UNROLL
Sunrise over Bethlehem on its ridge after the harvest: a small town of flat-roofed stone houses with a plain gate, a path climbing to it between golden stubble fields and threshing floors.

The Book of

Ruth 4

A nearer redeemer says no, Boaz says yes, and the story ends with a baby and a king’s name.

22 verses≈ 5 min3 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

  1. 1EmptyFamine, death and a loyal daughter
  2. 2A field of favorRuth gleans in Boaz's field
  3. 3Under his wingA night at the threshing floor
  4. 4RedeemedA son, and David's lineChapter 4

Boaz Redeems Ruth

Meanwhile, Boaz went to the gate and sat down there. Soon the kinsman-redeemer of whom he had spoken came along, and Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down.

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Then Boaz took ten of the elders of the city and said, “Sit here,” and they did so.

Boaz

And he said to the kinsman-redeemer, “Naomi, who has returned from the land of Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our brother Elimelech. I thought I should inform you that you may buy it back in the presence of those seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you want to redeem it, do so. But if you will not redeem it, tell me so I may know, because there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am next after you.”

The nearer redeemer

“I will redeem it,” he replied.

Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi and also from Ruth the Moabitess, you must also acquire the widow of the deceased in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.”

The kinsman-redeemer replied, “I cannot redeem it myself, or I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption, because I cannot redeem it.”

Reflect

What it costs

The nearer redeemer weighed it up and stepped back: “I cannot redeem it myself, or I would jeopardize my own inheritance.” Boaz paid the cost instead. Whose need would cost you something to meet? Write down what it would look like to step forward.

Now in former times in Israel, concerning the redemption or exchange of property, to make any matter legally binding a man would remove his sandal and give it to the other party, and this was a confirmation in Israel. So the kinsman-redeemer removed his sandal and said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.”

At this, Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I am buying from Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon. Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, to raise up the name of the deceased through his inheritance, so that his name will not disappear from among his brothers or from the gate of his home. You are witnesses today.”

The elders and the people

Question

Quick question

In the gate at Bethlehem, a deal was sealed without a single written word.

What did the nearer redeemer give Boaz to confirm the sale?

Boaz Marries Ruth

Evening at Bethlehem’s gate: a modest wedding procession comes up into the town, women with clay lamps and small hand drums, Ruth among them in a festive veil, Boaz waiting at the gate.

So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And when he had relations with her, the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.

0:08

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a kinsman-redeemer. May his name become famous in Israel. He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.”

Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a kinsman-redeemer.

Ruth 4:14

Morning in a sunny courtyard: Naomi, her face softened with joy, sits on a low stool with the swaddled baby Obed on her lap while neighbor women bend close and Ruth stands near with a water jar.

And Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and became a nurse to him.

The neighbor women said, “A son has been born to Naomi,” and they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Empty to full

Famine1:1 · no bread inBethlehemHarvest1:22; 2:23 · barleyand wheatThree graves1:3–5 · husband andsonsA son on herlap4:16Brought backempty1:21Notempty-handed3:17 · six measuresNever without aredeemer4:14

Whiteboard

The book opens with a famine and funerals and closes with a harvest and a birth. Step by step, the LORD filled what was empty.

The Line of David

Late afternoon on the open hills east of Bethlehem: a shepherd boy of about twelve, seen from behind with staff and sling, watches a small flock while the town sits small on its ridge behind.

Family line

Perez to David

  1. Perez

    Now these are the generations of Perez:

    Perez was the father of Hezron,

  2. HezronRam

    Hezron was the father of Ram,

    Ram was the father of Amminadab,

  3. AmminadabNahshon

    Amminadab was the father of Nahshon,

    Nahshon was the father of Salmon,

  4. SalmonBoaz

    Salmon was the father of Boaz,

    Boaz was the father of Obed,

  5. Obed was the father of Jesse,

    and Jesse was the father of David.

and Jesse was the father of David.

Ruth 4:22

Pray

Never without a redeemer

The women of Bethlehem praised the LORD, “who has not left you this day without a kinsman-redeemer.” Thank Him for the Redeemer who paid the price for His people. Ask for faith like Ruth’s that takes refuge in Him, and for eyes to see His hand in ordinary days, even the empty ones.

You’ve experienced

Ruth 4

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A verse to carry with you

Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a kinsman-redeemer. May his name become famous in Israel.

Ruth 4:14

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