Therefore the close relative said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” So he took off his sandal. And Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, from the hand of Naomi. Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from his position at the gate. You are witnesses this day.”
(Ruth 4:8-10, NKJV)
God’s plan continues. The “close relative” gave up his rights to Elimelech’s legacy. And so Boaz redeemed Naomi’s land and was then able to take Ruth as his wife.
If you think about it, Boaz has really done a pretty amazing thing. By redeeming Elimelech’s legacy, he in some way jeopardized his own. I don’t know enough about ancient tradition to understand exactly how, but since the “close relative” didn’t buy Naomi’s land because he didn’t want to “ruin [his] inheritance” (see yesterday’s blog), one can only assume Boaz would face the same possibility.
But he did it anyway. He cared enough for Naomi and Ruth to take the risk.
And so, with an exchange of sandals (another rather odd tradition) and in the presence of witnesses, Boaz was now able to provide, protect, and care for Ruth and Naomi.
Isn’t this a beautiful story? And there’s still more to come!
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