Ruth is an Old Testament book rich with revelation of God’s plan for man. Ruth is a story of a Gentile coming to believe in the Jewish Messiah Yeshua. She is faithful through the Jewish and Gentile Harvests (The barley and wheat harvests) and she becomes part of the lineage of the Messiah by her son Obed. This is a testimony of a believer being faithful through the earth’s harvest, until the time when the Kinsman Redeemer comes to receive them as his bride when Yeshua appears on earth for his people.

There is a world of spiritual wealth contained in the book of Ruth. One has only to open their spiritual eyes and see the glory to God’s revelation.

Below is a verse by verse study of the book of Ruth. Scriptures are given in a list from the book of Ruth and supportive scriptures are added under each of the main text scriptures for clarification and illustration.

The book of Ruth takes place during the time of the Judges when Israel was in state of moral darkness. This period of time in the history of Israel can be referred to as their “dark-ages!” It was a time of lawlessness and anarchy as men dropped their leadership and everyone did what was right in their own eyes. There was no standard of God to follow so the darkness of moral decay and misery overtook Jewish society in those days. Out of all of this darkness and anarchy something good occurred when a Gentile Moabite woman put her trust in the God of Israel and entered into the lineage of the Messiah as the great grandmother of King David.

Ruth

1. Ruth 1:1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled.

Judges 2:13-15 (NIV)

¹³ because they forsook him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.

¹⁴ In his anger against Israel the LORD handed them over to raiders who plundered them. He sold them to their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist.

¹⁵ Whenever Israel went out to fight, the hand of the LORD was against them to defeat them, just as he had sworn to them. They were in great distress.

Judges 21:25 (NIV)

²⁵ In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.

Matthew 9:35-36 (NIV)

³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.

³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

In the days when the judges ruled, the people of Israel were in a state of moral decline. They had forsaken the Lord and served idols instead. The Lord was angry with them, resulting in their defeat by all of their enemies. There was no King in Israel at this time to lead and guide the people. Their rejection of God led to great spiritual emptiness. God was not speaking to them and they had no King either. At this time every man did what was right in his own eyes. There was no natural or spiritual leadership. The people were reduced to being like sheep without a shepherd. It was a time of lawlessness and great spiritual darkness.

2. Ruth 1:1 That there was famine in the land.

1 Samuel 3:1 (NIV)

¹ The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.

Matthew 4:4 (NIV)

⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”

John 6:48-51 (NIV)

⁴⁸ I am the bread of life.

⁴⁹ Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died.

⁵⁰ But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die.

⁵¹ I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

In those days there was a “spiritual famine” in the land. There was no widespread revelation (meaning that it was rare to hear God voice) and he did not speak any words to his people. Natural bread is not enough to sustain mankind. The spiritual bread of God’s word is more important than natural food. Due to disobedience, God stopped speaking to His people. A “spiritual” famine resulted. This is why the period of the Judges could be called “the dark-ages” during this time of Jewish history!

3. Ruth 1:1 and a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah,

Matthew 2:1 (NIV)

¹ After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem

Matthew 2:6 (NIV)

⁶ “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'”

The husband of Naomi originated from the town of Bethlehem or the house of bread. He left the house of bread and was experiencing famine in the land of Moab. He once had provision, now he has nothing and is starving of the spiritual bread of God’s word. The word “Bethlehem” means the house of bread. This town that later in history housed the “Bread of life” who is Jesus the Jewish Messiah.

4. Ruth 1:1 went of sojourn in the country of Moab,

John 8:44 (NIV)

⁴⁴ You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Colossians 1:13 (NIV)

¹³ For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

Romans 6:16 (NIV)

¹⁶ Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey–whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?

2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV)

⁴ The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Matthew 4:8-9 (NIV)

⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.

⁹ “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

The word “Moab” means of your father. This man (husband of Naomi) left the house of bread and went to the land of Moab or the land of his father. When mankind fell from God, the devil automatically became their new father. Jesus told the Pharisees that they were of their father the devil. Those who do not belong to Jesus are automatically children of the devil. When Adam first yielded himself the obey Satan, he became a slave to him. Satan became the god of this world or the ruler of this world. Satan was legally able to offer the world and all it’s kingdoms to Jesus because these things officially belonged to him. These things were sold to the devil by Adam when Adam committed high treason against God and obeyed the devil instead. This man of Bethlehem left the provision of God and went to dwell in the land of darkness just as Adam was driven from the Garden of Eden by sin and was forced to live in the land of cursing and darkness and existed under the lordship of Satan.

5. Ruth 1:1 he and his wife and his two sons.

Genesis 4:1-2 (NIV)

¹ Adam lay with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man.”

² Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.

This man of Bethlehem and his wife had two sons in the land of their father the devil. These births took place after they were removed from the place of provision called the house of bread. This speaks also of Adam and Eve who had two sons after they were expelled from their place of provision in the Garden of Eden and went to dwell in the land of cursing and spiritual darkness.

6. Ruth 1:2 The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion.

Genesis 3:8 (NIV)

⁸ Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

Genesis 3:16 (NIV)

¹⁶ To the woman he said, “I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”

Genesis 4:1 (NIV)

¹ Adam lay with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man.”

Genesis 4:5 (NIV)

⁵ but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

Genesis 4:7 (NIV)

⁷ If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.”

Genesis 4:4 (NIV)

⁴ But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,

The name “Elimelech” means my God is King. In Genesis 3:8 God is referred to as “The Lord God.” In respect to Adam’s relationship with God, God is “The Lord God”. Lord is equal to being “king”. Adam could clearly say, “My God is King”. Elimelech is therefore a type of Adam. Adam once walked with God but lost his relationship and was separated from by God sin.

The name “Naomi” means beautiful, agreeable. In Genesis 3:16, God tells Eve that her “desire” would be for her husband. Eve is agreeable to her husband Adam. Naomi is a type of Eve.

The names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. The oldest is listed first. In Genesis 4:1 we read that the first born was Cain. Cain was the oldest. The name “Mahlon” means infirmity or sin. We read in Genesis 4:5-7 that Cain was in sin before God when he attempted to offer a bloodless offering. Cain was both the oldest and he was in sin. Mahlon is a type of Cain.

The name “Chilion” means complete, perfect. In Genesis 4:4 we read that God accepted Abel’s offering. Abel’s sins were cleansed by his blood offering. Abel was made complete and was perfect in the sight of God. Like Chilion, Abel was also the second born son. Chilion is a type of Abel.

7. Ruth 1:2 Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah.

Genesis 41:52 (NIV)

⁵² The second son he named Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.”

Genesis 48:19 (NIV)

¹⁹ But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations.”

Revelation 5:9 (NIV)

⁹ And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

1 Samuel 17:12 (NIV)

¹² Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was old and well advanced in years.

Jeremiah 33:15 (NIV)

¹⁵ “‘In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land.

Genesis 41:50-52 (NIV)

⁵⁰ Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.

⁵¹ Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.”

⁵² The second son he named Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.”

Genesis 48:17-20 (NIV)

¹⁷ When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim’s head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.

¹⁸ Joseph said to him, “No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”

¹⁹ But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations.”

²⁰ He blessed them that day and said, “In your name will Israel pronounce this blessing: ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.'” So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.

Jeremiah 31:9 (NIV)

⁹ They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.

Jeremiah 31:20 (NIV)

²⁰ Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 31:18 (NIV)

¹⁸ “I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me like an unruly calf, and I have been disciplined. Restore me, and I will return, because you are the LORD my God.

These people were “Ephrathites” of Bethlehem, Judah. To be an Ephrathite means that a person is a descendant of Ephraim. Joseph’s second son Ephraim, was to become a multitude of nations. In Revelation 5:9 it says that people of a multitude of different nations have become “one” through Jesus. King David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse. Jeremiah 33:15 says that a branch of righteousness will grow up out of David. It is through the lineage of David the Savior was born. Jesus the Savior came through David and the lineage of Ephraim the second son of Joseph. Ephraim the second son is therefore placed before the firstborn son. In Jeremiah 31:9 God says Ephraim is my firstborn. Jeremiah 31:20 says that though God spoke against Ephraim, he will still have mercy on him. In Jeremiah 31:18 we read that God heard Ephraim bemoaning himself or repenting for his sins.

These Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah, are of the lineage of Jesus. They however are in a place of spiritual famine, cut off from God. God has heard them bemoaning themselves and he has not forgotten them. God will show his mercy toward them.

8. Ruth 1:2 and they went to the country of Moab and remained there.

Genesis 3:23 (NIV)

²³ So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.

Genesis 3:17 (NIV)

¹⁷ To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat of it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.

2 Peter 2:14 (NIV)

¹⁴ With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed–an accursed brood!

Jeremiah 12:2 (NIV)

² You have planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips but far from their hearts.

Matthew 3:10 (NIV)

¹⁰ The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

Apart from Jesus, humans are unable to produce any good-fruit of righteousness. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. A person separated from God is unable to produce good fruit. The fruit of the life of an unbeliever is adultery, fornication, uncleanness, idolatry, hatred, jealousies, anger, envy, drunkenness and other wicked things. Being separated from God, mankind became accursed children. They cannot produce good fruit therefore they will be burned in hell’s fires just like a barren tree that is cut down and burned in the fire. Adam was only able to produce thorns and thistles because being apart from God is a place of cursing. These Ephrathites were apart from the house of bread. They went to Moab and are in the land of cursing.

9. Ruth 1:3 Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband died and she was left of her two sons.

Romans 6:23 (NIV)

²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Isaiah 59:2 (NIV)

² But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

Adam died spiritually when he was separated from God by his sin. In the same way, Elimelech died in the land of Moab, separated from Bethlehem, the house of bread. The wages of sin is death and spiritual death is separation from God.

10. Ruth 1:4 Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth.

The name “Orpah” means skull. The name “Ruth” means satisfied. Orpah was later to return to her pagan people and their false gods and idol worship while Ruth went on to believe in the God of Israel. Those who turn back from Jesus and return to the world will experience death (like the skull and cross-bones labeling poison) thus Orpah means skull. It is poison or spiritual death to forsake the Lord and return to the world again. Ruth speaks of being spiritually satisfied and going on with the Lord and obtaining her spiritual inheritance in heaven.

11. Ruth 1:4 And they dwelt there about ten years.

Luke 3:23 (NIV)

²³ Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli,

In Luke 3:23-28, we find a list of the generations between Adam and Jesus. In verse 23, it says that Jesus began His ministry at about thirty years of age. Thirty speaks of completion or perfection. Thirty represents the period of time between Adam and Jesus (A period of completion of the generations until the time of Jesus). The number ten is equal to one third or 30% of thirty. The Ephrathites dwelt in the land of Moab about ten years or about 30% the time between Adam and Jesus. About one-third of the way through the genealogy puts us near the time of Ruth. It is therefore a spiritual illustration that the ten-years here is referring to the time of Ruth as it fits into the genealogy listed in Luke 3:23-28.

12. Ruth 1:5 Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband.

Genesis 5:5 (NIV)

⁵ Altogether, Adam lived 930 years, and then he died.

Romans 5:12 (NIV)

¹² Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned–

Adam died, his sons died, and all the generations of men after them all died. Death spread to all men. All mankind are cut off from God and are spiritually dead men. The original sin of Adam spread to all mankind because they are all born in sin. Naomi lost her husband and both of her sons and she was left destitute in the land of death and darkness.

13. Ruth 1:6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the county of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord has visited His people in giving them bread.

Luke 1:68-69 (NIV)

⁶⁸ “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people.

⁶⁹ He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David

John 6:32-33 (NIV)

³² Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.

³³ For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

John 6:35 (NIV)

³⁵ Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

God visited his people and gave them “bread”. This bread is Jesus who gives life to the world. Jesus is that bread of life and he was born in Bethlehem the house of bread. Naomi heard in the land of darkness and cursing that God had visited the children of Israel and gave them bread. This bread is Jesus the bread of life who was born in Bethlehem.

14. Ruth 1:7 Therefore she went out from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.

Micah 7:9 (NIV)

⁹ Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the LORD’s wrath, until he pleads my case and establishes my right. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness.

Matthew 4:16 (NIV)

¹⁶ the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

Ephesians 2:12 (NIV)

¹² remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.

John 4:22 (NIV)

²² You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.

All men have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Our sins have hidden God’s face from us. He sent us away from His presence into the land of darkness and death until He pleads our case. Jesus is the mediator between humanity and God. He pleads for us and takes our punishment. Jesus brings us forth from darkness into the light. The two daughters-in-law were Gentiles. They were once married to the Jews but were separated by death. Salvation through Jesus came from the Jews. The Gentiles were outside, excluded from salvation and the things of God. They are like a widow without hope and without a husband and are unmarried with no provision. They are a picture of those who are without hope and are cut off from God in the land of darkness.

15. Ruth 1:8 and Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each to her mother’s house. The Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.

Matthew 8:21-22 (NIV)

²¹ Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

²² But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Luke 14:26 (NIV)

²⁶ “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters–yes, even his own life–he cannot be my disciple.

One of the potential disciples of Jesus wanted to first go home and care for his father. When his father died of old age, then the disciple would be free from his parental responsibility and would be free to follow Jesus. But Jesus said to follow him and let the dead bury their own dead. Jesus is of more importance than even the closest of all human relationships on earth. Naomi was telling her daughters-in-law, go back to your land of darkness. Return to your spiritually dead people. Naomi discouraged her daughters-in-law from following her. There is also a price to pay for those who follow Jesus. Jesus also discouraged people from following him who were not 100% committed to him.

16. Ruth 1:9 The Lord grants that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband. “Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept.

2 Peter 2:22 (NIV)

²² Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”

The daughters-in-law’s husbands are both dead. Naomi is saying to them, go back to the house of death. Go back to the world and its ways.

17. Ruth 1:10 And they said to her, “Surely we will return with you to your people.”

Matthew 4:25 (NIV)

²⁵ Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

There were many people who followed Jesus because it is easy to be a follower. It costs them nothing. Many however followed Jesus for the wrong reasons because some only wanted to see some miracles and others wanted to have some free food but Jesus was not interested in having huge crowds follow him. He only wanted those to follow him who had sold out everything to be his disciples and had put him first place even before their closest relationships on earth and even before their own lives.

18. Ruth 1:11 but Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

Matthew 8:19-20 (NIV)

¹⁹ Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

²⁰ Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

John 6:26 (NIV)

²⁶ Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.

John 6:27 (NIV)

²⁷ Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

Jesus did not offer any material benefits or beautiful homes to those who were following him. He had no natural homes to offer his followers. Jesus had no place to lay his head. He went on to say, “Do not seek after natural food but seek after spiritual food which is of more importance.” Following Naomi offered no hope of natural reward. Naomi was a widow without a breadwinner and no sons. She had no offering financial security to anyone who followed her. Naomi represents following the Messiah.

19. Ruth 1:12-13 Turn back, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, even if I should have a husband tonight and should also bear sons, would you wait for them till they were grown? Would you restrain yourselves from having husbands?

John 6:54 (NIV)

⁵⁴ Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:60 (NIV)

⁶⁰ On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”

John 6:66 (NIV)

⁶⁶ From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

Jesus did not offer natural benefits like natural bread or other food. The food that Jesus offered was spiritual food. Many left Jesus because he did not promise them natural things. Naomi did not offer any natural benefits for those following her either. A husband is a source of provision, security, children, home, and all the hopes of women of that day. Naomi says, I offer you no financial security, homes, children or any of the things that are considered to be stable or secure on this earth. I offer you nothing in the natural. There is no natural benefit from following me. Jesus purposely discouraged people from following him for the wrong reasons and many turned back and followed him no more.

20. Ruth 1:13 No my daughters; for it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me!

2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV)

⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Jesus had no natural wealth to offer. He left heaven and all of it’s glory and came to earth in the form of a man. He was born in a manger and he had no permanent dwelling place. Naomi also had nothing left in the natural realm to offer.

21. Ruth 1:14 Then they lifted up their voices and wept again.

Luke 23:28 (NIV)

²⁸ Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.

The women were weeping for Jesus who was heading toward crucifixion yet Jesus said that they should weep for themselves. They are the ones who were in real trouble. People can have all the security that the world has to offer and then they can die and end up in hell. They should save the tears for themselves because they were in much bigger trouble and they did not even know it. Yes, Jesus endured the death on the cross, yet it is the people who are the ones without hope who were living in the land of darkness separated from God.

22. Ruth 1:14 and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law,

Luke 22:47-48 (NIV)

⁴⁷ While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him,

⁴⁸ but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

A kiss is an outward sign of affection but inwardly Judas’ heart was full of betrayal. Many carnal Christians speak outwardly of their affection for the Lord but inside their heart is far from Him. They accept him for fire-insurance to escape hell without making him Lord of their lives and obeying him. Loving the Lord without “lordship” is like the kiss of Judas that is only an outward show of affection (but his heart was far from him).

23. Ruth 1:14 but Ruth clung to her.

John 6:67-68 (NIV)

⁶⁷ “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.

⁶⁸ Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

Peter was not interested in natural food to eat. He knew that Jesus had the only true spiritual food. Peter did not leave Jesus but he clung to him like Ruth clung to Naomi.

24. Ruth 1:15 And she said, ‘Look your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.”

Matthew 19:21-22 (NIV)

²¹ Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

²² When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Jesus said, “Forsake all your possessions and then follow me. Orpah had nothing natural to receive from her widow mother-in-law so she went back to her old life and turned from following Naomi.

25. Ruth 1:16-17 But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.”

Luke 14:28-33 (NIV)

²⁸ “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?

²⁹ For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him,

³⁰ saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’

³¹ “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?

³² If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.

³³ In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

Ruth counted the cost first. Though Naomi the widow had nothing to offer in the natural realm, Ruth sold out completely to follow her. Ruth’s commitment was unto death.

26. Ruth 1:18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her.

Matthew 15:22-28 (NIV)

²² A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.”

²³ Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

²⁴ He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

²⁵ The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

²⁶ He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”

²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”

²⁸ Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

This woman asking help from Jesus was a Canaanite and a Gentile woman. These Gentiles were considered to be “dogs” by the Jews in the time of Jesus because they were generally godless in behavior. She cried out to Jesus for help but he just ignored her and would not even answer her one word. She was persistent and continued to cry out after him. Then Jesus said, “I was not sent except to the Jews.” The woman persists and says “Lord, help me!” Then Jesus told this Gentile woman a great insult and said, “It is not good to throw the things of God to a Gentile dog, like you!” But this woman would not be shaken even after three rejections from the Lord. She said, “Yes I am a Gentile dog, but even the dogs eat the crumbs from the masters’ table. Jesus then commended her by saying. “Great is your faith!” “Let it be to you as you desire.” Jesus tried to discourage this woman three times. He ignored her and then said that he was not sent to the Gentiles and then he even insulted her. This woman could not be discouraged. She had persistent faith. She held on until she got her answer.

Ruth would not be discouraged. Ruth was persistent and would not turn back even after Naomi told her to return to her people. She held on to Naomi and said nothing but death will ever separate them. Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her so she stopped trying to discourage her. Ruth got her answer. She was able to become a follower of Naomi. Believers of Jesus should be the same way and cling to Jesus and not let go until they die!

27. Ruth 1:19 Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that the entire city was excited because of them; and the women said, “Is this Naomi?”

Matthew 21:10-11 (NIV)

¹⁰ When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

¹¹ The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Revelation 21:2 (NIV)

² I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

Ruth counted the cost and followed Naomi all the way to the city. There is a great cloud of witnesses watching the believers, who have not yet finished their race. They will be excited for other believers and cheer them on as they also finish our course on earth. Many will be excited to see the believers enter heaven just as they were excited to see Naomi and Ruth enter into the city of Bethlehem.

28. Ruth 1:20 So she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.”

Isaiah 53:4 (NIV)

⁴ Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.

Yeshua was smitten by God and afflicted. The Almighty dealt very bitterly with Jesus but God was not being cruel instead these things happened as punishments for the sins of all humanity. Jesus bore the punishment that belongs to every human that ever lived upon the earth of all generations.

29. Ruth 1:21 “I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty.

Philippians 2:7-8 (NIV)

⁷ but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross!

Jesus was very full before he left heaven because he had streets were even made of pure gold and he basked in the glory of God the Father. He however, freely gave this all up and came to the earth as a man. He freely emptied himself for the sake of all humanity because He loves them.

30. Ruth 1:21 Why do you call me Naomi since the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?

Isaiah 53:10 (NIV)

¹⁰ Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.

It was the plan of God to bruise Jesus and put him to grief. Jesus was made to be an offering for the sins of all humanity.

31. Ruth 1:22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab.

Acts 15:14 (NIV)

¹⁴ Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself.

Ruth was taken out of the Gentiles of Moab and became a chosen person for the Lord God of Israel.

32. Ruth 1:22 Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.

Judges 7:13-14 (NIV)

¹³ Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. “I had a dream,” he was saying. “A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed.”

¹⁴ His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.”

Matthew 10:5-6 (NIV)

⁵ These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.

⁶ Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.

The barley harvest is the harvest of the Jews into God’s kingdom. Gideon the barley cake was Jewish. Barley is symbolic for the Jews. In Matt 10:5-6 Jesus instructed his disciples not to go into any cities of the Gentiles. The disciples were supposed to preach the gospel to the Jews first. The barley harvest (or the Jewish harvest) was supposed to come before the Gentile harvest (the wheat harvest). In the same way, natural barley is harvested before the wheat and speaks of the fact that the gospel went first to the Jews (the barley) before it was given to the Gentiles (the wheat).

33. Ruth 2:1 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a man of great wealth,

Philippians 2:6 (NIV)

⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

Jesus was a man of great wealth because he was the Son of God. He was in the form of God and was therefore equal to God. In this part of the story, Boaz (the man of wealth) represents Jesus.

34. Ruth 2:1 of the family of Elimelech; his name was Boaz.

Luke 3:23-38 (NIV)

²³ Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli,

^{(verses 24-37 omitted)}

³⁸ the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

Hebrews 2:17 (NIV)

¹⁷ For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.

Galatians 4:4-5 (NIV)

⁴ But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law,

⁵ to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.

Luke 1:34-35 (NIV)

³⁴ “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

³⁵ The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

Hebrews 4:15 (NIV)

¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin.

1 Peter 1:19 (NIV)

¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

Boaz was a relative of Naomi’s husband. This means that Boaz was qualified to help Naomi. In the same way, Jesus came from the lineage of Adam. Original sin was passed down through Adam and the law of sin and death was in operation. In order for Jesus to help those under this law of sin and death, he had to be born under the law. He therefore left His throne in heaven and was born of a woman. This qualified Jesus to be able to help humanity by becoming a man himself. Jesus became a human relative. Jesus was a human in all ways yet he was without sin. Jesus did not inherit the original sin of Adam. The blood that flowed in the veins of Jesus was pure. The blood type of a new baby is determined by the Father. When Mary conceived, she did so by the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the blood in the veins of Jesus was precious and holy like God. Jesus did not receive the contaminated blood by inheritance from Adam. He was born in all ways a man and at the same time, he was pure and holy. Jesus is the only man who did not inherit the original sin of Adam. Like Boaz, Jesus is a relative who can help us as humans.

35. Ruth 2:2 So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.”

Revelation 14:15 (NIV)

¹⁵ Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.”

John 4:35 (NIV)

³⁵ Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.

Jesus said that the fields were ripe for harvest but this harvest is speaking of the harvest of men’s souls rather than a natural harvest of grain.

36. Ruth 2:3 Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

Luke 10:2 (NIV)

² He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

¹⁶ I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Ruth began harvesting in a part of a field belonging to Boaz. Boaz was of Jewish descent. Ruth began her harvesting first with the Jews. The sickle she used was the gospel of Jesus. The gospel is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes for the Jew is first and then for the Gentiles. The barley harvest was first (Jewish harvest) then the wheat harvest followed (Gentile harvest).

37. Ruth 2:4 Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem,

Matthew 2:1 (NIV)

¹ After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem

Matthew 2:6 (NIV)

⁶ “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’“

Boaz came from Bethlehem. This is symbolic of Yeshua who also came from Bethlehem and was also of Jewish descent.

38. Ruth 2:4 and said to the reapers, “The Lord be with you!” and they answered him, “The Lord bless you!”

Matthew 23:39 (NIV)

³⁹ For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'”

Jesus said that the Jews would see him no more until they said “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” They would not see Jesus again until they openly accepted the gospel and accept those who preach the gospel. The reapers acknowledged Boaz by saying “The Lord bless you.” This represents the Jews as they acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

39. Ruth 2:5-6 Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?” So the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered and said, “It is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab.

Matthew 4:19 (NIV)

¹⁹ “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

Matthew 12:21 (NIV)

²¹ In his name the nations will put their hope.”

Ruth has become known among the reapers and she joined the harvesters and has become a fisher of people. She came out of the land of death. She is working with the workers of Boaz the kinsman. She was a Gentile who put her trust in the Jewish Redeemer “Boaz” just as a Gentile who puts their trust in the Jewish Messiah Jesus.

40. Ruth 2:7 And she said, “Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves. So she came and has continued from morning until now, though she rested a little in the house.”

Matthew 24:45-46 (NIV)

⁴⁵ “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?

⁴⁶ It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.

Mark 6:30-31 (NIV)

³⁰ The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.

³¹ Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

John 15:4 (NIV)

⁴ Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

Matthew 14:23 (NIV)

²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,

Boaz, the Lord of the harvest, came to the field and he found Ruth at work there. Ruth only rested a little while in the house. Jesus told His disciples to rest for a while after they finished ministering. When Jesus finished ministering, he went up on a mountain to pray and fellowship with his Father. Jesus says that the believers can do nothing unless they abide in him. Abiding in the Lord is something that the believers need to do every day. Believer abide in the Lord by prayer and receiving and implementing direction directly from God.

41. Ruth 2:8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not go to glean in another field, nor go from here, but stay close by my young women.

Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)

¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

John 14:6 (NIV)

⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Boaz told Ruth to stay in his field only. There are many other fields (of false religion) in the world but there is only one field that leads to heaven. Jesus said that he is the one and the only way to get to heaven. Jesus is that narrow way because all other ways lead to hell!

42. Ruth 2:9 “Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Have I not commanded the young men not to touch you?

Luke 21:18 (NIV)

¹⁸ But not a hair of your head will perish.

Acts 14:19-20 (NIV)

¹⁹ Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.

²⁰ But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

John 10:17-18 (NIV)

¹⁷ The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life–only to take it up again.

¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Luke 4:29-30 (NIV)

²⁹ They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff.

³⁰ But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

Boaz commanded the young men not to touch Ruth. He was protecting her and in the same way the Lord protects his servants. Not a hair on their head will be lost. Yes, some believers have been martyred but they could not be killed before God’s appointed time for them. Paul was stoned dead yet he walked away to preach again. Paul had not yet finished his course at that time so therefore he could not yet be killed. Jesus laid down his life, yet no man could take it from him. Angry religious people tried to throw Jesus over a cliff yet they were unable to do so. It was not yet time for Jesus to die.

43. Ruth 2:9 and when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn.

John 7:37 (NIV)

³⁷ On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.

John 14:14 (NIV)

¹⁴ You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Ruth was given water freely to drink. Believers can all drink freely in Jesus the Messiah. He provides a well of water springing up within them (which speaks of the Holy Spirit) and when they are thirsty, they can draw on this well from within them.

44. Ruth 2:10 Then she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?”

Acts 28:28 (NIV)

²⁸ “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”

Yes, Ruth was a foreigner and a Gentile. She however came into grace and favor with the Lord of the harvest. She entered into favor and grace because she was both persistent and faithful. In the same way, Gentile believers have come to know salvation through the Jewish Messiah Jesus and by faith in his Name.

45. Ruth 2:11 and Boaz answered and said to her, “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband,

Romans 7:2-4 (NIV)

² For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage.

³ So then, if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress, even though she marries another man.

⁴ So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.

Ruth’s husband died; therefore, Ruth was free to be married again. In the same way, when a believer accepts Jesus then their old man or old unregenerate human spirit dies and they are set free from sin. The believer is free to become a new person in Jesus. They are no longer married to sin but are married to Jesus and holiness. A believer is free to serve the Lord in holiness. At one time, as unbelievers they were slaves of sin and married to the devil but now as believers they are married to Jesus the Jewish Messiah.

46. Ruth 2:11 and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth.

Luke 14:26 (NIV)

²⁶ “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters–yes, even his own life–he cannot be my disciple.

Ruth left all that she had to follow Naomi including her family in Moab. Father, mother, wife, children, brothers and sisters are the closest human ties that people have on earth. Yet despite the closeness of these relationships, they should be as “hate” in comparison to the love which believers have for Jesus. There should be nothing in their lives that comes before the Lord.

47. Ruth 2:11 and have come to a people whom you did not know before.

Ephesians 2:12 (NIV)

¹² remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.

Romans 3:1-2 (NIV)

¹ What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision?

² Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.

Ruth was a Gentile and she was outside of the Jewish race. Jesus was born a Jew and all of God’s promises, covenants, and the knowledge of Himself, were all given through the nation of Israel. Ruth left her pagan nation and found salvation through the Jewish race. All Gentiles who believe in the Jewish Messiah Jesus have found salvation through the Jews.

48. Ruth 2:12 The lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel,

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)

⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Daniel 12:3 (NIV)

³ Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

The Lord will one day repay the believers for the labor that they have done in the harvest field. Their efforts in the Lord are not in vain. There will be many rewards for those who are faithful to the Lord until the end of the harvest on earth.

49. Ruth 2:12 under whose wings you have come for refuge.

Matthew 23:37 (NIV)

³⁷ “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.

Jerusalem was not willing to come under the wings of the Lord. Ruth however came under the protection of Boaz just as a Gentile who willing enters under the protective wings of the Messiah.

50. Ruth 2:13 Then she said, “Let me find favor in your sight, my lord; for you have comforted me, and have spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your maidservants.

Ephesians 2:13 (NIV)

¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:12 (NIV)

¹² remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.

As a Gentile, Ruth was far off from the Messiah and she was without any hope at all. Now by the blood of Jesus, the believers are cleansed and made right with God. Gentiles are also brought near to Jesus and enjoy the commonwealth of Israel through Jesus the Jewish Messiah.

51. Ruth 2:14 Now Boaz said to her at mealtime, “Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar.”

John 6:35 (NIV)

³⁵ Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

Matthew 6:26 (NIV)

²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Jesus is the Bread of Life and he satisfies human spiritual hunger. Believers who work in God’s vineyard, will have their spiritual hunger satisfied. They will not go hungry if they are working in the Lord’s harvest field.

52. Ruth 2:15 So she sat beside the reapers. And he passed parched grain to her; and she ate and was satisfied, and kept some back.

Mark 4:29 (NIV)

²⁹ As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

Psalm 126:6 (NIV)

⁶ He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.

Luke 8:11 (NIV)

¹¹ “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.

1 Peter 1:23 (NIV)

²³ For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

Ruth kept some grain back and saved some. Those who continually bear seed for sowing, will doubtless come again bringing the sheaves with them. Believers should always bear the seed of God’s word and constantly sow the word of God in the hearts of men. It is the seed of God’s word that causes men to be born again. Believers should keep sowing and they will have a harvest of men’s souls.

53. Ruth 2:15 and when she rose up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her.”

Proverbs 11:30 (NIV)

³⁰ … and he who wins souls is wise.

Revelation 3:11 (NIV)

¹¹ I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

2 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)

⁵ Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules.

1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (NIV)

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

The Lord wants believers to win souls. He who wins souls is called wise. Believers will receive rewards for their labor in the Lord. They must be diligent and faithful to finish their race on this earth. If they finish their course, then they will receive a crown.

54. Ruth 2:16 Also let some grain from the bundles fall purposely for her; leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her.

Romans 11:5 (NIV)

⁵ So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.

Romans 9:27 (NIV)

²⁷ Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved.

Ruth was only picking up some handfuls of the left-over barley behind the reapers. The harvest of the Jews was small. It was only a remnant of the whole nation of Israel.

55. Ruth 2:17 So she gleaned in the field until evening, and beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley.

Romans 11:7 (NIV)

⁷ What then? What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened,

Ruth harvested “about” an ephah of barley. She did not harvest a full measure of barley (the Jews). It was only a partial harvest. Only the elect remnant of the Jews will be saved and the rest will be hardened to the gospel.

56. Ruth 2:18 Then she took it up and went into the city, and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned.

Hebrews 12:22 (NIV)

²² But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly,

Ruth brought the grain that she saved into the city and her mother-in-law saw it. Believers will also bring all those souls that they win to the Lord into the heavenly city. The heavenly Father will see all those that the believers have won to the Lord.

57. Ruth 2:18 So she brought out and gave to her what she had kept back after she had been satisfied.

1 Timothy 6:8 (NIV)

⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

1 Timothy 6:7 (NIV)

⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.

Ruth only used that which satisfied her own needs and then she gave the rest to Naomi. In the same way, believers should only keep those things that they really need and then give the rest to God. Our only true needs are food and clothing. Believers should not spend their lives hording up material things when they will be forced to leave all these things on earth when they die. If they have something to eat and something to wear then the believer should be content.

58. Ruth 2:19 And her mother-in-law said to her, “Where have you gleaned today? And where did you work? Blessed be the one who took notice of you.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, and said, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.

Mark 16:20 (NIV)

²⁰ Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

John 15:5 (NIV)

⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Ruth worked with the Lord of the harvest “Boaz” and in the same way believers must work with the Lord of the harvest (the Holy Spirit). There are many believers who are busy doing their own things and working in their own harvest field. The Holy Spirit worked with the disciples and confirmed their preaching with signs and wonders. The disciples were very fruitful in their harvesting. If believers are not being fruitful for the Lord then they better see if they are working with Jesus. If they are trying to minister of their own effort, they will not be able to do anything without the Lord’s help. They must constantly abide in the Lord and get the Lord’s plan and the Lord’s direction. Then Jesus will be with them in their labor and they will be fruitful believers.

59. Ruth 2:20 Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!”

Hebrews 11:40 (NIV)

⁴⁰ God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Hebrews 11:39 (NIV)

³⁹ These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.

Hebrews 11:13 (NIV)

¹³ All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.

John 3:3 (NIV)

³ In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

Luke 16:22 (NIV)

²² “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.

Luke 16:23 (NIV)

²³ In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.

1 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

¹⁸ For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,

Ephesians 4:8 (NIV)

⁸ This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.”

Ephesians 4:9 (NIV)

⁹ (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?

Naomi said, “Blessed be the Lord who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead. All the men of faith like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and others, all died before Jesus came to the earth. Hebrews 11:40 says, that these men should not be made perfect apart from us. These men could not become born-again before Jesus could come. They had a good testimony with God. Yet though they were men of faith, they still did not become born-again. Unless a person is born-again, they cannot enter the kingdom of God. Where did these men of faith go until Jesus appeared? They went to a place of comfort called Abraham’s bosom. This place was located in the center of the earth, just across from hell. They could actually see hell from the place of Abraham’s bosom. Abraham’s bosom was a holding place for the men of faith to await the coming of the Savior. In 1 Peter 3:18 it says that Jesus preached to the spirits in prison. A prison is a holding place where men are kept. Jesus went into Abraham’s bosom and preached the gospel to the men of faith. These men accepted Jesus as their Savior and were born-again. Jesus ascended out of the center of the earth and led these captive men up with him into heaven. In Ephesians 4:8 it says, “He ascended on high, He led captivity captive.” The redemptive work of Jesus was good for the past as well as the present. He saved those who died before he came to earth as well as those who were born after he came to the earth. Naomi said, “Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!”

60. Ruth 2:20 and Naomi said to her, “The man is a relative of ours, one of our near kinsmen.”

Romans 8:3 (NIV)

³ For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man,

In order for Jesus to help mankind he first had to become human. He became a man and defeated the power of sin by walking perfect in a human body. Boaz was qualified to help Naomi, because he was her relative. In the same way, Jesus was qualified to help humans because he was their relative in the flesh of a human body.

61. Ruth 2:21 Then Ruth the Moabitess said, “He also said to me, You shall stay close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest.”

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)

⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Boaz told Ruth to stay close to his reapers until they have finished all of his harvest. In the same way, a believer must remain true to the Lord throughout all of the harvest? If they will keep the faith until the end, then they will receive the crown of righteousness.

62. Ruth 2:22 And Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, and that people do not meet you in any other field.”

Acts 4:12 (NIV)

¹² Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Do not go to any other field (false religion) because salvation is found only in the redeemer’s field. There is no other Name by which men can be saved except the Name of Jesus the Messiah.

63. Ruth 2:23 So she stayed close by the young women of Boaz to glean until the end of barley harvest and wheat harvest;

Romans 11:25 (NIV)

²⁵ I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.

Ruth was faithful through the barley harvest (Jews) and the wheat harvest (Gentiles). The Jews and the Gentiles both must be harvested.

64. Ruth 2:23 and she dwelt with her mother-in-law.

John 15:4 (NIV)

⁴ Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

Being a fruitful believer is to lead souls to the Lord. To be truly effective in the harvest field, the believers must first learn how abide in the Lord. Ruth dwelt with Naomi throughout the whole harvest. In the same way, believers must continually abide in the Lord throughout the harvest of earth. Abiding in him causes them to be fruitful as believers.

65. Ruth 3:1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you that it may be well with you?

Hebrews 4:9 (NIV)

⁹ There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;

Hebrews 4:10 (NIV)

¹⁰ for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–

⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast.

Security is a place of rest. Ruth no longer had to go through all the pagan practices of idolatry used to vainly seek God. By entering into relationship with the redeemer, she could have the rest and security that she was right with God by grace and not works.

66. Ruth 3:2 Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our kinsman?

John 1:14 (NIV)

¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus became flesh in order to help mankind. By becoming “flesh”, (living in a human body) he was able to redeem those who are in slavery to the human sin nature. Jesus became the kinsman in the “flesh” for humans. Jesus was our kinsman in the flesh because he became flesh and dwelt among us as a man.

67. Ruth 3:2 In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor.

Matthew 3:12 (NIV)

¹² His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Matthew 24:14 (NIV)

¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

The threshing floor speaks of the judgment day when Jesus will separate those who are saved from those who are not. The threshing floor (judgment) will come after the harvest of earth is all gathered and so the judgment day will come after world evangelism is completed.

68. Ruth 3:3 Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor;

Revelation 21:2 (NIV)

² I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

At the end of the harvest and the judgments day, believers will meet our groom, Jesus and they will be prepared as a bride ready to meet their Lord.

69. Ruth 3:3 but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.

Luke 17:7-10 (NIV)

⁷ “Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’?

⁸ Would he not rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’?

⁹ Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do?

¹⁰ So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'”

Revelation 2:7 (NIV)

⁷ He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Revelation 7:17 (NIV)

¹⁷ For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Believers will not be able to make themselves known to Jesus until after he is finished eating and drinking. Believers will have to first gird themselves and serve the Lord in this harvest field of earth and then when they are finished serving him, they will enter heaven. Then it will be their time to eat of the tree of life and drink of the living waters. Some believers are plowing up the fallow ground and some are tending to the Lord’s sheep. These people have no right to expect to have their reward before the time. They must keep in mind that they are only servants doing their duty. Working in the harvest field of the Lord does not earn them any special merit badges. This is only what is expected of them as servants of the Lord and this is their duty to do.

70. Ruth 3:4 Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in,

John 1:38-39 (NIV)

³⁸ Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”

³⁹ “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour.

Matthew 8:20 (NIV)

²⁰ Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

Naomi told Ruth to notice where Boaz was lying. Jesus had no permanent place of dwelling on earth. In order to find where Jesus was staying the believers will have to follow him. The same is still true today of those who want to fellowship with Jesus. They will have to follow him first.

71. Ruth 3:4 uncover his feet,

Luke 7:38-39 (NIV)

³⁸ and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

³⁹ When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is–that she is a sinner.”

Luke 7:47 (NIV)

⁴⁷ Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven–for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”

Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

¹⁸ The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

These verses deal with submission and repentance. The women kissed the feet of Jesus in her humility and brokenness of heart and her sins were forgiven. The act or uncovering the feet of the Lord speaks to us coming to him in repentance and brokenness of heart. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who have a humble and contrite spirit.

72. Ruth 3:4 and lie down;

Psalm 23:1-2 (NIV)

¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

² He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

Lying down speaks of entering into the rest of the Lord. Repentance comes before this rest. After repentance, the believer is cleansed from all sin and no longer has to work for salvation. They are saved by grace so lying down speaks of resting in their salvation.

73. Ruth 3:4 and he will tell you what you should do.

Luke 6:46 (NIV)

⁴⁶ “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

Obeying the words of the Lord, deals with submission. Many call Jesus their “Lord” but they do not do the things that he tells them to do. The word “Lord” means, master, ruler or even slave-driver! If Jesus is really their Lord, then they must obey him in every detail that he instructs them to do.

74. Ruth 3:5 And she said to her.” All that you say to me I will do.”

James 2:14 (NIV)

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

Ruth put her faith to action. She said, “All you say I will do!” Many people hear the salvation message but they do not act on it. They plan to get saved some other day. Many of these people will end up in hell because they did not put action to what they knew they needed to do.

75. Ruth 3:6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her.

Hebrews 4:2 (NIV)

² For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.

James 2:19 (NIV)

¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that–and shudder.

The Jews heard the same gospel that the Gentiles heard yet many of them remained unsaved. To some, these words produced new life and to others they were to no effect. The difference lies in the heart. If people truly have faith, they will act on it and confess Jesus as their Lord. Believing is not enough because even the devils believe (but are not saved). People must act on the belief to produce the change for salvation.

76. Ruth 3:7 And after Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was cheerful, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain;

Luke 15:10 (NIV)

¹⁰ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Revelation 7:9 (NIV)

⁹ After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

Boaz was cheerful and in like manner, the Lord and the angels are cheerful when a sinner repents. The heap of grain on the threshing floor is like the great multitude of souls that will be present before the throne on judgment day. This will be a cheerful time for the Lord as he sees the great harvest of people who have believed and made it to heaven.

77. Ruth 3:7 and she came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down.

Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Coming to Jesus, uncovering His feet, and lying down, are the steps of salvation. Coming, repenting, submitting, and entering into His rest.

78. Ruth 3:8 Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet.

Matthew 25:6 (NIV)

⁶ “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

Matthew 25:10 (NIV)

¹⁰ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

Ruth was at the feet of her kinsman redeemer, just waiting for him to wake up. He did not wake up until midnight but Ruth was ready and waiting. In the same way, those who are not ready will be shut out of the wedding feast of the Lamb.

79. Ruth 3:9 And he said, “Who are you?” So she answered,” I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a near kinsman.”

Romans 10:13 (NIV)

¹³ for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Ruth knew that Boaz was a near kinsman and could help her. She took action and went to him and asked him to take her under his wing. In like manner, if anyone believes that Jesus can help them, then they must take the action to go to him. They must believe that Jesus is their Kinsman Redeemer and then call out to him and ask him to take them under his care. Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

80. Ruth 3:10 Then he said, “Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich.

Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

² Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Ruth did not pay any attention to other men, whether rich or poor. Ruth had her heart set on Boaz and him alone. She was not distracted by anyone else during all the long days of the harvesting. In the same way, believers should not allow anything to distract their attention away from Jesus. They must remain true to Jesus all the way through the harvest of earth and then they will be commended when they see the Lord on the judgment day.

81. Ruth 3:11 and now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman.

Revelation 22:14 (NIV)

¹⁴ “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.

Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Ruth was a virtuous woman which means that she had good morals and holiness in her life. Everyone in town knew this about Ruth. In the same way, those who are believers are being watched by a great multitude of witnesses in heaven. They know about them and are praying that they will make it to the end of their course. So believers must set aside every sin and run their race with endurance for the long run. They have many people waiting for them to come into the heavenly city.

82. Ruth 3:12 Now it is true that I am your near kinsman; However, there is a kinsman nearer than I.

John 8:44 (NIV)

⁴⁴ You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

1 John 5:19 (NIV)

¹⁹ We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

Colossians 1:13 (NIV)

¹³ For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

The whole world was sold to the devil when Adam first sinned. All the unbelieving inhabitants of the earth all belong to the devil. The devil has become the spiritual father of the entire backslidden human race. This is why Jesus told the Pharisees that they were of their father the devil. Every human belongs to the devil until such time as they receive Jesus as their Savior. At this time, they are transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. There was a kinsman nearer to Ruth than Boaz. In like manner, there is a spiritual father to all mankind (as unbelievers) that is nearer than Jesus and this is the devil.

83. Ruth 3:13 “Stay this night, and in the morning it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a near kinsman for you – good; let him do it. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the Lord lives! Lie down until morning.”

2 Peter 1:19 (NIV)

¹⁹ And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Galatians 4:4 (NIV)

⁴ But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law,

Boaz told Ruth to stay the night, and in the morning, he would help her. He told her to lie down or wait until morning. In the same way, the men of faith of the Old Testament time had to wait until morning. They had to endure the spiritual darkness that reigned until such time as the Savior could come. Jesus is referred to as the “Morning Star” that rises in the hearts of believers. When Jesus came to earth, he put an end to Satan’s rule of darkness. Jesus rose as a bright morning star. He dispelled the darkness of the devil. Ruth had to wait until the fullness of times had come. In like manner, the men of faith of the Old Testament era had also to wait until the fullness of time had come, when Jesus would appear.

84. Ruth 3:14 So she lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize another.

1 Corinthians 2:8 (NIV)

⁸ None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Ruth waited until morning and then she arose before anyone could recognize another. So it was with the Old Testament men of faith. They waited until Jesus came and then he rose from the dead before the devil or his demons could recognize what happened. The devil was taken by surprise. He did not know the plan of God because if he had known God’s plan, then he would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

85. Ruth 3:14 Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.

Luke 1:38 (NIV)

³⁸ “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

1 Corinthians 2:7 (NIV)

⁷ No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.

Mary, (the young virgin Jewish girl) had a part to play in the plan of God. Through her Jesus was brought into the earth. The rulers of the age did not know what God had planned through this woman. The son she gave birth to was actually born to die. This was the wisdom of God. Boaz said, “Let it not be known that a woman came to the threshing floor.” In the same way, God did not let it be known what His plan was for the virgin birth. This was hidden wisdom. It was wisdom hidden from the rulers of darkness. The statement, “Do not let it be known!” speaks of the hidden wisdom of God working his plan of salvation for humanity without the demonic forces having knowledge of it.

86. Ruth 3:15 Also he said, “Bring the shawl that is on you and hold it.” And when she held it, he measured six ephahs of barley, and laid it on her.

Hebrews 7:22 (NIV)

²² Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

2 Corinthians 1:22 (NIV)

²² set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV)

¹³ And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,

¹⁴ who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession–to the praise of his glory.

1 Corinthians 15:50-52 (NIV)

⁵⁰ I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

⁵¹ Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed–

⁵² in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

Seven is a number of perfection or completion in the Jewish culture. Boaz gave Ruth six (not seven) ephahs of barley so this is short of being complete. In the same way, the redemptive work is not yet complete for the believers. The Lord gave the believers the Holy Spirit as a down-payment or deposit until such time as they receive the complete redemption of their human bodies. When their human bodies of flesh are changed into heavenly bodies then their redemption will have been made complete.

87. Ruth 3:15 then He (*) went into the city.

(*) Masoretic Text- the traditional Hebrew Old Testament, translates this word as “He” rather than “She”. Pg.13 Open Bible.

John 20:17 (NIV)

¹⁷ Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'”

John 16:7 (NIV)

⁷ But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

Mark 16:19 (NIV)

¹⁹ After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.

After Boaz gave Ruth the down-payment of Barley, then he left and went into the city. In the same way, Jesus gave the believers the down-payment of the Holy Spirit and then he left and went into the heavenly city of his Father.

88. Ruth 3:16 So when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “Is that you, my daughter?”

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Naomi asked Ruth, “Is that you, my daughter?” This is an unusual question to ask someone whom you have lived with for so long! It was as if Naomi no longer recognized Ruth anymore. In the same way, when believers return from their Redeemer with the down payment of the Holy Spirit, their own relatives may not recognize them anymore. Old things have passed away and all things have become new. Believers are new creatures in Jesus and they have the Holy Spirit dwelling on the inside of them. They will seem like different people to those who have known them in their past.

89. Ruth 3:16 Then she told her all that the man had done for her.

Mark 5:19 (NIV)

¹⁹ Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

Ruth told Naomi all about what Boaz had done for her. When the believers meet Jesus, it will be natural for them to want to share with others the good things that the Lord has done for them.

90. Ruth 3:17 And she said, “These six ephahs of barley he gave me; for he said to me, Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law.”

John 16:7 (NIV)

⁷ But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

Jesus has not left the believers empty-handed. He has given them the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit dwells within them. One day the believers will return to the Father, but they are not going to him empty-handed. They already have the promise of the Holy Spirit who dwells within them.

91. Ruth 3:18 Then she said, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.”

2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV)

²⁰ For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

Naomi told Ruth to sit still and wait to see how the matter would turn out. Boaz would not rest until he had concluded the matter that very day. In the same way, Jesus had promised that he is not finished with the believers yet. The matter will not be concluded until their natural bodies are changed and they enter into heaven. Jesus will not rest until these things are accomplished. The believers can count on the promises of God. The promises of God are all “Yes” and “Amen.” This means that all the promises of God are true and it is impossible for them not to come to pass.

92. Ruth 4:1-2 Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there; and behold, the near kinsman of whom Boaz had spoken came by. So Boaz said, “Come aside, friend, sit down here” So he came aside and sat down. And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, “Sit down here,” So they sat down.

Job 2:1 (NIV)

¹ On another day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him.

Revelation 4:4 (NIV)

⁴ Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.

The near kinsman that Boaz spoke of had to publicly come before the elders of the city. One day, Satan will have to give a public account of what he has done on the earth. There will be elders present. Nothing can be done in secret.

93. Ruth 4:3 Then he said to the near kinsman, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, sold the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech.

Matthew 4:8-9 (NIV)

⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.

⁹ “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Naomi’s husband Elimelech, lost his property when he sold out and went to the land of Moab, where he died. In like manner, Adam lost his property when he sold out to the devil and was driven from the Garden of Eden and dwelt in the land of darkness and death. Adam lost his lease on earth and handed it over to the devil. The devil knew that the kingdoms of the world belonged to him and tried to tempt Jesus with them. He gained these things when Adam sold out his dominion to the devil at the time when Adam submitted to Satan.

94. Ruth 4:4 And I thought to inform you, saying, “Buy it back in the presence of the inhabitants and the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if you will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am next after you.” And he said, “I will redeem it.”

Ephesians 2:2 (NIV)

² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV)

⁴ The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

The kinsman told Boaz that he would redeem it. But can he do so? All of mankind has been sold out to the devil. Satan became the god of this world through the treason of Adam. Satan can promise the whole world to those who follow him yet can he promise to redeem them from hell? It will not matter if a person gained the whole world if they lose their soul. Having the whole world for a short 70-80 years is but a small reward for spending eternity in hell.

95. Ruth 4:5 Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance.”

Psalm 49:6-9 (NIV)

⁶ those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches?

⁷ No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him–

⁸ the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough–

⁹ that he should live on forever and not see decay.

The kinsman was willing to buy the land. The kinsman however, was not able to raise up the name of the dead on the inheritance. In like manner, the devil has no problem in buying some land. However, the devil cannot raise up the name of the dead. The devil cannot impart life to anyone. Only Jesus can impart life to humans.

96. Ruth 4:6 and the near kinsman said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance. You redeem my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it.”

Matthew 25:41 (NIV)

⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Matthew 25:34 (NIV)

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

1 Corinthians 15:45 (NIV)

⁴⁵ So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit.

The kinsman said that he could not redeem it unless he ruined his own inheritance. What inheritance will the devil receive? Well, inheritance is something that in prepared for someone for their future. The saints will receive the kingdom of God while the devil will receive everlasting fire. The devil’s inheritance is hell. The devil cannot redeem or impart life. If the devil could redeem, then he would ruin or change his inheritance of hell. He would redeem himself out of hell and go back to heaven. Jesus is the only one who is a life-giving spirit. Only Jesus can impart life and only Jesus can raise the dead.

97. Ruth 4:7-8 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging, to confirm anything; one man took off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was an attestation in Israel. Therefore the near kinsman said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” So he took off his sandal.

Hebrews 10:12-13 (NIV)

¹² But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.

¹³ Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool,

1 Corinthians 15:25 (NIV)

²⁵ For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

The kinsman took off his sandal and gave it to Boaz. In like manner, this speaks of dominion and authority. The kinsman will limp away with one bare foot through the thorns and sharp rocks on the road. In like manner, Satan will limp away from Jesus in defeat, after Jesus has taken dominion over him.

98. Ruth 4:9 and Boaz said to the elders and to all the people, “You are witnesses this day that day that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, from the hand of Naomi.

Colossians 2:15 (NIV)

¹⁵ And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Revelation 5:9 (NIV)

⁹ And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Boaz took the sandal from the kinsman publicly. In like manner, Jesus made a public spectacle of the devil and all of his demons. Jesus defeated them openly and triumphed over them. Boaz bought everything that belonged to Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon. In the same way, Jesus bought back everything that Adam had lost because of his treason.

99. Ruth 4:10 “Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from the gate of his place. You are witnesses this day.”

2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)

²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

Galatians 4:19 (NIV)

¹⁹ My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,

Malachi 2:15 (NIV)

¹⁵ Has not [the LORD] made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.

Romans 7:4 (NIV)

⁴ So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.

Boaz said that Ruth (the wife of the dead man-Mahlon), was now acquired as his wife. The purpose was to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance. In like manner, Jesus acquired the believers who previously were married to the law of sin and death. Their old life died and they were married to Jesus. What was the purpose of the believers’ marriage to Jesus? Well, it is because God desires righteous seed. God desires that the believers produce other godly offspring. The believers are ambassadors for Jesus. They are God’s voice in the earth to lead others to the Lord. Apostle Paul speaks of those whom he led to the Lord as his children. Believers produce godly-seed for the Lord through their soul winning efforts. Believers are married to Jesus so that they should bear fruit (or souls) for the Lord. Believers raise the name of the dead on his inheritance by raising up souls of people for the inheritance of heaven.

100. Ruth 4:11 And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.

Micah 5:2 (NIV)

² “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

The people told Boaz, “May your wife be fruitful and build your house like Rachel and Leah built the house of Israel.” They said, “May you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.” This speaks of the prophecy of Micah 5:2. It was prophesied that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem Ephrathah. May you prosper or may you multiply in Jesus, the one who came from Bethlehem Ephrathah.

101. Ruth 4:12 “May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring which the Lord will give you from this young woman.”

Matthew 1:1-6 (NIV)

¹ A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham:

² Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,

³ Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram,

⁴ Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon,

⁵ Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,

⁶ and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,

Genesis 38:27-30 (NIV)

²⁷ When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb.

²⁸ As she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand; so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his wrist and said, “This one came out first.”

²⁹ But when he drew back his hand, his brother came out, and she said, “So this is how you have broken out!” And he was named Perez.

³⁰ Then his brother, who had the scarlet thread on his wrist, came out and he was given the name Zerah.

Joshua 2:18 (NIV)

¹⁸ unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house.

Hebrews 11:31 (NIV)

³¹ By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (NIV)

²⁶ Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.

²⁷ No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Hebrews 10:38 (NIV)

³⁸ But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.”

The people said to Boaz, “May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah. Perez was born as a twin with his brother Zerah. During their birth, Zerah put out his hand first. The midwife then tied a scarlet thread on his hand. We see that the scarlet thread is symbolic for salvation. Rahab and her household were saved by a scarlet cord in her window. The spies were also saved from death by climbing down this scarlet thread or cord. Zerah reached for this scarlet thread of redemption but he then drew his hand back in. Perez then pushed out ahead of Zerah. It is Perez who is listed in the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah (not Zerah). What is the difference in these two babies that one was accepted in the genealogy of the Messiah and the other was rejected? Well, the difference is that one drew back. Rahab the harlot was listed in the genealogy of the Messiah because she exercised her faith in God. The same is true of Ruth, she also exercised her faith and persistence in God and was also listed in the genealogy of the Messiah. Apostle Paul also says that he does not fight with uncertainty but he disciplines his body that he will not be disqualified. Paul exercised active and persistent faith to finish his race and be part of heaven’s family. In Hebrews 10:38 we read that if anyone draws back, God has no pleasure in him. Believers must exercise persistent faith in God or they can be disqualified from their race. They should not be like Zerah, who had the scarlet thread on his hand but then he drew back. Believers can run right up to the finish line and even touch the line in their hands but if they draw back and do not finish the race they will still be a loser.

102. Ruth 4:13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son.

Luke 1:31-32 (NIV)

³¹ You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.

³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,

Matthew 1:5-6 (NIV)

⁵ Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,

⁶ and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,

The son of Ruth became listed in the genealogy of the Messiah. This is part of the fulfillment of the prophecy that Jesus would come through the lineage of David. Obed was the grandfather of King David. Obed was the son of Ruth.

103. Ruth 4:14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a near kinsman; and may his name be famous in Israel.

Philippians 2:9 (NIV)

⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,

Though Naomi was a widow, she is not without a near kinsman. Her family name was not forgotten because of the death of her husband and sons. Now her name became famous. She was listed in the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah through Ruth her daughter-in-law. This is a great honor and her kinsman’s name is truly famous above every name on earth. Jesus is that kinsman whose name is exalted by God!

104. Ruth 4:15 and may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age;

Isaiah 58:12 (NIV)

¹² Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

Isaiah 60:16 (NIV)

¹⁶ You will drink the milk of nations and be nursed at royal breasts. Then you will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

Revelation 5:9 (NIV)

⁹ And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

As a widow, Naomi had no one left to help her. The husband and her sons were the ones to whom she looked for her provision. Now however, she has a true kinsman redeemer. Jesus is the one who repairs the breach or gap that separated humanity from God. Jesus restores streets or paths of righteousness for believers to dwell in. Naomi is no longer alone. She is related to both Jews and Gentiles of every tribe and race on earth. She can be nourished by Gentiles and kings because they are all her new relatives. She has a big worldwide family in Jesus.

105. Ruth 4:15 “for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons.

Galatians 4:6-7 (NIV)

⁶ Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”

⁷ So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

Ephesians 3:8 (NIV)

⁸ Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

A son was important to a widow woman in that day. A son was a widow’s only hope of support after her husband dies. Seven is the number of completion or fulfillment. The people said that Ruth was better than “seven” sons. Why is is Ruth better than seven sons to a widow? Well, Ruth entered the lineage of Jesus through her persistence and faith. Naomi is now related to Jesus through Ruth. A believer is a child of God, and also an heir of God. To be an heir is to inherit what your father possesses. Ephesians 3:8 says that there are unsearchable riches in Jesus the Messiah which are inherited by the believers. Naomi has much more to inherit now through Jesus than she did through her former husband Elimelech.

106. Ruth 4:15 has borne him.

Luke 11:51 (NIV)

⁵¹ from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible for it all.

Acts 17:26 (NIV)

²⁶ From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.

Matthew 27:24 (NKJV)

²⁴ When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”

Matthew 27:4 (NKJV)

⁴ saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!”

1 John 1:7 (NKJV)

⁷ But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Ephesians 2:13 (NKJV)

¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Hebrews 9:13 (NKJV)

¹³ For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh,

Ruth gave birth to Obed meaning she had borne him. This means that she is related by blood to Obed. The blood has a lot to do with sin. Abel was the first to have his innocent blood shed. What made Abel’s blood more innocent than Cain’s blood? The difference was in their faith toward God. Abel offered a good sacrifice by faith. In Acts 17:26 we read that all the men on the earth are made from one blood. Yet some men have innocent blood and some do not. Believers are cleansed from sin by the blood of Jesus. Yet not everyone on earth is cleansed. Only those who appropriated the blood of Jesus by faith are cleansed and have innocent blood. Ruth bore Obed in the lineage of Jesus the Messiah. Her blood was innocent and worthy of this great honor because she came to God by faith.

107. Ruth 4:16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him.

Galatians 4:5 (NKJV)

⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

What effect is there on Naomi that her daughter-in-law came into the lineage of Jesus the Messiah? How does this tie her into salvation as well? The key word is “adoption” Believers can become a child of God by faith just as Obed became Naomi’s child of promise by faith.

108. Ruth 4:17 Also the neighbor women gave him a name. saying, “There is a son born to Naomi.” And they called his name Obed.

Romans 6:22 (NKJV)

²² But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

The name “Obed” means servant or slave. When believers are set free from sin by the blood of Jesus, they become servants or slaves of God. Their fruit is the fruit of holiness. In the end they will receive everlasting life.

109. Ruth 4:17 He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Jeremiah 23:5-6 (NKJV)

⁵ “Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.

⁶ In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Obed became the grandfather of David and according to this prophecy in Jeremiah 23:5-6 (and others) Jesus would come from the lineage of David.

110. Ruth 4:18-22 Now this is the genealogy of Perez; Perez begot Hezron; Hezron begot Ram. And Ram begot Amminadab; Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon; Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Obed, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David.

Luke 3:33 (NIV)

³³ the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,

Genesis 49:10 (NIV)

¹⁰ The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his.

Revelation 5:5 (NIV)

⁵ Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

Isaiah 11:1 (NIV)

¹ A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

The importance of the lineage of Jesus cannot be underestimated. Those who are a part of it are men or women of faith who pleased God. They were those who overcame and they were persistent to the end. In the same way, believers will come into the lineage of Jesus. They will do so by faith and persistence as they finish the course that is set before them. Jesus has been referred to by many different genealogy names such as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David and the stem of Jesse. All of these men were identified with Jesus. They were men who pleased God. The same is true of every believer who makes it to the end of their course on earth. These people are those who are overcomers and they will also be identified with Jesus the Messiah the same as Ruth and all of the heroes of faith!

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