Message from the Monthly Flyer December 2020
Ruth 4: 1-4 AMPC “ Meanwhile Boaz went up to the town gate and sat down there just as the guardian-redeemer he had mentioned came along. Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down. Boaz took ten of the elders of the town and said, “Sit here,” and they did so. Then he said to the guardian-redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our relative Elimelek. I thought I should bring the matter to your attention and suggest that you buy it in the presence of these seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, do so. But if you will not, tell me, so I will know. For no one has the right to do it except you, and I am next in line.” “I will redeem it,” he said.”
There was no envy, no jealousy, no bitterness at all in Boaz’s attitude. In 2 Timothy 3: 1-4 (AMPC) we read: “But understand this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]. For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane. [They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); [they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good. [They will be] treacherous [betrayers], rash, [and] inflated with self-conceit. [They will be] lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God.” This passage speaks of itself and depicts a reality that we are confronted with in our days on a daily basis. We see none of these things in Boaz’s behaviour and we want to reflect on his attitude to conduct ourselves in a godly manner. The love of Boaz for Ruth compelled him to be as clear as crystal in this issue, to step by the side and allow Ruth’s blessing to flow towards her freely. His love for her imposed on his conscience to be real and honest, trusting God Almighty to work out everything for the very best. Boaz was not shaken in his faith. And this is exactly the reason why he was blessed afterwards and greatly recompensed for his righteous spirit and attitude. Boaz actually presented a gift to his fellow brother and gave him the possibility to take his responsibility as a kinsman. He was given the chance to do what is right in God's sight and he had to take a decision. Boaz did not try to influence him in taking a decision that would be at his (Boaz’s) own advantage. He just told him the facts in the presence of some eyewitnesses. He was not pretending because he knew that his reputation was at stake. He was not going to sacrifice his reputation at the altar of selfish desires. He was willing to assume his responsibility so that he could continue to be a respectable person and a reference in terms of integrity in the town of Bethlehem. It was very important that he remained trustworthy, not only because of the God he served, but foremost because of the people around him that he was leading and who were looking up to him as a mentor and leader. His light had to continue to shine at any cost because the next time he was going to meet Ruth and Naomi, he had to be able to look at them in the eyes without any feeling of guilt or remorse. The Bible says that the name of the Lord is blasphemed among those who do not know God because many of those who call themselves children of God do not walk and live accordingly (Romans 2:24). They are not blameless as God expects them to be. In 2 Timothy 2: 19 we read that whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord should depart from iniquity. Our lifestyle, our speech, our outward appearance and everything about us, even the secret thoughts of our hearts, must reflect the holiness and the righteousness of the God we profess to serve. This is how we can keep our robes clean for the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. As we consider Boaz’s concern to do the right things for Ruth, as we behold his commitment, the swiftness of his act and his blameless attitude, we see the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth and the redeemed of the Lord, His Church. Jesus Christ is concerned with our well being and He takes counsel with Himself to draft good plans for our lives. That is the reason why Isaiah calls Him the Counselor (Isaiah 9:6). He does not need anybody’s advice to do the right thing for us. The Word of God tells us in Jeremiah 29: 11 AMPC “For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.” While we are anxious about the various situations we encounter in life, just as Ruth was, our Redeemer wants us to know that He is working out everything for our good, turning even the bad situations that may occur in our lives to bless us. He manifests His tender love, His goodness and His divine wisdom in our lives each time we wake up to see the light of the day. The Bible says that He rejoices over us with gladness and singing, and His banner upon us is love (Zephaniah 3:17; Song of Solomon 2:4). Boaz was making arrangements for his beloved Ruth to be well on this earth and never lack anything anymore. Our heavenly Father unveiled a glorious plan for our wellbeing, happiness, joy, security, good health, on the cross of Calvary. He said that He came so that we may have life and have it in abundance (John 10:10).
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