Many men and women attend church on a weekly basis and put their “˜best foot forward’ on Sundays. That attitude may continue all through that day set aside to worship God. A question comes to mind…does that same attitude go with them into Monday, Tuesday, etc.? Are kindness and generosity a way of life when business is negotiated?
A living faith in the living God will affect how we live.
“˜Watch’ Boaz deal with a legal matter which affected the rest of his life:
(NASB) Ruth 4:4 “So I thought to inform you, saying, “˜Buy it before those who are sitting here, and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if not, tell me that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am after you.'”
***Boaz had ten witnesses to this legal proposal. He asked the one relative who had the legal rights to buy the land of Naomi. Boaz went through the proper legal channels and did not try to “˜bend the law’ his way.
He continued to show that his character was honest, forthright, astute and above reproach.
Do you have that kind of reputation? It can only come by being honest, forthright, astute and above reproach in your actions and transactions.
(NASB) Ruth 4:4b-5 “And he said, “˜I will redeem it.’
5 Then Boaz said, “˜On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of the deceased, in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.”
***Buying the land was no problem for that nearest relative to Naomi. But, taking Ruth as his wife and bearing children was the problem. Why would this be a problem? Ruth must have been a beautiful young woman and her inner person was highly regarded by Naomi and Boaz.
Whoever married Ruth and fathered her first born son would give up his rights to that son. The son would have the name of Ruth’s first husband and all the rights of a first born for the land of Naomi as well as his father’s property.
(NASB) Ruth 4:6 “The closest relative said, “˜I cannot redeem it for myself, because I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Redeem it for yourself; you may have my right of redemption, for I cannot redeem it.”
***This closest relative did not want his property to become a part of Elimelech’s property.
What does this show about Boaz’ character? His kindness and generosity was a way of life and he was willing for any first born son of Ruth to be given the property.
Kindness and generosity many times demands sacrificial love.
To whom are you to extend kindness and generosity today?
