Ruth 4:9-10 Putting God First

 ”And Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, from the hand of Naomi. Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from his position at the gate. You are witnesses this day.”“

‭‭Ruth‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. Boaz said to the elders and all the people: Boaz joyfully proclaimed - legally sealing the transaction - that he would redeem both the property and the posterity of Elimelech, and (best of all!) take Ruth, the woman he loved, as his wife.

i. That the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from the gate of this place is a good description of the idea of preserving the posterity of the deceased.

b. Ruth... I have acquired as my wife: Back in chapter one, Ruth seemed to be giving up on her best chance of marriage by leaving her native land of Moab and giving her heart and life to the God of Israel. But as Ruth put God first, He brought her together in a relationship greater than she could have imagined. Today, God will bless those wanting to get married in the same way if they will only put Him first.

c. You are witnesses this day: This explains why a marriage ceremony is important, and why it should be recognized by the civil authorities. Boaz had a love for Ruth that was public, a love that wanted to be publicly witnessed and registered. (Guzik)

Putting God First

In the Book of Ruth we learned that Boaz and Ruth put God first, and because of their faith that the Lord blessed them both. Putting God first was displayed in their lives, the way that they cared for others.

“By this all will know that you are My disciples”

”A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” ‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭34‬-‭35‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Are you a disciple of Jesus?

Blessings 

Ruth 4:7-8 Took off His Sandal!

 ”Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging, to confirm anything: one man took off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was a confirmation in Israel. Therefore the close relative said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” So he took off his sandal.“ Ruth‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. It was the custom in former times in Israel: Deuteronomy 25:5-10 describes the ceremony conducted when a kinsman declined his responsibility. The one declining removed a sandal and the woman he declined to honor spat in his face. But in this case, because there was not a lack of honor involved, they just did the part of the ceremony involving the sandal.

b. Buy it for yourself: The nearer kinsman said, “The land is yours to redeem, because you are also willing to redeem the posterity of Elimelech by taking Ruth as wife, something I am not willing to do.”

Took off his sandal!

I don’t recall how long ago I was in the Book of Ruth but I did remember that the nearer kinsman said buy it for yourself and he took off his sandal! 🩴 

Which reminds me of a verse!

”All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,“ ‭‭II Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Wouldn’t the world be a better place if everyone studied the word of God and adhered to it?

Blessings 

Ruth 4:6 Foolish Plan

 ”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.” Ruth‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. I cannot redeem it for myself: Though it would be great to receive the property associated with Ruth, the nearer kinsman knew that taking her into his home and raising up her children would ruinhis own inheritance.

b. Lest I ruin my own inheritance: Probably, the man had grown sons that had already received their inheritance of lands. The problem of dividing that inheritance among future children he would have with Ruth was more than he wanted to deal with.

i. Also, no doubt, the man was married - and knew it would be awkward (at best!) to bring home Ruth as wife number two.

c. You redeem my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it: These were glorious words in the ears of Ruth and Naomi. A moment before, all seemed lost when the nearer kinsman had said, “I will redeem it.” But Boaz’s plan had a surprise and an unexpected wisdom to it. And it worked!

i. Some might have thought Boaz’s plan was foolish: to gain Ruth by offering her and her land to the nearer kinsman. How could that work? But the seemingly foolish plan did work. (Guzik)

Foolish Plan

We’ve all been there, made plans and the Lord slammed the door shut. 

Years ago we were considering buying a piece of land and building a home. We prayed about it, put a deposit down on a parcel of property and then had the well checked by an expert. It was over 600’ deep and was only producing 5 gallons a minute. But then the sellers agent disclosed that all the wells in that area were drying up! So we canceled the purchase. That was the Lord slamming the door shut.

Boaz’s plan wasn’t foolish and the Lord just opened the door for him to redeem and marry Ruth.

The difference between a foolish plan and the Lords plan is His approval.

Blessings 

Ruth 4:5 Package Deal!

 ”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 perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance.” ‭‭Ruth‬ ‭4‬:‭5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

 

a. On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess: Boaz then put the surprise on the nearer kinsman. He told him that he wasn’t only dealing with Naomi and the property of Elimelech, he also had to deal with Ruth.

i. Because Naomi was older and beyond the years of bearing children, the nearer kinsman was not expected to marry Naomi and raise up children to the family name of her deceased husband Elimelech. But Ruth was another matter - she was able to marry and bear children.

b. Buy it from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance: Boaz explained what everyone knew – that this was a package deal. If someone was going to exercise the right of kinsman-redeemer towards the deceased Elimelech, he had to fulfill the duty in regard to both the property and the posterity.

i. Because of Boaz’s wise (perhaps shrewd) way of framing the occasion, this was the first time the nearer kinsman considered this, and it was a pretty big question to take in all at once. When it was just a matter of property, it was easy to decide on; but if he must take Ruth as a wife, that was another matter. (Guzik)

Package Deal!

While studying this verse and Guzik’s commentary the phrase “package deal” stuck out to me because Jesus Christ is also a package deal!

“I hope you realize that Jesus died to be your Savior, deserves to be your Lord and is willing to be your friend. And you cannot simply pick and choose only one or two of those features. You see, when the Messiah enters a person’s life, it is a package deal.” (Dan Dizell)

”But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:“ ‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“God has provided all we will ever need to live a victorious, abundant life. From before the foundation of the earth a salvation package was planned and provided. This salvation package could also be called a redemption package because we have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus. God planned for us to receive the redemption that Jesus provided through the cross, His bearing sin, sickness, shame, and death, rising victorious and being seated at the right hand of the Father. Our redemption / salvation package includes being born again, healed, delivered, prospering a glorified body and many more such things. God has left nothing out of His wonderful salvation package, and its our for the taking. We just need to be born again. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13).” (Wendy)

”For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Have you called on the name of the Lord?

Blessings 

Ruth 4:3-4 BUT

 ”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. And I thought to 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 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.” Ruth‬ ‭4‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. Naomi... sold the piece of land: The duty of the goel - the kinsman-redeemer - was more than the duty to preserve the family name of his brother in Israel. It was also to keep land allotted to members of the clan within the clan.

i. When Israel came into the Promised Land during the days of Joshua, the land was divided among the tribes and then among the family groups. God intended that the land stay within those tribes and family groups, so the land could never permanently be sold. Every fifty years, it had be returned to the original family group (Leviticus 25:8-17)

ii. But fifty years is a long time. So, God made provision for land that was “sold,” that it might be redeemed back to the family by the kinsman-redeemer.

iii. Again, the kinsman-redeemer had the responsibility to protect the persons, property, and posterity of the larger family – and all of these duties went together.

b. The piece of land: When Boaz brought the matter up to the nearer kinsman, he brought it up as a matter regarding property - something any man would be interested in. Anyone would want to buy back a piece of property and keep it in the family name by keeping it for one’s self.

c. If you will redeem it, redeem it: When Boaz put it in terms of purely a land transaction, there was no hesitation on the nearer kinsman’s part. Of course, he said, “I will redeem it.”

i. Certainly Ruth and Naomi were watching and listening. How their hearts must have sunk when they heard the nearer kinsman say, “I will redeem it.” They heard from his own lips that he would exercise his right at kinsman-redeemer, and that meant that he would gain not only the property in question, but also marry Ruth - instead of Boaz. But Boaz knew exactly what he was doing, and he had the situation all under control. (Guzik)

BUT

But is an interesting word especially spoken in the past tense. A congressman once said: “if, if’s and’s and but’s were honey and nuts we’d have Christmas every day”!

When someone agrees with us we think, all is well and then they say, but….. and we think, wait for it!

Jesus is our kinsman redeemer and He said, I will redeem it! There are no ifs ands and buts about it. All you have to do is accept His grace of the sacrifice on the cross for you! 

And when someone tells you: but, you have to do this or that (works) to be fully saved, be confident and boldly say:

”For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,“ ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

No but’s about it!

I was saved by grace, what about you?

Blessings 

Ruth 4:1-2 Friend

 ”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, friend, sit down here.” So he came aside and sat down. And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.“ ‭‭Ruth‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. Now Boaz went: The previous chapter left us at a dramatic point. Ruth and Boaz were obviously in love and wanted to get married, with Boaz exercising the right of the goel - the kinsman-redeemer. Yet, there was a kinsman closer to Ruth and he had priority. Would he claim the right of kinsman-redeemer towards Ruth, and keep her and Boaz from coming together?

b. Boaz went up to the gate: The gate of the city was always the place where the esteemed and honorable men of the city sat. For an ancient city in Israel it was a combination of a city council chamber and a courtroom.

i. The city gate was “A kind of outdoor court, the place were judicial matters were resolved by the elders and those who had earned the confidence and respect of the people... a place for business and as a kind of forum or public meeting place.” (Huey)

c. The close relative of whom Boaz had spoken came by: Boaz surprised Ruth in Ruth 3:12 by telling her there was a nearer kinsman than himself. Now this man came by the city gates as Boaz sat there.

i. Because Ruth had quietly gone back home after being at the threshing floor at Boaz’s instruction (Ruth 3:14), Boaz’s approach to this nearer kinsman was planned as a complete surprise to the other man. Clearly this was a tactical advantage to Boaz.

d. Come aside, friend, sit down here: Literally, in the ancient Hebrew, when Boaz greeted the nearer kinsman he called him “Mr. So-and-so.” The writer of Ruth never identified the name of the nearer kinsman because he was not worthy of the honor. He declined to fulfill his obligations as the nearer kinsman to Ruth. (Guzik)

Friend

Have you ever had a friend while growing up and believed that they were really close only to find out that they weren’t?

I believe in the western world that the word “friend” is too loosely used. 

Here’s a biblical example of a real friendship!

”Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.“ ‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭18‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Not a friend!

“Doubtless Boaz both knew his name, and called him by it; but it is omitted by the holy writer, partly because it was unnecessary to know it; and principally in way of contempt, as is usual, and a just punishment upon him, that he who would not preserve his brother’s name might lose his own, and lie buried in the grave of perpetual oblivion.” (Poole)

To be a friend or not, we may never have a chance to have our name mentioned in the Bible but the real question is, will it deliberately be left out?

Blessings 

Ruth 3:14-15 SIX

”So she lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize another. Then he said, “Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” Also he said, “Bring the shawl that is on you and hold it.” And when she held it,   Then she went into the city.“ Ruth‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. Do not let it be known: Boaz and Ruth were not trying to hide anything scandalous; it was just that Boaz didn’t want this nearer kinsman to learn that Ruth was now demanding her right to marriage to a goel before Boaz could tell him personally.

b. He measured six ephahs of barley: As a proper gentleman, Boaz did not send Ruth home empty-handed. Not having any chocolates, he gave her six handfuls of grain. The added word ephahs is almost certainly incorrect; that would be more than thirty-three gallons (120 liters) of grain, more than Ruth could carry home in her shawl.

i. Jewish traditions say that the six measures of barley given as a gift to Ruth were a sign of six pious men who would descend from her, endowed with six spiritual gifts: David, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah, and the Messiah. (Guzik)

Six

Six ephahs or six handfuls of grain or six chocolates, the point was Ruth didn’t go home empty handed. 

But is the number six significant in the Bible? 

Jesus Christ was asked 6 times, most of the time by those who were self-righteous, to produce a sign.

Jesus was accused six times of being demon possessed.

The first miracle of Jesus' ministry involved having the servants at a Cana wedding fill 6 large stone vessels full of water.

Man was created on day six of creation week.

Men are appointed 6 days to labor and then they are commanded to rest on the seventh day.

The books of Galatians, Ephesians and 1Timothy contain 6 chapters.

The number six repeats itself throughout the Bible with many references.

How many can you find?

Blessings