8/24/26

Ruth 4:6 NASB95 — The closest relative said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, because I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Redeem it for yourself; you may have my right of redemption, for I cannot redeem it.”

The law is clear: Deuteronomy 25:5-9 NASB95 “When brothers live together and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the deceased shall not be married outside the family to a strange man. Her husband’s brother shall go in to her and take her to himself as wife and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. “It shall be that the firstborn whom she bears shall assume the name of his dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel. “But if the man does not desire to take his brother’s wife, then his brother’s wife shall go up to the gate to the elders and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to establish a name for his brother in Israel; he is not willing to perform the duty of a husband’s brother to me.’ “Then the elders of his city shall summon him and speak to him. And if he persists and says, ‘I do not desire to take her,’ then his brother’s wife shall come to him in the sight of the elders, and pull his sandal off his foot and spit in his face; and she shall declare, ‘Thus it is done to the man who does not build up his brother’s house.’

Why would a brother (close family member) not want to honor and help his family? The answer is pride. It is all about me. I must further my family. I must become the best known and the highest in the family.

We know Scripture teaches that Proverbs 16:18 NASB95: Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

Therefore, our eyes should always be on building the kingdom of God. An example of this is to set others before oneself. Jesus is the ultimate example of this. He put every one of His family before Himself.

The close family member wasn't willing because it would hinder his earthly reward, and this cost him eternal reward. Following God's way is always the right way. Even when it seems it will cost you.

You can read the entirety of Scripture and never find out the name of the man who refused to do the right thing. Yet Boaz is listed in the genealogy of our Savior.

The lesson: just do the right thing, and God will bless you even if it seems hard here and now.

Love Brother. Scott