Yahushua and Boaz - Goelism Revisited
The Goel/Kinsman Redeemer is taught through the story of Boaz, Ruth and Naomi. This message recorded in the book of Ruth is a timely gift from our Father in heaven. The following points were shared by Elgin G, Farnsworth in the May 6, 1897 “Signs of the Times,” and brings further light to marriage as it relates to our ultimate Goel/Kinsman Redeemer. I pray these words will be a blessing to you.
“There is only one that can redeem the inheritance, and raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, and the wife of the dead has the right, according to the law, to demand that this nearest of kin build up the name of the dead upon the inheritance. A refusal to do this exposes him to the utmost contempt. Deut. 25:7-10. Boaz recognizes all this, and gives himself for this purpose, and marries the Moabitess. All his wealth becomes hers; his own inheritance is “marred,” and his name is merged in the house of Elimelech; but that family name is preserved. There is no need now of parting with the inheritance, but with his wealth added to it, it becomes all they need. “And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a redeemer, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life.” Ruth 4:14, 15, margin. How beautifully this illustrates our redemption in Christ. Man, in departing and partaking of the forbidden fruit, lost his life. The decree was carried out, “In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” This can not refer to natural existence, but the Spirit which is life, and the Holy Seed which God intended should ever remain in man, by sin was lost. Man was spiritually dead, and, so far as human prospects were concerned, the inheritance was lost; the name, sons of God, was lost, and all must perish.
“Yet there was One, and only One, who could restore what was lost in Adam, his Elder Brother, the rightful heir of all things. Life, name, and inheritance, all were his by right. Infinitely superior in every respect to Boaz, yet he stooped to marry the lost race. And by so doing “marred” his own inheritance. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not something to be held on to; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. He actually gave himself to them, that everyone who would enter into the marriage relation with him might have his wealth, his inheritance, his name, and his life, and thus become members of his body, his flesh, and his bones. And like as the widow under the ceremonial law had a right to demand her redemption of her nearest of kin, so we have a right to come with boldness unto our Redeemer, knowing that he will perform the kinsman’s part.”
I really like the point that the widow has the right to demand her redemption as part of being the born again believer. The believer is to come humbly but boldly to the throne of unmerited favor with our request. Within the story of Ruth and Naomi we see that it was under the direction of Naomi that Ruth went to Boaz on the threshing floor and by her actions demand his response. Salvation is a legal matter whereby the “woman” must appeal to the nearest of kin to be covered by HIS life. Oh what a glorious thought that we have this legal right to HIS name and HIS covering. HE takes us and our property as HIS own!
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