by Peggy Engeler

Our Kinsman-Redeemer

The story of Ruth takes place during the time the Lord appointed Judges to rule over His people. Because of a severe famine, Elimelech and his wife, Naomi left Bethlehem and moved to Moab with their two sons. Both the sons married Moabite women and after a time Naomi’s husband and both her sons died. Naomi heard there was food available in Judah, so she decided to return to her home. She encouraged her daughters in law to return to their own homes and Orpah did, but Ruth refused to leave Naomi and accompanied her back to Judah. (Ruth 1:1-18)

Boaz was a wealthy relative of Naomi’s late husband who had fields of grain ready for harvest and he caught Ruth among his workers gathering grain for Naomi and herself. Instead of sending her packing Boaz invited her to continue harvesting and even told his workers to make her work easier and leave extra for her to pick up. He also instructed them not to give her a hard time. (Ruth 2:16)

When Naomi heard of the kindness of Boaz to the young woman, she took her aside and gave her some good advice. Ruth followed Naomi’s instructions and crept in where Boaz was sleeping and lay down at his feet. Apparently, this meant that Ruth was symbolically offering herself in marriage to Boaz within the customs of their culture. It would seem that Boaz was familiar with the custom for he sprang into action to see if another, closer, relative would exercise his first right to marry her. When the other relative declined, Boaz married Ruth.

The Bible says in Ruth 4:13, “Boaz took Ruth into his home and made her his wife.” She bore him a son whom they named Obed. He became the father of Jesse and Jesse was the father of King David and from that line 14 years later was born Jesus.

The theme of the Book of Ruth is the provision of God and a kinsman-redeemer.

According to Jewish custom a kinsman-redeemer is a male relative who has the privilege and responsibility to rescue a relative who is in a serious plight or danger.

Jesus is the ultimate kinsman-redeemer for He has redeemed us from the guilt of our sins and offers us the precious gift of a future in heaven with Him for eternity. Sounds like a love story for all time.

Currently available in paperback, on kindle and audio soon to be

released in hardback https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D6WTRCXX