March 18, 2026 - Ruth 4

Remember the kinsman redeemer from yesterday?  The near relative, when approached about his responsibility, replied, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it” (4:6).  His selfishness – “lest I impair my own inheritance” – resulted in a lost heritage.  His name is lost but Boaz’s name, and his faithfulness in taking Ruth as his wife, has left a power legacy.  “So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son” (4:13), and the ancestral line of Messiah continues and we remember Boaz as a faithful participant in that line.  Oh, the child’s name?  “They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David” (4:17).  And Ruth?  She is named in the genealogy of Jesus, which Matthew concludes, “Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ” (Matthew 1:16).

Jesus came, the heav’ns adoring,

came with peace from realms on high;

Jesus came for our redemption,

humbly came on earth to die;

Alleluia! Alleluia!

came in deep humility.

Jesus comes to hearts rejoicing,

bringing news of sins forgiv’n;

Jesus comes with words of gladness,

leading souls redeemed to heav’n.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Hope to all the world is gi’n.   --Godfrey Thring (1864)