THE KINSMAN-REDEEMER
RUTH 2:18-3:5
Intro: The Lord Jesus Christ is our
Kinsman-Redeemer and that is why redemption is used in the New Testament:
A.
Redemption means to pay a price so the one who is
redeemed may go free
1.
Christ died to redeem us as individuals
2.
Christ’s death will also redeem the earth and
during the Millennium will no longer be under penalty
a.
No bondage
b.
No corruption
3.
There will be a new heaven and a new earth
a.
All this is part of redemption
B.
The only Biblical example of the Kinsman-Redeemer
is Boaz of the Book of Ruth
1.
This reveals the love side of redemption
a.
It’s the explanation of John 3:16
I.
Ruth
reports to Naomi (Vs. 18,19)
A. Ruth with care brings the fruit of her labor to Naomi
1. One must be as careful of the fruit of their labor as to labor diligently
a.
Christ who could multiply bread and fish to feed
5,000 gathered up the fragments that nothing be lost
b.
Let us use care that we might receive a full
reward. (I Cor. 9:27)
2.
Ruth was no weakling for a bushel of barley was
heavy
a.
She did not stand around and brag but shouldered
the results of her
labor and headed home
B.
Naomi questions Ruth (Vs. 19)
1.
Apparently the superabundance that Ruth came home
with prompted all the
questions
2.
Ruth tells freely where she has been and reveals
Boaz as her benefactor
II. Naomi instructs Ruth (Vs. 20-23)
A. Naomi recognized the hand of the Lord (Vs. 20)
1.
Down in
a. She offers up a prayer of thankfulness to God
b.
Lamentations
B. Ruth reveals Boaz promise of favor toward her (Vs. 21)
1. Ruth took pleasure in speaking of her benefactor.
a. Are we ready to speak of God’s mercies bestowed upon us (Ps. 107:2)
C. Naomi exhorts Ruth to stay in the fields of Boaz (Vs.22)
1. One has paraphrased this, “Keep away from the company of the world, don’t love it” (James 4:4)
2.
Naomi gave advice concerning those who Ruth
should mingle with
a. Her chosen companions were to be of her own sex
b.
She was not bound to avoid all talk with the
young men, but her chosen companions were to be the maidens of Boaz
D. Ruth’s obedience (Vs. 23)
1. Ruth not only began, but continued on a course of usefulness until the harvest was complete
2. Her relationship and Boaz favor didn’t cause her vain deceit or slothfulness, but inspired her to industrious labor
a. Faith grows, the more it gleans the more it desires to glean and find a fresh daily supply
b.
This should challenge us to work faithfully until
the harvest is over and we are in the arms of Christ
III. Naomi the matchmaker (3:1,2)
A. Naomi’s consideration for Ruth (Vs. 1,2)
1. Some people are more concerned about what people owe them than what they owe others
a. Naomi sought what was best for Ruth and was looking out for her best interests
b. The theme of the Christian life should be others
1) Salvation army is a good example (General Booth)
2. Naomi was again going to give advice, but the reason was, “That it may be well with thee”
a.
The happiness of Ruth was of paramount importance
to Naomi.
B. “Is not Boaz of our kindred?”
1. Boaz by reason of his kinship was in a position to redeem Ruth
a. The law made provision for this as recorded in (Lev. 25:47-55)
b.
Boaz had shone his willingness to be a
Kinsman-Redeemer by his loving care for Ruth
2. Boaz is a picture of Christ our Kinsman-Redeemer
a.
By reason of His incarnation, Christ qualifies as
our Redeemer.
b. He came down into the human family not up out of it
c. By His death on the cross He has revealed His willingness to redeem sinful man
C. “He winnoweth barley tonight in the thrashing floor”
1.
After the harvest the grain was brought to the
threshing floor and winnowed.
a.
The grain was first beaten and then tossed up in
the wind
b. This process separated the chaff from the grain
1)
It was usually done at night for a breeze came up
in that part of the world just after dark
2.
Christ like Boaz will not trust this to others,
but will be present Himself (Matt.
a.
This scene prophetically takes place during the
tribulation period
IV.
Ruth readies herself (Vs. 3-5)
A.
Ruth first of all must respond to the overtures
of love
1. Boaz had made the proper overtures
2.
Ruth must now reject or accept the love displayed
B.
Preparation of the Bride
1. “Wash thyself”
a.
Rev. 19:7 reveals our responsibility
b. Ruth was to wash herself
1) We can not cleanse our inner self, only God can do that
2)
But we are responsible for our outer (II Cor.
7:1)
2. “And anoint thee”
a. This was a common practice of that day and holds spiritual significance
b.
In I John 2:20,27 we see every true child of God
has been anointed from on high (Rom. 8:9)
3. “Put thy raiment upon thee”
a.
For the occasion Ruth was to put her best she had
on
b. As Christians our clothing is:
1)
Rom.
2)
Col. 3:12-13 reveals the garments, which we are
to put on.
4. “Get down to the threshing floor”
a. Bow down in humility at his feet and present thyself as his bride
b.
In order to be accepted by God we must come with
a broken and
contrite spirit
1) God resisteth the proud
5. “Make thyself known”
a. Ruth had to wait until Boaz finished the work
b. We shall be presented to Christ only when He has completed the work of redemption
1)
The bride of Christ awaits the last soul to end
the age of grace and complete the Church
2) Then the marriage of Rev. 19 can take place
C. Ruth’s action reveals her acceptance of Boaz love (Vs. 4)
1.
The humbleness here expressed would be well
considered in many
marriages
a. Humility on both parties leads to happiness
2.
By her actions Ruth declares her love for Boaz
and willingness to accept his love
a. My heart belongs to you
D.
Ruth displays a willingness to follow Naomi’s
instructions (Vs. 5)
1.
This willingness brought eternal and lasting
happiness
a. Are you or have you said yes to God?
b.
We must personally accept His offer