One More Hurdle

Ruth 4:6 KJV 1900

6 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.

Ruth

Ruth has experienced a miraculous chain of events in her life. Not too long ago she was in Moab, a widow without hope for the future. Unaware of what lay ahead she made the decision to follow Naomi to Bethlehem.

This would turn out to be the most important decision she ever made.

Example and illustration

God was working behind the scenes in her life and led her to the field of Boaz, a man of wealth and reputation that was a kinsman of Naomi.

As time went on, their fondness for each other grew.

Boaz cared for her, even though she was a gentile, meeting ever need that she had.

Ruth realized the enormity of this opportunity and made her way to the threshing-floor and proposed to Boaz.

Unsure of how he would respond, Ruth must’ve been overjoyed when he agreed to marry her.

However, there was one very important issue that stood in the way.

There was a kinsman who was of closer relation than Boaz. – And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.

According to the law of God, the nearest kinsman had first option to redeem.

Boaz truly desired to marry Ruth, but he would have to wait and see how the nearest kinsman responded to the opportunity of redemption.

The morning has now dawned and Boaz has made his way to town to meet with the nearer kinsman. With the hope of marriage, he has gone to seek redemption for Ruth.

It was his love for her that compelled him to make the trip that day.

What a beautiful picture of the love that our Savior had for us. I want to consider the eternal truths of redemption as we consider: Redeemed by Love Divine.

I. The Character of the Redeemer (1-4)

We have already spent much time considering the character and integrity of Boaz, but this day would reveal his commitment to Ruth and solidify his character to her. Keep in mind that Boaz is a type of Christ. Notice:

A. His Willingness (1) –

Boaz wasted no time in handling this matter of redemption.

Once they were settled on their desire for marriage, he made his way to the gate of town. This was where business was transacted in that day.

It was a public place where the intents of men were revealed.

B. His Witness (2-3)

Boaz was not trying to secure a “backroom” deal. He went to the gate and proclaimed his intention before the elders of the city. He wanted to ensure that all was done according to the law. He wanted this marriage to be legitimate and above reproach.

and proclaimed his intention before the elders of the city. He wanted to ensure that all was

done according to the law. He wanted this marriage to be legitimate and above reproach.

sacrifice of my Lord. He was tempted of Satan to avoid the cross and plan of God. He refused

the temptation of the multitudes to make Him a king. He had come to provide for our

redemption. He didn’t cut any corners or avoid any responsibilities. He fulfilled our salvation

according to the will of God the Father.

Jesus’ life was not lived in the shadows. He lived a very public life. His teaching, His

ministry, the miracles, the cross, the empty tomb, the ascension back to heaven, all pointed to

the fact that He was the Christ, the Son of the living God, Savior of the world.

C. His Worthiness (4) – Boaz was worthy to redeem Ruth. There was a nearer kinsman who

could have redeemed her, but Boaz also met the requirements of redemption. He was ableand he was willing. As we read in these verses, the other kinsman had the opportunity, but he wasn’t willing to provide all that was necessary to redeem Ruth. It appears that he was interested in her inheritance, but not in Ruth herself.

and he was willing. As we read in these verses, the other kinsman had the opportunity, but he wasn’t willing to provide all that was necessary to redeem Ruth. It appears that he was interested in her inheritance, but not in Ruth herself.

As we read in these verses, the other kinsman had the opportunity, but he wasn’t willing

to provide all that was necessary to redeem Ruth. It appears that he was interested in her

inheritance, but not in Ruth herself.

This paints a picture of the inability of the law.

provide for redemption. It did not possess all that was necessary to meet the demands of God.

Christ alone was worthy to secure our salvation. The law revealed our sin and condemned that

sin, but it could not redeem from sin. – For what the law could not do, in that it was

weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin,

condemned sin in the flesh:

II. The Conditions of Redemption (5-8) –

Here we discover the scope of redeeming one from their debt. The nearer kinsman was interested until he realized all that was involved. Consider:

their debt. The nearer kinsman was interested until he realized all that was involved. Consider:

A. The Responsibilities Described (5) –

The nearer kinsman was interested in redeeming the mortgage on Ruth’s estate, but Boaz reveals that when he does that he is also responsible to marry Ruth and raise up children in honor to the dead of the estate. There was much more involved in redemption than real estate; the entire inheritance was to be redeemed.

the mortgage on Ruth’s estate, but Boaz reveals that when he does that he is also responsible

to marry Ruth and raise up children in honor to the dead of the estate. There was much more

involved in redemption than real estate; the entire inheritance was to be redeemed.

redemption. He wasn’t only willing to provide for a select few or to cleanse from specific sins.

He came to fully satisfy the righteous demands of God so that all might be fully and freely

saved by His marvelous grace.

I sure am glad that our Lord didn’t make exceptions when it came to salvation . I am glad

that it wasn’t reserved for the Jews only. I am glad that He didn’t classify which sins could be

forgiven and others that would remain. We likely would have been excluded from the offer had

Christ not come to redeem all who will come to Him. There is hope for all because of the

sacrifice and provision of Jesus!

B. The Resources Demanded (6) –

The nearer kinsman would’ve liked to redeem the property, but he didn’t have the means to secure Ruth and raise up another family. It would have been too much of a sacrifice. He just wasn’t willing to make that much of a sacrifice.

property, but he didn’t have the means to secure Ruth and raise up another family. It would

have been too much of a sacrifice. He just wasn’t willing to make that much of a sacrifice.

nothing back, providing complete and eternal salvation. Had He not been willing to die upon

the cross, we would yet be without hope. Salvation was secured by the death of our Lord.

Aren’t you glad that Jesus didn’t refuse to go all the way to Calvary? He was not concerned for

His physical well being, but offered Himself as our sacrifice, suffering the torment of the cross

and bearing our shame.

C. The Resolution Displayed (7-8) –

In that day a transfer of ownership was declared by the pulling off of a sandal and offering it to the purchaser. He was saying to Boaz, “I can’t buy her but you can. Purchase her to yourself; she is now yours.”

pulling off of a sandal and offering it to the purchaser. He was saying to Boaz, “I can’t buy her

but you can. Purchase her to yourself; she is now yours.”

generation had sought a means of reconciliation to God. Centuries had passed and yet there

had been no resolution. The law could not provide the means necessary for salvation. Good

works and moral living had failed. Jesus was the only way that salvation could be secured. As

he died upon the cross, completing redemption’s plan, all of the means that men had sought

for salvation had to pluck off a shoe and declare that where they had failed Jesus had

succeeded.

Many today need to admit where they stand with the Lord. They are seeking to secure

their salvation by any means other than the cross. They just need to declare their unworthiness

and trust in Christ!

III. The Confirmation of Redemption (9-12) –

When a deal was made with Boaz and the

nearer kinsman, redemption was confirmed. Notice:

A. Redemption was Proclaimed (9) –

Boaz wanted to ensure that all who knew of Ruth and her situation knew that he had redeemed her. The debt had been settled and he had the right to take her as his wife.

her situation knew that he had redeemed her. The debt had been settled and he had the right to take her as his wife. I rejoice for the day that our redemption was proclaimed. Jesus hung in agony upon the cross, and having fulfilled our redemption He served Satan and the world notice that It is Finished! Others doubted even after that moment, but as the women came to the tomb on resurrection morning the angels declared that He had risen just as He said He would.

to take her as his wife.

I rejoice for the day that our redemption was proclaimed. Jesus hung in agony upon the

I rejoice for the day that our redemption was proclaimed. Jesus hung in agony upon the cross, and having fulfilled our redemption He served Satan and the world notice that It is Finished! Others doubted even after that moment, but as the women came to the tomb on resurrection morning the angels declared that He had risen just as He said He would.

cross, and having fulfilled our redemption He served Satan and the world notice that It is

Finished! Others doubted even after that moment, but as the women came to the tomb on

resurrection morning the angels declared that He had risen just as He said He would.

B. Redemption was Purchased (10a) –

Boaz had fully redeemed Ruth, paying her debt in full. No longer would she have to worry about owing a debt that she could not pay. Her account was marked “paid in full” according to the mercy and provision of Boaz.

full. No longer would she have to worry about owing a debt that she could not pay. Her account

was marked “paid in full” according to the mercy and provision of Boaz.

We too owed a debt that we could never hope to pay. Jesus paid that debt and marked

our account paid in full. We are set free in Him.

has been paid and I have been made part of the bride of Christ!

C. Redemption was Permanent (10b) –

There would be no fear of bill collectors showing up in the future. Boaz had settled her debt once and for all. This was declared and accepted in the eyes of the elders. Ruth could now marry Boaz without the fear of future despair. Her past would no longer be remembered.

in the future. Boaz had settled her debt once and for all. This was declared and accepted in the

eyes of the elders. Ruth could now marry Boaz without the fear of future despair. Her past

would no longer be remembered.

I’m glad that our Lord does all things well. The saved are secure in Him. The adversary may come and seek to discourage us, bringing up our past, but the account has been forever settled. Our sins have been buried in the sea of God’s forgetfulness, never to be remembered again!

may come and seek to discourage us, bringing up our past, but the account has been forever

settled. Our sins have been buried in the sea of God’s forgetfulness, never to be remembered

again!

We don’t have to meet a certain standard in order to keep it. There are no dues to pay or premiums to keep up. I can’t lose it because it is secure in the Lord’s hand. He has given it and no man can take it away!

or premiums to keep up. I can’t lose it because it is secure in the Lord’s hand. He has given it

and no man can take it away!

D. Redemption was Praised (11-12)

– Those who were present that day offered Boaz and Ruth the richest of blessing. They declared their desire for peace and abundance in their home. The town was pleased with what had taken place that day.

Ruth the richest of blessing. They declared their desire for peace and abundance in their

home. The town was pleased with what had taken place that day.

comes to know the Lord. They are aware of the price that was paid and the worthiness of the

Lamb. The heavens desire us to prosper in our relationship with Christ. They want us to be

fruitful and multiply for Him.

This was likely the happiest day of Ruth’s life. She had faced much despair and

disappointment, but all of that was behind her now. She had been redeemed and it was time to

prepare for a wedding with the man she loved.

I can honestly say that the most significant day in my life was the day I was saved. It

was then that my despair left me. It was then that I was cleansed of my sin and given eternal

life in Christ. I trust you know Him as Lord and Savior. If not you can. He provided redemption

for all who will come to Him.