(Ephesians 1:7 – “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”)
Introduction: The Beauty of Redemption
The book of Ruth is one of the most powerful love stories in the Bible, but it is more than just a love story between Boaz and Ruth—it is a divine picture of Jesus Christ, our Kinsman-Redeemer. Ruth 4 is the climax of this story, where Boaz redeems Ruth, securing her future and restoring what was lost.
In the same way, Jesus redeems us—buying us back from the slavery of sin and giving us a new life in Him. His redemption is not just a rescue but a full restoration, securing our eternal future.
Let’s explore how Ruth 4 reveals Jesus as the Kinsman-Redeemer who pays the price to redeem His people and give them an eternal inheritance.
1. The Legal Process of Redemption (Ruth 4:1-10)
Boaz at the City Gate: A Public Redemption
In Ruth 4, Boaz goes to the city gate, the place where legal transactions took place, to fulfill his role as the kinsman-redeemer. There, he confronts the closer relative who had the first right to redeem Ruth and Naomi’s land.
At first, this unnamed man seems willing to redeem the land (Ruth 4:4), but when he realizes that doing so requires marrying Ruth, he backs out (Ruth 4:6). He is unwilling to take responsibility, leaving Boaz free to redeem her.
Jesus in the Marketplace of Redemption
This moment foreshadows Jesus’ work in redeeming us.
- Just as Boaz stood publicly to redeem Ruth, Jesus publicly gave His life on the cross to redeem us (Colossians 2:14-15).
- The closer relative represents the law, which reveals sin but cannot redeem (Romans 8:3). It takes grace through Jesus Christ to redeem us.
Boaz was willing to do what the other redeemer would not. Likewise, Jesus did what no one else could—He paid the ultimate price for our redemption.
Ephesians 1:7 – “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”
2. The Price of Redemption (Ruth 4:9-10)
Boaz Pays the Price for Ruth
After the nearer relative refuses, Boaz declares before the witnesses that he will redeem Naomi’s land and take Ruth as his wife. He willingly pays the price, restoring their family’s inheritance.
Boaz’s act of redemption is a picture of Jesus Christ:
- Just as Boaz redeemed Ruth out of poverty and loss, Jesus redeems us from sin and death (Titus 2:14).
- Boaz took Ruth as his bride, just as Jesus makes us His Bride, the Church (Revelation 19:7).
Jesus Paid the Ultimate Price
Our redemption came at a great cost—Jesus’ blood.
- 1 Peter 1:18-19 – “For you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold… but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”
- Hebrews 9:12 – “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”
Boaz’s redemption was a legal and costly transaction—but Jesus’ redemption was even greater, as He gave His life to buy us back from slavery to sin.
3. Redemption Brings a Future and a Legacy (Ruth 4:13-17)
Ruth’s Restoration
Because of Boaz’s redemption, Ruth went from being a poor, childless widow to becoming the wife of a nobleman and the mother of a great lineage.
She gave birth to Obed, the grandfather of King David, and ultimately an ancestor of Jesus Christ! (Ruth 4:17, Matthew 1:5-6).
Jesus Gives Us a New Future
Just as Boaz gave Ruth a new identity and future, Jesus does the same for us.
- He restores what was lost (Joel 2:25).
- He gives us an inheritance (Ephesians 1:11).
- He makes us part of His divine family (John 1:12).
Through Jesus, we go from spiritual poverty to eternal riches, from hopelessness to an inheritance in the Kingdom of God!
4. Naomi’s Redemption and the Joy of Restoration (Ruth 4:14-17)
At the beginning of Ruth, Naomi was bitter and broken, having lost her husband and sons (Ruth 1:20). But in Ruth 4, she is joyful and restored, holding her grandson in her arms.
Redemption Transforms Our Bitterness into Joy
- Naomi’s sorrow turned into joy—just as Jesus turns our mourning into dancing (Psalm 30:11).
- Ruth, a Moabite outsider, was brought into the family of God—just as Jesus welcomes all who believe in Him (Galatians 3:28).
Redemption is not just about being saved from something—it is about being saved for something greater!
Conclusion: Jesus, Our Kinsman-Redeemer
Boaz’s redemption of Ruth is a beautiful foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, our Kinsman-Redeemer.
- Boaz paid the price to redeem Ruth → Jesus paid the ultimate price to redeem us.
- Boaz took Ruth as his bride → Jesus makes us His Bride, the Church.
- Boaz gave Ruth a future → Jesus gives us eternal life.
Through His blood, love, and sacrifice, Jesus has redeemed us, forgiven us, and secured our future.
Ephesians 1:7 – “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”
If you have received Jesus as your Redeemer, you are fully restored, fully loved, and fully secure in Him!
Will you accept the redemption Jesus offers?
