Even if it's uncomfortable...

Have you ever wanted something but didn’t want everything that came with it? Sometimes decisions we make in life have both social and financial consequences. 

Throughout the story of Ruth, we see Ruth approach Boaz to be her family redeemer. A family redeemer was a relative who would buy back land and/or redeem a family member’s circumstances. In this case, Naomi had left God’s will (like we talked about a few weeks ago). She came back to the Promised Land, as a widow, with a daughter-in-law who was also a widow and considered a foreigner. I might add: it was against Jewish law to marry someone who was not an Israelite. Ruth fell into this category, as she was a Moabite, and she asked Boaz to marry her. He agreed; however, there was someone relationally closer to her mother-in-law who would have to be given the opportunity to redeem her and the field before Boaz. 

When Boaz called on the man, whose name isn’t even mentioned I might add, as well as 10 other witnesses, he said, “...Naomi, who has returned from the land of Moab, is selling a piece of land that belonged to our brother Elimelech. … Buy it back in the presence of those seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you want to redeem it, tell me so that I will know, because there isn’t anyone other than you to redeem it, and I am next after you.”

The man eagerly said, “I want to redeem it.” (Ruth 4:3-5). Of course he wanted the land!

It was then though that Boaz shared a little more information. He said, “On that day you buy the land from Naomi, you will also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the deceased man, to perpetuate the man’s name on his property” (Ruth 4:5). This would socially strain the man because Ruth was not an Israelite. 

He responded, “I can’t redeem it myself, or I will ruin my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption...” (Ruth 4:6).  He selfishly chose his own inheritance over helping a set of widows. Culturally, we live in different times, so however odd this story may be, there’s a lesson here. Being a Christian comes with the cost of denying ourselves. It requires us to choose to be selfless, to serve others, and to follow God, wherever He is leading us, even if it’s uncomfortable. 

Friends, we cannot pursue the things of this world and Jesus simultaneously. John wrote, “Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). The man in the story who failed to deny himself for the love of God wasn’t used in building God’s plan for His people. Whereas Boaz, who chose to deny himself by redeeming Naomi’s field AND daughter-in-law, Ruth, is remembered forever through Christ’s lineage and legacy. I challenge us this week to reflect: Are we willing to follow God through the ups and downs of life regardless of the social and financial consequences? Ask God to show you where He wants to lead you, and trust that whatever may come, He’s got you.

Have a great week, friends!