Ruth 4
Lutheran reading notes
In Ruth chapter 4, the account continues the story of loyalty, covenant faithfulness, and the lineage of David. Lutheran interpretation frequently highlights how these events reveal both human sinfulness and God’s faithful promises. The chapter demonstrates the tension between human failure and God’s ongoing grace working through history.
1
Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the 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.
Ruth 4:1 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.
Ruth 4:2 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which {was} our brother Elimelech's:
Ruth 4:3 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy {it} before the inhabitants, 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} beside thee; and I {am} after thee. And he said, I will redeem {it}. {I thought...: Heb. I said, I will reveal in thine ear}
Ruth 4:4 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
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.
Ruth 4:5 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
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 4:6 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
Now this {was the manner} in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave {it} to his neighbour: and this {was} a testimony in Israel.
Ruth 4:7 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy {it} for thee. So he drew off his shoe.
Ruth 4:8 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
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.
Ruth 4:9 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
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.
Ruth 4:10 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
And all the people that {were} in the gate, and the elders, said, {We are} witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem: {do thou...: or, get thee riches, or, power} {be famous: Heb. proclaim thy name}
Ruth 4:11 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman.
Ruth 4:12 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.
Ruth 4:13 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed {be} the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. {left...: Heb. caused to cease unto thee} {kinsman: or, redeemer}
Ruth 4:14 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
And he shall be unto thee a restorer of {thy} life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him. {a nourisher of: Heb. to nourish} {thine...: Heb. thy gray hairs}
Ruth 4:15 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16
And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.
Ruth 4:16 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17
And the women her neighbours 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.
Ruth 4:17 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18
Now these {are} the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,
Ruth 4:18 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
19
And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab,
Ruth 4:19 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
20
And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon, {Salmon: or, Salmah}
Ruth 4:20 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
21
And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,
Ruth 4:21 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
22
And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.
Ruth 4:22 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.