Are you a Boaz or "the other guy?" - Ruth

This story is so full of examples of character it is hard to read it and spot one of the few examples of lacking character.   Yet, in the midst of even a story of grace and mercy we still have selfish behavior and limited vision.   When Boaz comes to the town gate (where all business was conducted) he spotted the man who had the first right to "redeem" Naomi and the land of her late husband.   The concept of the Kinsmen-Redeemer was instituted by God in the Law of Moses to assure that no man's blood line would be lost.  If the man died, his brother, or near-kinsman, was, by law, to come into her and give her a son, and thus continue on the blood line of the deceased.   That is where our story picks up and character is lost.   The man who had the right to redeem Naomi was more than willing to "take the land" since that is how Boaz presented it.   Boaz, in crafty style, tells the man that he can redeem the dead man's property, Naomi's past husband.   But, Boaz doesn't tell him, immediately, about Naomi.  The man is quick to claim the land.  Land and flocks in those days were currency and when you possessed them you accumulated wealth.   But, when Boaz, in front of the elders of the city, tells the man he also must take with the land, Naomi, the man objects.  Note his response:

Ruth 4:6 (NIV)

At this, the kinsman- redeemer said, “Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it.”

Although the Law demanded he do this, he looked at the cost and sacrifice and refused to do so.   He didn't just reject the land and Naomi, he rejected the command of God.   When people are asked to obey God's Word and it calls for a personal sacrifice, they are less likely to obey.  Most of us can obey when little sacrifice is on the line.   But, when obedience demands personal costs, we are less willing.   This is what happens to this man.  We don't even know his name.  We only know of Boaz because of his character and willingness to do what is right.   We seldom know the name of those with little or no character.  As far as we know this man left the city gate, went on his way and eventually inherited his own estate.   Yet, he missed out on the being the main character in a story orchestrated by God for the glory of God.   Bad character misses out on the true inheritance.    Only character like Boaz, based on faith and obedience to God's word is rewarded for eternity.   Today we read a story about Boaz, not the other guy.