Nothing is Impossible with God

Introduction: Listen to the words of Warren Wiersbe as he introduces the fourth chapter of Ruth: “The Book of Ruth opens with three funerals but closes with a wedding. There is a good deal of weeping recorded in the first chapter, but the last chapter records an overflowing of joy in the little town of Bethlehem. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Ps. 30:5, KJV). Not all of life’s stories have this kind of happy ending; but this little book reminds us that, for the Christian, God still writes the last chapter. We don’t have to be afraid of the future.”

1. Redemption comes at a high cost (1-6)

Be Committed Chapter Four: Love Finds a Way (Ruth 4)

The word redeem means “to set free by paying a price.”

Boaz gathered with the other “close relative” (potential redeemer) and 10 witnesses

He presented the prospect of redeeming the land which belonged to Elimelech

The other relative agreed to redeem the land UNTIL....

Boaz also informed him of the duty to “acquire” Ruth Moabitess; this would raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance

Be Committed Chapter Four: Love Finds a Way (Ruth 4)

When it comes to the redemption of sinners, nobody but Jesus Christ is rich enough to pay the price.

Be Committed Chapter Four: Love Finds a Way (Ruth 4)

There can be no redemption without the paying of a price. From our point of view, salvation is free to “whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord” (Acts 2:21, KJV); but from God’s point of view, redemption is a very costly thing.

The other potential redeemer did not want to jeopardize his own inheritance so he declined

Be Committed Chapter Four: Love Finds a Way (Ruth 4)

It’s worth noting that the nearer kinsman tried to protect his name and inheritance; but we don’t even know what his name was or what happened to his family! Boaz took the risk of love and obedience, and his name is written down in Scripture and held in honor. “He who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17, NKJV). This also explains why Orpah’s name is missing in Ruth 4:9–10.

Daniel Palmer: “Redemption is not only about God’s lovingkindness but also about a payment…Redemption is more than mere kindness; it is kindness that comes at a great cost.”

2. Redemption involves someone of high character (7-12)

Be Committed Chapter Four: Love Finds a Way (Ruth 4)

When you see this as a type of Jesus Christ, it reminds you that He had to become related to us before He could redeem us. He became flesh and blood so He could die for us on the cross (Heb. 2:14–15).

Boaz went through the appropriate process to redeem Ruth for himself

He went to the other kinsman to give him first right of refusal

He gathered witnesses in the public square to make everything legal

He presented all the facts and let the other person decide for himself

Be Committed Chapter Four: Love Finds a Way (Ruth 4)

Like Boaz, Jesus wasn’t concerned about jeopardizing His own inheritance; instead, He made us a part of His inheritance (Eph. 1:11, 18). Like Boaz, Jesus made His plans privately, but He paid the price publicly; and like Boaz, Jesus did what He did because of His love for His bride.

All the people agreed that they had witnessed the entire transaction

They also prayed for Ruth, that she would follow in the tradition of Jacob’s wives

They prayed the blessings of the LORD over Boaz and his new wife

Be Committed Chapter Four: Love Finds a Way (Ruth 4)

The use of the word Ephrathah in Ruth 4:11 is significant, for the Hebrew word means “fruitful.” The people wanted Ruth to be fruitful and famous and bring honor to their little town. It was the place where Rachel was buried (Gen. 35:19), but more importantly, it would be known as the place where Jesus Christ was born.

Daniel Palmer: “Only the resurrection of a son can bring salvation. In Jesus, we see both death and resurrection bringing redemption, and Ruth teaches us to expect this in the coming Son of Promise.”

3. Redemption ultimately points to Christ (13-17)

Boaz and Ruth were married and the most amazing thing happened

The LORD enabled Ruth to conceive and give birth to a son; she had not had any children previously

Daniel Palmer: “The conception of Obed in Ruth’s womb is something the Lord enabled; it is a picture of the miraculous nature of the conception of the heaven-sent Son of God.”

Ruth was having the child, but Naomi was receiving the blessing

She was not left without a redeemer; may his name become famous in Israel

May he be a restorer of life; may he be a sustainer of your old age

Your daughter-in-law is worth more to you than seven sons; she provided an heir

They named the boy Obed; he would be the father of Jesse, who would be the father of David

Five ways Ruth gives a picture of the gospel and God’s grace (Palmer):

We see that redemption means we have an inheritance

We see that redemption brings restoration

We see that redemption means intimacy with God as a part of His multiethnic family

We see that redemption is about the fame of the Son

We see that redemption comes from a son who restores our lives by raising up that which was otherwise dead

4. Family Trees Don’t Lie (18-22)

Daniel Palmer: “Ruth begins with a reminder that this story occurred during the time of the judges, a time when there was no King in Israel. It ends with King David’s royal genealogy.”

Be Committed Chapter Four: Love Finds a Way (Ruth 4)

Obed would have a son named Jesse; and Jesse would have eight sons, the youngest of which would be David the king (1 Sam. 16:6–13).

Be Committed Chapter Four: Love Finds a Way (Ruth 4)

The Moabites were not to enter the congregation of the Lord “even to the tenth generation” (Deut. 23:3). But the little Book of Ruth closes with a ten-generation genealogy that climaxes with the name of David!

Never underestimate the power of the grace of God.

Conclusion: "As [Sinclair] Ferguson observes, Ruth teaches us that God works ‘on the small scale of our apparently insignificant lives…[while] also working out a larger master plan for the world.’ That is true hope! In difficulty, trial, adversity, and hardship, if we know Jesus, we know God is at work in our lives to bring His Son to still more people who need His redemption” (D. Palmer, Bethlehem’s Redeemer, 123).

Jesus is the true and better Boaz, who came to this earth to become our kinsman that he might ultimately become our redeemer. He paid a terrible price to ransom sinners from death and hell, but he was victorious then and stands in victory forevermore. Only by the blood of the cross and the grace of forgiveness are we able to say, “Though Satan should buffet, though trails should come, let this blest assurance control: that Christ has regarded my helpless estate and hath shed His own blood for my soul” (Horatio G. Spafford, It Is Well with My Soul, v. 2).