The story of Ruth and Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer, is a familiar tale. I’d argue that it’s one of the most romantic stories of all time. This simple love story provided a taste of what Israel had to look forward to in their coming Redeemer. Today, this story gives us a reminder of Christ’s love for us and the gift He extends all of us.
It also gives us a reminder of His presence. Just as Boaz was there as Ruth struggled to provide for herself and her mother-in-law, so has Jesus been there waiting for us to come to Him. And just as Boaz helped Ruth, took care of her, so does Jesus often offer us generosity and grace before we even realize He’s there.
Boaz as a picture of Christ
Ruth had to ask Boaz to be her redeemer, and we have to go to Christ. Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (KJV). Christ is there waiting, just like Boaz was. And like Boaz, Christ is willing. But we have to be the ones who ask Him to redeem us.
Once we go to Him, repent and ask for Him to come into our hearts and lives, we leave the rest to Him. We don’t have to work for our salvation, don’t have to worry about losing our salvation. We simply rest in the knowledge of Christ’s provision, just as Naomi instructed Ruth to rest (Ruth 3:18).
Note what Naomi said, “the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day” (Ruth 3:18 KJV). Let’s compare that with John 19:30, which says, “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost” (KJV). God’s people in the Old Testament had to wait for their Messiah, but He was working before they even knew it.
The new covenant
In Ruth 4, Boaz goes to the man that was a nearer kin than Boaz. Boaz gives the man a chance to act as the redeemer. But the man declines, saying it will mar his inheritance. This meeting and exchange represents the old covenant vs. the new covenant. The Law vs. The Redeemer. Paul wrote about that in Hebrews 8.
And in Hebrews 8:6-7, Paul wrote, “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second” (KJV). Boaz acted a mediator on Ruth’s behalf just as Christ is a mediator on our behalf. The Law couldn’t redeem us. The Law based on works. As Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (KJV). None of us could follow the Law because none of us are perfect. None of us could gain salvation through works. And that’s why we need Jesus.
And like Boaz was willing to take Ruth, just as she became a part of God’s people though she was before a stranger, so is Christ willing to take us, to redeem us, to make us a part of God’s people, even though we’re strangers.
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
– Ephesians 2:11-13 KJV
Christ is the ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer.
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:
1 Peter 1:18-19 KJV
We, like Ruth, have nothing. Nothing to bring to the table. Nothing but a great debt we cannot pay. But God in His love and mercy is willing to accept us into His family. But we must go to our Kinsman-Redeemer and ask to be redeemed. How do we do that?
- Admit we are a sinner. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; – Romans 3:23 KJV
- Believe that Christ died for our sins and rose again. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. – Romans 10:9 KJV
- Confess Jesus as our Lord. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation – Romans 10:10 KJV
Just like Ruth, He will accept us no matter who we are or where we’ve been. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved Romans 10:13 KJV
And that is the greatest love story ever told.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on justjenniferpurcell.com
Featured Image by Gianni Scognamiglio on Unsplash
