Readings: Ruth 1:1-5, 8-22; 2:1-13; 4:1-17; Ephesians 5:31-32; Matthew 1:1, 5-6
In the name of the Father and of the +Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
In ancient Israel there was no life insurance, no Canada Pension Plan, no Old Age Security, or widows benefits. But there was always family. And in order to take care of the fatherless and the widow the Lord had instituted a practice called the “Kinsman redeemer”. (Deut. 25:5-10; Lev. 25:23-28, 47-55) That is, if a man dies without giving son to his wife so that there would be someone to take care of her in her old age, then his closest male relative makes sure she has a son. He marries her. Of course you can see problems that may be brought about by this arrangement. For though a woman may be your wife, the son is not reckoned as your son, but as the dead man’s son. (Lev. 25:6) And if he already had a wife, does he really want another? Think of the complications… And of top of all that, what if you never have another son of your own, then your land and your relative’s land goes to your “relative’s son”. So you can see why men might be a little weak kneed about doing what the Lord says to do.
In the name of the Father and of the +Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
In ancient Israel there was no life insurance, no Canada Pension Plan, no Old Age Security, or widows benefits. But there was always family. And in order to take care of the fatherless and the widow the Lord had instituted a practice called the “Kinsman redeemer”. (Deut. 25:5-10; Lev. 25:23-28, 47-55) That is, if a man dies without giving son to his wife so that there would be someone to take care of her in her old age, then his closest male relative makes sure she has a son. He marries her. Of course you can see problems that may be brought about by this arrangement. For though a woman may be your wife, the son is not reckoned as your son, but as the dead man’s son. (Lev. 25:6) And if he already had a wife, does he really want another? Think of the complications… And of top of all that, what if you never have another son of your own, then your land and your relative’s land goes to your “relative’s son”. So you can see why men might be a little weak kneed about doing what the Lord says to do.
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