This study, taught by Pastor Barry Forder, is the 13th session of our through the Bible in a year series recorded during 2014 as part of our Sunday morning family services.
The book of Ruth is considered one of the most beautiful stories in the Bible. The events recorded took place during the time of the judges, which was a period of national spiritual chaos and darkness where ‘every man did that which was right in his own eyes’ (Judges 21:25) Against this background the book of Ruth stands out like a diamond on a black cloth, a beautiful day in the midst of a season of storms. However this book is far more than just a story of love and commitment. As we will discover, the key theme to the book is ‘redemption’. One dictionary definition of ‘redeem’ is: “to recover possession or ownership of by payment of a price or service; regain”
On the surface we see the account of Naomi and her loss and subsequent regaining (redemption) of that which was lost. We also see the redemption of the land that had been sold, and the redemption and purchasing of Ruth by a kinsman-redeemer named Boaz. However, as highlighted in this study, the models that God has given us in this book are nothing short of breath-taking!
As we look at the similitudes we will begin to see how this book is a wonderful and powerful model that prefigures the whole of God’s work of redemption and plan for mankind. Specifically we see how Naomi, as a type of Israel, through unbelief and rejection of God, is expelled from the land, being dispersed among the gentiles, later to be brought home in bitterness before being restored!
We also see Ruth, as a type of the Church, being a gentile bride who finds grace in the eyes of Boaz who, as a Kinsman-Redeemer, is a type of Jesus. Then there is the land itself; as in the book of Ruth where the land was lost, only to be redeemed again by Boaz, so Adam lost the ‘title deed’ of this earth to Satan, only to find that the Second Adam, our Kinsman-Redeemer will redeem this earth as we see unfolded in the book of Revelation.
For a book that is only 85 verses long, it is truly amazing!
May this overview prompt you to undertake your own study of this divinely inspired masterpiece!
(For further resource, see Pastor Barry’s verse-by-verse study notes of The Book of Ruth: Click here)
The PDF slides are from the PowerPoint presentation used during the teaching session.
You can listen to the audio on this web page, or save it for later listening.
