A Redemption Story: Seeing God’s Glory in Ruth 4
Author: Kaitlin Haines
What we learned from Ruth 3 :
Surrendering control is a key theme in Ruth’s journey. True peace comes when we let go of fear, trust God’s provision, and step into the unknown, knowing that He’s guiding us every step of the way.
Boaz’s integrity and patience remind us that God’s plan may not always move as fast as we want, but it’s always worth the wait.
Naomi’s reassurance to Ruth to rest and wait teaches us that God’s peace comes when we surrender the outcome to Him, trusting that He is faithful to complete what He has started.
We left off in Ruth Chapter 3 with Boaz telling Ruth that there was a closer relative that should redeem her if he chooses to. The last first in chapter 3 says, “Then Naomi said to her, “just be patient, my daughter, until we hear what happens. The man won’t rest until he has settled things today.”
As we look at her words, I can’t help but think that Ruth went home from her conversation with Boaz and was anxious. I am sure that finding out there was a closer relative caught her off guard, especially considering that she had already built a friendship and relationship with Boaz. Not only that, she followed Naomi’s directions and submitted herself fully at his feet. To surrender and come with vulnerability to a man that you know and trust, and then to have him say, “wait, there is someone else,” would be a hard place for Ruth to be in.
So, she finds herself waiting. And her feelings must’ve been uneasy, knowing that Naomi was trying to encourage her to be patient.
This is where surrender becomes a practice, knowing that God has it in his hands and will work things together for good.
Let’s dive into Ruth 4 and see what we can learn from Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz.
Setting the Scene: Boaz At The Town Gate
In the beginning of chapter four, we find Boaz going to the city gate. This is where the council chamber and court room would have been. We see Levitical law being lived out in this scenario. Essentially, Boaz and the other relative were sitting in a place of witnesses to make this deal official. He began by explaining that there was land that he needed to redeem. The relative agreed because what man wouldn’t want to buy more land? However, Boaz continued that he would be responsible to marry Ruth as well. This didn’t sit well with the relative, probably because he was married and already had sons to divide his land for. This would make things complicated. So, the relative told Boaz he could redeem the land because the relative was unable.
Boaz knew what he was doing when he offered up the land first and later offered Ruth. He knew the man wouldn’t want to take Ruth as his wife because of his own family, and trusted that this was going to go in his favor.
Boaz had confidence in the Lord and could see the good that was going to come from this.
A Celebration Of Redemption
They publicly validated the transaction with the other relative removing his sandal and giving it to Boaz. Boaz proceeded to turn to everyone and proclaim that they were witnesses to him buying the land and acquiring Ruth as his wife, carrying out the posterity and property of Elimilech.
The elders and witnesses then blessed this transaction, blessed their marriage, and blessed their future children. This was an exciting moment. Boaz was so joyful, and the people were so supportive because it was a beautiful celebration of redemption.
Redeemed And Restored For Glory
Not long after, Boaz took Ruth as his wife and they bore a son. This was a redeeming moment for Naomi. In chapter 1, Naomi is bitter. She had lost everything in a foreign land and had almost nothing. But she turned back to God, and throughout this story, lost her bitterness. She recognized that God is good even if life gets hard. And she learned that running back to Him was all she needed to do. And God honored that by completely redeeming her family. And the moment she held her sweet grandson, she likely felt the weight of God’s peace, provision, and deep love.
At the end, the genealogy shows us that Naomi is the great great grandmother, and Ruth is the great grandmother of David.
What Can We Learn from Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz’s Journey’s All Through The Book Of Ruth?
Here are a few key takeaways from the redeeming book of Ruth:
God’s hand is at work all throughout history. We see this in every part of Ruth and Naomi’s life.
Naomi loses everything and runs back to God. Because of this He:
Led Ruth to Boaz’s field
Softened Boaz’s heart to Ruth and Naomi
Provided much food for them through Ruth and Boaz’s friendship
Honored Ruth’s obedience to Naomi to submit to Boaz
Made way for their land, people, and possessions to be redeemed
Bore a son to Ruth and Boaz that would lead to David being a great King, Solomon Building the Temple, Jesus being born in Bethlehem, and redeeming us on the cross
All of which led to you and me sitting here right now, being daughters of the King
The entire book is a representation of Jesus being our kinsmen redeemer. In the same way that Boaz redeemed a lost family and restored their possessions, people, and posterity, Jesus redeems us. He came down–human–as our kinsmen. He bought us out of slavery. He redeemed what had been “sold” over to Satan. He was motivated by His love for us. He has taken us as his bride. And he provides a destiny for us that is no longer bound to eternal separation, but is glorious.
Isaiah 54:4-8 says, “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband—the Lord Almighty is his name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. The Lord will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit—a wife who married young, only to be rejected,” says your God. “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back. In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord your Redeemer.”
This is our proof of the Lord being our Kinsmen Redeemer.
There is never a story that God leaves unfinished.
Conclusion: God Is Redeeming You, Right Now
No matter what you are walking through, no matter how hard your circumstances–the Lord sees fit to redeem you. And when you run to him, submit yourself to his will, and surrender the things that you hold so tightly, he begins to unravel your story in a way that has his eternal glory written all over it.
He is a God of generational redemption. This is His story. Not our own. There is no better author for your life than the one who created you intentionally. And he will write every single detail of your life with his radical love, deep purpose, and magnificent glory at the forefront.
So, have hope, friend. As long as you are here, he isn’t done with your story. He isn’t done redeeming you for His glory.