"Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning the redemption and the exchange of land to confirm any matter:  a man removed his sandal and gave it to another; and this was the manner of attestation in Israel.  So the closest relative said to Boaz, 'Buy it for yourself.'  And he removed his sandal.  Then Boaz said to the elders of all the people, 'You are witnesses today that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon.  Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, to be my wife in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance, so that the name of the deceased shall not be cut off from his brothers or from the court of his birthplace; you are witnesses today.'  All the people who were in the court, and the elders said, 'We are witnesses.  May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, both of whom built the house of Israel; and may you achieve wealth in Ephrathah and become famous in Bethlehem.  Moreover may your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the offspring which the Lord will give you by this young woman.'"

There are a lot of traditions represented here.  Everything from taking off your show, literally saying that the keeping of honor is vastly more important that being comfortable.  To the purchase of inheritance for a new bride being set in the law, so a young widow would not be without money ever.

But through all of these traditions we see one thing that Boaz is determined to have happen:  He is going to secure his right to be married to Ruth.

His love for her survives the red tape of redemption and the precedence of tradition.  He WILL succeed in being her husband.

This is where we see God.

God will go through whatever it takes to enter relationship with us.  He is relentless, crafty, knowledgeable...  Whatever it takes, God will do it.

For our love.