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• redemption

Our Redeemer lives. Redemption is possible. We can be bought back when we had no other hope of rescue.

But Ruth and Naomi didn’t understand these possibilities. The family name was dead. There were no men to carry on the family name, no rights or land, no hope for a stable future.

What started as a daring risk: a mother-in-law instructing her daughter-in-law to go and lay at the feet of a kind land-owner, a distant cousin of the family, ended as a promising story of God’s eternal plan for redemption.

Boaz served as kinsman-redeemer for Ruth and Naomi. His kind heart honored Ruth’s faithfulness to her mother-in-law and he took action to bless and redeem Naomi’s family name. Naomi rejoiced in the redemption of her family, but also in the loving care for her daughter-in-law.

The action Boaz took as kinsman-redeemer for Ruth and Naomi was more than a one-generation blessing for a family in the city of Bethlehem. You see, the Ultimate Redeemer would be born in Bethlehem a few centuries later, the distant grandson of Boaz and Ruth’s son, Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Father, I thank you for your redemptive plan in my life. You knew of our need for rescue and we see in your Word how you worked through history, orchestrating your perfect plan of redemption that culminated in your Son. Our Redeemer lives. Redemption is possible. Thank you for providing us with the hope of rescue and the promise of redemption for those who submit to you.

(For more details about this powerful story, I invite you to subscribe to the blog and receive a free download of the 1st ePetal study – Iron Rose Sisters: a deeper look at Ruth and Naomi.)

• redemption

Francine Rivers wrote a fictional novel called Redeeming Love, inspired by the story of Hosea and Gomer in the book of Hosea. I enjoyed the book so much I have read it two or three times in English and once in Spanish.

Rivers creates a masterfully orchestrated demonstration of love that remains faithful beyond betrayal. For those that have read the book, I think we have all desired to have a Michael (Hosea’s parallel character) in our lives. He is more than a Prince Charming riding in on a white horse. He portrays the true redeeming love of our heavenly Father.

After all of Israel’s infidelities, betrayals, their worship of other gods, God’s compassion never fails.

“How can I give you up, Ephraim?

    How can I hand you over, Israel?

How can I treat you like Admah?

    How can I make you like Zeboyim?

My heart is changed within me;

    all my compassion is aroused.

I will not carry out my fierce anger,

    nor will I devastate Ephraim again.

For I am God, and not a man—

    the Holy One among you.

    I will not come against their cities.”

“I will deliver this people from the power of the grave;

    I will redeem them from death.”

Hosea 11:8-9, 13:14

Just as he did proved with the Israelites, only God is willing to buy us back each time we betray him, fail him, or choose to worship other gods.

“How I love the great Redeemer who is doing so much for me…” His redeeming love rescues me from the muck and the mire. His mercy and grace extend beyond our human understanding of forgiveness.

What does God’s Redeeming Love mean for you?