Ruth
Four short chapters tell a remarkable story of famine, return, grace, rest, and redemption. Beneath the historical narrative, Naomi pictures Israel, Ruth the church, and Boaz the Lord Jesus Christ.
There Is More Here Than a Love Story
Ruth is simple to read, yet its carefully placed words reveal a much larger doctrinal picture. Two details in particular open the book far beyond its familiar story of loyalty and redemption.
Israel Returns — With the Church in Tow
Naomi pictures Israel, while Ruth pictures the church. When Naomi returns to Bethlehem, Ruth refuses to leave her and returns with her. The scene points beyond two widows traveling home: it pictures Israel returning to the Promised Land with the church alongside her.
— Ruth 1:16
“Better to Thee Than Seven Sons”
Ruth 4:15 contains an easy phrase to pass over. Yet the chapter soon leads directly to David. The reference to “seven sons” points the reader forward to David, the son brought in after Jesse’s seven had passed before Samuel, and ultimately to Jesus Christ, whom David pictures.
— Ruth 4:15
Three People. One Redemption Story.
The people in Ruth are more than characters in a beautiful historical account. Together, they form a remarkable doctrinal picture of restoration, grace, and redemption.
Naomi leaves Bethlehem during famine, suffers loss in Moab, and eventually returns to the land of her people. Her journey pictures Israel through affliction, bitterness, return, and restoration.
Ruth is a Gentile who joins herself to Naomi and the God of Israel. She returns with Naomi, gleans in the field, finds grace, and comes under the care and protection of the redeemer.
Boaz is the mighty man of wealth and the kinsman-redeemer. He provides, protects, and ultimately purchases the possession, presenting a powerful picture of the Lord Jesus Christ as Redeemer.
Study the Book of Ruth
Begin with the overview, then follow the story chapter by chapter. Each downloadable study examines the historical account, doctrinal picture, and practical truths found in the text.
Overview: The Romance of Redemption
Meet Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz, understand the historical setting, and see the doctrinal framework that runs through all four chapters.
Ruth 1
Famine, loss, and return. Naomi comes back to Bethlehem with Ruth beside her, opening one of the book’s most important prophetic pictures.
Download Ruth 1 →Ruth 2
Ruth enters the field, begins to glean, and finds grace in the sight of Boaz. The redeemer enters the story and provides, protects, and rewards.
Download Ruth 2 →Ruth 3
The harvest ends and Ruth seeks rest at the feet of Boaz. The chapter develops the themes of rest, redemption, and reliance upon the work of the redeemer.
Download Ruth 3 →Ruth 4
The redemption is completed. Boaz purchases the possession, Ruth enters the lineage of David, and the book closes by pointing forward to the true Redeemer.
Download Ruth 4 →