Ruth Truth 23: Leaving a selfless legacy

Wow! After 22 posts from the book of Ruth, we are now in the final chapter and the climax of the story!

Boaz is now offering to redeem Naomi's land (and Ruth) but there is someone in the way. Another kinsman redeemer who technically had the "1st right of refusal". There is actually a very beautiful story here of how Boaz is a picture of Jesus, that redeemer being the law (notice the 10 witnesses) and Ruth and Naomi being the Church and Israel respectivley. But that is for another day.

However, this other redeemer was about to exercise his right, until he found out he also had to marry Ruth, and it meant endangering his own inheritance and estate. Therefore he gave up that "right". 

Based on that custom, Boaz was similarly endangering his inheritance and estate if he opted to redeem Naomi's land and marry Ruth. However, he went ahead because he had promised Ruth, and it was the right thing to do. 

As business people or investors, we are sometimes faced with decisions that will seemingly endanger our immediate returns / profit. Doing the right thing can be tough (and expensive)!

But look at the legacy and long term consequence of Boaz's decision:

"...and Boaz fathered Obed, and Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David" Ruth 4:21b-22

David became King of Israel and the rest, is history...

It's been a joy writing these Ruth Truths. 

What decisions are you making today that will shape the legacy you leave behind?