The idea of redemption is to keep what was in the family in
the family. Boaz calls ten men
together, the quorum necessary under the law.
(The law here is based on Abraham's bargain with the Lord over Sodom,
the Lord would destroy Sodom if ten righteous men could be found there.) Initially, the near redeemer agrees to
purchase the land from Naomi and keep it in the family and then learns that if
he buys the land he also gets Ruth and in the bargain he would have to
potentially provide a child to her that would be her dead husband's heir so
that the line would not die out. That
was a price too high, as it would then dilute the inheritance of his own
children. (See the story of Judah and
Tamar in Genesis 38 which is referenced here in the elders' charge to
Boaz). Boaz happily serves as redeemer
and provides Ruth with a child and Naomi with a grandchild. She is no more Mara (bitter), she is once
again truly Naomi (pleasant) and the grandfather of king David is the product
of these two righteous people.
Is Jesus giving lessons in etiquette now? It makes sense that to avoid embarrassment
you would not presume to an exalted place at a feast without knowing the guest
list doesn't it? He uses what everyone
knows, common sense, to make the point that this same principle is true in the
kingdom of God. We are to assume we are
the least important person in the kingdom, to humble ourselves appropriately,
not in hopes of being exalted, but to defer to the host of the feast, the Lord
Himself, as to our relative place in the pecking order. In the story that precedes the parable, who
has been the exalted guest? Amazingly,
the man with dropsy singled out by Jesus and healed. The would-be experts receive a rebuke. Humility before the Lord is the best option.
Why does Paul single out preaching and teaching for double
honor? It is important work to divide
the Word of God for people, the work commanded by Jesus in the Great Commission
to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey all He commanded. Obedience to a commandment presumes
understanding the commandment. Making
Him known via preaching and exhorting is critical work in equipping the saints
for the work of ministry. Paul wants
Timothy to be careful and respectful of the elders, not on account of his own
youth but because elders have earned respect.
It should not be taken away without ample evidence of failure. Likewise, it is not to be given without ample
evidence of godliness, not too quickly.
Sin and failure of an elder is a stain on the entire body. The cost of discipleship must always be
weighed and borne. We need righteous
leaders.
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