Accepting the Undesireable

Extra Parts Included

Many times in life we run into situations where the things we acquire look great before we analyze the purchase. When we start to analyze all the necessary extra parts that go along with the purchase, we may second guess the decision to purchase what we thought we initially desired.

For myself, when I think of getting a new vehicle, owning a new car or truck with a great warranty and new engine sound great at first. However, the payment that comes along with it and the increased insurance requires me to think about the total cost before purchasing.

Relationships are even more difficult when considering what else is included. Not all people are perfectly honest when dating. Perhaps past activities have rendered some extra baggage that may appear to some people undesirable to have in a relationship.

But Wait! There’s More

We are told to count the entire cost of the purchase before purchasing something (Luke 14:28).

However, there are times where our desires outweigh the sensibility of reason.

We grab for the shiny new product out of lust or greed without realizing all that is to follow with the purchase.

One of the most difficult and rewarding activities in life is to raise children. Babies are cute but teenagers are challenging. Both for parents present times of stress and enjoyment.

For the Christian who is in relationship with God, understanding that He has redeemed those who may appear undesirable or perhaps carry some extra baggage from their past helps to explain grace for us.

The Wretched

One of my favorite stories is Les Miserables. It is a story of a convict Jean Valjean attempting to restore his life while a police officer, Javert, continually pursues him. Along the way the convict encounters early a priest who forgives his crimes of theft and even gives him more than he initially stole to provide him a new path in life.

Throughout the rest of the book, there are many who would be considered miserable, wretched, and not worthy of being redeemed. The priest who encountered Jean Valjean did not see people the way the rest of France saw this convict.

No, he looked upon him with the love and redeeming grace with which God looks upon us. In the same manner Boaz looks upon Naomi, knowing that acquiring her land also acquires Ruth to ensure the lineage of Elimelech is not lost.

Ruth 4:1 NASB95

Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there, and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz spoke was passing by, so he said, “Turn aside, friend, sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down.

Ruth 4:2 NASB95

He took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.

Ruth 4:3 NASB95

Then he said to the closest relative, “Naomi, who has come back from the land of Moab, has to sell the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech.

Ruth 4:4 NASB95

“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.’ ” And he said, “I will redeem it.”

Ruth 4:5 NASB95

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.”

Ruth 4:6 NASB95

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.”

Ruth 4:7 NASB95

Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning the redemption and the exchange of land to confirm any matter: a man removed his sandal and gave it to another; and this was the manner of attestation in Israel.

Ruth 4:8 NASB95

So the closest relative said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” And he removed his sandal.

Ruth 4:9 NASB95

Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon.

Ruth 4:10 NASB95

“Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, to be my wife in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance, so that the name of the deceased will not be cut off from his brothers or from the court of his birth place; you are witnesses today.”

Ruth 4:11 NASB95

All the people who were in the court, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, both of whom built the house of Israel; and may you achieve wealth in Ephrathah and become famous in Bethlehem.

Ruth 4:12 NASB95

“Moreover, may your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the offspring which the Lord will give you by this young woman.”

Ruth 4:13 NASB95

So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife, and he went in to her. And the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.

Ruth 4:14 NASB95

Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may his name become famous in Israel.

Ruth 4:15 NASB95

“May he also be to you a restorer of life and a sustainer of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.”

Validating Intentions

Looking over the redemption of Naomi and the encounter with the townspeople, we recognize there are instances where people show honor, greed, and the insistence upon redemption.

Boaz knew where the gathering of the people who could settle the dispute would be. In this context, the mentioning of the ten elders gathered together for making decisions is important. In Jewish custom, the gathering of at least ten elders symbolized what we would say is a quorum. Or, the amount needed to validate an argument or vote.

When Boaz presents the opportunity for the closest relative to redeem what was rightfully his, the closest relative proclaims immediately that he will indeed redeem the property.

Intentions here lead to two different meanings for this relative who at first is willing to redeem. It would appear that he had not known what the full purchase would cost him.

Many commentators note there is no name attributed to the relative who would not redeem. He is forgotten. His character is that of a person who is not willing to sacrifice his own needs for that of another. His intentions are shown in full.

Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).

In contrast to the forward proposal of Ruth given in the night to fulfill the plan of Naomi, Boaz does take the matter to court in the daylight. He gathers as many witnesses as possible to show his intentions.

Once the declaration of the closer relative is given that he is unwilling to accept all that comes with the redemption, Boaz declares before the elders and the townspeople that he is willing to redeem the widows.

Joy for Naomi and Ruth are found in full at last. Where they have struggled to ensure they will be found not in wanting any longer is secured in the character of Boaz who is willing to accept what the closer relative would not.

Jesus Declares in the Open

As far as the east is from the west is how far away your sins are from God when you ask for forgiveness (Psalm 103:12).

Jesus’ act of redemption of us came at the cross. It was not completed at night in the shadows. It was accomplished before many witnesses. Where others were not willing and definitely not capable, Jesus steps in and redeems all who are willing to accept Him.

Where the closer relative mentions he is incapable of risking his livelihood to redeem Naomi because of the additional requirements, Jesus loved and risked his life to ensure that all are able to be redeemed (John 3:16).

Court is Adjourned

For you who are wondering if you are capable of being redeemed and capable of being worthy enough for the court to declare you as belonging to God, that decision has already been made.

Many wonder about their status and relationship with God. Only the enemies of God would call His children unworthy of His grace.

We sit idly by at times wondering whether or not our redeemer is going to go to the the people and proclaim our redemption. You may believe that your past is keeping you away from redemption.

Just as Ruth and Naomi were waiting on the redemption to take place and the matter to be settled, I imagine there was some stress and anxiety while they waited.

Thankfully, we do not have to wonder who is going to redeem us in our undesirable state. Our sins have been forgiven (Rom. 5:8). Christ redeemed us before we ever sinned.

Our acceptance of the redemption comes with the follow through to go through with the proposal.

Walking the Aisle

Now that Naomi and Ruth recognize there is a willing redeemer, there would be a wedding ceremony. Boaz and Ruth marry, have a child who would be the grandfather of David.

We too must recognize that the willing redeemer is the groom to the bride of the church. There are many who have asked for redemption. They have pleaded and worked hard to prove their character but they have not been willing to walk down the aisle.

They have left the redeemer at the court already knowing his character is proven. That Jesus has accomplished what no one else was either capable or willing to accomplish.

It is our duty to go through after our pleading for redemption with our proposal. Often we commit our lives without considering the cost. However, the bonding of our lives with Christ’s is much easier and better than anything the world has to offer.