"So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife.  Then he went to her, and the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.  The woman said to Naomi: 'Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer.  May he become famous throughout Israel!  He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age.  For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth."  Ruth 4:13-15


The story of Ruth is one of my favorite stories in the Bible.  It is a beautiful telling of how, in the midst of loss and pain, we can find love, protection, and a future full of more than we could have ever imagined.

As the story goes, after the loss of her husband and her sons, Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth journey to Judah.  There they meet Boaz, who is a close family relative.  After a time, he and Ruth are married, he provides for Naomi, and he and Ruth have a child.  (One of the things I love most about this story is that this child, born after years of loss and pain suffered by Naomi and  Ruth, is born of love and caring and is in the direct lineage of Jesus Christ.  Boaz and Ruth's child is named Obed.  Obed is the father of Jesse.  Jesse the father of David.  And, from there the lineage continues right up to Jesus.  Beauty and love out of pain!)

Boaz becomes to Ruth and Naomi their kinsman redeemer.  In Old Testament times, a kinsman redeemer is next of kin that marries a childless widow (Ruth) and/or buys their property to care for it and provide provision to the woman (Naomi).

A kinsman redeemer must be a) next of kin, b) able to redeem -- assumes any debt, c) willing, and d) the redemption should be fully realized when the price is paid.

A true gift to give, isn't it?  Though the idea of a kinsman redeemer is not part of our culture today, we all have been given our very own kinsman redeemer.  Jesus Christ.

Jesus came to us on earth in human form as one of us, he paid the price for our sins, he was willing to be our redeemer, and he paid the price for our sins in full.

Our very own kinsman redeemer!

Happy Sunday!
Melanie/Beads-N-Style

Comments (9)

On July 31, 2011 at 12:15 AM , LittleElf said...

Wonderful post! Thanks so much for sharing. ^_^

Hugs,
Elfie

 
On July 31, 2011 at 4:38 AM , MYSAVIOR said...

I love the Story of Ruth~thank you for the reminder.

♥♥♥
Sue

 
On July 31, 2011 at 7:27 AM , monika said...

This is very personal to me, on my *Walk to Emmeaus* (a 3 day intense weekend for Christ) I set at the table of Ruth. Very special time for me.
Thanks for sharing Mel...♥
Monika

 
On July 31, 2011 at 8:27 AM , Sue Runyon said...

Thanks for reminding me about Ruth and Naomi. What a wonderful history.

 
On July 31, 2011 at 8:31 AM , Vicki said...

Beautifully written post! I love the way God's word confirms and reiterates in so many different stories and passages, that Jesus is the Messiah. If you feed on His word, He will lead you to the truth which is Jesus, each time!

 
On July 31, 2011 at 10:35 AM , krafterskorner said...

Great post! I love the book of Ruth too!

 
On July 31, 2011 at 10:46 AM , Donna (Twinmountainpottery) said...

Beautiful post. I love reading the Old Testament too and how it always points to Jesus. Blessings to everyone this wonderful Sunday morning and thank you for sharing this Sunday Mel.

 
On July 31, 2011 at 11:09 AM , Sherri Ward said...

Amen! A beautiful story, thanks for bringing it to us with your thoughts today!

 
On July 31, 2011 at 8:49 PM , HandiworkinGirls said...

Lovely...Ruth is such a beautiful story, though often overlooked. The linage of Jesus is amazing, and I love hearing about it. :D