Why did he say "do not fear
Malbim: He cannot do Yibum with her immediately, until he asks the other Go'el (who has precedence). He did not want her to fear that he himself does not want to do Yibum. I do not reject you with straw (a flimsy excuse). You said "Ki Go'el Atah" (9). If this is true, i.e. the close Go'el does not want to redeem, I will do Yibum, like you said. Do not fear that when I take counsel with the people of the city, they will dissuade me, saying that it is not honorable for me to marry a girl from Mo'av. All know that you are an Eshes Chayil; all will consent 1 !
There are other reasons to dissuade him, even if she is an Eshes Chayil! (a) Beis Din discourages an old man from marrying a young girl (Yevamos 44a). (b) Rus was married about 10 years without children. Perhaps she is sterile! (All Bo'az' children died in his lifetime (Bava Basra 91a); he did not fulfill Peru u'Rvu. (c) Perhaps a later generation will forbid even a Mo'avis, and Bo'az' descendants will be blemished, like Ploni Almoni's concern (refer to 4:6:2:3). (d) Some say that Rus was widowed twice (refer to 1:4:4:1 and the note there). It is dangerous to marry such a woman! (PF)
