“At this, the kinsman-redeemer said, ‘Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem [my right of redemption] yourself. I cannot do it.’”
Ruth 4:6
The hour of decision has arrived. Boaz welcomes the nearer redeemer before the leaders of the community and invites him to buy an elderly woman’s land. This would be a no-brainer. Of course, you would purchase this land and expand the inheritance of your own descendants. “I will” declares this perspective redeemer (v. 4).
“But,” Boaz continues, “you also acquire Ruth the Moabite in order to perpetuate her husband’s name” (v. 5). This is a deal-breaker. If the nearer redeemer redeems Ruth as well as Naomi, it means he is purchasing the land for Ruth and her descendants. Rather than making money, he would lose it. The cost of redeeming Naomi and Ruth would come at the redeemer’s expense. Therefore, he refuses.
It’s a costly thing to redeem another person. It’s a costly thing to love, isn’t it? Salvation comes at a high cost. And we see clearly here that it is a cost no human can properly bear. If “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), then we need Jesus who bears those wages and offers the payment of righteousness in return.
“But,” Boaz continues, “you also acquire Ruth the Moabite in order to perpetuate her husband’s name” (v. 5). This is a deal-breaker. If the nearer redeemer redeems Ruth as well as Naomi, it means he is purchasing the land for Ruth and her descendants. Rather than making money, he would lose it. The cost of redeeming Naomi and Ruth would come at the redeemer’s expense. Therefore, he refuses.
It’s a costly thing to redeem another person. It’s a costly thing to love, isn’t it? Salvation comes at a high cost. And we see clearly here that it is a cost no human can properly bear. If “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), then we need Jesus who bears those wages and offers the payment of righteousness in return.
Scripture Focus
Ruth 4:1-6
Insight
Let us entrust ourselves to the One who already has and will continue to bear the cost of our redemption: Jesus Christ.
Bible In A Year
- Deuteronomy 3-4
- Psalm 81
- Acts 2