Restoration Complete!
Ruth Chapter Four
I. Introduction
The book of Ruth is both historical and symbolic. It pictures the tragedy of death in Ruth’s family and the joy of redemption. It symbolizes the Lord Jesus Christ and His work in redeeming the lost world.
Boaz, the kinsman redeemer is a picture of Jesus. Ruth is a picture of lost humanity without any hope of victory, who finds a redeemer who gives her more than she had ever dreamed possible.
I wonder if we really understand what “lost” means. In the spiritual sense the word “lost” doesn’t just mean misguided. It means totally without hope of saving oneself. That is how Ruth was until her redeemer was found.
Ruth is an example of this Scripture:
Ps 30:5
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.
Do you ever remember watching a show when you longed for a happy ending? This story ends happily. Let’s take a look tonight at the end of the story. This is a glorious end to a tough struggle.
Warren Weirsbe says, “God still writes the last chapter.”
II. The Work of the Redeemer- vs. 1-10
Now Boaz went to the gate of the city to begin conducting the business of redeeming Ruth. This was not unusual, for the city gate was like the county courthouse or city hall in our day. It was the place where all public business was conducted and all judgments were made.
He went there to conduct business with the man who had first rights to redeem Ruth and her property. Remember from the last chapter that there was one relative more closely related to Ruth than Boaz.
He went to redeem Ruth. The word redeem means “to set free by paying a price.” Ruth and Naomi had lost their property during the famine and death of their husbands. Boaz came to buy it back for them. That is what Jesus did for us. We lost everything through sin. We lost the Garden of Eden and much more. Jesus came to buy it back through his own blood!
Here are some facts about the kinsman redeemer:
A. The Redeemer had to be a near kinsman. Jesus had to become one of us in order to redeem us!
Heb 2:14-15
14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
B. The Redeemer had to be able to pay the price for Redemption. Jesus paid the ultimate price, his life, his blood!
1 Peter 1:18-20
18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
Salvation is free to us, but it cost God a lot!
C. The Redeemer had to follow the proper method of redemption.
Boaz had to do this in just they right way. He met at the gate of the city. Boaz gathered ten men as witnesses to this transaction. The nearer relative walked by just at that time; there is God’s providence again!
D. The Redeemer had to be willing to redeem.
He was willing to buy back the land, but not to take Ruth as his wife. If he had done that and had children with Ruth, part of his estate would have gone to their family!
The transaction was completed by handing the other man your shoe.
III. The Witnesses of the Restoration- vs. 11-12
A. The Blessing of Leah and Rachel
The witnesses then rejoiced at the wedding of Boaz and Ruth.
Leah and Rachel bore Jacob eight sons who “built” the nation of Israel. Their founding fathers came from these women.
B. The Blessing of Fruitfulness
They wanted them to prosper in Ephrathah, which means “fruitful” and to be famous in Bethlehem.
C. The Blessing of the House of Perez
May your house be like the house of Perez, who Tamar bore to Judah. Boaz was a descendant of Perez. (vs. 18)
The church is called the “bride of Christ.”
IV. The Wonder of the Result- vs. 13-22
A. The parents were blessed- vs. 13
There is something so fresh and hopeful during the birth of a baby. Little baby Obed was born! Imagine how Ruth felt with her life totally turned around!
They named the baby “Obed” which means “servant.”
B. Naomi was blessed- vs. 14-16
1. The child was a restorer of life
2. The child was a nourisher in her old age
C. The world was blessed- vs. 17-22
1. Obed was King David’s grandfather.
2. Obed was an ancestor of Jesus Christ
V. Conclusion
