The Beauty of Redemption (Ruth 4)

A Few Thoughts to Consider

Have you ever paused and thought about how beautiful redemption is?

The Book of Ruth provides a beautiful portrayal of redemption. In Chapter 4, Boaz takes proactive measures to secure Ruth's future by addressing her situation at the town gate, which is the legal center. He negotiates with a closer relative who initially considers redeeming Ruth's land but declines upon realizing the implications for his own inheritance. Boaz then marries Ruth, and together, they have a son named Obed, bringing joy to the community. Ruth's significant lineage is established through Obed's descendants, ultimately connecting her to King David.

There are a few points from this passage that are important to note. Verse 1 says, “Boaz went to the gate of the town and sat down there.” As Daniel Block writes,

City gates in Palestine in the early iron age were complex structures with lookout towers at the outside and a series of rooms on either side of the gateway where defenders of the town would be stationed. But these gateways also served a secondary purpose, as a gathering place for the citizens of the town. This was where the official administrative and judicial business of the community was conducted.^[1]

In Leviticus 25:25-30, God dictated that land could not leave a person’s family, so Boaz was legally obligated to speak to the relative next in line to redeem Naomi’s land. To do this, Boaz assembled a group of men.  

Block notes, “Obviously the men were all full citizens of Bethlehem; being identified as elders they were responsible for the administration of the town. The fact that they left their work and followed Boaz reflects his stature in the community.”^[2] This passage doesn’t tell us much about the other relative who was the redeemer, or gōʾēl. All we know is he is interested in the land but isn’t interested in marrying Ruth. This might have been because of financial obligations, Ruth’s nationality, or potential complications or consequences related to Ruth’s status as a widow and her connection to Naomi's family.

After the first redeemer, or gōʾēl, said he had no interest in marrying Ruth and redeeming Naomi’s land, verses 9-11 say:

 ⁹ Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and to Mahlon. ¹⁰ Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. You are witnesses this day.” ¹¹ Then all the people who were at the gate and the elders said, “We are witnesses.

“Since biblical Hebrew has no word for ‘Yes,’ they declare their response by repeating Boaz’s last word and affirming unanimously, ꜥēdı̂m, ‘Witnesses!’”^[3] As Block writes, “Redemption occurs in community,”^[4] a pattern we see in the New Testament.

Meditation to PRAY

Praise | I come before you with a heart full of praise and gratitude for your faithfulness and love. Just as Boaz redeemed Ruth and Naomi, you have redeemed me from sin and darkness, offering me hope and salvation through your Son, Jesus Christ. Your grace astounds me, and I praise you for your mercy and compassion.

Release | Lord, I release all my burdens and struggles to you, knowing that you are my ultimate redeemer and sustainer. Like Ruth and Naomi, who entrusted their future to Boaz, I surrender my worries and fears to you, trusting in your providence and care. Release me from the chains of guilt and shame, and fill me with your peace and joy.