Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Ruth 3 and Psalm 47

Another of God’s laws of generous justice was the law of the guardian-redeemer – the “goel” in Hebrew. The “goel” carried a number of responsibilities within the extended family context of God’s people. Essentially he was the nearest adult male relative, and his responsibility was to buy family members back out of slavery (Leviticus 25:48), to avenge the murder of a family member (Numbers 35:19), to buy back family land that had been forfeited because of debt (Leviticus 25:25) and to carry on the family name by marrying a childless widow (Deuteronomy 25:5-10). To the landless and income-less widows, Ruth and Naomi, Boaz was their guardian-redeemer and hence their best hope of a secure and peaceful future.

Although the “flirtation” of Ruth 3 seems quaint and foreign to our 21st century minds, Ruth was very graciously communicating the facts of the matter to Boaz. He needed to know that he was her guardian-redeemer under Law because of her marriage into Naomi’s family, but she also wanted him to see that she was an attractive, hard-working, honest and resposible young woman. To lie at his feet was not an act of seduction. In that day this was a gesture of submission and servanthood. It was the way to communicate that although she had the right to demand that he redeem her through marriage, she was bringing herself in humility and vulnerability instead. By doing this she was saying to Boaz, “I respect you, I trust you, and I put my fate in your hands.”

Heavenly Father, help us to trust Your goodness and grace, the way Ruth and Naomi trusted in Boaz’s character and uprightness. They believed he would do the right thing, but we know that You will be gracious, merciful and kind to us. It is always Your way. We trust You with our lives today, Lord! Amen.