Ruth

Kinsman Redeemer

Note: Due to personal illness this is posted a day late.

This is one of the most beautiful books in all of scripture.  The story is surprisingly simple, yet rich in symbolism and typology for the Christian believer. 

Ruth is a gentile, not an Israelite who's first husband died leaving her with her mother-in-law Naomi.  Naomi is returning to her homeland in Israel and Ruth, one of two daughter-in-laws forsakes everything to go with Naomi. Upon their return to the homeland, Ruth garners grain in the fields of Boaz, a relative to Naomi's husband and a person who can redeem the land of Naomi per the law of Leviticus 25:23-34, i.e. he is a kinsman redeemer. Boaz falls in love with Ruth and wants to redeem Naomi's land, but there is another redeemer who has a first claim, but is unwilling or unable to redeem Naomi because it would require him to marry Ruth. Thus, Boaz redeems the land, takes Ruth as his wife, and from their marriage comes the grandfather of David, the great king of Israel.

Ruth is representative of the Christian believer once wed to the dead traditions of Rome and heathenism, and willing to forsake all for the love of the God of Israel - represented by Naomi.  Israel had fallen into a poor state and thus a kinsman, Jesus Christ, comes to redeem Israel.  In the process, He falls in love with a Gentile bride - represented by Ruth and takes her as His own when He dies to redeem fallen Israel and all mankind.  The nearer kinsman is the devil who through deception in the Garden of Eden caused mankind to fall into his control, but because he is unable to marry the Gentile Bride (since he would have to accept the sacrifice of Christ and is unable to) he relinquishes his right to redeem and Christ does the redemption.

Absolutely beautiful!!!

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.