Ruth 2

V 1–10: RELATIVE We need to bear in mind that if a man dies leaving a widow, the nearest male relative can have the right of redemption of the land, by which he will buy the man’s land and marry his widow, in order to ensure that the land passes to resultant children of that marriage. He is known as a ‘kinsman-redeemer’ and sometimes referred to as a ‘near-relative’ or ‘close relative’. Boaz, a godly near relative of Naomi’s husband, and therefore also of Naomi and Ruth, is in Bethlehem. He is kind and protective to Ruth as she seeks to survive by gleaning leftovers in the barley fields. V 11–18: REPORT Boaz has heard of Ruth’s selfless loyalty to Naomi and is so impressed with the report that he makes sure that she is looked after, and that there are special gleanings left for her in the fields. V 19–23: REVIEW Ruth reviews her situation with Naomi, and learns from her that Boaz is a possible kinsman-redeemer. Naomi tells Ruth to stay close to the young women of Boaz as they glean in the fields.