Meaning of Ruth 4:5

This verse from Ruth 4:5 reveals a crucial legal and social obligation within ancient Israelite custom concerning the inheritance of property and the continuation of a deceased man's lineage. Boaz, acting as a kinsman-redeemer, is explaining the full implications of purchasing Naomi's land to the closer kinsman who has the primary right of redemption. The land, being Naomi's inheritance from her deceased husband Elimelech, was tied to the family name and legacy. Therefore, any buyer of the land was not merely acquiring real estate but also assuming the responsibilities associated with that property, which included marrying the widow of the deceased (in this case, Ruth) to produce an heir who would bear the deceased's name and inherit his property. This act was designed to prevent a family line from being extinguished and its inheritance from passing to an unrelated family.

Context and Background

The narrative unfolds in Bethlehem during a time of famine. Elimelech, Naomi's husband, had emigrated to Moab with his family, where his sons Mahlon and Chilion married Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. Tragically, Elimelech and both his sons died, leaving Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah widowed. Naomi, hearing that conditions had improved in Bethlehem, decided to return, urging her daughters-in-law to go back to their own families. Ruth, however, famously pledged her loyalty to Naomi and her people, accompanying her to Bethlehem. Upon their return, Naomi's situation was dire: she was a widow, childless in her old age, and her family land was essentially lost. The concept of the go'el (kinsman-redeemer) was a legal and social mechanism to address such situations, ensuring the continuity of family and property. Boaz, being a relative of Elimelech, fits this role.

Key Themes and Messages

• Kinsman-Redemption (Levirate Marriage Principle): While not a direct Levirate marriage as described in Deuteronomy 25:5-10 (which specifically applied to a brother marrying his deceased brother's widow), the principle here is similar: to preserve the deceased's name and inheritance. The kinsman-redeemer had the right and responsibility to redeem property and, in doing so, often took on the deceased's widow.
• Inheritance and Legacy: The verse underscores the paramount importance of maintaining a family's name and property in ancient Israel. The land was not just an economic asset but a symbol of lineage and continuity.
• Responsibility and Obligation: Boaz highlights that the purchase of land carried significant responsibilities, including the obligation to care for the widow and ensure the continuation of the family line.
• Loyalty and Faithfulness: Ruth's unwavering loyalty to Naomi is contrasted with the legal and familial obligations being discussed. Her personal faithfulness is foundational to the unfolding redemption narrative.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This passage points to a deeper, divine redemption. Just as Boaz redeems Naomi's land and family line, God redeems humanity from sin and spiritual death. The act of taking a widow to continue a name and property can be seen as a foreshadowing of Christ, who through his sacrifice, redeems believers, incorporates them into God's family, and ensures their eternal inheritance. The concern for lineage and legacy in the Old Testament finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, through whom all who believe are brought into God's eternal kingdom and bear His name.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This event is a pivotal moment in the lineage leading to King David and, ultimately, to Jesus Christ. By marrying Ruth, Boaz becomes the great-grandfather of David. This fulfillment of the redemption laws demonstrates God's faithfulness in working through human circumstances and customs to bring about His redemptive plan. It highlights that God's grace extends even to foreigners like Ruth, integrating her into the covenant people of Israel through marriage and faith.

Analogies

Consider the purchase of a family business today. If someone buys the business, they might also inherit the responsibility of caring for a retired founder's spouse or ensuring the business continues the founder's legacy. In a more profound sense, imagine a family estate that is about to be lost. A benefactor steps in, not only buys the land but also ensures the continuation of the family name by taking on a child from that lineage and raising them as their own heir, thus preserving the ancestral home and name.

Relation to Other Verses

• Deuteronomy 25:5-10: This passage outlines the Levirate marriage law, where a brother was obligated to marry his deceased brother's widow if the brother died childless, to raise up offspring for the deceased. While Ruth 4:5 is not a direct Levirate marriage (as Boaz is not Elimelech's brother), it operates on a similar principle of family continuity through marriage and offspring.
• Leviticus 25:23-28: This section deals with the redemption of land, emphasizing that land was ultimately God's and could not be permanently sold, but rather redeemed by a kinsman. This reinforces the importance of the land in the context of family inheritance.
• Matthew 1:5: This verse explicitly states, "Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse." This connects Ruth directly to the lineage of David and Christ, underscoring the significance of Boaz's actions.