by Ed Ostrom

Created on: July 03, 2010

The days that the Judges rule were very bleak dark days in Israel. Judges 21:25 declares "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." The days of the Judges were heady times filled with narcissism, selfishness and sin. Spiritual fervor was very insipid. Man did what was right in their own eyes.

It is in the midst of those dark days of the judges, that the Canon of the Old Testament brought forth a gem of a Book. The short Book of Ruth is an intimate tale of love. It was called by M.R. De Haan, The Romance of Redemption. Truly it is a love story that brings to light many spiritual truths that can bless and enrich our lives.

On a literary level this is the ultimate love story. On a spiritual level this little Book is one of the most important personal and prophetic books in all the Bible. The Book of Ruth is actually an Old Testament reference to the Church. It reveals the Truth about the custom of the Kinsman Redeemer. It also becomes a pre-requisite for fully understanding Revelation chapter 5.

A suggested outline of the Book of Ruth could be: Chapter 1: - A Hebrew family in Moab- The Resolve of Love. Chapter 2 A Humble gleaner Chapter 3 A planned marriage Chapter 4 a Kinsman-redeemer.

The Book of Ruth commences with a famine in the land. We are introduced to a family who, leave Bethlehem and go to the Gentile nation of Moab. This family is made up of a husband, a wife and two sons. Each of their names has deep meaning. The husband was Elimelech, which means "God is my King." His wife was Naomi which means "Pleasant". The first son was called Macho meaning "unhealthy, sickly." The second son was called Chili on, meaning "wasting or "pining." In Moab Maclon marries Ruth, which means "friendship, desirable" and "Chilion married Orpah, meaning "fawn" or gazelle.

Not too long after these marriages the men die and Naomi, Ruth and Orpah are left widows. Because the famine is over Naomi decides to return home to Bethlehem. Her daughter in laws start to go with her. She tries to encourage them to stay in Moab and find new husbands. Orpah agrees, but Ruth clings to Naomi and makes a sevenfold declaration: 1. Where you go I will go 2. where you lodge I will lodge 3. Your people shall be my people 4. Your God my God, 5. Where you die I will die 6. And there I will be buried 7. The Lord do so to me and more also if ought but death part you and me." ( Ruth 1:16-17)/ Ruth clings to her mother in law.

In chapter 2 we find Naomi

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