Day 139 of 365
JESUS: OUR GUARDIAN-REDEEMER
The book of Ruth is a beautiful picture of God's plan for redemption that was ultimately realized in Jesus. A clear picture of Jesus can be seen through Boaz's relationship with Ruth as her "guardian-redeemer." Upon the death of her husband, Ruth had only her mother-in-law, Naomi. Both were poor and dependent on the kindness of others for their well-being. Naomi sent Ruth to gather grain in a nearby field, and a series of events led to Boaz acting as a possible "guardian-redeemer" and eventually a marriage, ultimately redeeming Ruth's family name and securing her place in the lineage of Jesus.
A guardian-redeemer, or ga'al (go'el) in the Hebrew, refers to a close relative who acts as a protector of the family rights. He could be called upon to perform a number of duties including buying back property the family had sold, providing an heir for a deceased relative, releasing a family member from slavery or avenging a relative's murder. God calls himself the "Redeemer" or close relative of Israel in Isaiah 60:16, and Jesus is referred to as a redeemer in 1 Peter 1:18 - 19.
By becoming human, Jesus became humanity's own Guardian-Redeemer. He came from heaven and walked the earth, bringing with him restoration and making it available to all people through the cross and a relationship with him. Just as Boaz made it possible for Naomi and Ruth's lineage to live on, now through Christ all believers are made holy, invited into the family of God (Heb 2:11) and become heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ (Ro 8:17). Just as Boaz preserved and protected Ruth's family and their future, in the most perfect way Christ preserves his people, restores dignity and gives hope for the future. Reading and studying Ruth in light of what has now been revealed in Jesus shows not only the glorious stamp of God and his work in Ruth's day, but also the undeniable way that redemption in Christ was being prepared before the foundation of time. Jesus was and is now the true Guardian-Redeemer, always the ultimate protector, the One who continues to preserve the very lives of his people today, as they continue to follow him day by day.
Jesus, thank you for being my Guardian-Redeemer. You have gifted me with a future I do not deserve, and I thank you and praise you for that. Amen.
Ruth 3:7-15 NASB
7 When Boaz had eaten and drunk and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came secretly, and uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 It happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet. 9 He said, "Who are you?" And she answered, "I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering over your maid, for you are a close relative." 10 Then he said, "May you be blessed of the L ord , my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence. 12 Now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. 13 Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the L ord lives. Lie down until morning."
14 So she lay at his feet until morning and rose before one could recognize another; and he said, "Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor." 15 Again he said, "Give me the cloak that is on you and hold it." So she held it, and he measured six measures of barley and laid it on her. Then she went into the city.
1 Peter 1:18-19 NASB
18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
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