A Man of His Word

Devotion: Ruth 4:1-2

Sometimes decisions are made in the heat of a moment and words are said that later are regretted and even reneged. These decisions often make sense at the time, but in the cold light of the morning the weight of those decisions' consequences seems too heavy. I had a mentor tell me once, "If you cannot say 'no,' I cannot trust you when you say, 'yes.' " I have taken that matter to heart in much of my life and try to let my yes be yes and my no be no. God does not waver in His sovereign electing choice to save us in Christ Jesus and the followers of Jesus should be just as clear in their own decision making. To that end, if the answer is really, 'no,' then say, 'no.' Yet, if the answer is, 'yes,' we need to be sure to follow through on our commitment and keep our word. Boaz, in our passage this week, shows he is a man of his word.

"Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of whom Boaz had spoken, came by. So Boaz said, 'Turn aside, friend; sit down here.' And he turned aside and sat down. And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, 'Sit down here.' So they sat down." -Ruth 4:1-2 ESV

Boaz had promised Ruth in the night that he would see to the matter of redemption the next day. Keep in mind this in the midst of a busy season for him with the threshing going on in the background. Regardless, Boaz had made a commitment and he intended to keep that commitment. So instead of overseeing work at the threshing floor, Boaz, as an elder, goes to the city gates. Elders at the time would take their place at the busiest intersection of an ancient walled city, namely the gate where people would come and go on their daily business. The elders were given the task of settling disputes according to the Law established by God through Moses. Boaz, a respected elder in the community, knows all of these things and goes to sit in his place.
Now part of the promise that Boaz made to Ruth required the movement of God. As Boaz sits at the gate the closer redeemer (in terms of relationship to Naomi) walks by. Now Boaz may have known the man's habits and thus been fairly certain he would happen by that day, but this was no guarantee that he would and thus Boaz had to rely on God for him to be a man of his word. As a pastor I know this all to well. When pronouncing the promises of God through salvation in Christ, I am reliant upon God to vouchsafe those promises and bring them to fruition in the lives of the congregation and ultimately in history with the coming of Christ Jesus in glory.
In the end, Boaz is a man of his word as he invites the man to come sit with him to discuss the matter of redemption. I think we can all be more like Boaz, men and women who keep their word, who trust in the Lord to provide a way for us to keep our word and those who are concerned with the redemption of others.

News for You:

• Our 110th Annual Congregational Meeting will be January 21, 2018 following worship.
• A Chili Feed Fundraiser for Rooshie Mintzer's mission trip will be Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 5 p.m. Minimum donation of $5. Come support Rooshie as she prepares to go to Malaysia.
• We are still on the hunt for a Youth Director. If you or someone you feels the call of God to serve the youth of Omak, pick up an application!
• The Homeless Shelter season is winding down, but there are still volunteer opportunities available. Sign up at the Welcome Center!