"There you are!" Said a man from behind us, making us look behind and saw this man in a white tuxedo. "Love!" Happily called Ruth with a smile. "Hey, Boaz," said Jude with a smile. "Congrats on marrying our cousin, Boaz," said James. "Thanks, Lil' Jay," thanked Boaz to James, "'Sup, Jude," and greeted Boaz to Jude.
Ruth then held Boaz's hand and pulled him closer, "come join us, we're telling the story of Ruth and Boaz from the Bible to this young woman, Maria," invite Ruth to Boaz, her husband, then point at me. Making our eyes meet and I smiled awkwardly at him. "Sure, why not? Besides, I want to hear you tell it again, my Love," replied Boaz as he looked at Ruth with a smile. Ruth chuckled, let go of his hand then looked at me. Boaz then walked away to get a chair and sat beside Ruth.
"Now, there we're 2 guardian-redeemer from the side of Elimelek. Meaning, there are 2 men who can step forward to take care of Ruth and continue the bloodline of the house of Elimelek." Continued Ruth. "Oh, you're on the last chapter already?" Asked Boaz, making Ruth look at him. "Jude already told the first chapter without me!" Said Ruth then Boaz looked at Jude with a smile. "How could you?" Asked Boaz while chuckling. Jude chuckled as well as he shrugged his shoulders.
"Anyways. Boaz then the 10 elders of the town and the other guardian-redeemer. He then said that Naomi, who came back from Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to their relative Elimelek. Then Boaz continued saying that he thought he should bring the matter to the attention of the other guardian-redeemer and suggest buying it in the presence of the elders." Continued Ruth as soon as she looked at me, I nodded in response.
"Boaz then added that if the other guardian-redeemer wanted to do so, then so be it, and that if he did not, Boaz himself is the next in line for it. But along with buying the land, he also said that one will acquire Ruth, the widowed daughter-in-law of Naomi, as wife." Continued Jude. "What? That's really how it was before?" Asked Matthew. Same question, man, same question."I asked that question before, Matthew. I did some research. Turns out the answer is 'yes'." Answered Thomas, making us look at him.
"Thomas Didymos! The infamous event organizer! How come I only noticed you just now?!" Said Boaz as he approached Thomas, making him look at the groom from head to toe and when he looked at his face again, Thomas sprung up. "Boaz Colonnade! The CEO and owner of Barley Inc.!" Said Thomas as he reached out his hand to Boaz and he gladly shook hands with Thomas.
I quickly looked at Ruth, "You are definitely something," I said to her and she chuckled. "Shall we?" Ruth asked as she looked at Boaz. Both Thomas and Boaz looked at Ruth then looked at one another again, "Let's continue later after MY WIFE finished telling her favorite story, yeah?" Said Boaz to Thomas. He nodded with a smile in response and Boaz went back to his seat. "Thank you, my husband," thanked Ruth with a smile then kissed Boaz on his cheek.
"By the way, the reason why Boaz said that he was next in line is because the other guardian-redeemer is the closer relative to Ruth's dead husband than Boaz. This supports that Boaz could've been Ruth's uncle-in-law." Said Thomas. "Just saying." Thomas added but we all just stared at him. "I'm going to refill my wine glass," said Thomas, then he stood up and walked away.
Ruth cleared her throat, getting our attention. "Continuing, the other guardian-redeemer rejected it because marrying Ruth will put his own estate in jeopardy," said Ruth. "Then, it was said that in earlier times in Israel, one must give his sandal to the other to finalize the redemption and transfer of property. It was the method used in Israel to legalize transactions." Pointed out Jude.
"Boaz then said that the elders and the people present are the witnesses that he bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelek and their 2 sons, Kilion and Mahlon. And that he also acquired Ruth, Mahlon's widow, as his wife in order to maintain the name of the dead and to produce an heir to continue it." Continued James, making us look at him. "Yes, and the elders blessed Boaz." Said Ruth while still looking at James.