Who does the closer relative in the book of Ruth represent?
Ruth 4:1-2 Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there, and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz spoke was passing by, so he said, 'Turn aside, friend, sit down here.' And he turned aside and sat down. And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, 'Sit down here.' So they sat down.
Chapter 4 starts then, with this mysterious close relative. Boaz is willing to redeem Ruth but the first option to do so is granted to this 'other man'. Ruth loves Boaz and has pledged her life to him, yet there is still a struggle over where her redemption will come from. Ever felt like this? Have you felt the conflict over where your deliverance comes from? If so then you may know who the closer relative is a picture of. If the book of Ruth pictures our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, then who is it that has a chance to redeem us before the Lord does? I believe that the closer relative is a picture of the law and this should become clear through the verses to come.
Ruth 4:3-4 Then he said to the closest relative, 'Naomi, who has come back from the land of Moab, has to sell the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech. 'So I thought to inform you, saying, 'Buy it before those who are sitting here, and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if not, tell me that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am after you.'' And he said, 'I will redeem it.'
There are only two ways Boaz says that Elimelech's property (and that which comes with it - namely Ruth) can be redeemed. Either the closer relative or Boaz has to redeem Ruth and no other options are available! It's the same with us. There are only two ways of being redeemed and bought back to God - either you believe in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ in dying for you on the cross or you live in total obedience to the law of God, not breaking one commandment your whole life! Now which one shall I choose? But I believe the picture in the book of Ruth is speaking of more than just our initial salvation. There is also the ongoing process in our Christian lives where we must continually look at where our redemption comes from. Does our ongoing deliverance from the power of sin come from our best efforts to keep Gods law or is it also by trusting in the Lord Jesus as we did when we first met Him? We will look at this question but for now let's just remind ourselves of the response of the closer relative. 'I will redeem it' he responds and he fully intends to do what he says! This is a great picture of the law of God. There is nothing wrong with the law of God. It is perfect and holy and if it could redeem us it would. There's only one small tiny problem that prevents this from happening, and here she comes!