Resolution Through Redemption

Introduction

Proverbs 31:25 “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.”

Can we smile at our future in the midst of uncertainty and suffering?

We can smile at our future because God has provided a resolution to our story through providing a redeemer.

Redemption’s Cost (vs 1-6)

In this first scene, we see how Boaz absorbs the risk and displays sacrificial lovingkindness in being willing to pay the costly price of redemption.

Ruth 4:1–4 (ESV)

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. And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down. 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. 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.”

Boaz was intentional in seeking redemption for Ruth and Naomi.

So, after Boaz initiates settling the matter of redemption, the closer redeemer responds by saying at the end of verse 4...

Ruth 4:4–6 (ESV)

“I will redeem it.” 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.” 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.”

At first, the closer relative wants to redeem the land…but then Boaz gives all the details…and the closer relative changes his mind.

“Read the fine print” Illustration

The closer relative was not willing to redeem Ruth because it would ruin his inheritance.

Essentially, by redeeming Ruth and the land, he and his sons would not personally profit, but Ruth and her family would profit instead.

EXPLAIN WHAT THIS MEANS/WHY THIS IS THE CASE

The closer relative’s lack of desire and willingness is contrasted with Boaz’s willingness to redeem Ruth and Naomi and demonstrate selfless love in putting their needs above his own.

Boaz paid the full price and did not receive anything in return…just more burdens and responsibilities…with the land going to Naomi’s family…yet he saw this burden as a joy.

In the same way, like Boaz, Jesus freely gave himself for us. He was willing to sacrifice everything to pay our redemption price from sin in full through his own blood.

Galatians 3:13-14 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.”

Jesus willingly took our burdens upon himself and he did this with joy...

Hebrews 12:2 “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.”

Remember who was willing to buy you…and pledge your allegiance to him!

So, after seeing Boaz being willing to pay redemption’s cost, next we see him display redemption’s covenantal character in verses 7-12...

Redemption’s Covenantal Character (vs 7-12)

Boaz, specifically displays covenantal character in wanting to redeem the land and the family to perpetuate the name of the deceased kinsman.

This act continues to exhibit Boaz’s lovingkindness towards Ruth and Naomi.

After the exchanging of sandals that symbolizes an exchange of the right to redeem, Boaz demonstrates the covenantal character of redemption in verse 9 by vowing...

Ruth 4:9–10 (ESV)

“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.”

The covenantal language is seen in Boaz confirming his pledge to Naomi’s family and land before witnesses and having them confirm his oath.

Notice the repetition of “ALL” in Boaz’s oath....he will redeem ALL of the property of Elimelech, ALL of the property of Malhon and Chilion, and Ruth the Moabitess.

Points to Jesus redeemer ALL or EVERY PART of us…he pays for ALL our sin…not just some of it.

After Boaz makes his oath, the witnesses confirm it and bless Boaz in two specific ways in verses 11-12:

First, They declared that Ruth would be like Rachel and Leah…who birthed the nation of Israel. Just as Rachel and Leah’s offspring would be a blessing to the nations, Ruth’s offspring would be as well and would continue the nation of Israel.

Second, they declared that Boaz’s house be like the house of Perez. Linking Perez’s house to Boaz demonstrated the continuation of the kingly line of the Messiah…as Jesus was born from the tribe of Judah.

So, we see the cost of redemption being paid in full…we see the covenantal character of redemption through sacrificial love…in verses 13-17 we see the consequence of redemption from Boaz and Ruth’s lovingkindness in the Lord providing a redeemer for Naomi, and later for Israel through the birth of Obed.

Redemption’s Consequence (vs 13-17)

Ruth 4:13–17 (ESV)

So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

The Lord graciously gave Ruth conception.

The Lord has taken Naomi’s emptiness and made her full.

The Lord was faithful to no leave her but provide her with a redeemer.

Naomi’s filling reminded the nation of Israel that God had not left them in the divided kingdom but provided a redeemer for them in the kingship of David.

Naomi’s filling should also remind us that God has not left us in the emptiness of our sin, but provided a redeemer for us in Jesus Christ.

Obed is a picture of Jesus

Name means: “servant,” “worshiper,” and “to accomplish.”

Jesus became a servant for us.

He was a perfect substitute in that he worshipped God perfectly unlike we could.

Jesus accomplished the Father’s will and our work of redemption on the cross declaring…IT IS FINISHED!

Jesus’ name was renowned in Israel.

Jesus is our redeemer, the restorer of our life, and the nourisher of our soul…even in old age.

Even though we knew the ending, the original audience did not and was unaware of how the line of David came from this story.

The surprise ending urges the covenant family of Israel and us today to trust God’s lovingkindness even when we cannot see how God will accomplishes his plans in our lives.

Now the story ends in verse 17…but the author puts a genealogy in the epilogue in verses 18-21.

The author does this to show Redemption’s Long-Range Course that culminates in a crown in bringing about King David; which points ahead to David’s Son, Jesus Christ, who is the TRUE KING.

Redemption’s Long-Range Course (vs 18-21)

Now, most people skip over names and genealogies in the Bible…but the author, through the Holy Spirit, has put this genealogy here for a reason.

One thing to notice is that it is a selective genealogy. Not all the names listed were all the names from Perez to David.

Therefore, the author is trying to make a point by using ten names…specifically keying on the number TEN.

The ten names that are listed in the generation replace and fill the ten years that Ruth was childless.

More importantly, Noah’s and Abraham’s genealogies also have ten names.

This is significant because...

God made a covenant with each of them.

All three are examples of the blessing received by faith.

Jesus is listed as the Son of Noah, Abraham, and David.

One theologian concludes the story in proclaiming:

“The epilogue thereby stresses that the Lord uses even his people’s hardships and experiences of deprivation to advance his ultimate salvation purposes. Therefore, No matter how hopelessly cyclical human history may seem in the days when the judges rule, the Lord is advancing his salvation purposes to raise up his anointed servant, a king, on behalf of all those who take refuge under his wings.”

Conclusion

The book of Ruth is a story of redemption, and the closing chapter provides a perfect resolution to the narrative.

Ruth 4 describes how King David comes to restore God’s Kingdom in Israel…but ultimately, as we know, points ahead to the person and work of David’s greater Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Like Naomi...

Some of you are empty....

Some of you are wandering…

Some of you are bitter and don’t see how you can smile at your future....

God has not left us in the dark....

But has provided a redeemer for us in Christ

Therefore, if we turn from our sin and look to Jesus and trust in Him alone.... no matter what happens in our lives, we can smile at our future…knowing that is accomplishing His sovereign plans in our lives for His glory and our good.