Ruth 3:8-13 KJV And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. 9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. 10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. 12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. 13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.
Ruth 4:9-15 KJV And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand of Naomi. 10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day. 11 And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem: 12 And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman. 13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son. 14 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. 15 And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.
We compare Boaz with Elimelech we find that both lived in Bethlehem. They were related and rich. It appears that they were also both prominent men in Bethlehem. However the comparison ends and they stand out in stark contrast to each other.
1. Elimelech ran from Bethlehem during the famine while Boaz remained and stuck it out.
2. Elimelech appeared to have sold out while Boaz retained his property
3. Elimelech was cursed as a result of his move while Boaz was blessed and respected.
4. Elimelech lost out on everything while Boaz gained everything.
5. Elimelech died lonely in a strange land while Boaz lived with a rich heritage among brethren.
According to the Hebrew Scripture, the Kinsman Redeemer was a person who was responsible (or privileged) to act on behalf of a relative who was in need, in trouble or in danger. He was referred to by the term go-el
Looking at Boaz and the nearer kinsman we see that both had the ability to redeem and both were qualified to redeem but only Boaz was willing to redeem.
Boaz is recognized as a type of our Kinsman Redeemer the Messiah!
How is Boaz described in the book?
In Ruth 2:1 môdâ Hebrew for kinsman found one other place as kinswoman (Proverbs 7:4). Here it refers to Boaz being related to Naomi through her husband Elimelech.
Boaz is also here referred to as gibbor meaning mighty, and chayil referring to wealth, strong, force, valiant, substance.
In Ruth 2:20 Boaz is referred to as qarob and gaal ( go’el). Qarob means or near. Goel according to Strong’s occurs 78 times in the KJV and gives the idea of the kinsman redeemer and avenger.
A verb meaning to redeem or act as a kinsman-redeemer. The word means to act as a redeemer for a deceased kinsman (Rth_3:13); to redeem or buy back from bondage (Lev_25:48); to redeem or buy back a kinsman’s possessions (Lev_25:26); to avenge a kinsman’s murder (Num_35:19); to redeem an object through a payment (Lev_27:13). Theologically, this word is used to convey God’s redemption of individuals from spiritual death and His redemption of the nation of Israel from Egyptian bondage and also from exile (see Exo_6:6). (Word Study Dictionary)
Thus the kinsman-redeemer was responsible for preserving the integrity, life, property, and family name of his close relative or for executing justice upon his murderer. (Vine’s Dictionary)
Note Naomi defines him as “...one of our next kinsmen". It appears that Naomi is already speculating on the possibilities of a secure future for Ruth and herself!
By Ruth’s response to Boaz question we see she is carrying out Naomi’s instructions.
And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. Ruth 3:9 KJV
Boaz did not act until Ruth came to his feet and requested him to.
Jesus invites but cannot save until we come to Him, but then He is able to save to the uttermost those that come to God by Him.
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25 KJV
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. John 5:39-40 KJV
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 KJV
In examination of the scriptures we see a few requirements of the kinsman redeemer:
The kinsman redeemer must be:
1. A NEAR RELATIVE BY BLOOD. Boaz as can be seen in the story is a near kinsman. There was only one other nearer but he refused the right to be a redeemer for fear of marring his inheritance! That made Boaz the near kinsman who would redeem!
To become a near kinsman was the reason for the incarnation of Jesus. He became flesh like the brethren, to identify with the brethren, to become touched with the feelings of their infirmities! This qualifies Him to be the near Kinsman!
Romans 1:1-4 KJV Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
Matthew 20:28 KJV Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Philippians 2:5-8 KJV Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Hebrews 2:9-18 KJV But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. 13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. 14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 KJV
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14 KJV
2. ABLE TO REDEEM (possesses the redemption price)
Before a kinsman can even hope to redeem someone he must himself be a free man and not a slave. A drowning man cannot save another one who’s drowning! Boaz was a free man, in debt to no one, and was therefore in a unique position to be kinsman redeemer. However all his good intentions would be of no avail unless he had the purchase price of redemption? Of this we are already assured! And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz. Ruth 2:1 KJV
Is Jesus our Kinsman able to redeem?
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25 KJV
For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. Hebrews 2:18 KJV
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 2 Timothy 1:12 KJV
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Philippians 3:21 KJV
There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? James 4:12 KJV
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, Jude 1:24 KJV
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Ephesians 3:20 KJV
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Galatians 4:4-5 KJV
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:14 KJV
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 1 Peter 1:18 KJV
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; Revelation 5:9 KJV
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Acts 20:28 KJV
3. WILLING TO REDEEM. The unknown kinsman who was nearer than Boaz refused to be the redeemer after hearing that Ruth came with the package! He did not want to mar his inheritance by raising up seed through the Moabite widow. Boaz however did not care! He knew all about Ruth, every little detail of her! Her ancestry, her history, her itinerary was no mystery to him! But he was willing. He knew her past and her present but he dearly wanted to be a vital part of her future! Jesus was a willing redeemer for the joy that was set before Him.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 KJV
Romans 5:6-8 KJV For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
John 10:11-18 KJV I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Revelation 5:1-10 KJV And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
As our Kinsman Redeemer we have a Savior who became incarnated as flesh and blood to be identified with mankind because of His love for us. Being fashioned as a man He paid the ultimate redemption price for us by the shedding of His own Blood! He was willing and able and all it takes is for us to come to His feet and request that He spread His wings over us… to be our redeemer. The deed is done, the price is paid and the Kinsman is waiting for us to come! And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17 KJV
