Ruth 4: Ruth Finds A Husband

The Book of Ruth takes us from a posture of gloom, grief, and bitterness in the first chapter to a celebration of new life and hope for the future in the last.  It is most certainly a beautiful story of redemption!

The bulk of chapter 4 centers on the custom in ancient Israel of a kinsman-redeemer taking on the property and wife of a dead relative.  Boaz is certainly interested in the role after the events of Ruth 3, but he knows that there is someone who is more closely related to Elimelech than him.

Calling a meeting of town elders at the city gate of Bethlehem, Boaz presents the matter to this unnamed relative.  First, Boaz offers him the land that formerly belonged to Elimelech.  The man is eager to accept this part of the redemption.  Boaz then adds that this duty also requires taking Ruth as wife.  This the man is unwilling to do, as it would jeopardize his other holdings and relationships.  He takes off his sandal and hands it to Boaz as a sign of his refusal.  Boaz is thus free to serve as the kinsman-redeemer for Ruth and marry her.

"So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife" (vs. 13).  Moreover, she also bore a son.  This is a story with a decidedly happy ending.  Naomi, who once implored the women of Bethlehem to call her "Mara" (bitter), has returned to simply being "Naomi" (pleasant).  In the end, she is especially blessed with a "son" born to her, though the child really comes from a relative of her deceased husband and her Moabite daughter-in-law.  Ruth has been grafted in to the nation of Israel, and become part of a line that will have world-changing ramifications!  Truly, Naomi's blessing has come through Ruth, just as the blessing of the world will come through Israel - and through the lineage of Ruth and this child Obed culminating in Jesus Christ!

P.S. For a humorous, modern take on the story of Ruth, consider this observation that has made its rounds on the internet:   "To all the girls who are in a hurry to have a boyfriend or get married, a piece of Biblical advice: Ruth patiently waited for her mate Boaz.  While you are waiting on YOUR Boaz, don't settle for any of his relatives: Broke-az, Po-az, Lyin-az, Cheatin-az, Dumb-az, Drunk-az, Cheap-az, Lockedup-az, Goodfornothin-az, Lazy-az, and especially his third cousin, Beatinyo-az.  Wait on your Boaz and make sure he respects Yoaz."