You’re right. I skim past the boilerplate, read the scripture and then skim the pictures.
Putting it in front of me: “In THE BOOK OF RUTH, we have three main characters: Naomi, Ruth and Boaz. They were real people but perhaps, as He often does, God intends us to see they are also “types” or symbols, each representing a thing or person. What or whom does each symbolize? Here are the main facts about each, to help you in forming your theories:
NAOMI: She was a devastated Jew whose family was dead, returning to Israel from exile in a foreign land
RUTH: She was a Gentile, a non-Jew, who was grafted into Naomi’s family by marriage and followed Naomi loyally to Israel; she worked in Boaz’s field (but never worked for him!); then she sought out Boaz, became his bride and bore him children
BOAZ: He was godly, rich and kind, and first he became Ruth’s provider and protector; then he made the effort to become her “Kinsman-Redeemer”; finally he wed Ruth and became the father of her children
HINT: If you’re stuck, try starting with Boaz; that should reveal Ruth. There are only two other people named, secondary characters Orpah and Obed; perhaps they’re types, too! Looking forward to your thoughts in the Replies section below.”
The interpretation I’ve heard before is:
1. Boaz is Christ, our kinsman redeemer.
2. Ruth is any Christian or the Church as a whole.
3. The nearer kinsman redeemer is Satan, who has a claim on us because of sin.
Now we branch into my speculation:
1. Naomi brings Ruth to Boaz - she could symbolize the Bible, Israel, or the already converted Church.
2. Orpah is the one who rejects Naomi and Israel, despite her love. She lacks faith to follow her like Ruth, or maybe she trusts her own prospects.
3. Obed - the child of their union—future Christians.
Agreed. He treated Ruth wonderfully before she was redeemed: common grace.
2. Ruth is any Christian or the Church as a whole.
Agreed. "any Christian": That she never worked for Boaz represents salvation not by works but grace. "the Church as a whole": the Bride of Christ.
3. The nearer kinsman redeemer is Satan, who has a claim on us because of sin.
Still puzzling over the sandal.
1. Naomi brings Ruth to Boaz - she could symbolize the Bible, Israel, or the already converted Church.
Excellent. In addition, her personal circumstances suggest post-holocaust modern Zionism.
2. Orpah is the one who rejects Naomi and Israel, despite her love. She lacks faith to follow her like Ruth, or maybe she trusts her own prospects.
Either way, she's looking doomed.
3. Obed - the child of their union—future Christians.
Yes!
Thanks for grappling with this and helping me to clarify my thoughts on it.