# Overview Ruth Chapter 4 brings the story of #Ruth, #Naomi, and #Boaz to a profound and redemptive conclusion. As the chapter opens, #Boaz goes to the town gate, a place of legal transactions, to meet the closer kinsman-redeemer who has the first right to redeem #Naomi’s land and take #Ruth as his wife. Before the elders of the town, Boaz presents the situation. The closer relative initially agrees to redeem the land but retracts his offer when he learns that doing so would require him to marry Ruth, as it might endanger his own estate. Boaz, demonstrating his integrity and commitment, publicly declares his intention to redeem the land and marry Ruth, thus fulfilling his duty as a kinsman-redeemer. This act of redemption is witnessed and blessed by the elders and the people, who pray that Ruth would be like #Rachel and #Leah, who together built the house of #Israel. The chapter concludes with the union of Boaz and Ruth, resulting in the birth of #Obed. This birth is not only a personal blessing to Ruth and Boaz but also a renewal of hope and joy for Naomi, who becomes Obed’s nurse. The women of the town praise God for providing Naomi with a redeemer, expressing that Obed will renew her life and sustain her in her old age. They acknowledge Ruth’s love and devotion as being of greater worth than seven sons. The narrative then extends beyond the personal story, revealing Obed as the grandfather of #David, making this union pivotal in the lineage of #KingDavid and ultimately in the genealogy of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] Christ, the #Messiah. This chapter beautifully illustrates themes of #redemption, #restoration, and #God's providential care, highlighting the impact of individual faithfulness on God's broader redemptive plan for humanity. ## Theological Insights Ruth 4 serves as the culmination of the narrative arc of the Book of #Ruth, emphasizing themes of #redemption, #providence, and the unfolding of God’s sovereign plan. The chapter centers around #Boaz, who fulfills his role as the kinsman-redeemer, a concept deeply rooted in the #MosaicLaw, particularly the provisions in [[Leviticus/Leviticus Chapter 25]] and [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 25]]. This act of redemption is a powerful foreshadowing of #Christ’s redemptive work for humanity. The formal transaction that takes place at the city gate highlights the importance of legal and communal acknowledgment in matters of redemption, anchoring the story within the context of Israelite customs. Boaz’s willingness to marry #Ruth and redeem the property of #Naomi’s family underscores the virtue of hesed (loving-kindness or covenant faithfulness), a key theme throughout the book. The chapter also emphasizes the significance of lineage and heritage. The birth of #Obed, who becomes the grandfather of #David, establishes a direct line to [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], as noted in the genealogy of [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 1]]. This connection to David not only elevates Ruth’s story within the larger biblical narrative but also highlights God’s ability to use unexpected and marginalized individuals to fulfill His purposes. Ruth, a #Moabite, is integrated into the community of Israel and becomes an ancestress of the Messiah, illustrating the inclusivity of God’s plan for redemption. The blessings pronounced by the people and elders at the gate (Ruth 4:11-12) reflect the communal aspect of God’s work among His people, and their invocation of #Rachel, #Leah, and the house of #Perez further ties Ruth’s story into the patriarchal history of Israel, creating a tapestry of God’s faithfulness across generations. In summary, Ruth 4 encapsulates the transformative power of divine providence and redemption, setting the stage for the coming of #Christ, the ultimate Redeemer. This chapter not only concludes the story of Ruth and Naomi with hope and restoration but also seamlessly integrates their narrative into the broader story of salvation history. ## Thematic Connections ### Redemption and Kinsman-Redeemer Ruth 4 highlights the theme of #redemption through the role of the kinsman-redeemer. Boaz’s willingness to redeem #Naomi's land and marry #Ruth underscores the biblical principle of redemption, echoing the redemption laws found in [[Leviticus/Leviticus Chapter 25]]. This theme is further illustrated by the concept of the kinsman-redeemer found in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 25]], which emphasizes duty, compassion, and the restoration of family heritage. ### God's Sovereignty and Providence The narrative of Ruth 4 demonstrates God’s sovereignty and providence in orchestrating events for His purposes. The seemingly ordinary decisions and actions of individuals result in the preservation of #Naomi's lineage and the eventual birth of #Obed, the grandfather of #David. This connection is seen in [[Romans/Romans Chapter 8|Romans 8:28]], where God works all things together for the good of those who love Him. The story reflects God's ability to bring about His divine purposes through the lives of faithful individuals. ### Inclusion of the Gentiles Ruth 4 signifies the inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan of redemption. Ruth, a #Moabite, becomes part of the lineage of David and ultimately [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], as described in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 1]]. This inclusion aligns with the promise to #Abraham in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 12|Genesis 12:3]], where all families of the earth would be blessed through his seed. It foreshadows the New Testament revelation of the gospel being available to both Jews and Gentiles, as seen in [[Galatians/Galatians Chapter 3|Galatians 3:28]]. ### Legacy and Heritage The birth of #Obed marks the continuation of Naomi’s family line, highlighting the importance of legacy and heritage within God’s covenant community. This theme is echoed in the genealogies of [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 5]] and [[1 Chronicles/1 Chronicles Chapter 1]], which emphasize the transmission of faith and God's promises through generations. The legacy extends to the lineage of David and ultimately to Jesus Christ, underscoring the unfolding of God's redemptive plan throughout history. ### Faithfulness and Loyalty The conclusion of Ruth’s story in Chapter 4 emphasizes the themes of faithfulness and loyalty, seen in the relationships between Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz. Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi parallels the loyalty demonstrated by other biblical figures, such as #Jonathan and #David in [[1 Samuel/1 Samuel Chapter 18]], and serves as a model of covenantal love and devotion. This steadfast love reflects God’s own faithfulness to His people, as depicted throughout Scripture. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Kinsman Redeemer In Ruth Chapter 4, the role of #Boaz as the kinsman redeemer is a significant prophetic foreshadowing of #Christ as the ultimate #Redeemer. The concept of a kinsman redeemer who restores and redeems is seen in the New Testament fulfillment in [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], who is the Redeemer for all humanity, restoring us to God. This theme echoes the redemption promise found in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 59|Isaiah 59:20]], where the Redeemer will come to Zion. ### The Lineage of David The marriage of #Boaz and #Ruth and the birth of #Obed, who becomes the grandfather of #David, is a critical link in the genealogical line leading to [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]]. This fulfillment ties back to the prophecies concerning the #DavidicCovenant, where a descendant of David would establish an everlasting kingdom, as mentioned in [[2 Samuel/2 Samuel Chapter 7|2 Samuel 7]]. This lineage is affirmed in the genealogy of Jesus in the New Testament, specifically in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 1|Matthew 1]], demonstrating the fulfillment of God’s promise through Ruth’s story. ### The Blessing of the Nations The inclusion of #Ruth, a Moabitess, in the lineage of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] highlights the prophecy of blessing to all nations through the seed of #Abraham, as initially promised in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 12|Genesis 12:3]]. Ruth’s story illustrates the inclusion of Gentiles into God’s redemptive plan, a theme that is fulfilled in Christ, who brings salvation to all peoples, as emphasized in the New Testament. ### The Restoration and Hope of Israel Ruth Chapter 4 also symbolizes the hope and restoration that God offers to #Israel, as seen in the birth of #Obed, who symbolizes renewal and continuation of the line that leads to #David and ultimately to #Christ. This aligns with the prophecies of restoration found in [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 23|Jeremiah 23:5-6]] and [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 34|Ezekiel 34:23-24]], which speak of a coming king from David’s line who will restore and lead Israel. ## Verses - **Ruth 4:1** - "Boaz went to the town gate and took a seat there. Just then the family redeemer he had mentioned came by, so Boaz called out to him, 'Come over here and sit down, friend. I want to talk to you.' So they sat down together." - Notes: The town gate was a place of legal transactions and social gathering in ancient times. The concept of a family redeemer is also found in [[Leviticus/Leviticus Chapter 25]]. - **Ruth 4:2** - "Then Boaz called ten leaders from the town and asked them to sit as witnesses." - Notes: The presence of witnesses was a common practice to validate legal transactions, similar to practices seen in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 25]]. - **Ruth 4:3** - "And Boaz said to the family redeemer, 'You know Naomi, who came back from Moab. She is selling the land that belonged to our relative Elimelech.'" - Notes: This refers back to Naomi's return from Moab in [[Ruth/Ruth Chapter 1]], and the issue of land redemption. - **Ruth 4:4** - "'I thought I should speak to you about it so that you can redeem it if you wish. If you want the land, then buy it here in the presence of these witnesses. But if you don’t want it, let me know right away, because I am next in line to redeem it after you.' The man replied, 'All right, I’ll redeem it.'" - Notes: The process of redemption here is in accordance with the laws given in [[Leviticus/Leviticus Chapter 25]]. - **Ruth 4:5** - "Then Boaz told him, 'Of course, your purchase of the land from Naomi also requires that you marry Ruth, the Moabite widow. That way she can have children who will carry on her husband’s name and keep the land in the family.'" - Notes: This reflects the practice of levirate marriage, seen in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 25]]. - **Ruth 4:6** - "'Then I can’t redeem it,' the family redeemer replied, 'because this might endanger my own estate. You redeem the land; I cannot do it.'" - Notes: Concerns about inheritance and estate were significant in biblical times, as seen in [[Numbers/Numbers Chapter 27]]. - **Ruth 4:7** - "Now in those days it was the custom in Israel for anyone transferring a right of purchase to remove his sandal and hand it to the other party. This publicly validated the transaction." - Notes: This custom is also referenced in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 25]]. - **Ruth 4:8** - "So the other family redeemer drew off his sandal as he said to Boaz, 'You buy the land.'" - Notes: The removal of the sandal was a symbolic act of transferring rights, as practiced in ancient Israel. - **Ruth 4:9** - "Then Boaz said to the elders and to the crowd standing around, 'You are witnesses that today I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion, and Mahlon.'" - Notes: Boaz's declaration and the role of witnesses are similar to other legal practices noted in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 19]]. - **Ruth 4:10** - "And with the land, I have acquired Ruth, the Moabite widow of Mahlon, to be my wife. This way, she can have a son to carry on the family name of her dead husband and to inherit the family property here in his hometown. You are all witnesses today.'" - Notes: The importance of preserving the family name is emphasized here and in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 38]]. - **Ruth 4:11** - "Then the elders and all the people standing in the gate replied, 'We are witnesses! May the Lord make this woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, from whom all the nation of Israel descended! May you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.'" - Notes: The blessing compares Ruth to Rachel and Leah, the matriarchs of Israel, as seen in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 29]]. - **Ruth 4:12** - "And may the Lord give you descendants by this young woman who will be like those of our ancestor Perez, the son of Tamar and Judah.'" - Notes: This reference to Perez and Tamar can be found in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 38]]. - **Ruth 4:13** - "So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife. When he slept with her, the Lord enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son." - Notes: The Lord's enabling is reminiscent of other divine interventions in childbirth, such as with Sarah in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 21]]. - **Ruth 4:14** - "Then the women of the town said to Naomi, 'Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel.'" - Notes: The term "redeemer" reflects the role of both Boaz and the child, echoing themes in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 54]]. - **Ruth 4:15** - "May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!'" - Notes: The love of Ruth for Naomi is highlighted, comparable to the devotion seen in [[1 Samuel/1 Samuel Chapter 1]]. - **Ruth 4:16** - "Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own." - Notes: Naomi's role as a caregiver is similar to the nurturing relationships seen in [[2 Kings/2 Kings Chapter 4]]. - **Ruth 4:17** - "The neighbor women said, 'Now at last Naomi has a son again!' And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David." - Notes: This genealogy highlights the lineage leading to King David, as further detailed in [[1 Samuel/1 Samuel Chapter 16]]. - **Ruth 4:18** - "This is the genealogical record of their ancestor Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron." - Notes: The genealogy connects Judah's lineage to David, as seen in [[1 Chronicles/1 Chronicles Chapter 2]]. - **Ruth 4:19** - "Hezron was the father of Ram. Ram was the father of Amminadab." - Notes: This lineage is also found in the genealogical records of [[1 Chronicles/1 Chronicles Chapter 2]]. - **Ruth 4:20** - "Amminadab was the father of Nahshon. Nahshon was the father of Salmon." - Notes: Nahshon was a leader of the tribe of Judah, mentioned in [[Numbers/Numbers Chapter 1]]. - **Ruth 4:21** - "Salmon was the father of Boaz. Boaz was the father of Obed." - Notes: This verse ties Boaz directly to the lineage of King David, as seen in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 1]]. - **Ruth 4:22** - "Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of David." - Notes: This lineage is important for understanding the ancestry of King David, as further elaborated in [[1 Samuel/1 Samuel Chapter 16]].