RUTH  & BOAZ 

to DAVID 

to CHRIST

To understand the term, REDEEMER, we need to know the biblical,

historical story of Ruth the Moabitess, her mother-in-law, Naomi, and the relative (kinsman-redeemer) Boaz. Here is a brief re-cap:

After relocating to Moab because of food scarcity in Israel territory, Naomi's husband and eventually two sons have died. Naomi wants to return to Israel and says goodbye to her two daughters-in-law. Because Ruth truly loves Naomi, she decides to leave her family and her home to accompany Naomi on her journey. Not only that, but . . .

        "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.  Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried.  Thus may the Lord do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me."

In short, Ruth enters into the Covenant given to the Children of 

Israel by God. Once home again in Israel, Naomi sends Ruth to the field of her husband's wealthy relative, Boaz, to help with the harvest. Ruth finds favor with the man, who protects her from possible molestation by men in the field. 

Ruth tells Boaz that as kinsman-redeemer of Naomi's husband, he has the right to redeem - buy back - the family land, and to claim Ruth as his wife as well. Such was the practice God gave to His people, to assure caring responsibility in families, for women who were widowed.

Boaz did his duty, following the traditional practice, and when a nearer kinsman refused his own right, Boaz married Ruth. 

We might ask, "Why does this matter?" Actually, God's plan here was very important in the big picture, because . . .

Boaz and Ruth had a son named Obed. Obed had a son named Jesse. 

Then Jesse had a son named David, who eventually became King of Israel.

This king was also a prophet and a psalmist, leading all Israel in the worship of their God. His psalms and love for God still inspire believers today. He was a man after God's own heart. 

God promised David that if he was obedient, God would cause a descendent of his to rule over Israel forever. This promised descendent was Jesus of Nazareth, the Only Begotten Son of God.

Jesus became our divine REDEEMER, 

whose Blood bought back our souls from the power of sin. 

When we forgive those who have wronged us, 

and personally humble ourselves before God 

to receive His sacrifice for our sake, 

we are born again to a new life in Christ.

Yes, genealogy matters!