Matthew Henry Commentary Ruth 4

Matthew Henry Commentary

Ruth 4

1662–1714
Presbyterian
Matthew Henry
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry Commentary

Ruth 4

1662–1714
Presbyterian
Verses 1-8

"Now Boaz went up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the near 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. And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down. And he said unto the near kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth the parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech`s: And I thought to disclose it unto thee, saying, Buy it before them that sit here, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know; for there is none to redeem it besides thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it. Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance. And the near kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: take thou my right of redemption on thee; for I cannot redeem it. Now this was [the custom] in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning exchanging, to confirm all things: a man drew off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbor; and this was the [manner of] attestation in Israel. So the near kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thyself. And he drew off his shoe." — Ruth 4:1-8 (ASV)

This matter depended on the laws given by Moses about inheritances, and undoubtedly the whole was settled in the regular and legal manner. This kinsman, when he heard the conditions of the bargain, refused it.

Similarly, many are hesitant about the great redemption. They are not willing to fully embrace their faith. Although they have heard good things about it and have nothing to say against it—indeed, they might even speak well of it—they are ultimately willing to let it go. They cannot commit to it for fear of damaging their own inheritance in this world.

The right was resigned to Boaz. Fair and open dealing in all matters of contract and trade is what all who would show themselves true Israelites, without guile, must treat as a matter of conscience. Honesty will be found the best policy.

Verses 9-12

"And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech`s, and all that was Chilion`s and Mahlon`s, of the hand of Naomi. Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day. And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. Jehovah make the woman that is come into thy house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephrathah, and be famous in Bethlehem: and let thy house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which Jehovah shall give thee of this young woman." — Ruth 4:9-12 (ASV)

Men are ready to seize opportunities for increasing their estates, but few know the value of godliness. Such are the wise men of this world, whom the Lord charges with folly. They do not attend to the concerns of their souls but reject the salvation of Christ for fear of marring their inheritance.

But God honored Boaz by bringing him into the line of the Messiah, while the kinsman, who was afraid of lessening himself and marring his inheritance, finds his name, family, and inheritance forgotten.

Verses 13-22

"So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife; and he went in unto her, and Jehovah gave her conception, and she bare a son. And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be Jehovah, who hath not left thee this day without a near kinsman; and let his name be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of life, and a nourisher of thine old age, for thy daughter-in-law, who loveth thee, who is better to thee than seven sons, hath borne him. And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. And the women her neighbors gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David. Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez begat Hezron, and Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab, and Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon, and Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David." — Ruth 4:13-22 (ASV)

Ruth bore a son, through whom thousands and myriads were born to God. In being the lineal ancestor of Christ, she was instrumental in the happiness of all who will be saved by Him—even of us Gentiles, as well as those of Jewish descent. She was a witness for God to the Gentile world that He had not utterly forsaken them, but that in due time they would become one with His chosen people and partake of His salvation.

Prayer to God accompanied the marriage, and praise to Him accompanied the birth of the child. What a pity it is that pious language is not more used among Christians, or that it is allowed to fall into formality! Here is the descent of David from Ruth. And the time came when Bethlehem-Judah displayed greater wonders than those in the history of Ruth, when the outcast babe of another forlorn woman of the same lineage appeared, directing the plans of the Roman master of the world, and drawing princes and wise men from the east, with treasures of gold, and frankincense, and myrrh to His feet.

His name shall endure for ever, and all nations shall call Him blessed. In that Seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.

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