REDEMPTION IN THE BOOK OF RUTH.
By Elgin G. Farnsworth
"Deliver him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom." Job 33:24. Ever since man lost his inheritance through sin it has been true with God, that "I have found a ransom." But, as the connection in which our text is found indicates, it is necessary that there be a messenger to show unto man God's uprightness. God has sought in every way to interpret this fact to the human family. Through type and symbol, through sacrifice and offering, through prophet and priest, he has sought to manifest the plan of redemption to man. The book of Ruth, which is considered by many a kind of sentimental story, sets forth this redemption very plainly. The ceremonial law provided that if a person lost his possessions through poverty, one of near kin might redeem his inheritance. Lev. 25:49. And in case of the death of a man having a wife, and no children to occupy the inheritance, the nearest of kin should take her for his wife, and the first-born son should succeed in the name of the husband that died; thus the family name and inheritance was secured. Deut. 25:5, 6. Elimelech of Bethlehem for some reason left4his inheritance, and went to dwell in a land of strangers, who did not know the true God. His wife and two sons went with him. These sons formed an unholy alliance with that people, and took wives of that idolatrous nation. Bitterness and sorrow seem to have followed. Elimelech and both of his sons died in this heathen country, and the mind and heart of Naomi, Elimelech's wife, turns back to the inheritance which they had left in Bethlehem many years before. But she is old and without a son to hold the inheritance, and her poverty makes it necessary that this inheritance be sold, to all human appearance lost, and with her death the family name must perish. But Naomi returns to her old home in Bethlehem, and Ruth, her daughter-in-law, chooses to go with her. This choice of Ruth afterward revives a last ray of hope for Naomi, for she still has kinsmen in Bethlehem. There is only one that can redeem the inheritance, and raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, and the wife of the dead has the right, according to the law, to demand that this nearest of kin build up the name of the dead upon the inheritance. A refusal to do this exposes him to the utmost contempt. Deut. 25:7-10. Boaz recognizes all this, and gives himself for this purpose, and marries the Moabitess. All his wealth becomes hers; his own inheritance is "marred," and his name is merged in the house of Elimelech; but that family name is preserved. There is no need now of parting with the inheritance, but with his wealth added to it, it becomes all they need. "And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a redeemer, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life." Ruth 4:14, 15, margin. How beautifully this illustrates our redemption in Christ. Man, in departing and partaking of the forbidden fruit, lost his life. The decree was carried out, "In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." This can not refer to natural existence, but the Spirit which is life, and the Holy Seed which God intended should ever remain in man, by sin was lost. Man was spiritually dead, and, so far as human prospects were concerned, the inheritance was lost; the name, sons of God, was lost, and all must perish. Yet there was One, and only One, who could restore what was lost in Adam,—his Elder Brother, the rightful heir of all things. Life, name, and inheritance, all were his by right. Infinitely superior in every respect to Boaz, yet he stooped to marry the lost race. And by so doing "marred" his own inheritance. "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not something to be held onto; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men." He actually gave himself to them, that every one who would enter into the marriage relation with him might have his wealth, his inheritance, his name, and his life, and thus become members of his body, his flesh, and his bones. And like as the widow under the ceremonial law had a right to demand her redemption of her nearest of kin, so we have a right to come with boldness unto our Redeemer, knowing that he will perform the kinsman's part. This redemption is not so much the paying off of a mortgage supposed to be held by Satan upon the human race, as it is being delivered from sin and its results by becoming one with Christ. Neither is it the paying of a sum to God to cancel a debt, and thus make satisfaction with God; for God can only be satisfied with righteousness, and this we all may find in our Redeemer. "Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord, for I am married unto you." Jer. 3:14. "And it shall be at that day, saith the Lord, that thou shalt call me Ishi [that is, my husband]." Hosea 2:16. "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."