From the Desk of Jeff King

It is finished

Since the fall of Adam, God has zealously been at work in His creation to try to save it. Messiah Yeshua says in John 5:17, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working."

God's tenacity is reflected is the Old Testament character Boaz, a Jewish man who marries a widowed Moabitess named Ruth. Before they can marry he follows Jewish law by contacting a closer relative, or kinsman, who legally has first right to redeem Ruth and the property of her widowed mother-in-law, Naomi (Boaz is a blood relative of Naomi; Ruth is a convert to Judaism). The kinsman redeemer was a rich benefactor or person who frees the debtor by paying a ransom price. A widow without heirs was entitled to marry a kinsman, who would take her into his home, provide for her, and rear a son to hand down his name. In this narrative, the nearest kinsman declines once he's informed a young widow is involved and hands over all rights to Boaz, the next in line. The meeting takes place at the city gate in the company of 10 elders.

Before they know the outcome, Naomi assures Ruth, "Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man (Boaz) will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day." Boaz is a type or picture of the promised Messiah, who would not rest until our salvation was secure. Yeshua, a descendant of Boaz, also goes into the city to redeem His bride before witnesses. God's work of redemption, which began in the book of Genesis, ends with the Son of Man, our kinsman, declaring from the cross, "It is finished."