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Title: Public Displays of Affection
Intro:
When we talk about PDA, what normally comes to mind? Ladies, has your man ever made a PDA that you liked? That you thought was romantic?
“Therefore…” The relative now fully understands the conditions of his purchase and has changed his mind before offering his binding word. He was interested in the land if it was the land only, but (for reasons we can only speculate about, as we did last week) he has decided that the “cost” of also having to marry Ruth and take Naomi in are too steep and he doesn’t want to pursue the land.
PB thought: Something occurred to me this past week concerning the difference between this close relative and Boaz:
For the relative, the LAND (wealth) was the important thing, RUTH (a GREAT woman) was the undesirable condition.
For Boaz, RUTH (a GREAT woman) was the prize, the LAND (wealth) was nothing more than an afterthought.
POINT: If your priorities are in order, the LORD will provide!
(See ye first the Kingdom of God, THEN, all these things will be added unto you.)
What Did the Levitical Law Say?
Lev. 25:7-10
7 But if the man does not want to take his brother’s wife, then let his brother’s wife go up to the gate to the elders, and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to raise up a name to his brother in Israel; he will not perform the duty of my husband’s brother.’ 8 Then the elders of his city shall call him and speak to him. But if he stands firm and says, ‘I do not want to take her,’ 9 then his brother’s wife shall come to him in the presence of the elders, remove his sandal from his foot, spit in his face, and answer and say, ‘So shall it be done to the man who will not build up his brother’s house.’ 10 And his name shall be called in Israel, ‘The house of him who had his sandal removed.’
Explanation from Dave Guzik:
It was the custom in former times in Israel: Deuteronomy 25:5-10 describes the ceremony conducted when a kinsman declined his responsibility.
The one declining removed a sandal and the woman he declined to honor spat in his face.
But in this case, because there was no lack of honor was involved, they just did the part of the ceremony involving the sandal.
Buy it for yourself:
The nearer kinsman said, “The land is yours to redeem, because you are also willing to redeem the posterity of Elimelech by taking Ruth as wife, something I am not willing to do.”
“You are Witnesses this day…”
Boaz then publicly reviews the entire transaction one last time, giving all opportunity for ANYONE who had an objection for either the business at hand, or how that business was handled, to raise that objection.
- Boaz had purchased from Naomi all that previously belong to Elimelech and his sons.
- I am taking Ruth as my wife to perpetuate the name of the family, and to ensure the inheritance of all our descendants. Don’t miss this: Boaz is no publicly declaring his love for Ruth!
- You are all witnesses. (If there is any objection, let it be known now.)
Some More Good Thoughts from Dave Guzik:
This explains why a marriage ceremony is important, and why it should be recognized by the civil authorities. Boaz had a love for Ruth that was public, a love that wanted to be publicly witnessed and registered.
Sometimes, people wonder why a marriage ceremony or a marriage license is important. “Can’t we just be married before God?”
(Insert story of Hospice wife “can’t we just be married in God’s eyes? And several college students “Well, we’re going to get married anyway…”)
But there is something severely lacking in a love that doesn’t want to proclaim itself; that does not want witnesses; and that does not want the bond to be recognized by the civil authorities. That love falls short of true marital love.
So, those who say “Well, if we were on a desert island and no one was there to marry us, could we still be married before God?” need to hear the answer: “Yes – on a desert island. But you aren’t on a desert island. There are witnesses and civil authorities for you to proclaim your commitment of marital love to. God wants you to do it!”
(I can’t help but wonder if Ruth is watching this and whispering to Naomi, “That’s MY man.”)
(Close/QA)