Do you know what I love - literature with multiple layers.
I first realized this sophomore year of high school, when we read Wuthering Heights for the first time. As we discussed the text in class, I realized that there were several stories within the story- the story of Heathcliff and Catherine, the story of wealth and poverty, the story of fickleness and circumstance. All of these stories wrapped up into one book. I felt so engaged, I could read the same book 5 times and explore different things each time.
One of my favorite things about the Bible, is that it is just the same. And whats more, though each book has a story about specific people, at a specific time, doing specific things - each book also has layers of meaning and depth. And what is even more incomprehensible, is that in someways each book tells one story - Christ's story, the story of redemption.
Now all 66 books have this story, but I am presently reading/studying the book of Ruth. Ruth tells the redemption story through a Cinderella tale that begins with tragedy and ends with the birth of a son. In the middle, we get up close look at a man named Boaz. The look at Boaz tells us things about Boaz, but it also tells us something about the Jewish culture, something about Christ and something about God.
What Boaz teaches us about Jewish culture, is about the role of "goel". Specifically, in Leviticus God sets up a redemption plan for wayward Jews who through unfortunate circumstances or bad decisions end up in debt. God ordains that a blood relative may act as "goel" (literally meaning "the one who redeems") or "kinsman redeemer" by purchasing lost land or paying off debt. From what I can tell, this was a revered position, intended to provide second chances for broken people. There were four qualifications for a goel: (1) They must be a blood relative, (2) They must have the ability (in this case the money) to redeem, (3) They must be willing to redeem (its a choice) and (4) They must be willing to marry the widow of their kinsman and bear a child in their name. Boaz is the image of the Jewish culture's goel - he can, he does, he marries, he redeems. Very knight in shining armor like.
By acting as a goel to Ruth and Naomi, Boaz also teaches us about the ultimate Goel, our Goel, Jesus. Look at those qualifications - He must be one of us (Philippians 2:6-8), He must be able to redeem (have the ability to pay the price for sin; 2 Corinthians 5:21), He must be willing to redeem (choose to pay the price for sin; Luke 23:34) and He must be willing to marry the widow of sin (the Bride of Christ, Revelation 19: 7-10).
Finally, Boaz teaches us something about God (this is my favorite part!). Specifically, God has been writing the redemption story from the very beginning. Leviticus, the portion of the Bible laying down the rules and identity of the goel, is a part of the Torah - the sacred Jewish texts thought to be written by Moses himself. Ruth was also written chronologically, early on - most likely book #8. God has been telling us, how this was going to happen since He's been speaking. It's never changed - not once.
There is something so beautiful and secure about that. That God has been saying the same thing to people for thousands of years. That we can mess it up, miss interpret it, get confused, get angry, get lost, whatever - He's still saying the same thing. I will redeem you. There are second chances. You don't have to be capable, or earn it, or deserve it - I will provide it and we will be married (joined, merged, united in an unbreakable bond). Let me show you in this role. Let me show you again in this story. Let me show you with My Son. Let me show you with your life.
Oh Lord. Thank you. What I beautiful story You are telling.
No comments:
Post a Comment