This week we’re closing out a devotion series on the Book of Ruth.

Thou shalt not steal. But thou can combine points made by two different pastors during public sermons

when writing a devotion if you give them credit. Pretty sure that’s right.

In a sermon titled “Ruthie and Bo Save Christmas,” which you can find online, Pastor Andy Stanley,

founder of North Point Ministries in Atlanta, explained that Boaz had the authority of a “kinsman-

redeemer” or “family redeemer” who could do the following:

1) Protect a poor family member

2) Repurchase lost property

3) Redeem relatives sold as slaves

4) Provide an heir for male relatives (e.g. marry the widow and have a baby)

Stanley loosely analogized a “kinsman-redeemer” to having a rich uncle. A rich uncle could help

financially to solve a lot of problems but is not legally obligated to do so.

Boaz marrying Ruth came with consequences. Once she became part of his estate, he became

responsible for any future children. If something happened to his previous sons, his entire estate would

go to Ruth and her children. It was one thing to let Ruth glean scraps from a field, but quite another to

have her share in his full inheritance.

The other pastor from whom I am borrowing today is Daniel Berry, Pastor at Calvary Church in West

Lafayette, IN. Some of you will remember him because he and his family were once members at

Immanuel, and he preached several times while serving as leader of Baptist Campus Ministry at the

University of Kentucky.

In a sermon still very memorable to me, Berry explained that even after Boaz married Ruth, her mother-

in-law Naomi still wouldn’t have had her future secured. She had no heir remaining in her family’s

lineage. But once Obed was born, Naomi’s future was secure.

Then the women said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord, who has not left you without a family redeemer

today. May his name become well known in Israel. (Ruth 4:14 HCSB)

Naomi was redeemed by a baby! Me too. Merry Christmas.

Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. (Luke 2:11 HCSB)

By Mark Stuart

Mark is the husband of Laura, father of Shelby and Jacob, and father-in-law of Bailey.