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BLOG SERIES: GOD, MY REDEEMER - 1. KINSMAN REDEEMER

Writer's picture: Petra HadžidaovaPetra Hadžidaova

Updated: Jul 29, 2024

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.

Ruth 3: 1-13 (KJV)


Girl running in the field at sunset


INTRODUCTION

In patriarchal ancient Israel, it was hard for a woman to survive independently. They heavely relied upon men. So of course when Naomi lost her husband and her two sons, her and the future of her two daughters-in-law looked bleak. Deciding to return home, she prompted her daughters-in-law to return to their mother's house. While Orpah did upon further insistence, Ruth decided to cling onto Naomi and went with her to Bethlehem. Full Naomi left for Moab 10 years earlier, yet now she was returning with empty hands and heartache. And full of the uncertainty of what was to come. But God had a plan, and it included a certain kinsman-redeemer. As you will see, redeemed by Boaz were both Ruth and Naomi. 


REDEEMED BY A KINSMAN REDEEMER

Naomi, wife of Elimelek and mother of Mahlon and Kilion. A Bethlehemite who moved to Moab when a famine struck the land of Israel with her husband and two sons. A move that was supposed to take the family out of danger, yet ended up devastating Naomi nonetheless. Soon after the move, Naomi’s husband died. Luckily she still had her two sons, who successfully married Ruth and Orpah respectfully - natives of Moab. As if she had not endured enough loss, ten years after the move her two sons died as well. Distraught, grieving, and probably without real sense of direction Naomi made the only move that made sense. She moved back to Bethlehem, the place where she hailed from. The place where her original home resided. To her late husband’s estate.


But there was a catch! Back in ancient Israel women were very dependent upon men and also had little rights regarding certain affairs. As a woman, she had limited legal ability to manage the land. And she had no right to sell it. If left without any male relatives, they would have ended up at the mercy of the societies they lived in. So despite having an inheritance, it mattered little, for Naomi and Ruth both needed a man to access it. 


Knowing this beforehand Naomi prompted Ruth and Orpah to return to their mothers' houses. But Ruth clung to Naomi. She was willing to leave behind everything she knew, and the possibility of a happy married life in Moab for the love she had for Naomi. She entrusted herself to the hands of the God of Israel. And He had a plan!

Yahweh knew the predicament women could end up in, which is why He established protective measures. If a woman with no sons was widowed, a male relative was to step forward as a kinsman-redeemer and marry them to continue the line of succession. 


Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology describes a kinsman redeemer as follows:


A male relative who, according to various laws found in the Pentateuch, had the privilege or responsibility to act for a relative who was in trouble, danger, or in need of vindication. The Hebrew term designates a male relative who delivers or rescues ( Gen 48:16; Exod 6:6 ); redeems property ( Lev27:9-25 ) or person ( Lev 25:47-55 ); avenges the murder of a relative as a guiltless executioner ( Num 35:9-34 ); and receives restitution for wrong done to a relative who has since died ( Num 5:8 ). The unique emphasis of the redemption/salvation/vindication associated with the kinsman-redeemer is the fact that this action is carried out by a kinsman on behalf of a near relative in need. (1)


This is what Naomi was hoping for upon her return. And her daughter-in-law had better chances than her as an older woman. It was the beginning of harvest, and Ruth was sent to glean on the fields of the one with whom she would find mercy. And the field she gleaned upon belonged to none other than Boaz, next in line as a kinsman-redeemer to both Ruth and Naomi. She found favor with Boaz and in the end, he redeemed Ruth by marrying her and providing an heir for the family line of Naomi. 


Ruth and Naomi returned to Bethlehem emptyhanded at the beginning of harvest, with bleak prospects at hand. But as is usual when walking with Jesus, before our greatest promotion usually comes our greatest testing. And though they came into Bethlehem emptyhanded with no real future in sight, God redeemed them from their predicament and provided them with a bountiful harvest neither had to work for at all. 


As Boaz had redeemed Ruth, so has Yeshua redeemed His beautiful church, His beloved Bride. From among the gentiles He had picked us, as Boaz picked Ruth. And He has clothed and betrothed us to Him. Through His Blood being spilled on the cross, He redeemed us from our biggest predicament and bondage of all - sin. The proper sentence for sin demanded the death penalty. With Yeshua's sacrifice, it was fully paid off. Now we are clothed in His blood and forgiven of our sins. We have entered into a covenant, which promises that we will be provided for abundantly above and beyond. 


IN SHORT, upon returning to Bethlehem Naomi and Ruth needed a kinsman-redeemer. Boaz, a wealthy male relative, upon recognizing Ruth’s integrity stepped forward and married her. He redeemed her and successfully provided a continuation of the bloodline of her late husband. In the same image, Yeshua has redeemed His church. He redeemed us from our sins. Through His blood spilled on the cross, we have been forgiven and set free. No more are we at death’s mercy, for redeemed we have been. Yeshua is our 


KINSMAN REDEEMER!


Application

Thank you, Abba for redeeming me! Thank you for setting me free! For paying my debt with your blood, for cleansing me of filth and mud.


SOURCES

  1. Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology: Kinsman Redeemer. Accessed on December 13 2023 on https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/kinsman-redeemer/

  2. Image by wix.com.

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