Let’s get our bearings of where we’re at in our study of Ruth Chapter 4.
So Boaz informs the other Kinsman Redeemer (referred to as “so and so”) that he possesses the right of first refusal to redeem Naomi’s land through purchase.
However, Boaz also tells the other redeemer if he doesn’t want to redeem the land then he himself will do it.
Now there’s a problem here we need to get clear on.
Did you spot it?
No?
Okay, so the issue is this.
Did Naomi already sell the land?
Or was she in the process of selling the land and the transaction hadn’t yet been completed?
This is where a quick review of the Hebrew language can come in real handy.
Here’s the thing.
Biblical Hebrew does NOT distinguish between past, present and future tenses.
It only uses what we’d describe in English grammar as perfect or imperfect tenses.
In other words, was the selling of the land something that was finished OR was the process still ongoing?
That’s the question that was up in the air.
Now here’s where things get really sticky and causes more than quite a few scholars to scratch their heads in confusion.
Take a look at verse 3:
“Then he said to the redeeming kinsman, ‘The parcel of land which used to belong to our relative Elimelekh is being offered for sale by Na‘omi, who has returned from the plain of Moav.””
This verse actually uses the perfect or complete tense meaning the action of selling the land had been completed.
However, check out verses 5 and 9:
“Then Boaz said, ‘The same day you buy the field from Na‘omi, you must also buy Rut the woman from Mo’av, the wife of the deceased [son], in order to raise up in the name of the deceased an heir for his property.'”-Ruth 4:5
And this one:
“Boaz addressed the leaders and all the people: ‘You are witnesses today that I am purchasing from Naomi all that belonged to Elimelekh and all that belonged to Kilyon and Machlon.'”-Ruth 4:5
These particular verses are in the IMPERFECT tense in the original Hebrew meaning the process of selling the land was still ongoing.
That’s why there’s a never ending debate between scholars concerning whether Naomi had already sold the land or not.
However, in one sense, even all this argumentation is for nothing because it overlooks another thorny issue we’re facing here.
Since Naomi was a widow she didn’t possess any right to sell the family land in the first place.
That’s right.
The Laws of Moses doesn’t allow a widow to own land.
Only the legit possessor of the land has the right to sell it.
So how to solve this complex issue?
Well homies, that’s where we’ll have no choice but to start diving deep into matters concerning women and land inheritance as they existed in ancient Israel.
But we ain’t doing that today man…
Otherwise, this would be one heckuva a long post.
So let’s close with these two points.
FIRST, notice how the focus has now shifted from Ruth to Naomi.
This connects back to something I said at the very beginning of our study of Ruth.
The main topic of the Book of Ruth ain’t actually Ruth.
It’s about Naomi and how to solve her complex problem.
SECOND, this chapter provides us a fine example of how to use Godly principles to solve life problems for which there are no clearcut solutions in the Scriptures.
Solving these kinds of thorny issues requires wisdom…
And it helps if one also possesses the unique flexibility of a Hebrew mindset.
See ya all next time.
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