Our scripture this morning is Ruth 2:20 (ESV).
And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.”
The book of Ruth presents a concept we have heard from the law in Leviticus and Numbers, the idea of a “kinsman redeemer”, in action. The children of Israel followed a system where the eldest male heir received a double share inheritance to act as the new patriarch, responsible under the law to provide aid to relatives in distress. Here is a double lesson for us in this concept – first, Ruth is one from outside who has come seeking God and caring for her mother in law Naomi. Boaz is not her kinsman, but due to her love for his relative Naomi and her faith in God, he treats Ruth kindly. This shows how Israel is to be a light to other nations, and how a world under God’s love works.
Heavenly Father, You sent Jesus as our ultimate kinsman redeemer, willing to die for our failures. Forgive and strengthen us in faith that we may go to share Your redeeming love with the world. Amen.
