King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Monday, April 07, 2025
Chapters: The Book of Ruth
Message: The Kinsman Redeemer
Hello My Friend,
As we read through the Book of Ruth we learn that even in the darkest of times God has men and women who love and serve Him, He invites all to come to Him and accepts all who come to Him regardless of their past, [Romans 2:7-10 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:]
We also learn that redemption is something that must be bought, but it is given freely by the one who purchased it, [Ephesians 1:5,13-14 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.]
The Book of Ruth contains four chapters, the author is unknown, but is probable to be Samuel as he wrote the Book of Judges. The timeline for these events is approximately 1300 -1290 BC. The purpose of the book was to show Israel and everyone else that God is not a respecter of persons, He will redeem and accept anyone who comes to Him, [Ruth 4:14-15 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. 15 And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.]
The Book of Ruth is a supplement to the Book of Judges, taking place around the time of the civil war between Israel and the Benjamites, the tribe of Judah being the first to go up against them and lose twenty thousand men. It is also probable that Eli was becoming judge at the time as things were starting to settle as the tribes began returning to God. During that time a terrible famine came upon the land of Bethlehem, of who a man named Elimelech of Judah lived. He thought the best thing to do for his family was to leave until things got better, and ended up taking them into the land of Moab.
[Ruth 1:1-3 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Beth-lehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. 2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem-judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.]
At this point the sons must have been children, it may have looked as though this man had no faith in God, but it was not uncommon for God to send His people into heathen lands in order for them to survive. Unfortunately Elimelech died, Naomi and her sons remained in Moab and even got married, where they lived for ten years until the son’s died as well.
[Ruth 1:3-6 And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 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. 5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. 6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.]
We have no idea why the two sons died or if they died at one time, it is likely that they may have gotten custom to the ways of the Moabites. Something similar to this happened when Judah himself would have three sons with a woman who was a Canaanite and the woman that he had given he eldest son for a wife.
[Genesis 38:6-11 And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar. 7 And Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him. 8 And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother’s wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother. 9 And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother’s wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. 10 And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also. 11 Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father’s house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house.]
Incidentally Tamar is mentioned by the elders at the end of the book, and this strange information ties in with the entire story. Unfortunately, neither of Naomi’s sons had any children so Naomi decided to head back home and at first both her daughters-in-law headed back with her, [Ruth 1:8-10 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. 9 The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept. 10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.]
What did Naomi mean by God dealing kindly with them? They easily could have left her and remarried, but mourned them respectfully and helped her as well. I will never understand how someone could get married so quickly after their spouse died, but there are a lot of people who cannot bear the thought of being alone. Nevertheless God does deal kindly with those who care for those who have lost loved ones, [1 Timothy 5:1-4 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. 3 Honour widows that are widows indeed. 4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.]
Naomi was now at the turning point to where Moab would be out of sight, knowing how hard it would be for her daughters-in-law to make it in a strange town she urged them to return back home. While Orpah cried a little bit, she hugged Naomi and Ruth then headed home, but Ruth did not want to leave her side.
[Ruth 1:11.13-14,16-17 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? 13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me. 14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. 16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.]
Ruth begged Naomi to let her go with her, she was not content to be settled in her own town where God was nowhere to be found, she wanted to go where God is. True believers want to not only know the way to God, but follow Him as well. God’s people are truly one body of Christ made up of all races, colors, and people from all over the world and they will go wherever God is or leads them, [Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:]
Naomi consented to Ruth’s plea and when they arrived everyone she knew welcomed her back, but they knew that something was off about her. In fact, it was so off that she no longer wanted them to call her Naomi, but Mara, [Ruth 1:19-21 So they two went until they came to Beth-lehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Beth-lehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? 20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?]
Mara means sad or bitter, she honestly felt that God had dealt bitterly with her in taking away not only her husband, but both of her sons, and you can feel her pain and grief as she speaks out. I believe that the loss of a child is more devastating than any loved one so you can imagine how sad and bitter she was. When we are grieving and have no idea the purpose of God’s plan the best thing we can do is pray to Him.
[Psalms 31:9-12 Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly. 10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed. 11 I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me. 12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.]
Ruth was a stranger in a strange town, but wasted no time, she wanted to help Naomi and the best she knew how was to go out and get a job. Since it was a time to harvest she found herself working in the fields along with some other woman, and they happened to belong to a cousin of Elimelech.
[Ruth 2:1-5 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz. 2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter. 3 And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech. 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. 5 Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?]
Right away Boaz knew that Ruth was not only a stranger, but not like the other women among his own people. Boaz did not question her faith or honesty, in fact, he did not need to because he saw it right before his eyes. True believers do not need to come out and announce their faith in Christ, although they are not ashamed to do so their actions give off their faith, [John 15:5-7 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.]
Then Boaz said something that had Ruth not only in tears, but falling to the ground in respect for him, he told her that if she is going to work in the field, then she needed to stay close by his other workers, [Ruth 2:8-10 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: 9 Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn. 10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?]
That amazing grace, how sweet it is to save a wretch like me. Whether we are working in the fields, washing dishes, answering phones, or taking care of the family, God always rewards us with not only the necessities we need, but desires as well. I cannot even count how many times God has protected me and still does. We can mess up a thousand times a day, and yet His grace saves the day each and every time, [Romans 7:24-25 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.]
This is similar to how Boaz responds to Ruth, [Ruth 2:11-13 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. 12 The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust. 13 Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.]
This is exactly how we please God, those who are not so proud to humble themselves and get their hands dirty so to speak as faith without works is dead. By the way, it truly is amazing to be under the wings of God, [Isaiah 40:28-31 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.]
Boaz was quite taken by Ruth, he even commands the men to let her continue to glean in the field, and leave a little bit more than normal for her take home with her. As for Ruth, she really did not know what to think, but gladly reaped what was left and brought it back home.
[Ruth 2:19-22 And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man’s name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz. 20 And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen. 21 And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest. 22 And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.]
This is where Naomi starts to find some hope that her husband’s and sons inheritance was not in jeopardy of going extinct and where what happened with Judah and Tamar comes into play. The Law of Moses states this, [Deuteronomy 25:5-6 If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband’s brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband’s brother unto her. 6 And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.]
Naomi saw this as the perfect opportunity not only to find a husband for her daughter-in-law, but keep the inheritance of her husband. She actually came up with a plan to literally get Ruth to propose marriage to Boaz, [Ruth 3:2-4 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor. 3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. 4 And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.]
What may seem like a strange custom to us was actually a form of honor given to the husband. Still today it is said that women when going to bed as a token of subjection and honor to their husband, get into bed by going to the foot and gently raising the covers, creeping under them up to the head of the bed next to him. I do not know about that, but the longer I am married the more I become subjected to Him, which is the way it ought to be, [1 Peter 3:1-2 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.]
Naomi apparently had no knowledge of a kinsman who was older than Boaz or perhaps she did not know how the Law worked because when Ruth did what Naomi had instructed her to do, it took some time for Boaz to figure out that Ruth, not to mention he was so drunk that he just fell into a haystack.
[Ruth 3:6-10 And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her. 7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. 8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. 9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. 10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.]
This may have been the strangest marriage proposal to have ever been recorded and by a woman, which made it even more bizarre, but as soon as she told him that he was a near kinsman he understood. The covering of his outer garment over her would have signified that he was proposing marriage to her. Since Boaz was still quite taken with her, he would have jumped at the opportunity, but he would have been deceiving her because there was another man who was the next of kin in the bloodline.
[Ruth 3:12-13,16,18 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. 13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning. 16 And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her. 18 Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.]
Boaz wanted to be up front with Ruth, but assured her that he would do whatever he could to make it possible. Of course, when she arrived home Naomi was eager to learn what happened and she too understood that whatever the outcome they did everything they could and now the rest was up to God. Living by faith and doing what we can is all that God asks us to do and by doing that we not only find rest we come to understand that God will take it from there, [Hebrews 4:8-10 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.]
The next morning Boaz stood at the gate with the man who was the next of kin to Elimelech, as well as the elders, he explained the situation about Naomi, and brought up something known as the kinsman redeemer, [Ruth 4:1,3–4 Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down. 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: 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.]
According to the Law, [Numbers 27:8-11 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter. 9 And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren. 10 And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father’s brethren. 11 And if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the LORD commanded Moses.]
This is a perfect example of Christ and how He would become the kinsman Redeemer for all who come to Him willingly. There are many who are willing to accept Christ until they read the fine print. In this case, if he were to buy the field, then someone would come with it, Ruth, and he would have to raise their first son in the name of Elimelech. Well, at first he was willing until he found out that Ruth came with the deal.
[Ruth 4:5-8 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. 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. 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. 8 Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.]
Buy? In order for Ruth to become his wife, he would have to redeem or purchase their land to keep it in the family first. It really was a tough call for a man who had hopes of his own wife and family to marry a woman what was his brother’s, and on top of that, their first born son would not be recognized as his own. Nevertheless it all worked out when the man had no problem looking like a disgrace and taking off his shoe, but look at the response of the elders.
[Ruth 4:10-12 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. 11 And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Beth-lehem: 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.]
Wow! For a bunch of men who were set against any of their brethren marrying out of their own tribe let alone some stranger this was a welcomed find. They did not see Ruth as a stranger or a Moabite, she was now one of the family. And Boaz had no problem taking Ruth as his wife or their first born being known as Elimelech’s.
[Ruth 4:13-17 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. 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. 15 And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him. 16 And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. 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.]
This is what Jesus does for us, He restores our life, in fact, what He really restores is life to our soul and is a perfect illustration of Jesus purchasing His bride, which are the souls of those who believe in and receive Him as their Saviour, [1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [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.]
Today’s Prayer: God, I know and believe with all my heart that Jesus is Your Son, who died for my sins, was buried, and arose again on the third day, and I have accepted Him as my only way to You and Your Kingdom. To acknowledge this truth comes so naturally with great enthusiasm, boldness, and conviction, but the real test is when I publicly acknowledge these truths among those who do not agree with me. Lord, where You go, I go, no matter where you place me or what test You give me, and by Your grace, I know I can and will endure the things before me, and I will reap the rewards for my faithfulness. I ask this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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