1 John 3

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:  therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be:  but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law:  for sin is the transgression of the law.

And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not:  whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

Little children, let no man deceive you:  he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.  For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him:  and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil:  whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love another.

Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother.  And wherefore slew he him?  Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer:  and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us:  and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

And this is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love another, as he gave us commandment.

And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us."

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"And he said unto them, set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law." Deuteronomy 32:46

The Covering

"And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue:  and it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go awhoring:  that ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God."  Numbers 15:37-40

A Story of Covering

"And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn:  and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.  And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself:  and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.  And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid:  spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.  And he said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter:  for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.  And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest:  for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman."  Ruth 3:7-11

This passage is from the Book of Ruth, the story of a Jewish woman called Naomi and her daughter-in-law, Ruth.  Both widowed, Naomi returns to her homeland of Judah, with Ruth as her constant companion.  With no sons or husbands to provide for them, the women are destitute.  However, their story is not over, for Hebrew Law provides them with a kinsman redeemer, a near male relative that will take on the responsibility of these women.  The role of kinsman redeemer is one of deliverer, protector, and provider.  A kinsman redeemer redeemed property by paying the required ransom.

Naomi and Ruth were in bondage to their poverty, unable to work or to buy and sell property. Without a father, husband, or a son to care for them, they were at the mercy of others.  Naomi understood that only a marriage for Ruth could save them, for the husband of Ruth would naturally take care of Naomi.  A marriage would place the women under the covering of a husband, whose duty it would be to care for the women.

Boaz was a near relative of Naomi, and aside from another, was the likely choice for a husband for Ruth.  Naomi was a wily lady who knew that Ruth had found favor with Boaz.  He had allowed her to glean grain from his fields, and even made sure that grain was left in ample supply for her and Naomi.  Hence he had already proven himself worthy as a provider and protector.  The question was, would he be a worthy deliverer? 

When Ruth went into Boaz and slept at his feet, she put him and herself in a compromising situation.  She trusted that Boaz was a righteous man and would do the righteous thing, once he understood their situation. 

She was not wrong.  Given no dispute with the other near kinsman, Boaz agreed to be their kinsman redeemer.  He was prepared to redeem all that belonged to Naomi, including marrying Ruth.  In effect he purchased Naomi and Ruth's land, inherited from their husbands, purchased Ruth to be his wife, and in accordance with Deuteronomy 25:6, agreed that their firstborn son would take the name of her deceased husband so that his name and heritage would continue. 

After the marriage, when Ruth conceived, Naomi became the baby's nurse, and the baby was called Obed. Obed fathered Jesse, who fathered King David.  Joseph and Jesus also were of the lineage of David.

The Modern Day Covering of Marriage

The Bible speaks of coming under the shadow of God's wing.  The wing is where the mother bird shelters her babies.  What a beautiful picture of a husband's care and love for his wife.

"Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,"  Psalm 17:8

Wives, our husbands serve as our covering, much like Boaz.  When we enter into the covenant marriage relationship, we are placing ourselves under the sheltering of our husband.  Husbands afford protection, provision, and deliverance. 

As head of the household, he will stand before God to give an account of his household.  He is commissioned to care for his wife, else his prayers will be hindered.  1 Peter 3:7 teaches us:

"Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."

Many women today do not feel the need for a covering.  They are independent women of the world. 

Marriage between a man and a woman is God's plan, and serves as the foundation for a family.  The hierarchy of the family is established by God with husbands as the final authority, wives submitting to their decisions, and children honoring and respecting their parents, coming under their authority. 

How blessed we are to have first the covering of our dads, and then the covering of our husband.  A woman who never marries remains under the covering of her father.  Once married, a woman moves under the covering of her husband.  A woman is never left without a covering.

Numbers 30 explains a little more about the authority given to dads and husbands who have the rule over their households.  If a daughter or a wife makes a vow, it shall stand.  However a dad or a husband has the right to overrule the vow.  As a daughter in the household of her dad, her dad may overrule his daughter's vow.  Or if she is in the household of her husband, the husband may overrule it.  This is a blessing and a protection for a daughter or a wife.

Christian's Covenant Covering of Jesus

It is also a beautiful picture of the relationship between Jesus and His Bride, the Church. 

As believers, we come under the rule of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we are His betrothed bride.  Remember betrothal in Biblical times was actually a legal marriage, as yet unconsummated.  The Church is the betrothed bride of Christ, purchased with the blood of Jesus, and thereby redeemed from the rule of Satan. 

The Church is under the covering of Jesus, forever delivered, protected, and provided for, awaiting and watching for His return.  Jesus' covering is sufficient to meet our every need.  He never forsakes His own.  He laid down His life for His beloved.