The Book of Boaz

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” Ruth 1:16 (NIV)

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” Luke 18: 29-30 (NIV)

I am currently reading Jesus on Every Page by David Murray, published this summer by Thomas Nelson. The book is all about how the Old Testament reveals Jesus, and the activity of Jesus during Old Testament times. If it were possible, I would blog the whole book here. It’s that good. Part of my motivation for reading is that there were other books on the pre-incarnate Christ I wanted to read, but missed the opportunity. Here is a very small excerpt:

The Old Testament was originally written for “the church in the wilderness.”  That’s why instead of jumping immediately to ask, what does this mean for me? we must pause and ask, what was the original message to the original readers of this Old Testament passage? …

Example:  When we turn to the book of Ruth and ask this fundamental question, what is the coming Saviour like? our focus shifts radically from Ruth to Boaz.  The book might equally be named after him because he is the center and pivot of the book.  Chapter 1 begins with a bitter Naomi, and the book ends with a blessed Naomi. What made the difference?  Three chapters of Boaz.  All eyes should be on him.

The key word in the book also dramatically spotlights Boaz.  The Hebrew word ga’al appears twenty-one times.  It is variously translated, but it basically combines two elements:  relation and redemption.  It refers to a close family member who steps into defend, protect and provide for the needy.   It’s a word used to describe God’s past action of redeeming Israel out of Egypt, and the later prophets also used it repeatedly to describe a future redemption that God would accomplish.

When Mr. and Mrs. Israelite were reading in Exodus about God’s past redemption or in Isaiah about God’s future redemption, they would perhaps turn to each other and ask, “Isn’t there another book about redemption somewhere in the Scriptures?  Oh, yes, that little book about Boaz has lots about redemption.   Let’s read there and find out what kind of Redeemer God is and what kind of Redeemer the Messiah will be.”

If you want to read Ruth like Mr. and Mrs. Israelite did, then ask, what is the Messiah like?  And if you do, you will discover the beautiful answer:  The Messiah is like Boaz.  Notice Ruth’s important genealogical postscript that further boosts the messianic momentum by tracing her descendants to King David.

pp. 61-63

Today’s two-for-one special: The graphic at the top of the page and the two scripture verses which introduced today’s thoughts are from a seminar by Brian Lindman of Christ Presbyterian Church in Bradenton, Florida.  Click here to listen.  The sermon is part of a series, “Jesus in All of the Bible,” which is similar to the theme of the above book.