Another Branch on the Tree, Week 9 Day 5, Ruth 4

Another Branch on the Tree, Week 9 Day 5, Ruth 4

So after a whirl wind romance / business negotiation, it’s decided that Boaz and Ruth will be married.  Doesn’t seem like much of a romance story by modern standards.  But by the standards of their day, it was pretty darn romantic.

Boaz finds the man in line ahead of him to marry Ruth.  Together they meet with ten elders.  He calls out the man and explains to him the situation.  Naomi is selling the land and but the rules of kinsman redeemer it’s up to him to buy them and “redeem” Naomi and Ruth in the process.  Yeah, the women and the property are a package deal in the rules of their day.  Not exactly how we do things today, but they don’t live today.  They live then. 

The guy who is first in line balks at the deal.  He would have to marry Ruth and provide an heir to continue that family name.  Concerned with how this would impact his current estate, he offers the land and the women to Boaz, by taking off his sandal.  Like I said, different times, different customs.

So Boaz completes the deal and announces to all the he has bought the property and with it will take Ruth the Moabitess was his wife.  This will assure that the family name will continue.  Not only that, the elders and all gathered proclaim, “We are witnesses.  May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel.”  That is a high blessing. 

And what a blessing.  Boaz and Ruth have a son, Obed.  Obed will be the father of Jesse.  And Jesse will be the father of David, King David!”  And Ruth, the Moabite is remembered forever.  In Matthew 1:5 she is listed in genealogy of Jesus.  Ruth, the foreigner.  Ruth a woman.  Ruth is listed in the genealogy of the Savior.   All because she said, “Your God will be my God.” And because a man named Boaz took on the role of kinsman redeemer.  Oh, and Boaz’s mother was Rahab, not a Israelite by birth, but another women who decided to follow God.

God keeps taking those who aren’t a part of the story and bringing them in.  Both these women were from the enemies of Israel.  But that doesn’t matter.  Once again, it isn’t where you’re from.  It isn’t about where you were born or your nationality.  It’s all about who is your god.  Who do you follow?  What god do you commit your life to?  These women decide to follow God.  And God brought them in with opens arms.

God, it’s exciting to see how reach out to those who aren’t a part of Your story.  A simple choice to follow You.  A decision to give a life to You.  And those making that choice become a part of Your family.  It’s not about having the right parents.  It’s not about being born in the right place.  It’s not about living the right kind of life.  It’s about a choice, a decision to claim You as our God.  A decision and a choice to follow You.  Then just like Rahab, Just like Ruth, we can become a part of Your family.  Thanks for inviting us all to join.  Amen

Leonard