A thought exercise….

Who is your kinsmen-redeemer?

Or in today’s speech – who has gone to bat for you when you were at your wit’s end?

Maybe someone who sticks up for you against a bully or who loves you when you feel un-lovable?

Maybe someone who helps you in a time of need.

Truly, if we think for a moment there may be many of these “redeemers”. Many who have gone before us to protect us, help us, or save us from some sort of calamity.

Fact is – there is calamity. And typically just around a corner or up the next road to the hill.

In the story of Ruth in the Bible – this was Boaz. We learn how he had mercy and love on Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi. We learn the sacrificial nature of Ruth for Naomi. We really get a sense of how we should be more kind, merciful to each other.

So who is your kinsmen-redeemer? Who do you need to be a kinsmen-redeemer for?

11 Boaz replied to her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know. 12 May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.” Ruth 2:11 (NASB95) – also notice how he is nice and who he is referring to (Naomi and G-d)