Day 99-Our Kinsman Redeemer

Today's Reading: Ruth 4:13-22; 1 Chronicles 2:9-55; 1 Chronicles 4:1-23; 1 Samuel 1: 1-8

I actually want to back up to yesterday's reading of Ruth.  Here we see in action the role of the kinsman redeemer.  So just what is this person and why are they so important?  The nearest of kin was given the responsibility of redeeming his kinsman's lost opportunites.  If the person was forced by circumstances into slavery, his redeemer paid for his freedom.  If a person was overwhlemed by debt that threatened to take all he had, the kinsman could step in a pay off the debt, saving the home and livelihood of the family.  If a man died wihtout leaving an heir the kinsman gave his name by marrying the widow and raising a son to hand down the name of his kinsman.  When a person was killed by another the kinsman acted as the avenger of blood and pursued the killer.  
Ruth is such a lovely picture of this kinsman redeemer.  She was in great need, unable to rescue herself and her mother-in-law, Naomi, quietly and respectfully directed her to request that Boaz cover her with his protection, redeem her, and make her his wife.  It is a beautiful picture because it is also a picture of what Jesus has done for us. 

We too were in great need, we too had a debt that we could never repay, we too would lose our lives if our kinsman redeemer had not stepped in to pay our debt, to rescue us, to save us.  He covers us with His protection and has made us His bride and has blessed us forever.  In this Easter week I want to focus in remembrance on my Redeemer-on our most amazing Brother who came as our Kinsman Redeemer.  

May grace abound,