Kristi Burchfiel

Praise the Lord. When good things happen, who do we praise? When we see blessings in other people’s lives, who do we praise? For the people in Naomi’s life, the answer is that they praised the Lord. Read Ruth 4:14. Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may his name become famous in Israel. RUTH 4:14 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/rut.4.14.NASB The women saw all the amazing things that had happened to Naomi and to Ruth and the result was they praised God. It’s really interesting that they didn’t praise Boaz. That might have been an easy and natural thing…

God’s provision. All that Ruth and Naomi had been searching for, God provided. Read Ruth 4:13. So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife, and he went in to her. And the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. RUTH 4:13 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/rut.4.13.NASB Naomi had felt alone and abandoned. Ruth had followed Naomi home and learned about a God that she didn’t know before. A God who provides. A God who sees our needs. A God who knows us better than we know ourselves. And now, Ruth not only has a husband, God has enabled her to have a child. Remenber, Ruth had been…

Testify. All the people that Boaz had gathered to hear the legal proceedings now are to be witnesses and testify of what they have heard. Read Ruth 4:11-12. All the people who were in the court, and the elders, said, ” We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, both of whom built the house of Israel; and may you achieve wealth in Ephrathah and become famous in Bethlehem. Moreover, may your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the offspring which the Lord will give you by this young woman.” RUTH 4:11‭-‬12…

Confirm the action. Boaz is in the court of law addressing the situation of Naomi, her land, and the widow Ruth. They have come to agreement and now, Boaz is confirming that everyone knows exactly what decision was reached and why. Read Ruth 4:9-10. Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon. Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, to be my wife in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance, so that…

Make it official. Boaz and the other relative have been discussing plans, but now it is time to make them official. Read Ruth 4:7-8. Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning the redemption and the exchange of land to confirm any matter: a man removed his sandal and gave it to another; and this was the manner of attestation in Israel. So the closest relative said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” And he removed his sandal. RUTH 4:7‭-‬8 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/rut.4.7-8.NASB There was a specified way of doing business and that needed to be followed. It wasn’t enough for the other relative to just say it…

Wait! Boaz has explained the situation to the relative that is closer than he is. There is land to acquire. The relative says, “Sure! I’ll buy the land.” Then Boaz shares, “But wait, there’s more.” Read Ruth 4:5-6. Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of the deceased, in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.” The closest relative said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, because I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Redeem it for yourself; you may have my right of redemption, for I cannot redeem…

Something must be done. Naomi needs to sell her land and by custom, it must stay in the same family. So, Boaz presents his case. Read Ruth 4:3-4. So I thought to inform you, saying, ‘Buy it before those who are sitting here, and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if not, tell me that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am after you.'” And he said, “I will redeem it. “ RUTH 4:4 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/rut.4.4.NASB Boaz found the man that he needed to have a discussion with. Boaz then got a group…

Meanwhile, action. While Ruth and Naomi waited, Boaz was busy taking action. He set about to do exactly what he said he was going to do. Read Ruth 4:1-2. Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there, and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz spoke was passing by, so he said, “Turn aside, friend, sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down. RUTH 4:1 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/rut.4.1.NASB Boaz knew and understood that there was a closer relative who could redeem Ruth. However, he also knew that relative was not aware of the situation and did not understand all that was involved, so he set out…

Wait… again. Ruth and Naomi have been waiting, but now they are waiting again. They waited and they saw several things happen all of a sudden. Now they are back to waiting. Read Ruth 3:16-18. Then she said, “Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today.” RUTH 3:18 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/rut.3.18.NASB Boaz has already indicated that he has a plan and now, they have to wait for him to follow through. This reminds me of when I have brought situations to God and I know that He has a plan to address them, but then I…

Generosity. Are we generous with our possessions and our time? Boaz didn’t have to give Ruth anything, and yet, before she heads home for the morning, he gives her a gift. Read Ruth 3:14-15. Again he said, “Give me the cloak that is on you and hold it.” So she held it, and he measured six measures of barley and laid it on her. Then she went into the city. RUTH 3:15 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/rut.3.15.NASB Ruth came that night just expecting to be able to ask Boaz about being her kinsmen redeemer. Yet, he would not allow her to leave without having something right then to show for her visit. He…