Series: Unusual Characters in the Bible
Sermon: Boaz: Redeemer and Acquirer
Bible Passage: Ruth 4:4-5; Revelation 5:9; Exodus 15:13-16

 I. Observations about Boaz:

1. A relative of Naomi’s husband (2:1)
2. A kinsman-redeemer (2:20)
3. A man of wealth, a man with land and servants (ch. 2)
4. A man with compassion (2:10, cf. Lev 19:9-10)
5. As a landowner, Boaz provided positive work environment for his employees (2:4)
6. As a Jew, instead of looking down upon a foreigner, Boaz speaks to her kindly (2:8-9)
7. As a landowner, Boaz establishes anti-sexual harassment policy in work place (2:8-9)
8. Boaz treated Ruth, a foreigner, widow, and a destitute, with dignity
9. Boaz did not exploit a vulnerable person, but wanted to relate to her legally (3:12-14)

II. When Boaz was legally gaining Ruth, he used two words which only Jehovah uses them together (4:4-5)

1. The two words are “redeem” and “acquire” (4:4-5)
2. The law of redemption is taught in Lev 25, which most Jews practiced, but “redemption-acquisition” was done only by Jehovah (cf. Exod 13-16) and Boaz (cf. Ruth 4:4-5)
3. The word “acquire” refers to the purchase of slaves and to have a master-slave relationship
4. The word “redeem” refers to release what is “acquired” or “possessed”
5. It refers to the release of the slave (acquired) and return to the rightful owner
6. The redeemer is not obligated to acquire/possess the released
7. In Ruth 4:4-5, the word “redeem” and “acquire” are used together!
8. In other words, the kinsman redeemer of Naom-Ruth does something outside of the legislation in Lev 25, which is both to “redeem” and “acquire”

a. Ruth became Boaz’s wife
b. Ruth’s status changed as Boaz’s inheritance

9. This is done only by Jehovah in Exodus 15:13-16: both redeeming and acquiring

a. Jehovah acquired Israel as His inheritance
b. The purpose of acquiring is to inherit

10. Boaz models Jehovah’s redemption and acquisition, Ruth models Israel’s “loyal-love” to her Redeemer (through her confession and dedication cf. 3:9-10)
11. The story of Boaz-Ruth represents ideal relationship between Jehovah and Israel
12. Ruth, a destitute-foreigner, who could only serve as a slave (Ruth 3:9; cf. Lev 25:44) is transformed in to Boaz’s inheritance
13. In the course of the story, Ruth goes through a transformation from a foreigner to resident and mother of the great king, David, and figures in the family tree of Jesus Himself
14. This transformation is made possible by the kinsman redeemer and her confession
15. Boaz’s redemption-acquisition and Ruth’s transformation from widow-foreigner story prefigures the Gospel

III. In the NT, God redeemed and acquired His people through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection

1. In Eph 1:7-8, Paul reminds that the Ephesian Christians are redeemed by God through the redeemer, Jesus
2. In 1 Cor 6:20 and 7:23, Paul reminds the believers that God bought them with a price
3. Compare these two words: redeemed in Eph 1:7 and bought in 1 Cor 6:20
4. This is further explained in Rev 5:9 that Jesus has redeemed and bought the saints
5. Just like Jehovah redeemed-acquired Israel and Boaz redeemed-acquired Ruth, God has “redeemed-acquired” the believers, i.e., you and me

Take Away
Respond to God through Jesus your redeemer with your loyal-love, just like Ruth responded with her loyal love to her redeemer Boaz