Did redemption for Ruth and Naomi come in the form of salvation from poverty, a marriage and an inheritance? Does redemption for us come in the form of eternal salvation, the marriage of the Lamb, and an eternal inheritance? Let’s look at Ruth 4.
Did a primary family redeemer want to redeem family property for himself?
Meanwhile, Boaz approached the city gate and sat down there. Just then, the very same related redeemer whom Boaz had mentioned came by, so Boaz called out to him, “Come over and sit down here, my friend!” So the man came over and sat down. Boaz selected ten of the town elders and spoke to them, “Sit down here.” So they sat down and Boaz addressed the related redeemer directly: “A portion of a field belonging to our relative Elimelech is up for sale by Naomi, who recently returned from the country of Moab. So I thought to myself I ought to tell you that you must make a public purchase of this before the town residents and the elders of my people. So if you intend to act as the related redeemer, then do so. But if not, let me know, because except for you—and I after you—there is no one to fulfill the duties of a related redeemer.” The man responded, “I will act as related redeemer.” (Ruth 4:1-4 ISV)
Did the man change his mind because it included a marriage? Rather than a signature, was giving a shoe a custom?
Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance. And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it. 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. (Ruth 4:5-8 KJV)
Was the marriage and associated property settlement agreed before witnesses?
Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I have acquired all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon from the hand of Naomi. And also, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, to be my wife in order to raise up the name of the one who had died, on behalf of his inheritance, so that the name of the one who had died will not be cut off from his brothers or from the gate of his birth place; you are witnesses today.” And all the people who were in the gate, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. May Yahweh grant the woman who is coming into your home to be like Rachel and Leah, both of whom built the house of Israel, and so you shall achieve excellence in Ephrathah and shall proclaim your name in Bethlehem. Moreover, may your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the seed which Yahweh will grant you by this young woman.” (Ruth 4:9-12 LSB)
Was a male child and thus someone to carry on the family name born of their union?
So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife, and he had relations with her. And the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may his name become famous in Israel. May he also be to you one who restores life and sustains your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” (Ruth 4:13-15 NASB)
Did Ruth then become the great grandmother of king David?
Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David. This, then, is the family line of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David. (Ruth 4:16-22 NIV)
How did God’s kindness and grace redeem us, or purchase our freedom?
He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom [redeemed us] with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. (Ephesians 1:7-8 NLT)
Did redemption for Ruth and Naomi come in the form of salvation from poverty, a marriage and an inheritance? Does redemption for us come in the form of eternal salvation, the marriage of the Lamb, and an eternal inheritance? You decide!
