Boaz the Redeemer: Faithfulness, Responsibility, and Hope

It’s a beautiful thing to reflect on the story of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz, especially as we approach the season of Christmas. The journey of Ruth is one of loyalty, courage, and the willingness to serve something greater than oneself. Ruth’s famous words to Naomi—“Where you go, I will go; your people will be my people, and your God my God”—are not just a declaration of love, but a commitment to sacrificial faithfulness in the face of uncertainty and loss. Ruth, a Moabite widow, chose to bind herself to Naomi, stepping into a future that was unknown and likely difficult, simply because it was the right thing to do.

As the story unfolds, we see Ruth and Naomi in desperate need, relying on the ancient practice of gleaning to survive. God’s providence is evident as Ruth “just so happens” to glean in the field of Boaz, a man of integrity and compassion, who is also a kinsman redeemer. The role of the kinsman redeemer is not just about acquiring land or wealth, but about taking on the responsibility of caring for the vulnerable, continuing a family line, and serving the community. Boaz’s actions at the town gate—honoring the law, seeking witnesses, and putting the needs of Ruth and Naomi above his own—showcase a humility and selflessness that stand in stark contrast to the unnamed relative who chooses his own legacy over the call to serve.

The story reminds us that true legacy is not built on self-preservation, but on sacrificial love and obedience to God’s purposes. The “nameless” redeemer fades into obscurity, while Boaz’s name is remembered for generations, woven into the very lineage of King David and ultimately Jesus, the Messiah. God works through the messiness of human stories—through Tamar, Ruth, and others—to bring about redemption and hope.

As we celebrate Christmas, we are invited to remember that we, too, have been redeemed. Jesus, our ultimate Redeemer, took on the responsibility for us, not out of obligation, but out of love. We are called to reflect that same selfless love, to look beyond our own “fields” and comfort, and to embrace the responsibility of bringing others into the family of God. In the busyness and logistics of the season, may we not lose sight of the greater story: that God has provided for us in our deepest need, and now calls us to serve something greater than ourselves.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Sacrificial Love Leaves a Lasting Legacy True legacy is not found in self-preservation or personal gain, but in sacrificial love and obedience to God’s call. Boaz’s willingness to take on responsibility for Ruth and Naomi, even at personal cost, ensured his name would be remembered for generations. In contrast, the unnamed redeemer, focused on his own estate, faded into obscurity. Our acts of selfless love echo far beyond our own lives, shaping the future in ways we may never see. [12:21]
• 2. God Works Through Messy Stories The stories of Ruth, Tamar, and others remind us that God is not limited by human brokenness or complicated circumstances. Even when situations seem hopeless or tainted by failure, God weaves redemption and hope out of the mess. Our willingness to trust Him in the midst of uncertainty opens the door for His glory to be revealed in unexpected ways. [15:12]
• 3. Redemption Requires Embracing Responsibility To be a redeemer is to serve something greater than oneself, to put aside pride and personal comfort for the sake of others. Boaz’s example challenges us to consider what responsibilities God is calling us to take up—not just the “fields” of opportunity, but the people and needs He places before us. True redemption involves humility, courage, and a willingness to act for the good of others. [10:10]
• 4. Our Hope Is Rooted in Christ’s Redemption Just as Ruth and Naomi were provided for and given a future through Boaz, we have been given hope and a new family through Jesus. He took on our burdens, paid our debts, and walks with us daily. In every season, especially at Christmas, we are invited to remember and celebrate the joy of our Redeemer who came to meet us in our need. [19:19]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:21] - A Personal Proposal Story
• [01:38] - Ruth’s Famous Words and Context
• [02:35] - Ruth and Naomi’s Need for Food
• [03:10] - The Role of the Kinsman Redeemer
• [04:20] - The Threshing Floor Proposal
• [05:14] - Boaz’s Integrity and the Town Gate
• [06:22] - The Legal Process of Redemption
• [08:53] - Honoring the Law and Family
• [10:10] - The Cost and Responsibility of Redemption
• [12:21] - The Nameless Redeemer and Legacy
• [13:28] - Blessings and the Line of Perez
• [15:12] - God’s Redemption in Messy Stories
• [16:09] - Boaz Marries Ruth and God Provides
• [17:47] - From Naomi’s Grief to Hope
• [18:25] - Boaz in the Line of Jesus
• [19:19] - Christ, Our Ultimate Redeemer
• [20:22] - Reflecting Redemption at Christmas
• [21:12] - Serving Something Greater

Bible Reading

Ruth 4:1-17 (ESV) — 1 Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of whom Boaz had spoken, came by. So Boaz said, “Turn aside, friend; sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down.
2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.
3 Then he said to the redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our relative Elimelech.
4 So I thought I would tell you of it and say, ‘Buy it in the presence of those sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my people.’ If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if you will not, tell me, that I may know, for there is no one besides you to redeem it, and I come after you.” And he said, “I will redeem it.”
5 Then Boaz said, “The day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance.”
6 Then the redeemer said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it.”
7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, the one drew off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was the manner of attesting in Israel.
8 So when the redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself,” he drew off his sandal.
9 Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and to Mahlon.
10 Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. You are witnesses this day.”
11 Then all the people who were at the gate and the elders said, “We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you act worthily in Ephrathah and be renowned in Bethlehem,
12 and may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring that the LORD will give you by this young woman.”
13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son.
14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel!
15 He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.”
16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse.
17 And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Deuteronomy 25:5-10 (ESV) — 5 “If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead man shall not be married outside the family to a stranger. Her husband's brother shall go in to her and take her as his wife and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her.
6 And the first son whom she bears shall succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel.
7 And if the man does not wish to take his brother's wife, then his brother's wife shall go up to the gate to the elders and say, ‘My husband's brother refuses to perpetuate his brother's name in Israel; he will not perform the duty of a husband's brother to me.’
8 Then the elders of his city shall call him and speak to him, and if he persists, saying, ‘I do not wish to take her,’
9 then his brother's wife shall go up to him in the presence of the elders and pull his sandal off his foot and spit in his face. And she shall answer and say, ‘So shall it be done to the man who does not build up his brother's house.’
10 And the name of his house shall be called in Israel, ‘The house of him who had his sandal pulled off.’

Observation Questions

1. What specific responsibilities did the kinsman redeemer have according to the law, and how did Boaz fulfill these responsibilities in Ruth 4? ([06:22])
2. In the story, why did the closer relative refuse to redeem Naomi and Ruth, and what was the significance of removing his sandal? ([06:57])
3. How did the community respond to Boaz’s decision to redeem Ruth and Naomi, and what blessings did they speak over him? ([12:58])
4. What is the connection between Ruth, Boaz, and the family line of King David and Jesus? ([18:25])

Interpretation Questions

1. The unnamed redeemer was worried about his own estate and legacy, but Boaz was willing to take on responsibility for others. What does this contrast reveal about the kind of legacy God values? ([12:21])
2. The story of Tamar is mentioned as another “messy” family story in the lineage of Jesus. What does this suggest about how God works through imperfect situations and people? ([14:54])
3. Boaz’s actions at the town gate were public and involved witnesses. Why do you think it was important for this act of redemption to be seen and affirmed by the community? ([08:07])
4. Naomi’s journey moves from grief and hopelessness to hope and joy. What role did the faithfulness of others play in her transformation? ([17:26])

Application Questions

1. Ruth’s commitment to Naomi was costly and uncertain. Is there a relationship or situation in your life where God might be calling you to a similar kind of sacrificial faithfulness? What would it look like to say, “Where you go, I will go”? ([01:38])
2. The unnamed redeemer chose comfort and self-preservation over responsibility. Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to avoid responsibility because it might cost you something? How can you respond differently? ([10:58])
3. Boaz’s legacy was secured not by seeking his own name, but by serving others. What are some practical ways you can serve “something greater than yourself” this Christmas season? ([21:12])
4. The sermon highlights that God works through “messy stories” and broken situations. Is there a part of your story or your family’s story that feels too messy for God to use? How might God want to bring redemption or hope through it? ([15:12])
5. As we celebrate Christmas, it’s easy to get caught up in logistics and busyness. What is one specific way you can keep your focus on Christ, our Redeemer, and reflect His love to others this season? ([20:55])
6. Boaz acted with humility and courage, even when it meant putting aside his own pride. Is there a situation where you need to put aside pride or comfort to do what is right for someone else? ([10:43])
7. The community blessed Boaz and Ruth, recognizing their faithfulness. Who in your life can you encourage or bless this week for their selfless love or service? ([12:58])