The story starts with a funeral and ends with a wedding. Ruth was a stranger and alien from the land of Moabite. She was under a curse. Boaz redeemed her and brought her into the nation and promises of Israel. The word “redeem” is throughout this chapter.

1. A picture of our redeeming Lord (vs. 1-6)

Boaz was willing to redeem. The kinsman redeemer could buy the land of a relative. A brother of the man who dies was to marry his wife. He had to be a near kinsman, have the money and willing to do it. This is a picture of our redeeming Lord. See Leviticus 25 & Deuteronomy 25.

• Legally worthy (vs. 6) There was one who was nearer. The nearer kinsman was willing to buy the land but not to marry Ruth. Who is this nearer kinsman who cannot redeem? He is Adam. We are all related to Adam and in Adam we all die. The ten witnesses are like the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments are linked together like a chain. Break one and you break them all. See Hebrews 2:14. Jesus is legally worthy. See Revelation 5:1ff. Only the Lamb was found in the entire universe to be legally worthy to open the seals.
• Lavishly wealthy See 1 Peter 1:18-19. Ephesians 1:7 Revelation 5:9. There is no redemption without a price.
• Lovingly willing – Boaz did not have to buy Ruth. We are valuable because God loves us.

2. A picture of our renewed life (vs. 7-10)

Ruth had three major problems. See Ephesians 2:12-13.

• Past – Born a Moabite. She was an alien from the commonwealth of Israel. They were descendants of Lot. They were a thorn in the side of Israel. By the law Ruth was shut out.
• Present – Stranger from the covenant of promise. Her life was marked by sorrow.
• Future – Without hope. She was condemned. Sitting in church won’t change this. It was sin, sorrow and death.

Ephesians 2:19. Boaz had bought back Ruth. Ruth was taken off the slave market and was set free. Jesus stands in our shoes.

3. A picture of our restored legacy (vs. 10-16)

Ruth is in the family of God. When Ruth marries Boaz she shares his wealth. Do not be envious of the riches of the wicked. The Christian is rich beyond imagination! You are a prince of the family of God. Ruth is also fruitful. She received a future (vs. 16). The line of David comes from her family!

Categories: Ruth