Redemption and restoration Ruth 4

Introduction

As we come to the end of the story of Ruth, I think its important to remember where Naomi and Ruth had come from to where they are now.

Naomi started with a husband and two sons, lost her husband, gained two daughter in laws, lost two sons, and lost one daughter in law.

Naomi and her family left Bethlehem-Judah for Moab. She ended up burying her family there.

As she came back to Bethlehem people recognized her and asked if she was Naomi, but she told them to call her mara because the lord dealt bitterly with her.

When they move back to Bethlehem it’s the time of the barley harvest, so Naomi sends ruth to glean in the fields. By God’s sovereignty she ends up in the field of Boaz, who happens to be a near Kinsmen.

Boaz gives Ruth full access to his land and has his harvesters drop a little more than they normally would so she could pick up the extra. She stays in his fields until the end of the barley harvest (around two months) and then asks Boaz to redeem her.

Boaz told her that there was a nearer kinsman, and if he wanted to redeem them he could, but if he didn’t want to he would redeem them.

Naomi told Ruth to sit still and wait because she knew that Boaz would take care of it.

This morning we will look at the redemption of Ruth.

The Summons vs 1-6

Boaz went to the gate of the city vs. 1

This would have been a great place of public prominence

In Bible days business was commonly handled at the gate of the city

He sat down at the gate

He was waiting for the other kinsman to come into the city

As he sitting at the gate waiting, the kinsman who Boaz needed to speak to came by where he was

As he see’s him, he cries out to the other kinsmen to sit down and they sat down together

They bring in 10 elders of the city vs. 2

This would have established a counsel to oversee the process

He lays out the situation with Naomi and Ruth vs. 3-5

Naomi had sold a piece of land to make ends meet, which belonged to Elimelech vs. 3

Leviticus 25:25 “If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold away some of his possession, and if any of his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold.”

Boaz wanted to let the other kinsmen know about the situation vs. 4

If you want to buy the land by it here before the inhabitants and the elders that were gathered. He would’ve publically agreed to purchase the land for them.

He told him if your’e going to redeem it, redeem it

If you’re not going to redeem it, tell me so I can know. Boaz would have been next in line for the chance to redeem the land.

Boaz lets the other kinsman know that there is more than just the land that needs redeemed vs. 5

when you buy the field back for Naomi you must also take Ruth

According to the law purchase could not be made without marrying Ruth.

Lev 25:25-34 -turn

Henry Morris “The events described in the book of Ruth indicate that this right to property redemption was also directly linked to the responsibility of raising up children to preserve “the name of the dead upon his inheritance”

Matthew 22:24 “Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.”

The response of the other kinsman vs. 6

He tells Boaz he can’t redeem it for himself because it would ruin his own inheritance.

It would diminish the inheritance he gave out by dividing it among additional heirs

He tells Boaz to redeem them himself because he is unable too

The redeemer must not only be a kinsman, but must be willing , free, and have the necessary funds. As our great kinsman redeemer, Jesus fulfills all the conditions.

Revelation 5:9–10 “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”

The Symbol vs. 7-12

They followed what the law told them to do in this situation vs. 7

They made whatever exchange was necessary for the land and then removed their shoe

This act symbolized the fact that he was no longer able to walk on the tract of land under discussion and was giving up his right as kinsman to claim it for himself.

The elders were witnesses of the purchase

Boaz bought all that was Elimelech’s, all that was Chilion’s, and Mahlon’s

Ruth was Mahlon’s wife so as the kinsman redeemer Boaz would take her to be his wife to keep the inheritance in the family.

The people wanted Ruth to help build the house of Israel

Psalm 128:3 “Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine By the sides of thine house: Thy children like olive plants Round about thy table.”

Psalm 127:3 “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: And the fruit of the womb is his reward.”

The son vs. 13-17

Ruth and Boaz get married and have a son vs. 13

The Lord is the one who gives children

Genesis 33:5 “And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.”

Ruths praise of God vs. 14

Blessed be the Lord which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman

Even when she felt alone, God had not left her

Calls the lord her restorer of life

a nourisher in her old age

The love of her daughter in law was better to thee than seven sons because of how much love ruth had for her and the fact that she had given her a grandson

Naomi took the child and became nurse to it

Naomi would of played a great role in the upbringing of the Child.

Naomi and the neighbors gave the baby the name Obed which means servant.

The summary vs. 18-22

1. The last four verses are the genealogy of Obed which includes Jesse and David showing a Moabites woman in the Genealogy of Christ

This shows that God can use anybody who is willing and available

Conclusion

The book of ruth shows us these three things about Jesus

He is our kinsman-redeemer: This concept of a kinsman-redeemer foreshadows Jesus Christ, who serves as our ultimate Redeemer. He redeems us from sin, offering us salvation and eternal security through His sacrificial death on the cross

He offers compassion and grace: Jesus exemplifies boundless compassion and grace in His interactions with sinners and outcasts. He welcomes all who come to Him, offering forgiveness and new life.

He is a restorer of hope and joy: The story in Ruth reveals how the birth of Ruth and Boaz's child, Obed, restores joy and hope to Naomi, who had experienced great loss. Jesus, as the Savior, brings spiritual rebirth and renewal to our lives. He restores our hope, joy, and purpose, transforming our brokenness into wholeness.