The Third Wednesday in Advent
*I Will Redeem You* Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ! Amen! Boaz said to Ruth, “*As the Lord lives, I will redeem you*.” Dear Christian friends, Ruth is an example for us, written into the Scriptures in order that we may learn to share her faith. What does faith do? Faith huddles at the feet of the redeemer, appealing to his mercy. Even more than that, faith hears the promise spoken by the redeemer and faith believes that which is spoken. When Ruth washes and perfumes herself, she is NOT getting ready for a roll in the hay. This is the preparation of a bride for a husband. Ruth appears before her redeemer in much the same way that the entire Christian church appears before her Christ: “*in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing… holy and without blemish*” (Ephesians 5:28); “*prepared as a bride adorned for her husband*” (Revelation 21:2). Ruth comes to Boaz, seeking his grace and favor. She places herself, not at his side, but at his feet, recognizing and confessing “*the humble estate of his handmaiden*” (Luke 1:48). Ruth is a living image of the holy Christian Church and all Christians therein. Boaz is a living prophecy of the Coming Christ. We should watch and listen to Boaz as he deals with Ruth, learning from him what sort of things we ought to seek and expect from Jesus, our Lord and Redeemer. · Ruth pleaded with Boaz, “*Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer*.” These Words are a figure of speech. Ruth is not referring to the blanket that covers Boaz against the night air when she says, “Cover me.” Ruth is asking for the lifetime care and protection Boaz is able to offer her. Our Lord Jesus has taught us to pray to Him the same way, that we would ask of Him in the Words of the Psalm, “*Hide me in the shadow of Your wings*” (Psalm 17:8). We know this is a good way to pray because Jesus has promised us: “*He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge*” (Psalm 91:4). And again, “*I would have gathered you together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings*” (Matthew 23:37). · Ruth worried what other people would think of her. Seeing her depart from Boaz in the early morning light, the neighbors would of course jump to all the wrong conclusions. Boaz guarded Ruth’s reputation by hiding even the appearance of her sin: “*Let it not be known*” he said to his workers, “*that the woman came to the threshing floor*.” In the same way that Boaz acted to guard and protect Ruth’s reputation, so our Lord Jesus likewise guards and protects us. The Scriptures call our enemy the devil “*the accuser*” who accuses us day and night before the throne of God (Revelation 12:10). Just as Boaz silenced his workers, so Christ Jesus our Lord has also silenced the voice of our accuser. Jesus has done this once for all by shedding His blood and by pouring out His life for the forgiveness of our sins. (Perhaps Christians could likewise learn to be so merciful toward one another, that when accusations fly against our brother or our sister, we would say with Boaz, as with our Lord, “*Let it not be known*.”) · Finally—perhaps most significantly—Boaz spoke an oath to his servant Ruth. “*As the Lord lives, I will redeem you*.” The Words, “*I will redeem you*” are the promise. A price will be paid for you, Ruth, and your life will soon become better on account of this promise. The Words, “*As the Lord lives*” transform the promise into an oath, making the promise an unbreakable vow. By saying to Ruth, “*as the Lord lives*,” Boaz was declaring to Ruth that there was NO price he was unwilling to pay for her redemption. By swearing in the name of the Lord, Boaz indicated that he would commit to his servant everything required for her redemption—even if it meant the loss of property and life. Has not Christ Jesus our Lord done all of that and more for us? Our Lord’s promise of our redemption—that is, His promise of our forgiveness and life—carries the weight of an oath. The oath was so serious to our Lord that He attached even His body and life to its fulfillment. At the end of this chapter, Ruth is not yet redeemed. Nevertheless, the promise has been spoken and the promise is certain to be fulfilled. Thus it may be faithfully and honestly said concerning Ruth—just as it is equally faithful and honest to say concerning you—“*Redemption is drawing near*” (Luke 21:28). The only thing to do now is to wait. Blessed Ruth shows us how to wait, hearing the promise spoken by the redeemer and believing that which was spoken.
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