WOMEN OF CHRISTMAS - RUTH - LET'S MAKE A DEAL

Ruth 4:1-8 (KJV)

LET’S MAKE A DEAL

Ruth 4:1 Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, “Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here.” And he turned aside, and sat down.

The city gate during those times was where business deals were struck and witnessed by the men of the city. Boaz sat down and waited for the other kinsman-redeemer to pass by. When Boaz saw him, he said, “Hey! So-and-so, come and sit down,” because he had business to transact with him. He had a proposition for him. The Bible does not name this man saying “such a man” or “such-and-such,” so we put that purposeful omission in our own vernacular. So the man did as his relative, Boaz, asked him.

Ruth 4:2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.

Boaz was a man of clout and influence in Bethlehem, so when he asked some of the elders to join in as witnesses to the deal, they did so.

Ruth 4:3 And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's:

4 And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.

Boaz explained that Naomi’s husband Elimelech had owned some land near Bethlehem, and since this other kinsman was first in line to redeem it, he was offering him the first chance to buy it. Boaz did ask that he let him know his intentions since he was second in line for the property. He indicated that Naomi would need to sell the property in order to live. He wisely omitted the fact that the land and Ruth were a package deal. The man said he would redeem it, buy it.

Ruth 4:5 Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.

Boaz points out that the way of integrity would be to also marry Ruth when he redeemed the land in order to provide children for their deceased relative. This was certainly Boaz’s intention.

Ruth 4:6 And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.

The relative back-pedaled really fast at that time because it would interfere with the inheritance of his own children since he was already married. He wasn’t willing to help Naomi and Ruth at the expense of his own family’s established inheritance. Therefore, he encouraged Boaz to redeem it for himself. He abdicated his right to the land and the hand of Ruth.

Ruth 4:7 Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel.

8 Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.

To seal the deal, the man took off his shoe according to their custom as a testimony before the witnesses that the transaction was agreed upon.

Ponder this: Boaz was a man of the utmost integrity and Kept his word to Ruth to approach the nearer relative on her behalf. How seriously do we take giving our word? Are we known as people of integrity in our workplaces, churches, and most importantly, our own homes?