That Kind Of Redeemer (Part IV)

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The first verse of chapter four tells us that Boaz "went up to the town gate and sat there (The Teen Study Bible, Ruth 4.1)." In the walled city of Bethlehem there was a gate--that anyone had to use to get in or out of the city--and a corridor leading to said gate. Along this corridor there were benches. This was where Boaz was sitting. It was a custom for the people to settle legal matters by the gate. Judges would sit on the bench (after Boaz get's up in a moment) and the people involved in the legal dispute would stand before the judges (E. W. ,60, 61).

Boaz sits at the gate until he sees the second kinsmen redeemer that has been mentioned and invites him kindly to sit down on the bench while he rounds up ten elders or judges of the town. Once the ten elders are sitting on the bench and the two kinsmen-redeemers are standing before them, court is in session. Boaz is very smart about how he bargains with the other kinsman. "Naomi, who has come back from Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our brother Elimelech. I thought I should bring the matter to your attention and suggest that you buy it in the presence of these seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, do so. But if you will not, tell me, so I will know. For no one has the right to do it except you, and I am next in line (The Teen Study Bible, Ruth 4.3, 4)." Boaz tells the other kinsman, "Remember that land Elimelech had, Naomi has mortgaged it and I want to redeem it. But I came to you to see if you wanted to redeem it since you are first in line to do that". The other kinsman then tells Boaz, "I will redeem it (The Teen Study Bible, Ruth 4.4)." This is where Boaz plays his best card, "On the day you buy the land from Naomi and from Ruth the Moabitess, you acquire the dead man's widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property (The Teen Study Bible, Ruth 4.5)." Boaz says, "Oh yeah, did I mention you will have to marry a Moabitess?" Suddenly the other kinsman changes his mind, "Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it (The Teen Study Bible, Ruth 4.6)." How great the triumphant Boaz must have felt. He is going to marry the girl of his dreams.

The other kinsman took off his sandal and handed it to Boaz, this signified that both parties understood this trading of property (Ernest, et al. 126-133, 318). Boaz announces to the crowd that they are witnesses to the redemption of Naomi's land as well as Ruth. Boaz went to the gate to claim his bride. Likewise, Jesus came to earth to claim His bride (Vernon 88-120). Just like Boaz saved Ruth from marrying the other kinsman, Jesus saved us from the Mosaic Law. Just like Boaz loved Ruth, Jesus loves us. To think that Obed—the son of Ruth and Boaz—would be the great grandfather of this Redeemer. The Kinsman Redeemer needed by all. It's not something one can entirely appreciate or grasp until it has been experienced. To be redeemed.
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Bibliography

Deen, Edith. All of the Women of the Bible. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 1988.
     81-87. Print


George, Elizabeth. A Devotional Walk with the Women of the Bible: Women Who Loved God.
     Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 1999. 142-154. Print


Heaton, E. W. Everyday Life in Old Testament Times. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons,
     1956. 60-61. Print


McGee, J. Vernon. Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee: Joshua through Psalms 2.
     Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1988. 88-120. Print


The Teen Study Bible, New International Version. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1998.
     317-321. Print


Wright, G. Ernest, Vaughn E. Crawford, Stephen J. Hartdegen, Laton E. Holmgren, Robert H.
     Johnston, James B. Pritchard, Nahum M. Sarna, Patrick W. Skehan, et al., Great
     People of the Bible and How They Lived. Sydney, Australia: The Reader's Digest
     Association, 1974. 126-133, 318. Print