We have a Redeemer!

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Ruth 4:3-10 (NKJV):

Then he said to the close relative, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, sold the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech. 4 And I thought to inform you, saying, ‘Buy it back in the presence of the inhabitants and the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if you will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am next after you.’” And he said, “I will redeem it.” 5 Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance.” 6 And the close relative said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance. You redeem my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it.” 7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging, to confirm anything: one man took off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was a confirmation in Israel. 8 Therefore the close relative said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” So he took off his sandal. 9 And Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, from the hand of Naomi. 10 Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from his position at the gate. You are witnesses this day

I love the Book of Ruth because it shows a couple of things:

1. That God can include anyone in His Family as He chooses

2. God shows even in Ruth’s time that He desires redemption for all

3. Boaz is a type of Pre-eminent Christ

1. When we look at Ruth, we see that she is a Moabitist. She really is not a Hebrew by birth by has gained rights by marriage to be part of the Hebrews. By all rights, she could have returned to her home country when her husband died, especially, after Naomi released her. Instead, she chose to stay with Naomi.

Proverbs 29:6-7 (NKJV): Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man? 7 The righteous man walks in his integrity;
His children are blessed after him.

What was it about Naomi that caused Ruth to stay? She lost her husband too. According to what we see here in the Book of Ruth, she really didn’t have riches or else, why would there be a requirement for a kinsman Redeemer. She was old in age and therefore, she probably was unable to bear another son for Ruth to marry. Even still, if she did, Ruth would have to wait for him to be of age to marry.

Could it be that Naomi’s faith attracted Ruth? Could it be that Ruth so desired to be part of the family, when her husband was alive, that she learned the Hebrew traditions, especially when it came to family? Possibly, whatever it was, Ruth chose to stay and because of this choice, she is in the lineage of David who is the lineage of Jesus.

2. Have you ever wondered what a kins-man Redeemer is? Bible Gateway defines it this way:

The relative who restores or preserves the full community rights of disadvantaged family members. The concept arises from God’s covenant relationship with Israel and points to the redemption of humanity in Jesus Christ.

Covenant rules for the kinsman-redeemer

The kinsman-redeemer’s obligation to redeem the land Lev 25:25-28; Jer 32:6-9

The kinsman-redeemer’s obligation to redeem the enslaved Lev 25:47-55

The kinsman-redeemer’s obligation to provide an heir Ge 38:8-10; Dt 25:5-10; Mt 22:23-28 pp Mk 12:18-23 pp Lk 20:27-33

The kinsman-redeemer’s obligation to avenge death Nu 35:16-21

The kinsman-redeemer’s obligation to be a trustee Nu 5:5-8

The kinsman-redeemer in the book of Ruth

Ru 2:20 See also Ru 3:1-4:17

The Lord as redeemer

Ex 6:6-7 See also 2Sa 7:22-24; Isa 43:1-7; Isa 54:5-8; Jer 50:33-34

The kinsman-redeemer reflects God’s concern for the poor and oppressed

Pr 23:10-11 See also Ps 68:5-6; Ps 72:2-4

God’s provision of Jesus Christ as kinsman-redeemer

Gal 4:4-7 See also Gal 3:13-14; Heb 2:11-18

(Taken from https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/dictionary-of-bible-themes/7388-kinsman-redeemer, January 18, 2018)

Simply it’s this, it is the closest male relative to the party who has a debt or to the husband who died, that can pay the debt required to redeem the property that is in adhoc God have a way for this redemption. It seems as if this was how He was revealing to us of the bigger redemption through Jesus.

Leviticus 26:26-28 (NKJV):  ‘If one of your brethren becomes poor, and has sold some of his possession, and if his redeeming relative comes to redeem it, then he may redeem what his brother sold. 26 Or if the man has no one to redeem it, but he himself becomes able to redeem it, 27 then let him count the years since its sale, and restore the remainder to the man to whom he sold it, that he may return to his possession. 28 But if he is not able to have it restored to himself, then what was sold shall remain in the hand of him who bought it until the Year of Jubilee; and in the Jubilee it shall be released, and he shall return to his possession.

Do you see how God made a way for others to have a way to be redeemed? Do you see that this an example of what Jesus did and for them to see how God wants to work in everyone’s life?

3. Boaz was willing to pay the price for Ruth’s redemption when others were not or unable to. He took a risk. He could have lost everything by doing what he did. Remember, Ruth slept at his feet during the night. Not only Ruth’s reputation would be tarnished but Boaz could have lost everything because if it was found out this occurred prior to him going through the process he had to do with the closest relative, everything he owned could have been taken. Instead, he chose to do it right and knew that he could even lose the opportunity to redeem Ruth and her husband’s property.

This is a picture of Jesus coming here, leaving everything behind, to take our place for what we deserve. Jesus paid a price for us.

Galatians 3:10-14 (NKJV): For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

He paid it all for us to bring us back to His Family. He is our kinsman Redeemer. What are you going to do with this knowledge? If you choose to grab on, are you going to continue to pursue what He has or are you going to squander it?

Call out to Him and seek his Love and Forgiveness. It really is as hard or easy as you make it.

We should look to Him daily to seek a relationship with Him. I want to encourage you to seek Him today, if you haven’t already. If you need help, have questions or need direction in this regard, please, feel free to let me know.

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Any scripture referenced here is taken from New King James Version (NKJV) unless otherwise noted

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