Ruth 4

• Boaz assembles the town elders (Ruth 4:1-2)
  • Official and legal business occurred at the city gate
    • The officials would be there
    • This was the proper place to discuss this issue
• The matter is presented to the other kinsman (Ruth 4:3-4)
  • A Kinsman-Redeemer had several responsibilities
    • Provide for the widow
      • Marriage
      • Raising an heir to the deceased
    • Take care of any debt
    • Purchase back any land sold due to her poverty
    • Buy back any indentured slaves
• The offer to the other kinsman (Ruth 4:5)
  • This was not solely a land deal
  • Provision for Ruth was included because her husband, Mahlon had a part in the inheritance
• The refusal of the other kinsman (Ruth 4:6)
  • He did not want the double care of both Ruth and Naomi
  • He did not want the inheritance of the field to pass to a future son of Ruth’s because it would not be part of his own inheritance
• The declaration (Ruth 4:7-11)
  • The act of handing over the sandal was the same as signing papers today
    • Symbolically this meant he was handing over the right to walk on the ground being purchased
  • The elders stand as witnesses
    • To the transaction
    • Stated intention to marry Ruth
• The blessing (Ruth 4:11b-12)
  • Make her like Rachel and Leah
    • Founding mothers of Israel
    • Mothers of the 12 sons who headed the 12 tribes of Israel
  • Though Ruth was a Moabite, she was accepted by the people into their congregation
    • The law stated that a Moabite would be excluded for ten generations
    • This demonstrates keeping the spirit f the law rather than the letter of the law
• The marriage and heritage (Ruth 4:13-18)
  • An heir for Malon was born
    • Blessing to Naomi (Ruth 4:14-16)
    • Blessing to all of us (ruth 4:18-22)
      • Jesus was a descendant

God works in many ways, not always obvious to provide His blessing.

When we think we are forsaken, God provides for our needs.

God has a plan that cannot be defeated by outward circumstances.

Love and Loyalty are always rewarded.

Faithfulness to God is never without blessing.