Ruth 4:9
Ruth 4:9 Then In Strength (Boaz) said to the elders and all the people,
“You all are witnesses this day
that I have bought all which belonged to Elimelech and all which belonged to his sons Frail (Chilion) and Sick (Mahlon)
from the hand of My Pleasant One (Naomi), his widow.
Introduction
Our text this morning continues our study of the book of Ruth.
Notice then the story thus far: remember the family’s closest relative has just publically taken off his shoe and handed it to Boaz. That is, he has officially transferred his full right of redeemership to Boaz, the next in line.
As such, Elimelech’s line and Naomi and Ruth’s wellbeing are now Boaz’s responsibility.
Therefore, it is now Boaz’s obligation to care for Naomi (Elimelech’s widow) as well as raise up and heir with Ruth for Elimelech’s house on Elimelech’s family’s land.
However, even though the matter of redeemership has been settled, the Book of Ruth is not over by a long shot.
Instead, in our text this morning we are allowed to witness (along with those at the city gate) Boaz’s performance in his new role as redeemer. In other words, Boaz is now the legal redeemer but will he be a good one?
Verse 4:9
Notice at once verse 9 opens by telling us that after the shoe exchange Boaz addresses the elders and the town folks gathered at the city gate. However, notice the scene: Notice what has transpired: between verse 8 and 9 a lot has happened. So let me contextualize it FN#1: Somebody had to run and get the county clerk, who then had to stop by the office and get the proper forms. The bank cut a certified check to Naomi from Boaz’s account for the land. Somebody ran to their pickup truck and got a pen so that everything could be signed. The notary then notarized all the documents and the county registrar recorded them in the town’s official records. Simply put: by the time we reach verse 9, whatever recording and legal documentation that was required has been done. And then, after a scene that must have been as exciting as a loan closing, Boaz hands the pen back to its owner and turns to address the on looking crowd.
Next, notice what Boaz says to the elders and crowd: Boaz says you all are witnesses this day. In other words, in a book that is all about legal transaction, Boaz reminds them that they stand as legal witnesses to the fact that the transaction has indeed taken place and that it was conducted legally/properly to the satisfaction of all. Not only that, he also reminds them of the day and time it took place (this day). Notice the point: in Boaz’s diligence/skill he clearly articulates the observers official role as witnesses as well as exactly what they have witnessed FN#2. Why? If ever a future dispute arises, they will be called on to certify these proceedings. Importance: remember the author has allowed his readers to also serve as witnesses to the propriety of this transaction. In other words, as the Book of Ruth makes the case for David’s acceptance as king, the author wants to make sure his readers are clear on the legitimacy of the Davidic line (as well as the legitimacy of the line through which the Messiah will come). Therefore, the reader stands with those at the city gate to officially verify that all has been done above board FN#3.
Next, notice specifically which transaction Boaz is calling the people to witness. Boaz is not pointing back to his reception of the right of redeemership. Remember, that was already solidified and witnessed back in verse 8 with the whole sandal exchange. Instead, Boaz is referring to his exercise and fulfillment of that right. In other words, Boaz calls all the people (readers included) to witness that as the official redeemer he has bought the land from Naomi, cut her a check, and thereby insured that she will have money on which to live. Simply put, Boaz calls us to witness that he has faithfully fulfilled this part of his responsibility as family redeemer. Now that said, we don’t see all the mundane details of the purchase itself. Those take place between verses 8 and 9. Instead, verse 9 picks up the account just as the land transaction has been finalized. Therefore, it is vital for us to understand exactly what we are being called to witness. It is not the transfer of redeemership already witnessed in verse 8. Rather, we are being called to witness Boaz’s faithful exercise/fulfillment of that redeemership here in verse 9 FN#4.
Next, notice that verse 9 confirms our understanding so far: Boaz says you all are witnesses that I have bought all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Frail and Sick. Importance: notice again Boaz’s wisdom/diligence/ skill: Boaz shrewdly reads the finished contract in the hearing of all the witnesses. As such, there is clarity, consent, and agreement on its terms (the witnesses have signed off on it). Not only that, notice the thoroughness of Boaz’s attention to detail. Boaz underscores that he has bought everything that belongs to Elimelech as well as everything that would have been or had already been left to his two sons. In other words, there is nothing in Elimelech’s estate that Boaz does not now own. As such, no one can come back and claim some portion of the estate under the guise that it had been transferred to one of the two boys and therefore did not belong to Boaz. Notice the result: Boaz as family redeemer/guardian is already protecting the estate/inheritance/line of Elimelech’s future heir (the child to be born from this redeemer relation). In other words, Boaz is insuring that no one will infringe upon or diminish what God has bestowed upon the heir to come. Importance: as readers (both then and now) we are being called to witness the integrity, care, and diligence by which Boaz (YHWH’s instrument) is securing the Davidic line.
Next, in a book that is all about names, notice the tally: on the one hand, the closest relative, who refused to marry Ruth, the Moabite in order to preserve his family name, has had his name and his line deleted from the memory and role of God’s people. Why? He had no regard for what YHWH regards/values. In turn, Elimelech’s two apostate sons have had their place in the line of God’s people revoked and set aside for another. Notice then, right here in verse 9 their inheritance/place has just been sold off and set aside for a replacement heir (Boaz and Ruth’s eventual son) FN#5. Not only that, their actual Hebrew names are forgotten, replaced forever by pejorative nicknames that depict the outcome of all such unfaithfulness (it is frail and sick). Notice then the point: those who have no regard for the things of God and who turn their back on God for the world, have no place on the role or in the future of God’s people. Instead, their future is the future of the doomed world, a future that they have insistently chosen. However, by contrast notice who is left standing: by the end of verse 9 we are left with Ruth a foreign convert, Naomi, a destitute widow, and Boaz a small town farmer. However, with each of these YHWH stands and is pleased. Therefore, their names are remembered (even today) and their place is secured in all that God has promised His people.
Finally, notice who Boaz purchases the land from: verse 9 tells us that Boaz purchased it from the hand of Naomi FN#6. In other words, by the time we reach the end of verse 9 Boaz (true to his word) has fulfilled the first part of his redeemership. He has redeemed Elimelech’s land. Thus, Naomi is provided for and the land remains in Elimelech’s family line. Simply put: in verse 9 we stand as witnesses as Boaz begins to faithfully fulfill the roll of kinsman redeemer that is now his.
Bottom line: unlike the closer relative before him, Boaz is faithful to his responsibility as redeemer. In other words, the instrument that God has raised up, does exactly what the heart of YHWH has sent him to do. Not only that, as witnesses to both the character and competence of God’s instrument, we attest to (and rejoice in) the goodness, the righteousness, and the proficiency by which God has established the line of David (and the subsequent line of the Messiah). However, that said, Boaz is not done. There is more that we need to see and witness.
Footnotes
1] I am describing the sort of things that took place between verse 8 and 9 in today’s terms to give us an idea of the sort of business that happened between these verses. I don’t know the exact procedure that was used during Ruth’s day, but I do know that there was a procedure. We hear discussions of it in the law and see examples of it throughout Scripture (God’s people kept orderly records of transactions, genealogies, and land sales). In fact, the documents recorded in the town’s official records at the time of our passage are likely the legal source and public verification of the events that we are reading in the book of Ruth.
2] Over and again throughout chapter 4 we have seen the diligence and the skill with which Boaz has conducted these proceedings. Boaz is not simply proctoring the hearing, he is steering/directing it in Naomi and Ruth’s best interest. Boaz knows that the worst thing that could happen is that Naomi and Ruth wind up under the care (or lack thereof) of this other relative. Therefore, the way that Boaz has presented the case, endeavors to reach the outcome that he knows is best for the women. Notice then, throughout verse 9, we will see the diligence and skill of Boaz continue. The instrument of YHWH is conducting the work to which YHWH has called him with all proficiency. Importance: God’s hand in these matters is not only seen in Boaz’s character but also in the competence and skill with which he conducts the business God has called him to accomplish. Thus Boaz’s entire manner (his character and competence) testify to God’s direct involvement in the establishment of David’s line. God has established the Davidic kingship in righteousness and excellence. Such then points to the kesed (committed love) that is at the heart of YHWH and thus at the heart of the Book of Ruth.
3] The reader is called to serve as witnesses to these events that we may rejoice in the goodness and wonder of God’s handy work by which He has established the line of David (and the line of the Messiah). Thus, the blessings to come through these events are heralded by the very manner in which God has brought them about.
4] Notice at once the picture of Boaz (God’s instrument) on display in verse 9. We have just seen the competence with which Boaz is conducting these proceedings. We are now reminded of his character. Notice then, the moment Boaz receives the shoe and with it full redeemership (verse 8), he turns to redeem the land and insure that Naomi is provided for. There is no hesitation, deliberation or conditions. Instead, Boaz immediately sets about faithfully fulfilling his responsibilities as family redeemer.
5] In fact, notice the quiet and chilling verdict given by the text: it is Elimelech’s name (not the names of his two sons) that is redeemed. Instead, in the line of redemption, both boys are skipped over, edited out, and replaced by another who will serve as Elimelech’s heir in their place.
6] Notice, Boaz does not purchase the land from the other relative. Why? It is not the other relative’s to sell. Instead, the other relative has relinquished all right and claim to it. Importance: remember the first transaction back in verse 8 (the exchange of redeemership) was a transaction between Boaz and the other kinsman. However, the transaction in view here in verse 9 (the purchase of land) is between Boaz (the now rightful redeemer) and Naomi.