Read Ruth 4:7–10
STEP INTO MY SHOES
We’re in for a dramatic end to this fascinating little book!
Naomi’s closest relative has just turned down his right to buy her land
(4:6), and so the opportunity has opened up to our hero Boaz (4:4). This
means Ruth and Boaz might finally get together!
But in order to now ‘seal the deal’, a particular Israelite legal custom has to
take place. The closest relative must remove their sandal and pass it to the
new redeemer to wear (v. 7). As Christopher Ash explains, one person was
forgoing their right to ‘step’ on the land, whilst the other was ‘stepping into
their shoes’ and taking on the land.
8Once he has done this, Boaz can say he’s
acquired ‘all the property of Elimelek, Kilion and Mahlon’ (v. 9), that is all
that belonged to Naomi’s dead husband and two sons (1:2).
Notice, though, what Boaz then emphasises:
I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, in
order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name
will not disappear from among his family or from his home town (v. 10).
THE LIVING AND THE DEAD
Why has Boaz willingly taken on the cost of caring for this family? Why has
he shown such extraordinary kindness? He tells us that it’s in order that
Elimelek’s name will not disappear but will continue to be associated with
this land. In fact, some translations helpfully draw out the language of
‘inheritance’ here. For example, the nrsv reads: ‘to maintain the dead man’s
name on his inheritance’ (4:5, 10).
Staggeringly, Boaz’s commitment stretches way back beyond Ruth to
Naomi’s dead husband, Elimelek.
LAND AHOY!
Why does it matter that Elimelek’s land is passed on in his name?
Land is very significant in the book of Ruth, but we sometimes miss this as
twenty-first-century Christians. Possessing land in Israel meant having a
share in God’s promises and blessing. After all, it was this land of blessing
that had been first promised to Abraham (Genesis 12:7), before being
divided between tribes and family clans (Joshua 13–21).
Everlasting life in God’s kingdom also seems to be symbolically
demonstrated in the Old Testament by a family line continuing to be
associated with that land. Therefore, losing land, or having your name
disassociated from the land, was a sign of being cut off from God’s blessing.
Yet, devastatingly, this is what had happened to Elimelek and his sons.
So it’s a measure of Boaz’s selfless kindness that he acts to reinclude
Elimelek’s name. Rather than doing as he ‘saw fit’, like many in Israel at the
time (Judges 21:25; Ruth 1:1), Boaz instead honours God by serving his
fellow Israelite.
THE ONE WHO GIVES US AN INHERITANCE
As the Bible unfolds, we see more clearly that God’s inheritance is not
simply land; it’s God himself, come to ‘dwell with them’ (Revelation 21:3),
our ‘portion for ever’ (Psalm 73:26).
But how do we receive this inheritance? At the cross, Jesus – our Boaz-like
Redeemer – steps into our shoes, pays our debt and gives us all that he has.
As we turn to and trust in him, we become bound up with him and his
name.
REFLECTION
As we marvel at Boaz’s generosity, consider whose name you are seeking to
maintain this Christmas. Are you moved by God’s generosity to bless others?
Rejoice in a Redeemer that includes us in his inheritance and pray that you
might seek to make much of his name.
Listen to ‘Sing We the Song of Emmanuel’ by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa,
featuring Keith and Kristyn Getty
Discipleship
Discipleship