​We’ve been on an incredible adventure, from the towns of Moab to the fields of Bethlehem.  We’ve seen the power of God to direct and control each small detail of life and orchestrate all things according to His plans and purposes.  We’ve watched the faithfulness of Ruth, bitterness and sorrow of Naomi, and the mercifulness and graciousness of Boaz.  We’ve witnessed an unlikely marriage, the redemption of a former outsider, and the blessing of new life.  All this rolled into a single, brief book!

​Over nine months after the scene at the city gate, Boaz and Ruth are happily established as man and wife, and are welcoming into the world their firstborn son.  They seem to have achieved a fairytale ending, but one of the characters in the story appears to still be unhappy.

​The redemption was finalized.  The cost was paid.  Details settled.  Legal work completed.  It was finally official:  Ruth, formerly known as the Moabite widow of Mahlon, was now the wife of Boaz and honored citizen of Bethlehem.
 
However, before the union of Boaz and Ruth, the people and elders of Ephrathah wanted to bestow a special blessing upon the new couple.

​Last time we learned that one kinsman redeemer considered the cost of redemption too great, and therefore, gave up his right of redemption.   But thankfully Boaz, the next of kin, did not view marriage to Ruth as an undue burden; rather he takes full responsibility for her and brings about her redemption.

​Before we get into our first study in Ruth 4, let’s take a look at the beginning of verse one.

​Sound familiar?  It should.  We’ve seen this phrase before in chapter two and looked at the difference between coincidence and providence, and we’ve seen that in God’s kingdom nothing falls to chance.  Now here we have the same phase again as the other redeemer came by the gate at the right time and Boaz was able to promptly settle business with him.  God’s timing is always perfect! 
 
Now on to today’s study…