Week 18 Day 7 A Marriage Made in Heaven

Ruth 4

So yesterday when I left off, Ruth was hanging out at home while Boaz went to talk to the relative who was a closer relative than he was. 

I love how this chapter starts.

Boaz went to the city gate and sat there until the close relative passed by.

I mean, do you think this guy is at all interested?

He didn't go to the gate and glance around to see if he saw him.

He instead sat at the gate just waiting.

And finally the man (who is nameless in here) arrived.

Boaz invited him to come sit down.

He didn't invite just the guy to sit down.

He also asked 10 of the older city leaders to sit also.

I love what he does next.

Boaz asks Mr. Anonymous if he is interested in buying the land that Naomi has.

They guy quickly answers, "Sure, I will buy it."

Oh, but Boaz isn't finished.

He then goes on to tell Mr. Anon that when he buys the land from Naomi, he also must marry the widow Ruth who is left behind.  That and the land will stay in the dead man's name (Ruth's deceased hubby).

Suddenly some back pedaling goes on.

Mr. Anon changes his mind.

I don't know that it was the idea of marrying Ruth that changed it.

I kind of think (in my very limited knowledge) it was the fact that he wouldn't be able to pass the land on to his own sons.  Of course, that also tells me that if there were sons, there is a wife somewhere around there too.

Then he tells Boaz, "Buy it yourself."

Then they sealed the deal.

Israel style.

Mr. Anon took off his sandal and gave it to Boaz.

And Boaz restates his intentions to buy the land and to marry Ruth along with that so that all of the older leaders could hear.

The leaders affirm this transaction. 

I love the prophecy as they say a blessing for Boaz.

"May the Lord make this woman, who is coming into your home, like Rachel and Leah, who had many children and built up the people of Israel.  May you become powerful in the district of Ephrathah and famous in Bethlehem."

You see, Boaz did marry Ruth.

And a little while later, she delivered a son.

The son's name was Obed.

Obed later had a son named Jesse who later had a son named David.

David, as in a man after God's own heart.

Know anyone else who came from this line of people?

Maybe a Savior...famous in Bethlehem?

Oh, and Naomi, who was once heartbroken and almost bitter?

She became a very blessed and joyful grandmother.

Tomorrow's reading:  1 Samuel 1:1-2:11

Reba