Ruth Capítulo 4
KJV — King James Version · 22 versículos
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.
Spiritual Insight
Boaz goes to the town gate — the public square where legal business happens. He spots the closer relative and asks him to sit down. Boaz handles this publicly and properly. Integrity doesn't cut corners, even when it would be easier to do so.
And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.
Spiritual Insight
He takes ten elders of the city and has them sit down as witnesses. Boaz creates a proper legal setting. Doing things right matters — not just getting the outcome you want, but getting there honorably.
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:
Spiritual Insight
Boaz explains that Naomi is selling the parcel of land that belonged to Elimelech. He presents the facts clearly and honestly. When seeking a just outcome, transparency about the situation is essential.
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.
Spiritual Insight
Buy it in the presence of everyone — if you will redeem, redeem; if not, tell me. The closer kinsman says, 'I will redeem.' Boaz gives him the first opportunity, respecting the proper order. Righteousness respects process, not just outcomes.
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.
Spiritual Insight
Then Boaz adds the catch: on the day you buy the land, you also acquire Ruth the Moabitess to raise up the name of the dead. The land comes with a responsibility. Redemption isn't just about property — it's about people and legacy.
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.
Spiritual Insight
The closer kinsman backs out: 'I can't redeem without endangering my own estate.' He wants the land but not the responsibility. Self-interest wins over duty. Sometimes the person with the most rights is the least willing to use them for others.
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.
Spiritual Insight
The narrator pauses to explain the ancient custom of removing a sandal as a legal gesture. It's a reminder that this story is rooted in real history with real practices. God works within actual cultures and customs to accomplish His purposes.
Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.
Spiritual Insight
The closer kinsman removes his sandal, giving up his right to Boaz. With one gesture, the obstacle is removed. Sometimes things that seem like roadblocks dissolve with surprising simplicity when God is at work.
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.
Spiritual Insight
Boaz declares to the elders and people that he's buying all of Elimelech's property from Naomi. He's thorough — nothing is left out. When God provides a redeemer, the redemption is complete.
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.
Spiritual Insight
I'm also acquiring Ruth as my wife, to maintain the name of the dead with his property. The witnesses confirm it. Boaz is not just rescuing land — he's restoring a family line. True redemption restores identity, not just property.
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:
Spiritual Insight
All the people and elders say, 'We are witnesses. May the LORD make this woman like Rachel and Leah, who built up Israel.' The whole community celebrates and speaks blessing. When God restores, it becomes a public celebration, not just a private affair.
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.
Spiritual Insight
May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah. They invoke a complicated family history as a blessing. Even stories with messiness and scandal can become channels of God's blessing. Our past doesn't disqualify us from God's future.
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.
Spiritual Insight
Boaz married Ruth, and the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. The story comes full circle — from death and emptiness to new life. God gave the conception; the gift came from Him. Every new life is a divine gift.
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.
Spiritual Insight
The women say to Naomi: 'Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer today.' The community recognizes God's hand. What looked like a dead end became a new beginning. God specializes in turning endings into beginnings.
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.
Spiritual Insight
He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age — for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, is better than seven sons, has given birth to him. Ruth's love for Naomi is celebrated publicly. A foreign woman outshines the cultural ideal of seven sons. Love transcends all expectations.
And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.
Spiritual Insight
Naomi takes the child, places him in her lap, and becomes his nurse. The woman who said she came back empty now holds a baby full of promise. God's restoration is so complete that she moves from grief to nurturing new life.
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.
Spiritual Insight
The women name him Obed — he's the father of Jesse, the father of David. This small family story turns out to be the lineage of Israel's greatest king. God writes big purposes into ordinary acts of faithfulness.
Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,
Spiritual Insight
The genealogy begins — Perez to Hezron. These aren't just names; they're the thread of God's faithfulness through generations. Every life is a link in a chain that stretches further than anyone can see.
And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab,
Spiritual Insight
Hezron to Ram to Amminadab. The list continues — ordinary names, real people, each one carrying the promise forward. Most of us won't be famous, but we each play our part in God's ongoing story.
And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon,
Spiritual Insight
Amminadab to Nahshon to Salmon. Each generation passes the baton. Faithfulness isn't about one spectacular moment; it's about the steady transmission of God's promises from one lifetime to the next.
And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,
Spiritual Insight
Salmon to Boaz to Obed. Now we see Boaz's name in the lineage — the man who chose to be a redeemer. His faithfulness put him in the line that would lead to David and eventually to Jesus.
And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.
Spiritual Insight
Obed to Jesse to David. The story of Ruth — a Moabite widow — ends with David, the greatest king of Israel. God uses the most unlikely people from the most unlikely places to accomplish His greatest purposes. No one is too far outside God's plan.