Biblical Character Studies—Ruth and King Saul

  The Romance of Redemption The Book of Ruth is often called "The Romance of Redemption" by many authors and commentators who have explored this four-chapter vignette in the Bible. Most modern ideas of romance center on a damsel in distress being swept off her feet and rescued by a handsome prince from some impossible plight. The Ruth narrative includes this romantic element but also presents a significantly different scenario. In contrast, contemporary depictions of romance invite us to see ourselves as victims and rarely require anything of us. Instead, in the story of Ruth, we see that cooperation, sacrifice, faith, and loyalty are hallmarks that pave the way for this love story to unfold. “Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God."  — Isaiah 40:3 This study will include allegorical interpretations. Although this story's places, events, and characters are literal, they also symbolize deeper spiritual truths relevant to our Chr...

  The Backstory Earlier in the story of Ruth, a stage was set for this pictorial story of redemption. Naomi, Ruth's mother-in-law, is depicted as a covenant daughter of Abraham, reduced to nothing in a foreign pagan land, seeking to return home. She is joined by a faithful, loyal companion, Ruth the Moabitess, who refuses to leave Naomi's side and commits to following Naomi's God.  This lesson introduces Boaz, the archetype of Christ, the wealthy landowner who sweeps Ruth off her feet with His sacrificial love upon their return to Naomi's homeland. Ruth's qualities and character displayed in her speech and actions will play a critical role in the reception of this divine miracle of love. Boaz the Strong Wealthy Landowner In chapter two, Ruth introduces Boaz, the hero in this story, whose name means "in Him is strength." The text describes him as a "kinsman," or close relative, of Elimelech, Naomi's deceased husband. Boaz's role gives us a...

  The Backstory In earlier chapters, Naomi is portrayed as a prodigal whose family left their homeland to seek sustenance elsewhere during a difficult time. She illustrates what happens when there is no King Jesus in our hearts, and, in turn, we live by the dictates of our feelings, wills, and intellect, especially when times get tough. Later, the prophet Jeremiah confronts God's people with the same issue. ... they said, “That is hopeless! So we will walk according to our own plans, and we will each obey the dictates of his evil heart.”  — Jeremiah 18:12  Naomi's daughter-in-law, Ruth, a Moabitess, embodies faithfulness, loyalty, and humility by clinging to her mother-in-law and her mother-in-law's God and by returning to the house of bread in Israel, even though there appears to be nothing in it for her. ... wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God.  — Ruth 1:15 Ruth expresses this in wor...