True to his word of 3:11, Boaz went up to the gate of the city. The gate was a place of justice and judgment. 4:1-2.
The nearest of kin could not redeem Ruth—v. 6. It was his privilege to do so (Leviticus 25:25-31, 47-55; Deuteronomy 25:5-10). He said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” Then he pulled off his shoe and gave it to Boaz. In doing so he surrendered all claims to the estate and to Ruth.
v. 9-10—Boaz is now in full possession of all the property of Elimelech. Also he bought Ruth to be his wife.
v. 11—the reaction of the people. The Lord made her like Rachel and Leah. It was their desire that Ruth should become fruitful. To acquire power in Ephratah and to be famous in Bethlehem, like the house of Perez. Perez was the direct ancestor of Boaz, Jesse, David, Solomon, Zerubbabel and Joseph, the husband of Mary of whom Jesus was born.
v. 13—The climax is reached, “So Boaz took Ruth.”
The result of this union was the birth of a son whom they called Obed. Naomi nursed him.
Verses 17-22 show that Obed was a descendant of Jesus Christ.
Spiritual Lessons:
1. “Famous in Bethlehem”—“Power in Ephratah.” Jesus was born here.
2. The inability of the nearest kinsman to redeem. “No one can redeem his brother nor give to God a ransom for his soul.”
3. Boaz is a picture of Christ who can redeem us.
Ruth is a picture of the Church, the Bride of Christ. She was a Gentile, Boaz a Jew. Describe the marriage of the Church to Christ. The Rapture, the judgment seat of Christ, the marriage of the Lamb (Revelation 19), the return to earth with the Lord, then an eternity of bliss.