He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.” (Ruth 3:9)

We’re now in the third chapter of the book of Ruth (see Days 1 and 8), and it’s here that we find one of the key words in this book––“redeemer.” In fact, you could argue that the entire Bible, from cover to cover, is a story of redemption. So what does it mean to redeem someone?

Basically, to redeem someone means to bring them under your care by paying the required price for them. This is what Boaz does for Ruth in response to Ruth’s request, “Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.” Boaz essentially takes responsibility for providing for Ruth and her family, and he was uniquely able to do this because of his relationship to Naomi’s family. According to Leviticus 25:48-49, a redeemer (in the sense spoken of here) must be a close relative.

The book of Ruth is giving us a picture of God as the Redeemer, the One who pays the price to provide for us under His care. He does this by sending His own Son, Jesus, to die on a cross for our sins. He restores us to a relationship with Him so that we can experience His provision of eternal life. What Boaz did for Ruth, God has done for us in a much greater way through Christ.

If you’re a follower of Christ, then you have been bought by a Redeemer. His name is Jesus, and He’s made it possible for you to live under the protection and provision of God himself. Now, regardless of our sinful background or, like Ruth, the desperate circumstances we find ourselves in, we have hope through the gospel. And God has done this “so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7).

PRAYING IN LIGHT OF TODAY’S PASSAGE

Thank God for the redemption He has provided in Christ, and ask Him to redeem friends, family members, and neighbors who have not yet believed the message of the gospel.