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near kinsman" (3: 9). Again the A.V. margin reads, "One that hath right to redeem".
Boaz now reveals a fact that made a pause in the accomplishment of Naomi's purpose.
"It is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than 1: Tarry
this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a
kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to
thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the Lord liveth" (Ruth 3: 12, 13).
It is evident from what has been already quoted that pity, love, power, or any other
attribute associated in our minds with Redemption cannot be put into operation until
kinship is established.
The fourth chapter of Ruth shows us Boaz obtaining the right of redemption, and
putting it into operation:--
"Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there; and, behold, the kinsman of
whom Boaz spake came by" (Ruth 4: 1).
Boaz puts before this kinsman the case of Naomi, saying:--
"If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I
may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee: and I am after thee. And he said I
will redeem it" (Ruth 4: 4).
When, however, Boaz gave this kinsman to understand that the redemption of the
inheritance of Naomi involved the raising up of the name of the dead husband of Ruth,
the kinsman withdrew. The law says:--
"If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold some of his possessions, and if any of his
kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold" (Lev. 25: 25).
"If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the
dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's next kinsman (margin) shall
take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's next kinsman unto her.
And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his
brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel. And if the man like not to
take his next kinsman's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate unto the elders,
and say, My husband's brother refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he
will not perform the duty of my husband's next kinsman . . . . . Then shall his brother's
wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot,
and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will
not build up his brother's house, and his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him
that hath his shoe loosed" (Deut. 25: 5-10).
Boaz said before the elders:--
"Ye are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was
Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi, Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the wife
of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his
inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off among his brethren, and from the
gate of his place: Ye are witnesses this day" (Ruth 4: 9, 10).
Here we have emphasized the great outstanding fact that the Redeemer must be
Kinsman. We must devote further space to the consideration of the following points:--