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Written by George and Melodee Kerr
In our previous post we considered the fact that the Goel bears the cost of redeeming his fellow kinsman. Many consider the story recorded in the book of Ruth a wonderful love story. I would propose to you that this story, in addition to being a beautiful love story, is in the sacred writings because of Boaz’s and Naomi’s adherence to the laws of Goelism. The first notice of this is by Naomi in Ruth 3:1, 2.
“Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.”
This may be the first mention of her kinsman but the fact that she returned to Israel is evidence that she knew she had legal status back home whereas while living in Moab she had no one to provide for her needs except the relatives of her daughters-in-laws. Naomi had been discouraged as evidenced by her statement upon arriving back home:
Ruth 1:20-22, “And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD (YHWH) hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD (YHWH) hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?”
Boaz understands his legal responsibilities and is willing to fulfill his duty to his near of kin, which would be Naomi’s deceased husband. This understanding is self evident by Boaz’s testimony in Ruth 3:12.
“And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.”
Boaz knew where he was in regards to his legal duty to Naomi. He saw in the events of the evening on the threshing floor more than just the potential for a beautiful wife, but that Naomi was petitioning him in regards to his duty to her. According to Torah law the purpose of this marriage would be to raise up seed unto the deceased man’s name. When Ruth gave birth to a baby boy from Boaz the baby was placed in the arms of Naomi as her child, not Boaz’s.
Ruth 4:14-17 “And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord (YHWH), which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him. And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. - And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.”
Boaz understood that he would have to pay full value for the property of Naomi and he also knew that when he redeemed the land he would also get the women with it. Not only was he to raise up life for the deceased man but he provided for all of the dead man’s surviving relatives who had submitted themselves to the law’s of YHWH.
John 3:16 states: “For God (YHWH) so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” This text says that YHWH (Architect) so loved the world that He gave! In accepting the offering of His Son (Creator/Builder) as an atonement for sin He was redeeming back the world to Himself. Along with the world (Earth) would come “whosoever believeth,” (Naomi, Ruth, you or I). The value of the land was based upon the original price of the land thus the high cost, the very life of the Son of YHWH. There could be no remission of sin without the shedding of blood and the blood of bulls and goats was not valuable enough. This puts a price to the value of a man’s soul. The concept that the bride goes with the land is also illustrated by the meaning of Beulah Land.
Isaiah 62:4 “Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land anymore be termed ‘Desolate’: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.”
Beulah is the Hebrew word for married. Marriage to the Land increases one’s faith in YHWH in that He has provided a path whereby humanity can reach Him.
Psalms 25:10 “All the paths of the LORD (YHWH) are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.”
The path YHWH has given mankind leading us to Himself is shown to us through the workings of His Son as the High Priest of the heavenly Canaan—Beulah Land. The gospel plan is illustrated to us by how the earthly high priest led Israel through the compartments of the sanctuary and its services.
Just one example of the gospel plan is the courtyard of the sanctuary. In the courtyard we are shown the attributes of Yahushua (Jesus) as man’s high priest. At the Laver we are shown that Yahushua is the one who will clean up His bride. It is in the courtyard we see the benefits of having become the bride of Yahushua by being “born” again. The Courtyard Laver shows the bride of Yahushua that her HUSBAND will cleanse her from unrighteousness.
By marrying Israel to the Land of Canaan, YHWH was insuring Israel time to build a relationship with Him rather than with the gods of other nations. Marriage to the Beulah Land had a definite purpose for the redemption of Israel.
Ruth 1:16 “And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God (Eloah) my God (Eloah):”
The whole plan of salvation is summed up by Boaz’s statement to Ruth, “And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman” (Ruth 3:11). Yahushua (Jesus) did all that was required in order to redeem back the “world” and with the world came the Bride [the corporate body of Yahushua who accept His wedding invitation]. A bride which was willing to let the Eloah of Naomi be her Eloah.
Ruth’s virtue was based upon the God (Eloah) she had chosen! The question them must be asked, “Who is your Eloah?” How this question is answered determines one’s eternal destiny.
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Last Updated (Monday, 12 November 2012 04:35)
