Background information
1. v. 3 What is Naomi selling?
(NET) The nature of the sale is uncertain. Naomi may have been selling the property rights to the land, but this seems unlikely in light of what is known about ancient Israelite property laws. It is more likely that Naomi, being a woman, held only the right to use the land until the time of her remarriage or death. Because she held this right to use of the land, she also had the right to buy it back from the its current owner. (This assumes that Elimelech sold the land prior to going to Moab.) Since she did not possess the means to do so, however, she decided to dispose of her rights in the matter. She was not selling the land per se, but disposing of the right to its redemption and use, probably in exchange for room and board with the purchaser.If this is correct, it might be preferable to translate, “Naomi is disposing of her rights to the portion of land,” although such a translation presumes some knowledge of ancient Israelite property laws.
2. Reason why the close relative (John Doe) was not willing to redeem the land after he knew that he must also marry Ruth, v.6
(NET) ... the inheritance of his other children would be diminished.
(My understanding) 1st child from Ruth and John Doe will inherit from Naomi's husband+ 1/2 of John's family. 2nd child will inherit just 1/2 of John's family. For their 2nd child he only gets 1/2 of John's inheritance (Actually the first born should got double. So he got 2/3 and the 2nd child got only 1/3). That's what he meant for ruin his own inheritance.
For what John Doe not willing to do, Boaz did all of them. Boaz needed to sacrifice and "ruin his own inheritance," see v.10,
"I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, the wife of Mahlon, as my wife to raise up a descendant who will inherit his property so the name of the deceased might not disappear from among his relatives and from his village..."
Ruth would bring blessing to Boaz by raising up many children for him .v11 (See NET notes in v.12 for the link between Boaz and Perez). For Rachel and Leah, they built up the house of Israel, the ancestors of the whole nation. The elders asked the LORD to bless Boaz to be someone of significance because of his child from Ruth. Indeed Boaz was rewarded by his sacrifice. He became the father of King David and Jesus!
Are you reluctant to sacrifice? Are you focus of what you can gain and not willing to give? See what the LORD blessed Boaz when he was willing to sacrifice.
Audrey
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