A Clarifying Contrast

Introduction

When you see diamonds displayed, are they set on white satin so they’ll blend in? No! They are displayed on black velvet so that the contrast will allow you to see the many facets of the valuable stone. Life also offers us contrasts that make the facets of faithfulness stand out more clearly in contrast to the selfishness of others. For example, several years ago, a pilot was informed that an uncontrollable fire had broken out onboard. With only seconds to make a decision, he emergency landed the plane. When the doors were opened, the fire roared to an inferno – but the pilot and crew stayed by their posts rescuing the passengers. Finally the pilot was the last person rescued with his uniform ablaze. In contrast, a ship was going down in the Pacific Ocean. Hundreds died awaiting the call to abandon ship which never came because the captain had fled the sinking vessel. Ruth 4:1-8 provides a similar contrast to the faithful character of Boaz. Where Boaz was willing to do what was right whatever the cost, his relative was unwilling to risk anything to fulfill his responsibility. Learn more about the importance and value of faithfulness by studying this contrast.

Observation

Pray

Ask God to help you understand this passage and how He wants you to change your life because of it.

Read Focus Verses

Read Ruth 4:1-8 and notice how the story builds through these few verses.

Context

Read Ruth 3:10-13 to get a quick refresher on why Boaz calls the meeting in the beginning of chapter 4.

Main Concept

What is the main concept focused on in this passage?

Keyword – Redeem

Use this symbol to continue marking the words that refer to redemption in this section of Ruth.

The Redeemer

Mark all the words like ‘redeem’ and ‘buy’ in Ruth 4:1-8 which speak about the redemption that needed to happen.

The Setting

The first two verses provide a setting for the scene about to unfold. In your own words, who was present, where were they, and why were they there?

The First Round

What does Boaz offer to the nearest kinsman first?

The First Response

What is the reply of the nearest kinsman to this first offer?

The Second Round

What did Boaz mention after the nearest kinsman agreed to buy the land?

The Second Response

What was the nearest kinsman’s reply to this new development?

The Stated Reason

Why did the nearest kinsman say that he would not redeem Ruth with the property?

The Handshake

Today many people close deals with a handshake. How did the nearest kinsman close the deal with Boaz?

Why?

Why does verse 7 tell us that they exchanged shoes?

Interpretation

In the Gate

What is the significance of the city gates in the Bible? “Besides being part of a city’s protection against invaders, city gates were places of central activity in biblical times. It was at the city gates that important business transactions were made, court was convened, and public announcements were heralded. Accordingly, it is natural that the Bible frequently speaks of ‘sitting in the gate’ or of the activities that took place at the gate.” If you want more information, you can read the rest of the article.

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The Wicked

Read Job 18:17 and notice what it says about the wicked.

A Name

What are some of the reasons that the name of the nearest kinsman may have been left out of this passage?

The Kinsman Redeemer

This webpage summarizes the various roles of the kinsman-redeemer. You can see that Naomi and Ruth needed the kinsman-redeemer to fill two roles. First, he needed to redeem the land so that it would stay in the family. And second, he needed to marry Ruth to raise a son and heir to Mahlon to keep Elimelech’s family line alive. You can see these two roles highlighted in verses 4 and 5 of today’s passage.

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Boaz’s Tact

Boaz appears to have known the unnamed kinsman-redeemer well and presented the offer in a light that would seem positive to the man at first. This gave him the best circumstance in which to step up and do the right thing. What can you learn from Boaz’s tactfulness and the way he tried to help others fulfill their responsibilities?

A Change of Mind

At first, the unnamed kinsman is excited about an opportunity to add land to his possession. But when he realizes that it will go to Ruth’s firstborn rather than his own children, he is not interested. Why did he make this decision?

A Contrast

The unnamed kinsman wouldn’t redeem Naomi, Ruth, and their land. He doubted God’s promise to bless him if he obeyed, and declared that obedience would hurt his opportunities. But Boaz faced similar inconveniences and expenses. Why was he willing to be the kinsman-redeemer?

The Shoe Exchange

The tradition of losing a shoe when a man backed down from being the kinsman-redeemer started in the Law. Read Deuteronomy 25:7-10 and check it out.

God’s Perspective

Based on Deuteronomy 25:7-10, what does God think about those who shirk responsibility?

A Challenging Thought

Matthew Henry makes the following comment on this scene: “This kinsman, when he heard the conditions of the bargain, refused it. In like manner many are shy of the great redemption; they are not willing to espouse religion; they have heard well of it, and have nothing to say against it; they will give it their good word, but they are willing to part with it, and cannot be bound to it, for fear of marring their own inheritance in this world.”

Application

Tactful

What situation in your life needs you to approach it with more tact like Boaz did? How are you going to follow his example in that specific area?

Obedient

Are you willing to obey whatever the cost? How can you train yourself to trust that God’s way is best even when it looks risky?

Risk

Are you afraid of accepting Christ’s redemption for fear that it will endanger some of your pleasures in this world? How can you deal with that fear biblically?

Wrapup

Closing

We hope this study has helped you understand the importance and value of faithfulness.

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