The Call to Redemption: Understanding Our Role in God's Plan
"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
Ruth 4:4 (KJV) presents a poignant moment in the book of Ruth, where the topic of redemption takes center stage. The verse reads, "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." This brief passage encapsulates a turning point in the narrative, as it emphasizes the importance of redemption not just in a material sense, but as a fundamental tenet of God’s interaction with humanity.
Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer, has come to a pivotal juncture where he must ensure that Naomi’s land—and thus, her family heritage—remains connected to its rightful owner through Ruth, her Moabite daughter-in-law. This moment illustrates much about our own relationship with redemption, encapsulated in a small yet profound act of social justice woven into the fabric of ancient Israel’s culture.
To understand the gravity of Boaz’s invitation to redeem, we must first appreciate the concept of the kinsman-redeemer (Goel) in Hebrew culture. A kinsman-redeemer was not merely responsible for buying land; he had the obligation to restore one’s family line, uphold family honor, and ensure that no one fell into poverty or obscurity. This principle shows us how deeply God cares about communal integrity and personal dignity. When Boaz approaches the closer relative saying: "If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it," he frames his invitation not just as a transaction but as a pathway to fulfill a divine purpose through human actions.
As Christians, we are called to recognize that our God is, above all, a redeemer. He sent Christ into the world to redeem us from the bondage of sin, much like Boaz sought to redeem Ruth and Naomi. What strikes with profound significance in Boaz’s statement is the urgency and responsibility he places upon the other relative. It begs the question—how often do we shy away from God’s call to act in our lives, to say as Boaz did, "If you will redeem, redeem; but if you will not, then tell me."
In our personal lives, we are often presented with opportunities to be agents of redemption. Just as Boaz positioned himself to act on behalf of Ruth and Naomi, we too have a part to play in the redemptive work of Christ in our community. We can choose to intervene in someone’s life, offer forgiveness, lend a helping hand, or support the vulnerable. The essence of being a fellow redeemer aligns us closer to the heart of God. Are we listening for those moments when God asks us to act?
Furthermore, the question posed by Boaz—"but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me"—challenges us to engage in truthful dialogue about our willingness to step into roles of responsibility and compassion. Therein lies the beauty of community: we are meant to lean on one another not only in times of need but to actively participate in the lifting of burdens.
As we reflect on Ruth 4:4, let us consider our own lives and the opportunities God has given us to redeem the lost, the broken, and the marginalized. Let us not shy away from our call but rather step in boldly, echoing Boaz’s commitment to redeeming Ruth: "I will redeem it." In doing so, we become reflections of Christ’s love and grace, ever inviting others into the redemptive story being written through our lives.
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Ruth 4:4 Artwork
Ruth 4:4 - "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."
"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
Ruth 1:4 - "And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years."
Ruth 4:18 - "¶ Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,"
Ruth 4:20 - "And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon,"
Ruth 4:21 - "And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,"
Ruth 4:19 - "And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab,"
Ruth 4:22 - "And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David."
Ruth 4:13 - "¶ So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son."
Ruth 4:16 - "And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it."
Ruth 4:5 - "Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance."
Ruth 4:8 - "Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe."
Ruth 4:2 - "And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down."
"¶ Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron," - Ruth 4:18
"And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David." - Ruth 4:22
"And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon," - Ruth 4:20
"And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab," - Ruth 4:19
"And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed," - Ruth 4:21
Ruth 4:10 - "Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day."
Ruth 2:4 - "¶ And, behold, Boaz came from Beth-lehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee."
"And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years." - Ruth 1:4
Ruth 4:3 - "And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's:"
Ruth 4:14 - "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 4:17 - "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 4:12 - "And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman."
Ruth 4:6 - "¶ And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it."
Ruth 4:9 - "¶ 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."
"And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it." - Ruth 4:16
Ruth 4:7 - "Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel."
"¶ So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son." - Ruth 4:13