Redemption

Now you know, from that reference that I grew up in the 60s, and my sister and I would lick the Green stamps our mother got with each purchase of groceries and put them in a book. Enough books and we could redeem them for something wonderful!  Okay, maybe not wonderful, but no money was involved. The S&H people were really clear about that. When you turned your books in for an item in the store  you REDEEMED them, not bought the item. It was a no money transaction. (I remember a lot of kitchen stuff was available, and a hula hoop, but no other memories come to mind).

No Money Involved. To a kid who had little spending money a transaction like this was very sweet. When no money is involved, you have to look further to find out the value of the transaction. Like the fourth chapter of Ruth. In this chapter, Boaz, (a go-el – redeemer of the family of Naomi) is handling a transaction. The family of Elimilech (Naomi was his widow) had to leave Israel during the famine, abandoning their land, though not abandoning their legacy to that specific land. They live in Moab for years, and their sons marry Moab women, then all the men die. Because they have married women outside the family of Israel, the boys have relinquished their right to the land, and so their wives have no right to the land either. But Naomi still has a right to the land. This is what Boaz is talking about in chapter 4 when he says Naomi is selling her land. What she is selling is her rights to the land, though they would have to be REDEEMED from the person who is working them now. This is why the family needs a redeemer – someone willing to cover the costs of bringing that land back into the fold.

I just need to stop here, and mention that once Naomi dies, all rights to the land will die with her unless it is redeemed now. So, we are reminded again that Naomi is attempting to create a legacy for her daughter in law’s very existence. Ruth would become a beggar, certainly, and most likely driven out of the land if Naomi dies before Ruth’s future is set.

Remember when Ruth said to Naomi, “where you lodge I will lodge, your people will be my people, and your God my God.” That was an amazing moment, a gift of love, a relinquishing of an old religion, and a claiming of Naomi’s God, the God of Israel, as her own. So when she is in Bethlehem with Ruth she’s really a convert to the faith, who plans to stay – but there will be no welcoming of open arms of her because she has no means of support. She’s kind of a drag on the economy to tell the truth. No land. No people. My minds eye sees the refugees of today when I hear this part of the story – they come because they have nothing, and when they get to this land they will still have nothing. The desperation in these situations is palpable.

And so, if there is to be any change in Ruth’s position it must come through REDEMPTION! Redemption of the family of Elimilech, ruined in famine times, and decimated by the death of their men. Only a kinsman (go-el), a redeemer – someone related can redeem this land. Boaz sets out to do so, and in doing so makes the case clear to the other family member around that its not an easy, or a small task. Its not just about clearing an old debt. It’s about redeeming a family – not much of a family – there’s only one old woman and a younger one left. But a family that has weathered hardship, and grief; a family where loyalty has blossomed, and a new faith has been claimed.

Boaz is the only one willing to deal with the messines of the redemption of Elimilech, which leads to the safety of Naomi and Ruth. He Redeems their family.

And, through the generations, Boaz and Ruth are part of the family that gives birth to King David, golden ruler of a golden time in Israel. And King David is the ancestor of Jesus, born of Mary, stepson of Joseph. These stories of grief, love, care and redemption lay the groundwork for the Savior of the world, who Redeems us all. Thanks be to God