THE SECOND MAN
Now Naomi had a kinsman of her husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. Ruth 2:1
Throughout the Bible, we are confronted with two choices, two examples, two paths.... And as we compare the two, which will we choose?
In Ruth chapter one, verse one, we meet a man named Elimelech. In Ruth chapter one verse one, we meet a man from the same family. His name is Boaz. Let's compare the two. They are both Jews from the same family. Their family originates in Bethlehem. Now, that's where the comparisons end. In the face of famine. Elimelech turned aside and took his family to Moab, a country that had, historically, been Israel's enemy. He dies and leaves a wife, Naomi, and two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. Naomi is left a widow with a family to look out for. Her sons go against God's law and marry Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. Boaz, on the other hand, remained in Bethlehem, where he was blessed with fields that produced enough food to help others. His obedience would lead in into a critical position in the life of Naomi. Her very survival, and that of her family would depend on him.
Doesn't this sound familiar? Adam, the first man, sinned by turning aside to Eve and the serpent. He believed a lie and decided to get his needs met in a way that God had forbidden. It would take the second Man, Jesus, to be in the perfect place to rescue all of us. As Isaiah said, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, in Isaiah 53:6, "All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way..." We were all born with the sin nature that sets us on the wrong road from the beginning. Jesus came to offer us a rescue. Have you taken His hand? He's waiting for you.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for sending Jesus to rescue us. I choose You. I turn away from the old nature and embrace the Spirit that You place inside us, if we are Your children. Help me never to wander. If I do, please get me back on track as soon as possible. In Jesus Name, Amen.
For more from Christine Wyrtzen and Jaime Wyrtzen Lauze, please visit www.daughtersofpromise.org
For more from Christine Wyrtzen and Jaime Wyrtzen Lauze, please visit www.daughtersofpromise.org
Originally published Friday, 24 January 2020.
SHARE
