The “ Kinsman – Redeemer “ as Recorded in the Book of Ruth, and a foreshadow for us !

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( The Book of Ruth, Chapters 1 – 4 ) Aug.2014(GJ)

(1.) Why I like the Book of Ruth – First off, I really like the name of Ruth … when growing up in Rosedale, a very good-looking Ruth May married Philip Brown … an extremely handsome couple, then a friend had a pretty little sister, Ruth Ooster (Ruthie) and then as a bonus, my mom’s name was Aleda Ruth … and I have a granddaughter, Katherine Aleda Ruth … and I volunteer for Community Support Services of Niagara and my contact co-ordinator there is Ruth … who has a really easy-going personality … all these are pleasant associations … perhaps you know a Ruth that ooses “friendship” … the name also means “companion” … as I look at the various names in the Book of Ruth … I wonder if the names … describe the person or … was the name … derived from … that person.

The very first verse of the Book of Ruth, Chapter 1, sets the stage for this very engaging story ->    “ In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live … for a while … in the country of Moab.”

So we have a simple, but clear time-frame “In the days when the judges ruled ” (Ruth 1:1), and other things mentioned may indicate it happened near the end of that era … but the question begs to be asked …

(2.) Why is the Book of Ruth even in the Bible ? … especially since we have a Jewish man, Mahlon marrying a Gentile woman, Ruth, a Moabitess. Moab … by the way, was the son of Lot, but the people of Moab now worshipped idols ! … Moab and Judah … had been … and were on mostly unfriendly terms !!!

In Judges 3:28 – 30, it says, “ Follow me, he (Ehud) ordered, “ for the Lord has given Moab, your enemy, into your hands.” So they followed him down and, taking possession of the fords of the Jordon that led to Moab, they allowed no one to cross over. At that time they struck down about 10,000 Moabites, all vigorous and strong; not a man escaped. That day Moab was made subject to Israel, and the land had peace for eighty years. Previous to this, the Israelites had been subject to the Moabites for about 18 years.

The material or content contained in the Book of Ruth appears in the earliest Jewish lists of sacred writings, and is placed with the historical books, which are the oldest of the Old Testament documents. The names of the men in Naomi’s family, many unique words, the sentence constructions, and even the familiarity with details of antique customs, support an early date for this book’s story.   An unsupported tradition of the rabbi’s identifies Samuel as the author of Ruth, as well as of Judges and the books that bear his name. (“ The Bible Reader’s Companion ” Your Guide to Every Chapter of the Bible by Lawrence O. Richards pg. 174)

The second verse in Ruth 1 gives more detail, “The man’s name was Elimelech, his wife’s name Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.

Ephrathites -> from Ephrah, now Bethlehem; 6 mi. south of Jerusalem.

(3.) Why did Elimelech leave Bethlehem and go to Moab -> famine or pride ? In the “ Matthew Henry Concise Commentary …”, we have these comments … Elimelech’s care to provide for his family, was not to be blamed; … ( yes,of course, because it was important to take care of his family) … but his removal into the country of Moab could not be justified. … (but there was a “famine” … none-the-less) … you can’t always, simply run away from a hardship placed in the way and … by simply changing to a different place … doesn’t always fix the situation. The concern here is of placing his young sons in a pagan society without the support of Jewish society … although Naomi seems to have had a good reputation … the fact is that when Elimelech dies … the sons, eventually marry women of Moab … and it doesn’t appear that these women were of the Jewish faith yet. (marrying outside the faith was usually not allowed)

In verses 3 and 4, it sounds like this story is over … “Now Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they lived there about 10 years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her 2 sons and her husband.”   Naomi is in a foreign place with no

male relatives or family to help give support … she is really destitute ! … and … she is now desparate !

END of STORY !!! … NO ! … Actually the story is just beginning !!!

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Naomi hears good news from back home … it doesn’t just simply say that the famine is over, but Ruth 1:6 speaks of a similar result by saying “… that

the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them …”

Just IMAGINE with me … Naomi probably thinks … I’ll go back home … at least I have family there … and it’ll be so nice to be in my own little house in Bethlehem again. Naomi was really homesick with both her husband and sons gone. Naomi’s name, means “pleasantness” and her character made her a real winner with her daughters-in-law because they both planned to go back to Bethlehem with Naomi.   The story further states that as they started on their journey … Naomi had second thoughts about bringing her Moabite daughters-in-law back to Bethlehem … back to Judah … that would mean … these young ladies would be in the foreign land this time … her daughters-in-law would now be the strangers ! This must have stopped her in her tracks … and she decides to send Ruth and Orpah back to their own Moabite families for safety’s sake. All three women were in tears … and Orpah decides not to go on … and … turns back … still in tears. Ruth begs Naomi not to send her back, but to let her continue on … Naomi sees the desperation in Ruth’s attitude to keep on going … and finally gives in … though I’m pretty sure… Naomi is extra glad at the turn of events … (4). Why does Ruth go on with Naomi ? Well for Ruth, it’s not just a nice gesture, but it is a very deep desire … and her plea in verses 16 – 18 says exactly that in the following words -> “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”

It was from these verses in Ruth that my wife, Wil took part of her actual wedding vows -> Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Back in 1968, our particular circumstances made these words as significant and difficult for Wil … as these same words must have been for Ruth back some 2900 years earlier. But take notice … even Ruth’s phrasing of her words … had great meaning … to be part of Naomi’s people, Ruth had to believe in Naomi’s God … and Ruth indicated that she did believe in the Lord. There are those people who want to please others and … may attend church or make commitments that they just can’t keep when the “rubber hits the road” or … some other difficulties come up.   As we will see later, Ruth was committed … all the way – 100% – with Naomi’s situation and her circumstances … “May the Lord deal severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” Ruth really … really loved her mother-in-law.

Maybe Ruth saw the difference between the God of Naomi and the gods of Moab. Ruth was probably worried for Naomi’s safety, as a woman traveling alone back to Bethlehem and perhaps she saw some of Naomi’s deep depression.   We’ll see later in this narrative the really close bond these women had and how God blessed this relationship for them … and for us !

It doesn’t say where in Moab that they lived for those 10 years … although it started off as “… to live just for a while in the country of Moab.”   If they went to the top part of Moab … it could be around 40 – 50 miles … let’s say from here to the Burlington Skyway. You would travel in a northeasterly direction and go around the top of the Salt Sea (now we call it the Dead Sea) … cross over the River Jordon and go east to Heshbon. It would be about a 45 minute drive on the QEW, but back then, it was a dangerous couple of days’ journey by foot.   Ruth 1:19 says, “So the 2 women went on until they came to Bethlehem.” … just IMAGINE with me … what a disappointment Naomi may have encountered !!! … that nice little house … that Naomi expected … perhaps housed some sheep or goats … part of the roof had fallen in … and the fig tree that she planted when Mahlon was born … even it had died.   When her former neighbours called her by name … she was in tears … “Don’t call me Naomi” … “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter.” (Ruth 1:20) She mourned everything that she had lost. It was a good thing that Ruth was with Naomi … and could help her mother-in-law in that extremely depressed mood.

Ruth probably knew about the custom of the poor people who were allowed to gather-up the left-overs at harvest-time in the fields … so while Naomi rested from the exhausting trip plus the exhausting disappointments … Ruth went out to glean in the fields where the barley was being harvested. Ruth asked permission from a local farm-worker to glean … later when the owner came by … Ruth probably stood out as a stranger … especially as the Moabite women wore much more colourful clothing than the women of Bethlehem would have worn.

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The first verse of Ruth 2 says, “Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, from the clan of Elimelech, a man of standing, whose name was Boaz.”   Boaz may have been a favourite nephew or cousin of Naomi’s by marriage … because we read that Boaz was really impressed and appreciated Ruth’s care and concern for Naomi. It seems that Boaz even had a special relationship with his farm labourers. When Boaz greeted them with, “The Lord be with you” … the workers replied, “The Lord bless you.” This kind of language between Boaz and his reapers shows that there were some godly people in Israel. True religion teaches man to behave properly on all occasions and it will result in kind masters and faithful servants. After he had asked about the stranger in the harvest field, Boaz instructs his workers to treat her properly. Later when talking with Ruth, Boaz emphasizes that she should stay with his servant girls … and that “ I have told the men not to touch you.” This implies that Ruth as a stranger could have been in great danger and perhaps it was that kind of concern, Naomi had worried about for her Moabite daughters-in law when coming back to Judah.   In further conversation, Boaz says to Ruth … “ May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”

At the end of a very long day, Ruth was pleased to be able to bring Naomi food … and when Ruth told Naomi about her day … and what happened … and that she had gleaned in Boaz’s fields … Naomi was ecstatic … and these are her words in Ruth 2:20 -> “ ‘The Lord bless him !’ Naomi says to her daughter-in-law. ‘He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead.’ … She added, That man is our close relative; he is one of our kinsman-redeemers.” Naomi’s rest and the results of Ruth’s hard work have really lifted Naomi’s spirit. In the NIV translation, it says “kinsman-redeemer” … in other translations … it says “close relative”. If we understand Hebrew family law then we can comprehend what the term “close relative” implies. Here’s an explanation …

Kinsman-redeemer -> (Ruth 2:20 NIV) The Hebrew is go’el. Like other words with the root g’l, it indicates fulfilling one’s responsibilities as a kinsman. Old Testament family law gave the kinsman the right to redeem a relation from slavery, or buy back his fields (Leviticus 25). Lev.25:25 says,

“ If one of your countrymen becomes poor and sells some of his property, his nearest relative is to come and redeem what his countryman has sold. “ … and it also says in part of Lev. 25:47b, “ … and one of your countrymen becomes poor and sells himself to the alien ( ie: non-Jewish / Gentile) living among you or to a member of the alien’s clan, he retains the right of redemption after he has sold himself. One of his relatives may redeem him; an uncle or cousin or any blood relative in his clan may redeem him.”

Here in the Book of Ruth, we have another duty of the kinsman described: the obligation of the next of kin to marry a childless widow and have a child, which would be considered the offspring of the deceased husband. In this way the deceased husband’s line would be carried on, and his property preserved. This “family law” with its implied responsibility to aid a near relative, foreshadows the ministry of Jesus. In taking on human nature Jesus became our near kinsman, and Jesus accepted that obligation to redeem us despite the terrible cost. ( “ The Bible Reader’s Companion “ by Lawrence O. Richards pg.176)

In Ruth 2:22, Naomi agrees with Boaz’s suggestion and says to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It will be good for you, my daughter, to go with his girls, because in someone else’s field you might be harmed.” Naomi calls Ruth affectionately -> “my daughter” … and confirms … her concern and the concern of Boaz about being “ S A F E “ with Boaz’s people on his fields.

In the next verse, it continues to say that weeks have passed -> “So Ruth stayed close to the servant girls of Boaz to glean until the barley and wheat harvests were finished. And she lived with her mother-in-law.” Ruth didn’t just work the one day … but worked hard every working day … and for weeks as the various grains ripened and were taken off the fields.

In Chapter 3, it begins with Naomi’s comment about getting a home for Ruth. The Hebrew term would mean “ find rest “… other translations may

say,”seek security”. As I read this part and the following verses, I think that Naomi is doing a wee bit of conniving … however as I dug deeper into the words of Matthew Henry’s commentary, it says … The course Naomi advised appears strange to us; but it was according to the laws and customs of Israel. It goes on … If the proposed measure had borne the appearance of evil, Naomi would not have advised it.

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(Ruth was now a proselyte or “ God-fearer” which is to say she was a Jewish convert and as such …). Law and custom gave Ruth … a legal claim upon Boaz. It was customary for widows to assert this claim, Deut. 25: 5-10. And if there had been any evil in it, Ruth was a woman of too much virtue and too much sense to have listened to it. The Matthew Henry Concise Commentary continues to say … What in one age or nation would be improper, is not always so in another age or nation. (Note as follows that here it calls Boaz a judge) … Being a judge of Israel, Boaz would tell Ruth what she should do; also whether he had the right of redemption, and what methods must be taken, and what rites used, in order to accomplishing her marriage with him or another person. – The conduct of Boaz calls for highest praise. He attempted not to take advantage of Ruth; he did not disdain her as a poor, destitute stranger, nor suspect her of any ill intentions. He spoke honourably of her as a virtuous woman, made her a promise, and as soon as the morning arrived, sent her away with a present to her mother-in-law. Boaz made his promise conditional, for there was a kinsman nearer than he, to whom the right of redemption belonged.

(portions from Matthew Henry Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible pg.213, par.3)

So as instructed by Naomi, Ruth had gone to the thrashing floor and when everyone was asleep, slipped under the blanket of Boaz at his feet. Later something awakens Boaz and he feels someone at he feet … and asks who’s there … In Ruth 3:9b we have these words … “I am your servant Ruth, she said. “ Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer.” Boaz overcomes his surprise and replies in chapt. 3 verse 10 -> “The Lord bless you my daughter, he replied, “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask.   All my fellow townsmen know that you are a women of noble character. Although it is true that I am near of kin, there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I.” Boaz says if the other man doesn’t redeem her … then he promises that he will !   Then when Ruth leaves, he gives a gift of barley for Naomi. Just IMAGINE with me … for Boaz, it seems that Naomi must be a favourite aunt or favourite cousin by marriage … maybe … before Naomi had children … she baby-sat Boaz … and perhaps when Mahlon was born … Boaz was like an older brother … but because of custom Boaz was staying back and helping at arm’s length because of this other closer relative. In the final chapter of Ruth, we have Boaz meeting this nearer kinsman at the city gate and discussing the situation with 10 elders … in the next few verses the drama progresses … does the nearer relative want to buy Naomi’s deceased husband’s and sons’ land … it seems that he jumped at this idea of property aquistion … you can almost see him … rubbing his hands … perhaps this is where Elimelech loaned his money to travel to Moab… but as soon as the other requirement comes into the picture … as soon as he understood the conditions of the bargain … he couldn’t get out of the deal fast enough !!!   In the NIV it says, “Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate.” In the NKJ it says, “I cannot redeem it for myself , lest I ruin my own inheritance.”

(5). Why didn’t the other relative redeem Ruth ?     It seemed like he very much wanted the property … but not the responsibility of a wife … and definitely not sharing his inheritance with a child for Mahlon’s lineage. A somewhat selfish individual … ready to seize opportunities for increasing his estates … but really not knowing the value of good will … for fear of losing some of his inheritance. He couldn’t get his sandal off … fast enough … and handed it over to Boaz … “You redeem it yourself … Buy it yourself “   … at which point, Boaz acknowledged the gesture and accepted that responsibility in front of the elders. Boaz responds, “Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion, and Mahlon. I have also acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from the town records. Today you are witnesses.” (Ruth 4 : 9,10)The next verses seem to indicate that everyone was really, really happy with the way things turned out … you can almost IMAGINE with the tone of the verses … that it’s as if … there was a cheer … Hip, Hip, Hooray !!! and all the elders threw their head-coverings up in the air … no, no it didn’t happen that way … !!!

So now it’s the END of the Story, No Not Yet … Here’s the BONUS part !

Boaz and Ruth got married and they had a baby boy.

In Ruth 4: 14,15 says, The women said to Naomi: “ Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Isreal ! He will renew your life in your

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old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than 7 sons, has given him birth.”

Continuing on in verses 16, 17 -> “Then Naomi took the child, laid him in her lap and cared for him. The women living there said, “ Naomi has a son.” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.”   And we also now know that he was the ancestor of Jesus Christ.

IN SUMMARY:

(1.) Why I like the Book of Ruth -> I like the name Ruth … and we have excellent examples of faith, humility, industry, and loving-kindness, in common events of life. Through deaths and survival, we see the special care of God’s providence and encourages us to greater trust. The physical story of redemption parallels our spiritual journey in the plan of redemption.

(2.) Why is the Book of Ruth even in the Bible ?-> As a very old sacred document, it includes in the line of King David a Gentile, which in God’s plan shows the inclusiveness of all peoples. Christ died for ALL !

(3). Why did Elimelech leave Bethlehem and go to Moab ?-> It says he left because there was a famine … but perhaps he was too prideful to ask for help from his relatives. As a dutiful wife, Naomi goes along. The problem is that her sons marry Moabite women (idol-worshippers). However God has not forsaken Naomi … even if she’s feels otherwise. Ruth of Moab returns to Bethlehem with Naomi as part of God’s plan for her and for us.

(4). Why does Ruth go on with Naomi ?-> Ruth is a special person and converts to the Jewish faith … but also really cares for Naomi. Ruth 4:15b says, “For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better than 7 sons, has given him birth.” Ruth had cared and worried about her prescious mother-in-law for a long while. When Ruth’s husband died, she mourned him even as Naomi mourned her son … I’m sure they cried … often together … for the loss of a much loved-one !

(5). Why didn’t the other relative redeem Ruth ?-> He was too selfish. He didn’t want to share his inheritance … and as a result … his name, his family, and his inheritance are forgotten !!!

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I called this message, “Kinsman – Redeemer “ because of the NIV’s use of that word. Pastor John loves the Old Testament and talks often of “types” of Jesus … and the foreshadowing of Christ. Here in Book of Ruth, we have just one example, – Boaz is a “type” of Christ. Jesus, as a human became a “near kinsman” and as our saviour, He is our Redeemer. -> “Kinsman-Redeemer” !!! Exactly what Ruth called Boaz. Boaz married Ruth … Christ as head of the church … the church as a Bride. Boaz gave Ruth earthly security … Christ gives us eternal security. So you can see the story of Ruth with Boaz is just a shadow of the story of you and me with Jesus Christ our Saviour.

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