12 Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. 13 Stay this night, and in the morning it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you—good; let him do it. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the Lord lives! Lie down until morning.”
There was a complication before Boaz could marry Ruth. Under the levirate laws of the Mosaic Law, there was a sequence of authority regarding who could marry under the principle of the kinsman-redeemer.
3:12
Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I.
Boaz had to check with the closer relative to see whether he wanted to execute the levirate marriage option. Boaz must have already considered the matter before Ruth made her proposal, for he knew that he was not the closest relative.
3:13
Stay this night, and in the morning it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you—good; let him do it.
Boaz indicated that if the closer relative wanted to execute the levirate marriage option, then the closer relative was to marry her.
But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the Lord lives! Lie down until morning.”
Should the closer relative not want to execute the option, then he would marry Ruth himself. The phrase “as the LORD lives” indicates a vow that he himself would fulfill the option. Boaz kept the legal and social customs of Israel.
PRINCIPLE:
True character follows the law not out of obligation but out of principle.
APPLICATION:
Boaz followed the prescriptions of the levirate marriage (Dt 25:5-10). God’s covenant with Israel was enough for him to know what to do. He operated on the principles of Scripture as his mode of operation.
