Sermon Transcript:

I named this series on Ruth “Hope among the Fragments” because it is a story that takes place at a spiritually dark time. The story of Ruth happens during the time of the Judges and even this book began with a famine and three funerals. Chapter 3 finishes in the dark of night with uncertainty. Ruth desires Boaz to save them, but there was another man who had a stronger claim. Yet in all this darkness and brokenness hope remained because it was God at work to bring redemption. We also live in a world of brokenness and darkness, but there is still hope among the fragments, because God is a redeeming God.

The fate of Ruth and Naomi will be determined in the open, before the law, with witnesses. Boaz told Ruth he was willing to redeem her, but the other claim had to be addressed. Naomi, expressing faith in God and confidence in Boaz, tells Ruth to just wait and see what happens. We pick up in verse 1 of chapter 4,

1 Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of whom Boaz had spoken, came by. So Boaz said, “Turn aside, friend; sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down.

Boaz goes to the city gate. In those days, the gate was basically the city hall. That is where the leaders of the town would meet to settle claims and do business. It is like going downtown to the courthouse or the county building. Once again, we see the providence of God at work as the other redeemer just happens to come by. Just as Ruth just happened upon the fields of Boaz and as Boaz just happened to come down as she was there, we are meant to see in this God’s invisible hand at work. The matter will be quickly resolved one way or the other.

2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down. 3 Then he said to the redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our relative Elimelech. 4 So I thought I would tell you of it and say, ‘Buy it in the presence of those sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my people.’ If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if you will not, tell me, that I may know, for there is no one besides you to redeem it, and I come after you.”

With the man in place, Boaz assembles the elders so that any agreements would be official. He then begins to lay out the details to this man, but he is very strategic in how he does this. He begins by explaining that Naomi is selling the parcel of land.

Now, when it says Naomi is selling the land, it’s not like how we sell property today. In ancient Israel, land ownership worked differently. They had a special law where, every 50 years, any land that had been sold would go back to the original family. This was called the Jubilee year. The land belonged to God, and families were just taking care of it. When Elimelech and his family left for Moab, they likely gave up their rights to the land's use. So, when Naomi and Ruth came back, they couldn’t just take the land and start using it again. Instead, they needed a male relative to reclaim and use it.

Boaz informing the man in front of the elders to ensure everything was done properly and fairly. In doing this, he makes sure he is above reproach. Nobody will be able to accuse him of wrongdoing or going around this other relative. The witnesses ensured that the transaction was public, binding, and could not be disputed, reflecting the transparency and justice of God’s law and the integrity of Boaz. Boaz acknowledges the other man is ahead of him, but also that he is interested if the man decided to not proceed. Then the man speaks,

And he said, “I will redeem it.”

Oh, doesn’t your heart just sink when you hear that? We don’t want him to redeem it, we want Boaz. But Boaz isn’t finished.

5 Then Boaz said, “The day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance.”

Boaz had kept back the information about Ruth. Now, he shares the responsibility that comes with the property. Not only will the man pick up the land, but he will also pick up Ruth as a wife, and the responsibility to have children with her so that the family line of Mahlon will continue. Boaz makes sure to point out that Ruth is a Moabite. If you want the land, then you also must take on the cost and responsibility of becoming a husband to this outsider.

The land may have benefited him financially, but to take on a wife and the cost of additional children for the continuation of the estate of another man would not. On top of this would be the possible social and domestic problems of taking a Moabite wife.

6 Then the redeemer said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it.”

The man backs out. Since we know how the story ends, we may not realize how big a deal this really is and how significant it is that he chooses not to go forward. It was expected that one would redeem their relatives’ line and be considered dishonorable not to do so unless you had very good reasons. Deuteronomy 25:7–10 says,

7 And if the man does not wish to take his brother’s wife, then his brother’s wife shall go up to the gate to the elders and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to perpetuate his brother’s name in Israel; he will not perform the duty of a husband’s brother to me.’ 8 Then the elders of his city shall call him and speak to him, and if he persists, saying, ‘I do not wish to take her,’ 9 then his brother’s wife shall go up to him in the presence of the elders and pull his sandal off his foot and spit in his face. And she shall answer and say, ‘So shall it be done to the man who does not build up his brother’s house.’ 10 And the name of his house shall be called in Israel, ‘The house of him who had his sandal pulled off.’

This man is not the brother, but it shows how important the continuation of a family line was. This interaction could have gone either way, and once again we see God’s grace in that he chooses to step aside and allow Boaz to be the redeemer. He is probably somewhat relieved someone else is willing to do it after he finds out about Ruth.

The focus of the unnamed man on preserving his own inheritance highlights a stark contrast between self-interest and the providential blessing that will come through Boaz and Ruth. Ironically, we never learn his name, which further highlights the glory of God's sovereign plan. I wonder how often we miss out on divine blessings when we act selfishly, overlooking God's commands and the needs of others. Nevertheless, God's purposes prevail, and in this case, He orchestrates events to ensure that Boaz becomes Ruth's redeemer.

7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, the one drew off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was the manner of attesting in Israel. 8 So when the redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself,” he drew off his sandal.

The man removes his sandal and gives it to Boaz, which likely indicates that he is giving over his right to walk on the land to Boaz. This is done in front of witnesses and is the way they would finalize the contract.

9 Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and to Mahlon. 10 Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. You are witnesses this day.”

Although in the negotiations Boaz emphasized the land, now that he has won the right to be the redeemer he makes clear his commitment to fulfill the role regarding Ruth and Naomi. He promises to take Ruth for his wife and to father children with her to continue the family line.

11 Then all the people who were at the gate and the elders said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you act worthily in Ephrathah and be renowned in Bethlehem, 12 and may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring that the Lord will give you by this young woman.”

The transaction is complete, the witnesses testify to what they have seen and then they offer an extraordinary blessing. They pray that God would grant this foreign woman a place among the renowned mothers of Israel. Rachel and Leah were wives of Jacob, who is also named Israel and who is the father of the 12 tribes. It is remarkable that they associate this Moabite woman with these two mothers of the nation.  

They pray for Boaz to act worthily, and then they mention another woman, Tamar and her son Perez, that she had with Judah. Boaz is a descendant of Perez and like Ruth, her husband had died. This was a patriarchal society and family lines were typically traced through fathers, not mothers. By mentioning all these women, our attention is called to something of vital importance.

The hope of Israel depended upon the fruitfulness of the women. One of the reasons that childbearing and the continuation of the family lines was so important was that the salvation of Israel was promised to come through child-bearing. After Adam and Eve sin, God comes and pronounces both a curse and a promise. In Genesis 3:15 he says to the Serpent,

15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

The great promise of redemption flows down through the seed of the woman. Salvation was promised through a coming messiah, a great king, a great prophet descended from one of the families of Israel. It is true that sin entered the world through a woman, but so too did the Savior. Ladies, the next time some guy gives you some mess about Eve eating that fruit, remind them that it also pleased God to bring the Savior through a faithful woman. As we read the Bible and studied Judges we marvel at the wickedness of the people and wonder how it is that God will keep His promise? How will God work through this broken people to establish His kingdom? Then we are reminded of His faithfulness through Leah, and Rachel, and His grace through Tamar (if you know that story, you will know what I mean). We are reminded that it is not because of the faithfulness of the people that salvation will come, but because of the faithfulness of God.

This passage, recording the redemption of Ruth and Naomi by Boaz prepares us for the final redemption that will come through Jesus Christ. It does that in a couple of ways. First, because God will work through this union to bring Jesus Christ into the world. The people say, “and may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring that the Lord will give you by this young woman.”

Those who uttered these prophetic words could never have imagined the magnitude of their fulfillment. Had they lived to witness it, they would have seen the prominence of a name, and a lineage that far surpassed that of Perez — the house of King David, a name still celebrated among Jews and from whose line comes the Savior of the World. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Son of David, who is and was and is to come. The promised chosen one of Israel and savior of the world will come through Ruth. 

These events also help us to better understand and appreciate what is involved in our redemption. I would like to focus on two aspects in particular. This passage points us to the willingness of Jesus Christ as a redeemer and to the sufficiency of Jesus as a redeemer. The main point I hope to draw out for you in doing this is,

We can rest in our salvation because Jesus has paid the price, our redemption is complete in Him.

There were two men who could have redeemed Ruth, but only one was willing. It is not enough that one has the power to save, they must have the desire as well. The other man was thinking of himself and of the cost, but Boaz is a willing redeemer. He was not compelled by duty alone but was moved by love and compassion. How much more was Jesus moved by love and compassion in pursuing our redemption?

Jesus willingly went to the cross, not begrudgingly, not under compulsion, but with definite purpose. In John 10:17–18 Jesus says,

17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

This willing sacrifice is critical to understanding the gospel. The first redeemer in Ruth 4 hesitated because he counted the cost and decided it was too great. Boaz, however, embraced the cost, laying aside potential obstacles or inconveniences because he valued Ruth and Naomi. Likewise, Jesus did not recoil at the high cost of redeeming His people. He knew it would require Him to humble Himself, bear the full wrath of God for sin, and even die, yet He pressed forward in love for His bride, the Church.

When there was nothing in us that He should gain, He left the glory of heaven and came here, taking on a human nature, so he could stand as a human being before the law. He was perfect and then gave His perfect life, with no sin and no wrongdoing, in the place of any who would come to Him in faith seeking redemption. Jesus died on a cross in our place to redeem us. Boaz redeemed Ruth out of the abundance of his resources, but Jesus redeemed us with His own life, by His own blood. Ruth came to Boaz, but Jesus came to us.

He was punished in our place for our sins, died and was buried, but three days later, He rose again, proving His sacrifice was accepted and the full price for our sins was paid. Everything needed for our redemption was secured. Every drop of the righteous wrath of God against the sin of every believer was swallowed up by love. He didn’t do it because we deserved it. He didn’t do it because we earned it. There was nothing we had that He needed. He did it because He loved us. Romans 5:6–8 says,

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

There isn't a single person who loves us without seeing something in us that draws their affection. It might be intelligence, wealth, beauty, strength, status, kindness, generosity, shared interests, or goodness. Whatever it is, there is something in us to attract them. But Christ’s initial love for us is entirely free. The reasons that draw men and women to love us are not what draws Jesus to love us.

He sees things for what they are and the sins we have committed are odious and abominable in the sight of a holy God. There is enough evil in our sin to repulse any holy and pure suitor. Whatever motivates Christ to love us isn’t found in us, but in Him.

Friends, if you feel your love for Christ growing cold, the answer is to meditate upon His love for you. He has loved you without you giving Him any reason to and will you not love Him who has given you 10,000 reasons to do so? He does not love you so that you may do some great thing for Him, but that He may do great things for you. Christ's love is free, without beginning, without end. Meditate upon the love of Christ. Look in your mind at Him hanging there on the cross, pierced, bleeding, dying for your sins and see if there is any other love like His. Nobody loves you like Christ.

Why then do we sometimes live as though Christ redeems us reluctantly, as though He holds back His grace because of our failures? The Bible tells us repeatedly that it is His love that compels Him to redeem us. He is a willing savior. Hebrews 12:2 says we should live,

2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Brothers and sisters, that joy included seeing you redeemed and restored to fellowship with the Father, sanctified and living in the peace of your salvation, and the joy of one who has been adopted into the family of God. He did not choose you because you were strong, so why should your weakness now discourage you? When we feel burdened by guilt or fear, we can remind ourselves that Christ’s work is finished. This frees us to live with confidence, knowing that our failures cannot undo His love or salvation. Jesus says in Matthew 11:28,

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

He knows if we were left to do it in our own we would surely fail, that is why He came. He is a willing redeemer, and He has gone to the gate for us, the transaction is complete. Our confidence is not in ourselves, but in Him.  Hebrews 4:15–16 reminds us,

15 … we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

If you are struggling with sin and assurance, brothers and sisters, run to Christ. Fill your mind with the promises of God. Repent and believe and know that if you do, your salvation has already been accomplished.  1 John 1:8–9 says,

8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

He is faithful and just. He has paid the price. He keeps His promises. When Satan tells you that you do not have the strength to resist sin, remember that Jesus Christ gave His blood to redeem you and free you from His power. When you fail and Satan tells you that there is no hope, remember that Jesus Christ is risen, that He is seated at the right hand of God making intercession for you, pleading the blood with which He redeemed you. Believer, do you see how much He loves you? He is not reluctant to redeem us, so let us put our trust in Him.

But to accomplish redemption, one must not only be willing, but they must also be qualified. Boaz was able to redeem Ruth because he was a relative and he had the resources to accomplish it. While Boaz willingly paid the price to redeem Ruth and Naomi, he could only redeem them physically and temporally. He could provide land, security, and a future within Israel, but he could not save them from sin or grant them eternal life. There is only one who can do that.

First, to redeem us from sin and death the redeemer had to be a relative. This is why Jesus, who is God, comes to earth as a man. Our redeemer had to be truly human and fulfill the requirements of the law. Jesus, who is truly God, for our sakes, became also truly human. Hebrews 2:14 says,

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things…

The Bible says He is not ashamed to call us brothers. To save us, He became as one of us.

Second, the redeemer had to have the ability to pay the price and accomplish the redemption. Boaz was wealthy and could buy the inheritance. To redeem us from sin what was required was not gold and silver, but the riches of perfect righteousness. When Jesus came, He lived a perfectly righteous life under the law of God in the flesh. We have all sinned, but 1 Peter 2:22 says,

He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 

Jesus was the only righteous human being, but even that wasn’t enough. To redeem us from sin meant that the penalty for our sin must also be satisfied. It wasn’t enough for the redeemer to be a perfect man. He also had to be able to satisfy the wrath of God against our sins and only God could do that. Our redemption had to come from one who was truly human and truly God and Jesus is the only one in all of history, in all the universe, who fits that description.

He was not only willing to redeem, but He was able to do it. His work of redemption is perfect and it is sufficient. We can add nothing to it or take anything away from it. Hebrews 9:12 says,

12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.

There is nothing left for us to do to secure our redemption. As He was dying, Jesus cried out, "It is finished." He fulfilled the law's demands, paid the debt of sin, and secured eternal life for all who will ever believe. Boaz ensured the continuation of a family line, but Jesus secures for us an eternal inheritance. Boaz redeemed Ruth from poverty, but Jesus redeems us from slavery to sin, death, and hell.

Why then do we so often live as though we need to add something to Christ's work? How often does our obedience, service, or devotion sometimes feel like a burden as though they are necessary in order to earn God’s love? Don’t believe it. That is the devil trying to steal our joy. Jesus calls us to rest in the sufficiency of what He has done. Just as Ruth and Naomi were entirely dependent on Boaz to accomplish their redemption, we must rely wholly on Christ. Our obedience, service, and devotion are privileges of our redemption, not means to accomplish it. If we try to add anything to the work of Jesus, or take any pride in our work, we rob Him of the glory and honor He alone deserves.

It is like a mother washing a window to perfect clarity and then eager to help, a child rushes over with greasy hands rubbing it and smearing it, every effort leaving it more smudged. With love, the mother comes behind gently wiping the area clean with her cloth. The child’s work doesn’t add anything and only proves how necessary the mother’s work is. That is how it is with us. Our works are like greasy hands trying to perfect what only Jesus can make spotless.

Brothers and sisters, as we leave here this morning, let us remember that in Christ, we have a Redeemer who is both willing and sufficient to save us. His love is steadfast, His work is complete, and His promises are sure. we can rest in our salvation because Jesus has Paid the Price, our Redemption is Complete in Him.