Shalom! Welcome to our study of God’s Word. Today, we will uncover one of the profound mysteries hidden within the Book of Ruth. This is a short book—only four chapters—easy to read and understand. I encourage you to first read it personally before we continue, so that you can follow along more deeply. The book begins with a man named Elimelech, who lived in Israel during the days of the Judges. When famine struck the land, Elimelech took his wife Naomi and their two sons to dwell in the neighboring country of Moab. Sadly, Elimelech died there, leaving Naomi a widow in a foreign land. Her two sons later married Moabite women, but after about ten years, both sons also died childless. Naomi was left without husband, sons, or grandchildren—aging, without strength, and living in poverty. With nothing left, she resolved to return to her homeland in Israel. Pause and consider: there were many widows and righteous people during the time of the Judges, yet God chose to record the story of Naomi, Elimelech, and Ruth in the Holy Scriptures. Why? Because God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8–9). What seemed like tragedy and misfortune to Naomi was, in God’s plan, part of a greater redemptive story—one that would ultimately reveal Christ and extend grace to the undeserving, including us. As Naomi prepared to return to Bethlehem, she urged her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to return to their own families and remarry. Initially, both women resisted leaving her. But after much persuasion, Orpah kissed Naomi goodbye and returned to Moab. Ruth, however, clung to Naomi with unwavering loyalty, famously declaring: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn back from following you.Where you go, I will go,and where 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.May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”(Ruth 1:16–17) Ruth left behind her homeland, family, and prospects for marriage and wealth, choosing instead to share Naomi’s poverty and uncertain future. Others may have mocked her: “Why follow this old, destitute woman? She has nothing to offer you!” Yet Ruth’s commitment reflected a deeper faith and love. When they arrived in Bethlehem, Naomi’s relatives may have expected her to return wealthy and prosperous. Instead, she came back empty, accompanied only by a young Moabite widow—a foreigner, one considered unclean by Israelite law. Yet Ruth’s humility, kindness, and hard work soon earned her favor among the people. While gleaning leftover grain in the fields to provide for Naomi, Ruth came to the land of Boaz, a wealthy and honorable man from Elimelech’s clan. Boaz took notice of Ruth and, hearing of her devotion to Naomi, showed her extraordinary kindness. Eventually, Boaz redeemed Ruth as his wife, fulfilling the role of kinsman-redeemer (go’el), and their union produced a son, Obed—the grandfather of King David, through whom the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would be born (Matthew 1:5–6). Theological Insights: Ruth as a Foreshadowing of Christ and His Bride The Book of Ruth is not merely a historical account; it is a prophetic picture of Christ and His bride—the Church. Naomi represents Israel, who, through her suffering and loss, opened the door for Ruth (a Gentile) to enter into covenant relationship with the redeemer, Boaz. Similarly, Christ came first to the Jews (John 1:11), but through Israel’s unbelief, salvation has come to the Gentiles (Romans 11:11–12). Like Naomi, Christ left His heavenly glory, becoming poor for our sake (2 Corinthians 8:9). He was “despised and rejected by men… a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). He bore our sins, was crucified, and through His suffering, made a way for us—outsiders—to become His bride. Just as Ruth had to leave behind her past, we too are called to forsake the world, take up our cross daily, and follow Christ (Luke 9:23–25). Many, like Orpah, turn back, unwilling to pay the price. But those who, like Ruth, cling to Him with steadfast love will share in His eternal inheritance. Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer, prefigures Christ, who redeemed us with His own blood (1 Peter 1:18–19). Through our union with Him, we become heirs of His kingdom, just as Ruth became part of the royal lineage leading to David and ultimately to Jesus, the King of kings. A Call to Commitment The story of Ruth challenges us to examine our own devotion to Christ. Will we follow Him wholeheartedly, regardless of cost, or turn back like Orpah? Jesus said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) He also warned: “Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” (Luke 9:24) This is the hour to take up our cross, follow Christ, and prepare for the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7–9). Like Ruth, let us abandon the fleeting pleasures of this world and cling to our Redeemer, Boaz—Jesus Christ—trusting that His plans for us are eternal and glorious. Blessings to you as you choose to follow Him fully