The Price of Redemption
Our Kinsman Redeemer • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Good morning Church! If you have your Bible and I hope that you do, please turn with me to Ruth 4. Ruth chapter 4. We are going to be in verses 1-12 today. We are talking about redemption today and our story isn’t going to conclude because PJ will conclude it for us next Sunday.
Announcement:: Backing out issues
But for today I want to put before the twist from last week: there is another redeemer. Boaz doesn’t tell Ruth who the other redeemer is, but this is where Ruth 4 begins. Just to summarize for you, Ruth is a Moabite woman who is a widow. She has worked hard for a man named Boaz who has protected her, provided for her, and continues to prove himself to be a worthy man. Naomi had the idea that this man, Boaz, was a relative, therefore they should link up and get married because he was a redeemer. Remember that is a go’el in the Hebrew.
A go’el was a family member that could purchase families members out of slavery, they sought out justice if someone was murdered, they could purchase back land that was lost if a family fell on hard times and a redeemer could fulfill the obligations of what was called a levirate marriage. A levirate marriage was a marriage where if a husband passed away, then the husband’s brother or other close relative would marry the widow and would produce offspring on the brother’s behalf in order that his name would not disappear.
So being a redeemer was a big responsibility! And Ruth comes to Boaz in the night, she gets low and humbles herself and asks for Boaz to be her redeemer. Boaz agrees immediately but informs her that someone else has a better legal right to fulfill the obligation and he wants to make sure that everything is legal.
So there are two potential redeemers. Both of these men have the right, the standing, and the ability. But only one will. One redeemer protects himself. One redeemer sacrifices himself. One hides behind excuses. One joyfully pays the cost to redeem Ruth the Moabite.
And through all of this the Lord is teaching us about the true Redeemer of our souls, the One Who stepped forward for us, Jesus Christ. We will also learn about false redeemers too. Please stand with me, if you’re able, in honor of God’s Word as we read Ruth 4:1-12
1 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. 2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down. 3 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. 4 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.” 5 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.” 6 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.” 7 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. 8 So when the redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself,” he drew off his sandal. 9 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. 10 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.” 11 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, 12 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.”
Chapter 4 begins with Boaz taking care of business. He stayed up late working at the threshing floor and he promised Ruth that he would redeem her. Naomi, knowing the kind of man that Boaz is, said
18 She replied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.”
And Boaz goes up to the gate of the city. Now, the city gate was the most important structure in a town. It was a massive, fortified complex built into a wall with towers, chambers, benches, and guarded rooms. It was a courthouse, a town hall, and a community center. This is where the elders of the city would sit, it’s where decisions were made. Witnesses gathered there and all the official business took place here. So by going to the gate, Boaz was stepping into the place of law and justice. He is performing this redemption publicly, in front of witnesses by following God’s law. He is a righteous man that wants everything done right.
Now, the Al-Zararah Arch is believed to be the archway that Mary and Joseph entered into Bethlehem but that was hundreds of years after this event, but this gives us an idea of the size and scale of Bethlehem’s gate. Now, while Boaz is here, he sees the other go’el, the other redeemer coming by and Boaz asks the man to come by and sit down. He makes it clear by calling him “friend” that this is not a personal issue, but is something that needs to be resolved.
Now, Boaz gets ten elders of the city— these are the leaders, decision makers, men of wisdom and good reputation just like what we have in our church, and they sort out the issue and bear witness to this legal issue.
Now, the redeemer is interesting because the writer of Ruth intentionally hides the other redeemer’s name and in the Hebrew calls him “peloni almoni” which is a way of saying “Mr. So-and-so”. Its a rhyme that doesn’t mean much similar to our heebie jeeby, hocus pocus, helter skelter, yada yada. That’s what it is. And So Mr. So-and-So sits down and hears about Naomi and her desire to sell a parcel of land. Now, this is not a purchase of the land, the land could not be permanently sold according to Mosaic Law. The rights to it were being leased and the goal was to keep the land within the family line.
So the land would remain his as long as Ruth bears no sons. This is a low cost, high reward investment so Mr. So-and-so agree immediately! “I will redeem the land!”
Boaz hits Mr. So-and-so with a curveball here. He says
5 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.”
Uh oh! So if he continues to redeem Noami will be provided for, have protection, and possibly have a grandson but what happens to Ruth? Well, this man may resent her. The grandson may live unhappily where the father hated the price. This Mr. So-and-so might be angry that his inheritance is ruined and Naomi’s security would be rooted in duty, not love.
But the risks outweigh the reward for Mr. So-and-so and acquiring a Moabite to make offspring with is too much for him. In fact,
6 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.”
He walks it back quick, doesn’t he? Twice he says I can’t do it! You see, it takes a willing redeemer to bring about actual redemption. Mr. So-and-so was first in line legally, but is defined by self preserving duty, not sacrificial love. This leads us to our first point today
The Redeemer Who Steps Forward
The Redeemer Who Steps Forward
You see, Boaz stepped forward to address the situation but Christ is the greater Boaz who stepped forward. Adam failed. Israel failed. The kings failed. The priests failed. But Christ is the one Who
51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.
Christ chose to redeem sinners at a tremendous cost! The cost of His own life! And like Boaz, Jesus did it joyfully! Not because of the pain, but because of the purpose: to redeem the lost.
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus did it willingly for you!
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
Jesus did it in love
2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
And he did this, not out of a heaviness of burdensome duty, but with delight!
7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: 8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”
So Jesus Christ is the greater Boaz who redeemed us joyfully, willingly, lovingly, and gladly paid the cost of our salvation because of the joy set before Him and He laid His life down for you.
As Charles Spurgeon said, “With delight he gave himself for us, and made a cheerful surrender of himself, that he might be the ransom for many.”
In verses 7-8 there is a land sale. It was the custom of this time to transfer land in this way. In the Ancient Middle East of this time, you “set your foot on the land” was a way to claim it. To remove your sandal was to say that you renounce your claim. To give your sandal over is to say “you have the right to tread the land that I will not. It was a way to say “I relinquish my claim; you now walk on that land.”
Christ is unlike the unnamed redeemer, Mr. So-and-so. The unnamed redeemer was only willing to help the poor if it benefitted Him. Christ paid the cost out of an abundant love for you and I. If ministry cost Mr. So-and-so anything his attitude was one of rejection. Whats interesting is that by trying to preserve his name for his offspring, his name was lost to the ages. By Boaz responding with responsibility and love he gained a place in God’s story.
This shows us point number 2:
The Redeemer Who Pays the Cost
The Redeemer Who Pays the Cost
Notice what Boaz says “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.”
Boaz paid the cost and Christ paid the cost in full. Listen, when Christ paid the price to redeem your soul, there was no further payment needed.
30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
When Christ paid the cost He took the outsider as His Bride just as Boaz did. You and I were Moabites that were alienated from God but He sent His only Son and paid the price to redeem you. Boaz paid for redemption with money; Christ paid with His own blood.
18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
It was Jesus Christ that paid the cost of your redemption. The only One who was ever perfect and sinless, died to redeem your soul.
Imagine you’re drowning in the middle of a lake. You can’t swim. You’re going under. A rescuer dives in after you. But in saving you, he perishes. Here’s the question: “How much did your rescue cost you?” Nothing. “How much did your rescue cost him?” Everything.
This is redemption. It is always one-sided. One person pays. The other person receives life. Boaz pays the cost so Ruth and Naomi can live. Christ pays the eternal cost so that you and I can live.
And the people were witnesses that Mr. So-and-so had waived his claim and Boaz redeemed Naomi and all that belonged to Elimelech and Ruth the Moabite he bought to be his wife. He didn’t hide it. He claimed her for righteousness’ sake. She needed a hero like Bonnie Tyler and Boaz is the white knight upon the fiery steed.
Boaz doesn’t hide Ruth. He doesn’t keep the marriage secret. He doesn’t treat her like a shameful burden or an inconvenient obligation. He stands up in the most public place in the entire town, the city gate, and declares before the whole community: “Ruth the Moabite… I have bought to be my wife.”
He claims her openly because redemption is not a private transaction. It is a public declaration of covenant love. And that’s exactly what Christ has done for you. Christ does not hide His redeemed ones in the shadows. He stands before heaven and earth and says: “These are mine. I bought them with My blood.”
But let’s look at verses 11-12 and the third and final point:
The Redeemer Who Secures the Blessing
The Redeemer Who Secures the Blessing
Everyone observes this and agrees that they are indeed “witnesses”. They can testify to everything being handled openly and legally. And they pronounce a three part blessing. The first is a blessing for Ruth to be like Rachel and Leah. Rachel and Leah were Jacob’s wives who together birthed the 12 tribes of Israel. They were the mothers of Israel but notice that the Moabite woman is being compared to the mothers of Israel. She is being given full covenant membership from the people of God and included with the highest blessings.
They pray for Boaz to be blessed with prosperity and a lasting name. That phrase “May you act worthily” is actually best translated as “may you make worth” or wealth as the NASB translates it. And be famous in Bethlehem.
Thirdly, they pray for Boaz’s house to be like the house of Perez. Now, Perez is a house that is full of redemption.
Perez is intentionally mentioned because he was a picture of redemption coming out of a scandal, just like Ruth. His story in Genesis 38 is messy, broken, and filled with sin — Judah’s failure, deception, and family dysfunction. But God brought life out of that situation.
Perez became the ancestor of the tribe of Judah. Judah became the ancestor of David. David became the ancestor of Jesus Christ.
So when the people pray, “May your house be like the house of Perez,” they are asking God to build Boaz a royal line, a line that God has touched before, a line from which his king will come.
Naomi prayed for rest and security and it was given. Ruth prayed for Boaz to cover her and it is now granted. Boaz prayed for Ruth to receive a full reward and now that’s been fulfilled and this just shows as we’ve talked about God’s grace upon grace. Just as God has grace on the outsider, Ruth, you might be here and feel like an outsider. You might feel unloved, or worthless and totally deserving of God’s grace but let me tell you that He does love you. His heart is for your redemption!
9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
This is the heart of God toward you. His kindness is there, not for you to depend on and violate but for you to recognize and joyfully come under His authority and it’s this that saves us. You must come to Jesus as Lord and Master.
You see, through all this we see God working through Boaz and in Ruth’s lift. Eventually the house of Boaz is going to become the kingly house of David which PJ will explain next week. But the blessing is ultimately that through all this Christ will be born in this same city. God will put on flesh and dwell among us for the singular purpose of our redemption. Jesus didn’t come just to be an example or to teach things. He came to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins who would secure your inheritance, who would give us a new name and identity, He brings us into His covenant family and expands God’s Kingdom through His Bride, the Church.
Boaz redeems one family, Christ redeems the Church. Boaz brings Ruth into Israel, Christ brings the nations into God's people. Boaz builds a house, Christ builds a kingdom.
Head: God wants you to know that redemption depends completely on the Redeemer—His willingness, His sacrifice, and His claim on His people.
Jesus Christ willingly paid the price of your redemption. His sacrifice satisfied the wrath of God that you and I deserved and He took our place and satisfied God’s justice so we can be redeemed freely.
Heart: God wants you to believe that Jesus Christ is your Redeemer—He stepped forward for you, paid the full cost for you, and gladly claims you as His own.
You can trust in Him today. You don’t need me. You don’t need anyone except to go to God in Christ. Ask Him to deal with your heart. You do business with Him and He will redeem you.
6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; 7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Hand: God wants you to come to Christ in humble trust, rest under His redeeming care, and live as one who belongs fully to Him.
