Ruth 2:17-23
In the Book of Ruth, we encounter a striking image—the kinsman-redeemer (Hebrew: goel)—a close relative responsible for restoring what was lost: redeeming land, freeing family members from bondage, and seeking justice. In Ruth’s story, Boaz steps into this role with integrity, humility, and care.
This practice points forward to Jesus in a way that speaks deeply to the church. The Redeemer had to be a close relative—Jesus became human. He had to possess the means—Christ lived a sinless life. He had to be willing—Jesus chose the path of suffering love. And He had to pay the full price—He bore the cross to rescue us and call us into a new way of life.
The parallels go further. Jesus reclaimed our lost inheritance, purchased our freedom from sin, and defeated our greatest enemy. But redemption is just the beginning. Like Ruth, who found refuge in Boaz’s fields and aligned her life with his, we find true security when we turn to Christ, entrust ourselves to Him, and walk in faithful obedience.
Understanding the kinsman redeemer, so I’m amazed at my kinsman redeemer.
Intro – Don Richardson uses the term Redemptive Analogy. This is how I felt as I got ready for today. God is amazing and is giving us all these signs that point to Him. Here are a few redemptive analogies. The Sawi people in Peace Child, Asmat and new birth, Yali and the Osuwa rock of safety.
Or this one. While I was working as an intern with Pioneer Bible Translators in the summer of 2011, one of our directors shared a redemptive analogy that she came across while facilitating a Trauma Healing seminar in northern Africa. She was working with a group of people that had been consumed by animosity for a neighboring group due to conflicts over livestock, crops, etc. She asked if there was any way that peace could be achieved with this other faction. After some discussion and thinking, the people remembered an old rite that they could perform with the other tribe.
In this ritual, the two enemy tribes would meet on the opposite banks of a river with a goat for sacrifice. The two groups would wade into the river, slit the goat’s throat, plunge it underwater, and bathe in the river as the goat’s blood washed over them in the current. After washing in the river and the blood of the sacrifice, the two tribes would come out of the river, both on the same side. When they left the river after the ritual, the two tribes would be one family and, since one cannot kill his own family, the warring would cease forever.
Keep these examples in mind as we finish chapter 2 and try to understand how Naomi and Ruth understood the Kinsman redeemer.
Read Ruth 2:17
v19 Naomi seemed to know how much is normal. Ruth had much more, and Naomi knew she had extra attention. 6.1 Gallons or 37 pounds.
v20 Notice the switch in Naomi’s attitude from 1:20, she is not where she was, she has come or is coming out of her hard spot.
v22 We know some of the stories from Judges are very perverted. Yet Ruth felt protected in the field of Boaz. Godly men have that affect. She worked there till the end of harvest.
What is a kinsman? We need to step out of this culture and into their culture. There is a whole world of understanding which goes with this word. “Goel” is the Hebrew word. The kinsman was the closest male relative. This was in their thinking, like you and I driving on our roads. Just like we call 911 in an emergency. We don’t think twice about it. We just do it.
Here is an amazing foreshadowing of Christ built into the OT. We will take the time to look at it and understand as much as we can. First, we’ll look at a few other laws in effect at this time.
Understanding their culture helps us understand Naomi and Ruth, this is who they were.
Before we finish, let’s take a closer look at this “Goel” or kinsman redeemer. There were four things required in order for a kinsman to redeem.
Think about how Jesus Christ is our “Goel.” He is our Kinsman Redeemer! Look at this list again. Notice the 4 things redeemer had to be. Jesus was every one of these for us!
Also remember the 3 areas we looked at. Land, Slavery, and the avenger of blood. God gave us dominion in the garden, we lost it, but Jesus will redeem it back, He will reverse the curse! Every one of us was a slave, enslaved to sin. Jesus redeems us from slavery! He paid the price so we can be free. He avenged our blood. Genesis 3, He bruised the head of Satan. Now think even further into the future. Jesus will redeem the world, every square inch. There will be no more slaves, and He will avenge Satan by banning him to the lake of fire forever.
Conclusion – Hopefully this gives us a small understanding of a kinsman redeemer. This opens up the life of Naomi and Ruth and gives us a window into their world.
It should also amaze us at God’s sovereignty, look at all the signs He gives pointing to Jesus. Here He is, this is Him, the Messiah is here, Your Messiah. Thousands of years before He came, God was pointing to Him. This is amazing!
He wants to be your Redeemer. And if you have been Redeemed, Thank Him and reflect on His goodness.
