While the heading of this section in the Bible is about Boaz and Ruth, it is a bit curious to me why their names only appear once in these four verses. Perhaps it is because, as I’ve read and reread this book, I have come to believe that the biblical story in the book of Ruth is also the story of her mother-in-law, Naomi. The marriage and childbearing of Ruth and Boaz are the compelling central actions in the story, when the major plot points are resolved. But the plot points the author of Ruth wraps up are also those of Naomi: the Lord has not left her without a redeemer, the son of Ruth and Boaz. Her grandson will care for her in her old age. The women of the city sing over Naomi with joy.
As we look back through the book, we see over and again that Naomi is left helpless, with no way to change her future. She is widowed with no sons to support her financially or give her status in the community. The family line had ended when her sons died. And yet, we see sacrifices from both Ruth and Boaz in this story that reflect to us the kindness and faithfulness of God toward Naomi, and toward us.
This passage illustrates the role that Christ plays as our kinsman redeemer, saving us from our helpless state of sin. Like Naomi had no hope of redeeming her life, land, and line without a redeemer, we have no hope of healing, salvation, and restoration into the family of God without a redeemer.
This story of Ruth and Naomi and Boaz is true; it happened, and it taught the people of its time what it looked like to show deep faithfulness and kindness and to fulfill the laws God gave to His people. As modern readers, we see how it is also our story: the story of helpless people, dependent on the grace and work of God to redeem us reminds us that our redemption is secure: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1).
I love that Naomi’s story ends beautifully and redemptively. I’m grateful for stories like hers that show us how God takes tragedy and rebuilds from ashes in this life. But we know that doesn’t always happen; there are many stories in Scripture and in our lives that don’t end that way.
Some stories may not end with a life restored and flourishing here in this life, but because of the redeemer who would come from the line of Boaz and Ruth, we are guaranteed it in eternity. The baby that restored hope to Naomi was but a foreshadow of Jesus, who would come to give us all hope eternal.
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31 thoughts on "Ruth and Boaz Marry"
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Lord help me to me believe that I am redeemed in you and that you will restore me either here or in eternity.
The way God redeems us and the way Boaz redeems Ruth are so similar, and the redemption protocol has a lot to do with the Jewish law/God’s law. God likes to handle things lawfully with grace and mercy. Thank you Kristen for posting the commentary you found. God is really in the smallest of details. We can easily overlook the small details of our lives but God who is above, the author of life, the author and finisher of our faith, can easily orchestrate all things for His glory. May we trust the Lord even though we don’t see nor understand. Be blessed dear sisters.
Such a beautiful story. I typed up a whole post and then lost it. Long story short I’ve seen this kind of redemption and loyalty in my own family over the past couple of months. We done so much healing over other past couple months it can be overwhelming. God doesn’t leave your side even when you’re angry, sad, mad, etc. I know I don’t deserve all the goodness God has done for me or my family over the past couple of months yet he continues to show up.
Sharon Jersey Girl praying for your father and your family
I love that God redeems the mess in our lives and makes us new. I also love that we are God’s holy possession.
This study has been so helpful to me for what is happening in my life right now. I’ve busted started reading the bible agin after 7 years being away due to church trauma.
So beautiful and Ruth is amazing.
I love Ruth and it shows us the beautiful story of redemption! How we take for granted the crazy strands of our life story, yet all those tangles and mess of threads are going to lead to a beautiful picture on the other side if we look to our ultimate redeemer! Let’s look to Him sooner than later, becoming dependent on Him alone to work it out for us!
I attest that my mess turned into a masterpiece with Jesus!
Prayers for you my friend Sharon!! Love and Hugs!!
The story of Ruth is a beautiful story of redemption. Would I have been up for the task? “Where you go, I will go and Where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God.” I pray that I can learn to show deep faithfulness and kindness to those around me. To make the sacrifices it takes to show that faithfulness and kindness of God.
Praying for prayer requests this morning!
Have you ever wondered if Ruth and Boaz had any more children after Obed? It’s just something I wonder about. I love how Naomi is also the star of this story.
In my devotional Bible there’s a part of the devotion for Ruth 4:14-15 titled “Treasure of Truth” and it says: “Even the hardest circumstances can lead you to the best possible places.” I believe this is soooo true especially with God, Christ and the Holy Spirit there along side you.
Be blessed and know no matter what your circumstances the Lord is ALWAYS, ALWAYS by your side.
I’m so thankful for the passages here and how they point to & show Jesus. He is every where in the Word. I’m thankful He is the Word! Hallelujah!
@Jenny Somers praying for your cousin & her healing!
Lord thank you for Ruth, Naomi, Boaz and Obed. Thank you that we have this book to learn from and know more about who you are. The redemption I don’t deserve you have provided. I am so thankful for the books of the Bible that shed light on your love for women, outsiders, the marginalized, the poor, and how you subvert the common culture of that time and now. We can read Ruth and know of your loving kindness. For that I am so grateful. In your Son’s name, Amen.
I am thankful for this study and the providential timing that the first Women’s Bible Study I am able to attend at our church is also studying Ruth right now. I also wanted to thank those of you who prayed for my daughter, Sarah. She tolerated her first infusion well with no reactions or side effects. We have a very last minute approval of the dose her doctor wanted. (Insurance originally only approved half) If you could please pray now that the medication would be effective at stopping the damage that has been occurring in her body. Thank you! I am also praying for the other requests being mentioned here- especially for Jenny’s cousin and Sharon Jersey Girl’s father.
@Angie Mills! This is such a good point! All this land becomes Obed’s and is inherited by King David.
It’s interesting that by the time Jesus comes in the flesh, this land (as far as I know) isn’t theirs anymore… Being that Jesus came from a poor family. Joseph wasn’t a farmer, he was a craftsman. (There is debate of whether he was a carpenter or a stone mason based on the original Greek word – τέκτων.)
I also looked up Obed’s name meaning because I was curious! :) “worshipper/servant”
David- “beloved”
Jesse- “the Lord exists” or “God’s gift”
Prayers for your family @Sharon Jersey Girl — May God be your family’s guide, comfort, and strength. <3
What?! I thought Boaz was the family redeemer who was praised by the women of Bethlehem, but it is Obed. Obed is the one who will grow up to inherit the land of Naomi’s husband. This is the land that David would one day be on when he watched over his father’s sheep, singing over them to soothe them, and protecting them from the lion and the bear. This is the land where God prepared David to be king.
Isn’t it fitting that Obed’s name means servant or worshiper? His family praised and worshiped God for His providence in granting this son who would redeem their family land. How much more should we praise & worship God for His providence in sending us Jesus to redeem our life from sin?
I think it is interesting that the adults in this little family all have names that are characteristic of God. God is pleasant (Naomi) & moving toward us, not bitter or harsh. He is our Friend (Ruth). He is our Strength (Boaz). We are His children and we should be His Obeds. We should serve Him & worship Him all our days.
Ruth 4:15 says, “He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age.” The women are saying this of Obed, the one named worshiping, serving. God renews & sustains us through worshipful service to Him. The Lord gives us new strength and He keeps us from falling away and being despondent when we worship & serve Him.
How well are we worshiping & serving our Redeemer? How is He renewing & sustaining you today?
This study has been a balm for the soul. The line from a Sara Groves song keeps coming to mind : There’s honey in the rock, there’s more than we see. Even when I cannot see how a situation could possibly have any good or opportunity for redemption, the Lord is near. I’d like to ask for prayer for my cousin. She is in her 30s with 2 young children and was just diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. Please pray for healing and comfort and peace for her family. Thank you.
This study has been a balm for the soul. The line from a Sara Groves song keeps coming to mind : There’s honey in the rock, there’s more than we see. Even when I cannot see how a situation could possibly have any good or opportunity for redemption, the Lord is near.
Our Redeemer lives! Boaz was a one and done redeemer. Jesus offers redemption 24/7/365 until the end of time as we know it. He has a place for each one of us. A new earth is coming. He will redeem the land. All of His original intentions behind the creation of the Garden of Eden will become reality. No shame. No guilt. No hiding. Just beauty. Provision. Peace. Intimacy with our good Creator God. Who in our circle of influence needs to know about all this? Perhaps today is our day to go and tell.
Sharon Jersey Girl–I am so sorry to hear of your dad’s diagnosis. May God be merciful so he doesn’t suffer any more. I am praying for your dad and for you and your siblings.
The reading in Isaiah looks back on the truth that happens in the book of Ruth – God will call us out of the darkness and redeem us. This is the business He is in if we look and believe and let Him. Not once did Ruth fight the faith she had in Israel’s God or her determination to love Naomi. Our smallest actions can sometimes be our biggest ones. God is leading us even when it doesn’t always seem so. It might not happen in this life for us, but what comes after us could be affected by it.
Isaiah 43:1-3 is yet another favorite passage of scripture, especially vs 1 – “fear not I have redeemed you, I have called you by name; you are mine.” God knows my name and I am His! Because Jesus is my kinsman-redeemer I will be with Him for all eternity, halellujah! Praise the Lord!
Asking prayer for my dad – he is 92 & we just found out that he has prostate cancer that has spread to his kidney and bones. He is a believer so we know he will go to be with the Lord & be reunited with my mom. He is in a lot of pain & is unable to get out of bed. One of my sisters has taken a medical leave to care for him but I don’t think she has any idea what that will entail. Prayers for strength for my sister Kim, Gods grace & mercy for my dad & that he will not have to suffer long, and grace for me & my 5 siblings as we have to listen to him scream out in pain every time he needs to be moved. I live 3 hours away and will be traveling back & forth over the next however many weeks.
Blessings to you all!
Praise you Lord Jesus, my Reedemer
Oops! The last part of my post didn’t have the final words. Here they are: abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel! Prayers for you all today!
Wow! I got this from the Enduring Word commentary by typing the words commentary Ruth 4. I am posting some, but you can search to read it all. This is beautiful and amazing! i. But the consideration of Jesus in this book of Ruth doesn’t begin with the mention of King David; Jesus has been through the whole book, pictured by Boaz and the office of the kinsman-redeemer.
· The kinsman-redeemer had to be a family member; Jesus added humanity to His eternal deity, so He could be our kinsman and save us.
· The kinsman-redeemer had the duty of buying family members out of slavery; Jesus redeemed us from slavery to sin and death.
· The kinsman-redeemer had the duty of buying back land that had been forfeited; Jesus will redeem the earth that mankind “sold” over to Satan.
· Boaz, as kinsman-redeemer to Ruth, was not motivated by self-interest, but motivated by love for Ruth. Jesus’ motivation for redeeming us is His great love for us.
· Boaz, as kinsman-redeemer to Ruth, had to have a plan to redeem Ruth unto himself – and some might have thought the plan to be foolish. Jesus has a plan to redeem us, and some might think the plan foolish (saving men by dying for them on a cruel cross?), yet the plan works and is glorious.
· Boaz, as kinsman-redeemer to Ruth, took her as his bride; the people Jesus has redeemed are collectively called His bride (Ephesians 5:31-32; Revelation 21:9).
· Boaz, as kinsman-redeemer to Ruth, provided a glorious destiny for Ruth. Jesus, as our redeemer, provides a glorious destiny for us.
ii. But it all comes back to the idea of Jesus as our kinsman-redeemer; this is why He became a man. God might have sent an angel to save us, but the angel would not have been our kinsman. Jesus, in His eternal glory, without the addition of humanity to His divine nature might have saved us, but He would not have been our kinsman. A great prophet or priest would be our kinsman, but his own sin would have disqualified him as our redeemer. Only Jesus, the eternal God who added humanity to His eternal deity, can be both the kinsman and the redeemer for mankind!
ii. Isaiah 54:4-8 describes the beautiful ministry of the LORD as our goel – our kinsman-redeemer: Do not fear, for you will not be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame… your [Kinsman] Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel… For the LORD has called you like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit… with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you, says the LORD, your [Kinsman] Redeemer.
iii. From eternity, God planned to bring Ruth and Boaz together, and thus make Bethlehem His entrance point for the coming of Jesus as our true Kinsman-Redeemer, fully God and fully man. Spiritually, we need to come to Bethlehem and let Jesus redeem us. As it was written in the Christmas hymn, O Little Town of Bethlehem:
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light:
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming, but in the world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem! Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us
Boaz has become a beautiful picture of the kind of man my husband is. He is my 2nd husband…my 1st husband and I divorced after many years of praying and working towards the chains of his addiction to break. He eventually passed away due to overdose. And while his young children and i will always love and miss him, we can rejoice that God put an earthly “redeemer” in our lives. My children will NOT grow up without the love and guidance of an earthly father. Thank you, Jesus, for always meeting my needs! Thank you for the family that was crafted by your hands!
God is, rightfully, glorified when His people follow His precepts. Boaz upheld God’s law and the people of Bethlehem blessed the Lord, proclaiming His goodness and mercy that was showered on Naomi.
The name Obed means serving, worshipping/worshipper. What a fitting name for this little boy. What else could Ruth, Boaz and Naomi have done than worship the Lord for the mercy He had shown in their lives. He turned bitterness into joy!
God sure does know how to redeem, and sometimes in ways we never dreamed or could dream..
Naomis life really did look over and very bleak..
BUT GOD..
And for a young woman who was obedient to her heart and utters the words.. “Where you go, I will go and Where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God..”
This is such a beautiful story of redeeming.. I love it!❤
Happy Thursday dear hearts wrapped tightly in love and prayers..❤