Boaz, as a type of Jesus Christ, embodies the kinsman-redeemer, willingly redeeming Ruth by restoring her family's land and taking her as his wife, mirroring Christ's sacrifice to redeem sinners. His determination reflects Christ's resolve to save His Bride, ensuring redemption is fulfilled. Boaz's care for Ruth, calling her family and guiding her safety, parallels Christ's concern for His people, directing them to stay in His field for spiritual nourishment. As a provider, judge, and redeemer, Boaz mirrors Christ's generosity, justification, and tireless pursuit of redemption. Their union, like Christ's with His church, unites diverse peoples, reflecting the harvest of firstfruits at Pentecost.

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Christ as Redeemer

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In the narrative of Ruth, Boaz emerges as a profound type of Jesus Christ, embodying the role of a kinsman-redeemer with unwavering commitment. Just as Boaz willingly took up the responsibility to redeem Ruth by buying back her family's land, paying off debts, and taking her as his wife to raise an heir, Christ redeems sinners by giving His perfect, sinless life to pay for the sins of the whole world. Boaz's determination to fulfill his duty to Ruth mirrors Christ's relentless resolve to save and prepare His Bride for His Kingdom, working tirelessly to present us holy and blameless in His sight. Furthermore, like Boaz, who acted decisively and would not rest until the matter of redemption was concluded, Christ's faithfulness ensures that His promises are fulfilled without wavering. The union of Boaz and Ruth, resulting in the birth of Obed, meaning servant or worshipper, reflects the spiritual outcome of Christ's redemption—a new creation in the image of God, the goal of the harvest of firstfruits.

Christ as Righteous Judge

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Boaz serves as a type of Christ, offering insight into the character of our Savior, especially in His role as Judge. Boaz praises Ruth for her kindness, shown through her covenant loyalty to her adopted family and Israel by choosing him over a younger man, adhering strictly to the covenant as a widow to marry the near kinsman. He reassures her with the words, "Do not fear," promising to fulfill all that she requests. Boaz then judges her as virtuous, pronouncing her righteous in the spiritual type, akin to the redemption and justification accomplished through Christ. In the morning, Boaz prioritizes making Ruth his bride, mirroring how Christ works to bring His church into the Family of God, judging us worthy to live eternally with Him.

Christ as Provider

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Boaz, as a type of Christ, embodies the role of lord and master over his domain, demonstrating complete control and concern for Ruth, who symbolizes the Christian being redeemed. His immediate attention to Ruth's safety and health is evident when he calls her "my daughter," speaking to her as family without regard to her foreignness, indicating an acceptance as part of his community. Boaz's instructions to Ruth carry profound significance, reflecting the care of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, for His people. He commands her to listen and heed his guidance, ensuring her well-being under his care, not out of tyranny but for her benefit as the master of the harvest who knows the best path to success. Boaz forbids Ruth to glean in other fields, instructing her to stay close to his young women, mirroring Christ's directive to gather spiritual food only from His sufficient and safe field, where fellowship with His servants ensures safety and satisfaction. He urges her to keep her eyes on his field and follow the example of his servants, preventing her from straying or believing better gleaning exists elsewhere, while they provide help in her work. Boaz assures her that his young men will not touch her, having ordered them to treat those under his care with kindness and propriety, akin to the ministry of God's church commanded to tend His sheep in love. Finally, he directs Ruth to drink only the water drawn by his young men, knowing it is clean and safe, representing teaching inspired by God's Spirit offered through His true servants, just as Christ promises water that becomes a fountain of everlasting life. Through these instructions, Boaz reflects the concern of Jesus Christ for His people, desiring them to follow His guidance to avoid harm, remain nourished and satisfied, and stay in the right environment for growth and a successful harvest. God's advice, as seen in Boaz's care, is always good and wise, encouraging us to stay in His church, listen to His ministers, and fellowship among His servants to endure through the harvest.

Boaz and Pentecost

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Boaz, as a type of Jesus Christ, embodies the role of a gracious provider, a righteous judge, and a loving redeemer in the story of Ruth, reflecting the deep involvement of our Savior in our Christian lives, especially in connection with the harvest themes of Pentecost. As a provider, Boaz ensures Ruth's sustenance by allowing her to glean in his field, offering her protection, fellowship, and abundant provision, even beyond what is required, mirroring how Christ supplies our spiritual needs with generosity. As a righteous judge, Boaz demonstrates profound knowledge of Ruth's character and extends grace to her, praising her sacrifices and pronouncing her virtuous, akin to Christ's judgment and justification of His people. As a loving redeemer, Boaz relentlessly pursues Ruth's redemption with determination and strict adherence to lawful processes, ensuring all is done justly, just as Christ works tirelessly and within divine boundaries to redeem us from the world. Through these roles, Boaz illustrates the multifaceted work of Christ in providing for, judging, and redeeming His people, aligning with the harvest of firstfruits celebrated at Pentecost.

Will You Marry Me? (Part Two)

Article by Staff

Boaz, in the story of Ruth, serves as a profound picture of Jesus Christ in His relationship with His Bride, the church. Boaz, a righteous man in an unrighteous time, demonstrates generosity by obeying God's rules, leaving the corners of his field unharvested and commanding his reapers to drop sheaves for Ruth and other poor gleaners. Similarly, Christ extends grace and provision to His people. Boaz notices Ruth's hard work and invites her to eat and drink from his table, sharing his bread and wine vinegar, mirroring the communion Christ offers to His followers. Through the laws of levirate marriage, Boaz redeems Ruth by buying the rights to marry her, just as Jesus, our Redeemer, bought us with the price of His blood, becoming our Master and Bridegroom. At the time of Pentecost, during the barley and early wheat harvest, Boaz marries Ruth, uniting Israelite and Gentile into one, paralleling how Christ, as our peace, breaks down the wall of division between us. Boaz, as Ruth's redeemer, reflects Christ, the true Redeemer, who claims His church as co-heirs of all that is promised to Him.

Beating the Rat Race (Part Five)

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In the story of Ruth, Boaz serves as a type of Jesus Christ, while Ruth represents the newly called individual. Boaz is seen redeeming Ruth, mirroring how Christ redeems us from the death penalty incurred by sin. Additionally, like Christ, Boaz prepares his bride, easing the path to take Ruth as his wife. Naomi, typifying the church, guides the young woman beginning her relationship with Boaz, offering advice to sit still and observe how her redemption unfolds. This counsel remains relevant for all Christians today, encouraging patience and non-interference in God's plans. By being still, we can witness God's intimate involvement in our lives and build faith in Him.

Themes of Ruth (Part Three): Redemption

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Boaz serves as a profound type of Jesus Christ in the narrative of Ruth, embodying the role of a redeemer with striking parallels. Just as Boaz notices Ruth, a foreigner, and begins to instruct her to integrate into his world and among his people, Christ calls us out of this world, placing us among His own and providing sustenance through His Spirit and Word. Boaz's immediate actions to make Ruth feel welcome, ensuring she gleans in his field, stays with his women, and drinks from the water his servants draw, reflect Christ's care in drawing us into His family, transforming us from strangers to members of His household. In Ruth 3, Boaz's response to Ruth's request for redemption further mirrors Christ's dedication. Despite the age difference and potential obstacles, Boaz eagerly commits to redeeming Ruth, prioritizing her over the land, with a fervent desire evident in his oath, "As the Lord lives!" This echoes Christ's ultimate sacrifice, giving His life to secure our redemption, showing an unwavering desire to have us in His Kingdom, as seen in His prayer in John 17 and His assurance in Luke 12:32. Finally, in Ruth 4, Boaz's strategic approach to secure Ruth, presenting the land and her as a combined deal to the nearer kinsman, underscores his deep love and determination, akin to Christ's attitude in the parables of Matthew 13:44-46. Boaz's willingness to do whatever it takes to redeem Ruth parallels Christ's sacrifice of everything, even His life, to redeem a people for Himself. Now, possessing us, Christ is intimately involved in freeing us completely from this world, purifying us to be righteous as He is, desiring us to become the firstfruits of God, to live and work with Him for eternity in the Kingdom of God.

Pentecost and the Book of Ruth

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Boaz stands as a profound type of Jesus Christ in the narrative of Ruth, reflecting significant spiritual parallels for New Covenant Christians. Boaz, whose name means "In Him is strength," mirrors Christ as a source of power and protection, emerging from the family of Elimelech, meaning "God-is-King," which underscores a divine lineage akin to Christ's heritage. Just as Boaz comes from Bethlehem, so does Jesus Christ, highlighting a shared origin that signifies divine presence and covenant loyalty with the greeting, "The LORD be with you," reminiscent of Christ's title, Immanuel, meaning "God with us." Boaz's actions toward Ruth prefigure Christ's unilateral work on behalf of His people. He grants Ruth permission to glean in his field, much like Christ allows us to gather spiritual nourishment in His church. Boaz admonishes Ruth not to stray from his field, paralleling Christ's call to remain within His fold. He ensures her safety by commanding his young men not to harm her, reflecting Christ's protective care over His flock. Boaz also provides for Ruth beyond her expectations, allowing her to glean among the sheaves and ensuring extra grain is dropped for her, just as Christ, the Bread of Life, abundantly supplies our needs, promising that those who come to Him shall never hunger. Furthermore, Boaz's provision of water to Ruth symbolizes the giving of the Holy Spirit, as seen when he instructs her to drink from the vessels when thirsty, echoing Christ's invitation in John 7:37 to come and drink of the living water. This refreshment enables Ruth to continue her work in close contact with Boaz, just as the Holy Spirit strengthens and sustains Christians in their spiritual journey within Christ's presence. Boaz's role as redeemer also typifies Christ. His willingness to redeem Ruth, a foreigner, and marry her, despite her Moabite heritage, mirrors Christ's redemptive work that brings Gentiles into the covenant, breaking down barriers and grafting them into spiritual Israel. Naomi's assurance that Boaz will not rest until the matter is concluded reflects Christ's commitment to complete the good work He begins in us, as affirmed in Philippians 1:6. Finally, Boaz's recognition of Ruth's covenant loyalty and his acceptance of her as an Israelite in character, despite her outsider status, parallels Christ's acceptance of all who show faithfulness, making them part of the Family of God. Through Boaz, we see a foreshadowing of Christ's eternal redemption and the hope of our soon-coming marriage to Him, our ultimate Redeemer.

Themes of Ruth (Part Two): God's Providence

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

As we count the 50 days toward Pentecost, we should consider the events of our lives, coming to understand that they reveal God's on-going maintenance.

Patience With Growth

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Fruit maturation takes time. Waiting for the fruit is just part of the story; while we wait, we must also work, including thinning and pruning.

Principled Living (Part Five): Witnessing of God

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Our best witness is often through our unspoken behavior; what we do speaks volumes. God gives us a charge to bear His name with dignity in all our actions.

'Being Seen of Them Forty Days'

Sermon by Mark Schindler

On the 40th day on the count to Pentecost, Jesus ascended. The details of His activity before His ascension have not received the focus they should.

God's Real Transformation

Sermon by Mark Schindler

Jesus is transforming His Bride into something beautiful, mirroring His godly character. He is preparing us to carry out our responsibilities.