the reason there was a famine in the land (Ruth 1:6) was not just because of a lack of bread, but because of a lack of the Word of God doing Its work in the people’s lives.  Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, well represents those who hear the Word of God, yet depend upon being supplied with bread from the things of the world (of which the land of Edomis well representative of).

 

However, for Elimelech, it would have been better to have stayed with Boaz and the others who would rather go through tough times with our Lord, than to die with bread in their tummies in the land of Moab (which well represents being out in the world and depending upon something other than God).

 

Going back to Boaz (representing Christ), who was not the nearest kinsman, we have learned that Satan is the true nearest kinsman to Ruth (i.e., meaning he is nearest to us sinners while we are in sin).  And just like the nearest kinsman of Ruth literally forfeits his right to Ruth and Naomi’s inheritance, these sin sick souls of Ruth and Naomiwell represent us in our sinful state, but redeemable if there is a willing party.

 

However, when Boaz (representing Christ), agrees to become our Kinsman Redeemer, He agrees to give up everything for us.  He will become a husband to Ruth (i.e., to us).  Just like our Lord gave up Omnipresence and invites us to the “marriage supper of the Lamb,” Boaz invites Ruth into every inheritance that he has.

 

Boaz’s property represents Heaven.  He agrees to share his property with Ruth (i.e., Christ agrees to bring us to Heaven and share It with us).  Boaz’s inheritance, that would have been given to only His children (if had had any) (i.e., the angels and those already in Heaven), will now be passed on to others also (i.e., Ruth’s offspring), along with Boaz’s (Christ’s) natural offspring (which represent those already in Heaven).  In other words, Boaz’s natural offspring (representing those already in Heaven), will share what they have with us when we get to Heaven.

 

Notice the would-be kinsman redeemer’s response, i.e., Satan’s response, in Ruth 4:6: “redeem thou my right.”  In other words, these sinners are mine, but “I cannot redeem” them, for Your Love is everlasting, and I am not willing to give up of myself and what I own, as you are Boaz (representing Christ).  You Boaz (i.e., Christ), are willing and able to do this.  You are willing to Love a people I do not love.  You are willing to give up Heaven for them, and I am not willing to give up the chance to take Heaven by force.

 

Remember two of the requirements.  The Kinsman Redeemer had to be willing and able.  The nearest kinsman(near-kinsman) to Ruth was able, but he was not willing.  Just as Satan is not willing to give up any of his pleasures or rights for the interests and accompaniment of another.  Whereas, our true Kinsman Redeemer (Christ) is willing and able.

 

Therefore, we must not miss this very important point.  The two sons of Elimelech and Naomi where named, “Mahlonand Chilion,” Ruth 1:2.  Why these names?  Because all Jewish names have meaning and implications.  Mahlonmeans, “sick,” or “sickly,” while Chilion means, “consumption,” or “failing health.”

 

This is how Naomi views her life.  But our God has a better plan for her life in the end.  Mahlon was Ruth’s husband (Ruth 4:10) for 10 years (Ruth 1:4).  And although both Mahlon and Chilion’s reproductive powers were “sickly,” meaning that the Ephrathite line of Bethlehem-Judah would die out should and when they die, God, through the Grace of a Kinsman Redeemer system that He established for erring man, shown by the love of Boaz for Ruth -- yea rather, Christ dyeing for a dying race -- Christ raises up seed where there was and is no seed.

 

Looking at Ruth 3:17-18 we read:  “[17] And she said [that is, Ruth said], These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law. [18] Then said she [that is, Naomi said], Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall:  for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.”

 

Notice and find out what is significant about “These six measures.”  Naomi understood its significance.  For she knew that Boaz was indicating by the giving of “six measures of barley,” that he would not “rest” until this matter was taken care of.  For if he had given her “seven measures of barley,” he would have been indicating that he had rested and placed the matter in the other kinsman redeemer’s hand.  But Boaz (representing Christ), will never “rest” until He has redeemed all He can, i.e., those who are willing to be redeemed.

 

Why does Ruth “uncover his [Boaz’] feet,” in Ruth 3:4 & 9?  Because, as the blue ribbon on the bottom of the priest’s clothing represented the authority and obedience of and to God’s Law, so the removing of Boaz’s lower portion of his garment, or rather, the “hem” of his garment, represented the placing of her request under the authority of Boaz (representing us placing our hopes and desires of Heaven under the authority of Christ); just as the woman with an issue of blood, in Matthew 9:20, touched the “hem” of Christ’s garment, which represented that she was touching the place of Christ’s authority (see my Ruth 3:4 & 9 Note).

 

In Ruth 4:7-8, we have an account of what we might call the “shoe” ceremony.  The actual instructions for this ceremony are described in detail in Deuteronomy 25:7-10.  In this account, and with those instructions, we learn that it was Ruth (the woman) who should have been the one to perform the actions of the removing of the “shoe.”  But since Ruth felt unworthy (as we should), Boaz (representing Christ), intercedes for her (i.e., Christ intercedes for us), and takes it upon Himself to show up and perform the ceremony.  In other words, we don’t even show up at our own trial; Christ does it all for us.

 

The account of the “shoe” ceremony is really about the transferring of said property from one kinsman to another.  In our case, it is the putting on of Christ’s robe of righteousness and exchanging this earth for Heaven.

 

So what did Boaz Purchase?  He purchased Elimelech’s land (Naomi’s husband), which in turn means he also purchased Ruth and Naomi, who came with the land.  He “redeemed them.”

 

This represents Christ purchasing back Heaven, which He left (and risked) in order to purchase a lost human race; purchasing Heaven and us, by and with His spilt blood.

 

In a side note, Boaz’s property is the very land where the shepherds where tending their sheep when angels from Heaven came to them announcing the birth or our Lord.

 

Thus, Ruth becomes the maternal progenitor of our Lord, through faith in Him, and produces Obed, the ultimate purpose and ending of the account in the Book of Ruth.  The tenth-generation lineage has been redeemed.  Now Obed’s name means, “worshiper.”  And as we know, Obed also becomes an ancestor and “worshiper” of Christ, just as we are and should be.

 

Notice, everyone involved who wanted a part in the true inheritance (representing Heaven), those being Boaz, Ruth, and Naomi, and you and I, receive it in the end; because of, and only because of, a Kinsman Redeemer (i.e., Christ), Who took the efforts and time needed in order to perform His duties of being a True Kinsman Redeemer, sacrificing everything (i.e., Heaven) for you and for me.

 

We need to understand the agricultural history of Israel to get a true grasp of the Book of Ruth.  Most people do not realize that the reason they do not understand Revelation, Chapter Six, verse 6, and most of Chapter Five, is because they do not understand or have true command of the Book of Ruth.  To understand the Kinsman Redeemerrole better, as laid out so well in the Book of Ruth, will be infinitely helpful in understanding the roll of our True Kinsman Redeemer in the Book of Revelation, Chapter Five; how He had to be a man in order to open the scroll, Revelation 5:3-4, how He had to be willing and able, Revelation 5:5, Etcetera, Etcetera.

 

Barley, in Ruth, Chapter One, is the first crop to ripen, and is considered the cheapest crop, ripening before wheat, sometimes as early as March, but generally in April.  Barley represents the first hint of something joyful to happen (weather-wise).  It’s the beginning of Spring.  Everything is about to bloom and begin to produce all other crops.

 

On our “Gregorian Calendar,” we would consider the Jewish month of Nisan to be our March/April; Nisan being the First month of the Jewish new-year; their years being based upon their agricultural seasons (very important to understand this concept).  Nisan (originally Abib; see my Bible Study = MONTHS, BIBLICAL) is also the month that Israel left the captivity of Egypt.

 

In the Jewish Farming Calendar, what we need to understand is that this is the time of the “Latter Rains.”  We westerners would normally consider this to be the time of the early rains, being the early part of the year.  But agriculturally, these are the “Latter Rains.”  The “Early Rains” are in the seventh month of the Jewish Farming Calendar, which is Tishre; or our October.

 

So, the barley and flax harvest begins in the month of Nisan.  What is important to understand is this is when the “Feasts of the Lord” begins.  Passover begins on the 14th of Nisan.  The morning after Sabbath is the Feast of Firstfruits.  In other words, the Sabbath that occurs after whenever the 14th falls upon, first day of the week, i.e., our Sunday, is celebrated on the Feast of Firstfruits.  The Feast of Unleavened Bread follows seven days after the 14th of Nisan.

 

The Second Month, Iyar, or our late April/May, is when the dry season begins.  Then comes Sivan, our June, which is when the early figs begin to ripen, and when vines (such as grape vines) are beginning to be tended.  This is 50 days after Passover, the 14th of Nisan, and is called the Feast of Weeks, or the Feast of Harvest, which we call Pentecost, meaning, “fifty.”

 

Remember, this is also the time when the Rabbis read aloud the Book of Ruth.  It is important for us to recognize this Feast, for it is the only Feast that uses “Leavened Bread.”  This is anticipatory of the birth of the Christian Church in the Book of Acts.

 

Then we have the fourth month in the Jewish Farming Calendar, which is Tammuz, or our July.  This is when the wheat harvest begins.  This is a key part in the Book of Ruth, Chapter Three.  This is when the first ripe grapes appear.

 

Then we come to our July/August, which is the fifth month in the Jewish Farming Calendar, or Ab.  This is the grape harvest month.  Then comes Elul, our August/September, which is when the dates and summer figs are harvested.

 

Then we finally get to our September/October, which is the seventh month, being Tishre, which used to be the first month of the Jewish year, but was revised to be the first month in Exodus, Chapter Twelve, having to do with Passover.  What is important here is that this is the month of agricultural “Early Rains.”  We think of Fall as being the close of the year, while Jewish agricultural thought places this as the beginning of the year.

 

This brings us to the Fall Feasts.  The Feast of Trumpets, which falls on the first day of the month of Tishre.  The Feast of Yom Kippur, which is the Day of Atonement, which occurs 10 days later.  And then five days later is the Feast of Succoth, i.e., the Feast of Booths, i.e., the Feast of Tabernacles, i.e., the final harvest (in route to Heaven).