Ruth 1:1 NKJV, Ruth 1:2 NKJV, Ruth 1:3 NKJV, Ruth 1:4 NKJV, Ruth 1:5 NKJV and Ruth 1:6 NKJV

The time frame of the book of Ruth is that of the book of Judges, when very man did what was right in his own eyes. This was one of the lowest points in the history of the nation of Israel. They were oppressed by many nations and failed to, as a nation, maintain a consistent devotion to Yahweh God.

There was a literal as well as a spiritual famine in the land. The people, in desperation for survival, did what they felt (every man did what was right in his own eyes) they needed to do to survive. Elimelech took his family from the land of promise to the land of Moab, foreign territory. Elimelech eventually died a stranger in a strange land. His sons married foreign women, people not of the covenant, and these sons also died as strangers in a foreign land.

Naomi, due to the circumstances she was in, became a bitter, frustrated woman. Due to the choices of her husband, she, a covenant daughter of Yahweh, found herself a widow in a foreign land with no family or people of similar heritage to comfort her. Naomi heard that the Lord had visited Israel by providing bread and purposes in her heart to return to her homeland. She convinced on daughter-in-law to return to her family, but the other, Ruth, joined hersel to Naomi and refused to return to her former way of life.

Eventually Ruth met her redeemer and entered into covenant with him. She became a giver of life and the once bitter Naomi became a source of life and health for a new generation.

The person of covenant brought one who was a foreigner to the place where she would meet her redeemer and enter into covenant with him. This sounds much like the story of Jesus and His followers. The perils of venturing out on one's own are revealed here as are the promise of restoration to those who return in brokenness and humility. The love of the Redeemer for the lost and saved alike is revealed through Boaz. The revelation that God sent bread as a sign of His presence foreshadows the work of Jesus, the bread of life.

As Boaz was eager to redeem and provide for Naomi and Ruth so is Jesus eager or redeem and meet the needs of those whom he is wooing to Himself. Let us see ourselves and the love of our Redeemer, Jesus, in this tale of redemption and covenant love. Let us partake of the bread of heaven and live!