Ruth 4:3
And he said to the kinsman-redeemer, "Naomi, who has returned from the land of Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our brother Elimelech.
And he said to the kinsman-redeemer
In ancient Israel, the kinsman-redeemer (Hebrew: go'el) had the responsibility to redeem a relative in serious difficulty, such as poverty or slavery. This role is outlined in Leviticus 25:25-28 and Deuteronomy 25:5-10. The kinsman-redeemer is a type of Christ, who redeems humanity from sin. Boaz, acting as a kinsman-redeemer, foreshadows Jesus' redemptive work.

Naomi, who has returned from the land of Moab
Naomi's return from Moab signifies a return to the covenant land of Israel, symbolizing repentance and restoration. Moab was often seen as a place of judgment and separation from God’s promises (Deuteronomy 23:3-6). Naomi's return highlights themes of redemption and God's faithfulness to His people.

is selling the piece of land
The sale of land in Israel was not a permanent transfer but a lease until the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:23-28). This ensured that land remained within the family, preserving tribal inheritance. The land sale underscores the economic hardship Naomi faced and sets the stage for Boaz's redemptive act.

that belonged to our brother Elimelech
Elimelech, Naomi's deceased husband, represents the family line that needs redemption. The mention of "our brother" indicates a close kinship, emphasizing the communal responsibility to uphold family lineage and property. This reflects the importance of family and inheritance in Israelite society, as well as the legal and social structures designed to protect them.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Boaz
A prominent man of noble character from the tribe of Judah, who acts as a kinsman-redeemer for Naomi and Ruth.

2. Kinsman-Redeemer
A relative who has the responsibility to redeem a family member in distress, which includes marrying a widow to preserve the family line.

3. Naomi
The widow of Elimelech, who returned to Bethlehem from Moab after the death of her husband and sons.

4. Elimelech
Naomi's deceased husband, whose land is now being discussed for redemption.

5. Bethlehem
The setting of this event, a town in Judah, significant as the birthplace of King David and later, Jesus Christ.
Teaching Points
The Role of the Kinsman-Redeemer
The kinsman-redeemer is a picture of Christ, who redeems us from sin and restores us to a right relationship with God.

Faithfulness in Family Obligations
Boaz's willingness to fulfill his duty as a kinsman-redeemer demonstrates the importance of faithfulness and integrity in family responsibilities.

God's Providence in Redemption
The unfolding events in Ruth show God's providential care and plan for redemption, even in seemingly ordinary circumstances.

The Importance of Community and Support
The community's role in supporting Naomi and Ruth highlights the importance of being part of a faith community that supports and uplifts one another.

Legacy and Lineage
The actions of Boaz and Ruth contribute to the lineage of David and ultimately Jesus, reminding us that our actions can have far-reaching implications.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of the kinsman-redeemer in Ruth 4:3 reflect the redemptive work of Christ in the New Testament?

2. In what ways can we demonstrate faithfulness and integrity in our family and community obligations today?

3. How does understanding the cultural and legal background of the kinsman-redeemer enhance our reading of Ruth 4:3?

4. What role does community play in the account of Ruth, and how can we apply this to our own lives?

5. How can the account of Ruth and Boaz inspire us to consider the legacy we are leaving for future generations?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 25:25
This verse outlines the law of redemption for property, which provides the background for the kinsman-redeemer's role in Ruth 4:3.

Deuteronomy 25:5-10
This passage describes the levirate marriage, which is relevant to the role Boaz is considering.

Matthew 1:5
This genealogy includes Boaz, highlighting the significance of his actions in the lineage of Jesus.
Fair Dealing and Good Principle in BoazA. Thomson, D. D.Ruth 4:1-5
Friends in CouncilW. Baxendale.Ruth 4:1-5
Judicious Methods of Attaining Our EndsC. Ness.Ruth 4:1-5
Redemption ProposedS. H. Tyng, D. D.Ruth 4:1-5
The GoelJ.R. Thomson Ruth 4:3-8
People
Amminadab, Boaz, Chilion, David, Elimelech, Ephratah, Ephrath, Hezron, Jesse, Leah, Mahlon, Nahshon, Naomi, Obed, Perez, Pharez, Rachel, Ruth, Salmon, Tamar
Places
Bethlehem, Ephrathah, Moab
Topics
Allotment, Belonged, Bit, Brother, Closest, Elimelech, Elim'elech, Elimelech's, Field, Fields, Kin, Kinsman, Moab, Naomi, Na'omi, Offering, Parcel, Piece, Portion, Price, Redeemer, Redemption, Relation, Relative, Sell, Selleth, Selling, Sells, Sold
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ruth 4:3

     5242   buying and selling
     5661   brothers

Ruth 4:1-4

     5704   inheritance, material

Ruth 4:1-8

     6721   redemption, in life

Ruth 4:1-10

     5681   family, nature of

Ruth 4:1-11

     5623   witnesses, legal

Ruth 4:1-12

     5671   clan
     7719   elders, as leaders

Ruth 4:1-13

     5117   Ruth
     6714   ransom

Ruth 4:2-5

     5270   court

Ruth 4:2-9

     5477   property, land

Ruth 4:3-5

     8330   receptiveness

Library
The Gospel of Matthew
Matthew's Gospel breaks the long silence that followed the ministry of Malachi the last of the Old Testament prophets. This silence extended for four hundred years, and during that time God was hid from Israel's view. Throughout this period there were no angelic manifestations, no prophet spake for Jehovah, and, though the Chosen People were sorely pressed, yet were there no Divine interpositions on their behalf. For four centuries God shut His people up to His written Word. Again and again had God
Arthur W. Pink—Why Four Gospels?

Christ the Redeemer
Q-xxx: HOW DOES THE SPIRIT APPLY TO US THE REDEMPTION PURCHASED BY CHRIST? A: The Spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling. In this answer there are two things. It is implied that Christ is the glorious purchaser of our redemption, in the words, The redemption purchased by Christ,' and it is declared that the Spirit applies to us this purchased redemption, by working in us faith, &c. The thing implied
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Appendix ix. List of Old Testament Passages Messianically Applied in Ancient Rabbinic Writings
THE following list contains the passages in the Old Testament applied to the Messiah or to Messianic times in the most ancient Jewish writings. They amount in all to 456, thus distributed: 75 from the Pentateuch, 243 from the Prophets, and 138 from the Hagiorgrapha, and supported by more than 558 separate quotations from Rabbinic writings. Despite all labour care, it can scarcely be hoped that the list is quite complete, although, it is hoped, no important passage has been omitted. The Rabbinic references
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Job's Faith and Expectation
I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand in the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. C hristianity, that is, the religion of which MESSIAH is the author and object, the foundation, life, and glory, though not altogether as old as creation, is nearly so. It is coeval [contemporary] with the first promise and intimation of mercy given to fallen man. When Adam, by transgression, had violated the order and law of
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Ruth
Goethe has characterized the book of Ruth as the loveliest little idyll that tradition has transmitted to us. Whatever be its didactic purpose--and some would prefer to think that it had little or none-it is, at any rate, a wonderful prose poem, sweet, artless, and persuasive, touched with the quaintness of an older world and fresh with the scent of the harvest fields. The love--stronger than country--of Ruth for Naomi, the gracious figure of Boaz as he moves about the fields with a word of blessing
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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