Scripture Passage
Scripture Focus
“…the LORD enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son.” (Ruth 4:13 NLT)
Observation
No preacher with any sense stretches any analogy past the breaking point (he writes, thinking he might be doing just that…), but I can’t read about the birth of Obed to Boaz and Ruth without thinking that…
God’s intention for the kinsman-redeemer relationship is fruitful reproduction!
(If you didn’t read the whole of Ruth, yet, or perhaps yesterday’s blog post, now would be a good time to go back and have a look-see.)
The point is that a primary function of the role of kinsman-redeemer was not just provision for the one in need, but that the union of the kinsman-redeemer and the one redeemed might produce offspring who could both continue the family name and receive the inheritance.
So it is with us, redeemed by Christ (our Kinsman-Redeemer). His intention is not only to cover us with His love and provide for all our needs, but also that fruitful reproduction might result from our union with Him—“…that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Romans 8:29 NIV).
It’s probably worth thinking about—whether or not the union we enjoy with our Kinsman-Redeemer is bearing fruit at all (both the fruit of the Spirit manifested in us, and fruitful progress in making disciples of others)…and if so, how much fruit, exactly. Jesus made it clear—
This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15:8 NIV)
May my relationship with Christ focus at least as much on the fruit of my union with Him as it does on what needs He might meet for me.
As you pointed out, in our relationship with God, we are to be fruitful.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we might try really hard to share Christ with people- we may feel desperate to share God, to be "fruitful", but things just don't seem to give. Then one day, when we've almost given up hope, it happens. Everything falls into place and another is Born Again. It's all in His time.
Remind you of another Bible story?