Ruth 4
Overview
Ruth 4 is the final chapter in the Book of Ruth, bringing the story to a fulfilling conclusion. It details Boaz's actions to legally redeem Ruth, their subsequent marriage, and the birth of their son Obed, who becomes an ancestor of King David. This chapter ties together the themes of loyalty, love, and redemption. Key aspects include:
Boaz at the Town Gate: Boaz goes to the town gate, the place of legal transactions, and gathers ten elders of the town. He then speaks with the closer relative, who has the first right to redeem Elimelech’s (Naomi’s deceased husband) land and marry Ruth.
Redemption Process: The closer relative initially agrees to redeem the land but backs out upon learning that it would involve marrying Ruth, the Moabite widow of Elimelech's son. He relinquishes his right, fearing it might endanger his own inheritance.
Boaz’s Redemption of Ruth: Boaz declares in front of the witnesses that he will redeem both the land and Ruth, to maintain the name of the deceased on his inheritance. The elders and all the people at the gate bless Boaz and Ruth.
Marriage of Boaz and Ruth: Boaz marries Ruth, and the LORD enables her to conceive. She gives birth to a son, Obed.
Naomi’s Joy and the Women’s Blessing: The women of Bethlehem rejoice with Naomi and praise God for providing her with a redeemer through Ruth and Boaz's son. They recognize Obed’s significance in continuing Naomi’s family line.
Genealogy of David: The book concludes with a genealogy tracing from Perez to David, with Obed as the grandfather of David. This genealogy links the story of Ruth and Boaz to the larger narrative of Israel’s history and God's redemptive plan.
Ruth 4 beautifully encapsulates themes of redemption, faithful love, and divine providence. The legal aspects of redemption emphasize the importance of law and custom in Israelite society. The story of Ruth and Boaz culminates in a legacy that carries significant theological and historical implications for the lineage of King David and ultimately, the Messiah.
Boaz at the Town Gate: Boaz goes to the town gate, the place of legal transactions, and gathers ten elders of the town. He then speaks with the closer relative, who has the first right to redeem Elimelech’s (Naomi’s deceased husband) land and marry Ruth.
Redemption Process: The closer relative initially agrees to redeem the land but backs out upon learning that it would involve marrying Ruth, the Moabite widow of Elimelech's son. He relinquishes his right, fearing it might endanger his own inheritance.
Boaz’s Redemption of Ruth: Boaz declares in front of the witnesses that he will redeem both the land and Ruth, to maintain the name of the deceased on his inheritance. The elders and all the people at the gate bless Boaz and Ruth.
Marriage of Boaz and Ruth: Boaz marries Ruth, and the LORD enables her to conceive. She gives birth to a son, Obed.
Naomi’s Joy and the Women’s Blessing: The women of Bethlehem rejoice with Naomi and praise God for providing her with a redeemer through Ruth and Boaz's son. They recognize Obed’s significance in continuing Naomi’s family line.
Genealogy of David: The book concludes with a genealogy tracing from Perez to David, with Obed as the grandfather of David. This genealogy links the story of Ruth and Boaz to the larger narrative of Israel’s history and God's redemptive plan.
Ruth 4 beautifully encapsulates themes of redemption, faithful love, and divine providence. The legal aspects of redemption emphasize the importance of law and custom in Israelite society. The story of Ruth and Boaz culminates in a legacy that carries significant theological and historical implications for the lineage of King David and ultimately, the Messiah.
Ruth 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.
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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.
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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.
End of Ruth 4
1 Year Plan: Apr 21 - Rut 3, Rut 4, John 11
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.
🔑↑ See & Share Jesus
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.
🔑↑ Kingdom Principle
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.
End of Ruth 4
1 Year Plan: Apr 21 - Rut 3, Rut 4, John 11
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