Ruth 3 · a question people ask
Why didn't Boaz simply say yes?
He did say yes: "I will do to you all that you say" (3:11). Then he told her of another man: "Now it is true that I am a near kinsman. However, there is a kinsman nearer than I" (3:12) (tap near kinsman). He set out both ways it could go: "if he will perform for you the part of a kinsman, good. Let him do the kinsman’s duty" (3:13), "But if he will not do the duty of a kinsman for you, then I will do the duty of a kinsman for you, as the LORD lives" (3:13). The chapter doesn't say why the nearer man comes first. The book of Ruth doesn't name a law, but Israel's law about land speaks of "his kinsman who is next to him" (Leviticus 25:25), and lists who may redeem a poor brother who has sold himself, from "One of his brothers" (Leviticus 25:48) to "any who is a close relative to him of his family" (Leviticus 25:49). The next chapter settles it at the gate, before the elders (4:1-2).
The verses
“Now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do to you all that you say; for all the city of my people knows that you are a worthy woman. Now it is true that I am a near kinsman. However, there is a kinsman nearer than I. Stay this night, and in the morning, if he will perform for you the part of a kinsman, good. Let him do the kinsman’s duty. But if he will not do the duty of a kinsman for you, then I will do the duty of a kinsman for you, as the LORD lives. Lie down until the morning.””
““‘If your brother becomes poor, and sells some of his possessions, then his kinsman who is next to him shall come, and redeem that which his brother has sold.”
““‘If an alien or temporary resident with you becomes rich, and your brother beside him has grown poor, and sells himself to the stranger or foreigner living among you, or to a member of the stranger’s family, after he is sold he may be redeemed. One of his brothers may redeem him; or his uncle, or his uncle’s son, may redeem him, or any who is a close relative to him of his family may redeem him; or if he has grown rich, he may redeem himself.”
“Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there. Behold, the near kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by. Boaz said to him, “Come over here, friend, and sit down!” He came over, and sat down. Boaz took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, “Sit down here,” and they sat down.”