Redemption and Ruth

Have been studying the book of Ruth, I have really studied maybe in depth 3 or so times but each time I go back to study I find and grasp more deeper truth than before. What an awesome story that points to our own Redeemer and our own redemption. To redeem means to buy back. We are Gods but we are at enmity ( or enemies of God) because in His grace HE sent His own Son to buy us back for Himself.
The story of Ruth is a love story, a commitment, a redemptive story. Its the whole story , the whole package and a story and type that points to Christ as our Savior ( Our Redeemer)
It starts out with Elimelech and Noami take their two sons Mahlon and Chilion to Moab because of a famine in the land. In 10 years Elimelech dies, the boys marry Ruth and Orpah, the boys Mahlon andChilion die and the women all head back to Bethlehem because Naomi hears that the Lord is giving bread to Israel. At some point Naomi tells the gals of the hardship it might be , they being foreign women and all. She tells them to go back to their homes( mothers house) and she repeats that they need to turn back. Orpah cries and then leaves but Ruth clings to Naomi her mom in law. She is so attached that she makes a commitment vow or covenant with Naomi ( which is sometimes used is marriage ceremonies which is great) Where you go I go, I will be with you and your people, I will follow you and Your God and I will always be with you until death part us. Cool. Naomi was settled then they get into town and the people ask" Is this Naomi? I dont think they recognized her because of what had aged her in those 10 years. She said the Lord Almighty has dealt bitterly with me. She wanted to be called Mara instead meaning bitter. But really in all that she understood it was God dealing with her in bitter circumstances. She acknoweledged it was from the hand of God, but she understood her circumtances and went with it. She knew God would somehow provide. She had left with a husband and boys and she came back empty. But we will soon see she left Moab empty and will be filled up.
So she teaches Ruth and Ruth ends up in a relative( close) of Naomis field gleaning in the field for barley, its the harvest and the widows, orphans and foreigners are provided for this way in Israel. It was the law. As she is out there Boaz ( He is strength) notices her asks about her, tells them to leave some extra for her and she provides for Naomi and herself. Boaz finds her character to be humble, hard working, caring, gracious, merciful, and obedient to the law. Next we see Naomi telling Ruth to clean up, put her best dress on and to get over after Boaz eats and lies down to lift the cover from his feet and lie down at his feet. He asks " whats up" and she says she has come to ask protection under his wings so to speak,( proposal of marriage) but he wanting to do the right thing cannot redeem her until he oks it with the closer relative than he. So he goes to the gate where the men sit as witnesses and ask the closer relative to redeem Naomis land and then redeem Ruth. This close relative could not do it so Boaz redeems Naomi and Elimelech land agrees to marry Ruth and have a child to raise up in Ruth and Mahlons name( any other children born would be in Boazs name) At the end of the story we see Naomi with her grandson born to her dead son Mahlon on her breast and all the women naming him Obed( servant) the Lord has blessed Ruth and Boaz but also Naomi and they are redeemed to a new life under the wings of Israel and God. Its a story about a family in the line of Christ but also a story of redemption. Boaz is a type of Christ, he has all the character traits of Christ and she is the Proverbs 31 woman! Her character also points to Christ.
This is such a meaningful story of relationship, salvation, sanctification, and even glorification. Though I cant write all I want in this blog I am overjoyed in the message of this book, and all the richness of the Old Testament. About the kinsman redeemer, the law, and the grace shown. I could go on and on but studying this somewhat in depth gives me such a great persepctive of my life and who God is. It points to such a Soveriegn God with a Soveriegn plan for our lives and He is truly in every detail of it and brings about purpose and pleasure, even from the most bitterness of circumstances.
Blessed Be the Name of the Lord...My Redeemer Lives!