#410 Leather Exchange

Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.

2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.

3 And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's:

4 And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.

5 Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.

6 And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.

7 Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel.

8 Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.

9 And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi.

10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.

11 And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:

12 And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman.

13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son.

14 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.

15 And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.

16 And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.

17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

18 Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,

19 And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab,

20 And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon,

21 And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,

22 And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David. Ruth 4 KJV

The kinsmen, who is first in line, is not here named, yet he is agreeable to redeeming the land from Naomi until full disclosure reveals a woman of child bearing age. Now the brother of the dead is dead himself, so does this in natural course take up the Levitical charge, that he must now raise up seed to the inheritance of the dead? Or is this an added requirement, at Ruth's request, to care for her son's widow? I don't know, but it carries on similar to those lines, yet without the stringency applied to a brother, nor the disgrace in turning down. Ruth is a game changer for him, but there is no disgrace in getting what she actually wants. She has come to Boaz, and Boaz goes to satisfy the law openly. She has not chosen youth or worldly wisdom, and while some may say foul for he is a man of means, it would require such to do this. Accounting for the sandal, it is often compared to the removal and spitting in Deuteronomy 25, where it speaks of the house of the man whose sandal was removed. Here, it is described as more of a hand shake in old deals, a sign that a man's word has been given. "Are you sure this is what you want to do? Are we understood?" Yes. God didn't just tell Abraham of the Promised land, he had him walk it, and where he walked belonged to his seed. It is for the near kinsmen to walk this if he can, but if he is not able then he passes his sandal to another. He says he doesn't want to mar his own inheritance, and we know this has to do with Ruth, but he does not say here for certain how. She is a Moabite, an outsider, brought in by marriage, but from a tribe that was of much grievance to Israel. Remember how they led Israel into idolatry by the use of immorality, the temptation of women, instructed by Balaam. Maybe this is a concern to him, or maybe he has children already as it sounds and he does not want to raise up more that would have stake or claim in him. Whatever the case, he passes the sandal to Boaz, who is happy to do this. He loves Ruth, she has impressed him like the woman of Proverbs 31, regardless of her birth, hers' is a circumcised heart. She has been as 7 sons to her mother in law, worked diligently and without complaint, she stayed when it was bleak, when others gave the example of the easy path and even when Ruth pushed her away. She cleaved. You cannot ask for a greater woman, a better friend. They bless her to be fruitful, and once again, like the harlot Rahab in the walls of Jericho, so an outsider is brought into the line. Remember that seed, promised in the garden? You can follow it here and see the son of Rahab was Boaz, then Obed, then Jesse and then David. 66 books with so many different writers, but they could not work so well together over the thousands of years in the making to tell of better heroes. A harlot, a Moabite, my word, can anything good come out of Nazareth? It is again a testament to the testament, the condition of the world, the reminder that everyone who is brought to is also brought out. 

17I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. 18And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” 19Abraham went back to his servants, and they got up and set out together for Beersheba. And Abraham settled in Beersheba.…Genesis 22:18

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:


“‘The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’[h]?

43 “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. 44 Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”[i]

45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them. 46 They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet. Matthew 21: 42-46

This isn't just Israel, what happens to the church when it fails in it's duty to the next generation? Do we pray, have we taught our children? Are you a father yet not a priest in your home? Is there something holding you back? Do you belong to the church social or the body of Christ, those who worship in Spirit and in truth? If you are not feeling it, well that's a problem, but if you are changing it to feel it that is a huge problem. I see Ruth and she was not born a Jew, but her fruit shows a true conversion. Some trees have the right height, the leaf looks right, but the seasons come and go, yet nothing changes.

Boaz was a relative of those in need of redemption. (Ruth 2:1) John 1:14, Heb. 2:17 Jesus was made a flesh and blood brother to those in need of redemption. Boaz was a worthy (or wealthy) man who shared his wealth with those he redeemed. (Ruth 2:1) 2 Cor. 8:9 Jesus was a worthy, or wealthy, man who left those riches to become poor so that we might become rich. Boaz came from Bethlehem. (Ruth 2:4) Matt. 2:1 Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Boaz commended the faith of a foreigner. (Ruth 2:11) Matt. 15:21–28 Jesus commended the faith of a Canaanite woman. Boaz invited a foreigner to eat with him at his table. (Ruth 2:14) Luke 14:15–24 Jesus told a parable about a banquet at which those from the outside will be invited in to eat at the king’s table. Boaz fed Ruth until she was satisfied with some left over. (Ruth 2:14) Luke 9:17 Jesus fed five thousand until they were satisfied with twelve baskets left over. Boaz was determined to redeem, and would not rest until it was accomplished. (Ruth 3:11, 13) John 4:34; 19:30 Jesus was determined to do the work of redemption and did not rest until it was accomplished. Boaz paid the price of redemption outside the city gate. (Ruth 4:1) Heb. 13:12 Jesus paid the price of redemption outside the city gate. Boaz paid the cost to accomplish redemption. (Ruth 4:9–10) 1 Pet. 1:18–19 Jesus paid the cost with his own blood to accomplish redemption. Boaz’s redemption made it possible for Ruth, a foreigner, to be included in God’s people by grace through faith. (Ruth 4:11) Gal. 3:13–14 Christ’s redemption made it possible for Gentiles to be included as God’s people by grace through faith.

#409 The Feet You Love

Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?

2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshing floor.

3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.

4 And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.

5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.

6 And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.

7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.

8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.

9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.

10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.

11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.

12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.

13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the Lord liveth: lie down until the morning.

14 And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.

15 Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.

16 And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.

17 And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.

18 Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day. Ruth 3 KJV

It was not uncommon in such times that marriages were arranged, and I have read of certain commentators hung upon this approach, prescribed by Naomi, as scandalous. The law is truly for the lawless though, so put aside legalist airs and such lofty places, and see your own approach. If Christ be lifted up, hung upon a tree, glorified by God, yet cursed is everyone who is hung upon a tree. When you approach the cross you come to the feet and you come imperfectly, knowing, like the thief on the cross, who had a more level view, that Christ was your redeemer. There was the first Adam, but he brought sin into the world and death by it. He needed a redeemer and could not redeem you. There was another, the law, but it was imperfect and could only state your condition, show your need. You could plead to the law, follow the law, but you had already transgressed the law. Naomi should want this for her daughter, her peace, her well being. Ruth is not asking for a one night stand or prostituting herself for some corn, she is asking to be covered, protected, redeemed. Boaz seeks not only her long term redemption, but her short term virtue, that no one falsely accuse her of being anything but virtuous. Just as Christ protects the woman who touches his garment by calling her daughter, so Boaz saves Ruth's identity. Just as Christ does not put away the law, for it is right and just in it's purpose, so Boaz does not circumvent the claim of another. If you are just and will to be called that then you must fulfill the law. I must say, I did not come without stain, my glasses were broken, my arms were scared. I tried to clean myself up, but in the end I came on hands and knees to the foot of the cross, grasping at his feet. She is humble, she is industrious, she is honest, so I cannot judge her approach.

Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Matthew 3:8-12

#408 Gleaning

There was a relative of Naomi’s husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech. His name was Boaz. 2 So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.”

And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.”

3 Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

4 Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, “The Lord be with you!”

And they answered him, “The Lord bless you!”

5 Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?”

6 So the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered and said, “It is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. 7 And she said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ So she came and has continued from morning until now, though she rested a little in the house.”

8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not go to glean in another field, nor go from here, but stay close by my young women. 9 Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Have I not commanded the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn.”

10 So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?”

11 And Boaz answered and said to her, “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before. 12 The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.”

13 Then she said, “Let me find favor in your sight, my lord; for you have comforted me, and have spoken [a]kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your maidservants.”

14 Now Boaz said to her at mealtime, “Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar.” So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed parched grain to her; and she ate and was satisfied, and kept some back. 15 And when she rose up to [b]glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not [c]reproach her. 16 Also let grain from the bundles fall purposely for her; leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her.”

17 So she gleaned in the field until evening, and beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley. 18 Then she took it up and went into the city, and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. So she brought out and gave to her what she had kept back after she had been satisfied.

19 And her mother-in-law said to her, “Where have you gleaned today? And where did you work? Blessed be the one who took notice of you.”

So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, and said, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.”

20 Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!” And Naomi said to her, “This man is a relation of ours, one of [d]our close relatives.”

21 Ruth the Moabitess said, “He also said to me, ‘You shall stay close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest.’ ”

22 And Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, and that people do not [e]meet you in any other field.” 23 So she stayed close by the young women of Boaz, to glean until the end of barley harvest and wheat harvest; and she dwelt with her mother-in-law. Ruth 2 NKJV

Though a stranger and easily recognized as such in a place like this, so was the law content to provide for. She is able to work and so seeks favor by her work, for this is the dignity of labor, and those that think there shame in being poor are mistaken, only those that lay in it, refusing to move should be ashamed. Both riches and lack are a call to humility, for both Boaz as master and Ruth as the stranger shall reap where they have not sewn. Those that you hire should be of the utmost interest to you, and that they have enough not just to live but to be able to show charity, then you may think that you have done well. You may be listed then amongst the great. Men that abuse their labor and think more highly of themselves:  Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. James 5:4. Men do not always see very far and will often applaud their kindness to one and excuse their cruelty to another. They can't see that this is a temporary arrangement and they have despised grace. Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty. Proverbs 22:16

Boaz shows her kindness, first with words, that she need go nowhere else, that she is safe here and she in turn responds with humility. Ruth is brought to the table and shown the respect of fellow laborers, of family. Boaz knows that she is not here merely for herself but that she also gathers for his kin, and so he gives her a charitable portion. He is a good man and this is the report of him that makes it back to Naomi, and I also think what turns on the light of providence for her and her proselyte. There is hope here for redemption. There is such provision here for those born outside of life, conceived in sin. I know of One who has the right of redemption, who could and did pay the price. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14. 

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us--for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"-- in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:13 & 14

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Galatians 4: 4 & 5

Ruth hears her daughter's day and gives her guidance to work with the women as it will be more becoming, though her safety is guaranteed. As Matthew Henry points out there is a different turn of events and ruin for the daughter of Jacob when she visits with those of a strange place. We should not grow weary in guiding our children, there should be no lack of sound reason and explanation. The parent that is not concerned with their child's company is a fool, and the child that hates instruction is headed for destruction. 

Train up a child in the way he should go,

[a]And when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

#407 Go Home

Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.

4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.

5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.

6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread.

7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.

8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.

9 The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.

10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.

11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;

13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me.

14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.

15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.

19 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?

20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.

21 I went out full and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?

22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest. Ruth 1 KJV

Naomi is in a strange land where her husband dies and her sons marry women of that place, but then they also die. They are now 3 widows, but so remarkable is their relationship, that when she hears that the famine is over in Judah and seeks to return, her daughter in laws accompany her for a ways. Naomi stops and confronts them though, that they return to their home, because she has no more sons to give them. She is past age, but they are still young enough to marry. She does not hold it against them to leave and they shall part on the best of wishes as mother to daughters, and it is a difficult decision to leave her. Love is strong between them, respect is high, but though reluctant at first, the logic is not lost on Orpah. Just as Christ became the hero of the 5000, so also and so quickly he dispersed them with the talk of His body and blood. To stay with Naomi is to drink of her cup, to accept her trials and tribulations, an uncertain future. She is grieved "that the hand of the Lord" is against her, not solely upon her own loss but the bitterness of no longer being able to give. Orpah leaves, she returns to her people and their gods, and so many hear and are exposed to some knowledge of the One true God, but taking up that cross, that is a whole other level. The rich young ruler couldn't do it, Christ ask that we choose, for he that loves mother, father, brother or any part of this world more, is not worthy. Surely Naomi loves them both, but she is honest in what she has to offer, yet Ruth clave to her. Though she left the land of God's people in a famine, guess what, God is still God of the famine. Ruth is told to leave again, but now we find the situation not lost on her either, but she answers and it must have been a sermon to Naomi. Don't ask me to leave. What did Peter say?  After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?”68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” 71 He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him. John 6:66-71

I go where you go and how wonderful that we may carry each other's burdens and walk with each other along the way. Thy people shall be my people, for I was born outside but have come to know. Your God will be my God, for what gain is there to have one that is not God. She has come to believe, and further to die with and let death be the only way to part her from her spiritual mother. I was outside of such knowledge, grafted in, do not tear me away from the vine. Don't you get it? You can tell the truth and it may go over like a steaming cow chip to most the world, but the one that the Father draws will not be turned away. The gospel of prosperity, the hip gospel, is not the road to Bethlehem, it will not find the Son of God in a manger, nor the barley. Keep it, I want the words of eternal life, though this life may be hard, may not go as I planned, as certainly it has had it's struggles and sorrows. But this I know, Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father, but by Him. 

And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is[b] to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him,[c] “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time

32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.”

The Request of James and John

35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,[d] 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave[e] of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10: 17-45

#406 Where Have You Been?

When the King of kings came, the Master of the world, Prince and Co-Creator of the universe, for it clearly states : The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.…Colossians 1:15-17, and yet He comes in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. The poor would think the answer is to be rich, the weak to be like Samson, and the one being told to go, that someone else should go. The one being called would beg for another gospel for as we have long discussed, Christ was the worst sort of salesman, yet there is no other gospel, no other name under heaven by which men can be saved. 

When we read Judges, we find wicked people, a people who find no difficulty in breaking their covenant with God. They take great pleasure in their sin and shun those who would tell them otherwise. We find a God Who corrects His own, giving them over to the fruits of their labor. It says, whom the Lord loveth he chaseneth, and so if your life was painless and without correction, but you had no need for God, then beware. It is a blessing we come to find, that we are corrected, that God has given us His word, and now when I think of leaving this life, I wonder at what I could leave my kids that would give them the greatest advantage. If I tell them of the Word of God, they see me reading it to know that it is truly important to me, and if  God by His love and mercy acts upon their stone hearts, bringing them to life, they have ever the advantage to eternity. For if God be true and heaven and earth do pass away, He says, His word shall remain. 

When I read Judges or Genesis for that matter, I see that everything points to Christ. Though Samson was despised and rejected, though he was physically strong and called from a barren womb, he was a temporary picture, an imperfect savior. I look throughout all of Judges and knowing the fear of God I have when pondering a holiness I cannot grasp, I am astonished at such loving patience. It does not bid me wait, for I am more displeased with my sin in light of God's mercy than ever I was at His wrath. So when you, O man, pass judgment on others, yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4Ordo you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance? 5But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.…Romans 2: 4 & 5

My Savior, the fullness of God, covered in the shell of infant humanity, born of a poor virgin, was raised by a carpenter. He was not clothed in what men find beautiful or respectable. Who would listen to him? Did he come from wealthy parents, sit at king's tables? Everything we do as men coming to Christ and trying to convict the world we live in of sin and God's wrath is like watching a new born deer trying to stand up. We are clumsy, imperfect, but One came Who did it perfectly, justly, righteously, in a way I could not, because I was dead. I had to be brought to life. I could see that I did not create myself. I could see that there was order to the universe and displeasure done to me which I considered wrong. I had eyes, but I was blind, I had ears but I was deaf. There was a void between myself and good that could not be bridged; I could not see the other side and wanted more and more to believe that this proved it was not there. Then we meet someone in the pages of History, Someone whom the scriptures long foretold, and what does Nicodemus ask him? After he told Jesus that he knew he was a teacher sent from God and Christ tells him that no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again, Nicodemus asked, "How can this be?" Why would God use such language? Nicodemus automatically tries to understand it by his own might, human effort, as if Samson was not chosen by God, created by God, and his strength did not come from the Spirit of God, but by his own will. As if Deborah made herself a prophetess, as if Gideon made the Messenger come down to speak to him. It all comes from outside of us. Salvation is from outside of us, victory, ability, birth, new birth, new life, comes from the Lord. 

18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures. James 1:18

I love the story of the Judges, from Gideon asking God, where have You been? Where are your miracles? Jael, takes a tent stake and kills the scary general that everyone fears. There is no arguing the uniqueness of Samson, yet his kin are not kindred. They do not recognize him as their champion or as a time to rise up against their oppressors. I look at Gibeah and see my own world time and time again, and cannot help but wonder at the patience and love of God, and realize that I didn't choose Him. I realize that I didn't understand what it was to be born again when I was young. I thought it was an act of my own, but that doesn't follow logic. No one births themselves, wills it or has any choice in it, yet you must be born again. 

For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, Colossians 2:13

“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. John 6:44

For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but onGod’s mercy. 17For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”…Romans 9:15-17

#405 Restore

Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh, saying, There shall not any of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wife.

2 And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore;

3 And said, O Lord God of Israel, why is this come to pass in Israel, that there should be to day one tribe lacking in Israel?

4 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.

5 And the children of Israel said, Who is there among all the tribes of Israel that came not up with the congregation unto the Lord? For they had made a great oath concerning him that came not up to the Lord to Mizpeh, saying, He shall surely be put to death.

6 And the children of Israel repented them for Benjamin their brother, and said, There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day.

7 How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing we have sworn by the Lord that we will not give them of our daughters to wives?

8 And they said, What one is there of the tribes of Israel that came not up to Mizpeh to the Lord? And, behold, there came none to the camp from Jabeshgilead to the assembly.

9 For the people were numbered, and, behold, there were none of the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead there.

10 And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the valiantest, and commanded them, saying, Go and smite the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the children.

11 And this is the thing that ye shall do, Ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man.

12 And they found among the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead four hundred young virgins, that had known no man by lying with any male: and they brought them unto the camp to Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan.

13 And the whole congregation sent some to speak to the children of Benjamin that were in the rock Rimmon, and to call peaceably unto them.

14 And Benjamin came again at that time; and they gave them wives which they had saved alive of the women of Jabeshgilead: and yet so they sufficed them not.

15 And the people repented them for Benjamin, because that the Lordhad made a breach in the tribes of Israel.

16 Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?

17 And they said, There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel.

18 Howbeit we may not give them wives of our daughters: for the children of Israel have sworn, saying, Cursed be he that giveth a wife to Benjamin.

19 Then they said, Behold, there is a feast of the Lord in Shiloh yearly in a place which is on the north side of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goeth up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah.

20 Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;

21 And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.

22 And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come unto us to complain, that we will say unto them, Be favourable unto them for our sakes: because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war: for ye did not give unto them at this time, that ye should be guilty.

23 And the children of Benjamin did so, and took them wives, according to their number, of them that danced, whom they caught: and they went and returned unto their inheritance, and repaired the cities, and dwelt in them.

24 And the children of Israel departed thence at that time, every man to his tribe and to his family, and they went out from thence every man to his inheritance.

25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes. Judges 21 KJV

The price of justice can be steep, but there is also the issue here, on this earth, that there is none born righteous and that the best of men is still filthy rags. I have seen men in corporations walked out by those we would hold as lesser men, not by their position, but by their temperament and lack of integrity. Men also knee jerk, I have climbed upon my own soap box at times, and wished all too late, after too many words, that I had stopped for a moment and looked with softer eyes. It is good to uphold the law, but more than that is greed, arrogance and from this we should learn to be slow to speak. It was one of the Judges, after all this, who promised the sacrifice of the first thing out of his house, which was his daughter. The last verse here says it well, every man did that which was right in his own eyes. There was sorrow over sin, over the loss of their men, but also of a part of that body which would reflect the church. There were twelve tribes in Israel, but now because of their zealousness and the oaths they took, one tribe is teetering at the edge of extinction. I am of the opinion that they went too far in their zeal, and now in the calm of the aftermath, they should like to restore their brother. Some men never come to the recognition of this, and they always feel justified in their actions, or that their actions should not be questioned. Some never allow for a change of heart in another, even watching the actions of the repentant, seeing that they have paid their due. For some men it is never enough, though they say the punishment should fit the crime or claim that they themselves are born again, apparently God cannot so grace their brother. I think it should always be our prayer for men to be reconciled first to God, and that we may celebrate together this new life and hope in Jesus Christ. If we are asking for forgiveness then we should be willing to forgive. It is a strange predicament they find themselves in, desirous to show mercy now, but in a fallen world, through defective means. Even their kindness is mingled with horror, but if I look I can find it all around my present world, just look at the last verse again, they did what was right in their own eyes. Well, they finally went to Shiloh.

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. ² Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ³ If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. ⁴ Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, ⁵ for each one should carry their own load. ⁶ Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

⁷ Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ⁸ Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. ⁹ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6: 1-10

#404 The Thing You Cannot Keep

Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the Lord in Mizpeh.

2 And the chief of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword.

3 (Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell us, how was this wickedness?

4 And the Levite, the husband of the woman that was slain, answered and said, I came into Gibeah that belongeth to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to lodge.

5 And the men of Gibeah rose against me, and beset the house round about upon me by night, and thought to have slain me: and my concubine have they forced, that she is dead.

6 And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel.

7 Behold, ye are all children of Israel; give here your advice and counsel.

8 And all the people arose as one man, saying, We will not any of us go to his tent, neither will we any of us turn into his house.

9 But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah; we will go up by lot against it;

10 And we will take ten men of an hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and an hundred of a thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand, to fetch victual for the people, that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, according to all the folly that they have wrought in Israel.

11 So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man.

12 And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you?

13 Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel.

14 But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.

15 And the children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of the cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, beside the inhabitants of Gibeah, which were numbered seven hundred chosen men.

16 Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss.

17 And the men of Israel, beside Benjamin, were numbered four hundred thousand men that drew sword: all these were men of war.

18 And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the Lord said, Judah shall go up first.

19 And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against Gibeah.

20 And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah.

21 And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men.

22 And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day.

23 (And the children of Israel went up and wept before the Lord until even, and asked counsel of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the Lord said, Go up against him.)

24 And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day.

25 And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen thousand men; all these drew the sword.

26 Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the Lord, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord.

27 And the children of Israel enquired of the Lord, (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,

28 And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the Lord said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand.

29 And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah.

30 And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times.

31 And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.

32 And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them from the city unto the highways.

33 And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put themselves in array at Baaltamar: and the liers in wait of Israel came forth out of their places, even out of the meadows of Gibeah.

34 And there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and the battle was sore: but they knew not that evil was near them.

35 And the Lord smote Benjamin before Israel: and the children of Israel destroyed of the Benjamites that day twenty and five thousand and an hundred men: all these drew the sword.

36 So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten: for the men of Israel gave place to the Benjamites, because they trusted unto the liers in wait which they had set beside Gibeah.

37 And the liers in wait hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the liers in wait drew themselves along, and smote all the city with the edge of the sword.

38 Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers in wait, that they should make a great flame with smoke rise up out of the city.

39 And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said, Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle.

40 But when the flame began to arise up out of the city with a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and, behold, the flame of the city ascended up to heaven.

41 And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were amazed: for they saw that evil was come upon them.

42 Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel unto the way of the wilderness; but the battle overtook them; and them which came out of the cities they destroyed in the midst of them.

43 Thus they inclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and trode them down with ease over against Gibeah toward the sunrising.

44 And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these were men of valour.

45 And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them.

46 So that all which fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five thousand men that drew the sword; all these were men of valour.

47 But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months.

48 And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword, as well the men of every city, as the beast, and all that came to hand: also they set on fire all the cities that they came to. Judges 20 KJV

The tribes are now gathered together to hear the testimony of the Levite. This same story could be verified by the servant and the old man, but 12 pieces were sent out and it does not appear that Benjamin cares to respond. He is his own state apparently and has developed his own morals based upon a culture that has come to stomach that which God says is wrong. Some would say that while it may make them feel uncomfortable or find such acts as done to this woman disgusting, it is not their business. I have heard some say that while I may not appreciate the actions of others, if it is an accepted part of their culture, then it is not wrong. If society decides right and wrong though, there is no wrong. It is that reed blowing about in the wind. I could say that Hitler was wrong, but if there is no God, then it is merely my opinion. I could say that cannibalism is wrong, but again, if there is no God then there is no absolute decree that all created men are under, stating that "thou shall not kill." I could say that rape is wrong but without such moral absolute as being made in the image of God, then it is the rule of power, the law of the jungle, survival of the fittest. Israel, though watered down, knows better than this and they assemble against Benjamin, they ask for the evil doers, but blood is thicker than wine and Benjamin will give a middle finger to justice. This could all be over with, they could have it resolved and justly, but they prepare to go to war in defense of the wicked. 

These also are sayings of the wise:

To show partiality in judging is not good:
²⁴ Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent,”
    will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations.
²⁵ But it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
    and rich blessing will come on them. Proverbs 24: 23-25

On the first day Israel is strong in their resolution, asking God, who shall go up first. Judah is the answer, that he shall be first among his brethren, as Christ shall come forth from the line of David, and shall at first suffer much. 22,000 men are destroyed. The cause was just, the enemy was in the wrong, so what happened? Weeping they go to inquire of the Lord, shall I go up once again, the second day? Is this worth it? Did we hear you right? You may be more than unpopular for saying what God says, for stating that someone is in the wrong, that this is sin, regardless of government or culture. But so you know, that this is a privilege to know that you are wrong, to have the words of God, that it is a blessing to be the bearer of such news, to suffer for righteousness, and be hated by all men for Christ's sake, read on. They go up the second time and yes a Holy and just God is still opposed to sin, and no we may not decide that it is finished. The toll rises to 40,000 and a sobriety not known before settles over all of Israel, except Benjamin, for he assumes he is in the right or that might be greater than right. Now I must look at my own heart, at that moat in my own eye, for he who is without introspection is also without conviction and in danger of God's final judgment. The man who sees himself as righteous in himself has not found the light of day, he has eyes but they do not function. They fasted, offered peace offerings and burnt offerings before the Lord. They humbled themselves, for there is no gloating in such loss, all men are born dead in their trespasses. What makes you different than any man that you may hold your head up before a just and holy God? What has brought you to the knowledge of your sin, God's forgiveness, His mercy? On the third day is the promise of deliverance, they have taken up this cause, humbled themselves unto death, but God will resurrect them to the dismay of their enemies, their cousins. There is no picking your battles here, no settling, no voting for what is right or wrong. It is right because God says it is and it is wrong because God has called it sin, and you are not God, humble yourself in the sight of the Lord. No one that died here could claim it unjust under the law, for they were all dying anyway. With sin comes death and all had sinned, and I must laugh at myself that I am at times so easily offended by nothing, but take so little offense at my own sin. God hates sin, He is holy and therefore cannot but respond to it by His just nature, or He is not holy nor just. Look at the flood, Sodom and now Gibeah, no one is righteous, not even those of the circumcision, only Christ and only the promise of Him kept history from ending, the life of Him gave hope and the example of righteousness, His death satisfied the Just. God, please change my heart, the heart of my wife, my children and my friends, that they be born again and justified by faith in your Son. Forgive our pride, our self righteousness and let us live to the glory and honor of your Son. 

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’[b] If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. 24 If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’[c] John 15:18-25