Furthermore, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, to be my wife in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance, so that the name of the deceased will not be eliminated from his brothers or from the court of his birth place; you are witnesses today.
Message: Boaz Redeems Elimelech’s Line
Time: According to Jewish tradition, Samuel wrote the book of Ruth. The events of Ruth occurred sometime between 1160 BC and 1100 BC. This book stands as a ray of light, showing the power of the love between God and His faithful people, even during difficult times that were present. It is written from Naomi's point of view. Ruth is the gift God placed in Naomi's life.
What the Lord is Saying: I left off the last chapter with Ruth placing Boaz into a precarious position in which he was being asked to redeem Ruth and her family by carrying on her deceased father-in-law‘s name and heritage (the family name Ruth married into when marrying Mahlon, son of Elimelech. Boaz was an honorable man and seems to have Ruth and her family‘s best interest in mind. But he wants to make sure he’s doing things correctly and so he mentions that he needs to first make sure that the closest relative is given the opportunity to be that redeemer.
Chapter 4 begins with Boaz making contact with that other relative, and also doing it in front of many-- the leaders of Bethlehem. This is good accountability and a reminder to me that when I have something important to impart, it is good to have witnesses. The situation is Naomi is preparing to sell her husband’s land in order to raise funds and Boaz asks the relative if he will buy the land and thus take over its use and the family name. He also clarifies that if you buy the land, then you also take Ruth the Moabite as your wife and promise to carry on the family name which would include the offspring being the benefactor of future land rights. But in verse 6, this no-named other relative says that if he does this, then he potentially loses the inheritance of his family. So he’s not willing to be that redeemer because he’s more concerned about his current situation. Boaz, however, does the unselfish thing as he previously has shown towards Ruth, Naomi, and their family, and now he is free to take her as his wife, and take ownership of the land of their family.
This is a great story. It’s interesting. This book is called Ruth. And yet Boaz is the one who redeems the family, although it happens, because Ruth commits to stay with her mother-in-law and support her. I suppose the name of the book could go either way.
Summary: Boaz checks with the other relative about fulfilling the redeemer role. He’s not interested so Boaz marries Ruth.
Promise: The Boaz selflessness in which we put others ahead of ourselves is a character trait toward which all believers must strive.
Prayer: Father, I thank you, that I can understand these truths in the story and I can see how you work through the choices of these individuals to bring about your perfect plan. As I have been thinking about prayer as well, and I need to pray, come and help me to continue to speak to you so that I understand your will.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
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