Confident HopeJesus Teaches about Hope
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5) An Attitude of GratitudeRuth 4: 4-6,13-14 The Message4 Boaz went straight to the public square and took his place there. Before long, the “closer relative,” the one mentioned earlier by Boaz, strolled by. “Step aside, old friend,” said Boaz. “Take a seat.” The man sat down. 2 Boaz then gathered ten of the town elders together and said, “Sit down here with us; we’ve got some business to take care of.” And they sat down. 3-4 Boaz then said to his relative, “The piece of property that belonged to our relative Elimelech is being sold by his widow Naomi, who has just returned from the country of Moab. I thought you ought to know about it. Buy it back if you want it—you can make it official in the presence of those sitting here and before the town elders. You have first redeemer rights. If you don’t want it, tell me, so I’ll know where I stand. You’re first in line to do this, and I’m next after you.” He said, “I’ll buy it.” 5 Then Boaz added, “You realize, don’t you, that when you buy the field from Naomi, you also get Ruth the Moabite, the widow of our dead relative, along with the redeemer responsibility to have children with her to carry on the family inheritance.” 6 Then the relative said, “Oh, I can’t do that—I’d jeopardize my own family’s inheritance. You go ahead and buy it—you can have my rights—I can’t do it.” 13 Boaz married Ruth. She became his wife. Boaz slept with her. By God’s gracious gift, she conceived and had a son. 14-15 The town women said to Naomi, “Blessed be God! He didn’t leave you without family to carry on your life. May this baby grow up to be famous in Israel! He’ll make you young again! He’ll take care of you in old age. And this daughter-in-law who has brought him into the world and loves you so much, why, she’s worth more to you than seven sons!” For ReflectionThe deal to but Naomi's land was settled according to the law of Moses. The close relative of Naomi's husband was offered the first refusal. He declined when he heard that Ruth was part of the deal. In his refusal lies the age-old conflict of accumulation, pride, and selfishness vs. hospitality and grace. "It will reduce the inheritances for my sons," he replied (as though he not God owned the land). Boaz, however, was willing to take the responsibility of bringing Ruth into his household.
Some would say the marriage of Boaz and Ruth was decreed in Heaven. How say you? PrayPray and discover the path of humility, justice, hospitality, and Grace.
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