Ruth 4

Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer (type of Christ)

And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it. Ruth 4:4–6

The nearer kinsman has the first right but cannot pay the full cost, so the redemption falls to Boaz. Many teachers see here that no one else, and not the law by itself, could redeem us; only Christ was both able and willing to pay the whole price.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to Deuteronomy 25:5-10 — The law of raising up a name to the dead brother, including the loosed shoe.
• alluded to by Mosiah 13:28 — Salvation does not come by the law alone; were it not for the Atonement all must perish.

Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer (type of Christ)

And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand of Naomi. Ruth 4:9–10

Boaz publicly buys back the lost inheritance and purchases Ruth as his bride so the dead will not lose their name. Christ likewise bought His people with a price, takes them as His bride, and restores what death took away.

• a type of what is in 1 Corinthians 6:20 — "Ye are bought with a price."
• a type of what is in Acts 20:28 — The church of God, "which he hath purchased with his own blood."
• fulfils Ruth 3:13 — Boaz does the part of a kinsman, as he swore.

The promised seed of Judah

And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem: Ruth 4:11–12

The elders bless Boaz's house to be like the house of Pharez of the tribe of Judah and to be famous in Bethlehem. Without knowing it, they are blessing the family line that will bring forth the King of Israel, Jesus Christ.

• alludes to Genesis 49:10 — The sceptre shall not depart from Judah until Shiloh come.
• alludes to Genesis 38:29 — The birth of Pharez to Tamar and Judah.

Redeemer, restorer of life

Kinsman (Hebrew go'el) — redeemer

And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. Ruth 4:14–15

The women praise the LORD for giving Naomi a redeeming kinsman who will be a "restorer of thy life." Naomi went out full and came home empty; redemption fills her again, as Christ restores life to all who come to Him.

• alludes to Ruth 1:21 — "I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty" is reversed here.

Stem of Jesse / Son of David

Obed — "servant" / "worshipper"

And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David. Ruth 4:17–22

The book's goal is revealed: Ruth's son is grandfather of David. This is the royal line from which Jesus Christ, called the Stem of Jesse and the Son of David, was born.

• a parallel account in Matthew 1:3-6 — The same genealogy from Phares to David within the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
• a parallel account in Luke 3:31-33 — Luke's genealogy of Jesus passes through David, Jesse, Obed, Booz, and Phares.
• alluded to by Isaiah 11:1 — "A rod out of the stem of Jesse," the Messianic promise through Jesse's line.