Buy It for Yourself Ruth 4:8 - Equipped for Battle

The culmination of the deal is about to be fulfilled, and we might imagine Boaz' excitement as he watches for this final detail. The nearer kinsman has been offered redemption of Naomi's land, and he has rejected it which meant he has rejected marrying Ruth as well. There is only one thing left to do, and the nearer kinsman follows through in today's verse found in Ruth chapter four and verse eight where we read:

Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy [it] for yourself. So he drew off his shoe.

The transfer of the right to redeem the land and marry Ruth must be made official, and according to the law we read previously in Deuteronomy chapter twenty-five and verses seven through ten, when the nearer kinsman takes off his shoe in the presence of the elders, the transfer is made.

We read first, “Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for yourself.” The nearer kinsman knew that his own inheritance would be marred if he should marry Ruth, so this transfer was not difficult. The next in line for the inheritance was Boaz who knew all along where he wanted this transaction to go. Boaz waited for the kinsman's words, “Buy it for yourself,” because at the moment this statement was made, he would now be able to marry Ruth. For those of us who enjoy a good romance story, this one is one of the finest we will ever read. Boaz loved Ruth, and he went to great lengths to be able to “buy” her as his wife.

Next we see the public action that demonstrated the nearer kinsman's willingness to forgo his rights to Boaz, “So he drew off his shoe.” The law and custom was clear, and the ten elders knew at this moment that the nearer kinsman was serious about not wanting this redemption. He was to be known as “the man whose shoe was loosed,” and it made no matter to him. His own inheritance meant more to him than this redemption right, and therefore, he drew off his shoe.

Do we know the lengths that our kinsman redeemer Jesus will go to have a relationship with us? Are there obstacles in our path that are like nearer kinsman that inhibit Him from having fellowship with us? Are there other things or people in our lives who have occupied His place and have not given up their right to “redeem” us? Perhaps the greatest impediment to our being “wedded” to the Lord Jesus is that other “nearer kinsman” must remove their shoe and give up their rights to us? Could it be that we are the ones who are truly in charge of the “nearer kinsman's” decision? It might be that Jesus is waiting for us to say, “Buy it for yourself”, and “Buy it” He will.

Next time we will see Boaz' speech to the witnesses, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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