Boaz was a trustworthy man. As Naomi had rightly concluded about him, he immediately jumped into action. True to his promise to Ruth, early the next morning, he was found sitting at the gate of the city. This was the hub of social life in those days, where many legal transactions would take place. Before Boaz could do anything, he had to ensure that the anonymous relative who had the first priority to redeem the property of Elimelech relinquished his rights to do so. When that anonymous kinsman was spotted, addressing him with a friendly term, Boaz called him and they both went aside to settle the issue. Ten elders of the city were also invited to be witnesses to the transaction. The possible reason why the author of the book kept the close relative’s name anonymous was perhaps to spare him the embarrassment.
In verses 3-4, Boaz notified that closest relative that Naomi who had returned from the land of Moab, had to put up her husband’s property for sale. He wanted him to know because he had the first right to purchase it. Boaz was hinting to him that he himself was interested in buying over the land, but the first option belonged to that anonymous kinsman. Immediately, that closest relative jumped on the offer, not knowing that purchasing the field meant that he had to marry Ruth as well. When told that buying the field would include marrying Ruth, he declined. To him, marrying Ruth would jeopardize his own property. So, he turned down the opportunity.
Three conditions must be present before a redemption could be enacted. Firstly, there must be a relationship between the redeemer and the redeemed. Secondly, the redeemer needs to have the resource, and thirdly, he must have the resolve. The closest relative was qualified on two counts, he had the relationship and the resource, but he lacked the resolve. Like Ruth, our redemption from the dominion of the world also requires a relationship. According to Philippians 2:5-8, Jesus our Lord became like one of us. He left His throne in heaven and came to earth and took on human flesh. Though He shares the exact nature of God all along, He chose to divest and empty Himself for our sake. And He humbled Himself and became like one of us so that He could be our Redeemer. Our Lord is now the closest relationship we have. His blood flows through our vein. He sticks closer than a brother.
Besides having a relationship with us, our Lord also has the resource and the resolve. In fact, He is the only one with the resource to set us free. Our redemption requires a price and only the Lord Jesus could pay. And He paid that hefty price on the cross for our redemption. He was made to be sin on our behalf. He is the unblemished lamb that bore our sin and brought our redemption. And finally, our Lord has shown great resolve to bring about our redemption. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that “…Jesus, the author, and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” He resolutely went to the cross to provide for our freedom from the guilt and condemnation of our sin nature. Above all relationships, we must treasure ours with Jesus, our Lord. We must love, worship and serve Him always. Then we must thank Him not only for what He has done for us but also praise Him for Who He is. He has been so resolutely gracious towards us, let us live resolutely for His glory!
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