Ruth 2:1-4 - "A Mighty Kinsman"

Ruth 2:1-4

"And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter. And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech. And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee."

Ruth chapter two introduces us to a mighty kinsman, and in doing so sets before us one of the clearest pictures of the LORD Jesus Christ found in all of Scripture. Ruth and Naomi have returned to Bethlehem, the house of bread, at the beginning of barley harvest. Nothing in this account is accidental. Bethlehem speaks of Christ, the Living Bread, and the harvest speaks of abundance and blessing that God Himself provides. Already we are taught that provision, life, and fullness come only where Christ is.

Naomi is said to have a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz. The Spirit directs our attention immediately to who Boaz is, not to what Ruth brings. Ruth brings nothing. She is a Moabitess, an outsider, one under a curse by birth (Isaiah 15 and 16). The repeated designation Ruth the Moabitess is not incidental. It reminds us continually that the object of Boaz’s care has no natural claim, no entitlement, and no standing of her own. This magnifies the grace of the kinsman.

Ruth’s request to Naomi is marked by humility. She does not demand; she asks to glean, to gather leftovers, to live by mercy. She seeks grace in the eyes of another. This is the posture God gives to those whom He purposes to bless. Grace is never demanded; it is received. Ruth goes out to glean, and her hap was to light on a field belonging to Boaz. What appears to be chance is in fact Divine Purpose. God orders the steps of His own long before they know whose field they are in.

Boaz comes from Bethlehem and greets the reapers with "the LORD be with you", and they answer, "the LORD bless thee". His words reflect who he is. He is already a picture of Christ, Whose Presence brings blessing, Whose coming is marked by grace and peace. Before Ruth ever speaks to him, before she even knows who he is, he sees her, knows her, and gives instructions concerning her care. So it is with the LORD Jesus Christ and those elect sinners that the Father gave Him from before time, to come in time to pay their sin debt and redeem them to God the Father as the True Kinsman Redeemer of His elect.

The word translated "kinsman" carries the sense of a familiar friend, a faithful friend. This deepens the picture of Christ. The LORD Jesus Christ did not redeem His people from a distance. He took on flesh. He entered into their condition without becoming a sinner Himself. Scripture declares, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). He became a Faithful Friend, One Who would not abandon those set upon by Grace.

Boaz is described as a mighty man of wealth, a man of strength and ability. He lacks nothing necessary to redeem. In the same way, Christ is no helpless Savior. He is Mighty to save. He does not attempt redemption; He accomplishes it. “I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:15). His work is effectual, complete, and successful.

The kindness of Boaz toward Ruth is not conditioned upon her worthiness. It flows from who he is. This is a picture of Divine Love. Scripture tells us, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Ruth’s identity as a Moabitess magnifies the freeness of Boaz’s love, just as our identity as sinners magnifies the freeness of Christ’s Love.

Boaz does not merely provide temporary relief. His purpose is redemption. He will take full responsibility, assume the cost, and bring Ruth into his household. This is the heart of the Gospel. Christ does not merely assist; He redeems. He does not partially help; He fully saves. “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Ruth’s wonder is the wonder of every sinner taught by Grace. Why me? How could such kindness be shown to one so unworthy? The answer lies not in Ruth, but in Boaz. And so it is with Christ. The difference between those redeemed and those left is not merit, effort, or decision, but Grace alone. A mighty kinsman sought her, provided for her, and would redeem her. This is redemptive history pointing us to Christ, the Faithful Friend Who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24), and Who loses none of those given to Him (John 6:37-40).