Boaz Marries Ruth: A Story of Redemption and Legacy

Ruth 4 concludes the book of Ruth with the legal and communal resolution of Ruth’s and Naomi’s plight, centering on Boaz’s role as the kinsman-redeemer. This final chapter beautifully encapsulates themes of redemption, legal integrity, communal involvement, and the providential workings of God through the lineage of David and ultimately, Jesus Christ.

Boaz’s Legal Action

• Boaz’s Meeting at the Town Gate: Boaz promptly takes action by going to the town gate, where legal transactions are made, and gathers ten elders of the town. This assembly ensures that all proceedings are witnessed and legally binding (Ruth 4:1-2).
• Negotiation with the Closer Relative: Boaz addresses a closer relative, informing him of the opportunity to redeem the land that belonged to Elimelek, Naomi’s deceased husband. While the relative initially agrees to redeem the land, he retracts his willingness when Boaz mentions the obligation to marry Ruth, the Moabite widow, to maintain the family lineage. The closer relative declines, citing the potential complication to his own inheritance (Ruth 4:3-6).

Boaz Marries Ruth

• Legal Transfer Ceremony: Following the tradition, the closer relative removes his sandal and hands it to Boaz, symbolizing the transfer of the right of redemption. This act is witnessed by the elders and all present, securing Boaz’s legal right to act as the redeemer (Ruth 4:7-8).
• Boaz’s Declaration: Boaz announces his commitment to buy all that belonged to Elimelek and Mahlon (Ruth’s deceased husband) and to marry Ruth. This declaration is not only a legal statement but also an affirmation of Boaz’s role in preserving Naomi’s family name and property within Israel (Ruth 4:9-10).
• Community’s Blessing: The elders and all those at the gate bless Boaz and Ruth, praying for wealth in Boaz’s house and for Ruth to be like Rachel and Leah, who together built the house of Israel. This blessing underscores the community’s support for this union and its significance (Ruth 4:11-12).

The Offspring and Legacy

• Birth of Obed: Ruth and Boaz marry, and the Lord enables Ruth to conceive. She gives birth to a son named Obed, who becomes the grandfather of David, Israel’s great king. This lineage directly connects to the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Ruth 4:13-17).
• Naomi’s Restoration and Joy: The women of Bethlehem celebrate Naomi’s restoration and joy, crediting Ruth, who loves her, and the newborn Obed, who will sustain her in old age. Naomi’s life is thus transformed from bitterness to joy, showcasing the redemptive power of faithful love and divine providence (Ruth 4:14-15).

Theological Significance and Connection to Jesus Christ

Christological Echoes

• Boaz as a Type of Christ: Boaz’s actions as a redeemer mirror Christ’s redemptive work. As Boaz redeemed Ruth and Naomi from their desperate circumstances, Christ redeems humanity, offering eternal life through His sacrifice.
• Genealogical Significance: The genealogy closing the chapter places Ruth in the lineage leading to David and ultimately to Jesus, emphasizing the importance of Gentile inclusion in God’s salvific plan for the world.

Divine Love and Its Implications

• Providence and Redemption: The story of Ruth illustrates God’s providential love, weaving together events from ordinary lives for His redemptive purposes. It highlights how God often works through seemingly small, everyday decisions to fulfill His larger, gracious purposes.

Contemporary Relevance

Why Ruth 4 Still Matters Today

• Legal Integrity and Personal Commitment: Boaz’s integrity in handling the legal aspects of redemption serves as a model for conducting affairs with honor and respect for communal norms and laws.
• Role of Community in Personal Milestones: The involvement of the Bethlehem community in Boaz and Ruth’s marriage underscores the importance of community support and recognition in personal and familial milestones.
• Inclusivity and Legacy: Ruth, a Moabite, becomes an integral part of Israel’s legacy, challenging contemporary views on ethnicity and inclusion within the faith community. Her story encourages embracing diverse backgrounds as part of a broader, divine narrative.

Ruth 4, with its profound themes of love, legal integrity, and redemption, provides timeless lessons on the impact of godly character and the far-reaching consequences of our actions within God’s providential plan.