(Reflections and notes on Ruth 4. To find out more about the series of Ruth Reflections, read this.)
It’s a family affair. The story began with a husband, a wife and two sons leaving a famine. The story ends with a grandmother cradling a baby that would grow to be the grandfather of the greatest king in the history of the nation of Israel. This chapter in the story sees the great providence of God emerging beautifully – all the threads that had been present and woven together produced a splendid piece of clothing.
The Deal (vs 1-8)
The way the deal pans out makes me chuckle. Boaz sets up a community gathering with the elders to sort this issue out and brings up the nearest family redeemer. He sets out a lot of the elements for the deal – the land is available, it’s good land and it’s up for grabs now and you can have it if you want it. The guy hears that and is up for some of that. It’s at that point that Boaz then mentions what comes with the package in terms of Ruth and this guy backtracks quickly because of the commitments he already has. It makes me chuckle because it’s like Boaz deliberately sets it up knowing how this guy would respond when the Ruth factor was added. It’s not devious, it’s chucklesome.
This is about how God’s will is worked out through the actions people take even without them being aware of how crucial their decisions are. The eagerness with which Boaz goes about this deal, though, says a lot both about what he wants for Naomi and Ruth as well as what it says about his desire to do things the right way, through the right procedure. Well did Naomi assure Ruth that the matter would be resolved without delay.
The Boaz Blessing (vs 9-12)
Continuing on the theme of giving kudos to Boaz for his enthusiasm for doing what’s right there’s this declaration he has no problem making in front of the witnesses to the nature of the transaction that has taken place. That declaration and the desire he has to do right by his family and with this outstanding virtuous woman is something so noteworthy. It speaks volumes about his character.
The response of the people is all the more fascinating. They don’t just suggest that Boaz has got a good deal and wish him well and move on from there.
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. 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.
Ruth 4:11-12 (NLT)
This is a blessing by the people to Boaz and all that’s now in his household. Boaz already has a decent reputation among his peers in this area, but now this blessing is to confer on him the kind of regard and repute that would place him among the patriarchal greats of this people. Not just have children, but have the kind of impact that would let your name be known near and far. Let that be evident with the way your new wife is regarded. It’s a powerful blessing from the people to Boaz. It’s not something to be taken lightly at all. This is all the more the case exactly because of what was to take place within a few generations of this taking place.
Think about that for a moment, though, the people’s responsibility to a great deal being made and righteousness being expressed was to confer a blessing. That blessing was given by the power of their words and was honoured by God. Consider that. Where today there’s a rush to look for some physical and material reward as an expression of a blessing, can there be something more to being blessed that we don’t appreciate? what would it be to bless others today in tune with God’s heart for those who do what is right?
The Naomi Blessing (vs 13-17)
Get what the women say,
Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel. 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!
Ruth 4:14-15 (NLT)
The comments are not going to Ruth, they’re going to Naomi. This fulfils the journey that Naomi has been on from feeling she’s been a victim of the bitterness of God to being tremendously blessed by Him. This development does more for her than she could have imagined when she returned as Mara. Key to that was the role of Ruth, who was with her on the return but has turned out to be the source from which the blessing emerged. She had been so keen to turn her back to Moab to be with her people, but the faithful loyalty of this woman is recognised by the womenfolk of the locality.
The dynamic of this blessing is intriguing – the hope that new birth will refresh life and offer care to the end of the time on earth. It’s an amazing blessing to render. Naomi really does take that blessing on with her devotion to this new birth – what they have declared to be a new son for the two she lost.
The wave of blessing, care and love all over this story makes it so much more than a romance. In fact, it cheapens the story to just see it as a romance. There’s little that the modern reader could relate here to what is seen as romance. Yet there can be no doubt that this story is full of love – all kinds of love in different seasons of life.
The Legacy (vs 18-22)
The writer of Ruth is not subtle as to the bigger point that this story is pointing to. Obed is the father of Jesse who is the father of David. The goal is about this great king. The fact that the lineage ends there gives a hint as to the sort of timing in which the book was written. It is composed at a time when people recognise the key role David played in the life of God’s people. It may have been the space of two generations, but there’s enough about the quality of character and attributes of the key players to inform the kind of stock David comes from.
The way that the people blessed Boaz with reference to Perez gives them a starting point to trace where David is coming from and how crucial the role of the considered, diligent, dutiful, honourable and generous man, Boaz has in what takes place. The way this episode in the life of Israel ends is so hope-filled it gives reason to go back and read this entire story again and consider some key aspects …
Questions from Ruth 4
- What does this episode tell you about the character of God?
- What kind of blessing would you give to someone in the light of what you learn from the peolpe in this episode?
- Love abounds in this chapter – talk about the different kinds of love on display and why is it so important to learn from this?
- Following Jesus involves celebrating the work of redemption done out of love. What does that mean to yu and how does that affect your relationship with God and others?
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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