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Caution to students of God's Word - Please remember two things when using our studies: #1. Our commentary is not God's Word. It is only our interpretation or understanding of "His Word" and even though we try our best to be accurate we may or may not be correct. #2. The King James translation, or any other translation, of the original Hebrew text has some words which were given different translations at different places probably because of the interpreters preconceived ideas of what they think God meant to say. For example: According to the notes in the "Dake's Annotated Reference Bible" the Hebrew word hayah in the KJV is Trans. (became) 67 times, (becamest or came to pass) 505 times, (become) 66 times, and (come to pass) 131 times, but for some reason in Genesis 1:2 it is translated (was)! That sure changes the way a person perceives the original creation of the earth, doesn't it? Gen. 1:2 And the earth was (became) without form, ... Having said that, let us continue with our "Key Knowledge" lessons. These are pamphlets containing knowledge, we believe, you must have to fully and accurately unlock and understand the Word of God.

John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:13-14
[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

This Bible Study was originally written by Roger Christopherson,
published at http://www.theseason.org/

Without the leading by the Holy Spirit, there is no understanding of the truths, for all the truth of the Scriptures are revealed to us by God's Spirit.

"The Claim of Kinsman, Fulfilled [1-13]."
"Sympathy with Naomi, in Joy [14-17]."
"Elimelech's Family. The Uplifting [17-22]."

Though this book is historical, a love story between Naomi and her daughter in law after each had become widowed, it also reveals the lineage of David's family through Ruth and Boaz. However the spiritual part of this book is that it opens our minds to that part of the law dealing with Kinsman Redeemer. This law is just as much in effect today as it was in Boaz and Moses' day. Our nearest of kin is our Heavenly Father, for He created all things, and that includes your soul. You are His direct descendant, just as every soul living, whether in their flesh body or in heaven is. God is our Father, and therefore, His only begotten Son became our Kinsman Redeemer.

He is our Heavenly Father's son that is our spiritual brother, but He is our only Savior. Jesus Christ paid the only price that could be paid to redeem your soul. Jesus was our next of kin, the only one by God's law that could pay the price to redeem your soul from the sting of death that had been placed on it because of sin. Jesus has already paid the price for your sin, but just like any inheritance, you have to accept that inheritance before it becomes your personal possession. Jesus paid that price on the cross with His own blood, and it doesn't matter what your sin is, that blood of Christ is sufficient to cover all your sins.

There is one unforgivable sin; But It is too early today to commit the unforgivable sin, for that sin can only be committed after Satan is here on earth pretending to be the true Christ. That sin can only be committed by the person that knows that the false Christ is present, and that he is Satan. This happens after the sixth trump sounds, and the person being of the elect refuses to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through him or her. So we know today for sure that the door of forgiveness is open to all that will come to the Father in repentance, in Jesus Name. Every sin is paid for when repentance comes from the heart, and the person puts that sin under the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

All that is except for murder; for those that commit murder must face their trial before the throne of God, to see if there is true repentance. Though Christ is our Kinsman Redeemer, remember that those that have committed murder have committed murder to one of God's kin. Father doesn't like that, and He takes that very personal. You have sent one of his children to the Father early, and they are all waiting there in heaven for you to get there for the real trial, where there are no secrets or cover-ups.

Ruth 4:1 "Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, "Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here." And he turned aside, and sat down."

When Boaz gets to the gate, here comes the only one that is closer to Naomi than himself. Boaz greets the man, and asks him to be seated by the city gate. Boaz is trying to work it right to where this man will refuse the right to kinsman redeemer of buying Naomi's land, and taking Ruth for his wife.

Ruth 4:2 "And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, "Sit ye down here." And they sat down."

The gate of the city is where all legal action for the community took place, and the ten men are the elders that will sit as jurors listening to what is being said, and being witness to what is agreed upon.

Ruth 4:3 "And he said unto the kinsman, "Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's:"

The entire community are of the tribe of Judah, and relation to Elimelech's, and kinsmen to Naomi. They will hear the matter, and be witness to what will be agreed upon by Boaz and this other kinsman of Naomi's.

Ruth 4:4 "And I thought to advertise thee, saying, `Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my People. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee.' And he said" I will redeem it."

So Boaz is addressing this next of kin and laying out before him and the ten elders that he wants the right of redemption of Naomi's land, as well as all the other responsibilities that go along with that commitment. At first all that is spoken of is the redemption of the land, and here the next of kin wants to redeem it. However some versions have Boaz saying "I will redeem it." However remember that it is the next of kin that is speaking in this verse, not Boaz. Whoever said it doesn't matter for the rest of the conversation makes it clear that after additional consideration there is an agreement reached. So Boaz is about to speak again, calling attention to what will be required by the one doing the redeeming. Keep in mind that the law of kinsman redeemer is active even today. Spiritually speaking though, Christ is our Kinsman Redeemer, having paid the price on the cross for our sins already.

Ruth 4:5 "Then said Boaz, "What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must by it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance."

So now Boaz is calling attention that whoever buys the land, the field, also must take the responsibility of providing for Naomi and Ruth, and having a child by Ruth. That child must be raised in the name of Mahlon, and be the first to inheritance upon reaching his adulthood. Under the law of kinsman redeemer, when a brother dies, the brother takes the land and his wife, and has a child by that wife that will be first in line for inheritance of that land. In other words, whatever wealth the brother doing the purchase makes, it reverts to that brother's name, and back to the son of his widow.

So Boaz is explaining to this next of kin that even though he did not have any male children, if he took the field and the widowed wife, all that he will accumulate will revert back to the name of his brother in inheritance, and to the first born of the widow. So if he took Ruth to wife and she bare a son, then at age, that son has the right to take all the land to himself. So the kinsman listens to Boaz, and all the details of purchasing the field, and it does not sound like such a good deal after all. He would be paying for land that would never really be his, for when the first kid is of age, there goes the land with nothing received back for it.

Ruth 4:6 "And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mare mine own inheritance: redeem then my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it."

This kinsman simply cannot accept the right of redemption after thinking over the risk it would be putting all the rest of his inheritance, which would be at risk. So we will see now the manner of redeeming, and of changing the right of inheritance within a family. Remember from Deuteronomy 25:5-10, when a man denied the right of kinsman redeemer, he took off his shoe and gave it to his neighbor. And under the original law, he would also spit in the kinsman's face.

Ruth 4:7 "Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel."

Ruth 4:8 "Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, "Buy it for thee." So he drew off his shoe."

So the legal process took place, the kinsman took off his shoe and gave it to Boaz. The change had now legally taken place in the presence of the ten elders sitting as witnesses of the whole process. There was a shame attached to the person that would not protect his next of kin's reputation, his widow and those that needed help. So that is an insult that was to be done publicly.

Ruth 4:9 "And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the People, "We are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi."

Notice that Boaz was making his commitment to Naomi and Ruth in the presence of these witnesses, to buy the land and provide for all the needs of Naomi and take Ruth as his wife in marriage. Of course their first born would have the inheritance rites to all of Boaz's wealth from this time on.

Ruth 4:10 "Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day."

Boaz made it very clear legally that his intentions were to take Ruth for his wife, and have children to raise up in their name of Mahlon, and give them an inheritance. Boaz was a good man, and remember Naomi knew this and told Ruth to sit still and allow Boaz to take care of the matter of the night before. These are good people that set examples for each of us to follow, that when we make a commitment, that we stand by that commitment to show honesty and compassion.

Ruth 4:11 "And all the People that were in the gate, and the elders, said, "We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman that is come into thin house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:"

All of the people there witnessed this court process taking place, and they all then asked for a blessing on this new household of Boaz and Ruth. Notice that in their prayer of blessing, it was through the wives of Jacob, Leah and Rachel, and their sons that the house or nation of Israel came into being. The "house of Israel" is made up from all 12 tribes here, for it is taking place during the time of the Judges, and Israel had not split yet into two separate nations; the house of Israel and of Judah. So this prayer that these people are wishing on Ruth and Boaz is that their household will have as great a blessing as Jacob had with Leah and Rachel. This household will be set up at Bethlehem, and it will be in this same place about 1325 years later that our Lord Jesus Christ would be born. Note also that the Christ would come through the lineage of the womb of Ruth. That Christchild from the womb of Ruth would grow to become the Kinsman Redeemer sacrifice for one and all times. This prayer was answered for it would be only four generations from Ruth and Boaz to King David, and then the lineage through Nathan on to the Messiah.

Ruth 4:12 "And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman."

This prayer became a prophecy also, for God answered the prayer. The Christchild must come through the Adamic seed through which Abraham came. Ruth came from the seed of Abraham's brother, she was a Moabitess, from the seed of Lot, Abraham's nephew. Moab was the son born to Lot after the fall of Sodom. Just like Ruth, neither Leah or Rachel were of Abraham's seed. They were not from Jacob's side of the family, but Rebekah's side of the family, the daughters of Laban. Ruth was not a Gentile, like many would claim, for she was of the Adamic seed line.

Today many churches would have kicked Tamar out of their congregation, for what she had to do to make Judah keep his word. So we see that even through the child that Tamar would bare, would be in the lineage of Christ. Tamar had to sit by the road in the harlots robe, while Judah went chasing after what he thought was a harlot. Everytime it becames time to sheer sheep, Judah went a little crazy after strange women. So note that neither Rachel, Leah nor Ruth were of the seed of Abraham, but of the same seed line as Abraham was from.

Ruth 4:13 "So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son."

So what we must consider here is that even though Ruth bare the child, this child was in the name of Elimelech, as well as Mohlon, and the child even gave seed to Naomi. Naomi will play a very important role in the bringing up and care of this child. We see that Boaz will take care of not only Ruth, but Naomi in her old age.

Ruth 4:14 "And the women said unto Naomi, "Blessed be the Lord, Which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel."

So by now, the value of kinsman should be very important to each of us. It is our family, and family name. When we have a kinsman, we should never turn against them, even if we have a difference of opinion or they are of a different religious preference. It doesn't matter, let them believe as they believe. We know that in the Millennium age, we will have the opportunity to have an influence on each member of our family. Kinsmen are next of kin, father, mother, brother, sister, and our first cousins, aunts and uncles. It is from that family love and kinship that your inheritance comes, because God will bless that kinship. Both these prayers became prophecy because God answered each of them. You can see the love in this family, for that is the love of our Father for His family.

This was the reason that Esau was cursed, as given in both Malachi 1:1, 2; and Romans 9:13; "As it is written, "Jacob have I loved, and Esau have I hated." God hated Esau because of giving so little value to his kinship and inheritance. This attitude was developed back in that first earth age, even before he was in his mother's womb. Esau thought so little of his kinship and inheritance that he sold his entire birthright for a bowl of red soup. He thought more of his stomach than his inheritance. God doesn't like that.

When family problems come up, take time to consider those kin, and think of how you can be of help to those of kin that need your help. Do a little praying before you act. Your kinsmen do not have to believe as you do, for each person must make up their own mind as to what they wish to believe, because they are the ones that will stand before the Father and give account of themselves. They don't account for you, and you don't have to account for them. You can still support them even when there is a difference in religious commitment. They are your kin, and if you plant the seed of truth, then leave that seed alone and allow God to make it grow. It is the Spirit of God that opens ones mind or closes it to understanding truth from His Word. Be patient and set the example that your kin can see God's blessing in your life. So the rest of the verses in this chapter deal with the seed line of Jesus Christ, through David. This relationship of kinsman redeemer is the reason that it was read on Pentecost day each year.

Ruth 4:15 "And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him."

And "he", this kinsman redeemer [Boaz], shall be unto Naomi a restorer of thy life, and nourish you in your old age. What a prayer of blessing. Stop and think what this is saying of Ruth, her daughter in law. What a compliment! "Seven sons" were considered the height of blessings from God, and here this prayer of blessing puts Ruth higher than having seven sons. The sons worked the land and gave provision for your old age, yet Ruth took care of Naomi more than could be provided by the seven sons. This is the highest compliment that one could give a person.

Ruth 4:16 "And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it."

Naomi took that precious child; that grandson that would have the right of inheritance of her family, and she became the nurse to him. This child became her security, her redeemer in her old age.

Remember there was a kinsman that refused to redeem her, because he was just too busy in the world, and to tied to his possessions to care for his kinsman. Just like Esau and his inheritance, he treated his kinsman less than that bowl of soup. That kinsman was not willing to allow family to get in the way of his possession and life style, and he was willing to take off the shoe and be spit in the face for the right to walk away. There is a price to pay to be a kinsman redeemer, and he was not willing to pay that price.

This is the position that Christ was put in, to pay a price for each of us personally. Sure it cost Him dearly with His life and blood, and He was willing to pay that price for you His kinsman. He provided that inheritance for you, but just as in our flesh life, you have to accept that inheritance before it is yours, and you take it to yourself.

In Naomi's case, she has her inheritance in hand, and she values that little child more than her entire life. Remember that she was a unique woman, for the entire community loved and respected her, and there was not one word bad said against her.

Ruth 4:17 "And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, "There is a son born to Naomi;" and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David."

The Word "Obed" in the Hebrew tongue, meaning "serving". Obed will be the father of Jesse, the father of David. So within this verse we have the lineage from Obed to David.

Our nearest kinsman has given us an open title to our inheritance, and it can be received today, right now. All you have to do is believe upon Him and you are redeemed from the bondage of sin that leads to the death of your soul. Within that inheritance is the protection and love of God to each person that will come into the kinship of His family. The right of Kinsman Redeemer has already been paid, the provisions have been set up, but it is up to you to make the commitment, or walk away, as Naomi's nearest of kin did to her.

To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals. We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.

doctrine of many of our Christian churches, (The Man on a White Horse)
political direction of our country, (The Man on a Red Horse)
economic direction our country has taken, (The Man on a Black Horse)
and teaching of our schools and media, (The Man on a Pale Horse)

The Four Hidden Dynasties of the New World Order Revelation 6:1-8
"The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse"
Did you know all four are being ridden by Satan?