Matthew Henry Commentary Ruth 4:1-8

"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.