Ruth 4

^"7Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, the one took off a sandal and gave it to the other; this was the manner of attesting in Israel. ⁸So when the next-of-kin said to Boaz, “Acquire it for yourself,” he took off his sandal."

How do we make covenants today? How do we signify a transaction has taken place? A signature? A handshake? You probably would not give someone your shoes.

Boaz made his covenant by taking off his shoe. When I think of this agreement, among other things, I think of Moses, standing on holy ground, taking off his shoes before the burning bush.

People in some cultures take off their shoes when they enter a building. Taking off our shoes usually signifies respect. It makes hospitality (and agreements) difficult to leave, makes it more painful to walk away. In some way, Boaz's word is consecrated.

Genealogy also plays a key role in this passage. Some genealogies run forwards (past to present). Others run backwards (back to the source). Pay careful attention to who is included and who is left out. What story does the genealogy of Ruth and Boaz's children tell? Why?