Chapter 4 Introduction
J. Deering, AncientPath.net

INTRODUCTION

In Chapter one, we were introduced to Naomi, her husband Elimelech, and her children. We came with her from Bethlehem, through the loss of her husband and the gaining of two daughters-in-law, and then the tragic loss of their husbands. We followed along with her as she left Moab to return to Bethlehem while she lost on daughter-in-law and gained the love and devotion of another. It was at this point that we began to understand her daughter-in-law Ruth. Driven by her love for the LORD God of Israel she binds herself to Naomi so that she may return to Naomi's people and to worship the LORD in His land.

Chapter two gave to us, in detail, the "Blessings of Boaz's Field." This part of the story was filled with pictures and types of the grace and love of the LORD God. It was here that we became acquainted with "The Redeemer," Boaz.

Chapter three brought us "near" to the Redeemer and the wonderful relationship He has to those who come for redemption. Those who come… will be redeemed. Redemption, in the book of Ruth, is all about those who are in a covenant relationship and have broken their fellowship with the one who covenanted with them, and their full return to fellowship through the action of their Redeemer.  For the nation of Israel it is a book about them leaving their God and seeking idols. When God reaches out with chastisement to His children for turning away from Him to these idols His children desire to return to Him, and when they come He is there with outstretched arms to meet them and to "buy them back" through redemption.  Jesus tells the story of the "Prodigal Son." But it is really the story of the Redeeming Father. He is the one who stands at the door looking for his lost son every day. If only the lost son would return. And when he does the father runs to meet him and bestow upon him all the good gifts.

This is a story about the return of a "family member" into full fellowship with his father. Not the story of salvation though many of the pictures and types may be seen in that situation as well. But this story is about restoration of a nation after it has fallen into sin "as children of the Father." We can see too that this story also brings light to such texts as 1 John 1:9 where we learn, in the New Testament, of the power of confession to bring restoration (redemption) between the sinning believer and his graceful, loving, heavenly Father.

Chapter four brings us through the purchase of the one to be redeemed. The book of Ruth is like the long list of instructions to make something. In the book the process of Redemption has been slowed down in time so that we may see every little detail. Here we are finally seeing the last steps in this process of redemption. Chapter 4 divides down into four sub-topics. First, there is the meeting and negotiation over making sure that the redeemer is "The Willing Redeemer." Second, there is the marriage union that produces the child Obed. Third, is the naming and prophetic blessings upon Obed by, of all people, his neighborhood nursemaids. And the chapter ends with the lineage and generations from Boaz and Ruth's child Obed to King David.

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2012-11-20