Embracing Responsibilities
Ruth 3:10-13a; 4:1-4a, 9-10, 13, 17
Many people today do not want to accept responsibility because it requires commitment, dedication and time. It takes a strong, courageous person to step up and accept responsibility.
Naomi had left Bethlehem with a husband and two sons. She returned with a loyal daughter-in-law, but they were both widowed and destitute. Ruth took responsibility for Naomi and went to the barley fields of Boaz to gather grain left by the reapers. Naomi was excited when she discovered where Ruth had gone, because Boaz was a “kinsman-redeemer.”
A kinsman-redeemer was a close relative who had the duty to help family members in need. The custom was that if a man died without an heir, his brother, or some other close relative would marry his wife and have a son for the deceased man. The kinsman-redeemer would provide for the mother and son until the son was old enough to accept that responsibility, then he would inherit his mother’s deceased husband’s property.
One day, Naomi told Ruth it was time for her to find Ruth a husband – and the man she had in mind was Boaz, a close relative, who could be their kinsman-redeemer. She gave Ruth detailed instructions, according to the Israelite customs, on how and when to approach Boaz. Ruth followed Naomi’s instructions. Boaz commended Ruth for her willingness to marry an older man out of her sense of responsibility toward Naomi. Boaz was willing to accept the responsibility, but he said there was another relative who was closer who had to be consulted. The next morning, Boaz went to the marketplace and found the other relative and presented the situation to him. He declined. Boaz bought Elimelech’s property from Naomi and also purchased Ruth to be his wife.
We have a kinsman-redeemer who, by His death on the cross, redeemed us from sin and paid our sin debt. Through Jesus, we have our eternal inheritance.
Boaz and Ruth were married, and when their son was born, the women told Naomi that the Lord had blessed her with a grandson who came from a daughter-in-law who loved her better than seven sons. Naomi had a son again, named Obed. Obed was the father of Jesse and the grandfather of King David. The Lord had richly rewarded Naomi and Ruth for their obedience and loving devotion. Ruth had no idea how her life would impact future generations or that she would be a part of God’s preparations for the birth of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah. Like Ruth, we do not know the impact our lives will have on future generations. Our responsibility is to willingly surrender our will to God’s will and leave the results to Him. His plans are much better than ours. God bless you as you serve Him.
Johnston– Lessons in the ETB series for the summer quarter are being written by Virginia Johnston, a member of First Baptist Church, North Charleston, where her husband Dan is pastor.