Category: Ruth–BibleTrekToday
The Kinsman-Redeemer!
Scripture reading for March 16: Ruth 1-4
The story of Ruth is set in the time of Judges between 40-100 years before the time of David (1000 BC). This simple story unfolds as a famine forces an Israelite family to leave Israel for Moab. During the famine, the husband dies. Both sons marry Moabite girls and they die as well. The wife, Naomi, is left bitter and ready to return to Israel. Her daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah are left with a choice to make.
Naomi tells her daughters-in-law to go on back to their own people. She is too old to have more sons for them to marry. Orpah stays in Moab. Ruth clings to her mother-in-law and makes a beautiful confession of devotion. (Ruth 1:16-17) Ruth is ready to follow Naomi and Naomi’s God until death!
Choices have consequences. In choosing to go to the land of Israel, Ruth would have been an alien and would not have had an inheritance or people to take her in. There was no welfare or jobless benefits. The law in Israel left the corners of the fields and the grain that was dropped for the orphan and widow. (Deuteronomy 24:19) Ruth gleaned fields as she could and got food for her family. God’s divine providence placed Ruth in the field of Boaz, a close relative of Naomi’s. Boaz was also a descendant of Rahab, the harlot that hid the spies!
Because of her hard work and humble spirit and her choice to stay with Naomi, Ruth’s good reputation was spread. Boaz heard about her and showered her with favor. (Ruth 2:11-12) In Israel, the closest relative to a widow had the right to buy the widow’s property and also to take the widow in order to continue the family line. Boaz was in that line. He was a possible “kinsman-redeemer”. Boaz responded to Ruth’s humble appeal, purchased the field, and took her as his wife! Both Boaz and Ruth are mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ! (Matthew 1:5-6)
Jesus Christ is our “kinsman-redeemer”. Ruth is a type of Gentile bride for Jesus Christ. When we closely read this beautiful story, we get a glimpse into the heart of God and Jesus Christ! Thank the Lord for being our “Kinsman-Redeemer”!
“Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer.” (Ruth 3:9)
At the Feet of a Kinsman-Redeemer
Scripture reading for March 16th: Ruth 1-4
The story of Ruth is set in the time of the Judges when every man was doing what was right in their own eyes. Naomi had left Israel in search of food during a famine. She and her husband along with their two sons went to Moab in search of a better life but they found a hard time instead. Naomi’s sons married Moabite women, one of whom was named Ruth and the other, Orpah. Over a period of ten years, Naomi’s husband died and then both of the sons also passed away. Ruth was heart-broken and decided to return to her homeland. She urged her daughters-in-law to return to their families but Ruth clung to her. (Ruth 1:3-14)
Ruth evidently recognized something in Naomi’s life that she wanted. She was willing to leave her country and family and go to the land of Israel. She even wanted to adopt a relationship with Naomi’s God! “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.” (Ruth 1:16-17)
As they returned to Israel, the barley harvest was in full swing. Women who were poor could go into the fields and glean in order to have food. Ruth was willing to work and did so. God’s providence placed her in the field of Boaz, a close relative of Naomi. He was a gracious and god-fearing man who noticed Ruth and was gracious to her. He found out her story and blessed her extravagantly.
God’s people are supposed to treat aliens and foreigners with respect and generosity in order to draw them to a relationship with God. Boaz was doing just that! Naomi recognized God’s law at work and gave Ruth instructions to lay at Boaz’ feet. This was a humble invitation to have this man take them in and provide for them. Since Boaz was a close relative, he would have to make sure that a closer relative did not want to redeem Ruth and Naomi. He settled the matter quickly and the love story ends happily.
A further insight shows that the child born to Ruth through Boaz is in the line of Jesus Christ! What grace our Father shows towards His adopted children!
The Kinsman-Redeemer!
Scripture reading for March 16: Ruth 1-4
The story of Ruth is set in the time of Judges between 40-100 years before the time of David (1000 BC). This simple story unfolds as a famine forces an Israelite family to leave Israel for Moab. Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Kilion, stay in Moab. Nothing good appears to happen to them there. The husband dies. Both sons marry Moabite girls and then they die as well. Naomi is left bitter and ready to return to her land and people. The daughters-in-law are left with a choice to make.
Naomi tells her daughters-in-law to go on back to their own people. She is too old to have more sons for them to marry. Orpah goes on back. Ruth, the other daughter-in-law, clings to her mother-in-law and makes a beautiful confession of devotion and faith. (Ruth 1:16-17) Ruth is ready to follow Naomi and Naomi’s God until death! What conviction and faith are exhibited by this descendant of Lot!
Choices have consequences. In choosing to go to the land of Israel, Ruth would have been an alien and would not have had an inheritance or a people to take her in. She would have had to rely on God’s grace and try to help her older mother-in-law to live. There was no welfare or jobless benefits. Those that did not work, did not eat. Ruth began to glean fields. The law in Israel left the corners of the fields and the grain that was dropped for the orphan and widow. (Deuteronomy 24:19) She would work as she could and get food for her family. God’s divine providence placed Ruth in the field of Boaz, a close relative of Naomi’s. Boaz was also a descendant of Rahab, the harlot that hid the spies!
Because of her hard work and humble spirit and her choice to stay with Naomi, Ruth’s good reputation was spread around. Boaz heard about her and showered her with favor. (Ruth 2:11-12) In Israel, the closest relative to a widow had the right to buy the widow’s property and also to take the widow and continue the family line. Boaz was in that line. He was a possible “kinsman redeemer”. Boaz responded to Ruth’s humble appeal, purchased the field, and took her as his wife! Both Boaz and Ruth are mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ! (Matthew 1:5-6)
Jesus Christ is our “kinsman-redeemer”. He is a “close relative” who has bought us back from slavery to sin. When we humbly appeal to Him in faith, He will surely make the transaction for us as well! Ruth is a type of Gentile bride for Jesus Christ. When we closely read this beautiful story, we get a glimpse into the heart of God and Jesus Christ! Thank the Lord for being our “Kinsman-Redeemer”!
“Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer.” (Ruth 3:9)