This is the fourth segment in our video series The Feasts and the Ancient Hebrew Wedding In this video we want to talk about Ruth and the laws of redemption, as found in the Torah commandments. And why traditionally, the book of Ruth is read each Shavuot (Pentecost).
Shavuot ketubah
The book of Ruth is a beautiful story about duty, redemption, and covenant relationships as perscribed by Yahweh Elohim in the Torah. The book of Ruth is often read at Shavuot (Pentecost) because traditionally, in the Ancient Hebrew Wedding model, Shavuot is the time when the Torah (or the ketubah, the wedding contract) was made between Yahweh Elohim and His people Israel at Mount Sinai.
Redemption through faith
It also shows us how Ruth, a Moabites from birth, is grafted into the nation of Israel by her faith, and by her committment to the Elohim of her mother-in-law Noami, the Elohim of Israel. We see that after her husband’s death, Ruth refused to leave her mother-in-law Noami to return to her Moabite homeland. Instead, she told Noami that she would stay with her, go wherever she went, serve her Elohim (the Elohim of Israel), and become as one of her people.
Rut (Ruth) 1:16-17
16 But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your Elohim, my Elohim.
17 Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. Yahweh do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.”
Rut (Ruth) 2:11-12
11 And Boaz answered and said to her, “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before.
12 Yahweh repay your work, and a full reward be given you by Yahweh Elohim of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.”
Ruth kept the Torah
We also see that, rather than choosing a new life for herself and seeking a youthful husband, Ruth follows the Torah Law of Yibbum (Levirate Marriage). She remains faithful to Yahweh Elohim and walks by Torah, to raise up a son to her dead husband’s name.
Rut (Ruth) 3:9-11
9 And he said, “Who are you?” So she answered, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative.”
10 Then he said, “Blessed are you of Yahweh, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich.
11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman.
Prophetic picture of Yeshua our Redeemer
Lastly, we will see how the story of Boaz (the Great Grandfather of David) gives us a prophetic shadow picture of Yeshua, who would become our kinsman Redeemer.
Rut (Ruth) 4:13-17
13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, Yahweh gave her conception, and she bore a son.
14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be Yahweh, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel!
15 And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.”
Rut (Ruth) 4:17
17 Also the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “There is a son born to Naomi.” And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
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We thank Yahweh Elohim for your love for His kingdom.
