The idea of a Redeemer has fascinated me for a long time. Redemption can mean a lot of things. Like to redeem a coupon. Basically, the value of the coupon is worthless except for it's expressed written intent. When used for other means it really can't buy you much but if it is used for it's purpose then it has value. This is an interesting thought when considering Christ's redemption of us, the redeemed. We truly have no value apart from Him. In John 15 Jesus says apart from me you can do NOTHING. That's a big statement from our perspective. But it is so true. Even those of great accomplishment apart from Christ will be consumed upon our Lord's return.
But the idea of redemption that really fascinates me is the idea of a restored life so full and complete that it is restored to a better condition than it's original form and purpose. I believe we see this throughout scripture and redemptive history. This is not a new idea but it is one that really makes my heart swell with hope and joy. It fills me with praise and adoration for a God that is so awesome, loving, and kind.
We see this redemptive story line play out in so many of the patriachs of the OT. Abraham with his promised son, Moses as leader of his people, Job with his many trials is given double because of his faithfulness, Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers is actually the vessel used to save those same brothers later in life. Only God could do these things in the lives of broken jars of clay.
The story that is most inspiring is the story of Ruth. It speaks directly to this idea of "kinsman-Redeemer. This title of "kinsman-Redeemer" is a title given to Christ. Boaz in Ruth's life is a type of Christ. We all know the story of Ruth but the backdrop really set's the stage. The book of Ruth begins with a famine. A famine is an external trial that is beyond any of our control. Life tends to come at us and we can make a mess of it by ourselves with no help at all but when something external hits us it is just that much more overwhelming. The result of the famine led to death. Naomi, Ruth's mother-in-law, was widowed as a result. Ten years later so was Ruth. In those days women had no options. They couldn't just pick up there lives, find jobs and move on. Woman were solely dependent upon their husbands for covering, protection, and most importantly provision. Naomi's and Ruth's situation was hopeless. They had nothing but a piece of land and no one to care for them or the land.
Naomi's plan was to return to her homeland sell the property and hope it was enough to outlast the famine. Regardless, the money would run out and she would eventually die. Ruth committed to Naomi and made the decision to follow Naomi and essentially realize the same hopeless demise.
But there was one other possiblity availabe to them and that was the idea of a "kinsman-Redeemer". Boaz was in a line of possible kinsman-Redeemers. The title essentially described a relative that was given the ability to purchase property and take wives who were widowed within the family or kin. This was the people of God's way of taking care of the widowed and poor. The kinsman-Redeemer depending on his place in line had the option but not required to make the transaction and "redeem" the relatives. In other words become the covering, protection, and provider of the relatives in desperate need. It was His prerogative and choice. He was under no obligation to do anything. If he had the means, inclination and benevolent heart to do so then he could act but only if he chose to.
Boaz was a benevolent kinsman-redeemer and in Ruth 4:9 Boaz declares before the elders, "Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion and Mahlon. 10 I have also acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon's widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from the town records. Today you are witnesses!"
At this point the transaction is consummated and now Naomi and Ruth are provided for. Boaz takes Ruth as his wife and if the story ended there it would be a beautiful account of how God is faithful to the poor who submit and desire to honor HIM. But the story doesn't end there. And this is why I am fascinated by this idea of Redemption.
God's redemption of our lives is not simple restoration. Restoration is beautiful. We all love to see an old abandoned house restored to it's original form. But this is NOT where God stops. His is a restoration that creates something totally new and better than it's original form and purpose.
Ruth was taken as Boaz's wife. Boaz loved Ruth. God blessed their union and they conceived a child. But not just any child because Obed was the father of Jessie who was the father of David. The greatest King of Israel and ultimately the lineage that led to Jesus, "the son of David".
This is how God so amazes me. Forces beyond our control and in many cases pain that is self inflected failure devastates and creates impossible circumstances that leave us desolate, desperate and dying. We have no where to turn we have no hope. If He doesn't choose to save us we are lost forever. Not only are we lost but our name is wiped out for ever. And in our despair our kinsman-Redeemer comes to our rescue. Jesus purchases us and not only covers us, He not only protects us, and provides for us but He restores what was hopelessly lost forever, our name.
Psalm 112 says that the offspring of the righteous will be mighty in the land. Where sin and self indulgence has corrupted, where external forces have warred against us and has devastated our hopes, dreams and aspirations He is more than able to take what is broken and seemingly hopeless and create something that is so far beyond our wildest dreams. He is so good. He is so wonderful. Words can't describe how awesome is our Great God and King. He is my kinsman-redeemer and I love Him.
