Ruth and Esther — Unit 4

Please open with a word of prayer.

Week 4 Chapter 4

Observations

1. Main gate to the city of Bethlehem. Where all business was conducted. Bazaar and courthouse.

2. The nearer kinsman redeemer’s name is not recorded. Boaz addresses him as “my friend.” In original Hebrew it can mean friend, but it can also mean simply, a certain someone. In fact the term became a catch phrase in Rabbinic writings to mean a John Doe.

3. It is probable that the writer didn’t record his name as a type of judgment on him while Boaz’s name becomes significant indeed.

4. Witnesses were chosen for a legal binding. It wasn’t necessary that it be 10 but Boaz wanted to be certain of a legal binding in this situation.

5. Since he was the nearest kinsman he had a moral obligation to buy the property and to marry Ruth. According to custom, refusal to do so would have brought disgrace upon himself, hence probably why the author didn’t record the man’s name. Ruth and her affairs were legally bound up in the field of Elimelech, so if one redeemed the land they also had to redeem Ruth to perpetuate her line. Though interestingly, the redemption of property (Lev. 25: 25-28) and the levirate law (Deuteronomy 25:5-10) were separate procedures, Boaz was intent to handle both matters at the same time and we will see why.

6. Boaz is shrewd, he offers him the land first and the unnamed man is willing to buy it. Then Boaz makes the stipulation that he must also marry Ruth. Apparently when Elimelech died his property passed to Mahlon. Then Mahlon died and so he was left without an heir. There could be many reasons why Naomi had this property and yet was still destitute. The land could have been mortgaged to pay for their way. The land could have had squatters on it from their time in Moab. We really don’t know why except that her poverty required that she sell it to someone in her tribe.

7. When the man hears he must also marry Ruth, not Naomi who is past childbearing age, he refused on the grounds that it would jeopardize his inheritance to himself and his descendants because a portion of his inheritance would go to Ruth’s heir and he would have to spend his own money to provide for Ruth and Naomi. He was unwilling to do this. Boaz, the honorable one, was willing.

8. In first presenting the man with the obligation to purchase the property and the man’s willingness to buy it, then as an afterthought also saying he must marry Ruth and he refusing, there is no doubt this man is shirking his responsibility according to Mosaic law. He is willing to bear the shame of disobedience for money. Cunning, though, how Boaz handles this. He starts with informing the man of purchasing the land from Naomi, an old widow beyond child-bearing age. The man at first agrees. Clearly he is thinking he will get the land when Naomi dies. Naomi probably won’t live long and shouldn’t cost much to keep her adequately fed. Those are all pretty good odds for increasing his income. Then Boaz drops the bombshell, on the day you buy the field you will also have to take on Ruth and raise up a child in her late husband’s name. Clearly Boaz had done his research regarding this nearer kinsman and suspected this would be a problem for him. We don’t know why. It could be that he was not wealthy enough to take on the bigger financial burden, or that he feared marrying a Moabite or suffering the same fate as Mahlon had, or it could be that money meant more to him than obedience to the law and I suspect somehow Boaz knew this. Perhaps the man’s character and reputation were as well known as Boaz’ and Ruth’s were. It seemed everyone knew everything about everyone in this small town.

9. Removing the sandal is symbolic that the person is giving the right to the other person to walk on the land, to possess it. If you will recall it is not unlike Ruth uncovering the feet of Boaz to ask him to take her in.

10. Boaz’s declaration to the elders and people gathered there as witnesses that he would buy all the land and marry Ruth and raise up a child in Elimelech’s name attests to his character and his obedience to God. So honoring.

11. Clearly all those gathered there knew of Ruth’s impeccable and excellent reputation as well as Boaz’s reputation for they bestow on them all tremendous blessings.

12. Rachel and Leah brought Jacob many offspring. In fact they brought up the heads of the 12 tribes of Israel. It could be that Rachel is named first because she was barren for many years while her sister Leah bore many offspring before her. And Ruth had obviously been barren during her time in Moab. It could also be that Rachel is named first because her grave was very near to Bethlehem where she died giving birth to Benjamin. It could also be that she is named first because it is Rachel whom Jacob loved most. At any rate they prayed that Ruth would be as fruitful with Boaz as Rachel and Leah were.

13. Wealth in verse 11 again is the Hebrew word Chayil that is more than material gain. It is strength, valor, excellence, and power, the same descriptors already given for both Boaz and Ruth.

14. The house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah. (Judah, of course is one of the sons of Jacob.) Anyone recount that story? The house of Perez is from Boaz’s side of the family. His descendants. His ancestors are also listed later in I Chronicles 2:9-15: Perez bore Hezron. Hezron bore Ram and Ram bore Amminadab, and to Amminadab was born Nashon and to Nashon, Salmon, and to Salmon was born Boaz and to Boaz, Obed, and from Obed will come Jesse the father of King David. And since we can trace the line of Christ’s royal right to the throne through Joseph, Mary’ husband, back to King David, (Matthew 1:2-16) then we see just how richly God answered the blessings of the people of Bethlehem made on behalf of Ruth and Boaz.

15. The women bless Boaz in front of Naomi that he become famous, that he restore her life, and sustain her old age. The women remind Naomi of how God blessed her and changed her mourning into gladness because of Ruth’s worth and because of God’s blessings in giving her a son. They name the boy Obed which means “worshiper.”

16. Verse 17 of course brings us to the ultimate climax or purpose of the book. I like how the commentator Hubbard puts I best, “ This verse [v. 17] is, of course, a clue to the book's purpose: to show that the reign of David resulted from neither his

shrewd politics nor his clever tactics but from the divine

preservation of his worthy family line. Therefore, Israel was to

accept David's kingship as the gift of divine guidance."

17. The Lord enabled her to conceive. Just as God’s providence shines throughout the events of the story, it shines here.

Interpretations of Chapter 4

1. Boaz happens to be at the gate when the closer relative comes by. I’d call that God’s providence.

2. Boaz also gathers witnesses. Do our homework. Don’t just assume you have no role to play in God’s plan. How to know this is a right interpretation? Let’s examine other stories in Scripture. God sought to include Abraham in His decisions concerning Sodom/Gom. Christ chose 12 disciples to follow Him, take up their cross and make more disciples. We have roles to play as God leads us.

3. Be wise as serpents yet gentle as doves. Boaz is quite shrewd in how he handles the relative. He knew that taking Ruth would be a sticking point for the man, either because of the man’s financial status, or his prejudice against Moabites, or his selfish character. He knew how this would go down and was prepared with witnesses.

4. Good standing, upright living, living out our faith with love, generosity, honesty, and self sacrifice – people will see that, respect it, and possibly be drawn to God by that.

5. God will reward His faithful.

6. God will work out His plans. We can choose to be a part of them or relinquish our rights.

7. Know that in choosing to be a part of those plans will come sacrifice. Boaz paid dearly but honored his God in raising up a son in Mahlon’s name. It cost him financially too. But I daresay Boaz felt God’s great reward in doing so. Great grandfather to King David. And Ruth sacrificed everything to follow the one true God. She gave up her country, her people, their gods, her home, the chance to marry again, to have children all to follow Naomi and care for her mother in law. God honored that. And made her great grandmother to King David.

8. Once again scripture mentions Tamar and she is a part of David’s lineage, just as Rahab is. The Jewish women praise the Moabitess Ruth for being better than seven sons. God will use whom he chooses to. God has always had a plan for women to be a significant and crucial part in His plans, just as he has always had plans for the Gentiles to be included as well. After all, Abraham was once a Gentile. We can’t put God in a box. We can’t expect Him to behave the way we want Him to or make decisions the way we think He should. We see in a mirror dimly. But He sees fully. As Mr Beaver says in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, "Safe?" said Mr. Beaver."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he (meaning God) isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you."

Applications:

1. Do I want to be a part of God’s plans? When have I relinquished that right?

2. Am I prepared for the tasks God has for me from teaching this class, to sharing God’s love at the right moment?

3. Am I in prayer constantly seeking His will instead of my own.

4. Does my daily life reflect the loyal love of God. Can people see the Christ in me?

5. Do I trust God with His timing? Do I trust that His rewards will be greater than any present suffering I endure?

6. Am I prepared to assume the responsibilities God has placed before me regardless of the cost?