It’s amazing how many references to prophecy are contained in a seemingly coincidental meeting between Boaz and Ruth. We saw earlier that Ruth found grace in Boaz’s eyes (:10). This is the same expression as in Jeremiah 31:2, which speaks of Israel finding grace on the way to its rest. We encounter this expression again in the following verse.
Ruth 2
13 And she said, “I have found grace in your sight, my lord, for you comfort me. You have spoken to the heart of your maidservant, though I am not like one of your maidservants.”
Isaiah
In Isaiah 39, we find Hezekiah being told that Jerusalem would be destroyed, the people would be carried away to Babylon, and they would be among the nations. From chapter 40 onward, we find words about the restoration of Israel.
Isaiah 40
1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
2 Speak to the heart to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is accepted, that she has received double from the LORD’s hand for all her sins.
Comfort
Isaiah 40 speaks of comfort, of the restoration of Israel after a period of judgment and sojourn among the nations. Ruth says that Boaz comforts her, just as God will comfort His people in the future. God will speak to the heart of Jerusalem, just as Boaz speaks to the heart of Ruth.
Joseph
We also find this sequence in the story of Joseph. Joseph is sold by his brothers to Egypt and, years later, through various detours, ascends to the throne as viceroy. His brothers and father Jacob believe him to be dead.
When there is a famine in the land, the brothers travel to Egypt because they have heard that there is bread there. They come face to face with their brother, whom they thought was dead, whom they do not yet recognize. Finally, Joseph reveals himself to them.
Joseph and Christ
Joseph is a picture of Christ. The house of Jacob does not know Him now, but after a period in which Christ dwells among the nations, they will be made known to Him and live under the rule of Him, whom Joseph represents, Christ Jesus. Joseph calls his entire family to him so that he can provide for them (Gen. 45:9-11; 46:1). Joseph does not hold any wrongs against them, but indicates that God has turned everything for good. Then he says:
Genesis 50
21 And now, do not fear; I (>Joseph) will provide for you and your children. And he comforted them and spoke to their hearts.