Securing Redemption

Alwyn C. Cashe

“Sergeant First Class Alwyn C. Cashe distinguished himself by acts of gallantry above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Platoon Sergeant with Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division in Salah Ad Din Province, Iraq, on October 17th, 2005. While on a nighttime mounted patrol near an enemy-laden village, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle which Sergeant First Class Cashe was commanding was attacked by enemy small-arms fire and an improvised explosive device, which disabled the vehicle and engulfed it in flames. After extracting himself from the vehicle, Sergeant First Class Cashe set about extracting the driver, who was trapped in the vehicle. After opening the driver’s hatch, Sergeant First Class Cashe and a fellow soldier extracted the driver, who was engulfed in the flames. During the course of extinguishing the flames on the driver and extracting him from the vehicle, Sergeant First Class Cashe’s fuel soaked uniform, ignited and caused severe burns to his body. Ignoring his painful wounds, Sergeant First Class Cashe then moved to the rear of the vehicle to continue in aiding his fellow soldiers who were trapped in the troop compartment. At this time, the enemy noted his movements and began to direct their fire on his position. When another element of the company engaged the enemy, Sergeant First Class Cashe seized the opportunity and moved into the open troop door and aided four of his soldiers in escaping the burning vehicle. Having extracted the four soldiers, Sergeant First Class Cashe noticed two other soldiers had not been accounted for and again he entered the vehicle to retrieve them. At this time, reinforcements arrived to further suppress the enemy and establish a Casualty Collection Point. Despite the severe second-and third-degree burns covering the majority of his body, Sergeant First Class Cashe persevered through the pain to encourage his fellow soldiers and ensure they received needed medical care. When medical evacuation helicopters began to arrive, Sergeant First Class Cashe selflessly refused evacuation until all of the other wounded soldiers were evacuated first. Sergeant First Class Cashe’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty were keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.”

For many of us, we know of some people who have sacrificed a great deal and served our nation with integrity out of a sense of love and duty. Sgt. 1st Class Cashe was posthumously awarded a medal of honor.

This weekend, our nation pauses to remember with gratitude the sacrifice and service of men and women who have given their lives for our freedoms. In the nearly 250 years of our nation’s history, 1.3 million men and women have died in battle, likely many more who died early due to complications from their injuries.

As we look back locally to express gratitude, we can also look back to learn. Specifically, let’s look back at the book of Ruth, chapter 4.

In order to secure their redemption, Boaz demonstrates principles of God-honoring service that we can apply in our own lives, principles that Sgt 1st class Cashe demonstrated, things like - integrity, sacrifice, love and then even receiving a blessing.

First of all, Boaz demonstrates that…

God-honoring service requires integrity (1-4)

Last week, we found Ruth at the threshing floor, asking Boaz for redemption. Being a generous man of action, he was willing redeem them, but as a man of integrity, he knew that someone else had the first right of refusal. He needed to give that man the opportunity to act.

One dictionary defines integrity as “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness” and “the state of being whole and undivided.”

Boaz demonstrates this integrity in several ways.

Publicly

Ruth 4:1–2 ESV

Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of whom Boaz had spoken, came by. So Boaz said, “Turn aside, friend; sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down. And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.

Boaz went to where business was normally transacted in that day - the city gate. He did not want this transaction to be a private matter - he wanted witnesses who could testify what was happening. They may not have had all of the paper trails that we may have today, but by having so many witnesses, any question about the details of this agreement could be corroborated. Because he was acting publically, other people could verify his integrity.

Incidentally, the word that is translated “friend” here is actually two Hebrew words - פְּלֹנִ֣י אַלְמֹנִ֑י “pelō·nîʹ ʾǎl·mō·nîʹ” - or literally “a certain so and so.” It is interesting that he is a known and not just a random person, but he is also not named.

In addition to acting publicly, Boaz demonstrated integrity by acting…

Properly

He could have taken the right of redemption, but knew that someone else had that right first, and so he presented the situation properly.

Ruth 4:3–4 ESV

Then he said to the redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our relative Elimelech. So I thought I would tell you of it and say, ‘Buy it in the presence of those sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my people.’ If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if you will not, tell me, that I may know, for there is no one besides you to redeem it, and I come after you.” And he said, “I will redeem it.”

I think part of the reason that this proper and public integrity was displayed is that the redeemer would be acquiring land - something from which he could benefit to some degree.

As we look at the service in which we seek to honor God, I think it’s important that we have a similar integrity. That our public actions are backed up by our private demeanor. Do people see the real you and the real me in our public service? I don’t think this means we need to be an open book in front of everyone, but there should be a consistency in our public and private lives.

As Jesus worked to secure our redemption, Jesus also acted with a great deal of integrity. He demonstrated how someone could love God and love others. He demonstrated how people could live with conviction. He did this so much that people observed that as he taught, he did so with authority. Matthew records at the end of the sermon on the mount…

Matthew 7:28–29 ESV

And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

Do we live our lives with the same sort of integrity as Boaz and Jesus?

Do people see our words and our actions in such close proximity that it proclaims a sort of authority?

Are there places where we would be ashamed if our private lives became public?

Are there places where we might be improper in our service - doing the right things the wrong way?

In addition to providing an example of service with integrity, Boaz demonstrates that…

God-honoring service requires sacrifice (5-9)

One commentator called this Boaz’ “masterstroke” (Atkinson) - It’s as though he is sharing the fine print of this agreement - Ruth. This fine print, this masterstroke required sacrifice on behalf of the redeemer.

Ruth 4:5–6 ESV

Then Boaz said, “The day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance.” Then the redeemer said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it.”

We talked about this a bit last week as we discussed the levirate laws.

Now, as I was reading through this, I wondered, how would this action impair the un-named redeemer (pelō·nîʹ ʾǎl·mō·nîʹ)? One commentator suggested that this transaction would have brought some expense with it. Land is not cheap - as we well know around here. It could be that since he assumed that only Naomi was involved, she was beyond childbearing years and would only need provision - not an heir. His estate would now entail this additional property.

But when Boaz revealed that levirate laws were in play because of Ruth - now there were a few other twists. The fine print is a bit more detailed. Ruth also would be taken into his care. He would be obligated to provide an heir for Ruth - who was a foreigner and basically unknown to him. When the heir became of age, the property would revert back to Elimelech’s or really Mahlon’s heir. This could have been a very costly endeavor for this individual. The return on investment might have been a negative.

So, this person yields his right in an interesting manner.

Ruth 4:7–8 ESV

Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, the one drew off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was the manner of attesting in Israel. So when the redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself,” he drew off his sandal.

A little earlier in the service, we read what may have seemed like a bizarre passage - but it has implications here. In Deuteronomy 25, the man who refused to redeem someone was essentially the subject of shame. The woman would remove his sandal, spit in his face. Then he and his house would be labeled “the house of him who had his sandal pulled off.”

This was essentially a form of shame. He is now forced to walk (at least for a time) with a limp - one sandal.

The writer of Ruth does not seem to communicate the same level of shame here that Moses expects in Deuteronomy. It could be that the sandal became like our signature and a simple exchange took place. I think it is important to realize that while the tradition may have softened the shame, this man deserved the shame because he refused to do the right thing, even at great expense.

So now that all of the contract has been read, including the fine print, Boaz, the presence of these witnesses accepts the right of redemption.

Ruth 4:9–10 ESV

Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and to Mahlon. Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. You are witnesses this day.”

He fully takes on the debt and the responsibility. He willingly pays the price and proclaims that he is willing to do what is expected. In fact, he seems to want to.

Some have speculated that Boaz may have been a bachelor or a widower. What ever his station, he had the means and the willingness to fulfill these obligations.

I think it’s important for us to recognize a couple of things in this area of redemption.

Extra nos - is a Latin phrase meaning - outside of us. In order for someone or something to be redeemed, the redemption comes from someone outside of the individual. Ruth and Naomi could not redeem themselves. Boaz, their extra nos, had to do that. In our case, we cannot redeem ourselves - we need Jesus - our extra nos - to redeem us.

The sacrifice is borne by the redeemer, not the redeemed. Boaz was the one to carry the cost of redemption. Boaz risked the loss. It was Boaz’ burden to bear. Jesus - by his death, burial, and resurrection truly sacrificed for our redemption. Jesus not only had his sandals removed for us, he was spit on, bruised, beaten. It was his blood that was spilled. It was his life that was lost. Then his glorious victory, his resurrection that eternally sealed our security.

When it comes to our God-honoring service, how are we doing with sacrificing?

Are we willing to sacrifice some comfort, cash, or time in order to serve in the ways that God calls us to?

M-Fuge - I mentioned earlier that we have a nice problem - we have more students who want to go than we have sufficient chaperones to meet the requirements. As someone who had been to Fuge close to 20 times, it is a sacrifice, but it is also a joy. Would you consider serving our students by sacrificing in this way?

KSA Team

Art Camp

Hospitality - do you have extra rooms in your house, would you be open to provide a place for a mom and her child in a difficult place for a season?

In addition to demonstrating integrity and sacrifice, this last verse reminds us a bit of something that we see throughout the book and that is that…

God-honoring service requires love (10)

Boaz could have done the minimum. He could have purchased the land, cared for Naomi and Ruth, and fulfilled his levirate duties by providing an heir for Ruth, but he went above and beyond what was expected - he took her has his wife.

In doing this, he tangibly demonstrates hesed or covenantal love. He was more than a baby-daddy, he was a husband. He was more than a reluctant redeemer, he seemed to embrace that role with joy.

David Atkinson writes, including a quotation from another commentator,

“There are legal duties prescribed in the Pentateuch, as we have seen, but ‘the story of Ruth is the story of hesed motivating beyond the letter of the law. The laws were pointers or guides show in concrete fashion how hesed might operate within the family.’ Hesed captures the spirit of the levirate law, and deepens and extends the law’s provisions for the sake of the family welfare which the law was devised to protect.”

When we consider Jesus’ life, his God-honoring service overflowed with hesed. He might not have used that term, but we see love all over his ministry.

In love

he came - John 1:11 “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.”

he served - Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

he taught - Mark 1:22 “And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.”

he lived - 1 Peter 2:21 “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”

he forgave - John 3:16–17 ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

he died - Romans 3:22–25“For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith...”

In our service, do we go above and beyond what is expected? Do we serve with a heart of love?

Do we demonstrate commitment to those to whom we are ministering?

There is one final thing that we see in Boaz’ example of God-honoring service as he secured the redemption for Naomi and Ruth. That is,…

God honoring service receives a blessing (11-12)

In response to what has just transpired at the gate of the city, the elders and other observers attest to being witnesses and provide a blessing.

Ruth 4:11–12 ESV

Then all the people who were at the gate and the elders said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you act worthily in Ephrathah and be renowned in Bethlehem, and may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring that the Lord will give you by this young woman.”

Notice, this is a three-fold blessing (Atkinson).

First, they bless Boaz’s wife, Ruth - expressing hope that she will provide an abundance of children for Boaz. Between Rachel and Leah and their hand maidens, they provided 12 sons to Jacob - the patriarchs of Israel.

As we will see in a couple of weeks, this blessing came to fruition in royal and eternal ways.

Secondly, they bless Boaz himself - expressing hope that he would be well esteemed in the region and that his name would be established.

It is interesting, Elimelech, Mahlon and Chilion are not mentioned outside of this book. Boaz, however, is mentioned as the ancestor to both King David and Jesus.

Finally, they pronounce a blessing on their family - acknowledging that like his ancestor Perez may not have come from the originally intended means, but he is an ancestor nonetheless.

The first time in Scripture that we see the levirate principles fulfilled is with Judah and Tamar (his widowed daughter in law) - though not on noble terms. Perez and his twin brother Zerah were the result of that one union. Tamar was not taken in as Judah’s wife. Perez was great-great-great-great grandfather of Boaz (Ruth 4:18-21).

Our God-honoring service may not provide us with blessings or honor here, but it will in eternity. I think we will find joy in how we minister to others. I think our service lived out with integrity, sacrifice, and love will reap earthly rewards - but of course that’s not why we serve. It will be an added blessing when we get to be in the presence of our savior and hear him say…Matthew 25:21 “….’Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’”

closing thoughts

Boaz, in he process of securing Ruth and Naomis redemption provide for us an example of God honoring service. This service is marked by

Integrity

sacrifice

love

And is rewarded with blessing. May our service to the Lord in the church and in our community be marked by the same attributes.

Lets pray.

Benediction

Jude 24–25 ESV

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Questions for reflection and discussion

Read Ruth 4:1-12.

How did Boaz demonstrate integrity in his dealings?

Do we live our lives with the same sort of integrity?

Do people see our words and our actions in such close proximity that it proclaims a sort of authority?

Are there places where we would be ashamed if our private lives became public?

Are there places where we might be improper in our service - doing the right things the wrong way?

How was Boaz’ action a sacrificial one?

When it comes to our God-honoring service, how are we doing with sacrificing?

Are we willing to sacrifice some comfort, cash, or time in order to serve in the ways that God calls us to?

How was Boaz’ service an act of love?

In our service, do we go above and beyond what is expected?

Do we serve with a heart of love?

Do we demonstrate commitment to those to whom we are ministering?

What benefits or blessings did Boaz receive?

What blessings can we expect from our God-honoring service?

Sources:

Atkinson, David. The Message of Ruth. The Bible Speaks Today Commentary. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1983.

Barry, John D., David Bomar, Derek R. Brown, Rachel Klippenstein, Douglas Mangum, Carrie Sinclair Wolcott, Lazarus Wentz, Elliot Ritzema, and Wendy Widder, eds. The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016.

Block, Daniel Isaac. Judges, Ruth. Vol. 6. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999.

Piper, John. Providence. Wheaton, IL. Crossway, 2020.

Reed, John W. “Ruth.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.