Lessons From the Book of RuthSample

We’ve been focussing on one specific woman from the Bible: Ruth.

But today, we’ll take a quick look at the man who plays an important role in the book of Ruth: Boaz.

He was a wealthy relative of Ruth’s mother-in-law, Naomi, known for his kindness (Ruth 2:1,20). He was also one of their kinsman redeemers.

“What’s that?” 🧐 I can hear you think.

The concept is a bit foreign to us now, but in those days, kinsman redeemers were responsible for helping needy family members. For example, they could re-acquire land that a poor family member had sold or redeem a relative who had been sold into slavery. Or, as in Ruth and Naomi’s case, they could provide an heir for a male family member who had passed away.

Being a kinsman redeemer often meant making a great sacrifice. Boaz knew that if Ruth bore him a son, the boy would not be considered his offspring, but he would be Naomi’s son and heir to her late husband and sons (Ruth 4:14-17).

Does this sound familiar? Someone who gave us his only son for the redemption of others.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

As with many stories in the Old Testament, the Book of Ruth beautifully foreshadows the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Boaz redeemed Ruth, but years later, Jesus would become the Redeemer for all humanity. We have a redeemer, even more heroic than Boaz, who died for our sins and fulfilled our every need on the cross.

In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. – Ephesians 1:7

Thank God today for His love and redemption!

Hey! You are a Chamatkar

Cameron Mendes