Seeing Christ In Ruth: A 5-Day Devotional预览

3:1–9 Naomi’s hope gives birth to a plan by which Ruth may ask Boaz to enter into a levirate marriage with her and take on the duty of being their redeemer. As strange as it may seem to modern readers, there is nothing questionable or unseemly in the plan; we are assured repeatedly of the quality of Boaz’s and Ruth’s character (2:1, 11–12; 3:11). Few reputable scholars believe the phrase “uncovered his feet and lay down” (v. 7) indicates that a sexual sin was committed or that anything more was intended than a sign of service and devotion. When Boaz awakens and asks her identity, Ruth’s delicate request that he marry her reflects the same language that he used of her taking refuge under the God of Israel’s wings (v. 9; cf. 2:12). In this way, she is asking Boaz not only to marry her but also to become a demonstration of the Lord’s covenant love. 

This same language would be used by the prophet Ezekiel in describing the Lord’s covenant love for His bride, Jerusalem (Ezek. 16:8), and it recalls the imagery of Christ and His bride, the church, in the new Jerusalem (Rev. 19:7– 9; 21:2, 9; cf. Luke 13:34). It is under His wings that we are to find rest and security (cf. Ps. 91:4; Matt. 23:37). 

3:10–18 In response to Ruth’s proposal, Boaz commends her for her kindness (hesed, v. 10) in favoring him over a younger man. He assures her that he will do everything to make sure that she has a redeemer (v. 13). Although he is not the first in line to fulfill this duty, he promises to investigate as soon as possible whether or not the nearer relative is willing to do so; if not, Boaz promises to be that redeemer. Ruth and Naomi are proven right to put their trust in Boaz’s own kindness and generosity. He is careful to protect Ruth’s reputation (v. 14). He makes sure that Ruth does “not go back empty-handed” to her mother-in-law (vv. 15–17), giving an abundant gift for the one who thought the Lord had brought her “back empty” from Moab (1:20–21). 

This is a beautiful picture of the ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, Jesus Christ. This true and final Redeemer willingly did everything necessary for the redemption of His bride, the church—“for the joy that was set before him [Christ] endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). In Him, God, in His covenant love and mercy, provided redemption from our sins, “so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:4–7). We are right to put our trust in such covenant kindness and generosity.