September 2 -- "Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It"

 Today’s Reading: Ruth 3

"Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It"

Oftentimes in church we use words but we don’t really know their true meaning. “Redeemed” is one such word. There is an old hymn that goes, “redeemed how I love to proclaim it, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.”  But do we understand what “redeemed” really means?

Here in chapter 3 of Ruth, Boaz makes a tremendous promise to Ruth.  He tells her (if her closer relative won’t do it) “I will redeem you.”  With those words, he is volunteering to become Ruth’s “go’el.” – her kinsman redeemer.  The kinsman-redeemer was a male relative who, according to various laws and customs of Israel, had the privilege or responsibility to act on behalf of a relative who was in trouble, danger, or need. The Hebrew term go’el designates one who delivers or rescues. 

Under Jewish law and custom, a widow’s brother-in-law (or nearest living male relative) would pay the price to purchase her deceased husband’s land. By doing so, he was buying the land to obtain the treasure that goes with it – the widow.  He was agreeing to place her under his care and assimilate her into his family ensuring that she was out of trouble, danger, and need.  When Ruth’s husband died, she was left penniless and without a male protector.  So, that’s when Boaz stepped in and agreed to be her go’el by placing her under his care and assimilating her into his family. Boaz then went through the process of claiming the right of redemption, purchasing her husband’s land, and marrying Ruth.  From that point on, Ruth had no need to fear for she was provided for and protected once again.

Boaz’s offer of redemption is a graphic illustration of our Lord’s offer to us.  Ruth and her go’el (Boaz) are a picture of Christ redeeming His Church.  There were three things that had to happen for someone to be redeemed. The first is that the redeemer had to be a close relative to those in need. The second is that a redeemer had to be willing to act for his lost brothers and sisters. The third and final rule is that the kinsman redeemer had to be able to pay the price for redeeming the land.

In our case, the human race was lost and in trouble, danger, and need.  We were husband-less, provider-less, and protector-less. We were destined for a future of scarcity, emptiness, and darkness.  But then Jesus showed up.  He became our close relative when He became the “Son of Man.”  He showed His willingness to act for us by initiating the process of redemption.  He acted as our go’el when he paid the price to purchase the land (the world) so he could obtain the treasure that came with it – His Bride, the Church.  After He paid the price of His own blood, we have no need to fear, for we are once again under the care of our Redeemer.

“But now thus says the LORD, He who created you… He who formed you… ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine.”  (Isaiah 43:1)