We can be pretty good at making excuses. I am saying we so I won’t need to feel the discomfort of saying me 🙂
Truth be known, there are times I say, “I can’t….” when I should say, “I won’t”. It might be inconvenient, or mean sacrifice or …. I am being selfish {{ouch}}.
Continuing on in the story of Ruth, I find Boaz wanting to do the honorable thing, which is to purchase the land belonging to Naomi and marry the widowed daughter-in-law, Ruth. But he was not the next in line of kin to do so. He goes to the town square to approach the family redeemer. He informs him the land is up for sale to which the man quickly replies, “All right. I’ll redeem it.” (Ruth 4:4, NIV)
Then Boaz drops the catch ….
“Of course, your purchase of the land from Naomi also requires that you marry Ruth, the Moabite widow. That way she can have children who will carry on her husband’s name and keep the land in the family.” (Ruth 4:5, NIV).
Say, what?
The man must have sputtered and become uncomfortable, wondering how he was going to get himself out of the fine mess he’d just gotten himself into. Any enthusiasm he felt was dampened by this added information. So he replies …
“Then I can’t redeem it,” the family redeemer replied, “because this might endanger my own estate.” (Verse 6)
To purchase the land and marry Ruth, might also mean having children together. They would then become the sole heirs to the property he purchased, omitting other children out of that portion of the inheritance. And I understand all of that reasoning.
Yet I began to see something else in this story ….
There is a difference between “I can’t” and “I won’t.
We need to be mindful of this difference in our lives. We can make excuses with the best of them to avoid doing something we may not want to. It may even appear to be a valid excuse.
The man at the gate, the family redeemer, was trying to save face, or his reputation, by saying he could not do it. The reality was …. he did not want to. It involved a risk he was not willing to take.
And I have been just like that same man at times in my life.
May we be more mindful to take care of our responsibilities and not make excuses. May we learn to recognize the difference between those things we can’t do and the things we won’t because we do not want to do them. May we learn when we are to take the risk that God places before us.
The family redeemer remained nameless because he refused to take the risk.
Boaz went on to produce the family line to Israel’s greatest king, David…
which went on to produce the lineage of Jesus Christ.
All because he chose to say, “I will”.
Today I am joining with … Soli Deo Gloria and Testimony Tues. and Playdates With God and Unite and Titus 2 Tues. and Tell Me a Story and Teaching What Is Good .
Great thoughts from the part of the story we too often rush over! It’s very true that I can’t often means I won’t. And I often use “we” in my posts too, but we all know what that means 😉
LOL, Lisa, surely know what that means! Grateful you share with me!
So true! My mentor loves to use the phrases, when describing those whom she chooses to pour into long term, The Whosoever Wills and The Whosoever Want Tos. Most of us are the want to’s but so few are the wills. Great reminder this morning, friend.
Lori, I love this! You have a wise mentor. So very true. I prayed this morning that my want to (my desires) would bend to His will so that I will fall into The Whosoever Wills every day. Thanks for sharing this with me. Blessings!
Oh Joanne, how often have I said I can’t when what I really should have said I won’t. I’m challenged to think through that now and consider why I wouldn’t do something that I could have done easily enough. Am I not loving my neighbor enough? Am I not wanting to hear God’s truth enough? And I being selfish? Or reacting out of fear? Such a good post and challenge to me next time I start to say I can’t! Thanks for linking up to Testimony Tuesday!
Holly, in looking & reflecting on our own responses, may we become more inclined to say “I can” and “I will”as we obey Him in the days ahead.
Holly, I just realized in response to your post that I read earlier today…YES, my friend, I mostly write TO myself. God teaches me the lesson before I can even write it. You are so right!
Powerful reminder of the difference between “can’t” and “won’t.” The Bible truly is our life guide isn’t it? I do so love the story of Ruth. Thank you for helping me to see with fresh eyes. Love you.
I needed the powerful reminder myself, Beth. Praying that I would be more mindful & obedient to those things He would have me to do.
Great thoughts today! I have read the Book of Ruth many times but I love your interpretation of this part of the story – “I can’t or I won’t”. How many times do we mix those up due to our stubborn pride or lack of motivation? God is a God of accepting us for who we are, however, He will always turn our “I can’t” into an “I can” when we are truly following Him and honoring Him in our lives. Blessings, my friend!
I love what you shared above,Mary. I am so grateful that He bends our will as we seek to follow Him. You have shared such good thoughts!
I had never thought of it that way either…I can’t or I won’t! Lord, help me with my stubbornness and disobedience…so thankful for His patience with me. I loved this today!
Thank you, Nannette, for your encouragement. Funny what God shows us in the midst of the familiar.
I love the story of Ruth and there are so many good examples we can learn from it. I am thankful that Jesus was willing to be our “REDEEMER.” There was NO hesitation on His part. Thank you for sharing with us here at “Tell Me a Story.”
Grateful to join you each week, Hazel. Blessings!
When reading Ruth, I’ve always thought that Boaz knew enough to do the right “family” thing that was necessary, but might have known very deeply how the reaction would be and that, when his cousin couldn’t follow through, Boaz would be able to marry Ruth, filled joyfully. That’s a treat… for them and for us forever. Would love to see and meet them in heaven.
I am so glad you shared your thoughts, Joanne. Made me realize how important it is for to do those things we know to be right.
Thanks, Jo, for sharing this HUGE difference between “I can’t” and “I won’t” ouch!!! I needed to read this. God speaks through you in a powerful way. I love you.
Mare
Thank you, Marilyn, for being such a faithful reader. More so, for being so encouraging – all the time. Right there with you! This one was a big “ouch” for myself as most times, I am learning the very lesson I am writing. Have a blessed Sunday!