April 24 – Ruth 4:1-6

April 24 – Ruth 4:1-6

4 Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of whom Boaz had spoken, came by. So Boaz said, “Turn aside, friend; sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down. ² And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down. ³ Then he said to the redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our relative Elimelech. ⁴ So I thought I would tell you of it and say, ‘Buy it in the presence of those sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my people.’ If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if you will not, tell me, that I may know, for there is no one besides you to redeem it, and I come after you.” And he said, “I will redeem it.” ⁵ Then Boaz said, “The day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance.” ⁶ 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.”

 

The first available redeemer chose not to be the redeemer because he wasn’t willing to give up his inheritance he wanted for his own son.  The laws of that day are difficult to  understand but this man was only willing to redeem the land because he gained wealth, but not redeem Ruth because his children could lose future wealth. 

We so often are looking out for ourselves to the point we miss the blessings that God wants to give us.  Out of Ruth’s line will come the Messiah.  What a wonderful gift God will give her for her obedience.

Is there a blessing you have missed because you didn’t look to God but instead you were thinking about the social significance or what was best for you and your family?  God wants to work His best in our lives, yet we only want what we think is best for us.  God’s best isn’t always the easiest, but it truly is always THE best. 

What is God asking you to do today that might seem too difficult?  He will help you accomplish the task He sends You to complete.

 

Heavenly Father, help me stay on track and see the tasks You put before me.  I want to make a difference in Your kingdom.  I want to share You with the world.  I want others to know You and love You.  Give me wisdom to see the opportunities that You put before me.  Keep the enemy from using distractions to keep me off track.  I want to be Your witness to everything You send my way.  Give me the right words at the right time and the courage to speak them with confidence.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen!