![]() Though Ruth was married for 10 years to Mahlon, they did not have any children. In verse 13 we see the reversal of fortune occurring. The elders are proclaiming a blessing on Ruth for the same reversal of fortune, from empty to full. Tamar lost her husband and was childless but was then blessed through Perez. May she cause Israel to expand like Rachel and Leah. Remember that Rachel and Leah are the wives of Jacob through whom are born his 12 sons which become the 12 tribes of Israel. First, Ruth is likened to Rachel and Leah who will build up and strengthen Israel. The blessing is declared upon the woman, Ruth. The elders of the city are witnesses to this transaction. This could be the primary reason why his name is not given in this historical account. So-and-So only shows concern for his self-interests and not the interests of Ruth and Naomi. So-and-So and he therefore give the redeemer right to Boaz. This, along with the added financial burden of caring for Naomi and Ruth, appears to be too much for Mr. He is going to spend his money for this property and the efforts will not be to his current descendants, but to the lineage of Elimelech. The likely point he is making is that by marrying Ruth, any investment that was made in this property would be forfeited to any offspring born to Ruth. So why does the family redeemer reject this situation? He says that he will impair, damage, or ruin his own inheritance. However, he does bear responsibility for Naomi and Ruth, and in that society, the way they would be provided for is through marriage. His requirement is to purchase the property to keep it in the family. He does not bring up the marriage component because that is not part of the redeemer requirement. ![]() This appears to be what Boaz is appealing to this nearer family redeemer. But this does not erase all moral responsibility. Neither man is legally bound by Deuteronomy 25:5-10 to marry Ruth. But Boaz is evidently appealing to the spirit of the law, showing faithful, covenant love to God and to Naomi. We made note of the fact that being the redeemer of the family inheritance did not mean you were required to marry the widow. We need to spend a moment to understand what has just happened. With this, he give the right of redemption to Boaz and the transaction is made in verses 7-10. So-and-So says that he cannot redeem it for himself because he would impair his own inheritance. You will receive Ruth the Moabite in order to perpetuate the family name in Elimelech’s inheritance. The family redeemer is not only taking over the family property, but Naomi’s daughter-in-law is part of this transaction. When we initially read this, we are left with an “Oh no.” Boaz will not be able to redeem Ruth. If he will not purchase the family property, then Boaz is the next in line with the responsibility. It is this man’s responsibility to purchase the land. Boaz tells this man that Naomi has returned from Moab and is selling the family property of Elimelech. Now Boaz explains the situation to this nearer family redeemer. The NET Bible reads “John Doe.” The scriptures do not want to give us his name, so he is just Mr. So-and-So” to use one of our English idioms. What the text reads is a Hebrew idiom that can perhaps be best translated as “Mr. ![]() Most translations read, “Turn aside, friend sit down here.” But the text does not refer to him as friend or by name. The text does something unusual here that is not reflected in our English translations. With Boaz at the gate, by the providence of God again, behold, the nearest family redeemer comes by. ![]() These gates are the right place for what Boaz is about to do in this chapter. The gates of the city were the place of public business. The city gates were also the place where legal transactions and legal judgments were made (cf. The city gates were the center of city life and where important assemblies occurred (cf. The third chapter of Ruth ended with a cliffhanger: will Boaz be able to marry Ruth and be her family redeemer? There is a closer family redeemer than himself who is to reacquire the property and inheritance of Elimelech. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |