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.
