This summer, our Bible Bee group studied the book of Ruth and the theme of redemption.  To redeem something is to literally buy it back.  The theme of redemption is prominent in the book of Ruth.  Naomi is in need of a redeemer, someone who will buy back Elimelech’s land and take care of her and Ruth.  So, Naomi concocts a plan to ask Boaz, one of her closest relatives, to be that redeemer.  She tells Ruth to dress up and go to the threshing floor that evening and lie down at Boaz’s feet until he tells her what to do (see Ruth 3:1-4). 

⁸ It happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet. ⁹ He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering over your maid, for you are a close relative.” ¹⁰ Then he said, “May you be blessed of the Lord, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich. ¹¹ Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence. ¹² Now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. ¹³ Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the Lord lives. Lie down until morning.” Ruth 3:8-13 (NASB)

Boaz, an honorable man, agrees to redeem Ruth and Naomi, but in accordance with the Mosaic law.  That means that the closer relative has the first right of redemption.  So, the next day, Boaz meets with the closest relative and the elders of the city to discuss the redemption of Elimelech’s property. At first, the closest relative is interested in purchasing Naomi’s land (see Ruth 4:1-4).

⁵ Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of the deceased, in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.” ⁶ The closest relative said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, because I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Redeem it for yourself; you may have my right of redemption, for I cannot redeem it.” Ruth 4:5-6

⁹ Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon. ¹⁰ Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, to be my wife in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance, so that the name of the deceased will not be cut off from his brothers or from the court of his birth place; you are witnesses today.” Ruth 4:9-10

Boaz becomes the redeemer for Ruth and Naomi; he buys Elimelech’s land and marries Ruth, something that the other close relative was not willing to do.  Boaz was willing to marry Ruth, even though she was a Moabites, one of the enemies of Israel. 

Boaz shows us a picture of Jesus as our Redeemer.  Genesis 3 tells the account of the fall, or humanity’s first sin.  The sins of Adam and all the world have separated us from God and brought death into the world, just like leaving Bethlehem brought death into Elimelech’s family.   

¹⁵ But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. ¹⁶ The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. ¹⁷ For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. ¹⁹ For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. ²⁰ The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, ²¹ so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:15-21

In Jesus, we have been given the free gift of God’s grace, righteousness, salvation, and eternal life.  In a way, we are all like Ruth; before we accepted Jesus, we were enemies of God like the Moabites were to Israel.  But God showed us His great love in that while we were still His enemies, Christ died on the cross for us. And because of His free gift, we become a part of God’s family, just like Ruth became a part of Boaz’s family and a part of the lineage of Christ. 

There are so many great lessons to learn in studying the book of Ruth, but the greatest lesson is that our Kinsman Redeemer is Someone greater than Boaz; it’s Jesus.  And His redemption is available to everyone who will call on His name. 

With love,

Kelsey