Ruth 2

Naomi's husband was gone. He had died in Moab. But there was a way in Israel to keep the Name of a deceased relative alive and to provide for the poor through the family of the departed, specifically through a close relative who would act as a redeemer. Naomi was under the protection of the young woman Ruth, but who would be a helper to Ruth, the wife of Naomi's departed son?

God in His providence led Ruth to a worthy man among their relatives, a man named Boaz. When Ruth went out to the fields to glean something for herself and her mother-in-law she came to glean in his fields. Gleaning was another provision from the Law of God for the poor in Israel. Harvesting was not to be so meticulous as to leave nothing behind for the destitute to gather.

Boaz began to act as a provider for Ruth even in the first interaction between the young needy woman and this older man. Not only did he make sure that she had food, he also took steps to ensure her safety. He also reassured her of God's love for her even though she was born a foreigner to Israel. He spoke blessing upon her seeking that a full reward be given to her “by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” With these words he recognized not only Ruth's desire to be a help to Naomi, but to live in the care of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

When Naomi heard the name of Boaz that night from Ruth's account of the blessings of the day, her heart was strengthened in hope. “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.”

A redeemer was the one to buy back a close relative, rescuing her from poverty. In an age where basic laws of hospitality had been so thoroughly violated among the tribes of Israel, the house of this redeemer provided a hand of help to an old woman and her poor daughter-in-law. He was able to see something different in her than lesser men might have seen.

We have a good Redeemer in Jesus Christ. He commands all His servants to bear burdens for each other. He is the Servant of the Lord and He leads His household by the light of His own sacrifice.

Anyone who would counsel others in Jesus' Name must follow His example. We need to look at people differently than others do. We need to see what others may not see and do what others would not think to do. We must bring the hope of the resurrection everywhere we go in the Name of our Redeemer and King.