Three times the word redeemer, go’el (v9, 12, 12) was used in chapter 3. A kinsman-redeemer was a male relative who had the responsibility to help a relative in need or danger. According to the Mosaic law, a go’el had three primary responsibilities to his family and clan. Upon him fell the duty of blood revenge (Numbers 35:19); upon him fell the duty of buying property in danger of being lost to the family (Leviticus 25:25); upon him fell the duty of begetting children to his deceased brother (Deuteronomy 25:5-7). If the brother is not around, the next closest kind will take the role of the kinsman-redeemer.

Boaz was the kinsman-redeemer to the family of Elimelech, the deceased husband of Naomi and father of Ruth’s deceased husband. Naomi knew that she could appeal to him to safeguard the posterity of the family and take Ruth in marriage. Therefore, Naomi commanded Ruth to go to the threshing field in the night, and when it was all late and dark, uncover his feet and lie down beside him. The rest of the story depended on the response of Boaz. Will Boaz respond positively to Ruth’s advancement. Will he misunderstand her intention and reject her for being a loose woman? Will Boaz uphold his righteous self and uphold the purity of Ruth? Will he become their kinsman redeemer and redeem these needy women?

Ruth had spent several weeks at the fields of Boaz, and both Naomi and her were able to know Boaz more close up. They trusted that Boaz was a good and godly man, and therefore, Ruth humbly and wisely did according to what her mother-in-law requested. Boaz responded positively because he, too, in his observation of Ruth, found her to be a virtuous woman, and was also attracted to her. Boaz told her, “You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich.” He must have ruled out the possibility of a relationship with her because of the apparent age difference. This also meant that even though he could exercise his right as the kinsmen-redeemer, he did not force his rights upon Ruth as well.

Being the godly man that he is, Boaz graciously receives Ruth's offer, but communicates that he is not the nearest kinsman-redeemer (Ruth 3:12). However, he promised that he will look into the matter immediately after the day breaks. Through a series of open doors, Boaz fulfilled his position as the kinsman redeemer to the family. Because Boaz spread his wings over Ruth and redeemed her, her life from a widow, a foreigner, an insignificant woman, she became whole, restored of her integrity and became the grandmother of the greatest king in the history of Israel, King David.

In the same light, Jesus is our kinsman-redeemer in the New Testament. He redeemed us, paid our debts and allowed us into the family of God. He restores us to wholeness in the world filled with brokenness. Just like Ruth, who was not a Jew, but because of her marriage to Boaz, she got to be part of the lineage of Jesus. In the same way, we give thanks that we too get to become a part of God’s family and he redeemed us in every way, just like a perfect kinsman-redeemer could. Praise God for His saving grace through His Son, Jesus Christ!

Prayer: Thank you Lord, that in our sinful, broken and insignificant status, you redeemed us and restored us into a covenant relationship with you. Thank you for your compassion and kindness to us. In Jesus name we pray, amen.