12 20 25 – End Time Harvest

Every once in a while I throw a Ruth study back into the mix to show God's prophetic plan unfold. In this week's Torah portion, Miketz ("at the end"), we will find a precursor to the book of Ruth. 

Prophetically, we can see that no matter who you are in relationship to this story, we all have a role in the great harvest and in restoring the name upon the dead—which we see clearly in Ezekiel 37 when the dry bones are raised and Judah, Ephraim, and their companions are united into the twelve tribes of Israel.

Over the millennia, many have taken a very anti-Semitic view of the Jews. The story of Ruth elevates them back to where they belong, through a Gentile convert, in Yahweh's economy. We see this clearly when Naomi, who knows where he will be at the end of the harvest, reveals this to Ruth—the threshing floor. She knows where he is and how to approach him, and Ruth needs to learn how to approach him properly at the place where the wheat is separated from the chaff on the threshing floor. There is a valuable lesson here for all of us on how to approach the Father. Many Jews are bewildered by Christians because of the emphasis placed on the Son. Consequently, they think we are worshiping a different God. It is time we get the proper balance with the Father and the Son—hopefully this study will help (Matt. 5:16; 6:6; 4:22–26) ☺.

Naomi knows the proper preparation to see him and approach him: wash, put on new garments, and anoint yourself. Approach secretly (Matt. 6:6) and only after he has finished eating and drinking (Ruth 3:3). Israel knew this preparation experience at Mount Sinai when they married Yahweh (Ex. 19:10–15). They also understood the wrath of Yahweh Elohim, hence the approach after he was full and happy.

It sounds like this private encounter could get pretty "dicey"! Many commentators have spoken about the "secret rendezvous" at the threshing floor. However, I am going to suggest that nothing sexual happened that night. The encounter alludes back to Lot and his daughters → Moab → Ruth; and Judah and Tamar → Pharez → Boaz.

When Ruth approached Boaz in the middle of the night (Ruth 3:8), she came and laid down (shakav) to rest or sleep. I believe the uncovering of the feet was a proposal announcement. Today, I see this all over the world. Former Gentile believers, grafted into the olive tree, are starting to seek out their Hebrew roots more than ever—to know the God of their Father Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob! The Ruth-less church, on the other hand, carries on with no interest in Naomi's instructions, approaching on their own terms. Many believe the "church" has replaced Israel, but Paul makes it clear this is not the case (Rom. 11:25). We have been grafted into Israel, the olive tree (Jer. 11:16–17; Rom. 11:17–24; Ps. 52:8), not them into the modern-day church.

The Ruth-ful church is humble and willing to heed Naomi's instructions. We need to learn how to approach Him! How to prepare ourselves! How to come in secret! To come to His feet! To seek His protection! To seek refuge in His wings (kanaph) (Ps. 91:2–4).

This is what Ruth sought after (Ruth 2:12). And this is exactly what Ruth told Boaz to do when he woke: "Cover me with your skirt" (kanaph). When we approach the Lord of the Harvest (Lev. 23:22; Deut. 24:19; Jer. 51:33) properly, as Ruth did, we may ask for His protection under the shadow of His wings (kanaph).

This road we walk is filled with all types of spiritual landmines, and the "Naomis" of the world know how to navigate through them to approach the Father with the right heart—not talking tzitzit, yarmulkes, phylacteries, or davening; I am talking about approaching with the right heart ☺.

Let us close out this morning with what is often overlooked: her intercession for Naomi (Ruth 3:9). It is the very reason why Ruth was sent—to redeem Naomi. Ruth now knew that Boaz was the redeemer (goel) for the land, for the name, and for the inheritance of the dead. Naomi needed Ruth because she needed a child to gain the inheritance. Prophetically speaking, Naomi is still unredeemed, whereas Ruth is a picture of the grafted-in believer who has access to the throne of God through Yeshua the Messiah!

It is interesting how Naomi is never in the presence of Boaz in this story, until after she is redeemed through Ruth. They both needed each other, didn't they? And don't we (Rom. 11:30–32)?

The story is starting to get rich. More in this morning's Zoom call on Joseph, Manasseh, Ephraim, Judah, and the boys. Keep gleaning from the harvest!

Shabbat Shalom!