by John O’Malley
“Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe” (Ruth 4:8).
The man who spoke so quickly, now speaks solemnly: “Buy it for thee.” Surely the embarrassment of his greed swelled him. Yes, he wanted the land. However, he did not want the lady from Moab. Boaz cared little for the land; he desired the lady. The simple truth of it is that, when we care for things to the neglect of people, we are greedy.
The honesty in this moment must not be overlooked. The man would not redeem Ruth because it would affect his plans and purpose. He valued his needs above her needs. He cared more for his desires than hers. He esteemed his goals as more important than her needs for a goel.
A real goel does not place himself above another. He makes himself a servant. He cares little for his own wealth and wants. He sees the value of the other as greater than the investment required.
The spiritual relevance of the nearer kinsman is explained well by Paul: “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh” (Romans 8:3). The nearer kinsman was weak. However, God sent Boaz, who was able and willing to redeem Ruth.
Paul later wrote of Jesus, the Eternal Boaz: “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7). Redemption requires a selfless redeemer. Jesus is that selfless Redeemer. The writer of Hebrews said, “Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
If you are one who is relying on fulfilling the law or doing good deeds, beware: you are relying on what is weak. It cannot and will not redeem you. Redemption is only available through what Christ did on the cross. What are you trusting for your redemption: His work or yours?
Think about it...