Justin Houtz

Ruth 3-4; Psalm 64-65; 2 Corinthians 6

DateVersionReading Plan
April 6, 2026ESV (2016)ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026

Ruth 3-4

Observation & Interpretation

Following from the last chapter in which Ruth was gleaning Boaz’s field with his young women, Naomi advised Ruth to covertly uncover Boaz’s feet and lie down with him after he had finished eating and drinking. Commentators are mixed on what the uncovering of Boaz’s feet represented. If taken in a literal sense, it could simply be that this was to be the method to use to wake Boaz from sleep. However, the BBC states that this act was to inquire “about Boaz’s willingness to fulfill the role of family redeemer, to take her as wife and provide for her.” Ruth carried out the instruction of Naomi and in the exchange between Boaz and Ruth, Boaz expressed his willingness to be her redeemer but that there was another man nearer than he to redeem. Ruth was to remain there until morning, at which time she arose before anyone could recognize another. Boaz gave her six measure of barley which Ruth brought back to Naomi and Naomi told Ruth to wait until the matter turned out.

Boaz encountered the redeemer that was nearer to Naomi and told him that Naomi had come back and was selling the parcel of land that belonged to their relative, Elimelech. Boaz asked the man if he would redeem it and he agreed, but Boaz included the detail that the man would also inherit Ruth the Moabite in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance. To this, the man backed away from the agreement, “explaining that this would ruin his inheritance.” (BBC) When the redeemer told Boaz to buy it for himself, he drew off his sandal and gave it to Boaz, the custom of the day to signify such a transaction. Boaz addressed the people and confirmed that they were all witnesses that he had bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech, Chilion, Mahlon and also inherited Ruth, the widow of Mahlon. The people agreed and blessed Boaz, that Ruth would be as Rachel and Leah who together built up the house of Israel. They also spoke of their desire that Boaz’s offspring would be as that of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah.

Boaz took Ruth to be his wife and bore a son named Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David. The final verses of chapter four describe the Davidic genealogy from Perez to David.

Application

In these closing chapters of the Book of Ruth, we see the graciousness of Boaz in responding to Ruth, both in his interaction with her on the evening she uncovered his feet and also his willingness to be her redeemer. However, being a man of integrity, Boaz knew that there there was a redeemer nearer to Naomi and the line of Elimelech that needed to given first right of refusal. When this man declined, Boaz took on the redemptive responsibility himself, marrying Ruth and giving birth to a son from whose line would come David and eventually Jesus.

The willingness of Boaz to redeem a family line presents to us a shadow of Jesus’ willingness to redeem His people. Like Boaz, Jesus was faithful in making the necessary sacrifice in order to redeem and restore what would otherwise be lost. In Him, we have the only means of reconciliation with the Father. May we respond in gratitude and worship of the One who did not turn away but paid the ultimate price to ransom us from eternal separation from the Father and just punishment we deserved because of our sin.

Resources