The stage is being set, and
Boaz is busy and purposed. He knows that the decision made at the
gate could change his life and Ruth's forever. This was important,
and to discover whether the nearer kinsman than he would inhibit his
plan was soon to be known. Before his transacts his business, Boaz
knows there must be witnesses to everything that is done, and this
leads us to today's verse found in chapter four and verse two where
we read:
And he took ten men of
the elders of the city, and said, Sit down here. And they sat down.
Boaz'
desire to confirm this decision required elders of the city. Jesus
said in Matthew eighteen and verse sixteen:
But if he will not hear
[thee, then] take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two
or three witnesses every word may be established.
And Paul
wrote in Second Corinthians chapter thirteen and verse one:
This [is] the third
[time] I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses
shall every word be established.
But
Boaz' “took ten men of the elders of the city”. Boaz
wanted ten well experienced and chosen elders to witness what he was
about to do. What about that for preparation and purpose? Whenever
there was a matter such as matrimony, divorce or conveyance of a
property, more witnesses than two were the normal course. Boaz knew
that it was extremely important that this case be well known.
Boaz
next instructs the men, “Sit down here. And they sat down.” We
should picture this in our mind's eye to discover more of this story.
Imagine this nearer kinsman standing with Boaz, and Boaz calling out
to these ten men who just happened to be in the area. It was not
uncommon for the leaders within a city to be near the gate and
available just in case an important matter transpired, so they were
readily available for Boaz' solicitation. Let's think about this
nearer kinsman wondering what is going on and why this whole foray is
occurring in the first place. Then when these men are gathered
together, they are probably wondering what is going on, and yet “they
sat down.” We might imagine them thinking, “Why would this be
such an important matter? What does Boaz have on his mind?” We
know, it's Ruth. Boaz is purposed, diligent, and like a conductor
with an orchestra he is putting the entire matter before him. All
this is because of his deep love for Ruth.
Do we
have any idea how much the Lord Jesus conducts business of which we
have no knowledge? Let us remember that Ruth has no knowledge of any
of this. Can we for one moment even begin to imagine that He has
called together the multitude of angels to watch what He is desiring
for us? If only for a short time we allow ourselves to think about
such a transaction we will not only be humbled, but realize that the
God of the Universe would move Heaven and Earth to be in a
relationship with us, and He would call all of His creation to be
witnesses to His great cause.
Next
time we will see Boaz communicate the purpose of this meeting, so
read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites,
www.amazon.com
; www.barnesandnobles.com
; download
to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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