ODJ: home again
September 13, 2009
Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer (v.9).
READ: Ruth 3
Tracy Orr’s home had been repossessed by the bank. She had lost her job and couldn’t keep up with the mortgage payments.
While attending a real estate auction during which her home would be sold, she tearfully told a total stranger about her plight. The stranger, Marilyn Mock, reacted out of compassion and suddenly began bidding on Tracy’s property. In the end, Marilyn had the winning bid! She then turned over the house keys to Tracy. The grateful recipient of the redeemed property is now making payments to Marilyn. Tracy is home again.
Naomi, along with her daughter-in-law Ruth, was home again in Bethlehem—having experienced heartache in the land of Moab. But both women were widows in a patriarchal culture. They had no hope and no home (Ruth 3:1). But then, in a mysterious and beautiful act, Ruth made a request to a member of her mother-in-law’s extended family, Boaz (v.9). As one commentator put it: “She had put herself under the wings of Yahweh (2:12), and now she asked to be put under the wings of Boaz.”
The word corner used in verse 9 is the same word translated “wings” in 2:12. Ruth was literally asking Boaz to take her under his wings! And he did. The very next day he redeemed Naomi’s land—her home—and established the way for Ruth to be his bride (4:9-10).
As we consider the acts of a modern-day redeemer, Marilyn Mock, and an ancient example, Boaz, it’s important to recognize our own “family redeemer”—Jesus. He allowed us to be saved from the curse of sin and death, spreading his redeeming “wings” over all who believe in Him, by His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. “When He was hung on the cross, He took upon Himself the curse for our wrongdoing” (Galatians 3:13).
Through Jesus, fellowship with God has been restored. We are redeemed and spiritually home again. —Tom Felten
What price did Jesus pay to bring you under His wings? How will you live out the compassionate, redeeming nature of Jesus today?
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i once wondering..why Jesus died for me?..i’m a sinner..i makes my mum cried..i lied..i’m a selfish person..but, still He cares for me…still He always there for me…i love music very much..one night i listening to Hillsong song…”hide me now..in the shadow of Your wings, where i will be, where i will be”..i know that He died for me because He loves me, He covers my sin, He cleanse me…no one can ever change His place.. He is my shelther =)..love you Jesus, more than what could i say…
Amen! Continue to hold on to the sinner-redeemer mindset(:
home again…
Hi Tom…
speaking of going home again..scripture says that home is where the heart is.. where a man lays his treasure.. there his heart will be also..
its like the movie, “Prates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”.. the hidden treasure for this pirate was not his gold or silver.. cases of rum.. gunpowder.. guns.. all the loot he could master form his misadventures on the high seas.. it was his heart.. hidden on a Caribbean Island.. and buried deep undergrowth in a treasure chest..
why would he go to such extremes?? Immortality.. you can’t stop a pirate with no heart beating inside his chest.. and scripture tells us that we too are much like this pirate.. we too have a hiding place.. where our heart is secure in the knowledge that our treasure is safe..
In the book of Luke.. we see one such hiding place..
Luke 2:41-52: Jesus As A Boy..
the scene we see happens after the Passover Feast.. Jesus is left behind in his Father’s House.. what does he do?? He looks and learns.. from his elders..
Luke 2:46-47.. Jesus makes his elders happy..
vs 46 After three days they found Jesus sitting in the Temple with his the teachers, listening to them and asking questions..
vs 47 All who heard him were amazed @ his understanding and answers..
Luke 2:49-50.. Jesus chooses his Father’s House..
vs 49 Jesus replies to his parents.. Why were you looking for me?? Didn’t you know that i must be in my Father’s house??
vs 50 But they did not understand the meaning of what he said..
Luke 2:48 & 51-.. That’s My Boy
vs 48 When Jesus’ parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why did you do this to us?? Your father and i were worried about you and have come looking for you”..
vs 51 Jesus went with them to Nazareth and was obedient to them. But his mother kept all in her mind all that happened..
Luke 2:52 Jesus the Belle on Nazareth..
vs 52 Jesus became wiser and grew physically. People liked him, and he pleased God..