REDEMPTION OF FALLEN MAN - RESTORATION TO FORMER GLORY. Ruth 1-4
Elimelech meaning ‘My God is King’ left Bethlehem ‘the House of bread’ where the King of glory would be born, driven by a famine. Incongruously, he forfeited a kingly heritage when scarcity of food struck. This parallels the gross scarcity of righteousness and justice when sin invaded our history as in the Fall from God’s righteousness.
Elimelech took his wife Naomi, ( full ) with their 2 sons Mahlon ( sick ) and Chilion ( pining) and traveled to Moab, their new home. Yet disaster followed: Elimelech died; her two sons took wives of the women of Moab , Orpah and Ruth. Scripture records that they dwelt there 10 years. Please observe these childless marriages. Neither son produced an heir during the ten years in Moab, non-acceptable among the Hebrews. Further tragedy pursued them; both Mahlon and Chilion died; so the woman Naomi survived her two sons and her husband. 1:4
This parallels the bankruptcy following the rejection of our great God when Adam and Eve fell in sin. Bible teaching must clearly reveal our insolvency on rejecting heaven’s holiness.
Restoration began when Naomi heard 'even in the country of M oab that the Lord has visited His people in giving them bread.’ 1:6. Christ, the Living Bread, came from heaven to provide spiritual bread for His blood-bought people. Here I explain that I cannot give a study on redemption alone and exclude restoration which truths are linked inseparably.
Naomi heard of the bread of life ; we heard good news of a Resuscitator ; and our hearts pounded excitably that a solution waited us.
Naomi offered a choice to her two daughters-in-law to return to their heathen race. Naomi pleaded with them to return to their people; she was too old to take a husband and bear children for them, such delay unacceptable to the younger women. Orpah emotionally farewelled Naomi, who stated, ‘She had gone back to her people and her gods.' Many despise God’s redemptive plan and choose their former heathen gods and associates. Not so Ruth. Did she sense God’s redemption would include her and the children God would give? Ruth said, "Entreat me not to leave you or to turn back from following after you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, and your god, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there shall I be buried. The Lord do so to me; and more also, if anything but death parts you and me." v16,17
After the famine in Moab they returned to the house of bread, Bethlehem. Naomi objected when they called her ‘Naomi’ , my delight, when she should be called Mara, that is ‘bitter.’ For the Lord Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.’ v20 ‘I went out full , and the Lord has brought me home again empty. The Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me. God had said, in the day you eat thereof, you shall surely die. In Moab, they came home empty, hungry, longing - still lost. They needed redemption and restoration. So do you; and I, too.
The Bethlehem barley harvest preceded the grain harvest, and typified the resurrection of our Lord Jesus: divinely ordained, ’they came home at the beginning of the barley harvest.’ God planned their redemption and restoration (R and R ).
Watch God’s wondrous plan unfold . ‘Naomi had a kinsman ( Heb. Go'el, redeemer ) of her husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. Ruth meekly accepted the challenge of ‘going to the field, and gleaning heads of grain after him, in whose sight she might find favor.’ 2:3 Divinely directed, ‘She happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.’ Heavenly schooling. No accident. God’s Spirit guides today.
Boaz was obviously attracted to this noble young woman, who assiduously sought grain alongside his young women. His official identified Ruth to him. Boaz directed Ruth to glean in his field; stay close by his young women; having commanded the young men not show interest in this fine young woman. She reverently bowed herself to the ground, admitting surprise that he had noticed her, and that she had found favor in his eyes, even as a foreigner. v10 He commended her for loving Naomi, withdrawing from father and mother, abandoning her people and accepting God’s own. However could Christ observe us, favor, provide and shield us from dangers surrounding? So great His love for us.
Boaz fell deeply in love with Ruth. ‘The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to trust.' 2:12 As a foreigner, Ruth had no standing among celebrated Hebrews. ‘Let me find favor in your sight, my Lord. You have comforted me, and have spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your maidservants.’ A love ritual followed from Boaz, ‘Eat of the bread, and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar. He passed parched grain to her, which she ate and was satisfied.’
She rose to glean, Boaz commanded his young men saying, ‘Let her glean among the sheaves, and do not reproach her.’ She sought for grain initially, now she was granted sheaves full of corn. Only the Lord expands and enriches our lives. ‘He restores’ my soul is the ongoing theme of this old-fashioned love story. ‘He also commanded, ‘Let some bundles fall purposely for her.'
Imagine Naomi’s joy with harvested barley grains, wiping out the specter of famine. So with us. Then she recounted the astonishing events of the day, concluding with the ‘the man’s name with whom I worked today was Boaz.’ Naomi could not contain her joy. ‘Blessed be the Lord, who has not forsaken his kindness to the living and to the dead.’ Then explosively, ‘The man is a relative of our’s, one of our near kinsmen.’ Ruth stayed close to the young women of Boaz, to glean until the end of the barley and wheat harvests, and she dwelt with her mother-in-law.
Now the Kinsman -Redeemer emerges. Naomi, like the Holy Spirit in our experience, leads her, ‘My daughter, shall I not seek security ( peace or repose, which Christ made for us through His cross) for you, that it may be well with you.?’ 'Boaz is our K insman.’ 3:2 ‘Wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor ; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.’ Then it shall be, when he lies down you shall notice the place where he lies, and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you must do.’ Humbly, Ruth lay at the feet of him who would be her Kinsman -Redeemer. We too must approach our Redeemer, broken hearted, meek, and submissive.
‘Ruth went down to the threshing floor , and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her. Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself, and there was a woman lying at his feet. ’Who are you?’ ’I am Ruth, your maidservant. Taker your maid-savant under your wing, for you are a near kinsman.’ ’Blessed are you, my daughter, for you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning. And now my daughter, do not fear, I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman. Now it is true that I am your near kinsman; however, there is a kinsman closer than I.’ ‘If he does not want to perform the duty of a near kinsman for you- then I will perform the duty for you, as the Lord lives. His firm , loving command, 'Lie down until morning.’ So she lay at his feet until morning’. What intense passions flowed through her emotional being! She arose before one could recognize another. With overflowing heart, ’Bring the shawl that is on you and hold it. He measured six ephahs of barley and laid it on her. She went into the city.’ Naomi understood the intense strain on Boaz, 'Sit still my daughter until you know how the matter will turn out, for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.’
While this is historical, perfectly valid - it symbolizes the intense battle which the Lord Jesus Christ fought for your undying being when He came from heaven to be your transforming Redeemer and renewing Savior and risen Lord. Commentators rank this as the most beautiful illustration in all Scripture of our Lord wooing rebel sinners: sadly, seldom preached or even appreciated.
Boaz negotiated with the kinsman who was closer than he(4:1) before ten elders, essential for a significant legal transaction, involving land transfer, marriage and raising children to fulfill the role of the one who had died. When faced with the choice, he responded, ‘I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar my own inheritance. You redeem my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it.' To confirm this redemption and exchanging of land demanded that a man remove his sandal and give it to the other - a legal, Scriptural attestation in Israel.
Boaz triumphantly affirmed, the elders and to all the people, ‘you are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s , for the hand of Naomi. Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess , the ( former ) wife of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from the gate of his place. You are witnesses this day.
The observers affirmed this transaction, ‘All the people at the gate, we are eye - witnesses.’
Then a prophetic touch, ‘The Lord make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel, and may you prosper in Ephratah and be famous in Bethlehem.’
God poured His royal benediction on this unique union, ‘Boaz took Ruth, she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son.
The women freely commended her saying to Naomi, ‘Blessed is the Lord Who has not left you this day without a Kinsman and may his name be famous in Israel.' Glorious restoration dominated the hope, ‘May he be to you a restorer of life, and a nourisher of your old age. For your daughter-in-law who loves you and is better than to you than seven sons, has borne him.'
Note the amazing genealogy: they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David. Our Lord Jesus in His perfect manhood descended from such lineage. Ruth emerges from her poverty to Boaz’ riches; from famine to bumper harvest; from abandonment of widowhood to the blessing of a rich union; from statelessness to joint possessor of land.
Redemption and restoration are inextricable truths, perfectly fulfilled for you in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is a parable of your history of betrayal in our rebellion, our lost estate, and the Lord Jesus’ meticulous recovery programme, via His miraculous conception, birth, life, death burial and resurrection. We must deeply welcome the precious, concealed truths in God’s dear Word.
David captures this glorious truth in writing, ‘He sent redemption unto His people: He has commanded His covenant for ever; holy and reverent (awesome ) is His name.’ Psalm 111:9
Heaven was the source of redemption, reserved only for God’s people. He guaranteed it with His eternal covenant; the dignified name of the Lord is security for His children. What awe-inspiring security for God’s redeemed! In my latter years, I am replete in Him -securely held.
Hope is linked with our redemption, liberating us with His overcoming, far-reaching rescue. He emancipated us from every enslaving link with the enemy. We should never minimize the all-embracing liberty we have received. “O Israel, hope in the Lord. For with the Lord is mercy( that delightful ‘chesed’ tells of His compassionate, loving-kindness) and with Him is abundant redemption, and he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities." Psalm 130:7
I discovered the story of Abigail in a master-slave bondage in Gwenda’s section on our family web site. Her master brutalized her, cruelly punishing her in an accident in the home in which her hand was severely lacerated. Suddenly she was trundled with her fellow slaves into a wagon and driven furiously to the slave market to relieve the economic plight of her master.
At the end a gentle man bid for her, paying an extortionate sum for Abigail, and conducting her home in the family carriage. Then he ushered her into a comfortable room, announcing this would be her home and that she was a free person. A flood of tears followed - her womanly response to this unanticipated freedom. He and his wife had been attracted to this fine girl, and decided to liberate her. Tears flowed when I read this account, which my dear one, as author, did not recall. It makes plain our beloved Savior and Lord‘s emancipation, such freedom secured for us at the cross. We easily forget our liberty from all the devices of the enemy.
The perfect Lord Jesus did not come to receive ministry from us: rather to donate His perfect life as ransom price for us. How could the Creator and Founder of the universe step into the slave ring and offer His eternal self in exchange for our salvation. Yes, by faith we accept this staggering transaction which purchased us and invested us with eternal life. The Father needed nothing more to ensure perfect salvation for us. ‘Even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.’ Matthew 20:28 In this miracle, the Lord restored many, out of every clan, homeland, relatives and individuals, that is, those whose faith rested in their Lord.
An aged woman waiting on her Lord, daily ministering to Him in the temple, entered the temple and praised her Lord on seeing the Child Jesus. The Spirit of God sensitized her, perceiving that this distinguished Child was the Lord’s emancipating gift to His people.’ ’She served God with fasting and prayers night and day. Oh, to sensitively discern our Lord’s redemptive presence, for only a select few discern the glorious attendance of our Beloved Restorer. A saintly woman may see the Lord‘s potential in a little child -as Anna showed. ‘Coming in that instant, she gave thanks to God, and spoke of Him to all who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.‘ Luke 2:38
His justification or defense of us followed His redemption, when the Father was propitiated by his blood sacrifice. God withheld His just judgment to demonstrate he was righteous and just. His restoring life brought salvation to us with our simple trust in the Lord. Our beloved Lord’s restoration is extensive. ‘Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth to be a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time his righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.’ Romans 3:24-26
Intellectually Christ became our wisdom, when we found His uprightness, dedication and His healing retrieval. With His redemption, we stand amazed at His reclamation. As for God His ways are perfect; they are past finding out. ‘But of Him you are in Christ Jesus who became for us wisdom from God -and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.’ 1 Corinthians 1:30
Repeatedly the Spirit of God asserts us that we were valued, and the price of our release was paid. Who can estimate the cost to the Father to see His beloved Son shamefully hanging on Calvary’s cross; and how much it cost Christ to be made sin for us, Who knew no sin.’ No banker can calculate or human yardstick adequately measure the price He paid. Our Savior redeemed and restored us, freeing us to magnify our Lord in the body, where once our fallen nature was gratified. Thank God we are fully redeemed: spirit and body. ‘You were bought with a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. ‘ 1 Corinthians 6:20
Two thousand years ago, when God’s illustrious Son hung on the cross, I was co-crucified with Him. The cross assumes a deeper meaning, knowing that our sin-packed life hung with the altogether-lovely One on the cross. Sadly, many of God’s children do not know this, and live in spiritual slums. For 2 weeks in WW11, I unloaded our hospital carriages at Haifa, Israel, with all our equipment from Egypt. I longed to breathe God’s pure air. I saw the mighty ocean as I scaled a mountain Bible memories . Oh, the wonder when we see the Lord Jesus hanging on Calvary with us. Some believers scoff at this truth - unaware of our Lord’s closeness to us.
An illuminating Scripture to a sin-saturated soul is, ‘I am crucified with Christ. Nevertheless, I live. Yet, not I but Christ lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.’ Galatians 2;20
Did you notice Paul lived by a certain trust: the faith of the Son of God. That is, the intimate faith of the Son of God in His eternal father, who is our Father also. Christ’s faith in the Father took Him through the Calvary separation, thus rehabilitating and enriching us.
Virgin conception and birth of our Lord were pivotal in history. His incarnation is described as ’ born of a woman’ fulfilling all that the Mosaic law required. All this as noble redemption admits us to sonship with our distinguished Lord. Our adoption rested on His mighty release. In awful reverence, we speak to our dear eternal Father as ‘Abba Father.’ Flippantly haranguing the King of glory as ’Daddy upstairs or the Big boss ’ is reprehensive and objectionable.
‘But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, born under the law, to redeem them who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out ‘Abba Father.’ Galatians 4:4-6
Madina told of her son’s spiritual slavery after an injurious experience in hospital so that he could not remain at home. Although from a Lutheran nation, Madina did not claim to be a Christian. Her language startled me. ‘He is demon-possessed. He needs exorcism. Only Christ can free him.’ I commented, ‘these are bible terms, the experience is real, however. Road rage is demonic. Gambling craze ( poker machines compulsion is demonic ) alcohol enslavement may be chemical addiction yet is demonic, sexual lust is demonic. She looked astonished when I agreed with her, commenting on her bible diagnosis. I asked leave of her to pray for His release from all disruptive power of the enemy. Meanwhile my dear one had her hair remodeled - not redeemed.
Next time she helped my dear one, she was exultant.’ I’ve a new boy. Baden is ‘born again.’ Pastors exorcised the evil spirits which held him in bondage. He longed for deep sea diving as life calling, but his godly supervisor sanely would not take him to the depths until he had been set free from demon-possession. He readily agreed to trust Jesus.’
Two hours intense intercession involved spiritual warfare: unbearable physical pain; the demon leader was identified and driven out; many inferior hosts, named ’legion’ expelled; demonic forces coerced; finally relief and release. Then he received the Lord Jesus as Savior and Lord. ‘Mother, you need to receive the Lord Jesus,’ touched Madina. I read to her ( while Gwenda had her hair in rollers) the deliverance of our Lord Jesus of the Gadarene when a legion, was driven from him and 1000 swine perished down the slopes into Galilee. His mother was amazed.
‘I must get to Singapore to see my boy. He is the first one in the family to find the Lord Jesus as Savior, despite religious background. We thanked the Lord for this mighty work. Madina accepted bible-teaching helps of daily reading. Baden is redeemed - and restored to normality, calling his mother from Singapore regularly- ‘Mother, You need my Jesus.’
How many of our young people are under satanic oppression, yearning for release!
The shedding of Christ’s life-blood accomplished our redemption. This precious truth dominates the Word of God but is reluctantly taught in opening the Word, excepting in Holy Communion.
‘I am a forgiven sinner is a balance between a lost condition and exultant stand in right. Our redemption draws on His substantial, wealthy riches of His grace. ‘In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.’ Ephesians 1:7
Redemption accomplished our appeasement with the Father, and restored all things ( without exception ) in earth and heaven, that had been distorted or corrupted by our defiant fall. Notice the restitution included all the things in our corrupt world and also in the heaven where the Lord rules. Our infinitely priceless Peace was no accidental invention of Christ’s ministry, for he accomplished it via the suffering of Calvary. We must always proclaim this colossal fact.
The overthrow of satan and his demonic legions, the evil degeneracy of man, the unlimited pathology of the human body, which have underscored our lives in a lifetime of study and practice, will all be healed in the body made like His resurrection body. I cheer for my Lord for this exciting restoration. Satan as prince of the power of the air will be vanquished and all the starry heavens will function gloriously. My stethoscope and scalpel remain on earth when HE rightfully seizes perfect control.
‘Having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself-by Him, I say, whether they be things on earth or things in heaven.’ Colossians 1:14
Our dear Lord has reconciled our once incoherent and conflicting minds.
He reformed our character when He hung defenceless on those wooden beams. His substitutionary death demanded our character reflect the light of our holy God. Our life should continually reflect the indwelling Light of the world; His holiness shown in our constant speech; responsible actions; our relationships beyond reproof. People should see the Lord of glory in our lives.
‘You who were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, even now has he reconciled ‘In the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, unblamable and unreprovable in his sight.’ Colossians 1;22
Our liberation from the vain manner of life received from our forebears, whose tradition we have jealously preserved, could not be accomplished with metallic means, which cannot release us. The incomparable life-blood of our Lord Jesus shed by religious leaders, fuming and hateful, was God’s chosen release. A brief glimpse at the Passover Lamb and the sprinkling of blood on the doorposts reminds us of its protecting power in the face of a holy, judging Deity. Christ fully met the requirements of the unblemished and spotless Lamb.
‘For you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, such as silver or gold, from your vain conversation ( manner of life ) which you received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.’ 1 Peter 1:18,19 WE are released from the accumulated godlessness from successive generations of our forebears by the blood of our dear Lord. Many generation accumulate tribal hatred, which lead to genocide, with a legacy of brutalized lives, consciences, and untold destruction. This especially accumulates an inheritance of wretched diabolic wickedness: and demonic power flowing from numerous former generations. Oh, the liberating power of His precious life-blood.
One of my nursing assistants spoke of the background of her life, having come from European and aboriginal background. She spoke authoritatively on the influence of inherited demonic forces. What hope for this girl? Her father was a wizard and her mother a witch. In heavenly grace, God gave her a grandmother, devoted to her Lord, who interceded for her salvation. She maintained an unprecedented, courageous support for her Lord. While she spoke freely, she would not publish a detailed account until her father had passed into God’s Presence. She fearlessly led to Christ many indigenous friends, with regular teaching of God’s Word while challenging many of European stock. Clarice was free of the vain manner of life ( in her instance demonic possession) received by tradition from both her parents from European and indigenous backgrounds. Gwenda and I spent hours with her, marveling at her sovereign liberty. Our Redeemer secured for us an inestimable release. Let us never minimize it.
Great composers prepare their musical art works for special occasions. Here, the heavenly symphony extols our beloved Lord in His substitution. He proved His worth in opening the book and broke the seals that hid the treasures of Calvary, the theme of this mighty work that will excel all other of man’s compositions. His life-blood release affects every nation, language, race, and culture. Lets broaden our regard for Calvary, with its vast impact on thousands of different tribes and languages of this world. Indonesia broadened our concept of God’s inheritance among other nations, Indonesian, Chinese, Indian and local tribes.
‘and they sang a new song, saying, thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof; for thou was slain and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood from every kindred and tongue, and people and nation. And has made us unto our God kings and priests; and we shall reign on the earth.’ That is the King of King’s millennial reign. So near! Revelation 5:9,10
His restoring makes us kings and priests to our God. What a recovery after we in Adam had fallen in wreckage and despair. Reigning as royalty, and interceding as faithful priests.
How God’s heart was jubilant that we, the fallen, should now be lifted into such exalted place.
‘We shall reign’ being the bride of our endearing Bridegroom, who is now our ‘all in all.’ Too long we have retreated into our caves, licked, enslaved and degrading. Now restored, bought, free, refurnished, equipped , reclaimed. Let us praise and adore our beautiful reigning King.
Redeemed Restored Rejoicing Re-empowered. Released. Your’s and mine. HDS