Ruth’s Redeemer and Our Redeemer
Ruth 4
The book of Ruth has a fairytale-like quality. A prince named Boaz rescues a damsel in distress, Ruth. But Boaz represents something much greater: he typifies the Lord Jesus Christ. Boaz was Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer; Christ is our Kinsman-Redeemer.
The concluding fourth chapter of Ruth describes three stages in the process of redemption. First, the redeemer pursues his bride (v. 1-6). Boaz organizes a public hearing to address the thorny legal matter of the nearer kinsman, who has the first right to redeem Ruth. He meets the man at the city gate (v. 1) and gathers witnesses (v. 2). The first issue is Naomi’s land. The nearer kinsman wants to buy it (v. 3-4). But there is a catch says Boaz. If he buys the land, he must also “acquire” Ruth, the Moabitess, as his bride, in order to have a child who, when he grows up, will inherit the land (v. 5). That is a deal-breaker. “I cannot redeem it,” he says (v. 6).
Next, the redeemer purchases his bride (v. 7-12). The nearer kinsman removes his sandal and gives it to Boaz, surrendering his right to buy the land and marry Ruth (v. 7-8). Boaz legally declares his purchase (v. 9-10): he’s buying the property of Elimilech, Mahlon, and Chilion, and he’s taking Ruth as his wife. That leads to great rejoicing among the witnesses (v. 11-12). They wish for many descendants, they wish Boaz and Ruth prosperity and fame, and they wish that their descendants will bless Israel (similar to the household of Perez, the product of the union between Judah and Tamar, another foreigner widow who had married into Israel).
The final stage is that the redeemer produces through his bride (v. 13-22). After the wedding, Ruth bears a son, Obed (v. 13), and the women congratulate Naomi (v. 14-15), as her line will continue. They wish that the son will be famous in Israel, that he will be a restorer of life, and that he will be a nourisher of Naomi’s old age. They affirm Ruth’s love for Naomi. Naomi rejoices as well (v. 16), as she nurtures the baby. The neighbor ladies pick the name for the baby (v. 17) and Obed means “servant” or “worshipper.” The book concludes with a genealogy (v. 18-22) that demonstrates that Ruth and her kinsman-redeemer, Boaz, were ancestors of our kinsman-redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The parallels between Boaz and Christ are noteworthy. Like Boaz, Christ rescued his bride from a dire and desperate situation. Like Boaz, Christ is a bridegroom who pursues his bride. Like Boaz, Christ has the right to redeem his bride as a near kinsman, as he was “born of a woman, born under the law.” Like Boaz, Christ was capable of paying the full redemption price for his bride. Like Boaz, Christ was willing to redeem his bride. Like Boaz, Christ executed the purchase of His bride—on the cross of Calvary. Like Boaz, Christ redeemed the bride while other redeemers fell short. And like Boaz, Christ uses his wealth to meet the bride’s needs—our needs—abundantly.
The love story of Ruth and Boaz will be remembered for all eternity, not because of its fairytale qualities, but because it represents the love of the Lord Jesus for you and me. A great redeemer paid a great price to redeem Ruth. A greater Redeemer paid the greatest price to redeem you and me.