Closing considerations. Before we leave the book of Ruth I want us to notice the foreshadowing of future events that are presented to us in the opening verses of the book. I believe we can see here pictures of : 1. Fall of Israel. 2. Gathering of the Gentiles. 3. The restoration of the Jews. 4. The reign of Christ on this earth. I have been reading the book of Esther as I follow Robert Murray-McCheyne's Bible Reading Calendar. Some of you here will have likewise been reading in this book for I know you also use this Bible Reading Calendar. I could have added the story in this book to my examples on Tuesday past as I gave you some well known examples of the types of Christ's return. In the days of Esther how dreadful were the circumstances of the Jews until God raised up Mordecai and cast down Haman. Mordecai pictures for us the Lord Jesus coming to conquer the enemies of His people and Haman pictures the great enemies of the Jews, the future Antichrist. We should search out these pictures and glory in what the Lord is going to do for His people. Consider what we are told in the opening verses of Ruth. 1. Fall of Israel. It was the time of the Judges, a time of anarchy and defiance of God, Judges 21:25. It was a time of famine, Ruth 1:1. Elimelech's decision to forsake Bethlehem (The House of Bread) led to a scattering of Elimelech's family and of death. It was judgment upon him for his folly. It pictures for us the Jewish people being scattered after their rejection of The Lord Jesus, the Bread of Life, some 2000 years ago. They have been followed by misery and trouble ever since.