A PROVIDENTIAL MARRIAGE

A PROVIDENTIAL MARRIAGE

Ruth 3: 4:

       God's providence had given a particular law. In Deut. 25:5-10 we learn that the law in Israel was that if a man died leaving no child, his brother was to marry his wife. From this union the first born child would be registered as the child of the dead man for all hereditary purposes. If the man would not perform this duty, the dead man's wife would go to court and accuse him. When the elders of the city had ascertained from the brother that he did not choose to perform the duty, the dead brother's wife would come and loose his shoe and spit in his face. She would say, "So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house."  He would then be called, him who had his shoe loosed. It was a way to preserve prosperity. This, in this case, preserved the genealogical line of our Blessed Lord. It was the widow's responsibility to pursue the marriage. Deut. 25:7, 9 The propriety required that the unwilling man be shamed Deut. 25:8-10.

        God's providence provided a kinsman, Ruth 3:1-9. Naomi, acquainted with the law in Israel explained to Ruth what action she should take. She bathed herself and after the day had ended she went to the harvest floor where the men were lying for the night's rest. She would go to the feet of Boaz and lay herself down. She was quietly fulfilling the law of Deut. 25:5-10. According to Ruth 3:10, 11, Boaz was a willing kinsmen. This means he was willing to do what the law required. According to Ruth 3:12-15 he was also an able kinsmen. He was her near kinsmen barred only by one man of closer kin than he. If the nearer kinsman would not do the brother's duty, Boaz would.

        Boaz was a prepared kinsman, Ruth 4:3-6. He knew the other man, and he knew just what to say to him.

        God's providence provided a rest. There was a rest for Ruth in the home of Boaz. Ruth 3:1 This marriage is not by chance; it was absolutely necessary to preserve the lineage of our Lord. Boaz did as was necessary and offered Ruth to the other kinsman nearer than he. The man refused to marry Ruth. Again it is God preserving the genealogical line of our Lord. In the providence of God Boaz and Ruth married. This union gave birth to Obed, who became the father of Jesse, who became the father of David.

        God provided rest for sinners in Heaven the home of Jesus Christ of whom Boaz was type. God promised David a son that would reign in Jerusalem forever. Thus here he was providentially preserving that Son's genealogy. In giving us Jesus He gave us the glorious rest in Heaven.