Ruth 4 Outline

Intro

When & Where - The city gates of Bethlehem the morning after Ruth proposes.

What - Boaz is confronting the other redeemer about Naomi’s land and Ruth’s hand in marriage, he is going about this the proper way of law with witnesses. The other Redeemer will say no and Boaz will get to Redeem Ruth.

Why - Boaz wants to redeem Ruth but there is a redeemer closer to Elimelech than him, so he is going to ask him first so that he can properly redeem Ruth if he does not. This plays out according to plan. Ruth and Boaz’s marriage will lead to the birth of Obed father of Jesse father of David and ultimately link Jesus’s family line to Bethlehem as prophesied.

Verses that caught my Eye - 4:1, 4:6, 4:11, 4:14, 4:17

Why?

4:1 - Boaz shows respect and kindness, just as he had all throughout chapters 2 and 3.

4:6 - The other redeemer chooses to help himself, he did not want the burden of marrying Ruth (a moabite and ancient law would have given Naomi’s land to their first born).

4:11 - Boaz prays that the Lord make Ruth like Rachel and Leah who birthed the house of Israel, Ruth produces the direct lineage to David who then is in line to Jesus fulfilling this.

4:14 - Ruth praises the Lord for Boaz, his name does become renowned through again David and Jesus plus he is a main character in a whole chapter of the Bible.

4:17 - The basic family lineage to David. This serves as a reminder that all along God wanted all peoples to be his people, Ruth the Moabite (a gentile) is directly related to Jesus. Through his work on the cross we are all redeemed and can have an established relationship with God. We are all his people through Jesus.

The City Gate (4:1-12)

Boaz waits at the city gate until the unnamed redeemer passes by, once he does he ask him to sit and gather with the elders of the city so that he can begin the process of redeeming. The redeemer originally says yes to redeeming Naomi for her land, however he backtracks when he realizes he will have to marry Ruth to do so. This then opens up the chance for Boaz to redeem the family which he does with witnesses to the process, making it official. Once done he prays that Ruth be like Rachel and Leah, which is fulfilled through Christ.

Once again an act of selfishness is contradicted by an act of selflessness. The redeemer does not want to marry Ruth as one it could tarnish his reputation due to her heritage and if they bore a son, Naomi’s land would be inherited by him not the redeemer. Essentially taking on this burden is a true act of love, as Boaz does.

Ruth and Boaz Marry (4:13-17)

Ruth and Boaz are then married after the Gate scene and bless this marriage through a son. Ruth prays and praises the Lord for Boaz the redeemer, asking for his name to be renown. This comes to fruition through David then Jesus.

This is the finale of the story, the full circle moment. Naomis journey from emptiness to fullness is complete, in 1:21 she proclaims that she is empty as she has lost her husband and sons. By 4:13 she has gained a grandson and son-in-law, her family is redeemed and she is once again full.

This completes the story which started with death, then moves to redemption, and finally ends with new life.