Psalm 140, 142; Ruth 3:1-18; 2 Cor. 4:1-12; Matt. 5:38-48
Some commentators have suggested that Ruth uncovering the feet of Boaz is something more altogether, that she uncovered something more indelicate as this uncovering of the feet is sometimes a euphemism. It seems completely out of character for either Ruth or Boaz or even Naomi who conceived the plan. It would be wrong, I believe, to conclude that anything remotely improper occurred here and that the words here are literally intended. The laws regarding kinsman redeemer require provision for widows and orphans not necessarily marriage though that is clearly the intent of all in question in this story. There arises a problem that must be dealt with, there is one who is a nearer kinsman who has essentially right of first refusal and under the law he must have the opportunity to claim his position in the family. Naomi is pleased to hear and see the results of her plan and counsels her charge to wait, that Boaz will not rest this day until the matter is determined, either way he will force the issue and they will be redeemed.
How do we relate to the world, including our enemies? Jesus says the answer is simple, treat them as you would have them treat you and then some. I had someone misapply this first passage re turning the other cheek with me once in telling me how I should deal with someone who was causing problems in the parish and who had harmed me personally. I was told that I should teach the church how to turn the other cheek and I had to teach something else, that this applies to wicked men, not brothers, that is a matter for Matthew 18. Jesus not only taught us these lessons in the Sermon on the Mount here but then lived into these teachings all the way to the cross. We were meant to live this way with respect to outsiders. We should expect to be persecuted in the world yet our response is to be love and prayer for our enemies. Sounds like, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Paul says that God loved us when we were enemies, we would do well to always remember that.
Paul reminds them that indeed the world will always be as it is, all will not see the truth that they proclaim in their words and in their lives. The end of those who will not believe is the end of them as far as the Christians are concerned, they will reap what they have sown. His appeal is to the grace received, we should always be thankful for that grace that allowed us to see the true light and that allows us to walk by that light all the days of our lives if we will follow it. The world will do to us as it will yet we will never be defeated because Jesus persevered not only to the cross but through the cross and we have His life within us by the power of the Spirit. We are never without hope, we know that our redeemer lives, even more clearly than Job knew it.
There is a redeemer,
Jesus, God's own Son,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Holy One,
Jesus my redeemer,
Name above all names,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Oh, for sinners slain.
Thank you oh my father,
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit,
'Til the work on Earth is done.
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