The Mighty Boaz That Supplied Redemption
Ruth 3:10-18 (KJV) 10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. 12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. 13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning. 14 And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor. 15 Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city. 16 And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her. 17 And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law. 18 Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.
Introduction
Boaz has finally been asked to redeem the girl that he has fallen in love with. It has been his desire to seek her redemption but it was up to Ruth to ask him to do so. The man is fully capable of fulfilling the role of her redeemer but he will not overstep his boundaries.
Ruth & her Pointed Request:
a. The loss of Ruth required a sufficient redeemer
b. The love of Ruth request a specific redeemer
Boaz and his Promising Response:
a. The promising words of Boaz
b. The promising work of Boaz
I - Boaz Verbally Adoring his Future Bride (10)
The man is so fond of how Ruth had carried herself in front of all of his workers. Ruth may have come from a pagan land but she displayed virtuous conduct in the way that she lived. Boaz adored this quality in this young lady. The girl was not loose or lascivious in her behavior. The reality of it is that many people lay aside their values and virtue when facing crisis.
A) Adored Due to her Dedication & Faithfulness
The woman was dedicated to remaining faithful and true to herself and her deceased husband. It was good that Boaz acknowledged this notable behavior. It is not always noticeable that people can carry themselves in a way that is becoming and honorable.
B) Adored Due to her Discretion & Chasteness
Boaz was in love with this girl not due to her outward beauty but also because of her inward beauty. It was noble behavior that Ruth refused to lower her standards because of her crisis situation.
II - Boaz Virtuously Acknowledging his Future Bride (11)
In this section we see that Boaz promises to fulfill the wishes of Ruth. The girl has established a virtuous reputation in the city of Bethlehem. Boaz acknowledges this reputation and verbally tells Ruth that she is pleasing to him.
A) The Public Knowledge of Ruth’s Stable Testimony
We should learn some lessons from the words of Boaz. If we love someone or like the attributes that we see in others, we should take the time to tell them. It is a tragedy that many times we regret not telling someone how we feel about them. The words that Boaz offered Ruth must have stirred her emotions.
B) The Pleasurable Knowledge of Ruth’s Satisfying Testimony
Boaz must have been overwhelmed in knowing that the one he loved was so virtuous and becoming in her character. I wonder how many women had tried to manipulate the kindness and goodness of Boaz. This girl had never displayed any mischievous behavior or any deceitful dealings. It was refreshing to be around someone that loved Boaz for who he was and not what he had.
III - Boaz Vibrantly Assuring his Future Bride (12 - 13)
Boaz immediately calms any fears that Ruth may have had concerning his part in redeeming her. The petition would be granted as soon as daylight hit the city of Bethlehem. The man had been waiting for this request and now he could fulfill the role of being her kinsman redeemer.
A) Boaz would do the Required Thing - Due to the Mosaic Law
The law specified that the closest of kin had to have the opportunity to redeem. If he passes on the request, then the next in line could be afforded the same option or opportunity. Boaz would first have to seek out one other person that was nearer kin than he was.
1 - The Other Redeemer & His Restrictions (Deut. 23: 3)
The other redeemer may very well have a problem in redeeming Ruth because she was from the land of Moab. The law despised and rejected the people of Moab; it could possibly mar his inheritance. If the law coldly rejected Ruth and her redemption, grace would fervently provide one that allowed for her redemption.
2 - The Other Redeemer & His Rejection
In chapter four we will see the request being made to the nearer kinsman, but he firmly rejects any request of purchasing the redemption of this Moabitesh woman. If all he had to do was purchase the redemption of Naomi then he was open to this request. It was a much different case of him purchasing the redemption of someone from a pagan land.
B) Boaz would do the Right Thing - Due to his Mighty Love
In this we find that Boaz not only would do the required thing in following the law, he would also do the right thing in finding grace to redeem Ruth. If it was up to the law we would all die and go to hell. The law demands and expects human perfection. The law denies the wayward but grace delivers the wayward. The law refuses to extend love but the law gladly expresses love to those in need.
1 - The Favorable Words - Offered her Rest
Boaz shares some personal words of tender affection to his soon to be bride. The man will deliberately seek rest for her soul. The day that Jesus saved me he also afforded me the refuge of perfect rest and peace.
2 - The Finished Work - Offered her Redemption
Ruth was assured that he would not be found idle until he had provided the redemption for this girl. Boaz loved this woman and he would do all that he could possibly do to see that she was redeemed.
IV - Boaz Visually Adorning his Future Bride (14 - 18)
In finished his affectionate words of love he would now load her down with gifts from his resources. Ruth had done nothing to earn any of this, but because of the great love that Boaz had for her he would continue to load her down with mighty blessings and benefits. It would have been a sight to behold watching Ruth walking down the road carrying such an enormous load.
A) The Heavy Load of Ruth’s Barley - Ruth Carried It
On the journey home Ruth would be nearly overwhelmed trying to carry this entire heaping load of barley. It is one thing to be saved but another to receive all of the great and gracious gifts from the resources of heaven. In the book of Psalms we are told that he loadeth us down with benefits.
1 - Barley was for her Food
In loving Ruth this man failed not to forget her need. The reason that she ended up in his field was due to her need. Boaz never did forget that Ruth was still in need of daily food. The goodness of God has saved us but also sees that we are continually proved for from day to day. The girl had come to labor in his fields everyday during the barley season.
2 - Barley was for her Family (17)
Boaz did not forget about the mother-in-law that was back at home waiting for Ruth. The good grace of God is not only sufficient for my needs but he can also take care of our loved ones. The God that we serve is not oblivious to the human needs of his precious children or their family.
B) The Heightened Love of Ruth’s Boaz - Ruth Cherished Him
Boaz realized that Ruth was only found at his feet for the sake of requesting his help. The man would not allow for her testimony to be damaged or destroyed. The man made arrangements for her wellbeing and as soon as it was daylight she would be sent back to her house.
1 - Boaz Protected the Reputation of Ruth (14)
Boaz diligently protected his soon to be bride. Ruth was to remain at his feet until morning came then she would hastily head home and wait for him to do his redemptive work. It would not be said that Ruth has displayed any kind of immoral behavior. Boaz respected the virtuous life of Ruth and would protect her reputation at all cost.
2 - Boaz Proclaimed the Redemption of Ruth (18)
In the eyes of everyone involved the redemption of Ruth was as good as done. It is a wonderful thing to realize the finished work of our redemption. We can rest in this work and live with assurance that our redeemer has sufficiently acquired our redemption. I am so thankful of this finished work.
Conclusion
Boaz assures Ruth that he would do all that was within him to redeem her. It actually took the very life of Christ to redeem this sinful world, but he fulfilled all that was required of him.