For Miss Austen Part VII

I know that we have been a while getting here, but I hope that your patients will soon be rewarded. Naomi was right to say ". . . the man will not rest until he has settled it today." I have to say that the potential redeemer or the nearer kinsman lurking in the background has bothered me all along. I like him less the more I read about him. So, meet the villain of the story.

It was puzzling to see the way that Boaz, who is obviously emotionally invested in the outcome, deals with "such a one." Why would he start by offering the piece of land, and only then mention Ruth? Do you think his existence was a surprise to Naomi or to Ruth? Not at all. Bethlehem is a small town; couple that with this statement Boaz makes about Ruth, "for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman." That includes the would-be redeemer. Ruth has been gleaning since the barley harvest, early spring, all the way into the summer. So we see that he could have redeemed her all of this time; and not only that, we see that he could have redeemed her before Naomi and Ruth became so impoverished that she had to glean in the field.

Doesn't it make sense that this nearer kinsman would be more aware of their return to Bethlehem and their circumstances? Boaz, distant enough in relation, that he had to ask who she was when she showed up at his field to glean. The lack of care for both Naomi and Ruth was an unstated refusal of "such a one" to do the part a kinsman redeemer. So now we see why Boaz offered the land first. He is about to fix his character in front of everyone.

Boaz offers the land, and the man jumps at it. Maybe he was thinking that they had become so poor that they would be happy to get the price of the land, without requiring him to redeem Ruth. You see, he only wanted from her what would increase his holdings. Girls, don't you ever let it be said, that you are in a relationship with a man who requires everything from you and nothing from him. You've heard it from your Uncle B.

The man refuses when Ruth is mentioned, and every man there understood that Ruth could have come in and spit in his face, for failing to do his duty. The man left that day with his pedigree intact, and his character broken. Boaz then instantly claims the right of redemption and said I'm not only purchasing the field but I am also purchasing Ruth to be my wife, and there is an immediate outbreak of rejoicing. Because, after all, a good boy is marrying a good girl.

More tomorrow, loved ones.