Ruth Chapter 3 (2)

Christ redeems us voluntarily v12
As I thought through this passage there was one thing I couldn't get my head around. All along I've been saying that Boaz is a picture of Jesus. He is the one who shows us what a redeemer is. Why then does he say to Ruth in v12

"Although it is true that I am near of kin, there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I."

Does this mean that somehow our redeemer might not redeem us, even when we ask him? No. I think the reason why God has ordered the events in the book of Ruth in this way was to show Ruth that Boaz wasn't doing this because he had to, but because of love.

Boaz was under no obligation to take up the task of kinsman redeemer. It was within His rights to turn and walk away from the whole situation. What is it that motivates this man to do this? He did what He didn't have to do because He loved her. Boaz is filled for compassion of this needy woman and pledges that he will do all that is required to see to her redemption.

Why did God plan out and carry out every detail for redeeming sinners. Why did He establish a plan from before time, why did He send His Son, why did the Son lay down His life?

Was God under some sort of obligation? No, none at all. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish nut have eternal life."

Our redeemer did it solely out of love for us. It was love, loving kindness, grace and mercy that motivated our redemption.

Our Redeemer wants to give us more than we ever dream of asking for
Where man's ways, even though they might seem wise, lead to a loss of our integrity and our honour, the ways of the redeemer guarantee our personal integrity.

And before daylight begins to dawn Boaz takes care to send Ruth away v14 so that her personal integrity will be protected.

And she is not to leave empty handed either - she has six measures of barley. Huge quantity - lays it on her - 6 or 7 stone bag.

There is a hint here that Boaz has heard of Naomi's bitter complaint in ch 1.

20 "Don't call me Naomi," she told them. "Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. 21 I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty.

And so as he sends Ruth back with this huge bag of grain, it isn't just so that she'll look like someone out carrying grain, look at what he says,

"He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, 'Don't go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.'"

The Redeemer is the one who supplies our greatest need, but he goes far beyond that.

I think these ladies are a picture of some people today. Still at a distance from the one who can truly satisfy. I think that Ruth is here a picture of many Christians picking around the edge of the fields of God's provision, but not walking close with Jesus, feeding off scraps each Sunday. Will you draw close like Ruth did and find that your Saviour will provide more than you ever dreamed possible?

And isn't she a picture of the unconverted person also. That person who is perhaps on the periphery of the church, quite enjoys picking up a few spiritual morsels at the edge of the field of the church service, or a Christian home but as yet does not know Christ for themselves.

Why would you stay at the edges, come close, and have your greatest need met, and provision made for your life?