Then the redeemer said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself. For I cannot redeem it.” Ruth 4:6
The season of Thanksgiving and shopping is upon us. Buy one get one free is an alluring offer to get me in the door. When I go to redeem a purchase, I feel good about how much money I have saved. In my estimation it is half the price, unless I know that the item was marked up and I am only really getting a 20% discount. Whatever the discount, the store knows that I am happy to redeem my second one for free just as much as they are ready to unload those extra items. This strategy has been around for years.
In the book of Ruth, there was a buy one get one free redemption opportunity. Boaz was cunning in knowing the strategy to allure the first redeemer to redeem Naomi’s land. He offered the first redeemer dibs on the land, as was his right. All the while, Boaz was suspecting that this kinsmen would not want Ruth as part of the package (Ruth 4:1-10). The transaction of redemption that followed was secure and beautifully orchestrated according to the Israelites’ tradition. Boaz acquired the land and redeemed Ruth, continuing two lineages, his own and Elimelech’s.
The first redeemer did not feel that Ruth was worthy of redemption. He felt she would tarnish his inheritance. The beauty of God as my redeemer is that He views me as redeemable because of His great love. He views everyone and everything as redeemable – even a bullying boss, an impatient driver, a murder, a backslider, a gossiping friend…the list goes on (insert whomever you want).
This redemptive story shows Ruth trusting God for her refuge and later it reveals her reward (being grafted into God’s people and the lineage of Jesus). God’s redemption plan is better than a buy one get one free. There are no strings attached. The redemption and reward are simple. He loved me, so He sent his Son to pay for my life of sin. My reward is being adopted into His family and eternal life with Him. He became my one and only redeemer. One would die – for all to be free. In this season of Thanksgiving, I give thanks that all of us are redeemable.
Redeemable
Opportunity. Value. Reward.
What is my redemption story? How am I living out my redeemed life?