Ruth 4 (KJV) - Bible Truth Library

• WITH the promptness and energy of a heart fully engaged, Boaz goes up to "the gate." This was the place of rule, where all matters were settled, all transfers made. It would correspond to the courts of to-day, where all legal transactions are consummated. (“Ruth 4” by S. Ridout)

• They have never had any other relation to God-save the secret one, on His part, of electing grace and promise. So when the remnant turns in repentance to Him in the latter days, this legal covenant will have, so to speak, the first right to put in its claim of kinship. (“Ruth 4” by S. Ridout)

• We have already noticed the provision of the law for raising up a deceased relative's family (Deut. 25). We have now an allusion to another law of similar character, the redemption of a forfeited inheritance. The law will be found at length in the twenty-fifth chapter of Leviticus. In brief, it declared the divine right of "eminent domain." The land was God's, and could never be finally alienated from those to whom His grace had given it. All was to go free in the year of jubilee, or could be bought in by a near kinsman. (“Ruth 4” by S. Ridout)

• The two sons of Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac, were children respectively of Hagar, the bondmaid, and Sarah. We are told that these things are an allegory: `for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Hagar. For this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children" (Gal. 4:24, 25). It would seem clear from this that, with slightly altered conditions, the nearest of kin would be this same "legal covenant." Just as Hagar first brought forth a child before Sarah,-"that is first which is natural, afterward that which is spiritual" -so the law was the first basis upon which Israel sought to bring forth fruit to God. (“Ruth 4” by S. Ridout)

• It was under this covenant that the nation divided, became mingled with the heathen, and were finally carried captive. This is dwelt upon to a great extent in the twentieth chapter of Ezekiel, where the Lord enlarges upon Israel's disregard of His covenant, their failure to hallow His Sabbaths which were the sign of the covenant, or to walk in His statutes. When Daniel made his confession of sin, for himself and the nation (Dan. 9) it was in the light of that first covenant. So was it with Nehemiah after the return from captivity (Neh. 9:29). (“Ruth 4” by S. Ridout)

• In Ruth 4, the story of Ruth closes with the rest secured, setting forth the way that God’s rest is reached for Christ and the believer. (“Ruth 3-4: Ruth the Bride” by H. Smith)

• In the last chapter we learn how Boaz wrought for Ruth. In this work Ruth had no part. (“Ruth 3-4: Ruth the Bride” by H. Smith)

• Justice must be satisfied before Ruth can be blessed, or the purpose of Boaz fulfilled. At the gate Boaz meets and settles every question that can be raised. (“Ruth 3-4: Ruth the Bride” by H. Smith)

J. N. Darby Translation

And Boaz went up to the gate, and sat down there. And behold, he that had the right of redemption, of whom Boaz had spoken, came by. And he said, Thou, such a one, turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside and sat down.

W. Kelly Translation

Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.