JUDGMENT AT THE GATE
April 21,
2002 pm
MFBlume
Ruth 3:6-13 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.
Ruth 4:1-6 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.
The backdrop of this story involves Ruth as a Moabite woman, a
Gentile, from the heathen nation of Moab. She was married to
Mahlon, a Hebrew, who died and left her without children to
perpetuate his name in this world. Her mother-in-law, Naomi,
whose husband was also dead, decided to return to her homeland in
the town of Bethlehem.
Upon arriving in Bethlehem, the
women took advantage of a Hebrew Law from God allowing the poor to
"glean" grain from the fields of those who owned them and grew
grain. The harvesters would reap their square fields in
circles, leaving the corners of the fields for the poor of the land
to reap. Ruth came to glean in the fields of a wealthy man
named Boaz. She caught this landowner's eye and he inquired
about her. He then instructed his servants to ensure they do
not treat her ill, and to drop some of their grain on the ground for
her to pick up as they carried it to their storehouses.
Ruth
made her way home with the extra grain, and informed her
mother-in-law that she gleaned in the field of Boaz. Naomi was
stunned at the news! Boaz was a "near kinsman". As Noami
thanked God for His providence, she explained that the Hebrews had a
law that if a woman's husband died before a son was born to them to
perpetuate his name, his brother would marry her. The
firstborn son would then be named with the name of the deceased
husband. In this way, the deceased husband's name would
continue onward! Boaz was one whom Ruth could marry and raise
up the name of her deceased husband!
Deuteronomy 25:5-7 If
brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child,
the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her
husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to
wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her.
(6) And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth
shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his
name be not put out of Israel. (7) And if the man like
not to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up
to the gate unto the elders, and say, My husband's brother
refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will
not perform the duty of my husband's
brother.
Ruth was instructed by Naomi to go
to the place where Boaz would rest for the night. She was told
to mark the place where he would eat and drink, and lie down to
sleep. Only after he ate and drank and laid down, would she
then lay down at his feet and inform him of her desire to wed
him. This she did. And this is where our text begins for
this message.
Upon discovery of Ruth's presence at his feet,
Boaz asked who she was. She informed him that she was Ruth,
his next of kin, and that she desired him to "spread his skirts over
her." This was a manner of speaking in reference to her desire
for him to marry her. He indicated that he indeed would do so,
on account of her virtue that was famous in the city. She had
not sought to indulge with young men, but gave him great honour in
coming to him and seeking him for husband.
This
episode might be thought by some to indicate some off-colour
intentions in Ruth's heart to lay down with Boaz all night.
However, it was nothing of the sort. His very description of
her virtue that was well-known simply testifies to the reality of
her innocence.
After indicating his confidence to give her
all that she requested, he informed her of one obstacle that had to
be dealt with first. We know this obstacle was nothing in
Boaz' mind, since he had already promised to give her all that she
requested in the form of marriage. So the indication of an
obstacle was just to inform her that something yet had to be done
before they could indeed marry. Notice this detail.
Ruth 3:11-13 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.
As we
continue, we find that early in the morning Boaz and Ruth
arose. And he proceeded to deal with the one hindrance to his
marriage to Ruth, in the confidence with which he assured
her.
Let me note that this is a picture of Jesus Christ
resurrecting early one Sunday morning. Many speak about the
death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. However,
those three steps were not complete without HIs dealing with one
more obstacle! As much as Boaz had to remove the hindrance of
the nearer kinsman, whose right had priority over his own, to marry
Ruth, Jesus Christ had to deal with an obstacle over which He had
the utmost confidence that He would succeed.
Jesus had to
ascend to the Father.
As though telling Ruth that Boaz had
one more detail to resolve before their marriage, Jesus Christ spoke
these words to a woman the very morning He arose.
John 20:1 The first day of
the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto
the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the
sepulchre.
John 20:13-17 And they say
unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because
they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid
him. (14) And when she had thus said, she turned
herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was
Jesus. (15) Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest
thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener,
saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where
thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. (16)
Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto
him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. (17) Jesus
saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my
Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my
Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your
God.
What is even more beautiful is that
Ruth's marriage to Boaz was considered redemption! The kinsman
would redeem her dead husband's name. Boaz informed Ruth that
there was a man nearer to her in the bloodline than himself.
Now, the original law noted that the brother of the deceased man
must marry the woman to redeem his name. However, Mahlon's
brother, Chilion, was also dead. So the law allowed one to
continue through the family relations to the nearest member to seek
redemption through marriage. Between Boaz and Ruth was this
relative who had right above Boaz to marry her.
To accomplish
this redemption, Boaz had to make his way to the city gates.
The gates of the city were most frequented by the population of
Bethlehem. So it was customary for public announcements to
made there, and for the elders of the city to convene and make
decisions for the city. At this city gate Boaz waited for the
next of kin, and upon finding him, he called him to hear his
thoughts. He then took ten elders of the city as well.
He declared that he sought to advertize to the city at this public
location the opportunity for this man to redeem Naomi's land.
The man agreed publicly to do so, by purchasing the land.
However, it must have been that Naomi's concern for her dead sons'
name to continue in the world moved her to place restrictions upon
the sale of her land. She must have demanded that whoever
purchases her land must also marry her daughter-in-law and redeem
her dead husband's name by marrying her and giving her a
child. This is what Boaz then informed this next of
kin.
This amendment to the sale of Naomi's land, we can
realize, is why Boaz held such confidence in succeeding to marry
Ruth. The man refused to comply, and released his right to the
land of Naomi, and Ruth's hand of marriage since it would "mar his
inheritance." In other words, he was probably already married
and could not take Ruth for wife, also.
Success! Boaz
was then awarded the right to marry Ruth at the kinsman's
blessing. At the Gate the judgment occurred and Boaz' road to
Ruth's redemption was sure. The marriage would only occur
after the judgment at the gate. Once this was in the bag, they
could proceed and unite together in matrimony.
How does this
apply to Jesus Christ?
There is a Gate where judgment stood
and had to be dealt with before redemption for man's "name" could
occur.
Genesis 3:23-24 Therefore
the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the
ground from whence he was taken. (24) So he drove out
the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden
Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the
way of the tree of life.
After man sinned,
God cast him from the Garden and barred the entrance at the gate
with a fiery sword and cherubims.
Adam died in sin. His
name was put in the grave with himself. Mankind was meant to
live forever with the Lord, but now everything was changed!
However, God had a plan, and actually invested indications of it
into the very Law of Moses called the Old Testament. We read
of his "hints" of this great plan of redemption in Deut
25:5-6. Ruth's story also adds to the insight God placed in
His holy Word, that we can read and receive clarification of the
plan of God's salvation.
Jesus would go to this gate
and judgment would occur. The gate's fiery sword indicated
that should any hopes hold out for man's name to be redeemed, a
judgment must occur. And what other judgment besides "death" would a
flaming sword at this gate represent? There had to be a
reckoning for man's sin. Man could simply not return into the
Garden without experiencing a judgment. But death?! How
could man survive death and then return to the Garden!?
There
was one way. Jesus.
In order to gain the full
understanding of this blessed truth, we must compare scripture with
scripture. Let us turn now to the last book of the Bible.
Revelation 4:1-2 After this
I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first
voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me;
which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must
be hereafter. (2) And immediately I was in the spirit:
and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the
throne.
John was taken to the door, or Gate,
as it were, of Heaven. "Eden" in the English language also
means "Paradise." Heaven. And John stood there, not able
to proceed any further in this re-enactment he was about to see
concerning redemption. Beyond this doorway, John saw God
sitting on the throne. Among other sights, the one on the
throne held a sealed book in his right hand.
Revelation 5:1 And I saw in
the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within
and on the backside, sealed with seven
seals.
And we then read a statement made by a
heavenly being that would correspond perfectly to the statement the
mere presence of the fiery sword in Eden's gateway would make.
Revelation 5:2 And I saw a
strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open
the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
A
challenge went forth for one to enter Heaven's door and proceed to
the throne of God to retrieve the book and open it. Ability to
do so would accomplish redemption. However, one first had to
overcome the judgment at the gate! One had to be worthy to
enter. One had to deal with the single obstruction of the
fiery sword! Christ was as confident as Boaz that He would
succeed. We see confidence in His words to Mary at the
gravesite, because He told her that He would ascend to His Father
and her Father! Mary was not born again yet, but Christ's work
was that sure to occur, that the subsequent redemption causing all
believers to be able to be born again was certain.
John waited and saw no one worthy to enter the realm before
his eyes. In like manner, no one could re-enter the Garden
entrance and overcome this obstacle at the gate, to be able to
proceed to the tree of life and pluck its fruit to eat and live
forever. Man was in sin!
But wait!
Revelation 5:5-7 And one of
the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe
of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and
to loose the seven seals thereof. (6) And I beheld,
and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in
the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having
seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God
sent forth into all the earth. (7) And he came and
took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the
throne.
Jesus Christ overcame the
obstacle! He did not merely stand at the door with John and
look on. Jesus, the lamb who takes away the sins of the world,
was inside Heaven! He appeared in there, beyond the
gate. Furthermore, it was said that He "prevailed" to be able
to take the book! An obstacle is what one prevails over -- a
hindrance. And when he took the book, listen to the
announcement made as to what the retrieval of the book accomplished
and meant.
Revelation 5:8-9 And when he
had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders
fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and
golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of
saints. (9) And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art
worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou
wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every
kindred, and tongue, and people, and
nation;
He redeemed them to God!
Redemption occurred! After the judgment at the gate,
redemption could occur with Boaz and Ruth! And this is
precisely what occurred with Christ!
Jesus dealt with the
judgment of the sword. Death is the only thing that a fiery
sword at the Garden's gates could represent. And none but
Christ could "prevail" and overcome it. Its as though Christ
walked up to the sword of judgment and faced death. But what could
the threat of death do with someone who already died and rose
again?!
Hebrews 9:25-28 Nor yet that
he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into
the holy place every year with blood of others; (26)
For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the
world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to
put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (27) And as
it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the
judgment: (28) So Christ was once offered to bear the
sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the
second time without sin unto salvation.
It is
only appointed unto man once to die. And Christ already died
once by the time He met the sword! So Christ overcame that
obstacle.
Romans 6:7-10 For he that is
dead is freed from sin. (8) Now if we be dead with
Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
(9) Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no
more; death hath no more dominion over him. (10) For
in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he
liveth unto God.
Christ died once, making it
impossible to ever die again! Now, other people died and
resurrected. However, only Jesus resurrected to never die again, to
never return to corruption! He died to
sin.
JUDGMENT AT THE GATE.
Jesus was near
kinsman, because mankind lost its own name in sin and death.
And it had to be a man who would redeem it and raise it up again
(resurrection)!
Jesus raised up dead humanity's name
once again! The reason John saw God on the throne with a book
in His hand was due to holding the title deed to the Garden, waiting
for someone to redeem the name of mankind. Adam was created to
rule the world with God. God gave him dominion. But man
lost that position in his sin. And Christ restores man's
lineage, and we read that the throne is alter called the throne of
God and of the Lamb!
For Boaz to be able to marry Ruth
and have a child through her, to be named after her deceased
husband, and perpetuate his name, Boaz was acting in the place of
Mahlon. He stood in Mahlon's behalf. Jesus acted on
fallen mankind's behalf when He entered the throne room of Heaven
and retrieved the book! This is because He died as all of us,
was buried as all of us, and resurrected as all of us! So it
only stands to reason that He ascended as us all, and obtained the
book and was able to redeem us because it was as though all fallen
humanity retrieved the book! That is the reason the
worshippers declare they shall reign on the earth as kings and
priests! His seating on the throne as the Last Adam stands for
humanity's seating. We are seated together with Him in
heavenly, Edenic, places!
Judgment at the Gate!
