# When Can’t Means Won’t—Part 4

- Link: https://fontlife.com/cant-means-wontpart-4/
- Published: 2013-10-21T08:00:34-04:00
- Author: Victor Font

[⌊When Can't Means Won't—Part 4⌉⌊When Can't Means Won't—Part 4⌉[True to his word,
Boaz went to the city gate to find the closer kinsman and discuss the situation 
with him. In biblical times, city gates were central places of commerce and legal
activity, as well as being part of a city’s protection against invaders. Important
business transactions were conducted, court was convened, and public announcements
were heralded at the city gates.

When Boaz sees his relative approaching, he calls out to him and then assembles 
a group of 10 men to witness their discussion.

> Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman
> of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit
> down here. And he turned aside, and sat down. And he took ten men of the elders
> of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.—Ruth 4:1–2

As the conversation progresses, Boaz asks him if he would redeem a parcel of land
from Naomi that had belonged to Elimilech. The man readily agrees. In fact, he seems
excited about it.

> And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of 
> Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s: And I thought
> to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders
> of my people. If thou wilt redeem _it_, redeem _it_: but if thou wilt not redeem
> _it_, _then_ tell me, that I may know: for _there is_ none to redeem it beside
> thee; and I _am_ after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.—Ruth 4:3–4

Next, Boaz tells him that Ruth is part of the deal. Under the levirate law, redemption
is an all or nothing proposition. This time, the closer kinsman balks and says he
can’t do it.

> Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must
> buy _it_ also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name
> of the dead upon his inheritance. And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem _it_ for
> myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for 
> I cannot redeem it.—Ruth 4:5–6

There are three meanings for the word “can’t:”

 1. Not have the ability to do something;
 2. Not have the ability to do something yet (as in learning a new skill); and,
 3. Won’t

Let me illustrate. I can’t fly without mechanical means. I do not have the ability
to flap my arms and go air-born. No matter how hard I attempt to, it just will not
happen. I can’t fly.

Have you ever taught a child to ride a bicycle? While the child is learning, there
are typically training wheels on the bike. When you think the child is ready to 
ride without the training wheels, you may be tempted to take them off. The child
may reply, “Please don’t take the wheels off yet. I can’t ride without them.” The
child is still learning and has not yet acquired the ability to ride without the
training wheels.

The third way we use the word “can’t” really means “I won’t.” I love to go fishing.
Let’s say one day you see me in my driveway loading my fishing gear into the trunk
of my car. You love to go fishing, too. You walk up my driveway to say hello. I 
greet you and mention that I’m going fishing on Saturday and ask, “By the way, are
you doing anything Saturday morning?” You think you’ve just hit the mother lode 
and that I’m going to invite you to come fishing with me. You reply, “I’m not doing
anything Saturday morning. What do you have in mind?” I answer, “Great! I need your
help. Would you come over Saturday at 8am before I leave for the lake and help me
move this sofa from the basement to the attic?” Startled, you stutter,“Ummm …I’m
sorry, I just remembered I promised to take my nephew to the ball game. Maybe some
other time.”

What just happened here? When you thought the offer would be to your benefit, you
readily willing to go along with me. When you found out that there would be work
involved, hard work at that, you basically lied about what had to do. Your “can’t”
actually means “I won’t do that. I don’t want to.” The same thing happened with 
the unnamed kinsman redeemer. He had the means to redeem the property, but when 
he discovered the transaction included Ruth, he backpeddaled and said he couldn’t
do it because it would impact his inheritance. He doesn’t explain how or why, he
just backs out of the transaction. Not only do we ever learn his name, but he’s 
never mentioned in God’s word again.

Things worked out great for Boaz and Ruth though. They married and had children.

> So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD
> gave her conception, and she bare a son.—Ruth 4:13

Not only did they have children, but they had a very special child. His name was
Obed. Is Obed not familiar to you? Obed is the father of Jesse, who is the father
of David. Yes, that David! Ruth is the great-grandmother of Kind David. As such 
Ruth is in the direct lineage of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

> And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi;
> and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.—
> Ruth 4:17

We could end the study here, but we’re not finished yet. In our concluding chapter,
we’ll explore how this all relates to us today and why it’s so important.