Day 21: Will I {give} my sandal in pledge?

~ Lisa Brittain

“Then I can’t redeem it,” the family redeemer replied, “because this might endanger my own estate. You redeem the land; I cannot do it.”  

Now in those days it, was the custom in Israel for anyone transferring a right of purchase to remove his sandal and hand it to the other party. This publicly validated the transaction.  {give}

So the other family redeemer drew off his sandal as he said to Boaz, “You buy the land.”  Ruth 4:6-8

{Give} – as in a pledge.

I have been fascinated by this portion of the story for some time.  The idea of taking off a sandal to give to another as a guarantee – an attesting to of the agreement made.  The man giving away a sandal from his own foot was the same as a signed and notarized contract in our modern times.

I had no idea when I started this 31-day journey through Ruth, today’s word would be {give} and would align perfectly with the nearer redeemer giving away his first rights to buy the land and all of Elimelech’s property (including the widow, Ruth) from Naomi.

But God knew.  He’s been leading me and teaching me all through this journey, pulling out truth from which I am able to glean wisdom for my own life.  I am abundantly grateful for this season of questioning my way through with Holy Spirit as my teacher in the word of God.

If I breeze through Ruth chapter 4 with my modern westerner mindset it is easy for me to miss the significance of the transaction and the pledge.  Though I am definitely journeying through a famine season, spiritually and even physically, I can not relate to the great cost of giving a sandal away.  It’s no big deal for me to drive a mile from my house to the nearest Dollar Tree and buy a new pair of sandals.give in pledge

Not so for the men of Bethlehem of Judah in the time of the Judges.  Giving a sandal away was surely a big deal.  A sandal was costly as it must have cost an animal’s hide.  And sandals were extremely important for people whose feet were their primary mode of transportation through a desert.  Clearly, the giving of a sandal cost the man of first rights something of significance.

Additionally, it’s interesting to me the nearer redeemer, the man with the first rights to the property, is the one who gave his sandal away.  In essence, the man paid publicly something of significant value to give away his rights.  Am I the only one or does that sound a bit counter-culture?

It does sound a whole lot like Jesus though, doesn’t it?  Jesus who paid with His life and gave up His rights as God through whom all things were created and live and breathe and through Whom we have our being?

Ponders:

  • I think I am going to need to chew on this truth for awhile… much longer than a five-minute free write.  How about you?
  • I am reminded of these words of King David in 1 Chronicles 21:24:

“No, I insist on buying it for the full price.  I will not take what is yours and give it to the Lord. I will not present burnt offerings that have cost me nothing!”

  • Is there something Holy Spirit is stirring in you, as He is certainly stirring in me with regards to giving up first rights?
    • with regards to giving something away which is costly?
  • Will you ask the Lord and journal your conversation with Him regarding the cost of making a pledge?
  • I wonder if you will share something you have gleaned from God’s Word here…

Eyes on Jesus…you’re Shining!

~Lisa

Published by Lisa Brittain

I am an avid follower of Jesus. I have been since my early twenties when I met Him personally and received dramatic healing in my body and mind. After many years of marriage and raising sons into the teen years, I was challenged to explore the duplicity of my spoken faith followed up by fearful actions. I received the challenge presented by both of my sons. They love me and so they dared to confront me with the truth. Chips off my proverbial block! I determined then {more than a decade ago} to overcome fear with faith that was more than words. In my late 40's I made a decision to leave the desert wandering behind and set out to pursue the abundant life Jesus promised His disciples. I am a tentmaker {actually a reupholsterer} by day, which helps to support the call God has on my life to serve Him in my community. I thoroughly enjoy my work. Repairing and restoring throw-away furniture is a fulfilling creative outlet. More so, my Cheer House Repair and Restore business opens the door for me to interact with my community. My passion is to walk so closely to Jesus that others want to know Him too. I love to introduce women to Him as we walk, talk, and work together hand in hand through everyday life. Nothing thrills me more than to watch someone fall so in love with Jesus through His word and conversation; learning to trust His heart and receive His great love! I have been married to my dear man for over 30 rollercoaster years. We're simply thrilled that our latter days are more joyful and purposeful than our first. Together we have two - grown young men on their own journeys. Additionally, we share our home with 3 lively rescue pups. I look forward to having you join me on this journey of faith... Bold feet, humble heart Psalm 131 ~ Lisa