Naomi had told Ruth that Boaz would be most expeditious in pursuing her interests. "Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day," Ruth 3:18.

She was correct. Boaz set out the next day to seek a settlement for Ruth. He pictures for us our blessed Redeemer Who pursued our interests without faltering. "And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem," Luke 9:51. "But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!" Luke 12:50. "I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed," Isaiah 50:6-7.

In our study today, we will see the withdrawal of all claims to Ruth by the nearer kinsman. It sets forth victory over the flesh for the believer and the freedom to pursue the blessings of union with Christ.

III. THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE NEARER KINSMAN.

He was a hindrance to God's will and had to go.

1. Only by his removal can Ruth's life be made full and complete. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me," Galatians 2:20.

2. His removal involved a humbling of him. Shoe taken off, vs. 7-8. He would have limped home as did Jacob after his meeting with the Lord, Gen 32:31. This signifies the mortifying of the flesh, Rom 8:13-15.

3. The reproach remained upon the man. Deut 25:7-10. In like fashion we must keep the flesh in the position of reproach and shame if we are to enjoy the fulness of Christ's grace and power in our lives.

4. This was all accomplished by Boaz. Ruth benefitted but played no part in the proceedings! 3:18, Php 2:13, Isa 40:31.