See JESUS in the Old Testament — Ruth

The Redeemer, the Restored Inheritance, and
the Coming King

The book of Ruth takes place during the dark days of the judges, yet it tells a remarkably hopeful story of God’s providence and covenant kindness. After famine, loss, and tragedy leave Naomi and Ruth seemingly without hope, God quietly works through ordinary people and ordinary events to accomplish His purposes. Unlike many books of the Old Testament, Ruth contains no dramatic miracles or prophetic visions. Instead, it reveals how God’s sovereign hand is often at work behind the scenes, guiding the lives of His people and showing His steadfast love through their faithfulness to one another.

At the heart of the story is redemption. Ruth, a Moabite widow, finds refuge among God’s people and is redeemed by Boaz, her kinsman-redeemer. His willingness to act on behalf of Ruth and Naomi restores what had been lost and secures a future they could not provide for themselves. In this way, Boaz points beyond himself to Jesus, the greater Redeemer, who rescues His people and brings them into the family of God. Throughout the book, the covenant kindness (Hebrew – chesed) shown by Ruth and Boaz reflects the steadfast love and mercy of God Himself, a love ultimately displayed in its fullness through Jesus.

Because we will be reading the whole book, you will follow the story from beginning to end. You’ll see the Redeemer in Boaz’s gracious work on behalf of Ruth and Naomi, the Restored Inheritance in God’s reversal of their loss and emptiness, and the Coming King in the genealogy that concludes the book. Set immediately after Judges, Ruth provides a hopeful answer to the chaos of those days, tracing the line that leads to King David — and ultimately to JESUS, the Son of David, through whom God’s promise to bless all nations is fulfilled. Ruth herself, like Rahab before her, stands in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5), reminding us that God’s redeeming grace extends to people from every nation who trust and have faith in Him.

Let’s dive in together and see Jesus in Ruth!

• July 10 — ch. 1
  Naomi returns to Bethlehem in grief and emptiness, while Ruth clings to her and takes refuge among the people of the LORD.
• July 11 — ch. 2
  God provides for Ruth and Naomi through Boaz, a worthy man whose kindness gives them hope in their time of need.
• July 12 — ch. 3
  Ruth seeks refuge through Boaz as her redeemer, trusting him to act with covenant faithfulness on her behalf.
• July 13 — ch. 4
  Boaz redeems Ruth and restores Naomi’s inheritance, carrying forward the family line that will lead to David and ultimately to Jesus.

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Continue in the See JESUS in the Old Testament readings as we the book of 1 Samuel!

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