The Book of Ruth
Chapter Four
Memory Verse: Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
I chose this verse because of it's significance with this chapter! This is a long one but a GOOD one. Take your time!
Final Chapter of Ruth: Chapter 4
1 Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.
2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.
3 And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's:
4 And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.
5 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.
6 And 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.
7 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.
8 Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.
9 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.
10 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.
11 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: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:
12 And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman.
13 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.
14 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.
15 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.
16 And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.
17 And the women her neighbours gave it 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.
18 Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,
19 And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab,
20 And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon,
21 And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,
22 And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.
He Is Willing To Redeem The Land. v. 1-4
1. Boaz finds the man. v. 1
Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.
The gate of the city was a good place to find him, and the place of important business.
a. Those seeking refuge were to come to the gate.
Josh. 20:4, And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them.
b. It was a place where decisions and rebuke of wrongdoing took place. Amos 5:10, 12, 15
c. Boaz waits for the nearest kinsmen to sow up and pass by the gate. He grabs him and tells him to sit down.
2. Ten elders found for witnesses and judgment. v. 2
And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.
3. Boaz presents the problem. v. 3
And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's:
a. The land sold or going to be sold.
b. It is not stated here, but there would be no descendants of Elimelech unless Ruth is redeemed through marriage.
4. The other kinsman willing to redeem the land. v. 4.
And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.
This was a business investment, pure and simple, for there is no love or affection involved at all.
Lev. 25:23-24, The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me. And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land.
He Is Unwilling To Redeem Ruth. v. 5-8
1. Boaz reveals that the one who redeems the land must redeem Ruth, in order to raise up an heir to Elimelech's inheritance. v. 5.
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.
Deut. 25:5, If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her.
“Brethren" could mean a brother as we think today, but it could also mean a near kinsman, if there was no brother.
2. The kinsman refuses the opportunity. v. 6a.
And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself
By not taking advantage of his opportunity, he slips out of history and is forgotten.
3. He fears if he did that he would mar his own inheritance. v. 6b.
lest I mar mine own inheritance:
What he means by this is in much dispute. He may have already been married and had children. Another marriage and more children could dilute his inheritance. He may have already had other marriage plans, or he might not have wanted to marry a Moabite, since the previous man who did, had died.
4. He offers his redemption rights to Boaz. v. 6c
redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.
5. He takes off his shoe and gives it to Boaz. v. 7-8.
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. Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.
This signified his public agreement that he gave the right to tread upon the inheritance to Boaz. See Deut. 25:5-10
This unnamed kinsman now drops out of history. This kinsmen could now be referred to as a “barefoot” redeemer. The “barefoot redeemer” represents the law which is unable to redeem the sinner.
Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
The Willing Kinsmen Redeemer v. 9-22
Boaz Makes The Redemption. v. 9-10
1. He redeemed the land. v. 9.
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.
"Ye are witnesses this day" clearly shows that the 10 elders and the others, were legal witnesses of this transaction.
2. He redeemed Ruth. v. 10.
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.
Boaz paid the price of redemption, and so did Christ.
Eph. 5:25. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.
Christ was willing to do what it took to redeem us as His bride!
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. John 10:18
Boaz a wealthy man did not need the land, but he did it because his real interest was in Ruth. He is mighty to save and strong to deliver. He is not ashamed of "Ruth the Moabitess" and publicly announces he will marry her. Just as Jesus Christ died on the cross to redeem us because he loved us! He was OUR willing Kinsmen-Redeemer!
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
There are five facts that we must establish about the kinsmen-redeemer.
1.The redeemer must be a blood relative of the nearest kin.
2.The redeemer must perform in willingness his work of redemption.
3.The redeemer must possess the ability to redeem.
4.The redeemer must be free himself.
5.The redeemer must have and pay the price of redemption.
Christ in His humanity met the first two qualifications.
(#1) And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Hebrews 9:22
(#2) No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. John 10:18
In His deity, He fulfilled the next two qualifications.
(#3) I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. John 10:18b
(#4) Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man. Luke 23:4
As the God-Man, He met the final qualification.
(#5) For ye are bought with a price: I Corinthians 6:20
Boaz And Ruth Are Wed. v. 11-13
1.The people desire Ruth to be fruitful. v. 11a
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,
2. The people desire Boaz to be worthy and famous. v. 11b
which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:
3. The people desire Boaz and Ruth to be like Pharez and Tamar. v. 12
And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman.
All the tribes of Judah sprang from five families of whom Pharez and Tamar were one.
4. Boaz and Ruth married. v. 13a
So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife:
5. Obed is born. v. 13b
and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.
Boaz (Jew) took Ruth (Gentile) into Davidec ancestry and the Messianic line; and Ruth representatively takes all the Gentiles with her.
Naomi's Great Blessing. v. 14-17
1. Naomi also blessed by the Lord, because of Boaz the redeemer. v. 14a
And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD,
2. Obed is also a Kinsmen-Redeemer. v. 14b.
which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.
When connected with v. 14, we see that it is Obed in this verse who is the kinsman and not Boaz. (of Naomi)
3. What the son will do for Naomi. v. 15a.
And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age:
4. Ruth (a type of the Church) is better than seven sons. v. 15b
or thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.
5. Naomi the happy grandmother. v. 16.
And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.
6. The naming of Obed, the grandfather of David. v. 17.
And the women her neighbours gave it 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.
"Obed" means worshiper and server.
Part Of The Genealogy Of Our Kinsman-Redeemer.
Matt. 1:1-16
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias. And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Matthew contains the genealogy of Joseph and Jesus Christ. How significant this genealogy: Boaz, Obed, David, Jesus Christ. Matt. 1:1,
The book of Ruth begins with a famine and funerals, but it ends with a beautiful romance, a happy marriage, and a smiling baby boy. We see here once again that God's grace leads from darkness to light!
Ruth a type of the Church:
1) a stranger,
2) destitute,
3) a Gentile,
4) bids farewell to her past,
5) enters Canaan,
6) possesses the land,
7) dwells in Bethlehem,
8) serves in the field,
9) helps in the harvest,
10) feasts with the lord of the harvest,
11) obeys his word,
12) abandons her all to him,
15) rests in faith at his feet,
16) becomes his happy bride.
Boaz a type of Christ:
1) Lord of the harvest,
2) Powerful and rich,
3) Compassionate and kind,
4) Interested in both Jews and Gentiles,
5) Provides for all,
6) Welcomes Ruth
7) Speaks comfort to her heart,
8) Purchased Ruth for himself,
9) Covered her with his robe,
10) Protected her and blessed her,
11) Redeemed her fully and completely,
12) And unites her to himself in marriage.
If sin does not exist the redemption is a useless work and a meaningless word. The reality of sin MUST be admitted and accepted before redemption can be bought. We must realize we are sinners before Christ can save us. Praise the Lord when we realize that and then believe the Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose again, and then repent of our sins and ask God to save us…HE WILL! He has redeemed us through the power of His shed blood. HE IS OUR KINSMAN-REDEEMER
Study Questions:
1. Why did Boaz go to the gate of the city?
2. What was the purpose of the 10 elders?
3. What was the first thing offered to the nearest-kinsmen?
4. Why was the other kinsman unwilling to redeem?
5. What is the meaning of the taking off of the shoe?
6. Do you think that Boaz's main interest was in the land, or in Ruth?
7. Name the son born to Boaz and Ruth. What does his name mean?
8. What did that son become to Naomi?
9. What is the significance of the genealogy of this chapter?
10. What must exist before we as lost sinners can be redeemed? How do we receive this redemption?
11. Quote the memory verse.
12. Discuss your thoughts!
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