Part 8 of 8 of the theme 'Lessons from the Book of Ruth‘ by Gijs van den Brink
Boaz is called Naomi's "looser" in the book of Ruth. With the term go'el (looser, restorer) refers to a close family member whose duty is to help or protect another member of the family.
It involves a form of family solidarity. In the Law of Moses we read about a situation in which a family member had to assume the duty(s) of ransoming. It involves ransoming or buying back land from family members that they should have sold in difficulty (Lev.25:23-28). This was to prevent family property (Lev.25:29-34) from falling into foreign hands. In the book of Ruth, there is a combination of ransomship and levirate marriage. Buying the land and marrying Ruth. We read in Ruth 4:5 "But Boaz said, 'The moment you buy the field from Noömi, you immediately buy Ruth, the Moabite, the wife of the deceased, so that the name of the deceased may continue on his family property.'
However, the ransomership is more than a family institution and must be seen against the background of the Exodus, when God redeemed Israel from Egypt (Ex. 6:6-8). For Israel, God is the great Redeemer. And so this ransomership also refers to Jesus, who will later come to redeem mankind from sin and guilt.
- There is a family relationship between the looser and those who are redeemed. Jesus became man. John 1:14; Rom. 1:3; Philipp. 2:5-8; Heb. 2:14-15.
- The Redeemer is able to pay the price of redemption. We have been bought with the blood of Jesus Christ. 1Pet.1:18,19
- The ransomer must have the willingness to redeem. Jesus came to give his life as a ransom. Mat.20:28; John 10:15,18; Heb.10:7
- The looser himself must be free. Jesus was without sin.
Thus, the term looser, mentioned 13 times in the little book of Ruth, gives us a clear picture of redemption through Jesus Christ.
Next time:
Part 1 of the series 'Lessons on the character of God (from Genesis 4)' is entitled "How does God deal with people who are angry with Him?
See also:
Part 7 of 8 from the theme 'Lessons from the Book of Ruth' 'Messianic meaning of Ruth‘
‘
Author: Gijs van den Brink
From: Study Bible Magazine
This is part 8 of 8 from the theme "Lessons from the Book of Ruth” Some of which we will be posting online in the near future. We hope this will help you understand the Bible better!
Download the Study Bible App FREE via Play Store or App Store. Enter this login code (BLOGCVB2022) in order to have 45 days of FREE access to the Study Bible Solomon package (the most comprehensive package).
