A background for understanding the book of Ruth is the marital duty to one
brother-in-law (Deuteronomy (5 Mos) 25:5–10). It can be extended to a marriage obligation with a close relative, as is the case in the book of Ruth. Boaz exemplifies the love that Jesus has for his bride (Bride of Christ), which is the church that is those who believe in Christ.
Ruth's character is amazing when Naomi had to return to Bethlehem
(Ruth 1:16–17, 2:11). The poor received their livelihood by taking the leftover after the harvest (Leviticus (3 Mos) 23:22, Deuteronomy (5 Mos) 24:19). That's what Ruth did, she worked hard for herself but also for Naomi (Ruth 2:7, 17–18).
Naomi had a relative on her husband's side of the family named Boaz. Ruth
"just happened" to end up in the part of the field that belonged to Boaz (Ruth 2:3).
Boaz took care of Ruth, even though she was poor and a stranger from another country, she was a Moabite (Ruth 2:6, 8–9, 15–16). The kindness and love of Christ is exemplified here by Boaz.
Boaz is a kinsman redeemer for Naomi and Ruth, as he is a close relative of theirs
(Ruth 2:20b, Leviticus (3 Mos) 25:25). Naomi proposes a marriage for Ruth to Boaz
because he is her redeemer (Ruth 3:4, 9). There was another redeemer who was a closer relative than Boaz. That person didn't want to buy the field from Naomi's hand, because that meant that he would then also have to buy it from Ruth and marry her, which meant that this field would later have to be given to Ruth's firstborn son (Ruth 4:3–6). Since Boaz was second in line as redeemer, he could now marry Ruth (Ruth 4:9–10). Ruth gave birth to a son, and Naomi took care of the child
(Ruth 4:13, 16). The name of the child was Obed who became the father of Jesse
who became the father of David (Ruth 4:17). A kinsman redeemer is a picture of Jesus who is our kinsman redeemer, see the end part of The Atonement.
Note that Boaz's mother was Rahab (Mat 1:5, Luke 3:32) who had been a prostitute in Jericho (Joshua 2:1, 6:22–23), see Joshua. Boaz had no prejudice against Ruth because she was a Moabite. Maybe because his mother had been a prostitute he could better relate to it.
In Matthew's genealogy, in addition to Ruth and Rahab, there are also the women Tamar (Mat 1:3, Genesis (1 Mos) 38:6–29) and Bathsheba
(Uriah's wife, Mat 1:6, 2 Sam 11:2–4). This shows how deep the love of
Christ is for us. He died for us while we were still sinners (Rom 5:8).
(Uriah's wife, Mat 1:6, 2 Sam 11:2–4). This shows how deep the love of
Christ is for us. He died for us while we were still sinners (Rom 5:8).
Through sincere repentance and faith in Jesus, he saves us, see Salvation.
Examples where mercy triumphs over laws and regulations:
There are events when it's not possible to both show mercy and at the same time follow the Law. In those cases, mercy triumphs over the Law, see God's Attributes.
God wants us to be a people of mercy and forgiveness, see time 9:00–18:37 in
Luke 6 (Part 1) :1-11 • Conflict over the Sabbath. Mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13). See the following examples of God showing mercy:
- No Ammonite or Moabite was allowed to enter the assembly of the Lord according to the Law (Deu (5 Mos) 23:3–4, 6). Ruth was allowed to be a citizen of Israel even though she was a Moabite. God saw to her heart.
- The people in Canaan was under judgement, see 3.1 The Israelites are a Chosen People in Moses; Part 9: Provision from God. God put the entire
judgement on Jericho on hold until he could ensure the safety of Rahab
and her family (Joshua 6:17–19), see Joshua. Rahab was a woman of faith (Heb 11:31) which led her to help the spies (James 2:14, 25). - The Law says that no one who is castrated may enter the assembly of the Lord (Deu (5 Mos) 23:1). But mercy triumphs over the Law here too. The Lord said through Isaiah that the eunuchs who hold fast to his covenant, would receive an everlasting name that would last forever (Isa 56:4–5). Their is also an example in the New Testament of a man who is a eunuch
at the time of his conversion to Christianity (Acts 8:26–39).
Eunuchs are allowed in the assembly of the Lord in the New Covenant. - Jonah preached that Nineveh would be overthrown in 40 days (Jonah 3:4). The people repented and turned from their evil (Jonah 3:5–9), which led to God forgiving them and not overthrowing the city at that time (Jonah 3:10, Jer 18:7–8), see The Book of Jonah.
- David and his men ate the consecrated bread from God's house when they were hungry (1 Sam 21:6). This isn't permitted by the Law; these bread were only for the priests (Lev (3 Mos) 24:5–9, Mat 12:3–4). Jesus approved this behavior and said that he desires mercy and not sacrifice (Mat 9:13, 12:7, Hosea 6:6 (LXX)). See this explained at times: 6:02–9:11 in Luke 6 (Part 1) :1-11 • Conflict over the Sabbath, and 10:33–24:28 in Matthew 12:1-24: Sabbath Controversies and their Result.
- Manasseh of Judah, who deserved nothing but judgement, cried out to God in his distress, and God was moved. God allowed him to come back and reclaim his throne in Jerusalem. God not only let Manasseh die in peace, God blessed the end of his life by serving the Lord. God forgave Manasseh
(Dan 9:9). This shows God's mercy (2 Chron 7:14). - According to the Law, a woman must be stoned if caught in adultery
(Lev (3 Mos) 20:10–21, Deu (5 Mos) 22:22–30). Jesus told such a woman that he didn't condemn her, but that she should leave her sinful life. (John 8:3–11). See the comment to the 7th commandment in
The Ten Commandments which is applicable in the New Covenant.
See also Was John 7:53–8:11 in the Original Text? and Sanctification. - Jesus healed people on the Sabbath, see To Heal on the Sabbath, and
time 18:46–26:27 in Luke 6 (Part 1) :1-11 • Conflict over the Sabbath.
See Do not judge others in The Sermon on the Mount.
See also The Old Testament of the Bible.
