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.

In this passage, we find Boaz finalizing the transaction with the closer redeemer. And as Boaz felt that it needed to be clearly stated, he identifies Ruth, the foreigner, as also being included in the trasafction. Boaz, in redeeming the land of Elimelech, Naomi, Chlion and Mahlon, also bought Ruth.

Now at first glance, and by impression, it seems Boaz had a thing for this young woman. He was impressed with her character, her bravery, and her faithfulness to Naomi. So it is fair to think that Boaz went through this effort and cost simply out of love, and I want to think that. ‘Cause I think it is true!

Boaz doesn’t say anything like that in his only public statement regarding his taking Ruth as his wife. Verse 13 simply states

Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife….

But let’s take a second look at verse 10. Boaz provides his public motive for redeeming the family and land of Naomi. He explains clearly that his reason for this redemption.

All his efforts and the cost associated with this transaction was to enable him to

• to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance,
• that the name of the dead may not be cut off

In Israel, according to the laws given by Moses regarding inheritance, land was to remain in the name of the family. My assumption is that Mahlon was the eldest son of Elimelech and Naomi, for in those days, the land of Israel passed down the family line through the eldest son. But to be a childless widow in Israel meant the end of the line for that family. There was no hope.

Ruth, in this instance clearly provides a picture of the gentiles prior to entrance into the Body of Christ. Alienated. Stranger. With no hope. Without God

Ephesians 2:12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

This condition of hopelessness, of no continuing life, was addressed by God in the laws given at Sinai, in that a close relative could take the place of the elder son in the family, and produce offspring to perpetuate the name. This option within Israel essentially provided new life to a family that had experienced the loss of hope for a continued lineage.

Boaz was all about declaring that he would perpetuate the name of the dead. He would perpetuate! To “perpetuate” is typically translated in the Old Testament as “rise up”, “arise” or “raise”, providing us a picture of Boaz reflecting the One who raises up.

How clear it is that Boaz is a picture of Jesus. Jesus also took a foreigner to the covenant, and by entering into covenant with her, raised her up to have life and hope in the Kingdom.

Jesus, in a far more powerful and extremely deeper way, provided life for His Bride, and the hope of a continual lineage in the Kingdom.

He is our Boaz the Resurrector!

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