Boaz
The kinsman-redeemer of Bethlehem who noticed Ruth gleaning in his fields, showed her extraordinary kindness, fulfilled the duty of redemption, and became the great-grandfather of David.
The Kinsman-Redeemer
Scripture: Ruth 2-4
The Biblical Record
Boaz is introduced as a man of standing in the community and family of Elimelech. When Ruth went to glean in the fields after the harvest workers, Boaz noticed her and asked the foreman about her. He went to her directly, told her to stay in his fields, to follow the young women, and to help herself to water from the jars his men had drawn. He ate with her at mealtime and told his men to leave grain fallen deliberately for her. When Naomi heard who had shown Ruth such kindness, she said: Blessed be he by the LORD, who has not stopped showing kindness to the living and the dead. He is one of our kinsman-redeemers.
Boaz in the Sanctum
Boaz is the figure of the redeemer — the one who has the right to redeem and exercises it willingly, at cost to himself. The kinsman-redeemer institution in Leviticus pointed forward; Boaz fulfilled it backward; and Christ fulfills it in the deepest sense. The Sanctum uses Boaz as a type of Christ: the near kinsman who chooses the foreigner, redeems her, and elevates her.
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