Ruth 4:13
Ruth 4:13 So In Strength (Boaz) took Companion (Ruth), and she became his wife, and he went in to her.
And YHWH gave her conception,
and she gave birth to a son.
Introduction
Our text this morning continues our study of the book of Ruth.
Now remember the story thus far: Boaz has agreed to serve as the family’s redeemer. As such, he has purchased Elimelech’s land and has agreed to marry Ruth. He has done all of this in order to raise up an heir with Ruth for Elimelech’s house.
Not only that, the townsfolk have approved and blessed the new couple’s union.
However, the account is not over. Instead, for the remainder of the book we will watch what God begins to unfold/bring about through this union that He has established. In other words, if we have seen that God’s hand has brought about this redemption, then the remainder of the book shows us why He has brought it about.
That said, in our text this morning we get to see the divine validation of Boaz and Ruth’s relationship.
Verse 13
Notice at once verse 13 tells us that Boaz takes Ruth as his wife. In other words, verse 13 serves as a summery verse providing us with the result/outcome of the legal transaction we have just seen. Boaz has agreed, the townsfolk have approved, so with everything set in proper order, Boaz now fulfills the arrangement. Not only that, notice that every detail of verse 13 is framed by the notion of faithfulness and blessing. How? First, (unlike the closer relative) Boaz does exactly as he promised and exactly as God intends. He takes Ruth as His wife. However, please note, verse 13 does not describe bridesmaids, cakes, or wedding ceremonies. Instead, when it says “and he went in to her” it is describing (in a delicate manner), the honeymoon. In other words, Boaz did not just take Ruth under his care, He has consummated the marriage. Importance: remember, to the ancient mind this taking as wife and going in to her are one and the same act. That is, it was at consummation that the legal contract of marriage agreed upon, was enacted. Simply put, it is thus that Ruth is fully Boaz’s wife. Not only that, simultaneously, it is thus that we see both Boaz and Ruth faithfully endeavoring to raise up an offspring for Elimelech’s line FN#1. Notice the result: in a book that is all about names, verse 13 underscores that here, at this point in the text, everyone is who God has proclaimed and set them forth to be. That is, they are all operating in their full divinely ordained/named capacity. Notice then, Boaz is the strength and deliverance that God has provided (we see that virility and deliverance underway); Ruth is Boaz’s companion and wife; and we are about to see firsthand how much Naomi and her plan are pleasing to God FN#2. In other words, verse 13 invites us to share the joy and resolve that everyone in the account (Boaz, Ruth, Naomi, and all the townsfolk) is feeling. Not only that, notice it is a true joy felt beneath the smile of YHWH.
Next, notice verse 13 tells us that YHWH gave conception to Ruth. Importance: in a book that is all about names, the text has repeatedly told us that this plan, this union, and now this child are all the work of YHWH. Notice the result: verse 13 is the crux/resolve of the entire book as well as the crux/resolve of the author’s case for the Davidic kingship FN#3. How? Just as the townsfolk (serving as official witnesses to the propriety of this arrangement) gave their amen, validation, and approval to Boaz and Ruth’s union, so too in verse 13 we have God’s official witness, amen, and validation of the same FN#4. Simply put, in verse 13, YHWH sets His divine seal and public approval on this entire matter. Where? God has honored Boaz and Ruth’s faithfulness to raise up a child for Elimelech’s line by granting a child to that line (which is the whole point of the arrangement). In other words, the child that God has granted is His divine witness, amen, and validation of their union. Notice then after all the uncertainty that framed so much of the book, we now know beyond a shadow of doubt that God’s hand has been behind the whole matter. Naomi’s plan was indeed pleasing to God. In turn, God has directed it, blessed it, and now at last has brought it to pass. Notice then the author’s point: what YHWH has given and blessed is to be received with joy by all His people. In other words, the line of David is a line that God has amazingly brought about. Not only that, notice the resounding assurance demonstrated by the book of Ruth: through all the uncertainty, impoverishment, and trial that the women faced, God never let go. Instead, He held Naomi and Ruth in His hands at every point along the way (even when they could not see it). Likewise, the book demonstrates that the way out and the way through any hardship is always trust and faithfulness. Simply put, the God of Ruth and Naomi is the very same God who promises that He will never fail or forsake you either. In fact, this is a big reason why the book of Ruth above all else is first and foremost doxological and such a delight. It is a picture of your God as He is preparing your salvation FN#5.
Finally, the words we have all been waiting to hear: verse 13 tells us that Ruth gave birth to a son. At once there is resolve/conclusion. Notice the result: as verse 13 ends every eye of every reader is on this child. In other words, in a book that is all about the future, this is the son, who God has brought about to provide for that future. However, notice YHWH’s lavish love: this provision is not just for the future of Naomi and Ruth’s wellbeing, nor is it even just for the future of Elimelech’s line. Instead, this child is God’s provision for the future of His entire people and eventually even the whole world. In other words, in verse 13, the book’s great themes of future and hope; of redemption and YHWH’s covenant love converge and find concrete expression in the squawks of a newborn son. Therefore, the readers (both then and now) turn our eyes in wonder to the things that God has done, all the while eagerly anticipating the things that God is going to do through these events. The future is underway.
Bottom line: the anxiety and agony that filled the birthing room just moments ago, gives way to the joy that a healthy child has been born. As the midwife cleans and swaddles the child, those assisting in the birth wipe the sweet from Ruth’s tired but tranquil face. Meanwhile, those nervously waiting in the next room, break forth in joyful praise, prompted by the most unlikely call to worship, the resounding cry of a healthy boy as he takes his first breath in this life. What wonders God has done.
Footnotes
1] Notice then the contrast: the author has deliberately invited us (in verse 12) to note the stark difference between Boaz and Judah’s second son, Onan (Gen 38:8-10). Here that contrast comes to its poignant height. What Judah’s son refused to do (redeem his kinsman’s widow), Boaz has faithfully fulfilled. Onan is struck down by God while Boaz is pleasing to God and blessed by Him. As such, there is an important reminder to the reader of the importance of basing life’s real decisions on a value of God’s promises/future, versus the world’s fleeting priorities.
2] In fact, it is interesting to note that apart from the concluding genealogical addition, verse 13 is the last time in the narrative account that we will see Boaz and Ruth. In other words, with verse 13, their part in the story concludes. Instead, for the remainder of the book, Naomi will be our exclusive focus.
3] Last week we said that verse 12 serves as the culmination of the entire book. In other words, verse 12 is the verse that ties, defines, and brings the entire account together. Thus, if we are outlining the book and so noting its flow and the relationship between one passage and another, it is probably best to see verse 13 as a transition verse. Thus, on one hand, as verse 13 gives us YHWH’s approval and amen, it shares the culminative function of verse 12. However, on the other hand, as verse 13 points to the child just born, it prepares us to see the things that God will bring about through this union. Thus, while a culmination is static and retrospective, the function of verse 13 is overall fluid and forward pointing. As such, it is best to see it as a transitional verse, bringing us from the culmination of Ruth’s redemption to what will come of this redemption.
4] Importance: note this notion of God’s seal is not an idea pulled out of the blue or read into the text. Instead, it is exactly the validation that the blessing in verse 12 expects and alerts us to be on the lookout for.
Ruth 4:12 “Moreover, may your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the offspring which YHWH will give you by this young woman.”
Simply put, the gift of a son is the divine validation, confirmation, and approval of this union
5] last week (verse 12) in the contrast between where we started (Judat and Tamar) and where God has brought us (Boaz and Ruth), we saw that God had redeemed the very custom of redemption that through it, He might bring about the true redeemer who will accomplish all that the custom points to and promises. In turn, we saw that Ruth’s conversion is the very essence of the future/salvation that the book proclaims. As such, in Ruth we not only see a preparation for that future/salvation, we see the very heart of that future/salvation already at work. Simply put, salvation is born out of the very love and grace that Christ will solidify/accomplish for us. And that point hold true here in this portion of our sermon. In the book of Ruth we see the very love character and goodness of God that defines His relationship to each one of us already at work. As such, the book of Ruth is a delight resulting in our praise and adoration of God..