Scripture: Deuteronomy 25:5-10

C.I.: The Selflessness of Redemption

(Review Book) - Today we conclude the series – by noting the greatness of God.

I. The Redemption of Ruth (Ruth 4)

A. Explanation of the “Levirate Law” (see Deuteronomy 25:5-10)

1. The purpose of the “Levirate” (levir = “brother-in-law” in Latin) Law
a. To provide for the continuation of a family line (name).
b. The widow & brother-in-law’s son – would become the heir of all his dead father’s possessions
c. This would include his name, property, possessions, etc.
d. God had promised to blessed the “seed” of Abram – this is a means to fulfillment (Gen. 12:2-3).

B. The Plan of Boaz (vs. 1-6)

1. Boaz was a man who revered the law of God – thus, he wanted all to see this was done lawfully.
a. (vs. 1-2), “Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there, - and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz spoke was passing by, so Boaz said, ‘Turn aside, friend [a farrago], sit down here.’ And he turned aside and sat down. – Then Boaz took ten men of the elders of the city and said, ‘Sit down here.’ So they sat down.”
1) Farrago = a figure of speech characterized by a medley of sounds. - Examples: Hocus-Pocus, helter-skelter, etc. – Here it probably would mean something like, “So and So”.
2) The point is, - as we shall find out, - this man doesn’t deserve to be named!!!
3) As Boaz is shown to be a godly (selfless) man – then this man is a worldly (selfish) man!!

2. Life is filled with choices – selfish, worldly people generally choose – what benefits them most.
a. (vs. 3-4), “Boaz said to the closest relative, ‘Naomi, who has come back from the land of Moab, has to sell the piece of land which belongs to our brother Elimelech. – So I thought to inform you, saying, “Buy it before those who are sitting here, and before the elders of my people. – If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if not, tell me that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am after you.”’ – And he said, ‘I will redeem it.’” To “redeem” = to buy it back.

b. This “So & So” shows his worldly nature in several different ways:
1) #1: He knew Naomi was back – (1:19), “It came about that when they had come to Bethlehem, that ALL THE CITY was stirred because of them.” – He was simply hoping to out-live her and get the field without paying a dime.
2) #2: If he had to purchase the field – then he was going to keep it for himself!

c. People show their true colors in “non-spiritual” situations:
1) If you think this is just a land deal – you are missing the point!
2) Are our choices characterized by what will benefit others – (Phil. 2:3-4)?

3. (v. 5), “Then Boaz said, ‘On the day that you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of the deceased, in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.’”
a. This man has now come into an ethical & economic dilemma:
1) If he redeems the field & marries Ruth – he will incur the cost of the field and then see it become the property of the children begotten by him & Ruth. (Economic Dilemma!)
2) He can redeem the field but refuse to marry Ruth. But that will show him to be a man who is willing to meet family obligations – but only when they benefit him.
3) Or, he can cede his rights to the field to the next redeemer in line! (Ethical Dilemma!)

b. (v. 6), “The closest relative said, ‘I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I jeopardize my own inheritance. – Redeem it for yourself; you may have my right of redemption, for I cannot redeem it

c. Now… how does all this apply to us?!

C. How I Love the Great Redeemer

1. Everyone we see around us today = is in desperate need for a Redeemer:
a. WHY?
1) (Rom. 6:16), “When you present yourself to someone as slaves of obedience, you are slaves…
2) (Rom. 7:14), “…I am of flesh, sold into the bondage of sin.”
3) (Isa. 52:2), “Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God.”
b. Our Attempts to Return All Fall Short:
1) Works (Eph. 2:9), “Not according to works….”
2) Worship (Psa. 51:3, 16), “My sin is ever before me … You do not delight in sacrifice….”
3) Worry (Lk. 12:25), “For which one of you by being anxious [worrying] can add a single….”

2. God Provided a Redeemer
1) (Quote Jn. 3:16), “For God so loved….”
2) He did what we could not… - (Rom. 8:3), “For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, - God did; sending His own Son as an offering for sin!
3) But the price cost Him dearly - (I Pt. 1:18-19), “Knowing that you were not redeemed….”

DEVO SECTION:

CONCLUSIONS:

This story doesn’t conclude with Ruth 4:21-22, “…and to Boaz was born Obed, and Obed was born Jesse, and to Jesse, David.”

This story concludes 1,000 years later – Matt. 1:1, “The book of the genealogy of J.C., the Son of David.”

Being aware of our own redemption – God’s people should be different - (I Cor. 6:20), “You have been….”

God desires to redeem you & bring you into His family (Gal. 3:26-27)!