Boaz marries Ruth

Ruth 4:7–12
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The shoe symbolized motion and wandering. To make a sale legal in those days, one person would take off a sandal and give it to the other (v.7). So after the man had agreed to let Boaz buy the property, he took off one of his sandals and handed it to Boaz (v. 8). The shoe also symbolized rest and possession since one trods the earth with the shoe. Hence, on the holy ground, the shoe must be pulled off. An example of this is Moses (Ex 3:5) and today in Israel when one visits the mosques he must removes his shoes. The action of Boaz told everyone that he had bought from Naomi the property that belonged to Elimelech and his two sons, Chilion and Mahlon (v 9). It also proved that he had agreed to marry Mahlon’s widow Ruth (v. 10).

Boaz took upon himself all the losses the unnamed kinsman feared, and the joyous task of marrying Ruth as well as taking on Naomi. Also he promised to bring up a child for the dead kinsman (Ruth’s former husband who died. He carried out all the arrangements for marriage publicly, decently and in order (v. 11). The marriage consists of commitments made (1) to God (2) to each other and (3) to society. May the children you have by this young woman make your family as famous as the family of Perez, the son of Tamar and Judah (v. 12).

Because of Ruths’ faith her name is given in the New Testament as being in the royal line through which the Lord Jesus was born. Ruth had given up her own way to go God’s way. She had obeyed her mother-in-law and helped her in every way instead of thinking about herself. She was unselfish and God brought a successful man into her life to marry.

Application

I can learn from this that I should be teaching my children and grandchildren to be good workers and care for those that are older. These are good characteristics for a wife or husband to have.