Ruth No. 4 Kinsman Redeemer

Have your Bibles open, please, at Ruth in 3. Ruth chapter 3, verse 9. Who are you, he asked. I am your servant Ruth, she said. Spread the corner of your garment over me.

Cover me. Since you are a kinsman, redeemer. There are two tragedies which confront you when you first glance at the content of this third chapter of this most remarkable book in the Old Testament.

The sadness of two women folk, both of whom, distanced by the years as far as generations were concerned, but both of whom who were in the same circumstance they had lost their life's partner. That's sad, isn't it? And perhaps an even greater sadness, though not so recognized in the 20th century, but a grievous tragedy for the Jewish people in the days of Ruth. Naomi and her daughter's family tree was coming to its conclusion.

There would be no further development of the branch, no sons, no daughters. It's hard for us in the 20th century to appreciate the tragedy of that. Particularly in a society where the concept of immortality was yet to come into full bloom as you find it in the New Testament.

Because there is a sense, is there not, if you think it through logically, where a man has a certain immortality, a certain extension of his life on earth by his generations, his children, and his children's children, and so on and so forth. But that's only a perpetuation in which you would really need to have inverted commas. It's an extension of life through the family tree.

And very honorable, it is, of course. But you see, when you move into the New Testament, you have got this picture of the resurrection life, the continuation of the human personality beyond death, the knowledge that those who die in Jesus go immediately into the presence of God. They are not snuffed out like the flame of a candle, which when you... is blown out and is... they're no longer.

Now, it seems to me, my friend, that as you contemplate these two women each representing a great need, a double tragedy wrapped up in their circumstance, so working your way through this passage, you will come to appreciate that though their tragedy is not yours specifically, the Word of God nonetheless directs itself to people who feel somewhat disconcerted in life, certain things that are not working out in the way that they should, so exposed, so vulnerable they are. And it's the message of the book, the Old Testament and the New Testament, that this great God, Jehovah, wants to cover you, wants to minister to those areas of need that you have within your life. And so we come back to a thought of last week when I said to you that although we're gleaning, if one can use that word, we're gleaning in the book of Ruth.

Spiritually, we want to gain truth. But it's not just for us to glean in this book. It is for us to take the fruit of our labors and thresh it out, so that what we are taught Sunday morning by Sunday morning has an impact and effect upon our lives Monday through to Saturday in the week following and the months and the years within the grace of God.

So I offer this little study on our kinsmen redeemer to you within that context. Now I have no more to say. I repeat this many, many times from this pulpit.

I have no more to say to you than what is in this book. And if what I say does not coincide with the teaching of Scripture, then for goodness sake, forget me. I'm a mortal man and can make mistakes in my thinking and my reasoning.

But I offer the fruit of my studies on this to you this morning because I think that within the commentary, within the comments that I want to share with you from this third chapter, it may be that God will enable you to glean and to get benefit from your life, to cover you in certain areas where you need to know his definite embrace. So let's work our way very quickly through this chapter. Here are these two women, I say.

In the first verse, you discover the older saying to the younger, My daughter, should not I try to find a home for you? Now immediately we recognize that all parents have a responsibility for their children. There is a sense in which we want as parents to ensure that our children are well catered for when the days arrive and we're no longer here on earth. Now Naomi had a great love for Ruth, did she not? And she has a concern for her future well-being.

Should not I try to find a home for you? The authorized version says rest for you. Now there's no contradiction there because you see, in the estimate of the Bible writers, our home and a state of rest are synonymous terms. I wonder to what degree you can say, my married friends, that your marriage has over it shalom, peace.

You see, that's a biblical concept of marriage, that we might know rest in our marriage, that we might know rest at a broader level as Christian people in our relationships. And so here is Naomi and she wants for Ruth a place where she might rest, where you will be well provided for. And I say that she reproduces the concerns that parents have for their children as they develop, as they move from the past into the present and into the future.

It's the concern of God, you see, that his children, whether the Old Testament Israelites or his children in the New Testament sense, have a state of rest. Six days he lathered, on the seventh he rested. He brings the Israelites back into the promised land to give them rest.

And when our Lord Jesus comes on earth, he gives that grand invitation. Those who are troubled in spirit, come unto me. I am meek and lowly of heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

You see, this is part of your spiritual inheritance. So here we have it in these words of Naomi, concern for her daughter, the great promise of God for his children. Now how is this rest to come? Well, as far as Ruth is concerned, Naomi comes to a realization because of the kinship and the kindness already shown by Boaz to Naomi and Ruth, that it is through him that Ruth shall be blessed.

Is not Boaz with whose servant goes you have been a kinsman of ours? Let me remind you, Ruth, of the blessings you have already received through this man. Now it's good that a preacher reminds you, isn't it? I personally never object to hearing an address twice. You may be cleverer than I. Your memory may be more attentive than mine.

But I thank God for many an occasion when I put on a tape of a man like Lloyd-Jones or read on the second or third occasion a sermon by a man like Campbell Morgan because it's sometimes the second time and the third time and the fourth time when I really begin to understand the heart of the ministry of these men. It's the same with music, isn't it? I'm a musical addict. I have no gift in music, but I love music.

I can play music hour after hour, play time and time again. Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings, my favorite piece of music. Many, many a time have I heard it and I never hear it again without somehow getting a greater understanding of what Tchaikovsky was trying to put through in that most marvelous piece of music which he composed.

Well, you see, it's the same. It's the same with a preacher. Tell me the old, old story.

Why? Why I forget so soon. You see, Peter, he says, I'm going to put you in remembrance. Remembrance of those things that I've already told you.

Well, here is Ruth being reminded by Naomi of the benefits of Boaz, as I must remind you of the benefits of an even greater than Boaz, our Lord Jesus Christ. Is not Boaz, with whose servant girls you have been, a kinsman of ours? Will he not bless you? Can you not ask him to minister to you? And does not our Lord Jesus say to you and to me, ask, and you shall receive? Seek, and you shall find? Knock, and it shall be opened unto you. I don't know what it is that you need to glean in your life.

I don't know what cover it is that you need over certain aspects of your experience, but this I tell you. We have a greater than Boaz who invites us to come into his presence. I, says an old-fashioned preacher from the 17th or 18th century, seek him, the Lord Jesus.

Seek him in private, where no eye but that of heaven is upon thee. Come secretly to his feet and lay thy helpless, desolate estate open before his seat of mercy. Secretly confess the baseness of thy condition.

He will not despise thee, for the whole, or from the pit, from whence thou wast digged. Boaz did not reject Ruth the Morbitess. Will our Lord Jesus reject you? Will he reject me? No, my friend.

A.W. Tozer will tell you he waits to be wanted. Aye, that's the rub, that our Lord Jesus Christ has more concern for our company than we have to seek out his own. Wash and perfume yourself and put on your best clothes and go down to the threshing floor, but don't let him know you're there until he's finished eating and drinking.

And what does Naomi then say to Ruth? Well, when you're in the company of this Boaz, end of the fourth verse, when you're in the company of this Boaz, he will tell you what to do. Now, whatever your perplexities are, I want to reinforce this, my friend, that when you get yourself into the company of the Lord Jesus, by the mediation of his Holy Spirit, he will tell you what to do. He will disclose his plan for your life.

He can completely change your circumstances. Now, this was a delightful thought for Ruth as she learns it from the hands of her mother-in-law. Remember, Ruth is in a very strange culture.

What she's being asked to do now is as strange on her ears as it is on our eyes when first we read this in Scripture. We're back in the culture of the 5th century, or rather an earlier century, B.C. And so, Ruth is prepared to do what she is instructed to by her mother-in-law, Naomi. There's obedience here.

Verse 5, I will do whatever you say, Ruth answered. That's not always easy, is it? I mean, one of the greatest obstacles in becoming a Christian is surrendering your will to the will of God revealed through His Word, reproduced through a preacher. You see, we're men and women of the 20th century.

We are people who make our own decisions. You know, Henley's got it, hasn't he, in that poem, the master of our fate, the captain of our destiny. We do not submit our reason to anyone else.

Perish the thought. And that's the reason why our world is in the condition in which it is in. When it's not the thought that's about to perish, but possibly the world.

Unless it returns to the dictates of God, all you tell me to do, I will do. Ruth says to Naomi, who's speaking under the authority of the Spirit, I will do whatever you say, Ruth answered. So she went to the threshing floor, and she interpreted rightly all the commands of her mother-in-law.

Verse six. Now you see, when you go into this most intriguing incident, although it's astonishing perhaps for us, we discover that Boaz is not at all surprised, he's not at all put off by the fact that Ruth, this Moabites, has come into the place where he is resting, out there in his fields, where the grain has been gathered. In the middle of the night, verse eight, he discovers her, he's startled, but he's not put off.

He does not reprimand her at all. Indeed, he seems to be so impressed as to what she is about. Who are you, he says, verse nine.

And she responds, obviously he doesn't recognize her because of the gloom of the evening. I am your servant, Ruth. And then she makes the request, which has been brought out so beautifully in the song that you've just heard.

She says, spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer. Now in the culture of those days, if a man is going to take a widow to be his wife, he being free to marry, that's precisely what he will do. He will cover her with a blanket.

That covers him. You discover reference to this in terms of a spiritual application in the book of Ezekiel, the sixteenth chapter in verse eight. I've no time to check it through with you.

But here is Ruth, you see, and there's a measure of risk, isn't there? I mean, as you have read this through, it struck you as being rather surprising. It seems somewhat insensitive on her part. So capable of being misunderstood as she interprets Naomi's commands and she goes into the chamber, into the place where Boaz is sleeping out in the fields that night.

She's prepared to take a risk in fulfilling the wishes of God for her life. As Esther took a risk as she went into the presence of King Ahasuerus. As a woman took the risk when leaving her own background, she seeks out the Lord Jesus Christ.

If only I might touch the hem of his garment. Aye, but you may be misunderstood if you do. Or the other woman who brings an alabaster box of precious perfume and breaks it and anoints the feet, the body of our Lord Jesus.

So capable of misunderstanding. But these were calculated risks. This was obedience in a very special circumstance to the will of God for the lives of these women whose stories I have referred to.

Cover me, since you are a kinsman redeemer. There's no one who can do for me, a foreigner in Bethlehem, what you can do. My claim upon you is through the promise of Naomi and the fact that I find myself here as her daughter-in-law.

Will you cover me? There's no one else to whom I can turn. There's no one else who can minister to me in the way that you can minister to me. I drop every other option, Boaz, young woman that I am.

Will you cover me? Why are you looking for your salvation, my friend? You see, there's only one kinsman redeemer. There's only one person who can cover you in the way that you need to be covered. But he will not engage in an adulterous affair.

He will not allow you to go off for other lovers. There is an exclusive requirement in the ministry of our Lord Jesus within the emotions of the Christ. You can't have him and others.

No other redeemer, no other master. There is one way. The Listener magazine of the BBC may in its wisdom suggest that that is what was referred to a few issues ago as a scandal of particularity.

This business of salvation only through Jesus Christ, it's rather narrow today, isn't it? But you see, we don't look to the listener, although it does have some excellent articles, actually, for the expression of the will of God. We look to the Word of God for the expression of His will. And He says there is only one redeemer, one name given amongst men whereby we must be saved.

Drop every other option, because all the other options will never grant you the cover that you require. Now this Ruth understands. And thus she merits the benediction of Boaz.

Verse 10, The Lord bless you, my daughter. He replied, This kindness, this commitment that you are making is greater than that which you showed earlier. He refers to her fidelity to Naomi.

You've not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. You've opted for me as your kinsman redeemer. And now, my daughter, don't be afraid.

I will do for you all you ask. There never was a Moabitess woman. There never was a foreigner who came into the land of promise and asked Boaz Jesus for cover, for permission to glean in his fields, and was rejected.

You see, it's not within the nature of the Lord Jesus to reject anybody, be they Jew or Gentile. And what he can do, as I've mentioned, what he can do for you, no one else can do. So learn from this woman.

You need the cover of God in your life. Under the shadow of thy throne, thy saints have dwelt secure. Sufficient is thine arm alone, and our defense is sure.

Ruth does not merit Boaz's blame, but rather her blessing. And so he says, and now, my daughter, verse 11, don't be afraid. I will do for you all that you ask.

And doesn't our Savior say the same for you and for me? Fear not, I am with you. I have called you by name. I have redeemed you.

I will do for you all that you ask. If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more? We're back with that argument. You see, it comes over again and again in Scripture.

How much more? You can do this? This is the way that you will behave at a human level? How much more can your heavenly Father give good gifts to his children? And that is what he's prepared to do. I will do for you all that you ask. Everything concerning Ruth, of course, is not contained within these chapters.

This is a mere synopsis of certain experiences in her life. There were other things that had caused this woman to make quite an impression among her Bethlehemite friends. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character.

And on the basis of your requests, on the basis of your testimony, I will do for you what you are asking of me. Now, Boaz is very keen, isn't he? Verse 13, he says, Stay here for the night. He gives good advice.

But there is one snag. You see, there is someone who is closer to you who really has a greater right, at least a prior right on redemption than I have. Stay here, and I'll sort that out.

And if it be the case that he will redeem you, if he will take you into his family, if he will marry you, if he will perform the right of a kinsman to you, very well and good. But if he is not willing, latter part of verse 13, I vow that as surely as the Lord lives, I will do it. Lie here until morning.

You know, my friends, think this through carefully. Here's a little insight that I want to share with those who are well-versed in Scripture that others may not follow. In one sense, you see, the plan of salvation comes after God's purpose through his law.

You see, in the Old Testament, he gives the law to Moses. This is how the Israelites are to live their lives. And if they keep the law in its entirety, then they can look forward to an eternity with God.

And so in one sense, the first call upon their lives was the law of God. The first call upon our lives is the law of God. But you see, you and I and all the Israelite family and all the Gentiles have fallen short of that law, and therefore the law of God cannot do what it was intended to do.

It's a lighthouse. It can point out danger. But it has no ability to save.

Now what the law was unable to do, says Paul in Romans 8, 3, of itself, God sent his Son to rescue you and me. You see, what the first possibility of redemption couldn't perform because the law is powerless to save, God sends his own Son, born of a woman, into the world to redeem men and women like us. There is a Redeemer.

How many times do we sing that? Jesus, God's own Son. Ruth, there's someone closer. But if he is unable, if he is unwilling, I'll do it.

And the Hebrew is so emphatic that it gives the impression that Boaz wants more than anything else in the world to redeem this Moabitess girl and to take her into his family. Blessed be God, have you no spiritual sight to see the truth? Without my spending a moment to spell it out. Ah, Boaz emphatically wants to do for us what the law is unable to do.

Aye, and he's quick and he's enthusiastic to achieve the redemption that he extends to us. So, verse 14, Ruth lays at the feet of Boaz until morning and gets up before there can be anyone else around to recognize her or he. And the fact that they've spent these hours together, there's great concern for Ruth, shown on the part of Boaz.

He's sensitive to her reputation. Don't let it be known that a woman came to the threshing floor. Verse 15, just before you go, I love this bit.

How often do I remind you of the generosity of God? Now here it's adumbrated, it's illustrated. You get a sort of example of it in Boaz. He's already given her a lot of barley, you remember? Now he says, get your veil or the mantle that you're wearing and then open it up so it becomes a container.

And he just pours in six measures of barley. Don't go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed. One way to get on good terms with your mother-in-law, isn't it? To ensure that you minister to her needs.

Isn't that a lovely touch? I really do appreciate the little human touches that the Bible has. When she did so, he poured into a measure. Where are we? Verse 15.

He poured into it six measures of barley and put it on her. Then he went back to town. Or she went back to town.

You can take it either way in the original, actually. I think they both went back to town. I always get my blessings both ways.

He to do his business and she to return to Naomi. And when Naomi spots her, verse 16, she says, how did it go, my daughter? Or as the AV puts it, who is it? She's not really too sure. Or maybe she is sure.

And she wants to know just what did happen. How did it go? Did what I anticipate happen? It's amazing how ladies can sometimes have a sort of perception into relationships that men never have. You know, my wife is more aware of who's going to get married in the tabernacle than I am.

I mean, they're knocking on my vestry asking to be married before I've even realized that they're particularly friendly with one another. Naomi said, how did it go? Then she told her everything. Everything Boaz had done for her.

And added, he gave me the six measures of barley saying, don't go back to your mother-in-law empty handed. After all, she's soon going to become his mother-in-law. And Naomi said, wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens.

For you see, this man will not rest. I know about this man, this kinsman. He's outstanding.

I mentioned his characteristics before. I see something of God's grace to me through him. How long do you see Naomi empty? Don't go back to your mother-in-law empty handed.

He knew what she was like when she first came to Bethlehem. I went away full. Do you recall that? And the Lord sent me back empty.

Oh, no. No, Naomi, give him time. He's going to fill you, fill you afresh with blessings and reason for living.

And Naomi reads it rightly. The man will not rest until the matter is settled today. Now, with the keenness that Boaz showed towards conforming to the cultural patterns of that day, and able to procure Ruth as his wife, so our Lord Jesus, with enthusiasm, has sought you and me out to be his bride.

And he goes to the cross for our redemption. He endures the agony and the shame of Golgotha for you and for me, but this man has a holy agitation. He has a rest in his spirit, but he has a great desire to do the will of his God.

And there's no one who can deflect him from doing this as month after month and year after year, he moves inexorably towards the cross of Calvary because there he will become the kinsman redeemer for all the Ruths who shall have the intelligence and the God-given ability to say, yes, Lord Jesus, I need to be covered since you are a kinsman redeemer. One final thought, and then I'm through. If you were to go to the book of Nehemiah, you would discover in the 13th chapter and the 23rd verse that when Nehemiah, who was very much a man of the law, when he returned to Jerusalem, he found that Jews had married more bitessers and he didn't like it.

You see, for him it was a wooden application of the law of Moses, and so he said that those marriages had to be annulled. But here in the book of Ruth, where you get an anticipation of the grace of God and the work of our Lord Jesus Christ, sanction is given to the marriage of Boaz the Jew to Ruth, the law bitess, an anticipation of what I was trying to show you a few moments ago, that what the law couldn't do inasmuch as it was weakened by human flesh, the Lord Jesus is able to do. And in the Old Testament, embedded in this beautiful book of Ruth, you get an anticipation of the broad blessings of the gospel directed to the likes of you and me, Moabites, non-Jews, who have sought out Boaz, our kinsman redeemer, and have said, cover me, for there's no one like you to do for me what I require.

Cover me, Boaz Jesus, for I have no other help than that which you extend to me. I'm going to ask those young ladies to sing that song again, send the benediction, and it's the end of our service. Cover me, cover me, cover me, extend the border of thy mantle over me, because thou art my nearest kinsman.

Cover me, cover me, cover me, blessed be the God of Israel, for in the shadow of his wings my refuge is. He is Jehovah, my God forever. I'll cling to him and trust his promises.

You're my kinsman, great is the grace you've shown a servant such as me. I was a stranger, yet have found faith he was watching over me. Cover me, cover me, cover me, because thou art cover me, cover me, cover me.