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Why is legality and fairness important?
Why is legality and fairness important?
We have all seen the post-apocolyptic films where everything is in chaos. Rioting ensues, every man is for himself, and law and order is managed by a few select people who self proclaim their worth for the title. What would you do if lawlessness ensued? Would you choose to lead? Would you bunker down? Which side would you choose in a community? Would you resort to violence if necessary? What deems it necessary in your opinion?
Even in the scriptures God provides law for his people. In the beginning, God tells Adam and Eve a few things.
" The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
We see here that there are just four things that were laid out as expectations or rules for God's man. Number 1: work and care for your garden, your home. Number 2: You can eat from any tree. Number 3: Do not eat from a specific tree. Number 4: It is not good for you to be alone. This all seems pretty simple in fact...so why was it so easy to sin and fall into lawlessness?
Levitical Law vs. New Covenant Law
Levitical Law vs. New Covenant Law
Later in scripture we see that God sets down 10 commandments and then follows up with a slew of laws and sacrfices to make atonement for a variety of things. There is no way to keep them all. A lot of them are associated with sin and the worship of God. Many are followed up with sacrifices. Take a few minutes to follow the link below the Levitical law and check out the extensive list! Which ones do you think are impossible?
The 10 Commandments
The 10 Commandments
When faced with the laws of today, some might accept some and reject others. There are many justifications for us to do these things or so we can convince ourselves. For example, the speed limit is 70 on the interstate; I do not go 70. I tend to go 75 - 80, and I know that this is wrong. Does this knowledge change my behavior? No. Will it change my habits in the future? Not likely. Do I slow to the speed limit in construction zones or when people are pulled over? Yes. The laws of speed limits are in place to keep myself and others safe, but it is easy for me to justify my breaking of those laws by thinking, "I am a good driver or I am late to work I have to go faster." However, there are laws that I simply do not break. I do not steal. I do not kill. I do not abuse my children...although they may tell you otherwise 😂. So why are laws important? According to the AI google search of "why are laws important" it states:
Laws are important because they provide a framework for a stable society by regulating people's behavior, protecting individual rights, resolving conflicts peacefully, ensuring fairness and equality, and promoting order and justice, essentially preventing chaos and allowing for a functioning community where everyone can live safely and with some degree of certainty about their rights and responsibilities.
In truth I agree with this summation. So what does this whole process of discussing laws and their rationale have to do with Ruth chapter 4? If Boaz had not followed the law in regards to kinsmen redeemer he would not have been a good example of a Godly man. His image here is important as he is a reflection of what Christ does for us in the future. A Christ born through his family lineage.
Ruth 4: 1-6
Ruth 4: 1-6
Boaz takes his role as kinsmen redeemer seriously, but he also is a law-abiding man who knows that he must complete this course of action honorably.
Boaz set out as soon as the sun rose, post the safe departure of Ruth back to Naomi with large sacks of barley in tow. Boaz goes to the city gates where, in biblical times, legal transactions take place. He also calls ten elders to attend this meeting. Witnesses were necessary for this business to be above reproach. Boaz informs the elders, including the nearer kinsmen redeemer, of Naomi's intention to sell her rights to her property. Any person in their right mind would gladly take on the titles of more land thereby ensuring wealth and prosperity; however, Boaz revealed that along with this land he would also acquire Ruth, the Moabitess. The closer kinsmen redeemer declined the offer after learning of Ruth's involvement. Per Levitical law any future sons he bore with Ruth would split his inheritance with his current wife's sons. This would cause strife and chaos within his household as we previously saw in Genesis with Jacob's children bore to him by Rachel and Leah.
I would like to pause and discuss how this behavior is similar and yet more honorable than Naomi's behavior in the last chapter. We learned that Naomi's actions to encourage Ruth to go to Boaz in secret were not quite safe nor were they awaiting the Lord's timeline. However, doesn't it seem like Boaz is scheming here to? To try and go about a devious way to deter the other kinsmen redeemer from accepting the land? No. Here is Boaz doing business above reproach. Although Boaz does want Ruth as his own wife, he wants to be sure in front of these witnesses that he is genuine and honorable. He leads with the land and the other man eagerly accepts. So in the eyes of the witnesses he is leading with the most rewarding part of the deal first.
After regaling them about the second caviot, Ruth, the man declines. You see if Boaz had led with Ruth and not mentioned the land, later when Boaz became wealthier due to the property the witnesses would think him dishonorable. Hiding the wealth behind the marraige to Ruth, but Boaz did the right thing. He led with the land which was eagerly accepted and then followed up with the marraige to Ruth.
Ruth 4:7-12
Ruth 4:7-12
Boaz's actions with the alternative redeemer are above reproach and a great example to all for handling situations honorably.
The Levitical law states that contracts are binding by the removal of a sandal and giving it to another which is what the alternative redeemer did in this case regarding Ruth and Naomi's property. The gathering of witnesses here to observe this discussion and transaction further seals the deal as it affirms that the men cannot have a change of heart. To reiterate this even more, Boaz says, "You are witnesses today" twice.
Redmond stated in his commentary:
"Boaz solicits affirmation of their eyewitness testimony to two things. First, as the redeemer, he now has rights to the inheritance of Naomi left to her by Elimilech and her two sons, Chilion and Mahlon. He has the right to make sure Elimelech's name is not lost and his family's territory stays within the tribe of Israel.
Second, in his act of redemption, he gains ruth as his wife. Boaz in detail describes her as Mahlon's widow, indicating he purposes to make sure Mahlon's name does not vanish from "among his relatives or from the gate of his hometown," which would be the court of his birthplace. Boaz is acting according to the law toward the widow in his clan, and his concern is for the legal perpetuation of the name of the deceased. In the history of Mahlon's hometown people, he wants Mahlon's name to be remembered for generations to come. Boaz gains the eyewitness affirmation from those present so that the transaction of redemption is both completed and sealed in perpetuity." (Redmond, page 299)
The witnesses rejoice and speak blessings over the transaction. First, for God to bless their home to be fruitful. As of a ten year marraige, Ruth was barren. Second, they pray a blessing of prosperity and strong lineage full of male descendants just like Tamar.
Ruth 4: 13-22
Ruth 4: 13-22
Naomi has finally been redeemed. Her life is full once more with the marraige of Ruth and the production of a son.
The book of Ruth is truly a love story, but the main character is not Ruth, but Naomi. The whole book describes her journery through love, loss, grief and redemption. We see here in these final verses that after Ruth and Boaz were married, her womb was opened and she bore a son. The women of the town praised the Lord for fulfilling the promise and the requested blessing of a kinsmen redeemer.
Naomi's countenance has changed so much that people question whether it is truly her! One may think that the redeemer for Naomi is Boaz; however, this son is her redeemer. Through this child Naomi will be restored to a full life once more. She had lost all hope after the death of her husband's and sons, but now her hope and lineage have been redeemed. This son also brings the following to the world:
Answer to Prayer
Offspring to perpetuate Boaz's line
Descendent of male children born to the line of Perez
Brings us the line of David
A promised son through the story of marriage
A promised son through the story of marriage
This whole book is a story of hope, loss, and redemption. The marriage between Boaz and Ruth is a reflection of the redemption authored by the marraige between God and His people. We are God's people, and through his relationship with us His son paid the ultimate price for our salvation, our redemption. Jesus is the restorer of life, "the Son of David, Son of Man, Son of Mary, Son of God is the promised Son who will bring glory to the house of David and redeem all those waiting for the redemption of Israel, and he is the redemption of everyone who has placed trust in Him (Redmond, page 304)."
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