YOU ARE VALUABLE

Then Boaz said, 'On the day you acquire the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of the one who had died, in order to raise up the name of the one who had died, on behalf of his inheritance.’ Ruth 4:5

It is estimated that a $30,000 vehicle will cost you roughly $960 a year to maintain. That amount does not account for fuel, insurance, or any unexpected major replacements. That seems like a lot of expense just to have a functional vehicle. So why do we purchase vehicles? Because we see the value that they offer. We assume that the pros (having a vehicle) far outweigh the cons (the expense).

Boaz uses this same strategy to convince the closer kinsman redeemer to redeem Naomi. He presents only the good – new land to farm. His strategy works because the closer relative agrees to redeem the land (Ruth 4:4b).

Then comes the surprise. Boaz reminds the closer relative that if he redeems the land, he must also take responsibility for raising up a name for the deceased. The benefit is the land; the negative is you get Ruth, the Moabitess widow and the responsibility of raising up a child who will eventually get the land. In other words, all that is gained now will eventually be lost.

Who would be crazy enough to accept this offer? Only a person who truly loves that Moabitess widow. Only a person who has a realistic outlook on the whole situation. Only a person who sees value where others see burdens.

Sounds a lot like God, doesn’t it? Though the world may consider you worthless, God sees you as infinitely valuable. “Yahweh is good to all, And His compassions are over all His works” (Psalm 145:9).

Philip Moeller