Symbolism in the Book of Ruth
The book of Ruth is a love story much like the love story between Christ and Christ’s bride, the church. Boaz generally represents Jesus while Ruth generally represents the church.
Ruth 1
Ruth was a foreigner: Ruth was not an Israelite. She was from Moab, which had its own gods separate from Jehovah, yet she ended up marrying Boaz who was an Israelite and a worshiper of Jehovah. That represented how Jesus would offer salvation first to the Jews, but also to the non-Jews. In Revelation, Jesus takes the church as his bride, and that bride is composed of mostly non-Jews.
Ruth’s first husband died: Ruth does end up marrying Boaz, but Boaz isn’t her first husband. Her first husband was Naomi’s son, Mahlon, who died and left Ruth as a widow. That makes me think of the way that believers might be “married” to idols before they find Christ. We worship other things, but the NT says we must die to those things in order to become unified with Christ.
Ruth was impoverished: As a widow at that time, Ruth didn’t have much going for her. Because she didn’t have a man, she didn’t have a good income, property, or a son to carry on her name. That represents how we (Christ’s bride) were also poor and lowly before Christ found us.
Ruth 2
Boaz was wealthy: Boaz was wealthy just like Jesus is spiritually wealthy. In Jesus, we have everything we could ever need.
Ruth catches Boaz’s eye: I love this one! When Ruth was working in Boaz’s field, Boaz noticed her and asked his workers who she was. Christians might often think of ourselves as miserable and lowly, but despite all our flaws Jesus thinks we are beautiful! He loves us and wants us and is filled with passionate feelings for us as his bride.
Boaz is kind to Ruth: Boaz offers her water, welcomes her to continue collecting grain from his fields, and invites her to dinner. Boaz is so kind to Ruth that it surprises Ruth, and that’s exactly how Jesus treats us: he supplies us with nourishment, stability, and company.
“It’d be good for you to stay in his field so other men don’t try to approach you.” This is something that Naomi tells Ruth. Ruth hit the jackpot in Boaz, just like Christ is our jackpot. But Jesus isn’t the only one looking to steal our affection. There are many other lovers looking to steal us away, so it would be smart for us to stay close to Jesus so that no one else tries to approach us.
Ruth 3
Boaz is Ruth’s redeemer: In those days when a woman’s husband died, the deceased husband’s brother or cousin would sometimes marry the widow and “redeem” her from being an impoverished widow and give her a son to carry on the deceased husband’s heritage. Boaz was Ruth’s redeemer, just like Christ is our redeemer today. When Jesus unites with us, he redeems us from poverty and provides for us with wealth, security, and an inheritance.
Ruth 4
Boaz buys Ruth: Boaz buys all the property that Naomi inherited from her deceased husband, including Ruth. This symbolizes the way that Jesus bought us with his blood.
Boaz marries Ruth: The book of Ruth ends with a happy marriage celebration in the same way that the NT ends with a wedding celebration between Christ and his church. Boaz and Ruth become one in the same way that Christ and his church become one.