Boaz The Kinsman Redeemer
Ruth 4
God provided an inheritance for all the children of Israel. For any case where death occurs, the Old Testament Law (Leviticus 25) provided for a way to keep inheritance within a family so they don’t lose it. It also covered if a man died childless, so his inheritance wouldn’t cease. This principle is called the Kinsman Redeemer. The word redeem means to be bought back.
There are three Qualifications for a Kinsman Redeemer: 1) They must have the right to redeem by a blood relationship, 2) they must have the power to redeem, and 3) they must be willing to redeem.
In the book of Ruth, we see this process carried out in the person of Boaz.
The Right to Redeem
Ruth 2:1 Boaz was a man of wealth from the family of Elimelech. He was of close relationship and meet the qualification.
Boaz is introduced to Ruth through the gleaning of the field. She just so happened to land on his field, vs. 3. He was kind to her by ordering the reapers to leave crops for her.
He heard about her good testimony, vs. 11.
The Power to Redeem
Redeeming is an expensive enterprise. You had to purchase the property and the person. It doesn’t come cheap so not everyone could redeem. Boaz is introduced as a man of wealth and its shown through the text.
The Willingness to Redeem Chap 4
Once the other qualifications are met, then a person still had to be willing.
There was another man who was a nearer kinsman. Boaz pulled him aside, along with some elders to be a witness. When he heard about the property, he was excited, however, when he heard about Ruth was part of the deal, he was unwilling to carry it out. The legal sign for this was to take off his shoe, to publicly announce her was unwilling.
Boaz then took the opportunity to purchase the land and Ruth.
Jesus The Kinsman Redeemer
Jesus robed Himself in flesh, so He could be considered a near kinsman and have the right to redeem. Jesus had the power to redeem (II Corinthians 8:9). He also had the willingness to redeem. John 3:16.
God’s redeeming grace is not extended out of duty, it is given out of love.