The Love of the Redeemer

Ruth 4:1-12

The title of the message this morning is the love of the Redeemer. And we are going to talk about how through the cross Jesus has secured the legal right of our redemption.

The love of God is the pinnacle of the bible. Someone once said the bible is God’s love letter to us and truly it is one of the most importance subjects in scripture.

But for many people the love of God is just an abstract idea. They don’t have anything to base it on. They want to believe there is a God who loves them but they don’t feel His love, and many people do not love themselves.

But a Christian understands that God loves us not because there is anything lovable or good about us but because His nature is to love. God’s disposition is goodness and grace and faithfulness, and no where was that put on in greater display than the cross of Jesus Christ.

In this story we are going to see how the love of Boaz, who is our Old Testament example of Christ led him to the courtroom to secure the legal right to redeem Ruth, and we are going to talk about how in the same way the love of Christ led Him to the cross to secure the legal right of our redemption.

Ruth 4:1–12 (NASB95)

Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there, and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz spoke was passing by, so he said, “Turn aside, friend, sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down.

He took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.

Then he said to the closest relative, “Naomi, who has come back from the land of Moab, has to sell the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech.

“So I thought to inform you, saying, ‘Buy it before those who are sitting here, and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if not, tell me that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am after you.’ ” And he said, “I will redeem it.”

Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of the deceased, in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.”

The closest relative said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, because I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Redeem it for yourself; you may have my right of redemption, for I cannot redeem it.”

Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning the redemption and the exchange of land to confirm any matter: a man removed his sandal and gave it to another; and this was the manner of attestation in Israel.

So the closest relative said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” And he removed his sandal.

Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon.

“Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, to be my wife in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance, so that the name of the deceased will not be cut off from his brothers or from the court of his birth place; you are witnesses today.”

All the people who were in the court, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, both of whom built the house of Israel; and may you achieve wealth in Ephrathah and become famous in Bethlehem.

“Moreover, may your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the offspring which the Lord will give you by this young woman.”

There has been a miraculous chain of events that have led us to where we are at in this story. Not to long ago, Ruth was a widow from Moab without any hope of a future.

Not knowing what lay ahead she makes a bold decision to follow Naomi to Bethlehem. That would turn out to be the most important decision of her life.

God was working behind the scenes and He led her to glean in the fields of Boaz. Boaz was a man of wealth and reputation who also happened to be a relative of Naomi. The two became fond of each other as Boaz protected Ruth and cared for her during the harvest.

When the harvest was over Naomi came up with a plan for Ruth to go to the threshing floor and ask Boaz to marry her.

Unsure of what was going to happen, Ruth must’ve been surprised when he accepted and agreed to become her husband.

However, there was a problem. There was another man that stood in the way, a closer relative to Naomi than Boaz.

Ruth 3:12 ““Now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I.”

According to the law of God the closest relative had the first right of redemption. So, even though Boaz really wants to marry Ruth, he has to wait and see if this other man is willing to redeem her.

As the morning dawns Boaz makes his way into town to meet with this other kinsmen. With marriage on his mind and love in his heart he has gone to secure the legal right to redeem Ruth.

This is a beautiful picture of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our Savior who loves us and went to the cross to secure the legal right of our redemption.

The first thing I want you to see in this passage is The Character of the Redeemer. Vs. 1-4

We have already spent a lot of time talking about the character of Boaz, but on this day, his commitment to Ruth solidifies his character.

Notice his willingness in Vs. 1.

Ruth 4:1 “Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there, and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz spoke was passing by, so he said, “Turn aside, friend, sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down.”

Boaz doesn’t waste anytime handling this situation. Once He agreed to marry Ruth, he made his way to the city gate to deal with the business of redemption.

The city gate was the place where court was held and legal matters were settled. Everyone, whether you were a citizen or a visitor had to pass through the city gate. So, it was a public place where men conducted business.

Well Boaz loved Ruth so he doesn’t procrastinate. He willingly went to the city gate to secure her redemption.

Aren’t you glad that Jesus was willing to secure our redemption? He didn’t waste anytime or procrastinate. He willingly went to the cross to fulfill the promises of God.

His sacrifice and suffering were carried out in a public place for all the world to see. He was led through the city gate of Jerusalem and crucified on Calvary.

Notice Vs. 2-3.

Ruth 4:2–3 “He took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down. Then he said to the closest relative, “Naomi, who has come back from the land of Moab, has to sell the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech.”

Not only does Boaz call witnesses but his life is a witness. He wasn’t trying to secure some backroom deal. He went to the city gate to publicly proclaim his intention to marry Ruth and he did it before the elders of the city.

As soon as the other kinsmen redeemer came along Boaz summoned him to court and he called his witnesses.

He wanted to make sure that everything was done according to the law, because he wanted his marriage to be legitimate.

When I think about the way Boaz handled this situation, I am reminded of the life and sacrifice of Christ. Jesus was tempted by Satan not to go to the cross, but He refused that temptation.

Jesus fed thousands with a loaf of bread and a few fish and they wanted to make Him their king. But He refused. Why?

Because, He came to provide salvation for the world, and not just a few. He didn’t cut any corners or avoid any responsibilities. But He came to fulfill the promises of God.

Jesus life was not lived in the shadows, but in the public. His teaching, His ministry, the miracles, all pointed to the fact that He was the Savior of the world, and the Son of the living God.

Notice Vs. 4.

Ruth 4:4 ““So I thought to inform you, saying, ‘Buy it before those who are sitting here, and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if not, tell me that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am after you.’ ” And he said, “I will redeem it.””

Boaz was able to redeem Ruth. He met all the requirements of the law but this other kinsmen had the first option.

It is interesting, at this point, Boaz doesn’t mention the fact that Ruth is included in the deal. Maybe it was just to keep us in suspense, I don’t know.

But Boaz heard the words he was dreading to hear. The kinsmen agreed to buy the property, but would he be willing to take care of Ruth? Would he be willing to raise children with her and preserve the family name?

Willingness is an essential part of our redemption. And Boaz was not only able but he was willing to redeem Ruth.

In the same way the Lord Jesus Christ willingly went to the cross and died for our sin. He made the decision. He set His mind and He voluntarily became our redeemer.

The question is our you willing to be redeemed? Are you willing to surrender your life to Christ?

I read a story this week of when Calvin Coolidge was the Vice President and presiding over the Senate. A fight broke out between two Senators, tempers flared and one Senator said to the other one, “you can go straight to hell.”

The offended Senator got out of his seat and marched down the isle and stood before Coolidge and said, “Did you hear what he said to me?”

Coolidge looked up from his book and calmly said to the man, “You know I have been looking through the rule book, and you don’t have to go.”

We need to remember that God is the source of our redemption, but it is up to us to be willing to go. To choose the right path and surrender our lives to Him.

The Conditions of Redemption Vs. 5-8

Here we see the full scope of what it meant to redeem someone, and it was more than this other man was willing to pay.

Notice the responsibilities described Vs. 5

Ruth 4:5 “Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of the deceased, in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.””

Boaz drops the bomb shell now. As soon as the man agreed to buy the property He reminds him of his legal responsibility.

He had to marry the widow Ruth. He had to bring up children in honor of the dead. They would be the ones to inherit this estate, not his children.

When the man heard this he backed off, because there was much more involved in redemption than he realized.

Well Jesus fully understood the responsibilities that came with our redemption. He understood the cross. He understood the suffering and the sacrifice. He prayed in the garden, “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me, but never the less not my will but your will be done.”

He didn’t come to partially redeem us, but He came and He fully accepted the demands of God.

And I’m sure glad He didn’t make exceptions when it came to our salvation. I’m glad He didn’t choose to forgive some sins and not others, because many of us would be excluded from heaven. But He completely fulfilled the responsibilities of our redemption.

Notice the resources demanded in Vs. 6.

Ruth 4:6 “The closest relative said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, because I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Redeem it for yourself; you may have my right of redemption, for I cannot redeem it.”” There were resources that were demanded.

This other kinsmen wanted the property but he didn’t want to raise another family. It would have cost to much It would have been to much of a sacrifice, and he wasn’t willing to pay the price.

Jesus was willing to pay the ultimate price. He was willing to give His life for our sin. He didn’t hold anything back but He gave it all, so we could be saved.

Bill Hybels, tells the story of becoming emotional at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.

He said He watched as a soldier stood before the black granite wall that has names of the Americans that died etched into it.

The soldier just stood there, tearfully staring at the wall and tracing his finger over the letters of another soldiers name, who gave his life for him. He never looked up but you could feel his pain. Hybel’s said he realized the impact this had on the soldiers life.

Well, I thank that’s the kind of impact Christ should have on us. we should stand in amazement that Jesus Christ came and died on a cross so that we could be saved.

Notice the resolution displayed in Vs. 7-8.

Ruth 4:7–8 “Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning the redemption and the exchange of land to confirm any matter: a man removed his sandal and gave it to another; and this was the manner of attestation in Israel. So the closest relative said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” And he removed his sandal.”

What a strange custom, but this was the way a legal transaction took place in the ancient world. This was like signing on the dotted line.

Throughout the Old Testament to walk, or set foot on the land meant that you were claiming it for yourself. We see that in God’s promise to Abraham.

Genesis 13:17 ““Arise, walk about the land through its length and breadth; for I will give it to you.”” We see it again in God’s promise to Joshua.

Joshua 1:3 ““Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.”

Now when we come to the book of Ruth, that symbolism of walking on the land to claim ownership has become a custom. And giving your sandal to someone meant, you were giving up your right to ownership.

Well before Jesus came there was no resolution to the problem of sin.

The sacrifices were temporary, the law of God was to difficult, all of their good works had failed. Jesus was the only way to secure our salvation, because He was the one time sacrifice for the sin of the world.

He is the resolution of God. When Jesus died on the cross, rose from the grave, and ascended into heaven, Satan had to pluck off his shoe and say, “It all belongs to you God.”

There are a lot of ways to accomplish great things in this life; You can get an education, you can have a great career, you can raise a wonderful family. But there is only one way to accomplish great things for God, and that is through the cross of Jesus Christ.

The Confirmation of Redemption Vs. 9-12

When the deal was made between Boaz and the kinsmen, he called on his witnesses to confirm the transaction.

Boaz wanted to make sure that everyone knew that Ruth had been redeemed. The debt was paid the matter was settled and he had every right to take her to be his wife.

Notice how he itemizes exactly what he is getting in this transaction.

In Vs. 9 He is redeeming all of the property that belonged to Naomi, her husband, and her sons.

In Vs. 10 he is redeeming Ruth, to bring up children to continue the family name and inherit the property.

Boaz is making a public proclamation that the family name and inheritance would never die because it had been redeemed.

Conclusion

Throughout the history of the nation of Israel. The redemption of people or property had to be a legal transaction. They had to obey the law and finalize the deal.

In the same way Christ purchased our redemption on the cross. It was a legal transaction between man and God. He fulfilled the law by living a perfect sinless life. His death, burial, and resurrection secured our redemption, and it secured it forever.

There is not going to be a bill collector showing up in the future. From time to time the enemy will come and remind you of your failures but that debt has been paid.

You don’t have to live in the past. You don’t have to answer the phone calls of your failures or relive your mistakes. You can embrace the promises of redemption, because Jesus Christ has secured your legal right to become His bride.

Do you know the love of God today? Have you been redeemed?

I want you to understand that everything has been accomplished for you. There is nothing that prevents you from living for God. You only need to surrender your heart to Him.