The Redeemer Who Fulfilled God’s Law

(Now in earlier times in Israel, for the redemption and transfer of property to become final, one party took off his sandal and gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactions in Israel.) So the kinsman-redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it yourself.” And he removed his sandal. Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, “Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion and Mahlon. I have also acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from the town records. Today you are witnesses!” (Ruth 4:7-10)

Boaz fulfilled his responsibility as a close relative while the other did not. They sealed the contract with the exchange of sandals, as was customary in those days.

Fulfilling Obligation

Boaz purchased the family property of the late Elimelech and his dead sons. The Law required the redeemer to also marry the widow of the deceased to continue the family line. Thus Ruth became Boaz’ wife and became the great great grand mother of Jesus.

Fulfilling God’s Law

Years later, God’s only begotten Son fulfilled God’s Law by taking human form and dying on the cross as the propitiation for their sins. There was no obligation on His part. But it was His love that moved Him to take up the cross for our sake. Through His substitutionary death the just Law of a righteous God was absolutely satisfied. He offered Himself as a perfect and permanent sacrifice for the remission of our sins, that we are redeemed from damnation to eternal life.

What a provision, that too absolutely free!

Kinsman Redeemer

And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character. Although it is true that I am near of kin, there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I. Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to redeem, good; let him redeem. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. (Ruth 3:11-13)

God’s Provision

Naomi realized that God had led Ruth to the right place, where she will find help and support as per the statutes of God. The Law makes provision for the widow and her family property to be redeemed by the nearest relative.

Naomi guided her daughter-in-law in claiming her rights as per the Law of God. She was a woman of virtue and followed her Mother-in-law’s instructions. Boaz too was a noble man and person of character. He promises to fulfill his obligations. He was kind and generous to the family that he gave a shawl full of grains. He was also careful to keep his reputation. So he tells Ruth to leave before daybreak so no one will know that she was there.

Kinsman’s Decision

Boaz was only second-in-line kinsman. He awaited the decision of the nearest relative whose responsibility it was to redeem the family of late Elimelech. When he expressed his unwillingness, Boaz revealed his decision. He was willing to shoulder the responsibility of providing solace for the widows of his relatives. This was absolutely legal and God’s command for them.

There is a foreshadow of Jesus in Boaz here. Jesus decided to pay the ransom with His own blood to redeem us. He made us members of God’s family and heirs to God’s riches, all by His grace and mercy.

Faith Continues to be Rewarded

At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She exclaimed, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”“May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord,” she said. “You have given me comfort and have spoken kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servant girls.” (Ruth 2:10, 13)

Ruth was discovering the favor of the Lord God of Israel through her experiences at her newfound home. She loved her mother-in-law and did her best to support her. She obeyed Naomi as they were trying to resettle in Bethlehem.

Accepted and Respected

Ruth always knew she was a stranger in town, alien to the Jewish culture and ignorant of the local customs. She was surprised at the acceptance she received from Boaz and his workers. She worked with them and shared their meal. This atmosphere would have been unimaginable in her culture. She felt accepted and respected for Boaz was a man of noble character.
Provided and Protected

Ruth was willing to learn the disciplines of her newfound faith and she trusted her mother-in-law. Boaz provided her work and food. He also made sure that she, being a stranger, was safe in the new place. Boaz’s thoughtfulness was a shadow of God’s graciousness to her. Naomi advised Ruth to work with Boaz’s workers for she knew Ruth will be safe there.

Faith Rewarded

And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” So she went out and began to glean in the fields behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she found herself working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech. (Ruth 2:2-3)

Ruth, a worshiper of Moabite gods, lands up in Israel along with her mother-in-law Naomi. Though a stranger to the land of covenant she had strong faith in the God of her husband. She had discovered the difference between her gods and the God of Israel which motivated her to sacrifice her family and relatives for the sake of being with her mother-in-law.

Results of a Wrong Step

Naomi, being a part of God’s Covenant people, was not so strong in her faith that a food shortage made her persuade her husband to trust in human wisdom. Naomi regretted the loss of her husband and sons and perhaps realized her mistake in leaving the land and stepping out of God’s will. Though her name meant “pleasant” Naomi accepts the name ‘Mara”, meaning “bitter”, as the consequences of her mistake was gnawing away her joy.

Rewards of Right Faith

Ruth, on the contrary, exhibited inner joy and motivation to work hard to care for her mother-in-law. She was guided by the Lord to the field of Boaz, a relative of her husband, a wealthy man of good repute and high social standing. There Ruth finds not just food and safety, but God’s graciousness through Boaz. Her faith in the God of Israel was beginning to be rewarded.

Faith Calls For Sacrifices

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” (Ruth 1:16-17)

Running Away During Tough Times

Elimelech and his family wanted to escape the famine in the promised land. Famines may come in the places where God has kept you to test your dependence on Him. God is able to see you through such situations. But if you run away seeking security elsewhere, you are in for more troubles. Solving problems in our own strength can lead us to ungodly choices. Elimelech and the two sons died in the unchartered territory.The sons had married girls from unbelieving communities against the covenant agreement they had with God. When the women were left alone to make their decision the mother-in-law suggests that the girls return to their people and their gods. God’s people are not to tread upon unapproved territory and enter into unacceptable relationships.

Staying True To The Commitment

Ruth had the chance to return to her own people and to realign herself to her old faith. But she had made up her mind to trust the God of her husband’s family, the God of Israel. She found Him to be true though her husband’s family were dissenting from their covenant relationship. She decided to follow her new found faith no matter what. God honored her faith and we see her name appear in the family tree of Jesus.