by John O’Malley
“Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe” (Ruth 4:8).
Boaz and Ruth had waited for these words since midnight. Although, in his heart, Boaz was resigned to whatever the day would bring forth, he knew full well he desired to redeem Ruth’s inheritance and marry her.
At this same moment, two women sat at home pondering when the news would arrive and what it would be. Boaz would be able to tell them what had transpired that day by his words. However, few words would have to be spoken to Ruth. She looked for one thing: does he have a shoe? “Naomi, is he carrying a shoe, the shoe of my redemption?”
The shoe she looked for meant little to anyone else but her. The arrival of Boaz and the shoe he might carry would mark the dawn of her redemption. She would treasure this day always.
Ruth’s waiting would be over shortly. Naomi would wonder no more. Boaz was as good as on his way to the house to proclaim that the work was done, and redemption’s price was paid. He would arrive to what was now his home, and declare his status as her goel.
When the dawn of redemption breaks across the horizon of the heart, it brings with it a new day and a brand new ending. Many people spend this life trying to go back and make a new start. Those who have been redeemed would declare it better to make a new end. Redemption has a way of silencing the past and making that brand new end.
Calvary marks the place of redemption and points to the One who paid redemption’s price. Similarly, our Eternal Boaz, when the work was done on the cross and our sin debt paid, gathered the keys of death, hell, and the grave. He took them—the symbolic shoe—went to His Father’s house, and declared that redemption’s work was done.
Many in this world have yet to hear of the redemptive work of Calvary. Why not take the shoe of your redemption and proclaim salvation to a lost and dying world?
Think about it...