Our Kinsmen Redeemer

In the Bible book of Ruth is a beautiful story of love and sacrifice. I love the parallel to the ultimate Kinsmen Redeemer, Jesus Christ. There are many lessons we can learn in this story...

Let me give you a little history about the book of Ruth.

The story starts off by telling us about a family. The father's name was Elimelech, the mother's name was Naomi and the 2 sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They had left Bethlehem-Judah (their hometown) and had gone to live in Moab because, as a family, they needed food. During the time they were in Moab, Elimelech died and the two sons got older and married. Mahlon married Ruth and Chilion married Orpah. About 10 years later, the 2 boys died and, since the famine in Bethlehem-Judah seemed to be over, Naomi decided to go home. She encouraged her daughters-in-law to go to the homes of their upbringing.  Orpah decided to do so, but Ruth refused. Here is her beautiful reply to her mother in law.
 Ruth 1:16-17 "And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me."

So Naomi and Ruth traveled back to Bethlehem-Judah. They traveled almost 100 miles over mile-high mountains and they arrived during Harvest Season. They didn't have the "welfare system" at that time, so you would think these 2 widowed woman would be without. However,there was a special rule that the poor could go through the field after the harvesters and pick up the extra pieces of corn that were dropped.

#1 God loves and cares for the poor and widowed
In fact Leviticus 19:9-10 talks about the specific guidlines that God had for these people.
Leviticus 19:9-10 " And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God."

#2 You reap what you sow...
So Ruth worked in her cousin's field and Boaz (her cousin) heard that she was there and told his reapers to give her a little extra. Ruth 2:15-16 "Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not."

When Ruth thanked Boaz and asked him why he was so kind to her, he gave a touching response...
Ruth 2:10-12 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?
And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

#3 The Kinsmen Redeemer...
Ruth had ALOT of corn that day to use to make food but that would have only lasted so long. However, the Lord had a greater reward for her sacrifice and love. Ruth's mother-in-law was a wise matchmaker and she helped Ruth see and find the man she needed (Boaz).
Now to be a Kindsmen Redeemer, there were 3 requirements: 1. Relationship, 2. Financial Ability, and 3. Willingness. Boaz wasn't the closest relative but after that was worked out (Chapters 3-4) Boaz willingly stepped in and married Ruth.
I love the comparison of this story to Jesus. We were lost and without hope but Jesus stepped in. He came as a man, while he was fully God, paid the price with His blood and willingly redeemed His people. Therefore He fulfilled the 3 requirements... relationship, financial ability and williness. How beautiful-- and all for sinners that didn't know or care. What an amazing God we have!

#4 God uses poor needy sinners for a bigger cause...
Because Ruth and Boaz were willing to sacrifice their needs and wants for the cause of the Lord, they got to be a part of a special lineage.
Ruth 4:17"And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David." Yes Ruth was the great-grandmother of Jesus. What an honor and blessing!

Ask yourself? Do you care about the poor and needy?  Have you ever trusted the Redeemer?Are you willing to be used? Remember, you will reap what you sow. - rejoicing in the present.