Ruth 4:6

New International Version

At this, the guardian-redeemer said, “Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it.”

For Meditation

Boaz gave him the first right to redeem Ruth, Mahlon’s Moabite widow, because he was the closest relative in the late Elimelech’s family (Ruth 3:12; 4:1-12). The unnamed family redeemer readily agreed to redeem the property of Elimelech, but he gave it up when he realized the property came with Ruth. The transaction obligated him to marry Mahlon’s widow to raise a male child to continue the Elimelech lineage. He would not jeopardize his family estate for that purpose, so he declined (4:6).

Glory to God, Boaz, the God-ordained family redeemer, stood by to step in gladly to redeem Ruth (13). Their marriage became the bloodline of David, Israel’s first king, and ultimately, Jesus, our perfect family Redeemer (Matthew 1:5-6, 16).

We have just celebrated the occasion of our redemption by this Perfect Redeemer who gave His life a ransom for our souls (Mark 10:45). Sacrificed on the cross of Calvary, He died, got buried, and rose on the third day to declare victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). 

Just as the family redeemer couldn’t redeem Ruth because he had issues with his property to deal with, no one in all creation could redeem us because of their sin problem—not even the high priest with the sacrificial system (Hebrews 9:7; 10:1, 4). But thank God for the Perfect Lamb of God who stepped in to redeem us,

When Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me;with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—I have come to do your will, my God.’ (5-7).

By His perfect sacrifice, Christ has bought us from the slavery to sin into which we had sold ourselves (Romans 3:23-25; Ephesians 1:7; Titus 2:14). We rejoice because when no one else could, Christ unselfishly did it for us (Philippians 2:5-8). He paid the penalty for our sin in an exchange no other could do (2 Corinthians 5:21).

“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

What an exchange, and that is the gospel!

Brethren, we have cause to celebrate Christ Jesus, our Redeemer King, not only during Easter. We have a divine obligation to let our lives reflect this joy, which flows only from Redemption Hill and the Empty Grave. We do this by setting our hearts on Him, who sits above on the right hand of God, and our mind on His holiness and not on earthly things (Colossians 3:1-3).

Can you worship Him in this self-sacrificed manner, as we live and suffer through this tumultuous world?