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THE BLESSING OF THE HOME (2)
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
Ruth 4:11-22

Genesis 1:26-29

 

“And God blessed them…”

 

THE BLESSING OF THE HOME (2)
 
The legal session and the matters of rights to the property of Naomi and marriage of Ruth ended with a statement affirming and acknowledging Boaz’s statement that there were witnesses, and a pronouncement of blessing on the Levirate marriage of Boaz to Ruth. The assessment of the people present and also those who had followed the morning’s proceedings was that Boaz had done what was lawful and right. And their prayers on his behalf indicated that.
 
“…The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah…” (Ruth 4:11). In Ruth 1:19, when Naomi returned, some of the people who knew the history of the family of Elimelech, probably had grieved at the apparent end of the lineage with the arrival of the two widows. But then, as the proceedings ended that day at the gate, they had joys and hopes rising as the turn of events unfolded that morning. The lineage that seemed to have come to an end now seemed to have a fresh start. They had witnessed hope rising and called upon the LORD’S blessing, praying that the LORD would make Ruth fruitful. Christian weddings are a public event not only for a witness and for the legal papers, but also for spiritual blessings.
 
Public witness is part of the marriage process for a testimony to the lawfulness and “rightness” of the union. For this reason, there is the call during the wedding ceremony for any person who may “know cause, or just impediment” to prevent the marriage, to come forth prior to the wedding proceeding. And if no one speaks up publicly, he is charged to “hereafter, forever hold his peace.” This implies that the approval of the body of Christ in the union of a man and a woman is necessary and essential. This means that a couple who is not willing to listen, but is wilful and headstrong, and enter into marriage ignoring the counsel of the church, and godly and spiritual elders and parents, will deprive themselves of blessings and spiritual support that would buttress the marriage in hard times.
 
THOUGHT: Christian witness supports us as we keep our vows.

PRAYER: Grant us, Father, fellowship that strengthens families.

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