07.28.21
Boaz and Ruth
The LORD recompense your work, and a full reward be given you of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you are come to trust. (Ruth 2:12)
We come now to the final edition in our study of the little book of Ruth found in the Old Testament, taking place during the days of the Judges. Naomi and family had fled to Moab during a time of famine in Israel. While there, she bore two sons who grew up to marry women of Moab. Sadly, in time her husband and two sons died, leaving Naomi to take care of two widowed daughters-in-law.
Naomi decided to return to Israel. Ruth chose to go with her while her fellow widow Orpah chose to remain with her family in Moab.
In Israel, Naomi found that her inheritance was in danger with no male heir to claim it. Ruth determined to work to provide for herself and Naomi. The Lord directed Ruth to the fields of Boaz to glean for her living. Boaz was a kinsman to Naomi. He took pity on Ruth and protected and provided for her in her field labors.
What is redemption, and why is it necessary? Naomi had land to sell. A near kinsman could redeem (buy back) the land and marry her raising up seed for her. The land would then belong to Naomi’s son and not to the kinsman. The kinsman was obligated to take care of the land and raise the son, never realizing any profit for himself. It belonged to the son and his seed. In this situation, to further complicate matters, Naomi gave up her place to Ruth.
Boaz, though a little slow off the mark, wanted to redeem Ruth and proceeded to do so. There was, however, a further complication. Boaz approached this man, asking him his intentions. He gathered the men of the city at the city gate.
This nearest kinsman refused this responsibility. In tune with local custom, he gave his shoe to Boaz. This giving of his shoe signified his refusal to marry Ruth, thus to set foot on her land. Boaz could now take on this responsibility. Boaz married Ruth.
This beautiful redemption of Ruth pictures the redemption of the believer by Christ. Just like Boaz, Jesus is related to us by birth. He came to this earth, becoming flesh, a part of the human race, the God Man, the only one able to be our Mediator.
Like Boaz, He is able to redeem us because He bore our sins in His own body on the cross. And, like Boaz, He desires to redeem. “The Lord… is not willing that any should perish but that all would come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) His love for us is sacrificial and pure, just as was the love of Boaz for Ruth.
Boaz is truly a picture of the Lord Jesus, being gracious, loving, and sacrificial, an able and willing kinsman-redeemer, obedient to God’s plan.
The rest of the story is that the Lord blessed Boaz and Ruth with offspring. From their son Obed came Jesse, and from Jesse came David! Ruth, a Gentile and pagan by birth, by God’s amazing grace, became a part of the Messianic line! She, along with Rahab and Bath-Sheba, are the only women mentioned in the Messianic line. O the marvelous grace of God!
Do you know this Lord Jesus? He alone can forgive your sin, having become your sin-bearer, your kinsman-redeemer. There is not a single thing you can do to save yourself. But He loves you and will save you if you come to Him today!