Ruth’s Redemption – Ruth 4

Boaz performs the role of the kinsman redeemer and provides a beautiful picture of the Lord Jesus Christ as our redeemer.

In the last two messages, we considered Ruth’s romance in Chapter 2-3 and gleaned some helpful principles for Christian romance as well as some beautiful pictures of Christ and the church.

In this lesson we study Boaz fulfilling the role of kinsman redeemer for Ruth and the wonderful way this pictures Christ as our Redeemer. The word ‘redeem’ occurs 8 times in this chapter.

Review of Outline for Ruth

• Ruth’s Repentance (Chap. 1)
• Ruth’s Romance (Chap. 2-3)
• Ruth’s Redemption (Chap. 4:1-12)
• Ruth’s Reward (Chap. 4:13-22)

Ruth’s Redemption (Vs. 1-12)

Consider four truths about Ruth’s Redemption.

The Person of Her Redemption (Vs. 1)

Boaz was the man who took steps to redeem her. John Phillips points out that the kinsman redeemer had to fulfill three basic requirements and Boaz fulfilled all three.

1. He had to have the resources to Redeem. Redemption was costly business. The first reference we have to Boaz in ruth is that he was “a mighty man of wealth” (2:1).
2. He had to have the resolve to Redeem. The other near kinsman in the story didn’t. He was interested in the property but not in Ruth. Boaz fully committed himself to Ruth’s redemption.
3. He had to have the right to Redeem. He had to be a near kinsman.
4. “In Boaz we see illustrated many of the excellencies of Christ. Boaz was a man of great wealth (Vs. 1). He was compassionate to the stranger, who had no claim on his favors (Vs. 8-9), He knew all about Ruth, even before she met him (Vs. 11), even as the Lord knows all about us even before we come to know Him. He served Ruth graciously, and all her needs were satisfied (Vs. 14). He granted her protection and prosperity for the future (Vs. 15, 16). In these acts of grace, we see a foreshadowing of our blessed Redeeming Relative’s mercies to us.” (Macdonald)
5. Consider how Boaz pictures Christ
   1. Christ has all the resources for our redemption as the Son of God.
   2. Christ has the resolve to redeem us. He fully gave Himself in order to buy us back from the slavery of sin.
   3. Christ had the right to redeem sinful humanity. It was His Divine right as Creator. It was also His right as the second Adam. Through the incarnation, Christ, the God man, became related in his humanity to the whole human race.

The Process of Her Redemption (Vs. 1-8)

1. The location of the dialogue (Vs. 1). The meeting was conducted at the city gate. The city gate was like what our council chambers are today. It was the place where official business was conducted. See Gen. 19:1; 23:10; 34:20; 2 Sam. 15:2; Neh. 8:1; Psalm 69:12).
2. The witnesses to the dialogue (Vs. 2). Ten of the elders of the city were asked to act as witnesses to what transpired (See Vs. 9) The number 10 apparently comprised a quorum to officially transact business.
3. The unnamed kinsman in the dialogue (Vs. 3-6) Boaz outlines the proposal to the nearer kinsman. He is more than willing to redeem the parcel of land but is unwilling and unable to redeem Ruth. Some Bible students have suggested that the unnamed kinsman represents the law and its inability to purchase the sinner. J.M Flanigan elaborates, “Perhaps the unnamed kinsmen represents the law and its inability to redeem the sinner. He hands Ruth over to Boaz to redeem her. She was under him legally but he could not perform the role of redeemer. He brings Ruth to Boaz. We are under the law but it cannot provide redemption for us. It brings us to Christ and He redeems us.”
4. The custom in the dialogue (Vs. 7-8). Drawing off the shoe and handing it to another was a symbolical act signifying the giving up of rights of possession. Delitzsch writes, “The custom itself, which existed among the Indians and the ancient Germans, arose from the fact that fixed property was taken possession of by treading upon the soil, and hence taking off the shoe and handing it to another was a symbol of the transfer of a possession of ownership.” See Josh. 1:3. The unnamed kinsman had conceded his rights to Boaz by giving him his shoe.

The Price of Her Redemption (Vs. 9-10)

1. How much Boaz paid to redeem Ruth and the piece of property connected to her is not stated but it must have been considerable. The word ‘redeem’ occurs 8 times in the chapter (Vs. 4, 6), ‘redeeming’ once, the word ‘buy’ 4 times (Vs. 4, 5, 8), ‘bought’ once (Vs. 9). In love, Boaz sacrificed of his wealth (2:1) to purchase Ruth to Himself.
2. Our Lord Jesus Christ paid the highest price for our Redemption. All the silver and gold in the world could never redeem lost, sinful humanity. Jesus Christ paid for our redemption in His own life’s blood.
   1. 1 Peter 1:18-19 “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
   2. Eph. 1:7 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
   3. Heb. 9:12 “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”
   4. Acts 20:28 “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

The Praise of Her Redemption (Vs. 11-12)

The onlookers and witnesses to the proceedings rejoice and pronounce a blessing upon Boaz and Ruth.

1. Their prayer wish was that the LORD would make Ruth like Rachel and Leah, the matriarchs of the nation of Israel. Rachel was buried near Bethlehem (Gen. 35:16). They also desire that Boaz and his family “do worthily” and “be famous” in Bethlehem. Boaz and his family did live in a worthy, godly manner and to this day they are famous for their spirituality and godliness. “These words seem to be directed to Boaz, particularly praying that he might continue to do worthy and virtuous actions, as well as increase in wealth and riches, power and authority, and retain his name and fame, and grow in credit and reputation among his fellow citizens.” (John Gill)
2. They further wish that Boaz’s house might be blessed like the house of Pharez whom Tamar bare unto Judah.
3. Note that Both of these blessings pronounced upon Boaz and Ruth have to do with blessing of offspring. The modern anti-baby trend and anti-baby advise given to many newly married Christian couples has no basis in Scripture. It seems today that many wish for barrenness more than fruitfulness. That was not the attitude of the godly saints of old in the Scriptures. To be blessed with children was highly prized and highly valued.
4. Note: On a practical level, when a godly couple gets married, it is important that the people of God rally around them with prayers, blessings and support.

Ruth’s Reward (Vs. 13-22)

Look at the abundant blessings that God lavished upon Ruth. The story of Ruth the Moabitess is now all but concluded, but its end is brighter than its beginning. The story which commenced with famine and funerals is ending with a happy family in Bethlehem of Judea. All these blessings trace back to the most important decision she made in Ruth 1 to make the True God of Israel her God.

The Blessing of Marriage (Vs. 13a)

1. This was the climax and crowning moment of their godly romance. What had proceeded this special moment?
   1. Courtship – Ruth and Boaz had become friends and companions over the approx. 3-4 months they had gotten to know each other.
   2. Counsel – God had used Naomi to provide godly help in the form of wise council to help guide the romance.
   3. Covenant – a formal ceremony was conducted (Ruth 4) within the cultural setting of Israel to formalize the marriage.
   4. Consummation – Boaz and Ruth consummate the marriage in the one flesh union. Notice the order. This came last after they had entered into the marriage covenant.
2. Will you commit as a youth or single adult to God’s model for romance and marriage?

The Blessing of Conception (Vs. 13b)

1. Ruth’s conception is attributed to the work of God. God was the one who “gave her conception”.
2. Fertility in marriage is a gift from God, not to be taken for granted. There is a sovereign, miraculous element to the conception and birth of a child.
3. Sadly today, we have largely lost a God-centric view of conception and child bearing. To be able to conceive and bear children is a wonderful blessing, not a curse!

The Blessings to Naomi (Vs. 14-16)

The women pronounce a blessing on Naomi. She also experienced God’s blessings.

1. The blessing of God’s graciousness (Vs. 14). Notice how the focus of their praise is on the Lord – “Blessed by the LORD”. God had worked in a gracious and mighty way in both Naomi and Ruth’s lives.
2. The blessing of a grandchild (Vs. 15-16)
   1. Obed was a bright spot in Naomi’s old age. Grandchildren are blessings from God for grandparents! She had returned from the Moab sojourn feeling empty and bitter (Ruth 1:20-21) but now she was experiencing the refreshing and restoring hand of God in her life. Little Obed would be used of God to breathe some fresh life into Naomi.
   2. The blessing was multiplied for Naomi on account of the godly character of her daughter in law Ruth. To say that Ruth was more valuable than seven sons was a statement of highest praise in those days.
   3. Naomi had the privilege of being a “nurse” to Obed. She was an active help and support in the raising of Obed. What a blessing for Naomi and what a blessing for Ruth! Naomi was not a disengaged, disinterested grandparent with the “been there done that” mentality.

The Blessings of a godly lineage (Vs. 17-22)

1. Ruth had the privilege of becoming a part of the royal line. Her son Obed was the father of Jesse who was in turn the father of David, Israel’s most beloved king. With this little genealogy ending with David (Vs. 13-22), the reader is prepared for the monarchy and the next books in Biblical order, 1 and 2 Samuel.
2. Ruth had the privilege of becoming a part of the Messianic line. Matthew 1:5 “And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;”
3. Remember, your decisions determine your destiny! Choose God and His will for your life.

Conclusion

1. Have you been redeemed by Christ? He paid the full price for your redemption. All you need to do is repent and receive!
2. What decisions are you making in your life as a Christian? Which direction are they taking you? Are you considering the long term or only the short term in your decisions?

Sermon 4 of 4 in Ruth Series

Sermon Audio Id: 52524113625486