Explore Ruth 4 and how Boaz redeems Ruth, revealing God's faithful plan for redemption through the lineage of David.
The final chapter of the book of Ruth brings the story to its glorious conclusion. The encounter at the threshing floor had set the stage for redemption. Boaz had promised to settle the matter of Ruth's future. The city gate became the setting for the legal proceedings that would determine the outcome. The day of decision had arrived.
Boaz went to the city gate and sat down to await the nearer kinsman. The man soon appeared, and Boaz called him to sit with the elders as witnesses. Boaz presented the opportunity to redeem Naomi's land. The kinsman agreed to redeem the property. Then Boaz revealed the additional requirement: Ruth the Moabite must also be acquired as a wife to preserve the family name. The nearer kinsman refused, saying he would jeopardize his own inheritance. He removed his sandal and transferred the right of redemption to Boaz.
Boaz then declared before the witnesses that he had acquired all that belonged to Elimelech and his sons. He announced that he had taken Ruth the Moabite as his wife. The people and elders blessed Boaz and Ruth. Ruth conceived and bore a son named Obed. The child became the grandfather of King David. The genealogy at the end of the book connects Ruth and Boaz directly to the lineage of Jesus Christ. God's plan for redemption was unfolding through the faithfulness of ordinary people.
The Legal Proceedings at the Gate
Boaz Arranges the Witnesses
Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by (Ruth 4:1). The gate of the city was the place where legal transactions were conducted. The elders and honorable men sat there to judge matters and witness agreements. Boaz positioned himself to meet the nearer kinsman.
Boaz said, Come aside, friend, sit down here. And he came aside and sat down. And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit down here. And they sat down (Ruth 4:1-2). The ten elders served as legal witnesses to the transaction. The presence of witnesses ensured that the proceedings were transparent and binding. The arrangements were made quickly. Boaz was determined to settle the matter that very day.
The Proposal to the Kinsman
Then he said to the close relative, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's (Ruth 4:3). Boaz presented the opportunity to redeem the land first. The law of Moses gave the nearest relative the right to buy back land that had been sold (Leviticus 25:25). The land was to remain within the family.
The kinsman responded: I will redeem it (Ruth 4:4). He agreed quickly to the land transaction. From a financial perspective, the land was a good investment. Naomi had no sons to inherit, so the land would eventually remain with the redeemer. The decision was based on self-interest rather than love or duty.
The Additional Condition
Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance (Ruth 4:5). Boaz revealed the full requirement of redemption. The kinsman could not redeem the land without also fulfilling the duty of levirate marriage. Ruth was part of the package.
The kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it (Ruth 4:6). The refusal was based on self-preservation. He was willing to gain property but not to accept the responsibility of caring for Ruth and raising up a son for Elimelech.
The Sandal Ceremony
Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel (Ruth 4:7). The removal of the sandal was a symbolic act that legally transferred the right of redemption. The custom is also mentioned in Deuteronomy 25:9.
The kinsman said to Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe (Ruth 4:8). The act was a public declaration. The witnesses saw the transfer of rights. The nearer kinsman would not be named in the story. His refusal to preserve his brother's name resulted in his own name being forgotten.
Boaz Declares the Redemption
The Announcement to the Witnesses
And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi (Ruth 4:9). Boaz publicly declared his acquisition. The redemption was comprehensive. He took responsibility for the entire family estate.
Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day (Ruth 4:10). Boaz's declaration revealed his selfless character. He was willing to risk his own inheritance to preserve Elimelech's name.
The Blessing of the People
And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel (Ruth 4:11). The people blessed Ruth to be as fruitful as the matriarchs of Israel. The blessing connected Ruth to the covenant promises of God.
They continued: And do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem (Ruth 4:11). The blessing connected Boaz to the prophetic destiny of Bethlehem. The city was to be the birthplace of the Messiah (Micah 5:2). The people's words were prophetic without knowing it.
The Birth of Obed
The Marriage and Conception
So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son (Ruth 4:13). The marriage of Boaz and Ruth was the culmination of God's redemptive plan. The Lord enabled Ruth to conceive. The child was a gift from God, not merely the result of human effort.
The narrative emphasizes that the Lord gave her conception. God was actively involved in the birth. The child was the answer to the prayers and blessings of the people. The son would become the link in the chain of redemption.
The Women Speak to Naomi
And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel (Ruth 4:14). The women recognized that God had provided for Naomi. The child was a redeemer for Naomi. His name would be famous in Israel.
They continued: And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him (Ruth 4:15). Ruth was praised as more valuable than seven sons. Her love and faithfulness had brought restoration to Naomi. The empty life of Naomi was now filled.
Naomi Becomes the Nurse
And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it (Ruth 4:16). Naomi became the caretaker of the child. The child was considered Naomi's grandson. The family line of Elimelech was preserved. The name of the dead was not cut off.
The women gave him a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David (Ruth 4:17). Obed means servant. The child would serve the Lord and become the grandfather of David. The name of Naomi would be remembered through this child.
The Genealogy of David
The Line from Perez to David
The genealogy begins: Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez begat Hezron, and Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab, and Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon (Ruth 4:18-20). The genealogy traces the line from Judah through Perez. The names connect Ruth and Boaz to the royal tribe of Judah.
The genealogy continues: And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David (Ruth 4:21-22). The genealogy establishes the royal line of David. Ruth the Moabite becomes the great-grandmother of Israel's greatest king. The inclusion of Ruth in the genealogy demonstrates God's grace to the Gentiles.
The Providential Hand of God
The genealogy of David demonstrates God's providential hand in history. The line from Perez to David was preserved through times of slavery, wilderness wanderings, conquest, judges, and famine. God guided each generation to accomplish His purposes. The inclusion of Ruth demonstrates God's plan to include all nations in His redemption.
The Link to Christ
The genealogy of Ruth 4 connects directly to the genealogy of Jesus in the New Testament. Matthew 1:5-6 records: And Salmon begat Boaz of Rachab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the king. The lineage extends to Jesus Christ, the ultimate Redeemer. God's plan of redemption through the line of David is fulfilled in Christ.
Lessons from Ruth 4
The Faithfulness of Boaz
Boaz was a man of integrity and faithfulness. He did not take advantage of Ruth or Naomi. He followed the proper legal procedures. He was willing to sacrifice his own inheritance to redeem Ruth and Naomi. Boaz is a picture of Christ, the true Redeemer. The apostle Paul writes: In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7).
The Grace of God
Ruth was a Moabite, excluded from the assembly of the Lord. Yet God's grace included her in the lineage of David and Christ. The grace of God is extended to all people. The apostle Paul writes: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28). Ruth's inclusion foreshadows the inclusion of the Gentiles in the church.
The Providence of God
The story of Ruth reveals the providence of God working through ordinary events. The famine, the journey to Moab, the deaths, the return, the meeting with Boaz, and the redemption were all part of God's plan. The apostle Paul writes: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God (Romans 8:28). The lesson for believers is to trust in the providential care of God.
The Redemption of Christ
Boaz serves as a type of Christ, the Kinsman-Redeemer. Boaz paid the price to redeem Ruth and Naomi. Christ paid the price of His blood to redeem sinners. Boaz married Ruth and brought her into the covenant community. Christ has taken the church as His bride. The story of Ruth points forward to the greater redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Conclusion
The fourth chapter of Ruth is the glorious conclusion of a story of loss and redemption. Naomi left Bethlehem full but returned empty. The deaths of her husband and sons left her bitter and alone. Yet God was working behind the scenes. The return to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest was a sign of hope. Ruth's loyalty to Naomi was a gift of divine grace. Boaz's faithfulness was a reflection of God's covenant love.
The story of Ruth and Boaz is a testament to God's faithful provision. Ruth was a poor widow and a foreigner, yet God provided for her through the generosity of Boaz. The kindness of Boaz was a reflection of the kindness of God. The lesson for believers is that God provides for those who trust in Him. The provision may come through the generosity of others, but the source is God. The story of Ruth encourages believers to trust in the faithful provision of God.
The encounter between Ruth and Boaz also points forward to the greater provision of Christ. Boaz was a kinsman-redeemer who provided for Ruth and Naomi. Christ is the ultimate Redeemer who has provided salvation for all who trust in Him. The invitation to seek refuge under the wings of the Lord is an invitation to trust in Christ. The story of Ruth 4 calls believers to trust in God's provision, to show kindness to others, and to rest in the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. The genealogy of David and ultimately of Christ demonstrates that God's plan of redemption extends through all generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why did the nearer kinsman refuse to redeem Ruth?
The nearer kinsman refused to redeem Ruth because he feared it would ruin his own inheritance. He was willing to redeem the land for financial gain. He was not willing to marry Ruth and raise up a son for Elimelech. The son would inherit the land and not be considered his own. The refusal revealed his selfish character. Boaz, in contrast, was willing to sacrifice his own inheritance for Ruth's sake.
2. What was the significance of the sandal ceremony in Ruth 4?
The sandal ceremony was a legal custom in ancient Israel. A man removed his sandal and gave it to the other party to confirm a transaction. The act symbolized the transfer of rights. The ceremony was a binding legal act. The nearer kinsman removed his sandal and gave it to Boaz. The act publicly transferred the right of redemption to Boaz.
3. How does Ruth's inclusion in the genealogy of David demonstrate God's grace?
Ruth was a Moabite, a foreigner excluded from the assembly of the Lord (Deuteronomy 23:3). Yet God included her in the lineage of David and ultimately in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. The inclusion of Ruth demonstrates that God's grace extends to all people. The apostle Paul writes: There is neither Jew nor Greek, for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Ruth's story foreshadows the inclusion of the Gentiles in the church.
4. What is the significance of the genealogy at the end of Ruth 4?
The genealogy connects Ruth and Boaz to the royal line of David. The genealogy traces the line from Perez through Hezron, Ram, Amminadab, Nahshon, Salmon, Boaz, Obed, Jesse, and David. The genealogy establishes the legitimacy of David's reign. The genealogy also connects directly to the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1 and Luke 3. The genealogy demonstrates God's providential hand in history.
5. How does Boaz serve as a type of Christ, the Kinsman-Redeemer?
Boaz is a picture of Christ, the Kinsman-Redeemer. Boaz was a near kinsman who had the right to redeem. He was willing to pay the price to redeem Ruth and Naomi. He took Ruth as his wife and brought her into the covenant community. Christ is the ultimate Redeemer who has redeemed us from the curse of the law. He paid the price of His blood to redeem sinners. He has taken the church as His bride.
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