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(1)
It reveals that even during the dark days of the Judges, there were some who lived
their simple lives in the fear of the Lord.
(2)
The example of utter faithfulness presented by the story of Ruth the Moabitess,
stands out in bold relief against the dark background of the times, and gives
encouragement to us in our own day of darkness and apostacy.
(3)
The book supplies an important link in the genealogy of Christ as the Son of
David.
(4)
The introduction into that genealogy of a Moabitess illuminates the character of
the God of all grace, prefiguring the acceptance of the Gentile, and indicating
something of the gracious work of the Saviour.
(5)
But perhaps more important than all is the light this book throws upon that most
important typical figure, the Kinsman-Redeemer.
If we turn to Eph. 1:, we find there a twofold presentation of redemption:
(1)
REDEMPTION FROM BONDAGE.
"In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1: 7).
(2)
REDEMPTION OF A POSSESSION.
"Which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the
purchased possession" (Eph. 1: 14).
In the first passage the word aphesis ("forgiveness") is used, meaning "setting free
from bondage" (See Luke 4: 18). In the second passage, sin and bondage are not in
view. The figure is an "earnest" now in view of a "possession" then; and as the
possession has been forfeited, redemption is essential. It is this second aspect of
redemption that finds so beautiful an illustration in the Book of Ruth, and makes its study
so profitable.
The central and longest portions of the book revolve round the figure of Boaz as the
Kinsman-Redeemer (Gaal). The word gaal and its derivates, which are variously
translated "redeem", "right", "right to redeem", and "kinsman" occur no less than
twenty times in these central chapters.
The simplest analysis of the book seems to be as follows. The first chapter simply
puts us in possession of the circumstances that involved the forfeiture of the inheritance,
while the closing verses of the fourth chapter reveal its redemption.
A | A | 1: 1-18.
\ Sons dead.
} No more sons possible.
B | 1: 19-22. / Inheritance suspended.
B | C | 2: 1-23. Kindness to living and dead.
\ Kinsman-
C | 3: 1 - 4: 13. Name of dead not cut off. / Redeemer.
A |
B | 4: 14-18. \ Better than seven sons.
} Genealogy to David.
A | 4: 19-22.
/ Inheritance redeemed.
In this article we propose to clear the way by examining chapter 1:, so that the central
chapters (2: 1 - 4: 13) may be considered together as a whole next time.