Letter 040 — The Whole Letter: Goel (Ruth + Matthew 1)

Letters From Home · Jul 3, 2026 · 11m

The Hebrew word that runs through Ruth twenty-one times is the same word the New Testament reaches for when it describes what Christ has done. Goel. Kinsman-redeemer.

In this letter

- Goel (H1350) — kinsman-redeemer

- The four qualifications of a goel under the law

- The threshing floor as the heart of the book

- Boaz at the city gate as the pattern of Christ on the cross

- The genealogy in Ruth 4 — Obed, Jesse, David

- Matthew 1 and Ruth in the lineage of Jesus

- A direct pastoral landing for outsiders, the empty, the ones who need a redeemer

Scripture

- Ruth 3-4

- Matthew 1:5 (Ruth in the…