“The story of Ruth concludes with the establishment of her marriage in the presence of the elders of Israel. The nearer kinsman declined to redeem the inheritance of Elimelech when he learned that marriage to Ruth was part of the contract. He seems to have been zealous for the increase of his property, but not zealous for the relieving of a poor widow, which is the heart of pure and undefiled religion (James 1:27)

How comfortable it would be to make a profession of religion while maintaining, at the same time, a certain level of control over ourselves and our activities- to surrender to God just enough to secure salvation, but still determining for ourselves when and how we will serve and worship Him. This is, of course, a detestable perspective, and yet it is just this perspective that is expressed by those who wish to accept the benefits of redemption yet who refuse to submit to the will of God in obedience to His ordinances.

Since the kinsman to whom Boaz appealed was jealous for his own name above any other, God justly keeps his name from being published in the sacred record. But those who set the Lord and His glory before them- who love Him with all their soul and love their neighbor as themselves- are filled with blessings to overflowing.

Chief among the blessings received by Ruth and Boaz is the fact that they were sovereignly included in the direct lineage of the Messiah. Jesus declares, ‘whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother’ (Matt. 12:50) ” (Comin, 76, 77)