Originally posted: 10/27/2019
Then she said, “Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today,” (Ruth 3:18).
This Hebrew word, translated in English as settled in the NASB, is also translated in other versions of the Scriptures as resolved, concluded, finished, and taken care of.
From Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: “3615. כָּלָה kālāh: A verb meaning to complete, to accomplish, to end, to finish… Its primary meaning is to consummate or to bring to completion.”
Scholars refer to Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer, as a type of Christ. Consider the following explanations of Typology, the study of Scripture “types” from A Study of Biblical Types (https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/126-study-of-biblical-types-a).
- “a figure or ensample of something future and more or less prophetic, called the ‘Antitype’”
- “A type is a shadow cast on the pages of Old Testament history by a truth whose full embodiment or antitype is found in the New Testament revelation.”
- “A type is a real, exalted happening in history which was divinely ordained by the omniscient God to be a prophetic picture of the good things which he purposed to bring to fruition in Christ Jesus.”
Boaz was a prophetic picture of the good things to come, divinely ordained and purposed by Omniscient God, of what would ultimately come to fruition in Christ.
And if Boaz, Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer, would not rest until the matter was settled, how much more our Savior Redeemer, Jesus Christ?
Consider Him Who Did Not Rest Until the Matter Was Settled
As Ruth’s story so beautifully depicts, she and Naomi were without hope… except… except for the provision commanded by the LORD in their Hebrew Law. In Leviticus 25, provision was made that a relative could redeem property, and even persons enslaved to debt, by bearing the cost himself.
“If a fellow countryman of yours becomes so poor he has to sell part of his property, then his nearest kinsman is to come and buy back what his relative has sold,” (Leviticus 25:25).
“Now if the means of a stranger or of a sojourner with you becomes sufficient, and a countryman of yours becomes so poor with regard to him as to sell himself to a stranger who is sojourning with you, or to the descendants of a stranger’s family, 48 then he shall have redemption right after he has been sold. One of his brothers may redeem him,” (Leviticus 25:47-48).
The nature and actions of Boaz were a type of the One Who was ordained to come. Boaz would bear the cost himself to buy back the debt owed by Naomi, ensuring a future for Naomi and Ruth.
In the same way, Jesus came to buy us back, to pay a debt we could never pay, guaranteeing our future with Him.
He came to redeem us, to free us from the bondage of sin. And He purchased our redemption by bearing the cost Himself.
For you have been bought with a price… (1 Corinthians 6:20).
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, (Ephesians 1:7).
knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ, (1 Peter 1:18-19).
He came to redeem us, even knowing the cost He would ultimately pay. He came and He Did Not Rest Until the Matter Was Settled; He Did Not Rest until the matter was accomplished and brought to completion, until it was finished!
And He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death…” 35 And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. 36 And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will,” (Mark 14:34-36).
After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth. 30 Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit, (John 19:28-30).
How do we respond to Him Who Did Not Rest Until the Matter Was Settled?
Scripture states that all of God’s creation, our world and our very lives, are enslaved and held in the bondage of corruption and sin.
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God, (Romans 8:20-21).
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever;” (John 8:34-35a).
And although these Scriptures paint the situation as so very bleak, hope is there… through His provision, hope is there for all who come to Him in faith.
“…the son does remain forever. 36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed,” (John 8:35b-36).
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come, (2 Corinthians 5:17).
In other words, slaves, those remaining in the debt of their sin, who have not trusted in His finished work on the cross, are destined to an eternity separated from Holy God. But when Jesus redeems us, as we place our faith in His finished work, we are set free to live with Him forever; the Matter is Settled and our future secure. That is hope beyond hope!
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away…3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away,” (Revelation 21:1, 3-4).
Have you placed your faith in Him Who Did Not Rest Until the Matter Was Settled? He has Settled the Matter of our sin and separation from Holy God through His sinless life, perfect sacrifice, and incomparable resurrection.
Do not let today pass, do not rest until by faith you have His assurance. He Did Not Rest Until the Matter Was Settled. Receive the gift of His future, Settled for you, by trusting in His perfect finished work on the cross!
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord, (Ephesians 6:23).