There is a Redeemer

 

Rev. Josh Hartog

Text: Ruth 4:1-22 

  

It’s probably one of the most asked questions in life, ‘Why?’ Why did God allow 22 people to die in the floods last week? Why did God allow thousands of homes to be destroyed? Why does God allow cyclones like the one hovering off the Queensland coast at the moment? Why does God allow a good bloke like James Polland, who used to be the youth worker at Launceston Reformed Church, plummet to his death in New Zealand earlier this week? Why don’t things turn out the way we expect, or the way we hope? 

Most people in our world would say life is just like that, stuff happens, there’s no rhyme or reason for it. But that’s not what we believe as Christians. We believe that God is in control, that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. That’s what the book of Ruth is all about. In the first chapter we see the chaos and suffering that life so often brings. 

We see Naomi destitute in a foreign land with no husband, no children and no future. What is God doing? Is God doing anything? But as the story unfolds we see God providing for the needs of Naomi and her daughter-in-law, Ruth. We see God’s providence as he provides food for them and protects them through their kinsman Boaz.

Naomi doesn’t see any of this as chance, or coincidence, she sees God’s grace and she responds in faith. And this morning we will see that those who trust in God find redemption, that no matter how difficult or painful life gets there is a redeemer. The book of Ruth is a book of hope, it’s a book that shows us that in the midst of our everyday lives God is at work, that he is in control, and that his purposes and plans will be realized. 

  

1) The Plan 

So let’s take a look at our passage this morning. Remember how chapter 3 ended. Ruth went to Boaz in order to discover his intentions towards her, whether he would marry her or not, and he said he would sort things out. In chapter 4 Boaz sets his plan into motion. 

a) Find the Kinsman-Redeemer 

The first thing he has to do is find this kinsman who has the greatest legal claim to marry Ruth. To do that he needs to get to the town gate. Boaz can’t just ring him on his mobile, but eventually, everyone walks through the gate. Verse 1 says, ‘¹ Meanwhile Boaz went up to the town gate and sat there. When the kinsman-redeemer he had mentioned came along, Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down. (Ruth 4:1)’ Boaz completes the first part of his plan, he’s found the kinsman-redeemer. 

b) Assemble the Elders at the Gate 

The second part of his plan requires him to assemble together some elders. If this is going to be legal and all hunky dory he needs the town’s elders to witness it. So Boaz finds 10 elders and has them join himself and the kinsman-redeemer. 

c) Redeem the Land 

The third part of his plan comes as a bit of a surprise, he doesn’t ask about whether this guy will marry Ruth, rather he brings up the issue of Elimelech’s land. He says, ‘³ …Naomi, who has come back from Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our brother Elimelech. ⁴ I thought I should bring the matter to your attention and suggest that you buy it in the presence of these seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, do so. But if you will not, tell me, so I will know. For no one has the right to do it except you, and I am next in line… (Ruth 4:3-4a)’ 

This is the first time we’ve heard of Elimelech’s land. When Naomi returned from Moab as Elimelech’s widow she inherited his land, and now she needs to sell it, in order to support Ruth and herself. The custom of that time was that the land would be offered first to the nearest kinsman so that it would stay within the family. 

Boaz makes it clear that he is interested, I mean who wouldn’t be, sure it would cost, but it would also increase the amount of land you owned. But this other guy is the nearest relative and he jumps at the opportunity. He says, ‘⁴ …“I will redeem it.” (Ruth 4:4b)’ Suddenly Boaz’s plan seems to be falling apart. If Boaz’s plan is to marry Ruth why is he getting rid of her inheritance?  

d) Redeem Ruth 

But Boaz is doing something extremely clever here. He’s connecting the responsibility of the kinsman-redeemer, the goel, to redeem family land, with the responsibility of the levir, the brotherin-law, to marry the dead man’s widow. 

He says, ‘⁵ …On the day you buy the land from Naomi and from Ruth the Moabitess, you acquire the dead man’s widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property. (Ruth 4:5)’ Boaz plays his ace card – you can’t redeem the land without redeeming Ruth. 

Obviously, marrying Ruth hadn’t even crossed this guy’s mind, because as soon as he hears Boaz’s words he replies, ‘⁶ …Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it. (Ruth 4:6)’ This guy was happy to buy the land if he could keep it for himself, but he wasn’t prepared to buy it and then have to give it away to any children that Ruth may have had. And so he relinquishes any rights he has to both Elimelech’s land and to Ruth. 

Now Boaz is in a position to seal the deal, he redeems them both, Elimelech’s land and Ruth. The deal is confirmed by the other guy by removing his sandal, which goes to show you can’t account for the weird things different cultures dream up. 

Finally, the deal is witnessed by the elders of Bethlehem. Verse 9, ‘⁹ Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, “Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion and Mahlon. ¹⁰ I have also acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from the town records. Today you are witnesses!” (Ruth 4:1-10)’ 

Boaz makes a public announcement, notice it’s before all the people, this is not a private business transaction. Boaz makes it perfectly clear what he has done, he has bought Elimelech’s land and he has purchased Ruth as his wife. Boaz actually uses the same word for buying the land as he does for acquiring Ruth as his wife. It’s the language of redemption, highlighting the personal cost involved. Redeeming land or people doesn’t come cheaply. 

Notice also the reason he marries Naomi, in order to maintain Elimelech’s family name in Israel. The first born son from Boaz and Ruth would be known as the son of Mahlon, and the land would become his. You have to ask, why would Boaz do this? There’s nothing in it for him. He would have to spend a small fortune buying land that doesn’t ever really belong to him. 

The other guy knew that, that’s why he backed out of the deal. So what’s motivating Boaz? The answer is love. Only love would motivate Boaz to marry Ruth. Boaz was willing to pay the cost and make the sacrifice because he loved her. It was more than just being able to redeem Ruth and Elimelech’s land, it was being willing to pay the price in order to do so. 

So what does God want us to see in this first part of chapter 4? 

Firstly, God wants us to see that Boaz is a picture of His love for us. Like Ruth we are lost and alone, and like Ruth we need someone to redeem us, to rescue us. And just like Boaz was willing to pay the price to redeem Ruth, so God was willing to pay a huge price in order to redeem us. And the price God paid was his Son Jesus Christ. 

The Bible says, ‘⁹ This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world... ¹⁰ …as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 Jn 4:9a,10b)’ Jesus gave his life, not because it was his duty, but because he loved us. In fact the Bible uses exactly the same language as Boaz does. Just like Boaz purchased Ruth, so Jesus purchases us. Paul reminds us that, ‘¹⁹ …You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. (1 Cor 6:19c,20a)’ Jesus purchased us with his precious blood. Jesus’ death on the cross was the price of our redemption. 

Secondly, Boaz’s actions are an illustration of how God’s love works out through our lives into the lives of others. John writes, ‘¹¹ Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (1 Jn 4:11)’ What we do shouldn’t be out of a sense of obligation or duty, but because God’s love lives in us. In fact, our love for others should point people to God’s love for them in Christ. Jesus says, ‘³⁵ Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. (Jn 13:353 NLT)’ 

The fact that Boaz would redeem an outcast foreigner like Ruth reveals the heart of God to redeem sinners like you and me and restore us into a relationship with him. Like Ruth found a redeemer in Boaz, so we too can find a Redeemer in Jesus Christ. Jesus comes down into our brokenness and our pain and he gives us hope, and peace, and joy and a future. Jesus purchases us with his blood, Jesus shows us the extent of God’s love for us. 

  

2) The Prayer 

In Boaz’s plan to redeem Ruth we see God’s plan to redeem us in Christ. And it’s interesting to note the elder’s reaction to all this, they respond in prayer. In fact, in this next section prayer becomes central. 

1. The Elders’ Prayer 

Firstly, there’s the prayer of the Elders. They pray, ‘¹¹ …May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. ¹² Through the offspring the Lord gives you by this young woman, may your family be like that of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah. (Ruth 4:1112)’ 

In light of the love and compassion that Boaz has displayed to Ruth the Elders ask for the Lord’s blessing. First they ask the Lord to bless Ruth, that she would be like Rachel and Leah, the two wives of Jacob, who gave birth to the 12 tribes of Israel. They pray that Ruth will sire many children who will belong to the family of God and be a part of his purposes. 

Secondly, they pray for God’s blessing on Boaz, that he would be famous in Bethlehem. They are so impressed with his desire to see Elimelech’s name continue through the generations, that they pray his own name may also carry on down the ages. 

Finally, they pray for God’s blessing on their family to be, that their family might be like that of Perez. Perez, interestingly enough, was also the result of a levirate marriage between Judah and Tamar. He was in fact Boaz’s ancestor and probably the ancestor of most of Bethlehem. The theme of their prayer is that the Lord will bless them and reward their love and commitment to each other. 

1. God’s Answer 

And God answers the prayers of the Elders, by giving Boaz and Ruth a son. Verse 13 says, ‘¹³ …Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. Then he went to her, and the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. (Ruth 4:13)’ 

Again we see God’s providence in the normal everyday events of life. So many in our society take children for granted, but the Bible tells us that children are a gift from God. Boaz and Ruth didn’t just have a baby, the Lord enabled them to conceive. They saw this child as a symbol of God’s faithfulness in their lives. Boaz and Ruth don’t see their pregnancy as a random event, they saw it as evidence of God’s activity in their lives. 

c) The Women’s Praise 

The women of Bethlehem saw it the same way and they responded in praise. Verse 14, ‘¹⁴ …Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! ¹⁵ He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth. (Ruth 4:14-15)’ 

It’s an interesting prayer. For a start the women praise God for providing a kinsman-redeemer, not Boaz, but the baby she had just given birth to. It’s Ruth’s son who is the kinsman-redeemer. It’s Ruth’s son who will carry on the family name of Elimelech. It’s Ruth’s son who will renew Naomi’s life and sustain her in her old age. Redemption is seen not in Boaz’s intentions, but in God’s gift of a child. It’s at this point that the story has come full circle. 

It started with Naomi returning to Bethlehem empty and alone, but it ends here in verse 16, ‘¹⁶ Then Naomi took the child, laid him in her lap and cared for him. (Ruth 4:16)’ Naomi is no longer empty, God has again filled her life. Every time Naomi looked at her grandson she would be reminded of God’s love and care for her, of her redemption. 

What a change God’s grace has worked in her life. She has gone from Mara, which meant ‘bitter’ back to Naomi, which means ‘pleasant.’ Naomi and Ruth have taken refuge under God’s wings and he has proved himself faithful. 

Prayer is a recurring theme in the book of Ruth. All through the story we see people talking to God in the midst of their daily lives, whether it’s in their pain or their joy, the unusual or their everyday activities. 

The book of Ruth stands as an example of what life lived in relationship with God looks like. It’s a life where every aspect, from misery to joy, from the routine to the extraordinary, from daily work, social interaction, or private moments, they are lived in the presence of God, with the knowledge that he is there and that he cares. 

God’s people talk to God throughout their day, seeking his guidance and blessings, thanking him and praising him, recognizing his presence and his activity in their lives. Do you have that sort of relationship with God? We believe that God is with us, but do we really live it out? 

Do we talk to God as if he was walking beside us? Do we share our sorrows and our joys because he cares? Do we praise him for his activity in our lives? Do we thank him for his love and faithfulness? Do we have that same sense of living in relationship with God as we see in the life of Naomi and Ruth? 

  

3) The Purpose 

I want to go back to our original question at the beginning of the sermon – why does God allow the things in our lives that he does? Why did he allow the things that happened in the lives of Naomi and Ruth? The answer to that question is found in the last six verses of the book of Ruth. Verse 17, ‘¹⁷ The women living there said, “Naomi has a son.” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David. ¹⁸ This, then, is the family line of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, ¹⁹ Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, ²⁰ Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, ²¹ Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed, ²²Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David. (Ruth 4:17-22)’ 

The truth is that our suffering and struggles are part of God’s sovereign purposes. God has a purpose in everything that happens. In fact, God’s purpose is seen throughout all of history, nothing happens that is outside his control. 

a) Obed 

God’s purpose in the story of Naomi and Ruth was the birth of Obed. God wanted Obed to be born to Boaz and Ruth in Bethlehem. It was all part of his plan. The fact that Elimelech went to Moab didn’t thwart God’s plans because when he died it brought Naomi back home, and with Naomi came Ruth. And the relationship between Ruth and Boaz was the perfect opportunity for God to reveal something of his love for his people and his desire to redeem them from their sin and rebellion. 

Ruth’s need that was graciously met in the person of Boaz is an image of our need that can only be met by God’s grace in Jesus Christ. It’s in the pain of Naomi and Ruth that we see the beauty of God’s love and grace. 

b) King David 

It’s interesting that Obed means to serve, they called him that because he would serve, or care for Naomi in her old age. But in a sense Obed served God’s purposes as well, because Obed was the grandfather of David. When the Elders and the women of Bethlehem prayed that Boaz and Ruth’s children would be famous they never would have dreamed that their descendant would be crowned King. They would never have dreamed that God would make a covenant with David that he would have a descendant that would sit upon the throne forever. 

c) Jesus Christ 

They would never have imagined that through Boaz and Ruth, would come the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The story of Boaz and Ruth seems such a quaint and romantic story, but its real context is the eternal purposes of God as they work themselves out in the history of the world. Through the story of Ruth and Boaz we see God’s eternal plan unfolding. 

The Prophet Micah writes, ‘² But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. (Mic 5:2)’ That prophecy was fulfilled in Christ, the descendant of David and Obed. 

The Bible says, ‘⁴ But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, ⁵ to redeem those under law… (Gal 4:45a)’ God’s plans and purposes were unfolding in the lives of Ruth and Boaz. In fact the whole kinsman-redeemer thing, pictured in their story is central to God’s plan in Jesus Christ. In coming into our world Jesus becomes our kinsman so that by his sacrificial death he might also become our redeemer. 

  

We may ask ourselves why God allows certain things to happen in our lives and the truth is we will probably never know this side of eternity. But we can be assured that God is in control, that he does have a purpose, that in all things he works for the good of those who love him. 

The pain and bitterness in Naomi’s life led to the marriage of Boaz and Ruth, the birth of Obed, his grandson David, and eventually Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. God is working out his purposes whether it is in times of blessing or suffering, in times of sorrow or joy, and even in the monotony of everyday life. 

The Book of Ruth reminds us that ‘⁷ We live by faith, not by sight. (2 Cor 5:7)’ It reminds us that even in the midst of the most difficult circumstances God is there, working out his purposes, caring for his people and continuing his work redeeming our broken world. God calls us to take refuge under his wings, to trust in his sovereign purposes and to remember that there is a Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who offers us a new life and a new beginning. Amen.