Our Able Redeemer
The Kinsman Redeemer #3
Submitted by Ted Mock
May 14, 2025
Ru 2:1 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.
We have discussed the two previous attributes the kinsman redeemer must possess—he must be a near and willing kinsman. There was one who was nearer than Boaz, but he was not willing.
Now we move on to the next requirement. He must have the ability to redeem. The phrase, “mighty man of wealth” in the verse above leaves no doubt to Boaz’s ability. He was a near kinsman who was not only willing, but able. As a man of wealth, he could pay the price. As a mighty man, he had the power to stake his claim. As a man of the law, he was prepared to do his duty under the law.
Ruth was a stranger in the land, a Moabite who was kept out of the house of Israel by the law (Deut. 23:3). She was a poor widow, destitute, and unable to pay the price to gain the land that was lost to her. However, Boaz was able to pay the price to redeem, not just the land, but Ruth herself. By giving her his name in marriage, she becomes part of his family and one of God’s people. Boaz not only took her into his heart, but his home and heritage.
What a picture of my Kinsman Redeemer! I cannot understand why He would want me, why he would pay the price for my sin, take me into His family and give me a home, but praise God, by His act of grace, He did!
The New Testament does not give the title of “Redeemer” to our Lord, but it does give Him the name, “Jesus,” the Greek form of “Joshua,” which means, “Jehovah is Saviour.”
It is as the Redeemer that our Lord received the name of “Jesus,” which implies everything about the kinsman redeemer of Ruth’s story. It speaks of His Deity and His Humanity. He is the only One that is able to redeem sinners.
Php 2:8-11 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Consider – Grace will get you to heaven; mercy will keep you from going to hell.
