Ruth and Boaz Unite - The Book of Ruth

In this Bible Story, Ruth gets remarried to Boaz. They have a child named Obed, who would be the grandfather of one of Israel’s greatest kings, David. This story is inspired by Ruth 3-4. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.

Today's Bible verse is Ruth 4:6 from the King James Version.

Episode 74: Boaz was a kind man, treating his servants, and Ruth, with generosity and blessing. Naomi shares with Ruth that Boaz is in fact, a kinsman redeemer. By telling her what to say and do, she asks if Boaz will marry her and redeem their family. Boaz, excited at the opportunity, settles the matter of redeeming her at the city gate, and eventually the two become one. From this union, the line of David comes, and ultimately, the Messiah.

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Music by: Andrew Morgan Smith

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Let us pray, and the kinsman said, I cannot redeem
it for myself. Lest I mar mine own inheritance. Redeem
thou my right to thyself, for I cannot redeem it
Ruth four six. Dear Heavenly Father, Before I begin my day,

(00:21):
I want to first thank you that through broken situations
you can find beauty and purpose. What you did with Ruth,
I believe you can do with me. Therefore, I thank
you in advance for second chances. I thank you for
putting me in the right situation, at the right place,

(00:42):
with kingdom minded people who can alter the direction of
my life and destiny. I thank you, like Beau, as
you will present people who will fight on my behalf
and intervene when life says that I should be stuck.
With diligence and faithfulness as my companions, I can rest

(01:03):
assured and know that the day of my deliverance is near.
Thank you, Lord that you are creating a life for
me that I can't even imagine. Thank you Lord that
You've sent Jesus into my life to redeem me and
reinstate me to my position of royalty. Hallelujah. I know

(01:24):
you're just getting started, Lord, and that there's more to
come for my life. In Jesus's name. Amen, thank you
for praying with me today. Continue listening for an incredible
Bible story brought to you by Bible in a Year
dot Com.

Speaker 2 (01:55):
Ruth and Boaz unite. In our last story, we were
introduced to Naomi and Ruth. Naomi lost everything because of
the death of her husband and two sons, and the
only person to remain faithful to her was Ruth, her
daughter in law. Both Ruth and Naomi ventured to Bethlehem,
Naomi's hometown. There, Ruth worked the fields of a kind

(02:20):
and noble man named Boes Boas protected Ruth and showered
her with favor. Now we learn of Ruth and Boaz's
connection and romance, and their relationship begins a bloodline that
would change the world forever. As inspired by the Book
of Ruth.

Speaker 3 (02:40):
Hello, I'm Jack Graham, Pastor Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas,
Texas with today's episode of the Bible in a Year podcast.
In our last episode, we heard how Naomi and Ruth
journeyed from Moab to Bethlehem, Naomi's homeland. Ruth had pledged
her loyalty to her mother in law and embraced the
God of Israel as her own god. The two women

(03:03):
faced a difficult life in their new home. Both were
widowed and they had no children to care for them.
They depended on the gleanings from the fields of harvest,
which Ruth worked hard to collect. It was there in
the fields that she met a man by the name
of Boaz, who showed her great kindness and mercy, knowing

(03:23):
what she had done for Naomi. Boaz was a God
fearing man who was wealthy, generous, and protective of Ruth
in her vulnerability as a poor foreigner. And today we'll
learn of a deepening of this relationship and how Boaz
and Ruth will come together to begin a family line
that will trace all the way to the fulfillment of

(03:45):
God's promised redeemer, not just for Israel, but for the
whole world. So let's listen to this beautiful love story.

Speaker 2 (03:56):
Ruth worked the fields of Boaz for weeks, and moment
by moment she pined after him. It was not his
wealth or looks, but the kindness and humility he displayed
to all his servants and workers. She spoke often of
him to Naomi and Naomi's heart grew excited for Ruth.
She watched her sweet daughter smile as she spoke his

(04:16):
name and welled with excitement before she left to work
the fields. As Ruth was speaking, Naomi interrupted her and said, Ruth,
you worked so hard. Naomi stopped, wiping away a few tears.
It is my deepest desire for you to find rest
for your heart and hands. You should go to winno
barley tonight with Boaz and the rest of his servants.

(04:38):
Then after he is ate and drank, you should stay
the night along with the others in his household. Uncover
his feet when he sleeps. That will wake him up gracefully,
so you two can talk in private. I have a
feeling you will know where you stand. After that, Ruth
did as Naomi said. She washed her hair and put

(04:59):
on fresh clothes, and departed gleefully to the threshing floor
where people were winnowing the barley. She worked and laughed
alongside Boaz and the rest of the workers. Every once
in a while, Ruth and Boaz would meet each other's
eyes for a brief moment. The entire house ate together afterwards,
and the people began to retreat to their beds to sleep.

(05:19):
Boaz was the last to leave the dining hall. He
stumbled around the candle lit room and rested his eyes
on a heap of grain. Ruth watched from a distance
as Boaz fell into a deep sleep. She gracefully walked
over to the foot of where Boaz lay. Slowly and
with great care, she uncovered the blanket from Boaz's feet.
The slight breeze came in from the window and tickled

(05:41):
his toes. Boaz opened his eyes and sat up Immediately.
All Boaz could see was a dark figure laying at
his feet, ready to draw his sword. He said, who
are you? I am your servant, Ruth, she whispered, Please
spread your wings over me as a redeemer. Her heart
was beating fast and her hands sweat slightly out of nervousness.

(06:04):
Boaz was known as a kinsman redeemer. In those days,
kinsmen redeemers could marry a widow in place of a
deceased relative in order to take care of her. Ruth
was truly asking if Boaz would want to marry her.
Ruth could barely see Boaz's smile in the dim candlelight.
He sat up more and leaned over towards her and said,

(06:24):
in all your time here, you have not chased after
all the young men here, whether poor or rich. Instead,
you have remained here with me, worked and been pleasant company.
Do not fear and take heart, because everybody knows you
are a worthy and beautiful woman. It could not be
seen in the night, but Ruth was blushing. Boaz took

(06:45):
her hand and said, I am not the only redeemer
here in Bethlehem. There is another that lives closer to
you than I. Tomorrow morning, I will speak with him.
If he does not wish to redeem you, it would
be my absolute pleasure. The two of them smiled at
each other, with only a dim candle and the crescent
moon shining on their faces. Ruth lay there at his

(07:07):
feet until morning. Boaz sent her off with more barley
for her and Naomi, and then Ruth left early so
nobody would see her lest Boaz lose his honor. Ruth
rushed home to bring back good reports to Naomi. The
two women laughed and cried with one another. Naomi took
Ruth by the cheeks and said, trust me, the man

(07:28):
will not rest until the matter is settled. To day
and sure enough, Boaz rushed in the morning to meet
with the other Redeemer. Boaz sat at the gate of
the Other Redeemer waiting for him to come out to
meet him. He thought of Ruth while he waited and
watched the sunrise. She was beautiful, humble, and kind enough
to take care of her mother in law when she.

Speaker 1 (07:49):
Didn't have to.

Speaker 2 (07:50):
He sat and day dreamed, looking blankly in the horizon.
The Other Redeemer walked from his home to the gate
and sat beside Boez.

Speaker 3 (07:58):
There.

Speaker 2 (07:59):
Boaz spoke of Ruth and Naomi and asked if the
man would want to redeem her for himself. The man
was willing to redeem Naomi and her property, but unwilling
to marry her or Ruth, lest he muddy his own
family inheritance. Therefore, Boaz was given permission to marry Ruth
and redeem her. Boaz did his best to remain composed

(08:19):
and hide his excitement. Very well, I shall redeem her,
Boaz said. The two men laughed, and Boaz and Ruth
began to make arrangements for their wedding. The time had come,
and all of Bethlehem was there to witness the union
of Ruth and her redeemer, Boaz. Boaz watched as his bride, Ruth,
approached the altar. She was beautiful despite her brokenness. Ruth

(08:42):
looked at her redeemer and groom, Boaz. He was strong,
yet gentle, and worthy of her devotion. The two of
them were married and experienced the bliss and unity of marriage. Together.
They conceived a child and named him Obed. He was
the father of Jesse, the father of David, Israel's king.
Boaz and Ruth's marriage was but a thread in the

(09:04):
greater tapestry of God's marvelous plan. One day there would
be another wedding of swords. The imperfect and broken bride
would stand before her strong and gentle redeemer. A beautiful
picture that reflected a greater truth was unfolding, a picture
of God's love and redemption for his people and their
loving devotion to him in return.

Speaker 3 (09:29):
We begin today's story with Ruth working hard in the fields,
gleaning from Boaz's crops to feed herself and her mother
in law, Naomi. The kindness of Boaz has moved her,
and she is drawn attracted to this man. Naomi, her
mother in law, knew her culture well and understood that

(09:50):
Boaz could be a kinsman redeemer for Ruth, one who
married a widow after a relative had passed on and
then cared for her. Ruth was now so much more
than an in law to Naomi. She was like a daughter,
and Naomi wanted to give her rest from her labor.
So Naomi instructed Ruth to wash and annoint herself, in

(10:11):
other words, make herself presentable, and then to wear a
cloak to hide her appearance. She was to go to
the threshing floor and stay overnight near Boas, so that
while he slept she could approach him and uncover his
feet and wake him. This would provide quiet conversation for
the two of them. Ruth did exactly as she was told,

(10:33):
and that night, as Boaz slept, she approached him, uncovered
his feet, and laid down. Boas awoke, startled and asked
who was sleeping at his feet. I can only imagine
what a surprise this must have been to find a
stranger lying so close. This is a very unusual approach
to courtship, isn't it unusual? But very effective? Ruth made

(10:56):
herself known. Then she asked him to spread his wings
as her redeemer. The words may seem odd to you
and me, but to Boas, the meeting was clear Ruth
was asking him if he would marry her. Boas was
touched by Ruth's request. He knew she could have gone
after younger men in town, men who were also wealthy,

(11:19):
but she had chosen him, and he was captivated by her.
He wanted to say yes to this request, but he
was also an honorable man and knew there were other
factors in this kinsman redeemer tradition, issues involving purchase of
the land that belonged to Elimelech, Naomi's husband, and that
opportunity should first be offered to another potential redeemer who

(11:42):
was closer to Naomi's land. Boaz explained all of this
to Ruth and said he would love to say yes,
but first must speak to the other man. He promised
to do so the next morning, and if the other
man was unable or unwilling, he would gladly redeem her.
Even here we see the kindness of Boas. He was

(12:04):
telling Ruth that one way or another he would see
to it that she was redeemed. Ruth returned home excitingly,
awaiting the outcome. Patiently waiting can be a difficult task.
We all know that. But Ruth and Naomi did just that,
hopeful but not insistent. Then Boaz finally came with great news.

(12:25):
He would be her redeemer. The story which began with
three funerals, would end with a glorious wedding and the
birth of a child. Naomi, the woman who wished to
be called bitter, found joy again. But God's work in
her life was a witness to all. Ruth four fourteen
says Then the women said to Naomi, blessed be the

(12:46):
Lord who has not left you this day without a redeemer,
and may his name be renowned in Israel. And the
child that Boas and Ruth bore his name was Ovid,
who would be the father of Jesse, the father of David,
David who would be the great king of Israel, the
man after God's own heart, and the progenitor of the

(13:08):
Messiah who is yet to come. Dear God, thank you
that you have not left us without a redeemer one
nearer to us. And dear to us, our Lord Jesus Christ,
thank you for showing this story that we might see
you through your son Jesus, you have redeemed us and
bought us out of slavery that we might know the

(13:30):
joy of knowing you and overcome even the most bitter
circumstances of life. Thank you, Lord Jesus for being our kinsman, redeemer. Amen,
thank you for listening to today's Bible of a Year podcast.
I'm Jack Graham of Dallas, Texas, and you can download
the prey dot com app and make prayer the priority

(13:52):
of your life. It is our prayer that you would
know Jesus Christ in a personal way. Jesus and owing
him is the key to understanding the Bible. Jesus is
on every page in the pathway of Scripture, so I
pray that you would know Him and look to Him
for eternal life. As we see all of these stories,

(14:13):
some of them very sordid, we realize just how desperately
we all need the Lord. So invite Christ into your
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(14:35):
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