“‘Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from his position at the gate. You are witnesses this day.’”

• Ruth gleaning.

After the weeks had passed, and the time of harvest was waning, they were winnowing barley at night, and Ruth, upon the orders of her mother-in-law, went up to the threshing floor as Boaz slept, and lay down at his feet. In that day and hour, this was perfectly proper. She was casting herself on his mercy. Here is the place that we should seek the Lord - His love and His grace.

The woman of Canaan came and fell at Christ’s feet, saying, “‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed’” (Matthew 15:22).

Mary Magdalene came and fell at the feet of Jesus, and bathed His feet with her tears and dried them with her hair.

The rich young ruler came and fell at the feet of Jesus.

Mary of Bethany always delighted to sit at the feet of Jesus while she heard His word. How else should we come?

• Ruth claiming.

When Boaz awoke and saw Ruth at his feet he was startled, but Ruth immediately said, “‘I am Ruth your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a near kinsman’” (3:9). Boaz said, “‘Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter! . . . in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich’” (v. 10).

So it was that Boaz, whose name means “in him is strength,” became strength to the weak, and gave his vows of love to the one who sought his grace.

• The call of Boaz.

There was another “kinsman redeemer.” So it was that Boaz sat in the main gate on the succeeding day, and as the people went by he cried, “‘Ho, such a one [literally “so and so”]’” ((4:1). Ten men of the elders of the city came by, and he said, “‘Sit down here’” (v. 2). He told them how Naomi had returned and how Ruth the Moabitess had married Naomi’s son, and that he (Boaz) has desired to redeem her inheritance which was a certain land, and to marry her as a part of the redemption.

According to the law of the time he gave “such a one” the opportunity to redeem the land. “Such a one” immediately agreed to buy the land. Then Boaz said, “‘You must also buy it of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance’” (v. 5). Then this “such a one” said, “‘I cannot redeem it for myself . . . You redeem my right of redemption for yourself’” (v. 6).

Is this not amazing? Every name in the Book of Ruth is given such prominence until we come to the near kinsman of Naomi, and he is called “such a one.” No name is given to him.

We think we can solve the riddle. Boaz stands for Christ who is our Strength, our Mighty One who is able to redeem us. “Such a one” stands for the Law who was made weak through the flesh and could not save us. “Such a one,” as the Law, must step aside that the True Christ, our Savior and kinsman Redeemer, may buy us back unto Himself. Then, by and by, will come the marriage of the Lamb, and we will be the bride.

Guard your heart. Teach your children. Watch and pray.