The Redeemer Steps onto the Scene

Intro

“Why is it that we want every chapter to be good when God promises only that in the last chapter he will make all the other chapters make sense, and he doesn’t promise we’ll see the last chapter here?” — Steve Saint

The last chapter of Ruth, chapter 4. The chapter that ties is all together and points us to the Savior Jesus.

The chapter where the Redeemer really steps onto the scene!

We know Ruth points to Christ, we know it points to our redemption. We know that Ruth points to us. Today, let’s see how it all really ties together to eternity.

Isaiah 43:1–3 “But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, And he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; Neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, The Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.”

We will see how this promise works through Ruth and for us today as well. Fear not church, for Jesus has redeemed us.

Boaz Comes to the Gate

At the end of chapter 3, Ruth goes home after proposing to Boaz. Boaz allows her to sleep there that night to protect her then sent her home with 75lbs of grain.

He told her, the following day he would allow the closer redeemer to redeem Ruth, but he would be on standby if he wouldn’t. This is where we find ourselves in Ruth 4, Boaz coming to the gate.

Ruth 4:1–2 KJV 1900

Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down. And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.

Let’s remember what a kinsmen redeemer was

Deuteronomy 25:5–10 KJV 1900

If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband’s brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband’s brother unto her. And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel. And if the man like not to take his brother’s wife, then let his brother’s wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say, My husband’s brother refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband’s brother. Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and if he stand to it, and say, I like not to take her; Then shall his brother’s wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother’s house. And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed.

A redeemer, if you will, had some requirements or expectations to meet. He had to have the:

Right to redeem

Resources to redeem

Resolve to redeem

We find that this redeemer, this closer relative, did not necessarily meet each of these.

Ruth 4:3–6 KJV 1900

And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s: And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it. Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance. And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.

You see, he could have redeemed ruth and all the property, but… he wouldn’t.

Why?

Just as we have talked about much, Ruth was a Moabite; therefore, he knew that any children they would have together would be 1/2 Moabite and he did not want his inheritance going to a Moabite.

He did not see the significance that Boaz did in Ruth.

He did not have the same perspective that Boaz had.

Boaz had a unique perspective when it came to women not of direct Abrahamic decent.

Matthew 1:5–6 “And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;”

Boaz’s own mother was Rahab. Remember Rahab? The prostitute in Jericho who hid the spies and got them safely out of the city? The woman who was (just like Ruth would be) grafted into the lineage of Abraham, the children of God.

Boaz saw this significance and Boaz was fulfilling the will of God.

Ruth 4:7–12 KJV 1900

Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel. Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe. And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand of Naomi. Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day. And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Beth-lehem: And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman.

Immediately, Boaz responded and said “I will take her and the land.”

Just as other passages have described, this passage describes what Boaz is doing as a kinsmen redeemer, he is raising up the name of Elimilechs household so that his name would not die.

The people at the gate saw this significance as they 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 Ephratah and be renowned in Bethlehem, and may your house be like the house or Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring that the LORD will give you by this young woman.”

But, what is the significance of that. What do Leah, Rachel, and Tamar have to do with this?

They are 1) speaking about the mothers of the 12 tribes of Israel, Rachel and Leah, signifying that Ruth now belonged with them in that line. But, 2) they are speaking of how Tamar continued Judah’s line, the line the people of Bethlehem are from.

In speaking to this, they are hoping and foreseeing that Ruth and Boaz will do the same, they will continue the line of Judah, the line of Christ.

Boaz chooses Ruth at the gate. Boaz chooses the will of God. Boaz steps out in faith and the results are eternally significant.

Ruth Comes to Marry Boaz

The first result is the marriage of Boaz and Ruth.

Ruth 4:13–17 KJV 1900

So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son. And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him. And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Ruth was redeemed. Naomi was redeemed.

In this first verse we see Ruth call God, YHWH, the personal covenant name of His people, showing that she was indeed a child of God.

God provided for Ruth and Naomi redemption through Boaz, and through her son Obed. The one who would continue the name of Elimilech, the one who would eventually father Jesse and grandfatehr David. The one who continued the lineage of Judah leading to Christ.

Ruth tells Naomi that this son will redeem that name. That Obed, through Ruth, is great for Naomi and for the people of Israel. She references that this is better than 7 sons for Naomi, signifying that all that would be accomplished through Boaz and Ruth for Naomi’s sake was completed. Naomi could be pleasant again, she could rest assured of the goodness of God.

God saves a dying lineage through a Moabite, an old widow, and most significantly, a redeemer.

And this is where Ruth points to us yet again.

God wants to save your dying soul, though you are a Moabite, an enemy of God, a significant Redeemer, Christ Jesus, died for you so that you could obtain forgiveness.

A redeemer wait for you, would you just reach out and accept Him?

Ruth accepted Boaz, and Boaz was up for the challenge.

God is up for the challenge of caring for you very many needs. For your hurt. Your pain. Your loss. Your grief. Though you are a sinner and will never stop being a sinner, Christ died for you so that His grace could save you through your simple faith in Jesus and your decision to follow Him.

A Redeemer has come. Will you accept Him?

OUR Redeemer has Come to the Scene!

Just like Boaz came onto the scene to redeem Ruth, our Savior Jesus has come onto the scene to redeem us!

Ruth 4:18–22 “Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron, And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab, And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon, And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.”

Earlier I mentioned how redeemers had some expectations or requirements to meet they had to have the right to redeem, the resources, and the resolve. We see each perfectly fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ

The Right to Redeem

Jesus, first, hold the right to redeem us!

John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

The only begotten, who came and became flesh, the one who holds the glory, He has the right to redeem us.

Our creator, our sustainer, He above all else has the right to redeem us.

Hebrews 4:15 “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

The one who was without sin, He and He alone has the right to redeem us from our sinful ways.

None who sin hold the right to redeem anyone from sin. Only the One who can be tempted to sin but sin not can redeem all mankind from their sin, that person is Jesus.

Philippians 2:5–7 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”

Jesus, our God and Savior, came to this earth, took on a fleshly human form, lived a perfect life, and knowing the sin we would commit against Him still decided to be the sacrifice needed for forgiveness. He went to the cross. He died. He rose again.

He has the right to redeem your soul. Will you let Him?

The Resources to Redeem

Jesus can redeem you not just because He holds the right, but He maintains the resources.

Colossians 1:15–17 “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

He was fully like us, yet sinned not, giving Him the right to redeem.

And, He is fully God, as such, He can do all in all, everything good can be done through God, and that includes the redemption of your soul!

Hebrews 1:3 “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”

God can redeem you because He is God!

The Resolve to Redeem

God has the determination, the resolve to redeem your soul!

Titus 2:13–14 “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

We can be changed, redeemed, adopted into the family of God because God loves us. There are no “ifs, ands, or buts” about it. Those who believe and repent are sons and daughters of God, not by their own works, but by the love and work of Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:13–14 “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”

“God brings his people from death to life; God brings his people from curse to blessing; God brings his people from bitterness to happiness; God brings his people from emptiness to fullness; God brings his people from despair to hope!”

And that hope will carry us to the very end!

The Hope of Redemption

Revelation 5:1–13 KJV 1900

And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 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. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

There is eternal hope for the redeemed, bought by the blood of Christ.

SONG

Conclusion

Ruth and Naomi had hope.

They went from death to life

They went from bitterness to joy

From poor to rich

From alone to a family

From starving to fed

All because of a Redeemer!

This morning, you can go from death to life, from bitterness to joy, from poor to rich, from lonely to belonging, from spiritually starving to fed by the Bread of Life and the Living Water.

All because of a Redeemer!

By grace, through your faith you can be saved. Born a brand new creature. Saved form your sin and hell.

All through repentance.

*salvation plea*

Church, you know as well as I do that problems don’t stop just because we are saved. Ruth and Naomi surely had problems even after they were redeemed.

Do you have circumstances, problems, pains, grief, bitterness, loneliness to give to God? Won’t you do it today?

Come pray.