The first chapter concludes with a hopeful message. The beginning of the barley harvest brings us to the day of the sheaf of the firstfruits, the day of Christ’s resurrection. Immediately afterward, Boaz is introduced, a type of Christ.
Ruth 2
1 Now Naomi had a relative of her husband, a mighty man of wealth and valor, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz.
Boaz means: in Him is power. God’s power was nowhere more impressively displayed than on the day of Christ’s resurrection. God, through the surpassing greatness of His power, raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavens (Eph. 1:19-20).
Flesh and Blood
Boaz was a relative of her husband Elimelech. This is significant because only a relative could act as a redeemer. The Lord Jesus also came to earth as a Jew so that He could redeem His “kinsmen according to the flesh.” He could only become the Redeemer by partaking of flesh and blood.
Hebrews 2
14 Since, then, the children share in flesh and blood, He also, in like manner, shares in the same things, so that through death He might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil.
Christ had to partake of flesh and blood and become like human beings and die (Phil. 2:7-8). Only then could He rise from the dead, conquer death, and bring about redemption for His people.
wealthy
Boaz was “a wealthy man of valor.” Wealth is a synonym for strength. That Boaz was wealthy here indicates that he possessed many possessions and was wealthy. Elsewhere, this phrase is translated as “mighty man of valor” (Judg. 6:12; 11:1).
Boaz is able to act as a redeemer and pay a heavy price. Boaz is a picture of Christ, who gave Himself a ransom for all (1 Tim.2:6) and gained the victory.