Kinsman Redeemer - Week 5
Christ in Old Testament | The Kinsman Redeemer
Lesson 5 Ruth 4
Connecting to one another
CONTEXT – God promised famine if the Israelites failed to be loyal to Him (Deut 28:15-40). During a famine, Elimelech left the Promised Land to seek provision in the pagan land of Moab. He brought his wife Naomi and two sons who later marry Moabites, Orpah and Ruth. When Elimelech and his sons Chilion and Mahlon die, the three widows plan to return Bethlehem because God “had visited the people and given them food.” But when Naomi propounds the unlikelihood of finding husbands (provision) in Bethlehem, Orpah turns back. Ruth, however, vows: “...where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God my God.”
Naomi says no more to Ruth, but to the women of Bethlehem she says -- The Almighty dealt bitterly with me; the LORD brought me back empty; the LORD testified against me; The Almighty brought calamity on me.
In your experience, what is the RESULT of being an Elimilech, a rebel against God’s Word? An Orpah, an almost believer? Or a Naomi, a bitter old believer? Choose one and share briefly.
Understanding the Truth with one another
Verse by Verse ~ Topic by Topic ~ Argument by Argument
For your homework, we asked you to read the entire book of Ruth. Your reward for your sacrifice is you now have the privilege of sharing a story of God’s faithfulness with one another.
1. Consider the loyal actions of Ruth and Boaz described in Ruth 2-3 and listed below. Then share the RESULTS God brought from their actions.
a. Applying Leviticus 23:22 and trusting God’s favor, Ruth tells Naomi she is going to glean barley. Result?
b. Boaz protects Ruth and provides for her and Naomi. Result?
c. At Naomi’s advice Ruth lies at Boaz’s feet, no longer wearing her widow attire, but the attire of an available young woman. On her own initiative, she asks Boaz to spread his wing over her, aka “Marry me?” Result?
Read Ruth 4:1-6. Then review RUTH CHAPTER FOUR background for verses 1-6 on page 3.
2. How does Boaz’s plan to present to the near relative first the Property (land) Redemption and then the Posterity(future descendants) Redemption best protect Ruth?
3. Read Ruth 4:7-12. Then review RUTH CHAPTER FOUR background for verses 7-12.
a. According to Boaz, what is the purpose in marrying Mahlon’s widow? (See verses 5 & 10.) Why is perpetuating a name important?
b. Why does the man who refused to redeem Ruth remain unnamed?
c. Note how the elders’ prayer is also connected to the purpose of names. How is the elders’ prayer for Ruth and Boaz also God’s REWARD for their faithful actions?
4. Read Ruth 4:13-22. Then review RUTH CHAPTER FOUR background for verses 13-22.
a. When Naomi returned to Bethlehem, she did not want to be called Naomi (pleasant), but Mara (bitter).
o How did Naomi repent from bitterness towards God?
o How did God reward her? (Isaiah 38:17).
o How does Obed act as her redeemer? (Ruth 4:15-15).
b. The elders, responsible not only for Ruth and Boaz but for the whole clan, pray that Ruth would be like Rachel and Leah and that Boaz’s name would be perpetuated. Then the women pray that Obed’s name would be perpetuated. How does God answer these prayers? (Matt 1:5; Luke 3:32).
Living the Truth as we are sent out
5. Jesus satisfied the Father’s requirements to be your Kinsman Redeemer. As Boaz saw Ruth in need, Jesus saw & sees you in need. Your relationship is personal. Next to each requirement, write a short statement that reflects that reality using the New Testament Scripture. Use I and me. The first is done as an example.
6. Throughout this lesson, we’ve been talking about RESULTS and REWARDS.
a. The RESULT of Jesus’ sacrifice is you are saved. (Eph 2:8-9) -- Yeshua means “He saves.” – and His REWARD is you (Eph 1:18). It was personal for Him. Praise Him for that right now with your group.
b. How have you been living out your relationship with Yeshua these past weeks as one that is living and breathing and growing and oh so personal? How have you not?
7. Our Father is a Provider. He sovereignly provides us “chances” to sacrifice in the everyday complexities of life just as He did for Orpah and Ruth and then for the unnamed kinsman and Boaz. We do not know the RESULT or the REWARD for choosing to sacrifice, but we do know both are eternal.
a. What opportunity to make a sacrifice is our Father providing for you right now?
b. We have all lost God-given opportunities to sacrifice. Elimelech’s name means “My God is KING,” yet he dies outside the Kingdom. Still look at the last name in this book. It is KING David. Because Boaz redeemed Elimilech’s name, David is Elimilech’s great-great grandson. And David’s many-many-greats grandson is KING Jesus (2 Sam. 7:12-13; Luke 3:23-31).
How is your God truly King of His story, not just for you, but for the world? How does this comfort you?
Homework – Read 2 Samuel 9 for next week’s lesson.
God’s joy & strength to you,
RUTH CHAPTER FOUR background
Ruth 4:1-2 The elders of the city judged legal transactions at the city gate where witnesses were in ample supply. Sitting signaled that Boaz and the elders were ready to conduct business.
Ruth 4:3-6
• For a detailed narrative of a nearest relative redeeming the land, read Jeremiah 32:6-12. Here Boaz points out to this un-named nearest relative that he has first claim rights to the land; Boaz is second in line.
• Though this anonymous relative initially agrees to redeem the land, he renounces his claim for financial reasons when he learns he must also redeem the bloodline by marrying Ruth in order to produce an heir for Mahlon/Elimelech because this heir would inherit the land. Therefore, the land would not be an investment in his current children’s future but rather a liability.
• Strictly speaking the levirate law applied specifically to brothers. Review Deuteronomy 25:5-10. Boaz enlarges brotherly responsibility to include the clan.
• The result of these two redemptions would be an heir living on his ancestral land “to raise up the name of the dead.”
To sum up the laws applied in this passage:
1. The kinsman redeemer had to be a blood relative.
2. He had to be willing to redeem the inheritance.
3. He had to be willing to marry the wife of the deceased kinsman. (Leviticus 25:25-55; Deuteronomy 25:5-10)
4. He had to have the means to redeem the inheritance.
Ruth 4: 7-8 The passing of the sandal symbolized that Boaz took possession upon walking on the land. (See Genesis 13:17; Joshua 1:3) Should anyone question his claim, he could produce the sandal as evidence that the un-named kinsman had chosen to be released from his obligations, giving Boaz the right to claim ownership.
Ruth 4:11-12
• Rachel and Leah, sisters, married Jacob, later re-named Israel by the Lord. Their twelve sons became the twelve tribes of Israel. Like Ruth, Rachel was initially barren.
• The elders prayed Boaz would “have standing,” hayil.
Ruth 4:13
The word for wife iishah has a positive connotation. A man going “into” a woman is Hebrew idiom for a man entering the bridal tent of his wife to consummate the marriage.
This is the second time the active verb is attributed to the LORD. The first is “The Lord visited His people” (1:6). First, He provided food; now He provides a child. Note the Hebrew expression is the same as Genesis 3:16. David Strain, therefore, refers to Ruth as a “new Eve” because like Eve her child carries the covenant promise. Ruth joins Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel as seed bearing women whose womb was initially closed.
Ruth 4:14-15 This is the only time goel is used of a child. Seven is the number of completeness in Scripture. (See Samuel 2:5; Job 1:2.)
Ruth 4:16-17
• The word for bosom is cheq and does not mean breast, but rather denotes a place of embrace.
• The word for nurse is omenet and implies that she cared for Obed. She would raise him as a son who would later care for her in her old age. Obed means “the serving one, worshiper.”
Ruth 4:18-22
• Also born of unusual circumstances through a levirate union, Perez, the son of Judah and the grandson of Jacob, was Boaz’ ancestor -- Genesis 38:12-30
• David, the last word and name listed in the book of Ruth, means “beloved.” God promised this second King of Israel that the Messiah would be his descendant. 2 Samuel 7:16 --
Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.
• See also Psalm 89:36 and Jeremiah 23:5-6.
Bibliography
Brestin, Dee. The Friendships of Women. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1988.
Fruchtenbaum, Arnold G. Ariel’s Bible Commentary: The Books of Judges and Ruth Exposition from a Jewish Perspective. San Antonio: Ariel Ministries, 2007.
Leithart, Peter, J. A House for My Name. Moscow: Canon Press, 2000.
Ryken, Leland and James C. Wilhoit, and Tremper Longman III. Dictionary of Biblical Imagery. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1998.
Strain, David. Ruth & Esther: There Is a Redeemer & Sudden Reversals. Ross-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus Publications, Ltd, 2018.
Walvrood, John F. and Roy B. Zuck, eds. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament. Colorado Springs: Chariot
Victor Publishing, 1985.