I find the book of Ruth deeply touching. Many parallels can be drawn between the lovingkindness demonstrated by Ruth and Boaz with God's love for us. Ruth was obedient to Naomi, and Jesus was obedient to the Father. Boaz delighted to redeem Ruth, and Jesus joyfully paid the cost of our redemption with His own blood. The book of Ruth contains foreshadowing of what Jesus delighted to accomplish as our Redeemer. What Jesus has done is infinitely greater than what Ruth or Boaz did, and it remains a compelling and insightful read.
After Ruth conveyed her desire to be redeemed by Boaz, he set about the task at the break of day. Noami knew Boaz was trustworthy and focused on the task, for she told Ruth not to worry in Ruth 3:18: "Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day." Boaz went to the gate first thing in the morning, the place where legal proceedings were carried out. Boaz assembled 10 elders of the city as witnesses and the single kinsman who had the right of redemption greater than his own.
Boaz informed the man of his right to redeem the property of Elimelech, which the man was only too happy to do. Ruth 4:5-6 reads, "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." The inclusion of Ruth the Moabitess and the responsibility to raise up seed for the dead was the deal-breaker for this unnamed relative. To take Ruth as wife would mar his own inheritance and the closest relative said it was quite impossible. So he urged Boaz to redeem the property and Ruth, the exact thing Boaz was most keen to do! Before the day was out, Boaz had seen it done.
What amazes me is how Christ has redeemed sinners from the curse of sin, having shed His own blood on Calvary. His righteousness has been credited to all who trust in Him. Having been created in God's image, men are eligible for redemption but not worthy of it. Unlike Ruth, not one of us in our sinful condition could be deemed "virtuous." Instead of being like the first man who claimed redeeming Ruth would ruin his own inheritance, Jesus chose for us to become His inheritance. He did not leave us ruined but causes us to be born again and made new, holy unto God. The Father has sent the Holy Spirit as the downpayment of our inheritance, for God is our inheritance and we will enjoy His presence forever (Eph. 1:13-14). How wonderful it is to be redeemed, loved, and wanted! That is the happy state of every believer, and we do well to think upon and rejoice in God's love toward us always.
After Ruth conveyed her desire to be redeemed by Boaz, he set about the task at the break of day. Noami knew Boaz was trustworthy and focused on the task, for she told Ruth not to worry in Ruth 3:18: "Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day." Boaz went to the gate first thing in the morning, the place where legal proceedings were carried out. Boaz assembled 10 elders of the city as witnesses and the single kinsman who had the right of redemption greater than his own.
Boaz informed the man of his right to redeem the property of Elimelech, which the man was only too happy to do. Ruth 4:5-6 reads, "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." The inclusion of Ruth the Moabitess and the responsibility to raise up seed for the dead was the deal-breaker for this unnamed relative. To take Ruth as wife would mar his own inheritance and the closest relative said it was quite impossible. So he urged Boaz to redeem the property and Ruth, the exact thing Boaz was most keen to do! Before the day was out, Boaz had seen it done.
What amazes me is how Christ has redeemed sinners from the curse of sin, having shed His own blood on Calvary. His righteousness has been credited to all who trust in Him. Having been created in God's image, men are eligible for redemption but not worthy of it. Unlike Ruth, not one of us in our sinful condition could be deemed "virtuous." Instead of being like the first man who claimed redeeming Ruth would ruin his own inheritance, Jesus chose for us to become His inheritance. He did not leave us ruined but causes us to be born again and made new, holy unto God. The Father has sent the Holy Spirit as the downpayment of our inheritance, for God is our inheritance and we will enjoy His presence forever (Eph. 1:13-14). How wonderful it is to be redeemed, loved, and wanted! That is the happy state of every believer, and we do well to think upon and rejoice in God's love toward us always.
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