Journal Through the Bible: Week 36 Saturday

source

Ruth 3:1-4:22

When Boaz told the nearer kinsman about the land of Elimelech that needed a redeemer the man expressed interest in it until he heard that it came with Ruth the Moabitess with whom he must marry and have children. (I recently heard an excellent sermon by an evangelist friend concerning the plucked off shoe in this passage. The shoe represents rejection by one suitor and desire by the other. Ruth probably kept that shoe in her jewelry box all of her life.)

Apparently Ruth was a young woman and Boaz was an older man. He praised her for not trying to catch the eye of any of the young men of the area.

Does God issue any commands in this passage?

• God does not speak, but in this passage we read of the kinsman-redeemer command being obeyed.

Does God make any promises?

• God does not speak but we read of the promise blessing being realized when the kinsman-redeemer command is followed.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• The nearer kinsman did not want to be associated with Ruth, an unclean Gentile, but Boaz accepted her as she was and changed her status. Jesus is like Boaz. We are unclean in our sins but he accepts us and changes our status in the sight of God.
• The lineage at the end of chapter 4 tells of the descent of King David back to Boaz and Ruth. Jesus descended from King David so He is also descended from them.
• The women rejoice with Naomi that the LORD did not leave her without a kinsman that restores life. As our kinsman-redeemer Jesus does the same for us.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• The kinsman-redeemer will be the restorer of our life also. Someday all believers will be resurrected and restored to life.