My Redeemer

Intro: Naomi had lost her husband and sons in Moab and returned with only this one daughter in law Ruth. They were poor, but Boaz was a man of great wealth. They were in debt, but Boaz had the means to purchase their debt. Boaz, as a near kinsmen, would buy them out. He would redeem them. He was their Kinsman Redeemer. Redemption: deliverance by the payment of a price. Rescue and deliverance through a ransom. In the Old Testament redemption applied to property, animals, real estate, and persons in debt. In the New Testament it applies to sinners whose debt was so great they couldn’t afford to pay, but with the precious blood of Christ, our debts are paid, our souls are bought, and our future is settled. Thank God that I know about redemption. Notice three things about redemption in the story of Ruth:

I. THE PERSON OF REDEMPTION: vs-8-9

A. Boaz became her Kinsmen Redeemer.

But not just anyone could do the job. Boaz was a bonafide candidate for this position, however.

His Qualifications: He had to be kin, willing, and able. There was one nearer kin, and he was willing, but not able. So was the Law, nearer kin, but what it could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, condemned sin in the flesh. The Law could only condemn the sinner; it could never convert the sinner. But he took the shoe, became like unto us. He walked according to the requirements of the moral law flawlessly, and he fulfilled the ceremonial law fully to become our Redeemer. He was made like us, was willing, and is able!

His Qualities: He was merciful, kind, compassionate, and loving. Rom 3:24, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

His Quantity: There was only one. Both men could not have made this redemption. You may look here and there for answers, but it is in the Redeemer. John 14:6

II. THE PRICE OF REDEMPTION:vs 10-14

A. All He Had: There was a lot of baggage to accept in this deal. A Moabitish woman, the debts of three deceased men, and the future of a family. But Boaz gave all that he had. By bearing children with Ruth, she and her children would be the heirs of all that Boaz had! He knew it would take all he had to redeem her, but he paid the price. He made her his bride, and he gave her all.

B. Paid For Naomi, The Jew, And Ruth, The Gentile: In redeeming, Boaz paid for both the Jew and the Gentile. The debts of both were paid by the same man and in the same manner. Rom 1:16

C. The Down Payment: Ruth 3:11-18. Those six measures of barley showed he was serious. It was like earnest money, a seal to the promise. And he laid it on her, that is with abundance, to place with wide distribution, to give gladly. Oh, he has not withheld anything from us, but even now has given unto us the earnest of the Holy Ghost! Eph 1:13-14 This earnest or down payment was a promise of even better things that were to come!

III.THE POWER OF REDEMPTION: vs 13-14

A. To Pay The Debt: Naomi and Ruth had no means to pay their debt. But Boaz paid it all.

B. To Supply The Need: Not one thing went lacking that Ruth needed. Jesus will supply us - Phil 4:19

C. To Remove Her Reproach:she is Boaz’s bride! Ruth had a name as people sneered that she was a Moabitish Woman, but she received Boaz’s name. It took away her reproach. She finally belonged in Bethlehem among God’s people. Her children had a hope that she didn’t realize existed for them before. Her great-grandson would be the king of Israel and the root of the family tree of the Messiah! Acts 2:39.

Conclusion: Thank God for salvation full and free. Jesus paid it all. He has redeemed us from the curse of the law. Jesus paid it all. Have you received the generous gift of God made possible in our Redeemer for yourself?