[The Glory Unveiled]
At this, the [kinsman] guardian-redeemer said, “Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it.” ( Ruth 4:6 )
The verse of scripture for today’s devotion is an excerpt from a conversation between Boaz and the kinsman redeemer of Ruth. Ruth was the daughter-in-law of Naomi, whose husband had died. And according to the custom of Israel then, a close relative had to buy any property of the late relative and if he had a wife, marry her to continue his family lineage. In that line of succession, there was a man who was supposed to redeem the property of Mahlon, Ruth’s dead husband. But because he was only concern about himself and his estate, he rejected Ruth and shunned the responsibility of taking her as wife. He thought marrying Ruth will endanger his estate but that would have rather permanently inscribed his name in the records of Israel and history at large because Ruth became the mother of Obed, grandmother of Jesse [the father of David] and the great ancestor of Jesus Christ. Today, whenever the story of Jesus or David is told, she is mentioned and Boaz who was second in line but took upon himself the responsibility of marrying her is also mentioned every time the story is told. Imagine the dozens of great and life altering opportunities that we turn down because sometimes we are unable to see the bigger picture of destiny. The little, seemingly inconsequential causes of life are the pixels that put together a beautiful picture of destiny. Instead of shunning responsibilities and pushing it around to others, we must muster courage and do what is right.
Prayer_Bead: Eternal Kinsman, Gracious Redeemer, order my steps in your ways. Teach me to take the responsibilities that will lead me to the next phase of my destiny. Thank you for what you will do in my generation through my obedience.
#Gnews: Unveiling the glory of God.