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Introduction:
Redemption is a word we don’t use quite as often in today’s world.
When we think of the word redemption today, we probably think about coupons!
As helpful as saving a few dollars here and there is, this use of the word redemption pales in comparison to the Biblical use of this great theological word.
Redemption: to buy back someone or something.
To deliver someone or something that is being ransomed.
In a contemporary way we see this played out in a case of ransomware.
Ransomware is a software that is maliciously placed on someone’s computer system in order hold it hostage.
The ransomware demands payment before releasing the software back.
The person must buy back their software and they must redeem it by buying it back.
The Biblical definition is also to buy back someone or something.
It involves deliverance of someone or something that is being ransomed.
When used in discussing salvation, it means to have been bought back from or ransomed from sin.
To be delivered from sin.
Here a few verses using this term:
Ephesians 1:7 shows it most clearly.
We have redemption - or deliverance - or our ransom has been paid by - what?
His blood.
He paid the redemption price for us.
And He did it all according to the riches of His grace.
As we go through this final chapter of the book or Ruth, we are going to see God’s plan of redemption played out in the lives of Boaz and Ruth and we will also see God’s plan of an even greater redemption of mankind to come.
Let us pray.
Prayer
Today we are going to discuss two overarching points that we see played out in today’s chapter.
The first is:
I. Jesus is Our Sacrificial Redeemer (1-12)
You may wonder why the name Jesus is in both of these points.
It will become clear as we see the parallels between Jesus and Boaz here as well as the providential plan of God coming to fruition through this wonderful account as well.
Let’s start in verse 1:
We ended chapter 3 with Naomi and Ruth anxiously awaiting the interchange to come between Boaz and the redeemer.
This redeemer is the nearest of kin to Elimelech and has the right to redeem both the land of Naomi and Ruth the Moabite.
We thought the last chapter would have this great happy ending in the middle of the chapter but a wrench was thrown into this great love story.
Boaz couldn’t just marry Ruth - there was one nearer to her family in kin that would have the first right.
Here we see Boaz sit down at the gate.
The gate was the place where business was conducted each day.
It was an important place for the men of the city to gather.
We see here in Proverbs 31:23, that those who were known in the gates and sitting among the elders of the land were often those of nobility.
Boaz is a respected elder of the city.
Some may look at the middle of verse 1 and think - wow what a coincidence that just as soon as Boaz sits down that this redeemer comes by! Obviously, we know that God is providentially working.
He is sovereignly orchestrating this whole thing.
Something that is missed in our English versions is this phrase ‘turn aside friend.’
Note that there is never a name mentioned for this redeemer.
There could be a myriad of reasons not to mention this name.
But it is most likely that this man lost his chance to have his name remembered because he refused to redeem the land and Ruth here.
This phrase ‘turn aside friend'actually means more literally ‘Mr.
So and So.’
This man’s name remains anonymous to us to this day.
Ten witnesses were then gathered among the elders and they sat down together.
It is important to note that when Boaz states that Naomi is selling the parcel of land, there are some debates on understanding what this means.
This land would need to stay in the family per Leviticus 25:25-30.
It would need to be redeemed or bought back for the family by the nearest redeemer.
We also see in Numbers 27, that the land of deceased man could be passed down to a son, daughter, brother, uncle, or another near relative - but we don’t see widow being given here.
How or whether she had come to attain this land as her personal possession is debated and not well understood.
But we know that the land is in need of redemption.
Whether she owns it outright and is not able to afford or perform the upkeep or that the land was subcontracted out when Elimelech left for Moab and needs it needs redeemed back - we are unsure.
What we do know is that the land needs redeemed.
Then comes another sudden twist in the plot here.
Boaz offers the right of redemption to the redeemer and we get to the end of verse four and what does he say?
I will redeem it.
For those of you are drawn into this beautiful love story - those are four words you despise right now! Boaz is supposed to be with Ruth - not Mr. So and So!
He can’t redeem the land and Ruth!
This isn’t working out like we expect.
But then comes verses 5-6!
Note that Boaz was shrewd in this dealing but he wasn’t deceptive.
He told the entire truth and gave all of the facts.
Why he left out Ruth in the first presentation, we are not completely sure.
But we see once he brings up Ruth and the requirement to perpetuate the clan of Elimelech and Mahlon through Mahlon’s widow Ruth, Mr. So and So bounces out.
He taps out.
He asks for the relief pitcher to come in.
What is his reason for bowing out?
He doesn’t want to have more children because it may impair his own inheritance.
He liked the idea when it was just land that he could add to his portfolio.
But now that there is a cost involved - he is out.
Not Boaz though.
Listen to the outcome of this in the following few verses:
Obviously this custom in verse 7 had changed by the time this book was written.
That is why it is spelled out here.
Most Jewish scholars attribute the book of Ruth to being written by Samuel during the reign of David (which as we will see wasn’t more than a few generations later).
They believe this because Solomon’s name is not listed in the last part of the genealogy.
This custom of handing over the sandal was done as a witness to the transaction.
Boaz fulfills his promise of redemption here.
He buys back the land for the clan of Elimelech and takes Ruth as his wife.
He is willing to pay the price.
The elders bless Boaz for his selflessness here.
They give quite the blessing to Boaz and bring up a few of his ancestors and how God had worked in their lives.
They pray for offspring for him and bring up Rachel and Leah - who both spent at least part of their lives barren (Rachel moreso than Leah).
Ruth was likely barren before this as well as she was married for some 10 years and was without child with Mahlon.
We will see in a moment whether this prayer is answered!
But before we move on - I want us to spend a few moments reflecting on the sacrifice involved in redemption here.
The redeemer in this first section who passes up on the opportunity of redemption is much like those in our world.
Many are willing to accept a blessing or gift - but not if it costs them anything.
As soon as there is a cost involved, they are out.
Would that explain you and how you respond to the Gospel?
The free gift of eternal life seems like a great thing.
Get out of Hell free card.
Check - I’m in!
But then you see that true salvation requires that you give up the reins of your life and you hand them over to Jesus.
You ask that His will be done and not your own.
There is a cost involved - the cost is dying to yourself and living for Christ.
He paid the entire cost of your redemption and you cannot do any works to earn it.
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