Sometimes it’s hard for me to read Ruth 3 without initially thinking how awkward would it be to be a rich, single man who woke up one day with some random woman at the foot of the bed laying next to my feet and how this goes against everything my wife would share with young women concerning biblical womanhood and getting guys’ attention. But as we all already know, Ruth is not doing this for seductive reasons but out of obedience to her mother-in-law as Boaz will soon be revealed as not only her kinsman redeemer but out of God’s sovereignty, the redeemer of Israel.
The role of kinsman-redeemer can be found in Leviticus 25 and as we see from Ruth 2:20 he can fulfill that for their family. A kinsman redeemer is the closest relative who redeems both land and children when an Israelite man dies and fails to leave a son behind. Boaz agrees that he could be that redeemer (v. 12) but he mentions that there could be closer relatives to fulfill this responsibility and that he would be looking into it. No matter what, he promises that she’ll be taken care of but she also needs to be content and patient.
I love this story because I love the meaning behind this word REDEEMER that is used so often in this book. A kinsman redeemer can rescue a widow, a family and even a people in this way as evidenced in this book, but we know that Boaz is just a foreshadowing of the great redeemer of our lives, Jesus Christ. Here’s one of my favorite songs showing how Christ is our Savior, Defender, Redeemer!
By: Erik Koliser — West Campus Pastor
JumpstartCPC.com 
As I read this, I’m always astounded by Ruth’s unhesitating courage. Unlike many characters in the Old Testament, she has not received any specific vision for what is coming and how the Lord will use her. The girl’s just trying to survive and hopefully have enough to also care for her mother-in-law. Humble courage – something I could certainly use more of!
John, I didn’t think about that in comparison to other OT characters but that’s so true. Thanks for mentioning that.