This is also the story about the poor foreign widow that was completely restored as human being, woman, wife and at last as a mother. She received a better life in the new land she fled to after a very rough start in her home country. Ruth became the ancestress in Israel through marrying the "deliverer" and kinsman Boaz (Ruth 4:17-22). Generations later she becomes part of Jesus' own ancestry line (Matt 1:5). This Bible story describes a great journey through the different classes of society and a destiny that gives hope. Ruth goes from poverty, famine, death in the family and a rough alienation til someone in leading position and influence in the new land. The refugee becomes a great blessing and is at last part of rebuilding Israel as a nation.
With this special Bible story we also want to challenge and create faith among our people that this is possible in Stockholm and Sweden as well. So, during 2016, we are challenging all solid SOS families to adopt a refugee family and all singles to do the same with refugees that are coming alone. Let us, as church, both adopt and integrate the refugees that God is trusting us with in Stockholm right now. We want to meet the current refugee crisis and world situation with practical actions of love.
Biblical Historical Facts
- The book of Ruth was most likely written during the rule of King David, ie sometime between 993-961 BC, as a tribute to the King’s ancestors- The book of Ruth was usually recited during the Jewish celebration of “Pentecost” and was one of the so called feast scrolls
- The book of Ruth is a theological and classic “grace exemption” text, ie God lets his grace and love overrule his own law (see Deut 23:3)
- The book of Ruth is a textbook example of in-law marriage and redemption of family name and land through kinsman ship according to the Torah law (see Lev 25:5-10, Deut 25:5-10)
- Boas, one of the main characters in the book of Ruth is a messianic picture of the savior that God had promised to his people. Kinsman: “go’-el” in Hebrew must be translated: “He that has both the duty and the right to redeem, buy back and restore that which has been lost.”
Introduction to the book of Ruth
- Elimelech and Naomi leave Israel because of famine and head off to the land of Moab. While there, Elimelech dies and his sons tragically die at an early age as well.- His niece Ruth’s love, loyalty and commitment to God, her mother in law, her new people and new country. Ruth 1:1-22
- Boas’ key role in God’s plan for integration and vindication for Ruth. Ruth 2:1-3, 18
- Ruth is given a position and inheritance in Israel as matriarch of King David and later to Jesus, our Savior. Ruth 4:1-22
For more in depth knowledge, read Ephesians 2:14-22 and 3:6. Here Apostle Paul writes about the mystery of the gospel to the gentiles. It is this “mystery of grace” that is the prophetic and underlying message in the book of Ruth.
See ya!
