Boaz marries Ruth
September 29, 2020
Commentary
The shoe symbolized motion and wandering. To make a sale legal in those days, one person would take off a sandal and give it to the other (v.7). So after the man had agreed to let Boaz buy the property, he took off one of his sandals and handed it to Boaz (v. 8). The shoe also symbolized rest and possession since one trods the earth with the shoe. Hence, on the holy ground, the shoe must be pulled off. An example of this is Moses (Ex 3:5) and today in Israel when one visits the mosques he must removes his shoes. The action of Boaz told everyone that he had bought from Naomi the property that belonged to Elimelech and his two sons, Chilion and Mahlon (v 9). It also proved that he had agreed to marry Mahlon’s widow Ruth (v. 10).
Boaz took upon himself all the losses the unnamed kinsman feared, and the joyous task of marrying Ruth as well as taking on Naomi. Also he promised to bring up a child for the dead kinsman (Ruth’s former husband who died. He carried out all the arrangements for marriage publicly, decently and in order (v. 11). The marriage consists of commitments made (1) to God (2) to each other and (3) to society. May the children you have by this young woman make your family as famous as the family of Perez, the son of Tamar and Judah (v. 12).
Because of Ruths’ faith her name is given in the New Testament as being in the royal line through which the Lord Jesus was born. Ruth had given up her own way to go God’s way. She had obeyed her mother-in-law and helped her in every way instead of thinking about herself. She was unselfish and God brought a successful man into her life to marry.
Application
I can learn from this that I should be teaching my children and grandchildren to be good workers and care for those that are older. These are good characteristics for a wife or husband to have.
Ruth 4:7– 12 (NET)
7 (Now this used to be the customary way to finalize a transaction involving redemption in Israel: A man would remove his sandal and give it to the other party. This was a legally binding act in Israel.) 8 So the guardian said to Boaz, “You may acquire it,” and he removed his sandal. 9 Then Boaz said to the leaders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I have acquired from Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech, Kilion, and Mahlon. 10 I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, the wife of Mahlon, as my wife to raise up a descendant who will inherit his property so the name of the deceased might not disappear from among his relatives and from his village. You are witnesses today.” 11 All the people who were at the gate and the elders replied, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is entering your home like Rachel and Leah, both of whom built up the house of Israel! May you prosper in Ephrathah and become famous in Bethlehem. 12 May your family become like the family of Perez —whom Tamar bore to Judah—through the descendants the Lord gives you by this young woman.”
Illustration: A little boy helps an elderly gentleman cry
Author Leo Buscaglia once told about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child; the winner was a four-year-old boy. His next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into this gentleman’s yard, climbed into his lap and just sat there. When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, “Nothing. I just helped him cry.” (The Story File).