Our Kinsman Redeemer...

Matthew 1:5 “Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse…

Bill Purvis once said, “If you raise a man up in the power and strength of the flesh - then that is exactly what you’ll get! You will find a man who is nothing but carnal and walking in the flesh.” He added, “However, if you raise a man up in the nurture and strength of the LORD - then that is exactly what you’ll get! You will find a man who is strong and walking in the power and might of the LORD.”

This is exactly the man whom Matthew introduces. His name is Boaz and his Hebrew name even describes him as such - “strength.” Boaz’s character depicts a man who was financially secure, mentally and emotionally stable, physically apt, socially and economically sound. Yet, it was his spiritual walk with God that left behind an inheritance and legacy for all generations.

Boaz was a wealthy landowner in Bethlehem. He was related to Elimelech, husband of Naomi. After the death of Elimelech and his two sons in Moab, Naomi returned with her Moabite daughter-in-law to Bethlehem. Yet, Matthew reminds us that the seeds of salvation can often be planted in a conservatory of tragedy or disaster.

Ruth met Boaz in his field while exercising the right of the poor to gather the grain which falls during the harvest and season of counting the Omer. He acted compassionately toward Ruth and directed his servants to see that she took home barley beyond the amount of her legal entitlement. It was through the guiding hand of Divine Providence that led him there in order to meet Ruth.

When Ruth's brother-in-law refused to marry her (as required by law of Levirate marriage), Boaz implemented the heavenly plan to build the house of Israel by agreeing both to purchase the former estate of Elimelech and to redeem Ruth in marriage so that the newly acquired field would remain in Elimelech's family and the lineage continue. Boaz ultimately fathered the Davidic dynasty through a son named Obed.

Matthew reveals Boaz as a type of Christ the Messiah, springing from Judah, in order to acquire a bride from among the Gentile nations. He reminds us that Boaz stepped in with grace and not obligation while redeeming Ruth from her situation. He shows how Yeshua is willing to redeem (similar to Boaz redeeming and marrying Ruth) with the power to do so, as well as, the right as our KINSMAN REDEEMER too.

Matthew repeatedly teaches that the Old Testament concealed is the New Testament revealed while the New Testament revealed is a picture of the Old Testament concealed. He paints a beautiful portrait and illustration of Boaz and the Messiah as the kinsman, men of great wealth, the Lord of the harvest, a provider of bread, supplier of needs, restorer of hope, men of willingness, grace, and compassion, intercessors, Go’el or redeemer, our great inheritance and both having lineage belonging and fulfilling the Davidic dynasty.