How does Ruth 4:10 connect to God's covenant promises in the Old Testament? Setting the Scene Ruth 4:10: “And also Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to preserve the name of the dead with his inheritance, so that his name will not disappear from his brothers or from the gate of his hometown. You are witnesses this day.” Key Elements in Ruth 4:10 • Kinsman-redeemer (goel): Boaz publicly accepts the legal role of redeemer. • Land and lineage: He secures Elimelech’s field and Ruth’s womb for the deceased Mahlon’s “name.” • Witnesses at the gate: A covenant-like, binding transaction before the elders of Bethlehem. Boaz the Redeemer and the Covenant Principle of Redemption • Leviticus 25:25 lays out the duty of a near relative to “redeem” land. • Deuteronomy 25:5-6 requires a brother or close kinsman to raise up offspring so “his name will not be blotted out from Israel.” • Boaz embodies these statutes, revealing God’s heart to preserve His people, their inheritance, and their future—a living picture of covenant faithfulness (ḥesed). Preserving the Name: Land, Legacy, and the Abrahamic Promise • Genesis 12:2-3: God promises Abram a “great nation” and worldwide blessing. • Genesis 22:18: “Through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed.” • By ensuring a surviving “name” and property for Elimelech’s line, Boaz safeguards the very concepts of seed and land that dominate the Abrahamic covenant. • Ruth, once a foreigner, now stands inside those promises; God’s covenant has always had the nations in view. A Foretaste of the Davidic Covenant • Ruth 4:18-22 traces the redeemed line straight to David. • 2 Samuel 7:12-13 establishes the eternal throne through David’s offspring. • Thus, Boaz’s act in 4:10 becomes a critical link: covenant preservation today, messianic kingdom tomorrow. Blessing to the Nations: Gentile Inclusion Foreshadowed • Ruth is repeatedly called “the Moabitess”—a deliberate reminder that God’s plan welcomes outsiders. • Her inclusion echoes God’s promise that “all the families of the earth” will be blessed (Genesis 12:3). • Galatians 3:14 affirms this promise reaches its fullness “in Christ Jesus” for Jew and Gentile alike. Pointing to the Ultimate Redeemer Boaz’s costly, voluntary redemption anticipates the greater Redeemer: • Isaiah 54:5: “Your husband is your Maker… the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer.” • Just as Boaz legally secures name, land, and future, Christ secures eternal inheritance (Hebrews 9:15). • The public witnesses at Bethlehem foreshadow the cross’s public declaration that God’s covenant promises stand fulfilled and irreversible. Takeaway Connections • Ruth 4:10 is more than an ancient wedding announcement; it is a hinge on which multiple covenant strands swing—land, seed, blessing, kingdom. • Every detail of Boaz’s redemption showcases God’s unwavering commitment to keep His promises, include the nations, and prepare the way for the Messiah. |
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