KINSMEN REDEEMER
Ruth 4
Read at the beginning of the service:
Ephesians 1:7 (NIV)
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
INTRODUCTION
Today we conclude our series on the book of Ruth (give a recap of what we’ve talked about):
Ruth 1 – "The Velcro Effect" (God’s Faithulness)Naomi and Elimelech move to Moab to escape the famine in Israel
Naomi’s two sons marry Orpah and Ruth – Moabitess woman.Naomi’s husband and two sons dieNaomi decides to move back to Israel – Ruth and Orpah insist on going with her.Naomi convinces Orpah to return to her people.
Naomi cannot convince Ruth who clung to Naomi saying, "Your people will be my people, Your God my God, Where you go I will go, Where you stay I will stay"
Ruth 2 – "It Just Happened" (God’s Provision)Naomi had named herself Mara which means bitter – thinking God had given up on her.Ruth decides to go and gather some food – it just happened that she landed in the fields of Boaz – a kind man.Ruth brings some of the abundance back to Naomi and shares with her.
Ruth 3 – "Amazing Love" (God’s Love)The love of God is pictured by the love shown by Ruth and Boaz.
Naomi sends Ruth to Boaz who his a kinsmen reedemer to lay at his feet and seek his protection.
Boaz promises if He is able to Redeem Ruth.
READ RUTH 4
PRAY
Some of you may remember the days when you could collect soda bottles for the purpose of redeeming them at a store. You would take these bottles in and recover the deposit that had been paid on them.
Some of you may remember that there were some bottles that you collected that said on the back of them:
"NO REFILL - NO RETURN"
In other words this bottle is non-redeemable. Many of the bottles you buy in today’s stores have that phrase on them.
Naomi had thoughts and feelings the days of redemption were beyond her. Having her husband and sons die in the land of Moab, and being left with one daughter-n-law who was a foreigner, all seemed hopeless.
Old Testament Kinsman Redeemer
Today we see from the book of Ruth a story of God’s Redemption. From the land of Moab, gleaning in the fields of Boaz and to the threshing floor the story finds its purpose in the kinsman redeemer.
In the Old Testament the kinsman redeemers were relatives who protected the needy members of their extended family. They could redeem (buy back) . . .
A relative sold into slavery (Lev 25:47-49)
Preserve the family lineage of a deceased male by marrying his widow and providing an heir. (Deut 25:5-6)
Land a relative had sold outside the family. (Lev 25:25)
In order for the kinsman to redeem persons , land or lineage he must fit these qualifications.
Must be a blood relative.
Must be able to redeem.
Must be willing to redeem.
In the story of Ruth there is a kinsman nearer than Boaz, but he is not able nor willing to redeem. (Ruth 4:1-6)
Ruth 4:6 (NIV)
6 At this, the kinsman-redeemer said, "Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it."
Boaz steps up to become the kinsman to redeem the land and lineage of Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon, Ruth’s deceased husband. Boaz being a blood relative is able and willing to redeem.
Christ Our Kinsman Redeemer
The story sounds ancient and the customs sound strange, but bear with me for this story has a parallel to our Kinsman Redeemer.
In the Old Testament writings we have types and word pictures of the person and work of Jesus Christ. When Moses lifted up the serpent in the Wilderness (Numbers 21:9) it is a word picture of the atoning work of Christ (see: John 3:14).
John 3:14-15 (NIV)
14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
Boaz is a type of Christ in his role as kinsman redeemer. Knowing who the Kinsman can redeem … those sold into slavery (sin) and being blood related, able and willing we see the effective redeeming work of Christ.
Redeemer must be blood related … Christ became the incarnation that He might be the blood relative to redeem lost humanity.John 1:14 (NIV)14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Redeemer must be able … Christ was able1 Peter 1:18-19 (NIV)
18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
Redeemer must be willing … Christ was willing.Hebrews 9:12 (NIV)
12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.
The apostle Paul reminds us in our fallen nature we have been sold to the slavery of sin (Romans 7:14). Therefore all mankind is in need of a redeemer. The principle of redemption is to be bought back from the bondage of sin and freedom from its control.
Ephesians 2:11-13 (NIV)
11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)-- 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:19 (NIV)19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household,
Christ is our Kinsman Redeemer!
Titus 2:14 (NIV)
14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Galatians 3:13 (NIV)
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."
Ephesians 1:7’ (NIV)
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
Christ purchased our freedom through His blood as the payment to redeem us. Need I say that God is still in the redemption business.
The Benefits of Redemption
A story is told of a business man who was wanting to sell an old warehouse. The building had been empty for months and needed repairs. Vandals had damaged the doors, smashed the windows, and thrown trash all over the place. As he showed a prospective buyer the property, he said that he would replace the broken windows, bring in a crew to correct any structural damage, and clean out the garbage. The buyer said, "Forget about the repairs. When I buy this place, I’m going to build something completely different. I don’t want the building; I want the site."
That’s God’s message to us! God wants to redeem us and build in us the benefits of redemption.
redemption restores life
Ruth 4:6-8 (NIV)
6 At this, the kinsman-redeemer said, "Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it." 7 (Now in earlier times in Israel, for the redemption and transfer of property to become final, one party took off his sandal and gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactions in Israel.) 8 So the kinsman-redeemer said to Boaz, "Buy it yourself." And he removed his sandal.
Boaz keeps the family alive! He restores the lineage of Naomi’s husband and sons to continue. When death seemed inevitable redemption restored life.
Psalms 23:3-4 (NIV)
3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalms 51:12 (NIV)
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Can you sing the song of the redeemed? It’s a song of restoration and renewal in Christ Jesus.
Revelation 5:9 (NIV)
9 And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
redemption gives witness
Ruth 4:9-10 (NIV)
9 Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, "Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion and Mahlon. 10 I have also acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s 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!"
Redemption always bears witness to the truth. We are witnesses not only of each other, but the redeeming work of God. The Christian life is not to be a life of isolation. It is to be a witness of the great redemptive work of God in us through Christ Jesus.
Psalms 107:2 (NKJV)
Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,
Just as many witnessed the redeeming act of Boaz to Ruth, so we must become witnesses of God redemption in our lives.
Acts 1:8 (NIV)
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Are we witnesses of the day Christ redeemed us ... bought us back from the slavery of sin? Are we witnesses this day?
redemption gives new life
Ruth 4:13-15 (NIV)
13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. Then he went to her, and the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. 14 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 Israel! 15 He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth."
The lives of the redeemed share in the new life offered. God was not satisfied with Boaz merely redeeming the land, but the life of Ruth so that the life lineage would continue.
For Naomi her life was now restored through the new life she held in her hands
" Then Naomi took the child, laid him in her lap and cared for him." (Ruth 4:16) Naomi was holding her redemption! Oh to think that there was once a time that was so dark in her life that she had given up all hope. But God ... isn’t that a great phrase! But God had other plans ... plans of redemption.
The story of Ruth does not end with this gentle picture of Grandma Naomi holding Obed the son of Ruth and Boaz. Redemption gives new life so that redemption may continue.
Ruth 4:22 (NIV)
22 Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David.
We must travel forward into the land of the New Testament to see the lineage of Boaz and Ruth continuing.
Matthew 1:5-6 (NIV)
5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife, …Matthew 1:16 (NIV)16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
We see the scene of Naomi cradling Obed in her arms and now we see Mary and Joseph in the temple dedicating the Christ child. And another elderly lady named Anna bears witness of the redemption to be made in Christ
Luke 2:36-38 (NIV)
36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Jesus Christ is our Kinsman Redeemer who gives new life to all who come to Him. The story of redemption continues each time a person confesses and believes in Jesus Christ. The story of redemption continues to give new life!
Ephesians 1:7 (NIV)
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
In Him we find the fulfillment of God’s faithfulness, care, and love.
In Him salvation is fulfilled for a sinful and lost mankind.
In Him we find that Ruth’s story is our story as we have a Redeemer who is faithful and true.
My Redeemer is Faithful and True
Song: Steven Curtis Chapman
As I look back on this road I’ve traveled.
I see so many times He carried me through.
If there’s one thing I know in my life,
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
Everything He has said He will do.
And every morning His mercies are new.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
My heart rejoices when I read the promise.
There is a place I am preparing for you.
I know someday I’ll see my Lord face to face.
Cause my Redeemer is faithful and true.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
Everything He has said He will do.
And every morning His mercies are new.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
In every situation He has proved His love for me.
When I lack the understanding He gives more grace to me.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
Everything He has said He will do.
And every morning His mercies are new.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
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The days of redemption are not beyond us they are before us! Our Redeemer is faithful and true!
This sermon was preached by Darren Ethier at Hanover Pentecostal Church. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, Copyright © 1873, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. Thanks goes to Robert Aubuchon for his message,A Story of God’s Redemption" - part of the Series: Ruth – Kinsmen Redeemer
