“Then the women of the town said to Naomi, ‘Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel'” (Ruth 4:14 NLT)

The little book of Ruth illustrates the use of the Levitical law (found in Lev. 25) which provided for a woman who had no male heir to retain her family’s property. This provision in the law called for a close family member to become a “ga’al,” which is the Hebrew word for “kinsman-redeemer.” In Ruth, Boaz takes the role of the ga’al, a selfless act that enabled Naomi and Ruth not only to have an inheritance but gave them a son to carry on the name of their dead son and husband. It seems ironic that it was a foreign woman who activated this law. Yet, God often brings people that are far away, near to Him in faith. So, the story of Boaz and Ruth inform us of the kinsman-redeemer practice and also show us the preparation for the ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Jesse… Obed… Boaz and Ruth, and the Son of God.