Ruth 4:

1 Meanwhile Boaz went up to the town gate and sat there. When the kinsman-redeemer he had mentioned came along, Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down

2 Boaz rook ten of the elders of the town and said, “Sit here,” and they did so. Then he said to the kinsman-redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from Moab, is selling the piece that belonged to our brother Elimelech

4 I thought I should bring the matter to your attention and suggest that you buy it in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, do so. But if you will not tell me, so that I will know. For no one has the right to do it except you, and I am next in line.”

Boaz brings ten relevant elders to the gate of the town to meet with the nearest kinsman-redeemer he earlier mentioned to Ruth at the drama of the winnowing of barley. It’s at the town gate that far reaching decisions were made by the elders. The ten elders are here as close family members. Boaz tables the matter before them: Naomi wants to sell the land of Elimelech but needs to be redeemed – that is, to still be retained in the family; not sold out. Will this nearest kinsman-redeemer, asks Boaz, redeem the property? Yes is the answer from the man. Boaz quickly adds: he who redeems the land will also marry Ruth, daughter-in-law of Elimelech in order to raise children for the name of the dead. The man retracts, saying he’s not ready to add an additional burden of marrying a foreign woman to himself.

Boaz wants the elders to be witnesses and they reply that they’re witnesses. The redemption and transfer of the property of Elimelech along with Ruth is settled with the removal of a sandal of the nearest kinsman-redeemer. Marriage is now in the offing for Ruth and Boaz. The first day of encounter of the two friends to the stirring marriage has lasted one barley harvest of mere days. But in these few days, the two have been able to seize each other up. Ruth has been able to delineate the character of the husband to be: generous, selfless, empathic, a man who thinks of the good of the family (the group) and one individual who wants to come out clean in any transaction. To him, on the other hand, Ruth is “My daughter” who has acquired the reputations of being in intense relation with her mother-in-law, who has come to take refuge under the wings of the God of Israel (Ruth 2:12). As the friendship advances and reaches the climax, he discovers a gem of a woman who is not only kind but morally sound, a woman who’s not defeated by her circumstance of widowhood; who simply refuses to find an easy way out for herself. Boaz comments: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor… All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character…(Ruth 3:11-12).

Now, friendship has grown into companionship as every one bears witness to the fact that he has proposed and is definite about it. Who is a companion? A friend that complements, an intimate confidant in whose presence you’re not ashame to be naked; a one who share the same mind and outlook in life and spirituality. This is the mystery of marriage: Jesus Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:32). Relationship with the Lord of eternal life starts with friendship, grows into companionship and, then, complete union. The church, beloved of the Lord, begins with being in union with Christ in God and it’s on the march to being the union of the believer in God with Christ Jesus. This is a deeper mystery that will end the age!

I’ll close this reflection with a pleasant memory of a nearly a decade ago at Full Manifestation of Eternal Life, Ondo. This story shows how that in Christ there’s no demarcation from the physical and the spiritual – all are one. In those days, the members were very few. One day, the Pastor just decided that the members should feast on corn; it’s period of corn or maize harvest (no barley in Nigeria, remember). The idea quickly caught and was named corn feast. It’s a simple feast. On that day, the members gather to consume roasted fresh maize, as, in fanciful groups, they sit around winking embers of coal fire, doing good job to the maize: roasting and eating and discussing. Over the years, many ever refreshing thoughts have come up as sermons (later introduced) concerning the feast. Yet, the day of its inception wasn’t preceded by some previous spectacular spiritual and angelic visitation. It was so casual, almost carnal!

But here is my story. One of those corn feast days, a so much hassled and depressed sister recently joined the church and was a participant in the feast. Many groups were scattered round the premises, fanning the burning coal to roast the corn. It’s also a time of turning loose and becoming friends. This sister was in a group with some young and handsome males. She had a native cap in her hand. She was later to tell me her story.

If I remember correctly, there’s a urge in her to crown a particular one with the cap. She didn’t hesitate – after all, this feast was to enhance friendship – and, in a jiffy, she put the cap on him. That was the beginning of friendship that blossomed into marriage. When I visit the couple today, seen the total healing in the sister and witnessed their radiating love to one another and their kids, I can’t but marvel at the doings of God. Oh, to remember this was from a small, obscure beginning!

This was a long time ago. The church has experienced an exponential growth and the feast has assumed greater dimensions. And I’m sure the beginning of many marriages had its source there.

Caveat emptor: I didn’t say this feast was for marriage. I only said I witnessed and was privy to the knowledge that marriage resulted from it like the barley harvest and feast aeon years ago in Bethlehem of Judah.

I’m done with today’s meditation and only need to pray about what is agitating my mind right away.

Father, I pray that I will always be sensitive to Your Spirit, sensitive enough to obey You, even when the urge is not dramatic or spectacular to agitate me, even when it seems trite and ‘unspiritual.’

Thank You, Lord