REDEMPTION NEGOTIATED

(Ruth 4:1-12): Boaz negotiated Ruth's redemption just as Jesus negotiated ours; legally and completely.

How completely this proposal illustrates the proposition of Jesus Christ our great Redeemer in our behalf. Thus publicly He agreed, in the presence of witnesses of the seven Spirits of God (Rev 3:1), to make Himself an offering for sin (Heb 10:5-10). Thus legally would He fulfill all righteousness for man, and be made under the law (Gal 4:4), that He might redeem those who were under the law from the bondage of its condemnation (Gal 4:5). Thus perfectly and completely would He buy back all that man had lost in Adam, and unite unto Himself the nature which had sinned and fallen. But angels were a created nature, far nearer in relation to man. Might not the proposition be made to them? Would they not redeem the lost? Ah, willing they might be; we doubt not they were. But able they could never be. The redemption of a soul they must accomplished by the Kinsman Redeemer alone. None other can bring salvation. His own arm must bring salvation. His righteousness must sustain Him. He was content to do the will of God, and His law was in His heart. Here was to be complete redemption. He would take the shoe, like Boaz, and acknowledge the obligation, and perform the duties of which it was the token. He would stand in the sinner's place (Rom 3:26). He would make Himself an offering in his stead (Isa 53:10). All this exercise and work of redeeming love was in the fullness of His own grace, without any connection of yours with it. Yes; just as the proposal of Boaz was without Ruth's presence or knowledge; made in her absence, while she was with her mother at home, and not to be made known to her until it was completed; so was this great proposal of Jesus Christ to be your Kinsman, and to fulfill for you all the kinsman's obligations, made without your counsel and accomplished without your help (Eph 1:11). This is the unsearchable riches of Christ (Eph 3:8). It ruled over every obstacle. It met every difficulty. It is extended to sinful man with no conditions. It invites him, and offers its bounties to him without any qualifications whatever. It announces a redemption all complete, and begs him to receive and to enjoy it. Thus God has chosen to redeem. And thus He has chosen us to be His Bride, the subjects of His redemption.
Kelsey Griffin