Scripture Text: Ruth 3:1-4:22
Memory Verse: “Then he said, ‘Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman.’” Ruth 3:10-11
Introduction:
Naomi was anxious that Ruth should find security—that is, a husband and a home. She therefore relinquished her own prior claim to marriage and property, and instead advised Ruth to go down to the threshing floor one night when Boaz was winnowing barley. After Boaz had finished his work, and eaten his meal, he went to sleep. Awakened at midnight, Boaz found Ruth at his feet. He blessed her after she had asked him to act as her redeeming relative. Ruth had been left childless. Since Boaz was a relative of Elimelech, he was eligible to serve as redeeming relative by marrying her. However, there was a legal problem, there was a relative closer than he, and this man had prior claim.
In the morning Boaz went up to the gate of the city, where the elders sat and where legal matters were settled. By the providence of God, the close relative walked by at that very moment. The closer relative refused to marry Ruth, so it freed Boaz, who was next in line, to marry her. In those days, all transactions concerning redemption and exchange were confirmed by one of the parties taking the sandal of the refusing kinsman. The closer relative simply took off his sandal and gave it to Boaz. As soon as Boaz received the sandal, he announced that he would purchase Elimelech’s property and marry Ruth the Moabitess.
Boaz married Ruth, and she bore him a son named Obed. Naomi took the baby as her own and became a nurse to him. Obed later became the ancestor of Jesse, the father of David. Thus, the book closes with a short genealogy of David which was to become part of a greater genealogy—that of David’s great Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Studying the Word
Lesson Study
- What was the significance of Naomi’s instructions to Ruth about Boaz? (Ruth 3:1-5)
- When Boaz spread the corners of his garment over Ruth, what did it symbolize? (Ruth 3:6-9; Ezekiel 16:8)
- Naomi had experienced great sorrow and adversity in her life. What could be her testimony at the end of her life as to God’s faithfulness? (Ruth 4:14-17; James 5:11)
- The book of Ruth ends with the genealogy from Perez to David. Why is this genealogy important to us as New Testament believers? (Ruth 4:16-22)
Applying the Word
Boaz became a redeemer in two ways.
- He married Ruth and preserved the name of Elimelech, Naomi’s deceased husband. The firstborn son of Boaz and Ruth was considered a son of Elimelech’s line. (Ruth 4:5, 10)
- Boaz redeemed the family land that Naomi had sold and restored it to Elimelech’s line. (Ruth 3:7-10)
Boaz is an Old Testament type of Jesus Christ, who likewise redeems the believer in two ways. Explain. (John 3:16; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Matthew 5:5; Revelation 21:1-7)