FROM ROMANCE TO RESCUE: WHAT DO WE LEARN ABOUT A KINSMAN REDEEMER?
Final paper for Old Testament I class is complete. Another topic that was so much fun to research. Hope you will enjoy reading about Ruth and a kinsman redeemer.
BY:
HANNAH J. CUSHMAN
NOVEMBER 23, 2024
INTRODUCTION
God’s word is like a mirror. As we see how God dealt with people in the past, we develop a deeper understanding of how we need to walk before our God. We also gain a better understanding of what Jesus has done for us and the need for us to fellowship with and praise our maker and redeemer.[1]
The story found in the book of Ruth introduces us to us an Israelite family that faced hardships. The people living around them in Judea were suffering from a famine. The story begins and ends in Bethlehem which means “house of bread”. Quite a contrast with the famine they were experiencing.[2]
The book of Ruth tells us a love story of a couple who fall in love with each other. In their story we see a picture of the love our Savior had for us and how we need a kinsman -redeemer to redeem us from the curse of sin. Boaz is the only ordinary person seen in the Bible who shows us an example of a kinsman-redeemer. This concept is necessary for us to comprehend in order to understand how Christ is our kinsman-redeemer and made atonement for our salvation.[3]
There were several qualifications that a kinsman-redeemer needed to meet in order to take on the role. We see that Boaz met these qualifications just as our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, meets the qualifications needed to be out kinsman-redeemer.
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS
The story of Ruth takes place over a period of ten years during the time when the Judges ruled over Israel. These were often dark days. They were days when men did not put God front and center in their thoughts. God brought judgement upon His people because of their disobedience. This judgement was a famine throughout the land and sets the scene for the book of Ruth.[4]
Knowing that this was a time when most were not following the Law and doing what was right, it is refreshing to read about Ruth, who had a character of great integrity and virtue and vowed to serve the God of Israel and not the gods of the land of Moab where she was born.[5]
The main events in the book of Ruth took place in Bethlehem of Judah. Ruth became the great grandmother of David. The prophet Micah foretold that although it was a small town, the ruler over Israel, the Messiah, would be born in the city of David. It is interesting to note, that if the events that are in the book of Ruth had not happened in Bethlehem, then Jesus Christ, our kinsman-redeemer, would not have been born there.[6]
“The primary purpose of the book of Ruth … is the presentation of an important phase in the doctrine of redemption. Redemption is possible only through a Kinsman Redeemer.”[7] Throughout the book of Ruth the need for a redeemer is presented. Boaz gives us a picture of the need we all face for a redeemer who will intercede for us with God the father.
Ruth is a wonderful example of how God’s providence in our lives is often developed in dark times that bring the clouds to us. Yet, it is those clouds that show us God’s great mercy. This is a mystery of God and His wonders. God is good and loving and He uses the tragedy and pain in our lives to grow us and send us His great mercy on our lives. The Lord does not respond with mercy because tragedy struck, the Lord sends the tragedy so that He can send mercy.[8]
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
One can gain insight in the background setting for the book of Ruth by reading the end of the book of Judges. In Judges 21:25 we read, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (ESV) In the book of Ruth we see the results of this in a family. Naomi’s husband, Elimelech “did what was right in his own eyes”. Elimelech was faced with hardship in his land. There was a famine and to provide for his wife and sons, he tried to run away from his problems.[9] Elimelech’s name meant “My God is King” and he should have known that God was His master. God should have been pre-eminent in all the discussions he made.[10] In effect he was saying that God is not able to supply my every need, God is not my King.[11] His family learned the hard way that if one obeys God, things will work out but when one tries to run away from his problems things fall apart. First Elimelech died, then his sons, Mahlon and Chilion, died, leaving Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah widows in the land of Moab.[12]
The three widows set out to return to the land of their husbands but upon Naomi’s insistence, Orpah decided to return to the land of her birth. Ruth would not leave her mother-in-law and promised to always stay with her. “It cost Ruth everything to leave the security of her native land and venture forth by faith into a strange land and among strange people, but she did not waver.”[13] The two widows did not have the prospect of much security without a husband or sons to care for them. There was no one to provided food, shelter and protection from enemies.[14]
When Ruth and Naomi returned to Bethlehem they were in great need. Animals and people have basic needs for shelter, food, water, and acceptance. Ruth and Naomi needed the very basic form of survival, food. The Law of Moses in Leviticus 19:9-10 and Deuteronomy 24:19 provided them the means to meet this need. Landowners were obligated to help those in extreme need such as Ruth and Naomi. They were to be allowed to reap along the edges of a field or gather up the gleanings in a field when they dropped some of the harvest. In this way the poor were able to have a form of work to provide for themselves rather than having to beg or totally rely on outright charity.[15] The two women arrived in Bethlehem when the barley harvest was beginning. Exodus 9: 31-32 indicates that the barley harvest was one of the first harvests of the year. Therefore, the barley sheaves would have been among the first fruits of the land and the Feast of First Fruits was in April when the rainy season would end. Therefore, we can conclude that Naomi and Ruth likely returned to Bethlehem in early April.
ROLE OF A KINSMAN-REDEEMER
The word Kinsman means “one who unlooses that which has been bound, restores it to its original position.”[16] The law of the kinsman-redeemer is presented in Leviticus 25. There are three parts given in the law; each presents a different area in which the law is applied. First is in relation to the land, then in relation to the individuals, and finally in relation to widows.[17]
God said the land was His, it was not to be sold however, God made a way that it could be “redeemed” or returned to the original family. Leviticus 25:25 states, “if your brother becomes poor and sells part of his property, then his nearest redeemer shall come and redeem what his brother has sold.” In this way God made provisions for each family to keep their land. Sometimes one had so great a misfortune that they would have to sell but every fifty years the land would be returned. That might not happen in the owner’s lifetime, but the land might be able to be returned to his son. Fifty years though is a long time and if there was a family member who took pity on the family they could buy back or redeem the land before the fifty years was up.[18]
The kinsman-redeemer could not only redeem land, but they also could redeem people. Leviticus 25:47-49 explained that if an Israelite became poor and sold himself to a stranger or foreigner he could be redeemed by an uncle or cousin or another close relative. The price of redemption would be calculated based on the number of years till the year of jubilee.[19]
Finally, the kinsman-redeemer was to raise up a child for his brother’s widow should he die without a son. Deuteronomy 25:5-9 established this principle of carrying on the family line. If the first brother died without a child, then the second brother was to have a child with her and that child would carry on the name of the first brother. In this way God was protecting the women by providing for them if their husband died. This law also protected the land. Each family was able to maintain their inheritance in the land. If a widow married outside of the family, then the land would be lost to the family, this was a way that God could protect the family farm.[20]
REQUIREMENTS TO BE A KINSMAN-REDEEMER
In order to be a kinsman-redeemer there were four requirements that were laid out in the Law of Moses that the kinsman-redeemer must meet. “The kinsman-redeemer had to be biologically related to the bride – a member of her kin or clan.” We see in Ruth 2:20 that when Naomi heard that Ruth had been in Boaz’s fields, she informed Ruth that he was a relative, one of their redeemers.[21]
A second requirement was that the kinsman-redeemer had to want to redeem his bride. It was voluntary, not something that was required. Boaz could have walked away; after all, there was a closer redeemer who did walk away. Boaz did not walk away because he loved Ruth.[22]
The kinsman-redeemer not only had to be a willing relative, but he also had to be able to afford to redeem the bride. Boaz had to have the resources to buy Elimelech’s land. He had to have enough money to pay the debts of the widow and buy the property. He not only paid for Ruth, but he also had to pay off the debt of anyone in the bride’s family.[23]
Finally, the kinsman-redeemer had to provide for the bride. Ruth was no longer a widow from Moab; she was now the bride of Boaz and as such was legally entitled to all that the status as his wife entitled her to.[24]
BOAZ AS A KINSMAN-REDEEMER
In Ruth 2 Boaz is introduced as a relative or kinsman of Elimelech. In verse 1 of chapter 2 we read, “Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.” Boaz was a man of wealth, who loved the law and was mighty in war.[25] His name means “son of strength” and he was likely a valiant hero and likely performed some brave actions as a captain or commander. He was well known in his day for his military actions.[26] Some scholars even suggest that Boaz could have been numbered with the 300 valiant men of Gideon.[27] He obviously had the ability to save Ruth and Naomi.
Not only was Boaz wealthy with landholdings and a strong warrior, he was also known as one who loved the law. He was a man of great character with strong courage and integrity. He was a man of faith and held to his belief in the God of Israel. He knew the law and kept it in the details in his life.[28] We also see the depth of Boaz’s spirituality in his greetings to his employees. In Ruth 2:4 he greeted his reapers with the phrase, “May the Lord be with you”. He did not just say the common greeting of Shalom or “Peace to you”. Obviously, Boaz was telling his men he wanted them to be blessed in knowing that the Lord God was with them.[29]
As stated above, Boaz is the only human example we see in the Bible of a kinsman-redeemer. Boaz was not the closest kinsman and therefore did not have to act as the kinsman-redeemer. There was a closer relative yet, that relative did not care for Ruth. He would have redeemed the land, but he wanted nothing to do with the widow. Boaz, however, loved Ruth and was willing to pay the price for her and the land. His love made the difference.[30] In marring Ruth, all he had become hers.
Boaz was a type of the Lord Jesus Christ. Just as Boaz was able to step in, redeem the land, and raise offspring so we have a kinsman-redeemer also. Hebrews 7:26 states that He (Jesus) was made like we are, but he was sinless.
CHRIST AS OUR KINSMAN-REDEEMER
The practice of kinsman-redeemers was set up in Old Testament times by the Lord God to provide for his people. This then became a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ since He is our kinsman-redeemer. “That is the reason the word redemption is used in the New Testament rather than atonement. Atonement covered up sins…redemption … means to pay a price so that the one who is redeemed may go scot free.”[31]
We are destitute and without hope in the world without God and the work of His son. Jesus is our Boaz. He saw us, loved us, and seeks to fellowship with us. Just as Boaz was willing to speak and care for a foreign woman from Moab, so the Lord Jesus spoke to and showed love and care to the woman from Samaria. Today, Jesus is still a friend to sinners and seeks to care for them, redeem them and establish fellowship with them. He is interested in those in need and desires to be their Redeemer-friend.[32]
Because of the Kinsman-Redeemer an Israelite had hope that he might not permanently lose his land just because he had no son to inherit the land. So, we have hope that we will not be permanently banned from heaven. Our Kinsman-Redeemer has made a way for us to return to the fold and enter heaven. We can become an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ.[33] Just as when Boaz redeemed and married Ruth all he possessed, became hers, so when we accept Jesus as our Redeemer, we are accepted into the family of God and inherit all that belongs to Him.[34]
Jesus is the perfect kinsman-redeemer as He met every qualification. He became a member of the human family. He became our kinsman so that he might make us “members of His royal family.”[35] He was not forced to come and redeem us. He came willingly, because He loved us.
I John 4:10 tells us, “In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son to be the propitiation for our sins.” We also see that He was willing to humble Himself and die for us. Philippians 2:8 says, “He humbled Himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross.” (NIV) Jesus was also able to pay the redemption price. As the perfect Son of God, He was qualified to pay off all our debt of sin. He paid the debt in full. Colossians 2:14 shows this, “by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross.” (ESV) We are His bride and bear His name.[36]
CONCLUSION
The child born to Boaz and Ruth brought the line of David. The one who received the covenant promises from the Lord. He was a major factor in bringing the One who would redeem not just Israel, but the whole world, the Messiah. [37]
The book of Ruth was read annually at the Jewish Feast of Weeks or Pentecost. “It is not a coincidence that the love story of a kinsman-redeemer winning his bride would be read at the Feast of Pentecost where, centuries later, the Kinsman Redeemer initiated the redeeming of His Bride as the Church was created.”[38] We are now a legal heir in the kingdom of God all because He was related to us, willing to redeem us, able to redeem us, and capable of cancelling out our debt.
Some of the last scenes in the book of Ruth are of the marriage of Boaz and Ruth. In the same way our redemption will be complete when we partake of the marriage supper with the Lamb, our kinsman-redeemer in heaven.
The concept of the kinsman-redeemer and what that means for us is so wonderfully expressed in the following two hymns both written in the mid 1800’s.
And Didst Thou Love the Race That Loved Not Thee
by: Jean Ingelow
And didst Thou love the race that loved not Thee? And didst Thou take to Heaven a human brow?
Dost plead with man’s voice by the marvelous sea? Art Thou his kinsman now?
O, God, O Kinsman loved, but not enough! O Man, with eyes majestic after death,
Whose feet have toiled along our pathways rough, Whose lips drawn human breath!
By that one likeness which is ours and Thine, By that one nature which doth hold us kin;
By that high heaven where sinless Thou dost shine, To draw us sinners in.
Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It!
by: Frances J. Crosby
Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy, His child and forever I am.
Redeemed, and so happy in Jesus, No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence With me doth continually dwell.
I think of my blessed Redeemer, I think of Him all the day long:
I sing, for I cannot be silent; His love is the theme of my song.
Refrain:
Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed, His child and forever I am.
Psalm 107:1-2 “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble (ESV)
[1] Charles E. Fuller, Ruth: A Life of Love and Loyalty (Westwood, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Co), 24.
[2] J. Vernon McGee, Ruth (Glendale, CA: Griffin Printing & Lithograph Co.), 12.
[3] Ibid., 7.
[4] Fuller, Ruth: A Life of Love and Loyalty, 24.
[5] John Currid, Ruth: From bitter to Sweet (Leyland, England: Evangelical Press), 72.
[6] Gordon J. Keddie, Judges & Ruth: Even In Darkness (Leyland, England: Evangelical Press), 145.
[8] Eric C. Redmond, Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Judges and Ruth. (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group), 256-265.
[9] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Committed: Doing God’s Will Whatever the Cost (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor Books), 17.
[10] Stephen Davey, Ruth (Apex, NC: Charity House Publishers, 2013), 20.
[11] Fuller, Ruth: A Life of Love and Loyalty, 19.
[12] Wiersbe, Be Committed: Doing God’s Will Whatever the Cost, 17.
[13] Fuller, Ruth: A Life of Love and Loyalty, 33.
[14] Wiersbe, Be Committed: Doing God’s Will Whatever the Cost, 8.
[15] Barry G. Webb, Judges and Ruth: God in Chaos (Wheaton, Ill: Crossway), 255-256.
[16] Fuller, Ruth: A Life of Love and Loyalty, 90.
[26] Fuller, Ruth: A Life of Love and Loyalty, 61.
[28] Fuller, Ruth: A Life of Love and Loyalty), 61-62.
[32] Fuller, Ruth: A Life of Love and Loyalty, 65.
[37] Redmond, Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Judges and Ruth, 303.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Currid, John. Ruth: From Bitter to Sweet. Leyland, England: Evangelical Press, 2012.
Davey, Stephen. Ruth. Apex, NC: Charity House Publishers, 2013.
Fuller, Charles E. Ruth: A Life of Love and Loyalty. Westwood, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Co, 1959.
McGee, J V. Ruth. Glendale, CA: Griffin Publishing & Lithograph Co., 1984.
Redmond, Eric C. Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Judges and Ruth. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2023.
Spurgeon, Charles H. Spurgeon’s Sermons on Ruth. Apollo, PA: Ichthus Publications, 2014.
Webb, Barry G. Judges and Ruth: God in Chaos. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2015.
Wiersbe, Warren W. Be Committed: Doing God’s Will Whatever the Cost. 2ndnd ed. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 2008.
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