The man will not rest, but will settle the matter today.

 

Friday, June 2, 2023


Psalm 77

Ruth 3

Acts 3:1-16


Observances: Week of Prayer for Reconciliation; Ember day


The man will not rest, but will settle the matter today.


There is an idea of a holy and godly honour that every Christian would like to observe. Boaz reflected this in his actions towards Ruth, and Ruth and Naomi could only have gone to Boaz in the way that they did if he acted in accordance with a sense of holy and godly honour.


What a symbol of Christ-like innocence in Boaz’s action of bringing Ruth under his doonah simply to give her a good night’s rest! Boaz is almost other-wordly in his self-control. Then in the morning, Ruth is sent off with her sleeping linen filled with barley; is this not Christ-like generosity, in thinking not of how much could be kept back, but rather how much can be given?


The final echo, or shadow, or signpost pointing to Christ is the haste with which Boaz moves to settle the matter. Dear Christian, our situation is resolved by God today. God has heard our cry. God is moved to compassion. God is moving, with all haste, honour, and generosity: Christ Himself is our honourable and generous Bridegroom who redeems us with no delay.

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