The Bible Interprets Itself
Ruth: 4:7-8 - (Now in earlier times in Israel, for the redemption and transfer of property to become final, one party took off his sandal and gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactions in Israel.) So the kinsman-redeemer said to Boaz, "Buy it yourself." And he removed his sandal.
This remarkable passage tells us something about when Ruth was written. Besides the evidence of the final verse, which place the authorship of Ruth after the time when King David took the throne (about 1010 BC), the verses before us today tell us that customs had changed enough that the removal of the sandal had to be explained. The amount of time was only a few generations. Today, we have a similar communications problem when people over 40 talk about "albums" or "records" (not to mention "stylus," "vinyl" or "turntable") when we refer to recorded music. The CD industry didn't start to really take off until about 20 years ago, but it changed part of our language. Mark had to do the same thing when he explained words like "Golgotha" to his readers.
One of the beautiful things about the Bible is that it says so much which is clear, plain, and simple to understand. Are there difficult or obscure passages? Certainly. But the passages which are not very clear are best understood by allowing other, clear passages to shine out. And sometimes, as with 4:8, there is even another verse (like Ruth 4:7) which is recorded for the sole purpose of explaining the more difficult passage. The Holy Spirit knows we are reading His word. He has provided us with help in reading it. But the very best tool we have for understanding God's word is being familiar with it: and that means staying in it. Hang in there! God's Word is a deep, rich mine, filled with a wealth of knowledge and wisdom and Good News. The best news of all is that our sins are paid for -- paid in full!
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: How does our inability to understand everything the Bible says underscore the importance of the Holy Spirit working faith in our hearts? When you don't understand something, what can you do to gain understanding?
PRAYER SUGGESTION: Lord, as you opened the faith eyes of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, so also open my heart and mind to your Word. Grant me understanding in following your will and relying on your Son Jesus alone as my hope of salvation, joy and eternal peace. In His name I pray, AMEN.