Murals (2008) by PHANTAST - Graffiti - Cultural Music & Art Association inc. - 98 Milne St. Benleigh
Sunday before Christmas: Genealogy of the Son of Man.
Book of Ruth in the Bible.
Like the Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:21-28),
Ruth acknowledges that she does not deserve Boaz's favor because she is a stranger.
Like Christ, Boaz blesses her with his favor and protection.
Ruth is rewarded for her dedication by an invitation to eat with Boaz.
The story of Ruth in the Bible illustrates a theme of redemption, a word that occurs 23 times in the book of Ruth. Boaz acts as a redeemer by buying back Naomi's land, marrying Ruth, a Moabitess, and fathering a son to keep the family line alive.
Such a "kinsman-redeemer" is symbolic of the mediating work of Christ.
Ruth's position as a Gentile in the ancestry of David (and thence of Christ) signifies that all nations will be represented in the Kingdom of God.