Prayer: Father, it is an interesting study today. May I convey accurately the meaning of a Goel in the days of Ruth and Boaz. Amen.
Reading: Ruth 3 key: vs. 9-13 ““Who are you?” he asked. “I am Ruth, your handmaid,” she answered. “Spread the corner of your garment over your handmaid, for you are a goel.” “May you be blessed by Adonai, my daughter!” he replied. “You have made the latter act of loyalty greater than the first, by not running after the young men, whether rich or poor. Now my daughter, do not be afraid! Everything you propose, I will do for you, for everyone in town knows that you are a woman of valor. Although it is true that I am a goel, there is one who is a closer goel than me. Stay here tonight, and in the morning, if he will be your goel—good! Let him do so. But if he is not willing to be your goel, then I will be your goel myself, as surely as Adonai lives. Lie down until morning.” TLV
Attention: There was an interesting practice among the Hebrew people in that day. We find the Hebraic law passed down from Moses in Deuteronomy 25:5-10. A brother or brother-in-law is to step up to provide an heir for his deceased brother. In today’s example, Boaz realizes that he is not first in line. While he is willing to marry Ruth, he must go to the brother who is first in line and secure a decision. The brother who was first relative in line declines to marry Ruth, giving Boaz legal right to marry her.
So, the biblical definition of a Goel as used in today’s text, is a male relative of the deceased husband who assumes the position of their kin to continue the family line. Ruth prophetically declares Boaz as her goel and Boaz confirms his willingness to be her goel, but he goes by the letter of the law and goes to the first in line. He did not tamper with Ruth, as he had no right to exceed the legal boundaries of Hebraic law.
My wife was a former widow when we married. We have embraced and used the term “goel” for our relationship, even though there is no intention of continuing the family line. She has children by her former husband.
Our culture would not recognize this Hebraic law, and you may not have ever heard the term “goel.” However, men, we can still assume the rest of the character traits of a “goel” in provision and protection.
Action: I choose to embrace the term goel as a husbandly trait provided to my wife.
Yield: I choose to submit to the essence of a “goel” to my wife.
Engage: I choose to engage in the practice of being a “goel” to my wife.
Relationship: I choose to live in holy, intimate relationship with my wife.
Memory Verse: Deuteronomy 25:5 ““If brothers dwell together and one of them dies and has no son, the dead man’s wife is not to be married outside to a stranger. Her husband’s brother is to go to her and take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a brother-in-law.” TLV
Music Video: Nicole C. Mullen—My Redeemer Lives https://youtu.be/XRW-jr_PnbQ?si=l-MTMM3Qq1MKA7fF
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”