February 17...

Sorry... yesterday i posted this one on accident... this is today's reading. so, you can skip back and pick up RUTH 1-2

Ruth 3-4

BLESSED

Naomi has shown great concern for Ruth and her well-being, and Ruth has become known as a woman of noble character. Boaz has shown himself to be a godly man who was a kinsmen-redeemer.

What is a kinsmen-redeemer?
Under Old Testament Law, a near relative could redeem a poor relative from slavery by paying the required debt or could redeem a relative’s property by paying the value for the property.

Boaz was willing to purchase Elimelech’s property, but there was another relative who was more closely related who would get first right to purchase the property as a kinsmen-redeemer. The man was willing to purchase property, but was not willing to take Ruth as his wife.

Boaz was willing to take Ruth as his wife as well as buy the land that belonged to Elimelech. God blessed them with a son. And, later, their great-grandson was Israel’s great King David!

Naomi was blessed not only because the family’s name would not die, but because her daughter-in-law was well cared for and she received a grandson! Her family was truly redeemed.

But again, is there a bigger picture?
1. How would the relationship between the Israelites and their despised enemies, the Moabites, change because of this new relationship?
2. Was God’s love available for people other than the Israelites?
3. How is it significant that Rahab and Ruth are in the family tree of King David and Jesus?

Interestingly enough, Ruth means “companion” and Boaz mean “strength”. Ruth was a companion to many. She had incredible character, unending devotion, and amazing humility. Boaz was a man of great strength – especially in character, honor, and obedience to God. Although hard times took Naomi and Ruth on a tough path, they were both richly blessed because of their faith in God.

Can you think of another kinsmen-redeemer?
Jesus became our kinsmen-redeemer. He became our kinsmen by becoming human which made it possible for Him to redeem us. We were slaves to sin, and He paid our debt to redeem us and set us free. (Hebrews 2:14-17) Unfortunately, our debt was very high – it was death. What an incredible act of love. We have been redeemed – and we are truly BLESSED!!