Historical scholars believe the lifetime of Ruth and Boaz was probably in the 1300's...B.C. It's an amazing thought how God had already put a plan of action together and was on His way...to redeeming us!....
In those days, a person's name took on meaning to others when they heard the name announced. Ruth for example means "friend"...and how true she proved to be to Naomi. Boaz means "in him is strength"...and how true he was in being a strength to not only Ruth but Naomi as well.
Ruth and Boaz did have a son...Obed...which actually means "worship" or "in service to God". Here is how it all happened....
A Gleaning from Ruth 4...the Final Chapter
Here then is what followed when Boaz left Ruth at the treadmill that early morning. Boaz went straight to town...to the public square located near the entrance gate of what is now Bethlehem.
It was customary in those days to conduct business affairs with other business men in this designated area. Boaz took his place in the meeting and sat down, waiting until the closer relative of Naomi would arrive.
The Sacred Scriptures never mention the name of the "closer relative", but the truth is Boaz simply waited until he arrived.
While Boaz was preparing to meet with the closer relative to Naomi, Boaz requested 10 of the elder business men of the group to participate and witness the meeting that was about to take place. In those days it was required that none of the 10 men who attended this meeting could be related to Boaz or any of the family of Naomi, and after he had received confirmation, the 10 men he requested agreed to attend the meeting, and after the legal preparation was finalized, the closer relative...arrived!
When Boaz saw the closer relative...the one who is commonly called "the First Redeemer", he spoke up and said: " Sir, if I may, we need to speak...for I have some rather urgent business I would like to go over with you! If you would be kind enough to sit with me...I will go over these matters with you. The "First Redeemer" heartily agreed, and sat with Boaz...along with the 10 men chosen to attend this meeting.
Boaz continued..." Our dear Naomi, the widow of our "brother" Elimilech, has returned from the country of Moab. She is offering up this land that has belonged to Elimilech. Since you are the first of "Redeemers", you have first "bid" to purchase this property of Elimilech...and I have asked these 10 gentlemen to witness any transaction that may occur. But, if you choose not to show interest in this property, then I, Boaz, am next in line to purchase this property from Naomi...and I am very interested.
Without hesitation, the first Redeemer spoke up and said to Boaz: "I will buy it!"
Boaz then replied:" I certainly understand your decision, I must add the following in regards to the purchase of Elimilech's land: Since Naomi is a widow with no surviving sons, she does indeed have a daughter-n-law named Ruth. Under our Jewish law, you are also required to take care of both Naomi and Ruth the Moabite. In fact, you will need to marry Ruth since her husband, Naomi's son, has passed away, and restore his name to the family line of inheritance. By doing so, Ruth can have children and her husband's name be restored in the family line as well as the land staying within the family."
Upon hearing these words from Boaz, the "First Redeemer" replied: " If this be the criteria for the purchase of this land belonging to Elimilech, I must most respectfully decline. I am already obligated to my own family...including the inheritances and land that goes with these obligations. For me to purchase this land would only complicate matters for both myself and my family. Boaz, since you have voiced your interest in this land of Elimilech, I would suggest and give my blessing for you to go ahead and make this purchase."
In the days of Boaz and Ruth, to make a sale legal, as in this case the "First Redeemer" yielding with his blessing for Boaz to purchase the land belonging to Elimilech, the "First Redeemer" would remove his sandal and give it to Boaz as a legal transaction, a formality much like a seal, in front of the 10 witnesses, verifying publicly he was relinquishing his rights to the purchase, and yielding this right to Boaz. And that is exactly what happened! Boaz was now able to purchase the land....and pursue Ruth...to be his wife!
Boaz then turned his attention to the 10 elders (witnesses) and to all those within the business area and announced: " Today, gentlemen, I call upon you as witnesses that I, Boaz, have bought all property belonging to Elimilech and his 2 sons, Chilion and Mahlon, from the hand of Naomi, the widow of our beloved Elimilech.
I further announce today that Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I will also take full responsibility for...and will make her my wife! By so doing, the restoration of the 2 sons of Naomi will be continued through proper inheritance, and their names will not be forgotten. The family of Elimilech will remain "alive" and continued through the family lines."
Then, the 10 elders and all those attending in the gate area of the city of Bethlehem where daily business was conducted, arose and issued this proclamation: " Yes Boaz, we are witnesses to this transaction. Furthermore we too give our blessing and pray the Lord God of Israel will give you and your wife Ruth...many children! May your children be like those of Leah and Rachel...who are the mothers of the 12 tribes of our great nation, Israel! We also seek our God and ask that He might prosper you...and your reputation will be well-known as a strong pillar within the Bethlehem community! And may the children our God gives you from your blessed wife Ruth...be rival to the family of Perez...and his son Tamar...of the tribe of Judah!...who we have sworn allegiance to as one of the 12 tribes to our great nation...Israel!"
And so it happened!...Ruth was married to Boaz. Soon after, the Lord blessed the couple with a son. Shortly after the birth of their son, the women of the village of Bethlehem came to Naomi ( they never accepted Naomi's request to call her "Mara" meaning bitter...they kept with "Naomi" meaning pleasant) and said to her: " Praise be to our great God! He again has been found faithful...giving you Naomi a grandson!...to watch over you and continue your bloodline. We pray to our great God of Israel that your grandson will be a "Restorer of Life", and watch over you Naomi, supporting and giving you nourishment...even in your old age! This grandson is the son of your beloved daughter-n-law Ruth, who has expressed her love to you...more than 7 sons of your own would have given you, our dear Naomi!"
Naomi then took her grandson into her arms, drawing him close to her and "cooing him", for she loved him deeply.
And it was the women of the village that gave the son of Ruth and Boaz a name...that being "Obed"...meaning "to worship Him"! Yet, among the everyday "talk", he was nicknamed "Naomi's baby boy!"
So, what was the outcome of this story of Ruth and Boaz and to the nation of Israel?...Well, consider this: Obed became the father of Jesse...who became the father of the great "King David"!
Here is how this bloodline came about: It started with Perez..to Hezron..to Ram..to Amminadab..to Nahshon..to Salmon..to Boaz..to Obed..to Jesse..to David...and there was another to come from this bloodline...the Chosen One...the King of Kings...our Lord Jesus Christ!
I am so thankful for this couple...Ruth and Boaz...May our hearts have the qualities of Ruth and Boaz!
In those days, a person's name took on meaning to others when they heard the name announced. Ruth for example means "friend"...and how true she proved to be to Naomi. Boaz means "in him is strength"...and how true he was in being a strength to not only Ruth but Naomi as well.
Ruth and Boaz did have a son...Obed...which actually means "worship" or "in service to God". Here is how it all happened....
Here then is what followed when Boaz left Ruth at the treadmill that early morning. Boaz went straight to town...to the public square located near the entrance gate of what is now Bethlehem.
It was customary in those days to conduct business affairs with other business men in this designated area. Boaz took his place in the meeting and sat down, waiting until the closer relative of Naomi would arrive.
The Sacred Scriptures never mention the name of the "closer relative", but the truth is Boaz simply waited until he arrived.
While Boaz was preparing to meet with the closer relative to Naomi, Boaz requested 10 of the elder business men of the group to participate and witness the meeting that was about to take place. In those days it was required that none of the 10 men who attended this meeting could be related to Boaz or any of the family of Naomi, and after he had received confirmation, the 10 men he requested agreed to attend the meeting, and after the legal preparation was finalized, the closer relative...arrived!
When Boaz saw the closer relative...the one who is commonly called "the First Redeemer", he spoke up and said: " Sir, if I may, we need to speak...for I have some rather urgent business I would like to go over with you! If you would be kind enough to sit with me...I will go over these matters with you. The "First Redeemer" heartily agreed, and sat with Boaz...along with the 10 men chosen to attend this meeting.
Boaz continued..." Our dear Naomi, the widow of our "brother" Elimilech, has returned from the country of Moab. She is offering up this land that has belonged to Elimilech. Since you are the first of "Redeemers", you have first "bid" to purchase this property of Elimilech...and I have asked these 10 gentlemen to witness any transaction that may occur. But, if you choose not to show interest in this property, then I, Boaz, am next in line to purchase this property from Naomi...and I am very interested.
Without hesitation, the first Redeemer spoke up and said to Boaz: "I will buy it!"
Boaz then replied:" I certainly understand your decision, I must add the following in regards to the purchase of Elimilech's land: Since Naomi is a widow with no surviving sons, she does indeed have a daughter-n-law named Ruth. Under our Jewish law, you are also required to take care of both Naomi and Ruth the Moabite. In fact, you will need to marry Ruth since her husband, Naomi's son, has passed away, and restore his name to the family line of inheritance. By doing so, Ruth can have children and her husband's name be restored in the family line as well as the land staying within the family."
Upon hearing these words from Boaz, the "First Redeemer" replied: " If this be the criteria for the purchase of this land belonging to Elimilech, I must most respectfully decline. I am already obligated to my own family...including the inheritances and land that goes with these obligations. For me to purchase this land would only complicate matters for both myself and my family. Boaz, since you have voiced your interest in this land of Elimilech, I would suggest and give my blessing for you to go ahead and make this purchase."
In the days of Boaz and Ruth, to make a sale legal, as in this case the "First Redeemer" yielding with his blessing for Boaz to purchase the land belonging to Elimilech, the "First Redeemer" would remove his sandal and give it to Boaz as a legal transaction, a formality much like a seal, in front of the 10 witnesses, verifying publicly he was relinquishing his rights to the purchase, and yielding this right to Boaz. And that is exactly what happened! Boaz was now able to purchase the land....and pursue Ruth...to be his wife!
Boaz then turned his attention to the 10 elders (witnesses) and to all those within the business area and announced: " Today, gentlemen, I call upon you as witnesses that I, Boaz, have bought all property belonging to Elimilech and his 2 sons, Chilion and Mahlon, from the hand of Naomi, the widow of our beloved Elimilech.
I further announce today that Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I will also take full responsibility for...and will make her my wife! By so doing, the restoration of the 2 sons of Naomi will be continued through proper inheritance, and their names will not be forgotten. The family of Elimilech will remain "alive" and continued through the family lines."
Then, the 10 elders and all those attending in the gate area of the city of Bethlehem where daily business was conducted, arose and issued this proclamation: " Yes Boaz, we are witnesses to this transaction. Furthermore we too give our blessing and pray the Lord God of Israel will give you and your wife Ruth...many children! May your children be like those of Leah and Rachel...who are the mothers of the 12 tribes of our great nation, Israel! We also seek our God and ask that He might prosper you...and your reputation will be well-known as a strong pillar within the Bethlehem community! And may the children our God gives you from your blessed wife Ruth...be rival to the family of Perez...and his son Tamar...of the tribe of Judah!...who we have sworn allegiance to as one of the 12 tribes to our great nation...Israel!"
Naomi then took her grandson into her arms, drawing him close to her and "cooing him", for she loved him deeply.
And it was the women of the village that gave the son of Ruth and Boaz a name...that being "Obed"...meaning "to worship Him"! Yet, among the everyday "talk", he was nicknamed "Naomi's baby boy!"
I am so thankful for this couple...Ruth and Boaz...May our hearts have the qualities of Ruth and Boaz!
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