Meat for the Hungry

www.sarahbmartin.wordpress.com The morning sun was mid-sky when Boaz acquired the sandal from the nearer kinsman. In this crowded, open-air courtroom, Boaz held the sandal high and shouted, "You are witnesses to this transaction. I have bought all that was Elimelech's and his sons. In addition, Mahlon’s widow, Ruth, will become my wife and I will raise a son for Mahlon, so neither his inheritance is lost nor his position at the city gate.” www.anewdaywithchrist.blogspot.com “...All the people…said, ‘We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.’” What an amazing and grand blessing. This very wealthy, prominent Israelite would marry a Moabite, and they were excited about it. Nevertheless, what did their blessing mean, especially since they referred to Rachel and Leah building the house of Israel?

Many generations have passed. God’s promise to Abram has now happened. God took Abram from “Exalted Father” and gave him a name befitting His promise, Abraham, “Father of a Multitude”. Abraham’s wife Sarai, now Sarah, meaning Princess, bore a son at age ninety by a miracle of God. This son of promise, God named Isaac. Isaac and his wife Rebekah, after twenty years of barrenness, bore twin sons, Esau and Jacob. The younger, Jacob, as prophesied, received the birthright and blessing. Almighty God blessed Jacob with twelve sons and chose Judah, the fourth son of Jacob’s wife Leah, to carry on His promise to Abraham. However, it was Joseph, the first-born son of Jacob’s most beloved wife, Rachel, whom God appointed to save many people alive.