Then Boaz said to the elders and
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 will not
be cut off from his brothers or from the court of his birth place; 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."
Redeemed. That word for most American homemakers
gives us an image of using a coupon to buy something. Redeem this coupon for
one dollar off your favorite product. Imagine that Ruth had a coupon that said,
“Redeem this coupon for a life free from poverty, for a life with honor and
respect, for a heritage beyond hope, for a destiny with the King of Kings.”
Would you like to have such a coupon?
Redeemed! Oh how excited Naomi and Ruth must have
been when Boaz gave them the news that he was their kinsman redeemer. Now there
is going to be a marriage! The witnesses gave their blessing—with hope for lots
of children like Leah and Rachel, wealth, and fame. What more could anyone ask
for? Ruth was blessed beyond all of that as she became part of the lineage of
the very Savior of the world—Jesus.
The people at the gate were witnesses—to the
redemption of Naomi’s land and Ruth’s hand in marriage. But they also witnessed
more than they knew—they witnessed history in the making. The ongoing saga of
the redemption of Israel—of the hope of the Meshiah (Messiah). We are witness
of the miracle of God, too, or we will one day be part of the cloud of witnesses
that it talks about in Hebrews 12:1-2, Therefore,
since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay
aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us
run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus,
the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the
cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of
God (NASB). As witnesses for and of Jesus we have a responsibility to share
what He has done in our lives. Look at the ways, both big and small that Jesus
works in your life daily. Can you see what He is doing? Tell someone, anyone
about what is happening in your life. It is awesome to know God and to be used
by Him. Are you willing to share your experiences with others, to share the
love of Jesus?
Lord, thank you for
redeeming us from our sin—setting us free from an eternity of grief and pain.
Help us to share You and your love with those around us.
© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
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