Advent Gems #17

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting." (Micah 5:2)

Most of us are familiar with the story of the Biblical Ruth, but few realize that the story took place in Bethlehem during the period of the Judges when, as scripture relates, “every man did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6 and Judges 21:25).

The major theme of the Book of Ruth is agape love, the kind of love and faithfulness that God pours out upon us. It describes the faithfulness of God to both a person, Naomi, and a nation, Israel, that no longer walked consistently in covenant with him.

The book brings together some interesting and divergent people. We meet Naomi, the widow who, driven by sorrow and poverty, returns from Moab to her ancestral home. Traveling with her was her widowed daughter-in-law, the Moabite Ruth, descended from an incestuous relationship between Lot, the nephew of Abraham, and one of his daughters. Ruth met and married Boaz, a relative of Naomi and the son of Rahab the harlot who had been rescued from the battle of Jericho and who had later married Salmon, a member of the tribe of Judah (Matthew 1).

Naomi represents the nation of Israel returning to her covenant with Jehovah. Rahab and Ruth represent the Church, rescued from sin and entering into covenant with God through the sacrifice of Jesus who is a descendent of both.

Naomi and Ruth most likely had traveled from Moab to Bethlehem with other pilgrims during the festival of Pentecost which occurs during the wheat harvest. Boaz, a man of compassion and obedience not only allowed Ruth to glean his fields but arranged for Ruth to glean in abundance. Boaz, the great-grandfather of David and ancestor of Jesus, is a personification of John10:10b: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” John 10:10 (NKJV).

In that place, little Bethlehem, the Davidic kingship of the Messiah was established. Isaiah 9:6-7: “6. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this”

Hundreds of years later, Mary heard that her child would inherit the throne of David. Luke 1:30-33: “30. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."