Ruth 4

Ruth Chapter 4: 1-6; 11-12, 21-22 (NKJV) 

1 Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there; and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz had spoken came by. So Boaz said, “Come aside, [a]friend, sit down here.” So he came aside and sat down. 2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down. 3 Then he said to the close relative, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, sold the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech. 4 And I thought to [b]inform you, saying, ‘Buy it back in the presence of the inhabitants and the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if [c]you will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am next after you.’ ”And he said, “I will redeem it.”5 Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to [d]perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance.” 6 And the close relative said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance. You redeem my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it.” 11 And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. 12 May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring which the LORD will give you from this young woman. 21 Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Obed; 22 Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David.” 

In chapter three, Boaz reveals he must consult with another relative of Elimelech who has a closer tie than himself. Chapter four opens with Boaz waiting at the city gate where men conducted all business matters, met to settle disputes, and debated politics. Boaz is there in hopes of meeting the unnamed relative. In other words, this was the 

place to “see and be seen”. Boaz hailed the unnamed relative as he entered the gate. He then wisely engaged ten city elders to function as witnesses to the discussion. (Ten men or a minyan later became the legal number of men needed to hold a synagogue service. This number also has significance in the New Testament related to one of Paul’s journeys. While that discussion is for another time, it shows another link from the Old Testament to the New Testament. 

Boaz states his case to the relative, informing him of the plight of Naomi and Ruth and the need to sell the land belonging to Elimelech. He uses the term “ach” in verse three to reference Elimelech. However, this is another Hebrew word that can mean men of common parents or common ancestors. The unnamed relative is not a brother of Elimelech’s. Boaz explains to this relative that he is the nearest “qualifying relative” or go’el and has the right of first refusal to redeem the land. The conversation between Boaz and the more senior go’el in verses four and five is confusing. We do not know who actually owns the land. He makes it truly clear that he (Boaz) will assume the go’el’s duty should the relative not wish to do so. 

Additionally, Boaz informs the other relative he must marry Ruth. The heir (the assumption is a son) the union produces would inherit the land and be the son of Mahlon. The senior go’el declined and deferred the responsibility to Boaz. 

Boaz and Ruth’s marriage produced a son who the town’s women named. The name given to the boy was Oved, translated as Obed and whose name means “worshipper” or “the serving one.” 

The following Old Testament connection to one who redeems Israel is Obed’s grandchild, King David. Matthew chapter one continues with the genealogy of Jesus to Joseph and lists Boaz, not Mahlon as the father of Obed. Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba are gentile women in the genealogy of Jesus. Obed was born in Bethlehem, as were King David and Jesus. We study the Old Testament to understand God and his 

Master Plan better. We could spend a month learning all the intricacies of this short book. These four days have merely scratched the surface. We cannot truly comprehend the New Testament without having a firm foundation in the Old Testament. With the Holy Spirit’s guidance, the Whole Story comes alive, the story of the Redeemer and those He has redeemed. 

Prayer: O GOD the Father Almighty, who didst love the world with so great a love, that Thou willedst Thine Only-begotten son to be crucified for its redemption; make us who are redeemed with His precious Blood, to be so fruitful in works of love, that we may have our part in the first Resurrection, and not fear the power of the second death. 

(Ancient Collects. William Bright)