Here we are, standing at the edge of a grand finale in the story of Ruth – chapter 4. It’s a short story, but packed with meaning, and as we look at this ending, we’re reminded of a powerful truth: God is at work even in the worst of times. No matter how dark things feel around us, God is sovereign, in control, working. That’s truly good news, isn’t it, especially when the world feels dark?
In this final act, we see Boaz step into the vital role and responsibility of a kinsman redeemer. He does the work of redeeming. But as we reflect on Boaz, the godly man he was, he wouldn’t want the spotlight on himself. He was simply serving God in his time, just as we are called to do. Boaz wants us to exalt Jesus. And that’s precisely what this chapter does – Boaz’s plan, revealed in Bethlehem, foreshadows another plan of redemption from Bethlehem – the plan of Jesus.
The stage for this crucial moment is the city gate. More than just an entrance, it was the courthouse, the place where judgments were rendered and important discussions took place. It was where the significant matters of the community were decided. This was daily, normal life for them, even though for us today, understanding the culture requires a little digging. One key piece is understanding their view of land: it wasn’t truly owned by people; it was God’s land, and they were simply stewards. The Year of Jubilee, every 50 years, reinforced this by ensuring land returned to the original families, almost like a “great reset”.
Remember Naomi and Ruth were poor. Naomi had likely sold her land before they left for Moab. But Naomi understood the laws of the kinsman redeemer and saw a way for Boaz to potentially redeem that land on her behalf. What’s more, this role could also involve carrying on the family line through Ruth.
So, Boaz goes to the city gate and calls over the closer relative, the one with the first right to redeem. He presents the situation: Naomi’s land is to be redeemed. The closer relative’s immediate thought? It’s a good deal. He agrees to redeem the land, likely seeing that Naomi had no direct heir, meaning the land might ultimately stay with him until the Jubilee or beyond.
But then comes the pivotal moment, the climax. Boaz introduces the crucial detail: redeeming the land also means acquiring Ruth, the widow, in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance. While marrying Ruth wasn’t necessarily required by the strict letter of the law (it seems it was more an act of generosity), in this context, it was presented as part of the deal. This requirement to continue the family line through Ruth meant that any child born to Ruth would inherit the land, making things complicated for the closer relative’s own inheritance. He immediately backs out.
Boaz, who was willing and submitted to the law despite being next in line, then steps forward. He wasn’t sneaky or underhanded; he laid his plan out in the open. He formalizes the deal through the custom of exchanging a sandal. He declares to the elders and all the people that he has bought the land and acquired Ruth to be his wife to continue the family line. This act was not the same as levirate marriage (which was brother-to-brother), but a voluntary redemption.
What Boaz did was profound. He redeemed both Naomi and Ruth, sealing their future and bringing them back into the community. They were no longer outsiders or poor widows living in the slums; this was their land again, redeemed on their behalf. And as we reflect on Boaz’s faithfulness, his integrity, his willingness to step into this role even when it meant his resources would go to establishing another’s family line – this is where the story truly points beyond Boaz. His actions in Bethlehem foreshadow the ultimate act of redemption by Jesus.
Boaz was simply faithful to God with what he had, where he was. He didn’t have the big picture, didn’t know his story would be discussed thousands of years later. Yet, in his faithfulness, he imitated Christ so well, unbeknownst to him. This leaves us with a question for ourselves: How about you and I? Are we being faithful in the time and place God has us? Like Boaz, can our lives, our simple acts of faithfulness and generosity, point others to Jesus? That’s the call from the story of Boaz and Ruth.
