The word translated “kinsman” is goel in Hebrew. Goel means “redeemer” and has its roots in the 25th chapter of Leviticus wherein God outlined a plan to prevent capitalism from getting out of hand. Every fifty years, in the Year of Jubilee, all properties purchased by corporations or wealthy individuals due to bankruptcy were to revert back to the original owner. In the Year of Jubilee, all debts were canceled. It was the Father’s safeguard against the greed which causes such disparity between rich and poor.

As gracious as the Year of Jubilee was, however, fifty years is a long time to be without your land - especially if you’re a farmer. So the Lord made another provision: The closest kinsman had the right at any time to buy back property which had been lost through bankruptcy, poor business practices, or mismanagement. That is why the word goel is translated both “kinsman” and “redeemer.”

This is an important concept because Jesus Christ is our Goel. We’re bankrupt. We’re out of it. Like Ruth and Naomi, we have nothing. But there is One who is wealthy. There is One who stands in strength. He is our Kinsman Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

Boaz is about to redeem Ruth and bring her under his covering - even as Jesus Christ has redeemed us and brought us under His covering.