Ruth 3

Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer (type of Christ)

Near kinsman (Hebrew go'el) — redeemer

And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. Ruth 3:9

Ruth asks Boaz to cover her and redeem her as her near kinsman. It pictures the Lord spreading His covering over His people in a covenant of marriage: Christ as the Bridegroom and Redeemer of those who come humbly to Him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to Ezekiel 16:8 — Jehovah to Israel: "I spread my skirt over thee... and entered into a covenant with thee."
• alludes to Ruth 2:12 — The same word (wing / skirt): Boaz becomes the covering wing he had prayed over her.
• alludes to Isaiah 54:5 — The Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, as husband to His people.

Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer (type of Christ)

And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. Ruth 3:12–13

Boaz swears that he will redeem Ruth if the nearer kinsman will not. Like Christ, he is willing as well as able, and he binds himself by oath to do it.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• fulfilled by Ruth 4:9-10 — Boaz keeps his oath and purchases Ruth and the inheritance.

Boaz, the redeemer who finishes the work

Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day. Ruth 3:18

Naomi trusts that Boaz will not rest until redemption is complete. It softly echoes Christ, who did not stop until He could say of His redeeming work, "It is finished."

• alluded to by John 19:30 — "It is finished" at the completion of the Atonement on the cross.