RESULTS OF GOD'S GRACE. Ruth 4 Our reputation is shaped by our beliefs, attitude, actions, and what we do over time. People recognize that mistakes and failures happen even to the best individuals. Therefore, building a good reputation takes time and careful thought about our daily words and actions. Along with the willingness to take risks and the integrity that forms our character, there is a dignity expected from God's children—something people usually do not expect from others. Violating ethical rules deliberately will not prevent future divine judgment. Those who show integrity understand they are accountable to God and His law, no matter what others do or say. Today, public matters still need to be addressed openly, just as they were in ancient times.
Why did Naomi want to sell Elimelech’s land? If her husband had sold it before they moved to Moab, she still had the right to redeem it. She would have lost that right by selling the land, and she could only sell it to a close relative. If she still owned the land but needed to sell it for money, the law allowed a kinsman-redeemer to pay the price and redeem the land, keeping it within the family.
When buying land from a widow, it was law that the buyer had to marry the widow of the deceased husband so the family name would be passed on to a son who would be born. Naomi was likely past childbearing age, so the widow of her son Mahlon, Ruth, would be the one through whom the family name and property would be passed to the next generation.
Ruth exemplifies dignity by being willing and able to wait patiently. Boaz, more publicly, demonstrates maintaining dignity even while pursuing a solution to a matter that could have caused a public scandal if not handled with righteousness and dignity. Boaz was a man of integrity who followed the proper legal process to settle Naomi and Ruth's claims. He understood his responsibility to the law. God arranged that shortly after dawn, when Boaz was at the city gate where legal matters are handled, the other kinsman-redeemer came by.
Ten elders formed the governing body responsible for the law and judicial process. The matter Boaz brought before those men and the other kinsman was not about guilt or innocence but was an administrative procedure involving the exchange of land. This resembled a public hearing to decide who is responsible for upholding the rights and duties of a kinsman-redeemer. Boaz was honest and transparent, as a man of integrity should be. He followed the law without deceit. Living openly before the community honors God. He brought up the land Naomi wanted to sell, and the relatives had to decide who would keep it so it would remain within the family.
The other kinsman wanted the land and had first rights to it until he learned that, to redeem it, he would have to marry Ruth to produce an heir for the deceased relative. The near kinsman who was next in line for the property had to face the reality that if a son was born to Ruth—and he was the sole surviving heir—all his property would go to the family of Elimelech. He faced the same dilemma as Boaz. Boaz was willing to accept the outcome—and perhaps lose his own land—because he was a man of faith in God. He chose to redeem the land and marry Ruth. Their son, Obed, would eventually inherit the ancestral land. For some reason, the other kinsman backed away from that responsibility. Maybe it was too costly for him to take on three more people into his household. Or perhaps it would put his family or property rights at risk.
Every action we take has consequences. A wise person carefully considers all aspects of each decision. Because of one man's choice, Boaz was legally free to take his place, buy the land, and marry Ruth. He accepted responsibility for paying the cost of redemption. The sacrifice of paying that cost brought him the blessing of a bride and, later, an heir for Naomi. Integrity costs something, but it also pays what is owed. That is what our Lord Jesus Christ did when He spent the cost of redemption with His own life and purchased a bride for Himself.
Faith in God requires trusting Him in every part of life, including daily routines and our salvation. When the Lord brings situations into our lives that demand wisdom to make the right choices, we must trust our sovereign Lord to guide us along the path of righteousness. We may believe that other interests are at stake, which could be true. Doing what is right can sometimes come at a cost to our self-interests.
When we walk with the Lord, in the light of His word, what a glory He sheds on our way! To trust and obey our gracious heavenly Father removes uncertainties, burdens, and the dark shadows of doubt. The comfort of faith in Him, as we rest in His guidance and revealed will, affects our spirits, souls, and bodies. Then, we find the rest we need and become aware of His presence with us during uncertain times.
Regarding patience, Ruth was willing to wait and rest content, knowing that the God she testified about and trusted would bring about the right outcome. She had followed the advice of an older, more experienced person and maintained her sense of worth, responsibility, and dignity. Now, she could rest in quiet confidence in God, knowing she had done what she was supposed to do. In a respectful, honorable, and dignified way, Boaz carefully, wisely, and cleverly handled the matter of buying and selling land and passing on the inheritance to bring about the right conclusion. If a relative wanted the land of a deceased person, he also had to take on their possessions and responsibilities—including the widow.
Not everything gets resolved immediately when significant issues arise in our lives. We often take our time deciding on a matter and then expect others to respond quickly to our choices. Someone who can wait quietly and patiently impresses most people because many make decisions based on how it impacts us and others in the short term, rather than considering the long-term outcome.
Dignity and honor go together. Boaz openly expressed his intentions with integrity. Although he knew what he wanted the outcome to be, he did not ignore the legal processes of his time. He stayed within the bounds of the law and, in faith, said only what was necessary to let the other kinsman clearly express what he could and could not do. Nothing was compromised. No one could accuse Boaz or Ruth of inappropriate behavior. Boaz’s statement clearly followed Jewish law, and Ruth was able to live with dignity and respect before everyone. The children born to them were legitimate heirs of all their possessions. Naomi was not abandoned because her daughter-in-law and husband took full responsibility for her. The women of Bethlehem said that Ruth was better to Naomi than seven sons.
A wise person knows that all we have lived for and stood for can be lost in an instant if we make decisions driven solely by the desire for material gain. When we trust in God, we find that His grace is enough for every need, and His plans often unfold graciously without the pressure or violence of opposition.
When the shoe exchange occurred, Boaz had the legal right to the land he could step onto. That bill of sale finalized the contract. Witnesses confirmed the claim. The property was clearly defined; everything owned by Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon now belonged to Boaz—and Ruth was also his wife. The family line would be preserved. Ruth would have full status as an Israelite, and the entire community observed this legal agreement.
The people of Bethlehem blessed Boaz with hopes for prosperity, fame, and a lasting family line. That blessing called for an heir, praised Boaz, and the reward of integrity established his leadership. Leaders are not meant to just cater to people's wishes. Celebrations make life joyful, recognize special individuals, and give us a chance to praise God together. Boaz and Ruth married, and the Lord enabled her to conceive and have a son as an heir for Naomi. The Lord granted the conception, making that child a gift from God and His reward to faithful ordinary people. Naomi and her grandson were honored among the people. No longer was she empty but full, as the heir, Obed, would serve the Lord and provide for Naomi. The bitter woman now found joy.
The conclusion of the story, from verses thirteen through seventeen, echoes the beginning of the first five verses of the Book of Ruth. Both sections contain the same number of words in Hebrew. A lot is conveyed in the brief space of those verses. Both the introduction and conclusion center on Naomi; the former on her emptiness and the latter on her fullness.
Naomi was brought from emptiness to fullness through the love of Boaz and Ruth. Similarly, we have been moved from the emptiness of sin to the fullness of forgiveness through our Lord Jesus Christ's love. He is the great “son of David,” who will fulfill all the prophecies concerning Israel and bring rest to the troubled Jews—His chosen earthly people.
The faithfulness of everyday people has blessed others across generations, from David to the Lord Jesus, and now to us. Millions have become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ, the seed of David. Another result of God's visible grace, as shown in this book, involves rewards. God did all this not just for us to tell our children an interesting story, but to teach us how to live in a way that honors God and respects others today. During the terrible days of the judges, God was preparing the way for Jesus Christ to come. He was showing future generations how His purposes will be fulfilled despite the challenges of the society and times we live in.
It is not necessary for us to understand every reason behind what happens. It is enough to trust God by faith to do what is best and to maintain a dignity fitting for someone in the family of God during times of uncertainty. Ruth wouldn't have known the full outcome of her story or God's purpose for her life. We won't understand all the reasons for what happens to us until we look back from the perspective of eternity and see what God intended. Our main responsibility now is to make choices with God’s eternal values in mind. Never take shortcuts to get ahead; instead, give God a chance to work in your life. Live faithfully to God, and the rewards will far outweigh any sacrifices or losses. Ruth's life was meaningful, and her legacy continues to bring blessings because of a choice she made when she was young.