Week 4

Living Rock Church

Week 4

Equip: Ruth

Chris Hamer-Hodges • Ruth, Ruth 4

In this concluding chapter in the book of Ruth, we see all the themes that we have drawn out, come together. We have seen how the account of Ruth is a prophetic picture of the story of the redeemed Bride and the Lord of the harvest, and how together they bring forth the kingdom. This is the chapter that contains it all. In this chapter Boaz redeems Ruth. In this chapter he takes her as his bride. In this chapter they bring forth a son who will be grand-father to the greatest king of Israel - David.

Week 1

Chris Hamer-Hodges • Ruth, Ruth 1

The book of Ruth is a historical book set at the time of Judges. The events take place roughly three thousand years ago. There are many themes that could be drawn from this book. Loyalty, selfless love, redemption and restoration to name a few obvious choices. But there is a deeper theme that underlies the historical text and the actual events that took place. A prophetic theme that points forward to events a thousand years later and beyond. For the main characters in this book, Ruth the redeemed bride, and Boaz the Lord of the Harvest, reflect Christ and the Church. Thus, like all the rest of Scripture, this book's primary purpose is not to inform our minds about historical events that fill in a picture and set a scene of what is to follow, but to speak directly to us about our Lord and our relationship to him.

Week 2

Chris Hamer-Hodges • Ruth, Ruth 2

Looking ahead to the final chapter of Ruth, we read of a baby born in Bethlehem. One who many came to see and rejoice over. Once who caused the name of the Lord to be blessed. One who was named "Servant" and called redeemer and restorer.

Week 3

Chris Hamer-Hodges • Ruth, Ruth 3

Chapter three is a turning point in the book of Ruth. Up to this point, Ruth has been blessed and given productive activity, but now she is going to enter into a relationship with the Lord of the harvest himself. The emphasis in the book of Ruth on relationship is key. It is good to remember all the benefits that the Lord has given us, it is great to give ourselves to all the activities that he calls us to, but we must remember that at the heart of God's purpose for redeeming for himself a bride, is that he may have a relationship with her. This is the focus of all God's purpose in creation. On the sixth day, the pinnacle of all God's creation work, the final ultimate act of the creation story, was to present Eve to Adam. The bride taken from his pierced side, presented to Adam, the son of God. We know that Christ purchased for himself a bride by his own pierced side on the cross, and the ultimate act of all creation will be when she is presented to him pure and spotless. And in the book of Ruth we see another parallel of God's ongoing and eternal plan for his people. That they may come into a relationship with himself.