RPG Adults
THE BLESSING OF THE HOME (5)
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
Ruth 4:11-22
2 Samuel 7:4-12
“…the LORD telleth thee that he
will make thee an house."
THE BLESSING OF THE HOME (5)
The Christian wedding and the vows are not just formality. They are to be entered into very soberly. When one chooses to have a Christian wedding and recite those wedding vows, it must be with the intent and purpose to live a Christian life and build a godly home! The blessings that follow, and that are laid in store for the Christian home, are not automatically bestowed on the basis of going through and having a Christian wedding. Rather, they are bestowed on those who seek and actively pursue a godly Christian life.
“And let thy house be like the house of Pharez…” (Ruth 4:12). Boaz had spoken of the name and lineage of Elimelech, and the blessings pronounced on him spoke of his house. Just as David sat in his house and purposed to build a house for the LORD, so did Boaz, addressing the elders at the gate, purpose to raise up seed for the dead. Unlike Er who was wicked, and Onan who refused to give seed to his brother, and were both slain of the LORD, Boaz willingly took up the responsibility of the kinsman-redeemer and was blessed for it.
The blessing “like the house of Pharez” was one that included honour and dignity, as well as numbers and multitude. Out of the five sons born to Judah, two died at the hands of the LORD for their wickedness. This means that the whole tribe of Judah would trace their ancestry to either Shelah, Pharez or Zerah (Gen 46:12). Not much is known to us about the house of Pharez. What is recorded for us, and is known, is mainly based on the circumstances of his birth. Just like in the case of Ruth, Tamar was widowed and left without a son, and was to be a Levirate bride. But as Judah’s youngest son Shelah was too young, Tamar was sent home with a promise to be given to Shelah when he matured, a promise that Judah did not intend to keep. Tamar conceived and gave birth to twin boys by Judah, and at birth, Pharez broke out first when his brother pulled his hand back (Gen 38:29), and by that, held on to the rights of the firstborn child over his brother Zerah.
THOUGHT: “Singing if my way be clear, praying if the path be drear.”
PRAYER: O, Father, behold us at Thy feet, a needy, sinful band.