Ruth 4:7-10 KJV
7 Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel.
8 Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.
9 And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi.
10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.
The story of Boaz and Ruth is a powerful foreshadowing of Jesus Christ and His role as our Redeemer. Just as Boaz redeemed Ruth, Jesus has redeemed us. Ruth was an outsider, a gentile, and Moabite. They had nothing to do with the Israelites and were actually shunned upon.
Like Ruth we were once outsiders as well, separated from God by sin, but Jesus, our Redeemer, stepped in to save us. He paid the price for our redemption with His own blood, securing our place in the family of God through grace. Through Jesus, we are adopted into God’s family, just as Ruth was brought into the bloodline of Boaz. This adoption is not based on our works but solely on the grace and love of our Redeemer.
Through Jesus, we are no longer outsiders but beloved children of God, heirs to the promises of eternal life.
The story of Ruth is a reminder that every Scripture, even if it does not mention Jesus explicitly, points to Him and His work of redemption. The entire Bible tells the story of God’s plan to redeem humanity through Jesus Christ. The redemption of Ruth by Boaz foreshadows the ultimate redemption that Jesus accomplished on the cross. Just as Ruth was redeemed and brought into a new life, we too are redeemed and perfected forever through Jesus.
We are made righteous and holy through His blood, and our redemption is complete. Just as Boaz’s redemption of Ruth was a final and complete act, so is Jesus’ redemption of us.
As we reflect on the story of Ruth and Boaz, let us be reminded of the assurance we have in our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. He has paid the ultimate price to redeem us, and we are now part of His eternal family. This truth brings us hope, peace, and the confidence to live in the fullness of the redemption that Jesus has secured for us.
Verse 10 sums everything up with "to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren,". We were once dead because of sin but now have been raised up and can never be cut off. Hallelujah!
Boaz got Ruth out of poverty, adopts her, provides for her, buys back land from Elimelech, and makes her an heir by marrying her. It's so clear that God is foreshadowing the things that Jesus did. Through his blood, Jesus brought us out of spiritual poverty, adopted us into his bloodline, provides for us till this day, gave us land in heaven (mansions), made us co-heirs to his throne, and ends us being our true husband through spiritual marriage.
I hope we all can see that every story foreshadows Jesus. Amen and Selah!
