Boaz, One of Our Next Kinsmen Ruth 2:20 - Equipped for Battle

When we left our story, we saw Naomi questioning Ruth about where she gleaned that day. The bounty of barley that Ruth gathered was far beyond what was a normal amount for a day's work, and Naomi desired to know from where this blessing came. Ruth answered, “The man with whom I worked today is Boaz”, and when she said his name we read Naomi's reaction in chapter two and verse twenty:

And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed [be] he of the LORD, who has not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man [is] near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.

Praise and blessing has already been offered from Naomi toward whoever owned the field in which Ruth worked, and now she continues that blessing, “Blessed be he of the LORD”. Notice that Naomi's spirit has been lifted, and it seems that she has arisen from her “bitter” state for a moment. Even though Naomi's life seemed dark and dismal at the time, and she may have suffered with depression, she is still able to recognize when the LORD intervenes. As if in a shout of praise she declares a blessing upon Boaz as he has been influenced by the Almighty God in this gathering.

Also notice Naomi's credit to Boaz' particular kindness, “who has not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead.” Boaz could have been greedy, but he wasn't. Boaz could have ignored Ruth in his field, but he didn't, and Naomi recognizes his kindness that extended beyond himself and toward others, especially with Ruth being a widow.

Finally Naomi distinguishes who this man is and his special title, “The man is near of kin unto us, and of our next kinsmen.” Ruth had no idea about the special relationship of the man with whom she worked that day. She only knew he was kind. She only knew that he provided and protected her, and she only knew that she was to glean in the field and to be busy about her work. Naomi revealed who this man was, “near of kin” which immediately caused Naomi to begin a matchmaking plan. Because Boaz was a “next kinsman” he was in line to obey the commandment of the “kinsman redeemer” which meant he would marry Ruth, have a child by her, and fulfill the obligation of continuing Ruth's husband's name. This connection was special, and although the bounty of barley was wonderful, the person connected to the bounty was even more significant than the gathering.

Jesus is our kinsman redeemer. The story of Ruth and Boaz is filled with references and types of Jesus Christ being the one who desires to have a bride. The church is called “the bride of Christ”, and as Boaz was one who could save Ruth, so our Savior Jesus will save all who will turn to Him. As Naomi, we must first recognize who Jesus is, “our next kinsman”, and then place our faith and trust in Him and believe that He is more than able to fulfill the obligation of “redeemer” which extends to us an eternal lifetime of being in a relationship with God.

Next time we will watch as Ruth informs Naomi of more details about Boaz, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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