Ruth: A Typology of Love- Part 1

Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread….  Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me. And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. Ruth 1:1-6, 12-17 (KJV)

Ruth is a rich book, full of symbolism and typology. We see by the passgae above that there are a number of people’s names mentioned in the book of Ruth and it would benefit us to search out the meaning of those names to understanding a deeper revelation that the book has to offer us.

• Elimelech: God is my King

• Naomi: Pleasant, delightful

• Mahlon: Weak, sickly

• Chilion: Failing, pining, wasting away

• Ruth: Friend, beauty, something worth seeing, vision

• Orpah: Fawn

• Judah: Praise

• Bethlehem: House of bread

• Boaz: In him is strength

Let’s put all of this together and see what we have.

They went to Moab to escape a famine. Moab represents the carnal life, being ruled by a carnal mind. It was the promise of food that drew them to Moab. Once there, Elimelech, which means God is my King, died. When we acknowledge God as our King, needs are met. In going to Moab, they did not trust God, but tried to do things on their own to meet their needs. When things are difficult, we must say “God is my King.” We must trust Him and follow His plan and not try to solve everything on our own.

Naomi, which means pleasant and delightful, was left with her two sons: Mahlon and Chilion. The sons married two girls: Ruth and Orpah. Mahlon and Chilion’s names both indicate they were not strong or in good health. When things take a sickly turn, we must remember that God is our strength. We get our strength from Him alone and He is our Healer. As long as Naomi had her sons, she saw life as being pleasant and delightful. However, once her sons died, she tried to change her name to Mara, which means bitter. She allowed her circumstances to make her bitter. And she even blamed God for her difficulties, although God never told them to go to Moab in the first place.

Orpah’s name means fawn. A deer, especially a baby deer, is flighty and will run at the first sign of danger. Orpah’s dedication to her mother-in-law was not deep. Her commitment was tested and she ran back to her people. Ruth, on the other hand, did not. Her commitment to Naomi was deep and like her name indicates, she was a true friend. God Himself is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Many people will run at the first mention of hard times, but God will bring sincere friends to walk with us- and He Himself will be our truest Friend. And of course, he expects us to be committed to the people He has placed in our lives.

Ruth’s dedication to her mother-in-law is a picture of a covenant of love. She swore that nothing but death would separate them. In the same way, nothing can separate us from the love of God because we are in covenant with Him. The two of them returned to Judah, which means praise, specifically to Bethlehem, which means house of bread. As we praise the Lord, our needs are met. We have no lack of bread or any other provision when we choose to praise God. It is always a good thing to go where there is bread- in other words, when we are fed the Word of God. As we follow God and go where the Word is being taught, God will give us everything we need.

Tomorrow, we’ll continue our discussion on the deeper meanings found in the book of Ruth, especially the blessings that come to those who are committed to God and his people.