24 February 2011

Psalm 131, 132; Ruth 2:14-23; 2 Cor. 3:1-18; Matt. 5:27-37

Boaz’ kindness towards Ruth was inspired, at least partially, by her devotion to her mother-in-law, the wife of Boaz’ kinsman. He goes above and beyond the duties of the law in regards to this Moabite woman in providing her protection and instructing his men to take some out of the sheaves they had gathered and provide it for her. His kindness towards her is great. When she finishes the work of separating the wheat from the chaff she has an ephah of barley. In the wilderness God’s decree concerning the manna was that they would gather a tenth of an ephah per day per person for their daily needs, so this is an extravagant provision by Boaz for Naomi and Ruth and Naomi knows it based on her reaction. She also knows the provisions of the law concerning kinsman redeemers and that Boaz is potentially one who will take the place of her husband concerning providing for the women and she begins to think of the future again.

Again in this teaching Jesus raises the bar on sinful conduct and its obverse, righteousness. They are indeed two faces of one coin. If we would know righteousness we must know what constitutes its opposite and vice versa. The standards are much higher than seem readily apparent in the words of the law. Adultery relates not just to observable action but also to the action of the mind and heart. The bonds and covenant of marriage are not as easily dissolved as legal proceedings would seem to indicate, and oaths are unnecessary for righteous people. We need the spirit if we would truly know and understand, much less do, righteousness. This teaching reveals to us just how sinful our lives are in the sight of a holy God. Our need of forgiveness is greater than we imagined and grace is more amazing than we can realize.

What a beautiful passage this is! Paul speaks of the law having a glory that fades away, using the example of the shining face of Moses which he veiled from the people. The glory of the law was great, as we see in the shekinah glory filling the tabernacle and the temple, but Paul sees that its glory is pale compared to the glory of Christ and he sees that in Jesus the law’s glory is done away with for this greater glory. We see the same in the Transfiguration with the light shining forth from Jesus there with the law and the prophets and in the end they are gone and only He remains with the voice from heaven declaring He is my beloved Son, listen to Him. In receiving the Holy Spirit the veils have been lifted from our faces and we can behold the fair beauty and the glory of the Lord face to face and not only that, we are being transformed into His likeness. Do we see that in ourselves, do we long for righteousness, that we might be like Him? It is easier to admire it in others like Boaz than to be those people.

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.