A Glorious Macrocode:
The Book of Ruth
by Chuck Missler
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This tiny four-chapter romance has been venerated in
college classes for its elegance as literature, but it also reveals a
craftsmanship of prophetic anticipation unrivaled anywhere in Scripture.
(Our commentary on this book endures as our most popular publication.) One
cannot really comprehend what is going on in Revelation Chapter 5 unless one
understands the events involved in the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament.
The story involves a hero, Boaz, who is in the role of a goel, or
Kinsman-redeemer, whose ultimate commitment of redemption returns the land in
Bethlehem to its disenfranchised former owner, Naomi, and who also takes a
Gentile bride, Ruth.
To follow the plot, one must understand the Law of Redemption. In
ancient Israel, land wasn't sold in fee simple,1 as we
are used to. Since God was the real landowner, Israel was simply a tenant
under conditions of obedience. When land was "sold," what the buyer
received was only the use of the land, not clear title. There were
conditions under which a kinsman of the seller could "redeem" the land back to
the original family. These conditions were typically noted on the outside
of the scroll defining the transaction.2
The scroll in Revelation Chapter 5 was written "within and on the backside,"
which identifies it as a deed subject to redemption. A Kinsman of Adam, in
His role as a goel, a Kinsman-redeemer, is taking
possession of what He had already purchased with His blood as the sacrificial
Lamb. He not only purchased the land; he also purchased a Bride.
In the Book of Ruth, Naomi is in the role of Israel, exiled from her land;
Boaz is her kinsman, who performs the redemption of the land; and Ruth (a
Gentile) is also purchased for a wife.3
This "macrocode" extends to virtually every detail of the book. It is
interesting that Ruth is introduced to Boaz through an unnamed servant
(functioning as the Holy Spirit).4 The Church,
as the Gentile "Bride of Christ," is introduced to the ultimate Kinsman-redeemer
by the Holy Spirit also.
It is interesting that Ruth learns how to deal with this situation from
Naomi. We learn of God's plan of redemption through His dealings with
Israel. It is also provocative that, in the story, Naomi learns of Boaz
through Ruth. (The implications of that subtlety is left to the
diligent.)
The exposition of the almost-inexhaustible "coding" aspects of this tiny book
exceeds the space available here.5 It is also
interesting that this pivotal book is also associated with the Feast of
Shavout, the Feast of Pentecost.6
Coincidence? Hardly.
* * *
Our exposition of the Book of Ruth has proven to be our most popular of all
our publications. It is available as a two-tape briefing pack, The
Romance of Redemption, and it has also been included in our featured
Expositional Commentary on Ruth & Esther, now on CD-ROM.
- A fee simple estate of inheritance is one which devolves to the
owner's heirs and assigns forever without limitation.
- An example of this was when Jeremiah, despite the impending Babylonian captivity, was
instructed to purchase land from the son of his uncle Hanameel. He, of
course, would never benefit from this purchase. The deed was secreted in
an earthen jar in anticipation when his heirs would return after the captivity
and claim it (Jeremiah 32:6-15).
- In addition to the Law of Redemption (Leviticus 25:47-50), one must understand the Law of Leverite Marriage
(Deuteronomy 25:5-10).
- It is interesting that the Holy Spirit always is modeled as an "unnamed servant": In Genesis 24 He gathers a bride for the
son. (He is unnamed in Chapter 24, but we learn His name in Chapter 15: it
is Eleazar, "Comforter.") He "shall not speak of himself" (John
16:13).
- See The Romance of Redemption - Gleanings from the
Book of Ruth, from this publisher.
- See our Briefing Pack, The Feasts of Israel, for the prophetic implications of each of the seven feasts of the
Torah.
**ADDITIONAL RELATED RESOURCES**
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Ruth and Esther - MP3 Commentary - Chuck Missler
Chuck Missler's commentary on Ruth and Esther now in MP3 format, with commentary notes in Adobe PDF format. All on one CD-ROM.
Click for more information - MP3 on CD-ROM
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**RELATED ARTICLES FROM KOINONIA HOUSE**
A Favorite Old Testament Prophecy Book: Ruth: A Romance of Redemption - Chuck Missler
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