Redemptive Moments

Dear GCI Family and Friends,

The Bible reveals God’s mission to reclaim humanity, undoing the cycle of sin and death triggered by the fall, and restoring the profound joy of an intimate relationship with our triune God. The overarching story throughout Scripture is one of redemption. In the Old Testament, we often find pointers that indicate God’s redemptive purposes on behalf of humanity.

In the book of Ruth, we find one of these pointers through Boaz, who serves as the “kinsman-redeemer” (or go’el) for Naomi and Ruth. As their kinsman-redeemer, Boaz was uniquely positioned to act as a protector and restorer for Naomi and Ruth, providing redemption, securing the family’s land, and marrying Ruth, thus ensuring both their safety and the continuation of the family lineage. What a redemptive moment for both Naomi and Ruth!

While the Book of Ruth illustrates God’s redemptive work on a personal scale, the Exodus serves as a communal demonstration of his redemptive purposes through his servant Moses. Despite these differing scopes, both narratives powerfully demonstrate the depth of divine redemption.

While every pointer in the Old Testament narrative serves a divine purpose, it all comes to completion in the ultimate redemptive work of God in and through the incarnate Son. Both Moses and Boaz were just pointing to the ultimate redemptive reality in Christ. Through the finished work of Christ, God has not only redeemed us, but through our spiritual union with Christ, he has made available divine fellowship. This is our greatest redemptive moment!