The Kinsman Redeemer

Click here to read Ruth 4.

Chapter 4 records the happy end of the story. It would seem that in the linage of Elimelech, someone else was closer in line than Boaz. This person was legally entitled to Elimelech's land and family, but it turns out that Elimelech's land had been mortgaged for money to buy food during the famine and the loan was never repaid.

The duties of the "next of kin" would be:

  1. Pay off the mortgage.
  2. Marry Naomi.
  3. Take care of Ruth, the daughter-in-law.

Boaz calls a meeting of the Elders to resolve the situation. He explains all to the next of kin and the next of kin claims that he cannot fulfill his duties to Naomi without risking his own holdings. So this leaves Boaz free to exercise the duties of the next of kin. The "transfer of responsibility" is consummated before the Elders by the giving of one shoe to Boaz by the rightful next of kin, indicating, there by, that he forfeited his right to walk upon the land of Elimelech. Boaz is now free to fulfill his promise to Ruth.

He does so with all speed and observations of the law.

  1. He advertises his intentions and agrees to pay all debts due on the land.
  2. He accepts the care and wishes of Naomi.
  3. He declares his intentions to marry Ruth and raise up sons that the family of Elimelech might not be cut off from its inheritance.

Notice that because Boaz did this honor to the dead as well as the living, God did honor him. He brought him into the linage of the Messiah. The other kinsman who refused to do his duty, died unknown.

So Boaz took Ruth to be his wife and she bore him a son, and they called the boy Obed. Obed became the father of Jesse and Jesse became the father of David, and Naomi took the child and became his nurse. The women of Bethlehem said to Naomi, "You are blessed of the Lord this day for He has given you a son who will nourish you in your old age and a daughter-in-law who loves you and is more to you than seven sons."

THUS ENDS THE BOOK OF RUTH


Previous Chapter
Return to Outline
Ask Questions
Next Chapter