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In today’s reading, Boaz combines two Mosaic laws given to the Israelites by God - the Kinsman-Redeemer Law from Deuteronomy 25 and the Land Redemption Law from Leviticus 25. These marriage and land laws were intended to protect families and to provide social provisions for them to regain stability in a culture where the loss of a husband or land could lead quickly to poverty and vulnerability. So basically, whoever steps in as the Kinsman-Redeemer to purchase Elimelech’s land will also have the obligation to continue Elimelech’s family line and marry Ruth.
Redemption is a major theme in Ruth. Within the Bible, redemption means to be “bought back” with the connotation that something has gone wrong, and the redeemer is making it right. The Hebrew word for kinsman-redeemer here in Ruth is found elsewhere in the Bible applied to God himself (you’ll read one example in Isaiah today).
The entire narrative of the Bible is about God’s plan to redeem mankind after things go wrong in the Garden of Eden. As you read other stories in the Old Testament, you’ll find the theme of redemption laced throughout. Ruth’s story is foreshadowing God’s plan- that Jesus will be our Redeemer. We were bought back by his blood and made right before God because of His grace! Jesus is the better Boaz. Isn’t it amazing to see God’s plan unfolding in Ruth 1,000 years before Jesus?
Take time after you read to thank God for paying the price to redeem and rescue you. May we never get tired of praising God for our salvation!
About this Plan
Ruth is the story of a brave and humble woman. It is also the story of death, immigration, poverty, bitterness, and loneliness. Through it all the sovereignty of God brings about His purposes as He moves the narrative from death to life, barrenness to fruitfulness, cursing to blessing, bitterness to worship, loneliness to community, and frustration to answered prayer. In the end, Ruth and her story point us to Jesus.
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