Ruth 4:9-13
We continue with the account of the exchange of property from the nearest kinsman to Boaz. Looking back in Ruth 3:13, Boaz told Ruth that he would redeem her if the nearest kinsman was unable to do so. He then immediately went to the city gates to inquire of this relative and take care of the matter. He was given his answer and in verses 9 and 10, it seems he announced his purchase of the land and his wedding.
Ruth 4:9-10 Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, "You are witnesses today that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon. "Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, to be my wife in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance, so that the name of the deceased may not be cut off from his brothers or from the court of his [birth] place; you are witnesses today."
Boaz lets the elders of the city and those present that he is now the rightful owner of all that had belonged to Elimelech and his sons. In this public announcement, Boaz states his intention to marry Ruth, the widow of Mahlon. This marriage would continue the name of Elimelech’s family. Recognize this transaction required Boaz to lay aside his own name in order to raise an heir for Elimelech’s family name.
Once again, we must step back and consider our redemption at the cross of Christ. Christ looked upon us with mercy and purchased our inheritance in heaven. Even though we were undeserving and poor, He willingly laid aside His riches to acquire us for His Father. Christ did this publicly for all to witness. There is no question of His great love for us.
“Thus hath our God, our divine Redeemer, when we were poor and destitute, and none were either able or willing to purchase the inheritance, which we by sin had so deeply mortgaged, yea, utterly forfeited, paid down the price, even at the expense of marring his own inheritance; having left the realms of bliss and glory for our sake, and then espousing us to himself, hath made us sharers of that glory, to which the Father, as the reward of his sufferings, hath exalted him”, Thomas Haweis.
The words recorded for us in Ruth 4:10 give us a reminder of Ruth’s background. She was a descendent from Moab, a land that was considered detestable because of its idol worship. However, Ruth had fully embraced the Jewish faith as she answered God’s call. Recall Ruth 1:16, “But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you [or] turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people [shall be] my people, and your God, my God”.
After Boaz made his intentions clear to all those who were congregated around the city gates, the people responded with great blessings toward him and Ruth for many children.
Ruth 4:11-12 And all the people who were in the court, and the elders, said, "[We are] witnesses. May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, both of whom built the house of Israel; and may you achieve wealth in Ephrathah and become famous in Bethlehem. "Moreover, may your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the offspring which the LORD shall give you by this young woman”.
A similar blessing was given to Rebekah in Genesis 24:60, “And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, "May you, our sister, become thousands of ten thousands, and may your descendants possess the gate of those who hate them”.
Psalm 127:3-5 Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they shall not be ashamed, When they speak with their enemies in the gate.
Adam Clarke’s Commentary says this about the mention of the house of Perez: “This was very appropriate; for from Pharez, the son of Judah, by Tamar, came the family of the Beth-lehemites and that of Elimelech”.
Ruth 4:13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife, and he went in to her. And the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.
Following a public declaration and the blessing of others, Boaz and Ruth are husband and wife. God then enabled them to conceive a child. This child would be in the lineage of David, and the Messiah.
“He that forsakes all for Christ shall find more than all with him; it shall be recompensed a hundred-fold in this present time…. Boaz had prayed that this pious proselyte might receive a full reward of her courage and constancy from the God of Israel, under whose wings she had come to trust; and now he became an instrument of that kindness, which was an answer to his prayer, and helped to make his own words good. Now she had the command of those servants with whom she had associated and of those fields in which she had gleaned. Thus sometimes God raiseth up the poor out of the dust, to set them with princes”, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible.
Looking back to Chapter 1, remember Ruth’s marriage in Moab to Elimelech’s son, Mahlon. Verse four states a period of about ten years transpired. In that time, Ruth did not conceive a child. This would have been unusual since marriage was intended to build a family name. Think about God’s perfect plan and timing in using Ruth.
Who ordered the famine?
Who allowed Elimelech to transport his family to Moab?
Who caused Ruth to meet Mahlon?
Who determined the deaths of the three men in the family?
Who orchestrated the end of the famine and Naomi’s return to Bethlehem?
Who intended Ruth to respond to God’s truths?
Who put in place the timing of the harvest and the need of a young widow to supply for her mother-in-law?
Who softened a wealthy landowner’s heart towards a Moabitess?
Who planned the nearest kinsman’s refusal to redeem Ruth in order to open the way for Boaz?
It is impossible to read this account of Boaz and Ruth and not recognize God’s sovereignty. As you read the detail orchestrated by God’s hand, it is almost too much for a mind to grasp and appreciate His power over all.
Deuteronomy 4:39 "Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the LORD, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other.
1Chronicles 29:12 "Both riches and honor [come] from Thee, and Thou dost rule over all, and in Thy hand is power and might; and it lies in Thy hand to make great, and to strengthen everyone.
Psalm 135:6 Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.
Daniel 4:35 "And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And [among] the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, 'What hast Thou done?'
Consider God’s direction in your life. Pause for a moment and look back to His guidance and His protection. Often, at the time circumstances are happening, we do not clearly see the full picture ahead. God sees completion, every detail from beginning to end. He will use His children for the praise of His name.
Do you see His hand in your life?
Do you trust His direction?
Recall the qualities displayed for us in Ruth’s character. She responded to God’s call and was willing to follow His direction (1:16). She was loyal and courageous (1:17-1:18). She did what was necessary (2:2). She was a hard worker (2:7, 17). She was humble; she expected no special treatment (2:10, 13). Her works proved her faith (2:11-12). She took direction from others (2:22, 23; 3:5, 14-15). She was virtuous (3:11). She was patient (3:18).
God used her life to glorify Himself. He will use your life also. Respond to His call, follow His direction, be willing to go forth courageously in His strength, work hard, remember your need for His sacrifice, live out your faith, listen to the wisdom of others, strive to be morally excellent, and wait upon God.
Where did all of this lead in Ruth’s life?
Blessing!
“Thus was her self-denying faith rewarded. She left behind her both relatives, country, and prospects, to cast in her lot with the Lord's people, and the Lord not only blessed her, but blessed distant generations through her. Those who follow the Lord at all hazards shall be no losers in the long run. To increase Ruth's joy and crown her happiness, the Lord gave her a son, which son was also a joy to Naomi.” Spurgeon Devotional Commentary
The pursuit of God will transform your character and you will be blessed as He uses your life for His glory. The first chapter of Timothy records Paul’s words to Timothy on being a faithful worker of Jesus Christ for the glory of God.
1Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. KJV
