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Ruth 2:19-20

 In some countries, laws have been enacted allowing aged parents to claim 'maintenance' from their children. For example, in Singapore, the 'Maintenance of Parents Act' gives neglected or abandoned parents the legal means to force their well-off children to support them financially.

In ancient Jewish society, there was a similar thing in place in the Mosaic law. It said that a well-to-do relative, known as a 'guardian-redeemer' or 'kinsman-redeemer' was to help a destitute family member.

The 'guardian-redeemer' is one of the main themes and central focus of the book of Ruth.


In verse 20, how does Naomi respond to Ruth's news?


The Hebrew word hesed is used in the Old Testament to talk about God's covenant faithfulness and loving-kindness.
How do we see this playing out here in Ruth's story?


How is Boaz described, by Naomi, in verse 20?

Combined with what we already know about Boaz, what does this tell us?


[Activity] The 'guardian-redeemer' had various duties.
Read through the following passages and make a note of what those duties were...

Leviticus 25:23-34

Leviticus 25:35-55

Numbers 35:9-34

Deuteronomy 25:5-10


What do you think about the concept of 'kinsman-redeemer'?

Is the law of the 'kinsman-redeemer' applicable today?
Why or why not?
If so, how would you carry out those duties today?


In what way is Jesus your 'kinsman-redeemer'?

The concept of the 'kinsman-redeemer' is applied to God in the Old Testament 18 different times... and in the New Testament, Christ is referred to as our Redeemer who gave "his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45) and "to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law" so that we could be adopted as God's children (Galatians 4:5). Jesus, our Redeemer, restores us and has made us right with our God (Romans 4:25). 

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