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. 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. 2.The gathering of the Gentiles. As the fall of Noami led to the gathering of Ruth, so it has been with the Gentiles. "I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?" Romans 11:11-12. Acts 13:14, 42-49 also help us to understand the purpose of God regarding the Gentiles. * Ruth would have heard of the hope of the Messiah from Naomi even though Naomi was backslidden at heart. * Ruth was gathered into the family and under the blessing of Israel. Rom 11:17, Eph 3:3-7. From the beginning, God had planned and purpose the salvation of Gentiles through Abraham, Gen 12:1-3. We see the outworking of this wonderfully foreshadowed in the life of Ruth.