“Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down. And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down. And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's: And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it. Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance. And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it. Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel. Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe” (Ruth 4:1-8)
Today’s Morsel: Have you ever seen someone throw their shoe at someone else? It is a sign of rejection. Sometimes when I read scripture, I get a good laugh because at times God’s ways are humorous. For example, to not purchase Ruth with Naomi’s field, the next of kinsman had to take off his shoe as a witness that he would not redeem her. Why could he not just sign a paper or use his signet? No, he had to take off his shoe. The removal of the shoe was a sign of denial. Under Moses' instructions, the woman was to take the kinsmen’s shoe off and spit in his face if he rejected her (Deuteronomy 25:9). This was a Jewish law. But to spare Ruth, which was a Moabite and an outsider, the embarrassment, Boaz took her place. Aren’t you glad that Jesus redeemed you? He took the shame in your place.
Sing: We have heard the joyful sound: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Spread the tiding all around: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Bear the news to every land, climb the steps and cross the waves; onward! Tis our Lord’s command; Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Thought For Today: Jesus is our Kinsman Redeemer.
Thank you Jesus for redeeming me.
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