Day 9 – Ruth 4:1-6
Opening Prayer: LORD, You also went to great lengths to redeem Your bride. Like Boaz, You are devoted, loving and faithful to fulfill your promises!
Read: Ruth 4:1–6
In your 4R journal:
- Record: After reading this short story, what verse stood out to you?
- Respond: Write a short prayer of praise in response to what God has shown you.
Like Jesus, Boaz was compelled by love and would not rest “until the matter was settled.” That very day Boaz orchestrated an impromptu business meeting at the city gate with the “other” close relative. After calling him “friend” Boaz asked him to come and sit with him. Most likely, he suspected something serious was about to take place when ten elders of the city were asked to join them.
Reflection:
- Recall a time when you could not rest until a matter was settled.
- What was the result?
My Verse: Ruth 4:4 “I thought I should bring the matter to your attention and suggest that you buy it in the presence of these seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people” (Ruth 4:4 NIV).
My Response: Father, may I speak Your words with boldness and purity as You lead. Give me the courage to have hard conversations, even when the outcome is uncertain.
What a masterful communicator! Here, Boaz patiently and methodically sets the scene, telling him about Naomi’s need to sell a piece of land which belonged to “our brother, Elimelech.” Only after he is hooked does Boaz introduce Ruth. Notice that his words are carefully chosen as he cleverly describes her as “Ruth the Moabite, the dead man’s widow” (Ruth 4:5 NIV). In fact, Boaz never mentioned how young and beautiful Ruth was, nor did Boaz reveal her other qualities, only that she was a Moabite and a widow.
I love Boaz’s determination in the pursuit of Ruth. He isn’t ruffled, rather he calmly clarifies the reality of the transaction knowing it will discourage the first in line. You can buy the land, Boaz explains, BUT you will have to marry Ruth, the Moabitess. You know, the widow of the deceased. This way the land will stay in the family line. Apparently, this was too much to ask of this close relative. And, to Boaz’s delight, he refused to redeem it.
“You buy it,” he suggested. And that’s exactly what Boaz did.
“May the Lord reward your work and may your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.” (Ruth 2:12 NASB)
The next step:
When the Spirit leads, in the comment section below, chose a response to share:
- Recall a time when you could not rest until a matter was settled.
- What was the result?
Or
- Share your 4R Response
