The right of redemption mentioned in the book deserves our attention. Naomi refers to it in Ruth 2:20 as follows: “(…) This man (Boaz) is our relative… he is one of those who have the right of redemption over us.” Later in the Scriptures, we learn that Ruth, under Naomi’s instructions, went to find Boaz.

The right of redemption was a practice governed by Israelite law. This right applied when a man died. After his death, his closest relative had the option, if he wished, to claim property and titles on behalf of the deceased, who was no longer able to do so. This closest relative was called a “redeeming relative” or “restoring relative” or even “redeemer-guardian.” In Israel, redemption was a sacred transaction and not just a bargaining. Moses made known to the people of Israel the right of redemption in the book of Leviticus as written below:

“A field shall not be sold forever, for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me. In all the country that you possess, you shall allow redemption of the land. If your brother becomes poor and sells part of his property, then his nearest redeemer shall come and redeem what his brother has sold.” Leviticus 25:23-25

Redemption is not only about the property of the deceased. It also includes the people whom the deceased had responsibility for in his lifetime. Naomi further explained to Ruth:

“He is one of those who has redemption rights over us” (Ruth 2:20).

So, in addition to the land, the lives of Naomi and Ruth were also part of the transaction in a sense. Since Elimilech and his sons had died, the closest relative could redeem the inheritance of Elimilech and his sons into the hands of Naomi. The redemption thus concerned the lands that belonged to Elimilech, Kiljon, and Machlon, but also the hand of Ruth. Redemption had to be comprehensive. The Bible specifies this in Ruth 4:5:

“The day you buy the field from Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance.”

Attracted by Ruth’s virtue, Boaz agreed to undertake the process immediately. But there was an obstacle before the redemption could become effective. Indeed, one of Naomi’s relatives, was an even closer relative of Elimilech. Diligently, the next day, Boaz took care of the redemption, and again, God’s grace intervened. The first closest relative renounced the exercise of his right of redemption on the land as well as Ruth’s hand and transferred them to Boaz. Thus, Boaz could marry Ruth and was able to give her what had belonged to Machlon, her first husband.

Ruth was not a native of the Jewish people. She was among the Gentiles and therefore could not claim any inheritance or lineage. But through her decisions “Your people shall be my people,” “Your God shall be my God,” she chose the one true God. Through redemption, she finds herself in the lineage of Christ.

By redeeming Ruth the Moabite, a stranger to God’s chosen people, Boaz affiliated her with the people of Israel. Boaz is a figure of Christ in that Jesus our Savior did the same with us. Through Him, we have been adopted and integrated into the family of God. As for Ruth, she symbolizes sinners who, by faith, become full-fledged members of the people of God. In the book of Ephesians, chapter 2, verses 11 to 13, it is written:

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This text is an excerpt from the book “Ruth – The one we didn’t expect” written by Pastor Modestine CASTANOU.

We invite you to read the following article “What Ruth Understood That Orpah Did Not Understand“.