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PROVIDENCE, RELATIONSHIPS AND MARRIAGE (1)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24
Ruth 4:1-10

Romans 12:9-18

 

“…Provide things honest

in the sight of all men.”

 

PROVIDENCE, RELATIONSHIPS AND MARRIAGE (1)
 
Marriage is honourable when pursued and entered into lawfully. Many dishonour it by entering into it rashly. Ruth was rightly advised by her mother-in-law to sit still. Many young people try to circumvent the process, deeming it too long. Yet, the Christian wedding ceremony begins with a solemn caution which states, “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony; which is commended of Saint Paul to be honourable among all men: therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God.” In this final chapter of Ruth, we are presented with the picture of Boaz going through the process as Ruth sat still and waited for him to do all that she required (Ruth 3:11).
 
“Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there…” (Ruth 4:1). The chapter begins with Boaz finding his way to the gate of the city, which was the place where official matters were conducted. The Bible clearly presents this in the Old Testament. The gates were where judgment and punishment were meted out (Deut 17:5), and where matters of controversy were settled (Deut 17:8). Even in matters of marriage, it was at the gates that issues were settled, whether in regard to the Levirate marriage (Deut 25:7), or issues between husband and wife (Deut 22:13-24). The gates of the city were a busy place and the centre of daily activities, for there, the elders of the city came to sit, judge and make decisions. It was at the gate that Absalom placed himself as he sought to usurp David’s throne (2 Sam 15:2). It was also at the gates of the city that Elijah met the widow whom he was sent to by the LORD for his sustenance during the famine (1 Kings 17:10). It was at the gates that the market-place seemed to be as Elisha prophesied that flour and barley would be sold during the famine and the siege of Samaria (2 Kings 7:1). In the Book of Proverbs, it was at the gates that wisdom cried out (Prov 1:21), and the husband of the virtuous woman was known (Prov 31:23). And it was there that Boaz resorted to have the matters at hand addressed.
 
THOUGHT: (Read Proverbs 11:14.)

PRAYER: Give me wisdom, Father, that I may approach matters godlily.

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