Boaz and Ruth

The lifespan of Boaz (means Man of Valor/Strength) and Ruth (means Friendship) was during the days of the judges, most likely during the judge of Jair, approx 1126 – 1105 BC.

There had been a famine in the land of Judah, so Elimelech and Naomi, whose son would be Ruth’s husband, traveled to Moab and stayed there. Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. Then both of the sons died. Naomi encouraged her daughters-in-law to return to their families for she would not be able to provide a husband for them. Orpah agreed, but Ruth stayed loyal to her mother-in-law and said “…where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people, shall be my people and your God, my God.” Ruth 1:16

So Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem. Ruth suggests that she go glean in the field of Boaz, a kinsman of Naomi’s husband. While she is in the field, Boaz asks about her and one of the servants tells him she is the Moabitess that returned with Naomi. So he told Ruth to not go to any other field but to stay there with his maids. He commanded his servants not to touch her, and he allowed her to drink from his well. She was surprised at his kindness but he said he had heard of her loyalty to Naomi and blesses her.

At mealtime he called her over to eat with he and the reapers and he also told his servants to purposes leave behind some grain for her to gather. When she was done, she beat out what she had gleaned and it was about an ephah of barley, which is 30-40 lbs. So she took it to Naomi, who immediately noticed Ruth had been blessed, and continued to live with her and glean in Boaz’s field.

Naomi then suggests to Ruth that since Boaz is a kinsman, maybe he could redeem her. It was during the evening when Boaz would be threshing, so Naomi told Ruth to put on her best clothes and go down to the threshing floor after he had eaten. She instructed Ruth that when Boaz lay down to go uncover his feet and lay down and that Boaz would then tell her what to do.

So she did, and Boaz told her he would do whatever she asked. She told him he was a close relative, suggesting she was hoping he would marry her. He agreed, but he knew there was one relative still alive that was a closer relative than he, so he said they must give him opportunity first since that was the right thing to do.

Then Boaz went to the city gate and spoke to the close relative. He began by telling him of Elimelech’s death and that there was land to be redeemed and he was the closest relative so he had the first opportunity to buy it. Boaz tells him if he does not buy it, he would because he was the next closest relative. So the relative says he will redeem it. Then Boaz says on the day he buys it, he will also acquire Ruth in order to raise up the name of the deceased in the inheritance. So the relative denies redeeming it for fear of losing his own inheritance (having to split his wealth/land between his children and Ruth’s potential children) and tells Boaz to redeem it.

According to custom, the relative removed his sandal and gave it to Boaz, this was the former way to legally and symbolically transfer property rights. So Boaz redeems the land and acquires Ruth. The elders bless him, saying may Ruth be like Rachel and Leah, who built the house of Israel, may he become wealthy and famous in Bethlehem, and may his house be like the house of Perez.

So they married and Ruth became pregnant. The women called Naomi blessed because of the offspring of Ruth, which would become Naomi’s redeemer and take care of her, and because of her daughter-in-law who loved her. The firstborn was named Obed, and Naomi took him and became his nurse. Obed is David’s grandpa, the father of Jesse.

Interesting note: My bible commentary recognizes firstborns in the blessing by the elders. Tamar, the widow of Judah’s first born son who was denied marriage to Judah’s remaining son. Perez, the firstborn of Tamar who was born out of deceit. If her firstborn would have been conceived properly, it would have been considered her first husband’s son. And Ruth’s first son would be considered the first born of Mahlon, her first husband, the rest of their children would be considered Boaz’s. Similar to Christ, Mary’s firstborn son was not considered Joseph’s son but God’s.