Ruth 4:10
Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon's widow, as my wife, to raise up the name of the deceased through his inheritance, so that his name will not disappear from among his brothers or from the gate of his home. You are witnesses today."
Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife
This phrase highlights the legal and cultural practice of levirate marriage, where a close relative marries a widow to preserve the family line. Ruth, a Moabitess, signifies the inclusion of Gentiles into God's plan, foreshadowing the New Testament's message of salvation for all nations. The acquisition of Ruth as a wife by Boaz fulfills the role of kinsman-redeemer, a type of Christ who redeems and restores. The mention of Ruth's Moabite origin underscores the breaking of ethnic barriers, as Moabites were traditionally seen as outsiders (Deuteronomy 23:3).

to raise up the name of the deceased through his inheritance
This reflects the importance of family lineage and inheritance in ancient Israelite society. The preservation of a deceased man's name through offspring was crucial for maintaining property within the family and ensuring the deceased's legacy. This practice is rooted in the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 25:5-6) and emphasizes the continuity of God's covenant promises through generations. It also points to the eternal inheritance believers receive through Christ, who secures our place in God's family.

so that his name will not disappear from among his brothers or from the gate of his home
The gate of a city was a place of legal transactions and community gatherings, symbolizing public recognition and honor. Ensuring that Mahlon's name does not disappear signifies the restoration of his family's honor and standing within the community. This act of redemption by Boaz mirrors Christ's work in restoring humanity's relationship with God, ensuring that believers' names are written in the Book of Life (Revelation 3:5).

You are witnesses today.
The presence of witnesses was essential for validating legal transactions and ensuring community accountability. This public declaration by Boaz not only legitimizes the marriage and redemption but also involves the community in the covenantal act. It reflects the communal nature of faith and the importance of testimony in the life of believers, paralleling the role of witnesses in the early church (Acts 1:8).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Boaz
A wealthy landowner in Bethlehem, Boaz is a kinsman-redeemer for Naomi's family. He is a man of integrity and compassion, who takes on the responsibility of marrying Ruth to preserve the family lineage.

2. Ruth
A Moabite widow who remains loyal to her mother-in-law, Naomi. Her faithfulness and dedication lead her to become part of the lineage of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ.

3. Naomi
Ruth's mother-in-law, who returns to Bethlehem after the death of her husband and sons. She plays a crucial role in guiding Ruth and orchestrating her marriage to Boaz.

4. Bethlehem
The setting of the account, Bethlehem is significant as the birthplace of King David and later, Jesus Christ. It is a place of redemption and fulfillment of God's promises.

5. The Elders and People at the Gate
Witnesses to the legal transaction between Boaz and the unnamed kinsman-redeemer. Their presence signifies the community's role in affirming Boaz's actions.
Teaching Points
Redemption and Responsibility
Boaz's willingness to redeem Ruth and Naomi's family line demonstrates the importance of taking responsibility for others, reflecting Christ's redemptive work for humanity.

Faithfulness and Loyalty
Ruth's loyalty to Naomi and Boaz's commitment to Ruth exemplify the virtues of faithfulness and loyalty, which are central to Christian relationships.

God's Sovereignty and Providence
The events in Ruth's life show God's sovereign hand at work, orchestrating circumstances for His purposes. Trusting in God's providence is crucial for believers.

Community and Witness
The role of the community in affirming Boaz's actions highlights the importance of accountability and support within the body of Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Boaz's role as a kinsman-redeemer in Ruth 4:10 reflect Christ's redemptive work for us?

2. In what ways can we demonstrate faithfulness and loyalty in our relationships, as seen in the account of Ruth and Boaz?

3. How does the inclusion of Ruth, a Moabite, in the lineage of Jesus challenge our understanding of God's grace and inclusion?

4. What can we learn from the community's role in affirming Boaz's actions, and how can we apply this to our church communities today?

5. How does the account of Ruth encourage us to trust in God's providence, even when circumstances seem uncertain?
Connections to Other Scriptures
The concept of a kinsman-redeemer is also seen in Leviticus 25, where the law provides for a relative to redeem property or a person in need. This reflects God's provision and care for His people.

The genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1 includes Ruth, highlighting her significance in God's redemptive plan and the inclusion of Gentiles in His covenant.

The account of Ruth parallels the faithfulness and loyalty seen in the relationship between Jonathan and David, as described in 1 Samuel.
The Name of the DeadJ.R. Thomson Ruth 4:10
Honorable Conduct Honorably WitnessedJ.R. Thomson Ruth 4:9-11
A Happy MarriageBp. Oxenden.Ruth 4:10-11
The Marriage of Boaz and RuthA. Thomson, D. D.Ruth 4:10-11
What a True Wife Ought to BeC. H. Parkhurst, D. D.Ruth 4:10-11
People
Amminadab, Boaz, Chilion, David, Elimelech, Ephratah, Ephrath, Hezron, Jesse, Leah, Mahlon, Nahshon, Naomi, Obed, Perez, Pharez, Rachel, Ruth, Salmon, Tamar
Places
Bethlehem, Ephrathah, Moab
Topics
Acquired, Birth, Bought, Brethren, Brothers, Countrymen, Court, Cut, Dead, Deceased, Disappear, Family, Further, Gate, Heritage, Inheritance, Mahlon, Mahlon's, Maintain, Memory, Moabitess, Moreover, Myself, Native, Order, Perpetuate, Property, Purchased, Raise, Records, Ruth, To-day, Town, Widow, Wife, Witnesses
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ruth 4:10

     5586   town
     5711   marriage, restrictions
     5724   offspring
     5743   widows

Ruth 4:1-10

     5681   family, nature of

Ruth 4:1-11

     5623   witnesses, legal

Ruth 4:1-12

     5671   clan
     7719   elders, as leaders

Ruth 4:1-13

     5117   Ruth
     6714   ransom

Ruth 4:9-10

     5043   names, significance

Ruth 4:9-11

     5783   agreement

Ruth 4:10-11

     7021   church, OT anticipations

Library
The Gospel of Matthew
Matthew's Gospel breaks the long silence that followed the ministry of Malachi the last of the Old Testament prophets. This silence extended for four hundred years, and during that time God was hid from Israel's view. Throughout this period there were no angelic manifestations, no prophet spake for Jehovah, and, though the Chosen People were sorely pressed, yet were there no Divine interpositions on their behalf. For four centuries God shut His people up to His written Word. Again and again had God
Arthur W. Pink—Why Four Gospels?

Christ the Redeemer
Q-xxx: HOW DOES THE SPIRIT APPLY TO US THE REDEMPTION PURCHASED BY CHRIST? A: The Spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling. In this answer there are two things. It is implied that Christ is the glorious purchaser of our redemption, in the words, The redemption purchased by Christ,' and it is declared that the Spirit applies to us this purchased redemption, by working in us faith, &c. The thing implied
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Appendix ix. List of Old Testament Passages Messianically Applied in Ancient Rabbinic Writings
THE following list contains the passages in the Old Testament applied to the Messiah or to Messianic times in the most ancient Jewish writings. They amount in all to 456, thus distributed: 75 from the Pentateuch, 243 from the Prophets, and 138 from the Hagiorgrapha, and supported by more than 558 separate quotations from Rabbinic writings. Despite all labour care, it can scarcely be hoped that the list is quite complete, although, it is hoped, no important passage has been omitted. The Rabbinic references
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Job's Faith and Expectation
I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand in the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. C hristianity, that is, the religion of which MESSIAH is the author and object, the foundation, life, and glory, though not altogether as old as creation, is nearly so. It is coeval [contemporary] with the first promise and intimation of mercy given to fallen man. When Adam, by transgression, had violated the order and law of
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Ruth
Goethe has characterized the book of Ruth as the loveliest little idyll that tradition has transmitted to us. Whatever be its didactic purpose--and some would prefer to think that it had little or none-it is, at any rate, a wonderful prose poem, sweet, artless, and persuasive, touched with the quaintness of an older world and fresh with the scent of the harvest fields. The love--stronger than country--of Ruth for Naomi, the gracious figure of Boaz as he moves about the fields with a word of blessing
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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