top title Posted on 09/26/2020 5:48:07 AM PDT by Hebrews 11:6
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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.
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1 One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for. 2 Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. 3 Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.”
5 “I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered. 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do.
7 When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down.
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WILLIAM DE BRAILES, c.1250
Upper Panel: “Ruth Meets Boaz as She Gleans”
Lower Panel: OK, NOW YOU CAN LOOK!
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by RUTH COLLET
“Ruth came softly and uncovered his feet and
laid her down as Naomi had instructed her”
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by EGBERT MODDERMAN
“Ruth and Boaz”
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5
by CHANA HELEN ROSENBERG
“Ruth and Boaz”
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6
by RICHARD MCBEE
“Ruth Approaches Boaz”
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7
by MILO SHOR
“Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor”
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8
by SHOSHANNAH BROMBACHER
“Ruth & Boaz”
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9
by MARC CHAGALL
“Ruth Lying at Boaz's Feet”
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10
by RICHARD McBEE
“Ruth Uncovering Boaz’s Feet”
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11
by FRÉDÉRIC BAZILLE
“Ruth and Boaz”
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12
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13
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14
by JANNES DE VRIES
“Ruth and Boaz”
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15
by JANET SHAFNER
“Ruth and Boaz”
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BOAZ AWAKENS
SUDDENLY. .
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8 In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turned—and there was a woman lying at his feet!
9 “Who are you?” he asked.
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by CHARLES LOCK EASTLAKE
“Boaz and Ruth”
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18
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by JAMES TISSOT
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by BEN-ZION
“Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor”
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by MARC CHAGALL
“Boaz Wakes Up And Sees Ruth”
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by RONNELL WILLIAMS
“Moonlight on the threshing floor: Ruth and Boaz”
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Wenzel Bible (1389)
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BOAZ PROMISES RUTH . .
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“I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.”
10 “The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. 11 And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. 12 Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. 13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.”
14 So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he said, “No one must know that a woman came to the threshing floor.”
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by SIMEON SOLOMON
“Ruth and Boaz”
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by KATHY HAUGE
“Ruth and Boaz”
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by YOSI MIZRAHI
“Ruth and Boaz”
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by NICK MYNHEER
“Ruth and Boaz”
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by WATSON CROSS
“Boaz and Ruth, The Proposal”
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by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI
“Ruth and Boaz”
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SNEAK PEEK: Next time, BOAZ REDEEMS RUTH:
MARRIAGE,
BABY CARRIAGEIf you're sensing the Holy Spirit is suggesting
that you read ahead, we'll be in RUTH 3-4. .
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R E S O U R C E S . .
If you'd like to see for yourself the Bing page
which yielded most of the works above, here is the link:
"Boaz & Ruth"
Where no attribution appears below a work,
the artist's name is unknown;
numbered to facilitate your commenting
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Links to three masters who painted Biblical scenes prolifically:
REMBRANDT HARMENSZOON van RIJN
GUSTAV DORÉ
241 wood engravings for
La Grande Bible de Tours
JAMES TISSOT
180 watercolors depicting Bible scenes
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This series keeps moving from one Bible passage to another,
so here is a fascinating and enjoyable link to assist in following along:
BIBLE TIMELINE
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Finally, here are links to the
PREVIOUS 84 POSTS IN THIS SERIES
, with descriptive titles to assist you in finding those which interest you
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SPECIAL THANKS
to FReeper left that other site,
who allowed God to make her His conduit
for incomparable enthusiasm, encouragement,
education, advice and technical assistance!
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NOTES ON MY SELECTION CRITERIA Q u a l i t y The Bible and its Author are my focus, not the art:
this is The Bible in Paintings, not “Great Paintings” nor even “Good Paintings.” So, works need not be masterpieces to qualify for inclusion here—they don’t need to be housed at the Louvre nor auctioned by Sotheby’s. They only need to illustrate successfully some aspect of the Biblical text or, frankly, just tickle my fancy, which I'm asking the Holy Spirit to guide. Often, artists misrepresent the Scripture, but unless the error is material, licentious or heretical I usually include the artwork, trusting that the Spirit is perfectly capable of defending Himself. So, with such forgiving filters, it means that you're seeing practically everything I'm finding.P a c i n g The pace may seem glacial to those eager to see their favorite events. My commission is to search for art on each Bible passage in sequence; if I find enough, then it becomes the next installment, even if undramatic. But where there is no art, that Bible passage goes untold here. The Bible is a thick book, as you know; but we'll get there eventually, Lord willing. Always remember:
love, joy, peace, patience kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control is a fruit of the Spirit!Art is merely the Toy Department of Bible study,
so I’m just having fun here—I hope you are, too!
Thank you for your understanding.. .
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YES, WE DO HAVE A P I N G… .L I S T for "The Bible In Paintings" series … .
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either reply here or FRmail me.
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The Bible encourages us to meditate on it (Ps. 1:1-3, 119:11-16, etc.); these artists have done so, and their works can assist us and enrich our own thoughts about biblical characters, incidents and concepts, and increase our faith in He who is behind it all. As you encounter and consider these images and the related Scriptures and the Spirit enlightens your understanding, please share it with us!
But it is not only oil-on-canvas that can so help us; I refer to the astonishing video series The Chosen, which strolls through the four Gospels at the most leisurely pace. The eight episodes of Season 1 are finished, and the second of a planned seven seasons is coming soon. I say "leisurely" because after an entire year’s viewing Jesus still has only seven of the apostles (although He's preparing to call up Thomas from the minor leagues--but Thomas is skeptical, of course). Anticipating a canvas of fifty-plus hours instead of a movie's paltry two hours, The Chosen turns the characters (especially including Jesus!) into three-dimensional humans and brings the Gospels alive--you have never seen anything even remotely like it! Here is the Official Trailer.
Here is a link for free viewing of The Chosen: “Works with your phone, tablet, and you can cast to your Roku or Chromecast.” Last fall I paid $34.98 for DVDs and ongoing internet access—best 35 bucks I’ve ever spent (I don’t recall how much our marriage license cost, but then it was 42 years ago).
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Wow! This biblical art is amazing. Paintings number 17 & 18 are my faves. Thanks again. Something beautiful amid the conniving, grasping destruction going on all around us.
17, 22, and 23 are my favorites.
What’s this about a challenge? I missed it.
Her not-trying-to-be-literal faces and scenery could represent anyone or any place having those intrinsic qualities within the pattern/framework of the particular narrative that she is illustrating, or even beyond.
Same reasoning behind my dislike of greeting cards with photos of couples -- who *are* those people? Total strangers. Paid models. Perhaps they only met briefly for the photo shoot. Whatever the case, they are not the ones the message is for.
I'm not in any way attempting to marginalize the incomprehensible genius and skill of the great masters (when did they ever sleep?) -- just pointing out what is a key difference to me in this regard.
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After I wrote the above, I looked up her name. The top search result was her home page. I didn't see this text on the page itself (I didn't try too hard. Maybe it was only put in the source code for search display purposes), but this is what appeared on the search page:
"Chana Helen (chanahelen) is an artist who paints Jewish Festivals, Biblical themes and local Israeli scenes. Her work is full of movement, colour and joy."
There you go. The last word even links right to my tagline. :)
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
It's just like the very beginning of the Torah:
"In the beginning Go..."
Basically what Jesus himself said, to be of good cheer -- your sins are forgiven so you can go ahead and get on up now. Go... git... it's okay now, all's well, off the floor with you, let me help you up. Let's Roll! We Can-Do this!
Like the last verse in the Tanakh, the Hebrew book order. King Cyrus aka the "Gentile Messiah" got the last word, which is about going up.
People need to be told.
Your enthusiasm for the gospel is of the Spirit. Do you see that gospel portrayed in the Book of Ruth?
Ruth 1
16. And Ruth said, Do not entreat me to leave you, or to keep from following you; for wherever you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God:
17. Where you die, will I die, and there will I be buried; the Lord do so to me, and more also, if even death parts me from you:
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I'll mention this data related to the beginning of the Torah, the truth, Ruth, Israel, and genealogy, for anyone interested in these kinds of connected details:
1. The Torah begins with a big bet (an enlarged letter bet, which means "house")
2. The name Israel = 541, and is the last word in the Torah.
3. The annual Torah cycle contains 54 readings, so on Simchat Torah the last one is read followed by the first Thus parsha #54 is joined with 1, 541.
4. The word Torah reverses to "The Ruth".
5. Beginning with the first letter of the Torah, then at a skip of 541 letters, the message is ben m'rut v'sari: "a son from Ruth and my prince" (or even reading as Sarai, who was barren)-- my prince, which in the whole context would indicate Israel, why that name is what it is (the prince who prevailed).
To give an idea of the spread across the chapters, the last letter of the phrase is in Gen 4:15 in the verb "set" (which is not only a word play on name of the LORD in that verb and verse, but "name of the LORD - shem YHVH - appears just below in the text grid, at Gen 4:26)
And so on. All kinds of stuff for the "digging" - an infinite treasure trove, something for everyone -- every good interest and motivation.
A good place to start is to stand. ~ Kris Kringle, Christmas 1970. ("Put one foot in front of the other" song)
It's like the saying, you can't keep a good man down. Or woman as it were. Joseph and his bones (essense, essential framework, always dreaming big!) could not remain in Egypt for the same reason. It was his very nature to go up.
Astronauts didn't walk on the Moon on dreams alone... everyone worked together to make the vision a reality. Took a lot of attention to and utmost respect for the Laws of God (His rules of the universe) in order to travel that narrow path. No defying gravity whatsoever. Obey gravity. It's the law. :)
Not any work at all if it is love. No work at all. Like a 24/7 Sabbath, where the real accomplishments happen naturally, *because* nobody is working.
Joseph was derided as the "Lord of Dreams."
The Son of Man is the the Lord of the Sabbath.
... we shall see what will become of his dreams.
Naomi laid out her plan (vision) for Ruth, for how to proceed.
In the process of time, Ruth became the mother of the Messiah..
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.
How wonderful! In addition, there's a case to be made that Boaz symbolizes Christ by redeeming and marrying Ruth, who as the Bride of Christ symbolizes the church. Posts #9 & 10 have details.
“3. The nearer kinsman redeemer is Satan, who has a claim on us because of sin.
Still puzzling over the sandal.”
Hah! No puzzle, part of Mosaic law.
Deuteronomy 25:5 If brothers are living together and one of them dies without a son, his widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother shall take her and marry her and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to her. 6 The first son she bears shall carry on the name of the dead brother so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.
7 However, if a man does not want to marry his brother’s wife, she shall go to the elders at the town gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to carry on his brother’s name in Israel. He will not fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to me.” 8 Then the elders of his town shall summon him and talk to him. If he persists in saying, “I do not want to marry her,” 9 his brother’s widow shall go up to him in the presence of the elders, take off one of his sandals, spit in his face and say, “This is what is done to the man who will not build up his brother’s family line.” 10 That man’s line shall be known in Israel as The Family of the Unsandaled.
It’s a sign of disrespect because the man wouldn’t do his duty to his brother.
Satan wants to hold on to us, but won’t do anything for us. He can’t give.
When Christ redeems us, we disrespect Satan.
Thanks—my old brain didn’t make the connection. Should have known to do a word-search.
Ruth was a gentile.
So the Davidic family has gentile blood as well.
Sorry - this was well explained above — THANK YOU for sharing this.
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