And He Took Ten Men of the Elders of the City, and Said: Sit Down Here

The fact that Boaz could gather ten of the city’s elders in the city’s gate so quickly shows that he was a mighty man.

Blessed be Ruth who that day had put her case and her future into God’s hand. Even though she was a Gentile woman, the laws of Israel were already beginning to be a blessing for her. It is worthwhile to forsake the world and submit to God’s laws and ordinances. The circumstances of time and place are meant to work for the best for the soul that obeys Him. God will quickly gather the elders of the city and its wisest men to secure your right where you have had no right before, and in the ages to come He will show the exceeding riches of His goodness toward you.

Now the council had assembled. Besides Boaz, ten of the elders of the city and its wisest men had taken their seats. The poor and insignificant Ruth was to be given her right according to the laws of Israel. Blessed laws that lift the poorest soul out of the miry clay and set him among the city’s elders!

Quite often things happen in the church that need to be discussed and judged by the elders. Then it is important that the Spirit of God leads the council, so that we listen and are obedient according to the conscience as well as to the Scriptures. The same rule applies in the church as in the gate: We are to speak the truth and give judgment for justice and peace. We will also do that when we remember what we are and what we are made of.