There Is A Redeemer

The story of Ruth is a story of redemption and the rich fulfillment of God’s promises. God richly provides for His people and chastises them when they go astray, drawing them back to Himself. They return to Him and find a place of rest among the people of God.

In Elimelech is found an example of faithlessness in God’s promises. Indeed, the fact that the people of Israel were experiencing a famine (when God promised a land flowing with milk and honey) gives us some insight into the moral decline of the nation even this early on in the history of Israel in the Promised Land. Elimelech is cut off from the people of God for this disobedience. Orpah also provides a warning against serving other gods; she returned to her homeland, her family, and to her gods. Consequently, she misses out on God’s blessings.

On the other hand, Ruth, a diligent worker and a virtuous woman who lovingly cared for her mother-in-law, chose to serve God. She begged not to be sent back to her home, but to be allowed to go with Naomi and serve God. In this we see the true work of God in the heart of a penitent sinner; we also find a wonderful example of a godly woman to imitate.

The next major figure encountered in this story is Boaz. He is described as being a worthy man; we can also tell from his words and deeds that he is a godly man. Boaz is a strong example for us to follow, as a man who has compassion on the widows, and richly gives of his own wealth to support them. He shows great care for his own servants as well, providing food and water for them during the work day. Boaz also demonstrates his self-discipline and integrity when Ruth comes to him at night- he is careful for her reputation and sends her home before morning light.

We ought to emulate Boaz, too, in his justice and adherence to the law; according to this law, the widow Ruth ought to be redeemed by a close relative. In agreeing to be her redeemer, Boaz does acknowledge that there is a closer kin than he; he shows his personal integrity in wanting the law to be upheld no matter what his desires are, and therefore first asks this man to redeem Ruth. He follows the law’s prescription for redeeming a near kinsman to the last detail; he is both truthful and wise in dealing with this other man, and his uprightness and tact afford him rich blessings in the end. Surely the conduct of a man of this quality ought to be commended and imitated.

However, if we leave this story only with the idea that these people are great examples to follow (or warnings as examples not to follow), than we have missed the point. This story is a story of redemption, but this redemption points far beyond the upholding of Israelite laws and statutes. Indeed, the redemption of land and progeny are significant in the unfolding of Israel’s story, and are indeed proof of God keeping His promises. But this redemption also points forward to the work of the Great Redeemer who would come to save His people.

Elimelech, whose name means ‘My God is King’, surely does not demonstrate any faith according to the significance of his name. He turns his back on Jehovah, the God who brought them into Canaan (either in Elimelech’s generation or one previous) and promised a land flowing with milk and honey for His people if they followed Him. But God’s faithfulness is not hinged on the unfaithfulness of man- He keeps His word.

In His divine providence God prepares a man, faithful and just, to adhere to the teaching of the law and redeem Ruth and restore her land and her progeny. These two elements- land and people- are key elements in the building of the Kingdom of God, allowing the generations to continue in the land apportioned to them, according to the promises of God to Abraham.

But these promises are even richer. In the unfolding of this plan, Ruth is brought into the Kingly line of David. Boaz was a man of Ephrathah, Bethlehem, and of the house of Judah. The elders of the gate proclaim rich and prophetic blessings upon Ruth and Boaz, blessings according to the house of Jacob, and of Tamar, who was also in the lineage of the Davidic kings; these blessings will ultimately be fulfilled in Christ who was born in Bethlehem. God blesses Ruth and Boaz with generations of sons who in time bear that Royal Seed promised to Adam and Eve.

Boaz, a man just and upright, a man who provides richly for his people and has mercy on the poor, a man who fulfills the laws and commandments of God rightly, is indeed a picture of Christ. This Messiah, the promised One, would one day come to redeem his people and provide them a place to live with Him. Boaz is a picture of Christ pursuing his people, too: when Ruth comes to Boaz to ask for his betrothal, Boaz tells her he has already looked into the matter. Further, he makes haste to redeem her that very day.

Moreover, the fact that Ruth was a foreigner also points forward to the days of the early church when the Gentiles will be gathered into God’s Kingdom. When Israel, who could also say ‘God is our King’, rejects God, God will turn to the Gentiles and gather for Himself a church from every tribe and nation. God shows His providence of this within the context of this story, too: Boaz, a just man and keeper of the law, ought not to have taken a wife from a heathen nation. However, he knew of the grace and mercy that God shows to foreigners, as his own mother, Rahab, was a Canaanite woman (not to mention a harlot).

So we see in this story not only examples of righteous living, but also of the rich providence of God in the fulfillment of His promises to Abraham, and even to Adam. We are compelled to look forward to the coming of that Great Redeemer, who will call His people into eternal fellowship with Him in the City of David, the New Jerusalem.