21 June 2011; Ruth 4

Ruth 4
Open My Eyes
Who is David? Most children will be able to answer this question. But who is the father of David and his grandfather? The bible gave then answer as Jesse and Obed. But who is the father of Obed? Again the bible gave the answer as Boaz, the husband of Ruth. v21 Boaz fathered Obed, 22 Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David.

But exactly, and according to v10 Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place.

Obed was rightfully the son of Mahlon, the son of Elimelech, the husband of Naomi.

This was v6 Then the redeemer said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it.”

BUT this was not what Boaz saw.

Beyond material wealth
The kinsman redeemer nearest to Naomi and Elimelech, did not mind to inherit the land, probably he find it a good investment, as Elimelech's son were dead. And so after the take over, the land is rightfully his and there will be no man in Elimelech family to challenge. But when the mentioned of Ruth, the redeemer gave up.

Towards kingdom inheritance
Boaz did what he promised Ruth. He did not see "burden" of giving Elimelech or Mahlon a continuation of the family line or inheritance. My take is that Boaz saw that as a law, the law that was given by God for the provision of the dead. He saw this as his responsibility and act accordingly to the commands of God.

The Application
Many of my decisions was based on short term gain, or what I can see not beyond this life or at most beyond the next generation. Open my eyes to see God. Let me see things beyond the material wealth or what the world see it as gain or lost. Open my eyes to gain the inheritance of the kingdom that is long lasting. Obed was mentioned as the son of Boaz and through this line came David and Jesus.

Open my eyes that I may see and make decisions for my family, even for II that seem not wise in the eyes of man, but pleasing to God. Amen.