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Richard Ritenbaugh, pondering why some authors chose the enigmatic titles of their books, observes that the name of Boaz (a type of Christ) appears many times more than Ruth (a type of the church), indicating Christ"s intensive work on behalf of the church, harvesting the firstfruits to the Lord. The whole period from the wavesheaf offering to the offering of the baked loaves constitutes God's harvesting of the firstfruits. It is our obligation to get in line to do our part, as Ruth diligently did her part. Ruth originally was a foreigner (a Moabitess) a type of worldly person outside the covenant, who nevertheless commits herself to Naomi (a type of Israel) and her God, and ultimately becomes redeemed by Boaz, a gracious provider, who instructs the reapers to leave Ruth a generous portion of grain as well as offering her protection and safety, admonishing her not to glean in another field, but to stay close to his women servants, keeping her eyes on the field, following the examples of the other servants, drinking only from what the young men have drawn. In addition to providing graciously, Boaz was a righteous judge, having gathered all the details of Ruth's virtuous and selfless life as he had gathered the grain, winnowing the chaff from the good kernels. After Boaz judged Ruth, he lovingly and lawfully redeemed her as Christ has redeemed His Church.

Baked with leaven Boaz Chesed Commitment Covenant loyalty Corners of the field Ecclesiastes Elimelech Emmanuel Feast of Harvest Feast of Weeks Fifty Days Firstfruits Gleanings Harvest festival Harvest of the firstfruits Harvest of Pentecost Holiness code Homer Iliad Iliam In Him is strength Israel Lamentations Lord of the Rings Megillot Naomi No works doctrine Obed Pentecost Redeemer Ruth The quest to destroy the rings Titles of books Wave loaves Wave sheaf offering Wheat Winnowing grain Wrath of Achilles

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