That Family That Redeems Is Faithful It Seems

No, I am not talking about coupons.

Today we read from Ruth 3:2-15. Naomi and her family moved from Bethlehem to the nation of Moab during a drought. While in Moab, Naomi lost her husband and sons to death. Her daughter-in-law, Ruth, a Moabite, returned to Bethlehem with Naomi.

Being widows, both Naomi and Ruth were poor. Naomi had her late husband’s land she could sell, but finding a buyer would be difficult. The land could revert to Ruth’s sons if she remarried. However, because Ruth was not an Israelite, the Sanhedrin (Israeli court) might rule her sons are not entitled to the land. Both widows’ long term future appeared bleak.

Naomi had a well-to-do relative, Boaz, who qualified as a “guardian-redeemer.”  A guardian-redeemer was required to redeem, that is, purchase the land, even at the risk of possibly losing it in the future.

Boaz was in a position to help Naomi, but he went far beyond that. He also helped Ruth, by letting her glean and harvest in his fields, by ensuring her safety, by feeding her, by purchasing Naomi’s land and by marrying Ruth. (Ruth proposed to Boaz when she said “Spread the corner of your garment over me.” That was a custom of the time.)

Ruth, the Moabite, loved and trusted Naomi, her mother-in-law. Ruth, who put her safety at risk, had faith in Naomi’s family to help both of them out. Boaz did not disappoint them!

We have a guardian-redeemer greater than Boaz. We are sinners, and left to our own devices, our future is bleaker than Ruth’s and Naomi’s future at first appeared. Our efforts to earn our way to heaven would provide eternal damnation.

God is faithful and keeps his promises. God sent a guardian-redeemer named Jesus Christ. Jesus purchased our souls with his own blood.

What a great blessing that is!