提要
由於波阿斯對路得表現出極大的興趣，拿俄米遂燃起新的希望，開始為路得和她自己未來的福祉籌畫。路得是摩押人，但拿俄米一定跟她解釋過有關親族贖主的律法，包含了贖主在婚姻制度裡的義務（過世者的兄弟或親人要娶他的寡婦，為他立後，以保存他的名字和產業，申25：5~6）。
路得遵照拿俄米的指示，請求波阿斯盡親屬的義務娶她。對今天的我們而言，路得所用的方法似乎很奇怪；不過，在那個時代卻是正當、可接受的程序，一點也不算不道德的行為。路得和波阿斯的人格都無可指責。從他們第一次見面起，波阿斯對路得的品行就留下了深刻的印象，也對路得表現出極高的敬意。
拿俄米的計畫成功了，波阿斯很樂意為他們盡義務；不過，有一個阻礙。拿俄米可能不曉得，按照順位，他們有一位親屬比波阿斯更有權負起贖主的責任。波阿斯在官方證人面前很巧妙的向那人說明他的雙重責任。對方的拒絕並不令人意外，因為娶路得的結果將使得他可以傳給自己子嗣的產業減少。但波阿斯卻願意不計代價的解救、保護路得和拿俄米。在責任合法的轉讓後，波阿斯就宣稱他要贖回已逝的以利米勒的所有產業，包括娶路得為妻。眾人給予這對新人和拿俄米的祝福表現出他們對這件事的喜悅和讚許，也表示他們接納摩押女子路得為自己的族人──因著她對上帝的委身，上帝也早已接納了她。
上帝尊榮路得，因為她離開摩押地不敬虔的生活，甘願犧牲自己，忠心的在上帝的百姓中間服事祂。現在，她從一個卑微的拾穗者和可憐的寡婦一變而為伯利恆貴人的妻子。她和波阿斯也成了以色列國最有名的王，大衛的曾祖。他們是按著上帝的計畫被揀選來保存上帝透過大衛家所應許的後裔──在悖逆的士師時期，這條血脈的傳承已岌岌可危。能成為以色的彌賽亞、世界的希望──耶穌族譜裡的一員是多麼大的光榮和福氣啊！路得、他瑪（創卅八章）、和波阿斯的母親喇合（書2：1；太1：5）都是上帝所揀選，傳承基督譜系的外邦女子。這清楚的說明了上帝向萬國萬民所施的奇妙恩愛。 今天，上帝的百姓可以信任上帝會看顧他們，也會按著祂的計畫，在祂百姓生活中甚至是最個人性的細節上工作，就如祂在拿俄米和路得身上做的一樣。波阿斯無私的舉動，藉著俄備得的誕生，給彷彿已死的以利米勒家族重新帶來生機、希望、喜樂、和安息。耶穌基督的救贖恩功也帶來相同的結果。正如波阿斯付出犧牲的代價，成功的將救贖帶給以利米勒家族，我們的主耶穌基督也因祂的恩典，用最大的代價──祂自己的生命──為全世界帶來救贖。祂將我們從罪奴的深淵中救拔出來，登上作祂兒女的自由、喜樂之最高境地！
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Overview
Naomi's new-found hope, resulting from the interest Boaz had shown in Ruth, led her to plan for Ruth's future welfare as well as her own. Since Ruth was a Moabitess, Naomi no doubt explained to her the law regarding the kinsman-redeemer, which involved the marriage institution (a brother or close kinsman was to marry the widow and raise up a child to perpetuate the name and inheritance of the deceased, Deuteronomy 25:5-6).
Ruth followed Naomi's instructions exactly and appealed to his obligation as kinsman to marry her. Her method seems strange to us today; however, it was the proper and acceptable procedure of their day, involving nothing immoral or questionable. The honourable characters of both Ruth and Boaz were above reproach. From their first meeting, Boaz was impressed with Ruth's conduct and showed her tremendous respect.
Naomi's plan was successful. Boaz was pleased to oblige them; however, there was one obstacle. Possibly Naomi was not aware that there was yet a nearer kinsman who, according to the order of succession, had the first right to assume the responsibility of kinsman-redeemer. Boaz, in the official manner before witnesses, cleverly presented the twofold responsibility to this man. It is not surprising that he declined, for the expenditure involved would have lessened the material possessions that he could pass on to his own heir. But Boaz was unselfishly willing to come to Ruth and Naomi's rescue and protection, no matter what the cost. After the legal transfer of responsibility, symbolized by the giving of the sandal, Boaz declared that he would redeem all that belonged to his deceased relative, as well as redeem Ruth as his wife. The people's response of blessings upon the new couple and Naomi showed their great pleasure and approval of what had transpired. It also showed their acceptance of Ruth, the Moabitess, as one of their own, one whom God had already accepted because of her commitment to Him.
God honoured Ruth for leaving behind the ungodly life in Moab to sacrificially and faithfully serve Him among His people. From being a lowly gleaner and a poor widow, she became the wife of a noble and prosperous man in Bethlehem. They became the great grandparents of Israel's most famous king, David. They were chosen, according to God's plan, to preserve the Davidic line of the divinely promised seed which had been threatened during Israel's rebellious period of the judges. What a great honour and a blessing for them to be in the genealogy of Jesus, Israel's Messiah and the hope for the world. Ruth, as well as Tamar (Genesis 38) and Rahab, the mother of Boaz (Joshua 2:1; Matthew 1:5), were all Gentile women whom God had chosen to be in the lineage of Christ. This clearly illustrates God's wonderful love and grace extended to all people of all nationalities.
The Lord's people today can be confident that He lovingly cares for them and will work out even the most personal details in their lives according to His purpose, just as he did for Naomi and Ruth. Boaz's unselfish act of redemption brought alive, through the birth of Obed, the family line of Elimelech which had been considered dead and lost. It gave them hope, joy, fulfillment, and rest. These same wonderful results come from our redemption through Jesus Christ! Just as Boaz paid the sacrificial price and was successful in bringing their redemption, so our Lord Jesus Christ, in His grace, brought redemption for the whole world at the greatest possible sacrifice — His own life. He brought us out of the depths of poverty and enslavement to sin into a high position of freedom and joy as His own children!
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