We must place ourselves into
the story to understand more of the full impact of this engagement
between Boaz, the nearer kinsman, the ten elders and all the people
who heard Boaz conduct this transaction. The deal meant not only
would Boaz be entitled to redeem Elimelech's land, but he would also
have Ruth be his wife. After making his proclamation the people all
responded in chapter four and verse eleven where we read:
And all the people that [were] in the gate, and
the elders, said, [We are] witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is
come into your house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build
the house of Israel: and you do worthily in Ephratah, and be famous
in Bethlehem:
The people who heard Boaz
make this deal responded to him with a blessing that has several
components. We shall look at their reaction: “And all the people
that were in the gate, and the elders, said We are witnesses.” As
those who attend a wedding ceremony and witness the vows of a bride
and groom, the crowd of people gathered at the gate of the city
declared themselves to be witnesses and agreed with Boaz that they
are so. They are confirming Boaz' claim to redeem all of which he has
spoken.
Next, the crowd blesses Boaz
with this reference, “The LORD make the woman that is come into
your house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house
of Israel.” The people who blessed Boaz desired that Ruth be
like Rachel and Leah who were faithful and fruitful wives to Jacob.
It is a wonderful idea to bless a marriage, and because the elders
and the witnesses knew that Ruth was now to be Boaz' wife, with
prayer like fashion, they asked the LORD to make her prosper as those
of old.
In addition to blessing Ruth
with historical references, the people desired that Boaz “do
worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:” Boaz was
already known as a land owner and businessman in Bethlehem (house of
bread) and Ephratah ("ash-heap: place of fruitfulness"),
and the people desired that he continue to be so. Not only was Boaz'
house blessed and the domestic affairs desired to be increased, but
Boaz' public attendance and activity was blessed as well. A marriage
that is truly blessed is one that is both privately and publicly one
in which the LORD is in control.
As we consider this
blessing, would we consider the Lord Jesus to be blessing our
domestic and public affairs? Do we understand His role in our lives
both publicly and privately? Have we ever been blessed by others
through prayer that our lives would be blessed by the Lord Jesus
completely? Have we ever offered this type of blessing and prayer
upon others? Perhaps as we consider our own desire to be blessed in
all our ways we will think of others who might enjoy the blessings of
our prayers and words of encouragement as they make their way into
the future as Boaz and Ruth did. Remember, we are witnesses too.
Next
time the witnesses continue their declaration to Boaz, 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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