The Prophecy of Ruth

by Julia Gibbs

Familiarity can dull the senses, anesthetizing us to the prophetic nature and revelatory meanings found in the Book of Ruth. The story of Ruth was, is, and is yet to come if we are willing to accept it. Many of us grew up on the children’s church version of Ruth. The one that came with coloring pages and dot-to-dot pictures, which painted a broad stroke over the book, and allowed a numbness to form when we heard it read. In children's church it was simply a beautifully told, perfectly wrapped, romanticized Cinderella tale of Ruth, the servant girl, who falls in love and marries the dashing landowner, Boaz. But is there more? Is there a deeper calling within these four chapters to understand what the prophets themselves found unimaginable?This study invites you to read with new eyes and hear with new ears. There is a call to join in as those who have ears to hear and to partner with the Holy Spirit, to be awakened to the world that is written between the black letters and the white pages. God is beckoning us to stretch our capacity for understanding as we discover the mysteries that have been formed from the foundation of the earth. This book is one of only two books written in the Old Testament about and for, the Gentiles. Both Ruth and Jonah are prophetic books revealing one of seven mysteries of the New Testament. Paul wrote about these seven mysteries in Romans 11 and Romans 16. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, Paul chose to close Romans, the book of doctrine for the Church Age, with the mystery of the “Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages,but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all the nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen!” Romans 16:25-27Ruth is so much more than a Cinderella-type tale. It is the revealing of God’s plan for the Age of the Church, the Age of Pentecost. It begins in Genesis with all people, then moves to the election of Israel as God’s chosen people and flows into Acts 2 and 10. This is where God opens the doors to the Gentile nations in an age defined by the ecclesia, the Church. The plan culminates with the great returning of God’s people as one body and one flesh entering the Millennial Reign of Christ as seen in the Book of Revelation.

318 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2023

Reviews

[Holly M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book because I have heard this woman preach in person and I was intrigued by the title. Ruth is not a book of prophecy - the Nevi'im - in the Hebrew Scriptures it is part of the Ketuvim, the writings, and is one of the 5 scrolls which make up the Megillot. It is considered more wisdom writing than prophecy. So where was she going here?

Honestly, I stopped reading part way through because the constant proof texting was driving me batty! If we are going to study Ruth then let's study Ruth, its context, its story, and all the things BEFORE placing it in the canon or trying to extrapolate out prophecy or connection to the New Testament or Genesis. There is a place to connect those things but it is not necessarily on the first page of the study. When you study the book of Ruth you quickly discern that it is really the story of Naomi and God's work with his people Israel, along with bringing outsiders in.

She also drops things into the study and speaks as if they are facts to understand without a shred of evidence or thread of thought (as if she has a Theological education which she does not from her bio, not that people can't learn on their own but that's not how she talks here), and she definitely skews to dispensationalism.

If you are interested in Ruth as a prophecy of sorts or the idea of kinsmen redeemer be connected to Christ there are better options out there. Disappointed.

[Bernadette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Prophecy of Ruth does an amazing job of diving deep into the book of Ruth and connecting it with other Scripture. Julia Gibbs does an excellent job of explaining, in detail and with Scripture, prophetic patterns throughout the Bible and Ruth. A must read if you want to dig deeper and be encouraged in reading and studying the Word.
Excellent to read alone, with friends, or with a Bible study group. I’ve gifted this book to many friends who have also loved the teaching.

[Kristy Appleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible DEEP dive into the history of Ruth and what it means for the future of our faith. Gibbs is such a talented teacher.