July 3, 2008

Now this was the custom on former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, the one drew off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was the manner of attesting in Israel.

--Ruth 4:7

Our Scripture verse explains a very unusual custom in Ruth’s day.

When a redeemer was unwilling to redeem or to transact the business, it was the custom of the man to take off his sandal and give it to the man who would redeem. 

And the man who would redeem would slip on that sandal as a sign of his willingness to stand in that man’s shoes and to redeem and purchase what was rightfully his. 

Can you think of a more vivid illustration of what Jesus Christ has done for us? 

We, the near kinsman, the flesh… we could not do it, and so we take off our shoe and give it to Christ. Salvation is Jesus standing in my shoes and me standing in His!

When you look at Ruth’s husband Boaz, you can see how he is a picture of what Jesus Christ did for you and me on the cross.  No one is too far gone for God’s love… but no one is capable of redeeming themselves.

Jesus is the only One Who can stand in your shoes!

REJOICE TODAY THAT JESUS REDEEMED YOU JUST AS BOAZ DID FOR RUTH!