Ruth 4:7-12
7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning the redemption and the exchange of land to confirm any matter: a man removed his sandal and gave it to another; and this was the way of confirmation in Israel.
8 So the redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” And he removed his sandal.
9 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.
10 Furthermore, 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 will not be eliminated from his brothers or from the court of his birth place; you are witnesses today.”
11 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.
12 Moreover, may your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the descendants whom the Lord will give you by this young woman.”
Redemption by Boaz
The passing of the sandal
The wise of this world, fear losing their earthly possessions and their reputation, and refuse to accept God’s invitation. God calls such individuals foolish. In contrast, those who have true wisdom discern eternal value and pursue it. In today’s passage, Boaz, who redeemed Ruth, is remembered as one who is part of the lineage of the Messiah. However, the relative who had the right of redemption clung to earthly possessions and their own reputation, and as a result, they were ultimately forgotten – such an irony it is. (1) During that time, it was customary to exchange a sandal as a symbol of completing a transaction. The relative handed his sandal to Boaz, thus confirming the transaction’s completion. (2) So then Boaz, in the presence of the ten elders and the people of the city who had gathered at the city gate, proclaimed that he had redeemed Ruth. He did so “that the name of the deceased will not be cut off from his brothers.” Here, Boaz’s faith in the God of Israel and his faith in the resurrection are expressed.
Blessings from the people of the city and the elders
The people of the city and elders served as witnesses to this marriage. They praised Boaz’s faith and blessed him. (1) They prayed, “May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, both of whom built the house of Israel.” In Jewish consciousness, Abraham’s wife Sarah and Jacob’s wives Rachel and Leah are considered special as “mothers of the nation.” Rachel and Leah came from distant lands and bore children for the sake of Jacob (Israel). (2) They also prayed, “May you achieve wealth in Ephrathah and become famous in Bethlehem.” Ephrathah and Bethlehem have the same meaning. (3) They continued to pray, “May your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah.” It seems likely that there was quite an age gap between Boaz and Ruth, just as there was a significant age gap between Tamar and Judah. Also, Boaz himself was a descendant of Perez. What can you learn from Boaz’s choices? Let’s apply these lessons to our own life.
Today's prayer
O God of Israel, help me see the truth of things not with worldly eyes but with spiritual eyes, and to choose that which holds eternal value. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.