Naomi has seen the first part of her prayer of 1:8-9 answered. Will the second part of her prayer now be answered? God is at work through the initiative of Naomi and the reactions of Boaz. By her actions and her speech Ruth asks Boaz to marry her - to act as a kinsman-redeemer. Boaz is willing and able to be her redeemer but there is a kinsman closer than him. We have to wait until chapter 4 for the happy resolution.
In the actions of Boaz we have illustrated, and are helped to understand, Jesus Christ's work of redemption. Redemption is the recovery of something by paying a price. Perhaps, we are familiar with property being redeemed from a pawnbroker, or a person being redeemed from kidnappers by payment of a ransom.
Jesus is a kinsman redeemer. He rescues people who have been kidnapped and
held captive by sin. The price he pays is his own life (1Pet 1:18-19). He is
our kinsman - he shares in our flesh & blood. Have you, or will you come,
like Ruth, and lie at his feet, asking that He might spread his 'wings' of protection
over you?