Redeeming Ruth: Introduction

Introduction

Last week I wrapped up a 6 month study of Acts. It was exciting studying about the great power and mysteries of God and the passionate response of his people. For the next 5 weeks we are going to take a look at the story of a young woman from the old testament. 

As we go through the month of February we will take a look at the Book of Ruth. Ruth is a truly beautiful story of grace and redemption. Although this story begins with in a very dark ominous manner with a famine and three funeral; the ending brings us hope and the promise of new life through the marriage of Ruth and the birth of a son.

This book is highly symbolic and meaningful to us today. Do not get side tracked by the romance and human side of this story as great as it is. This book is full of both romance and irony. Yet all the underlying themes and messages of this text point to the central message of the book: "The Providence of God"

Ruth is the eight book of the bible positioned between Judges and 1 Samuel. I do not believe that this is a coincidence; rather a marker of God's providence. The time of the Judges was one of the darkest, violent, and lawless times in the history of the nation of Israel. Ruth brings new hope to a nation on the brink. it's why I believe it to be providential that God inspired the framers of the biblical cannon to place it as the eight book of the bible. for the number eight is symbolic of a new beginning. After the season of darkness during the time of the judges a new beginning is much needed. And leads into the time of the prophets and perhaps one of the greatest of them all, Samuel. The two book of Samuel provide an account of the rebuilding of the nation of Israel upon Godly principles and the hope of a messiah.

Ruth is one of only two books in the entire cannon of scripture named after a woman.  Ruth is the story of a Gentile woman who marries a Jewish man. In contrast, Esther is the story of a Jewish woman who marries a Gentile man. Yet both Esther and Ruth proclaim the providence of God to save and redeem his people.

This book of Ruth is full of typology, symbolism, and grace. We are introduced to several heartwarming characters and one man, Bo'az who looks a lot like Jesus. Ruth is one of the greatest love stories of all-time while yet is a story of a great harvest. God is still about this today. As we immerse ourselves into this story
we will grow in our understanding of God's love for us and the spiritual harvest we are called to work.