“We Are Witnesses” - 1/27/25

 

Being a witness to something holds a special place with men. If someone says he has witnessed an event, his credibility is usually greater with people than someone who merely heard about it or read about it sometime later. From a legal standpoint, saying that you are a witness means that you were called to be present at some transaction to confirm that what took place was accurate and legal. This would have been the situation in Ruth 4, with those 10 men witnessing Boaz redeeming Ruth and the property of Elimelech, Mahlon, and Chilion (Ruth 4:9-11).

 

The first time we read of this kind of event in the Bible was when Abraham bought the cave of Machpelah to bury his wife Sarah (Gen. 23). When he did this, he bought the cave for 400 shekels of silver and did so in front of witnesses (sons of Heth). No one could say this transaction did not happen, and we see Abraham and his family using this cave for burial for many years after those men and Abraham had died.

 

Therefore, when the men in Bethlehem said they were witnesses to Boaz purchasing the property, etc., they took on a great responsibility. If anyone challenged Boaz in years to come, these men would need to stand up and defend the decisions made that day.

 

I study this subject in light of the statements made by Christ and the apostles. Jesus is called “the faithful and true witness” (Rev. 3:14, 1:5). Everything He spoke concerning God, Heaven, Hell, etc., was His eye-witness testimony! He had already been in Heaven and knew what it was like!

 

The apostles also served as witnesses for Christ and His work on earth. They were not mere bystanders but active participants in spreading the gospel. On more than one occasion, the apostles declared what they had witnessed Jesus doing and saying (I Jn. 1:1, 3; Acts 4:20). Paul was called a witness (Acts 22:15, 26:22). In fact, all those qualified to be apostles, “Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection” (Acts 1:22).

 

What can we learn from this? Let us first ask if we can trust the witnesses to Abraham’s purchase. What about those who witnessed Boaz’s acceptance of Ruth and the property? If we can trust these as actual true events, can we not then trust the words of the apostles when they spoke of the Lord? Too many deny that Jesus exists. Many deny He ever walked this earth despite the evidence before them. We are told the statements concerning Christ were some kind of made-up hoax. Yet, the apostles said, “We are witnesses.” Will we believe their testimony?

 

I was not there when Abraham bought the cave. I was not there when Boaz agreed to marry Ruth. I was not there when Christ and the apostles walked the earth. How can I trust that any of these events are true? The witnesses make it clear what happened and why. What can I do then, but believe the statements (Rom. 10:17)? If I believe, then I will also accept the consequences of believing what they have said (Jas. 2:24, 26) and pattern my life after what the Lord revealed (I Pet. 2:21). Are you willing to do the same (Heb. 5:9)?

 

- Jarrod M. Jacobs