Part 13: The Completion of Redemption
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Tonight, we will keep going right down through the next verses in Ruth 4.
Last week, we looked at Verses 5-6 and looked at Mr. Such-A-One and how he was able to redeem Ruth, he was wealthy enough to redeem Ruth, but he was not willing to redeem Ruth.
Mr. Such-A-One only wanted the land and was not interested in the Lady.
Mr. Such-A-One is a perfect picture of the law, and we talked a lot about how the law has never redeemed anyone, but has always meant to show us our need for a Savior, because in order to keep the law, we would have to become perfect, or the law would have to become imperfect. Neither of those will be happening so you and I need a kinsman Redeemer just like Ruth, and thank God, He sent us Jesus Christ; our kinsman Redeemer!
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
I want you to notice, and I mentioned this briefly last week, how the nearer kinsman is not named, all we know him as is Mr. Such-A-One.
This is fitting for two reasons. One reason it is fitting is that this kinsman in being unwilling to redeem Elimelech’s property and marry Ruth refused to keep alive the name of the dead in Israel.
Another reason is that his refusal to redeem Elimelech’s property and marry Ruth kept him out of the line of Christ.
Refusing to keep a relative’s name alive and failure to raise up a child in the line of Christ was a double condemnation upon the man according to Matthew Henry “Because he refused to raise up the name of the dead, he deserved not to have his name preserved to future ages in this [Book of Ruth] history”.
And because he refused the opportunity to be in the line of Christ, his name is also left out of the book just as those who reject Christ do not have their names written in the “book of life”.
A Plucked Shoe
A Plucked Shoe
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.
Today, we sign a piece of paper or shake a hand to enter into an agreement, but in the Old Testament, things were way different.
They would take their shoe off, as to say they were surrendering their rights to walk upon the soil.
In taking the shoe off, they would pass to another. This showed they were giving up their rights to whatever was being sold.
A Precious Redemption
A Precious Redemption
9 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.
10 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.
With the official business complete, Boaz offers a speech; he states that he has bought the field from Naomi and redeemed Ruth to be his wife.
He bookends his speech with the phrase “Ye are witnesses,” just in case any future questions arise concerning the transaction.
The first part of the speech focuses on the estate of Elimelech (v 9), while the second part focuses on the person of Ruth (v 10).
What we are witnessing right here is the precious redemption of Ruth!
Thank God for the redemptive work of our heavenly Boaz, the Lord Jesus Christ!
Look at:
The Price of Her Redemption
The Price of Her Redemption
9 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.
Notice that verse 9 says, “…I have bought all...”
The cost of all would be enormous! It would be priceless!
Scripture doesn’t tell us how much the lan, the lady, and the inheritance cost, but we know it was very expensive…It was the entire inheritance of a family.
This is exactly what our heavenly Boaz did for us!
He paid in full the entire inheritance of Adam’s family.
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
The Passion for Redemption
The Passion for Redemption
Verse 10 says, “…have I purchased to be my wife...”
What was the driving force in Boaz? It was his great love for Ruth!
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Boaz saw Ruth at her worst and still loved her!
Hew knew who she was and he still loved her!
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Boaz gave of himself and of his provisions to marry Ruth! Look at:
The Promotion of Her Redemption
The Promotion of Her Redemption
In verse 10, we see “…Ruth the Moabitess...”
Ruth was a gentile, she was a nobody.
She would have never been heard of had it not been for a man named Boaz.
Ruth’s possession and position changed dramatically in meeting Boaz!
9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.
She’s gone from being the lowly handmaid to the wife of a wealthy Boaz.
She’s is now elevated to the wife of wealthy Boaz.
It’s a picture of how the grace of God takes a condemned sinner and makes them a chosen generation!
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
The Proof of Her Redemption
The Proof of Her Redemption
Verse 9 says, “…Ye are witnesses this day...”
Remember back at the beginning of the chapter?
2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.
Her redemption was personal, public, powerful, and productive!
The ten elders and the people testify to the transaction by saying, “…we are witnesses...” in verse 11.
It reminds me of how Peter and the Apostles answered the magistrate at Jerusalem by saying, “…we are witnesses of these things.” in Acts 5:29-32.
There were four acts mentioned in these verses concerning being witness:
Peter and the Apostles were witness to:
1 - The death of Christ…the Bible says “Ye slew and hanged on a tree.” It’s substitution; Christ died for us!
They were witness to:
2 - The resurrection of Christ, the Bible says, “…the God of our fathers raised up Jesus...” Here we have restoration-restoring of Divine life to the soul!
3 - The exaltation of Christ. “…Him hat God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour.” Jesus had humbled Himself, but He is now raised to the highest heights in glory.
4 - The work of Christ. “For to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Here we have reconciliation. Christ reconciles men because of their repentance and His forgiveness.
Just as the witnesses in Ruth’s day were witness to the redemption of Ruth, Peter and the Apostles were witnesses to Christs’ death, His resurrection, His exaltation, and His work!
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
Ruth’s life changed that day! She had a redeemer. She had a husband. She had a new life.
She could say along with Job:
25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
How about yourself? Do you know the redeemer? Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ?
If you don’t, I invite you to come to Jesus, get at His feet and ask Him to redeem your soul.
Redemption is available to everyone. You can be redeemed today, if you’ll only come to Him.