There are so many lessons we can learn from the book of Ruth. I’ve been focusing on choices. So far, everyone we’ve met made the right choices even if it wasn’t easy. Today we will meet someone who only chose to do what was in his best interest. We pick up from where we left off in the last post, Ruth petitions Boaz to be her kinsman (or family) redeemer.
Kinsman redeemer
Kinsman redeemer is not a word we often hear in America unless it’s at church or in a Bible study. But during Biblical times, it was an important concept. According to Bibleinfo.com, it was a way to “help reduce suffering and to keep poverty and slavery in check. Also, it gave hope to the widows, the poor, and orphans, secured their inheritance, and protected their interests.” It was a means to help people who had fallen on hard times. In this case, two widows.
Boaz was Elimelech’s relative and naturally Naomi thought, based on his kindness to Ruth, he would be willing to be their kinsman redeemer. Turns out, there was another person who was more closely related. Since we are focusing on choices, particularly the right choices, Boaz faced another decision.
It would’ve been easy to simply share the name of the closest relative and wash his hands of the whole affair, but that’s not what Boaz did. Instead, he promised Ruth he would personally look into the matter. He went above and beyond what he needed to do and did it quickly – by the way, did you know Boaz’s name means “swiftness”?He certainly lived up to his name because he wasted no time finding the unnamed relative.
The unnamed relative
It’s also very interesting how Boaz broaches the subject with the unnamed relation. He starts by saying Naomi is selling her husband’s land and he, being the closest relative, has the right of first refusal. (Ruth 4:3-4). Naturally, the relative is more than happy to purchase the land from Naomi. It’s only after the relative expressed interest that Boaz mentions the clause: he has to marry Ruth as well. I’m not sure why Boaz didn’t explain everything up front instead of bringing up the sale of the land first with no mention of Ruth. That always puzzled me.
In any case, although the relative was interested in purchasing Naomi’s land, he wasn’t interested in marrying Ruth for fear it would “endanger [his] own estate.” (Ruth 4:6)
According to Biblical law, if he were to marry Ruth and they had a son. That child would be Mahlon’s heir (Ruth’s late husband) and the land would be his inheritance. It certainly was a messy and complicated situation.
The relative was more than happy to purchase the land when it benefited him. However, when it meant he had to make a sacrifice, he didn’t want to do it. He chose to walk away rather than do what was right.
The future impact of decisions
Boaz on the other hand, chose to do what was right even if it got a little complicated. And true to his word he marries Ruth and they have a son. This son, Obed, was King David’s grandfather. He would also be a direct ancestor of Jesus.
This is a great example of how the choices we make today impact our lives tomorrow. This means we shouldn’t hesitate to do what is right because we don’t know how God will use it. Ruth and Boaz certainly weren’t afraid to go the extra mile. And it led them to become not only the great-grandparents of King David but also a relative of the Messiah. I’m not sure if that thought ever crossed their minds. Their goal was to do what was honorable regardless of the cost.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 NLT