The Romance of Redemption: Studies in the Book of Ruth (M. R. DeHaan Classic Library) by Martin R. Dehaan

The Romance of Redemption: Studies in the Book of Ruth (M. R. DeHaan Classic Library) Reviews

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  Eyehavenofilter

  The book of Ruth is only four brief chapters in the Old Testament. It is truly a wonderful love story of a wealthy Jew for a a poor Gentile woman. It is the story of a family that had to leave their country and seek a life else where. At this time Israel was without a King, and men did as they saw fit. There is a famine in the land and many people did things they normally would not have done. Naomi is exiled and has many trials, the death of her husband and both sons. She longs to return to her homeland. There has been good news from her homeland, the famine is over. So she returns with the widow of one of her sons, Ruth who is promised to Boaz, a wealthy landowner.
  Ruth is truly devote, in her love of God. She was next in line for property according to the law, because of her husband, but because she left during the time of famine and was gone for more than 7 years, she gave up that right. Boaz bought the land. Will Boaz do right by her and give her back the land that is rightfully hers? This is question that weighs heavily on his mind. Ruth is a beautiful woman, in both appearance and in her heart. Boaz loved at first sight. Should he marry her, and rightfully follow the laws of redemption of Israel's land? The more he saw of her the more,he loved her and knew she was right with God.
  In the end Boaz makes an incredible decision, he buys her freedom. Without her even being present. She had to be " bought" for she was hopelessly in debt. " By this act of redemption and payment of the debts of Ruth by her relationship to Naomi, Ruth became the wife of Boaz. "
  It is a remarkable love story.
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  Shawn Durham

  I found many things I didn’t agree with. First, DeHaan seems to find a type in EVERYTHING, even numbers. It is as if he makes the text say something that it was never meant to say, so that his dispensational beliefs appear evident.
  
  As an exegete, DeHaan is lacking in many areas. He does not, because he cannot, exegete the text properly without cherry picking multiple other passages to fit in his system of theology.
  
  He sees types in things that, from the text, was never intended to be a type. He sees types in simple things, including how many years Naomi spent in Moab. Ruth laying at Boaz’ feet was a type of Israel-tribulation, etc...
  
  But craziest of all, he even shows how flying saucers are a sign of the end times (page 101).
  This is a classic example of 1950s dispensationalism, who saw Israel’s rebirth as a nation, and looked for signs in literally EVERYTHING
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  Amber Wineinger

  Beautifully written and always points back to Christ!!
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  Clara Roberts

  This book made me think. DeHaan says that every passage in the Bible has a primary basic interpretation, many practical applications, and a prophetic revelation. It was the latter that made me think. DeHaan points out the obvious the primary application of this little book is redemption. In the restoration of Naomi and Ruth, DeHaan refers to Hosea 2:14-16, when he says that despite Israel's unfaithfulness, her Jehovah God did not cast them off, but remained faithful to His coenant of grace, and after correcting her, He restores her to all of her former glory. Prophetically DeHaan sees Naomi and her family who depart and go into the world, only a remant is saved, (Naomi). Ruth represents the gentiles that are taken into the covenant of grace. Boaz is the Kinsman-redeemer who can, is willing, and does pay the price of redemption. DeHann sees this as a picture of our redemption.