NAOMI AND RUTH:
Naomi was a daughter of Israel and is a type of Jew
or Judean. Ruth was a Moabitess and is a type of the
Gentiles. Boaz redeemed both Naomi and Ruth. The new
birth and sonship by seed are available to Jew and Gentile
alike because of the completed work of Jesus.
When it came to the performance of the kinsman-redeemer,
it is important to note that he did nothing until he
was requested to do so. Although Boaz’s love and
admiration for Ruth was great he wasn’t allowed
to act on her behalf until he received her request.
Once he did receive the request, he acted in her stead.
Remember what we read in Deuteronomy 25:9? She was responsible
to go to the elders at the gate and confront the nearer
kinsman, but Boaz took her place. The only thing standing
in the way of his redeeming her was the nearer kinsman.
He confronted the nearer kinsman and performed that
which he was not able to do. He did not rest until the
redemption was complete.
Similarly it is the responsibility of the Jew
and Gentile to request the redemption. God has provided
it through the accomplished work of Jesus Christ, and
it is appropriated by confessing with the mouth that
Jesus is lord and believing in the heart that God has
raised him from the dead.
Both Naomi and Ruth were redeemed by Boaz. Remember
when Obed was born he was called the child of both Ruth
(4:13) and Naomi (4:17). He was called a restorer of
life. Obed was a type of the new man taken from both
Jew and Gentile.
Ephesians 2:13-18:
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off
are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
For he is our peace, who hath made both one [both Jew
and Gentile], and hath broken down the middle wall of
partition between us;
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law
of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make
in himself of twain [Jew and Gentile] one new man, so
making peace;
And that he might reconcile both [Jew and Gentile] unto
God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity
thereby:
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off
[Gentile background], and to them that were nigh [Jewish
background].
For through him we both [Jew and Gentile] have access
by one Spirit unto the Father.
Isn’t that beautiful?
The mystery was hidden. Who’d of thought.
THE NEARER KINSMAN: Who was
the other major character in the story? The nearer kinsman,
who was apparently willing to perform, but unable to
perform. He is a type of the law.
Galatians 4:4,5:
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent
forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
To redeem them that were under the law, that we might
receive the adoption of sons.
Romans 8:3:
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:
The law was perfect, and
therefore, imperfect man could not keep it.
Galatians 3:21:
Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid:
for if there had been a law given which could have given
life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
God would not have had
His son die had it not been necessary. But neither the
kinsman-redeemer nor the law could accomplish the redemption.
Galatians 2:21;
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness
come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. [The law
and the nearer kinsman was willing, but not able.]
If the nearer kinsman
would have redeemed Ruth and Naomi, then Boaz would
not have needed to. Boaz did it because he was able
and willing and the nearer kinsman gave him the right.
What gave Jesus Christ the right to redeem you and I
when no one else could ever do it? Jesus’ perfect
fulfillment of the law gave him the right to act as
the goel.
Acts 13:39:
And by him [Jesus Christ] all that believe are justified
from all things, from which ye could not be justified
by the law of Moses.
What the nearer kinsman
could not perform, Boaz could. Similarly what the law
could not do, the Lord Jesus Christ could. When Boaz
took Ruth’s and Naomi’s place before the
elders of the gate the only thing standing in the way
of his redeeming her was the nearer kinsman. He confronted
the kinsman and performed that which he was not able
to do. He did not rest until the redemption was complete.
Similarly the law stood in the way of our redemption.
Jesus Christ confronted it and fulfilled every jot and
tittle of it. All the sacrifices of the law looked forward
to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The shedding of blood
under the law was symbolic of what Jesus Christ would
do.
The law is holy and just and good. Therefore
it concluded that all have sinned and fallen short of
the glory of God. The guilty are judged by it, and the
guilty can by no means be cleared by it. Ruth acted
upon the law, but realized the grace she received went
far beyond it. She believingly appropriated the law
of gleaning, the law of levirate marriage, and the redemption
of the kinsman redeemer. However, she recognized that
the treatment she received went way beyond what the
law provided. Her initial response to Boaz’s extremely
gracious jesters was to fall on her face and bow herself
to the ground and ask, “Why have I found grace
in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of
me, seeing I am a stranger?”
The law could provide for the redemption of the
land but not of the soul.
Psalms 46:6-9:
They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves
in the multitude of their riches;
None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor
give to God a ransom for him:
(For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it
ceaseth for ever:)
That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
It was only the precious
blood of Jesus Christ that ransomed us and provided
eternal life.
Hebrews 9:15:
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.
What the law could not
do, Jesus Christ graciously did for us.
The law says “Do or don’t!”
But, the grace provided by Jesus Christ says, “It
is done.”
The law commands, but the grace provided
by Jesus Christ invites. (Romans 10:9-13)
The law condemns the best of men,
but the grace provided by Jesus Christ redeems the worst
of men. (Romans 3:19; Hebrews 11:25)
The law shuts every mouth before
God, but the grace provided by Jesus Christ opens the
mouth to praise God. (Romans 3:19; Acts 2:4; 10:46)
The law says the wages of sin is
death, but the grace provided by Jesus Christ says the
gift of God is eternal life. (Romans 6:23)
The law says the soul that sinneth
shall die, but the grace provided by Jesus Christ says
believe and live. (Ezekiel 18:4,20; John 11:25,26)
The law provides the knowledge of
sin, but the grace provided by Jesus Christ provides
the redemption from sin. (Romans 3:20; Ephesians 1:7)
The law works wrath, but the grace
provided by Jesus Christ works peace. (Romans 4:15;
5:1,2)
The law reigns unto death, but the
grace provided by Jesus Christ reigns unto eternal life.
(Romans 5:21)
The law demands obedience, but the
grace provided by Jesus Christ bestows the power to
obey. (Romans 1:5)
The law was done away in Christ,
but the grace provided by Jesus Christ abides forever.
(Romans 10:4)
The law brings us into the captivity
of sin, the grace provided by Jesus Christ sets us in
the liberty of the sons of God. (Romans 7:23; Galatians
5:1)
The law is weak through the flesh,
but the grace provided by Jesus Christ is mighty through
the spirit. (Romans 8:3; 15:19)
The law brings condemnation, but
the grace provided by Jesus Christ brings salvation.
(Titus 2:11)
The law makes nothing perfect, but
the grace provided by Jesus Christ perfects that which
is nought. (Hebrews 7:19; I Corinthians 1:28)
CONCLUSION:
Ruth has stood throughout the ages as an example of
a virtuous woman. Her love and commitment to Naomi and
the God she taught her illustrates familial love at
its best. The book of Ruth starts in tragedy and ends
in Jubilee. The destitute return to their inheritance
and through the provision of the Lord and the action
of the kinsman-redeemer, they are redeemed and given
a noble future.
The Book of Ruth is more than just a love story
of Ruth and Naomi and Ruth and Boaz. It is ultimately
an illustration of the love of a kinsman-redeemer for
those he redeems. It was written with ink on scrolls,
but the greatest love story of all time was written
hundreds of years later in blood on a wooden cross.
It beautifully illustrates the providence and guidance
of the Lord for His people. There is always hope for
God’s people.
Ruth exemplifies so many Eastern customs, and
allows the Law to be seen as an active delivering force
in the lives of God’s people. The importance of
returning, the idea of grace and lovingkindness, and
the truth of redemption are woven into a beautiful story
prophetic of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was able to do
that which the law could not do. He was able to redeem
and deliver to the uttermost those who come to him.
The world’s cry is, “Know thyself!”
Well. Orpah knew herself; she knew that she would be
more blessed with a husband living among her own people.
The nearer-kinsman knew himself; he knew he didn’t
want to mar his inheritance. They knew themselves and
what they wanted out of life… They were also limited
by their desires.
The heart cry of Paul, on the other hand is,
“That I might know him and the power of his resurrection!”
When that is the longing of our heart that presses for
fulfillment, we will make our return trip to Bethlehem.
We will glean in the fields of our kinsman redeemer.
We will ask him for rest and protection. We, too, will
rejoice in the redemption he has provided for each of
us.
You know Jesus Christ is our kinsman-redeemer.
From our study of Ruth we know him a little better than
we did before. Our love and appreciation for him brings
us closer to the heart of God day by day. After all,
when we see him; we have seen the Father.
Our resolve to commit ourselves to him…
Our response to glean in his harvest… Our request
for his rest and protection… will all allow us
to enjoy the reward of being able to rejoice in our
redemption as we know him and the power of his resurrection.
Jesus Christ is the red-thread that holds God’s
Word together. He makes known the heart of our invisible
God. From Genesis 3:15 to Revelation 22:21 he declares
God and His magnificence. Let’s not settle for
knowing ourselves. Let’s set our hearts on knowing
him.
Job said that he knew that his redeemer liveth
and that he would stand one day in his resurrected body.
So will you and I. How’s the romance in your redemption?
Have you resolved, responded, requested and been rewarded
by your kinsman-redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ?
