Ruth 3
Ruth Chapter 3: 11-13 (NKJV)
11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman. 12 Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. 13 Stay this night, and in the morning, it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you—good; let him do it. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the Lord lives! Lie down until morning."
Naomi is poverty-stricken and too old to work the land. She cannot live without the assistance of Elimelech's tribal go'el. This ancient Hebrew word describes the senior relative of a family who has the duties and power: to buy back land or a family member sold into slavery; care for widows, orphans, and the weak and vulnerable of the family; be the blood avenger of a family member who has been killed and assumes responsibility for ensuring the family line continues. It first appears that Boaz was Elimelech's family go'el. However, another relative has a closer tie to Elimelech than Boaz. Being a man of integrity, Boaz follows the custom of speaking with the more immediate relative at the city gate in the presence of a council of ten elders. The meeting results in the other relative being unwilling to fulfill the familial duties.
Boaz made a covenant with Ruth. He made it more than a promise when he used the (translated) phrase, "as the LORD lives." In other words, Boaz used the name most closely linked to God's redeeming acts related to the history of his chosen people. YAHWEH was the name was so holy and sacred the Israelites would not say it aloud. He was aware of the power of the name YAHWEH when he made the covenant with Ruth in verse thirteen.
Israel's redemption was by the one and only God who was its Go'el, in contrast to the nearby polytheistic pagan nations whose gods were powerless to redeem them. Additionally, we see a reference to God as the Redeemer in Job chapter 19, with the same Hebrew word. The Kinsman Redeemer of the Old Testament foreshadows Jesus, who is our Redeemer in the New Testament. The Church is the bride of Christ. The New Testament Redeemer has no connection to the ancient custom of Levirate marriage. Christ as our Redeemer promises victory over death and life everlasting with him. We find those in Romans chapter eight and 1 Corinthians chapter fifteen.
Prayer: (“The Valley of Vision”)
O Divine Redeemer,
Great was thy goodness in undertaking my redemption,
in consenting to be made sin for me, in conquering all my foes;
Great was thy strength in enduring the extremities of divine wrath,
in taking away the load of my iniquities. Great was thy love in manifesting thyself alive, in showing they sacred wounds, that every fear might vanish, and every doubt be removed;
Great was thy mercy in ascending to heaven in being crowned and enthroned
there to intercede for me, there to succour me in temptation,
there to open the eternal book, there to receive me finally to thyself;
Great was thy wisdom in devising this means of salvation,
Bathe my soul in rich consolations of thy resurrection life,
Great was thy grace in commanding me to come hand in hand with thee to the Father.
to be knit to him eternally, to discover in him my rest,
to find in him my peace, to behold his glory,
to honour him who is alone worthy; in giving me the Spirit as teacher, guide, power.
That I may live repenting of sin, conquer Satan, find victory in life.
When thou art absent all sorrows are here,
When thou are present, all blessings are mine.