Jesus in the Old Testament is a series of posts that will offer my readers a chance to consider pictures or shadows of Jesus in the Old Testament. As mentioned in the introduction to this series, some may be obvious, some may be not so obvious, and some may simply be a facet of the Lord those reading may not have considered previously.

I hope as we venture through this series, we will see the Lord in many wonderful pictures throughout the Old Testament.

How many, when you read the first post on Boaz, expected a discussion on his being a kinsman redeemer? It is the obvious, common typology we see when we look for Jesus in the Old Testament.

I just couldn’t help considering the description of Boaz (and Ruth) as those described as worthy, and seeing Jesus as the greatest descendent of two worthy believers, producing One who is the most worthy.

But for our discussion this morning, let’s consider Boaz as he is described in the Book of Ruth, as an obedient Jew, making him the kinsmen redeemer of Naomi.

Yes you thought I would refer to Ruth as the one redeemed. Let me explain, and we will see Boaz redeeming Ruth shortly.

The Obedient Boaz

Boaz is an obedient servant to the law of God. He is a worthy man, a man who seeks to perform righteously, in accordance with God’s will. So when Ruth comes to him at his threshing floor, as he awakes, he is shocked by her appearance and asks her identity.

Ruth 3:9 He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”

Now of course Boaz had met her previously in the fields as she was gleaning, so he had conversed with her, favored her and provided protection for her. At this point, she explains how she is related to his family, that he is a redeemer of the land Naomi had left behind, that he has a right to obtain the land Naomi had lost when the family ventured off to Moab.

Ruth 2:20 ….Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.”

Note that Naomi declared He was one of their redeemers, Naomi including herself in the redemption process. A note on the redemption of the land in Israel.

Land in Israel could not be purchased by strangers but only to those of the same tribe, and those closest to the owner had first “dibs” on the land. In Boaz’s case, he was second in line. One kinsmen had rights to the land before Boaz could exercise his option to purchase the land.

He needed to ensure he was legally clear to obtain the parcel of land Naomi was selling. And he takes care of this hurdle, purchases the land, establishing the legal rights of the land under his family name, and redeeming Naomi from a life of poverty and servitude.

We too left the garden and and lived in “Moab”, as Naomi had for many years. Let us remember that our Redeemer is One who ensured the redemption He would provide was legal, proper, and airtight.

Boaz made sure no one could claim Naomi’s land after he purchased it, that no one could effectively challenge the redemption of the land he purchased. He did the leg work and completed all the requirements of the law to ensure his redemption of the land was secure.

Jesus followed the will of God, performed all the righteous commands required. He was, and is, the penultimate Obedient One to the will of God. Even to the accepting of the suffering and judgement we deserved. He is the truly Obedient Jew.

There is no loophole or exception in His redemption, for He completed all the righteous requirements put before Him. Then, to shine forth the glory of His love for us, He gave up the credit of His perfect life, taking the beating and punishment, a death on a cross, that He did not deserve.

He accepted the unrighteousness of the horrible judgement He suffered for our sakes. He is the Obedient One who prepared our redemption and purchased us back.

Take a moment and consider our Redeemer in all His actions for us.

Surely we cannot fathom all He has done for us!

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