All in the Family

Read Deuteronomy 25.

One of the more interesting laws given to Israel is often referred to as the "husband's brother" or the "kinsman-redeemer" law.  God was concerned that each of the 12 tribal families was maintained and that each family within the tribe would have descendants.

Regardless of age or other circumstance, it was the "duty" (v.7) of a man to take and care for his brother's widow, especially for the purpose of having children on his brother's behalf.  The qualifications included that the brothers lived together.  The assumption is that they shared their father's inheritance.  Second, the brother who died had no sons to carry on his name.  The regulations for refusal were clear.  Public humiliation would be the result.

Why was the sandal removed?  It was symbolic of removing the right to walk on that brother's land.  It was a legal forfeiture.

In the book of Ruth, we get to see this law put into practice.  Both Ruth's husband and brother-in-law died.  When Boaz, a kinsman to Ruth's late husband, fell in love with her there was one problem.  A kinsman to Ruth's husband was closer in relation than Boaz.  So, in chapter 4 we learn that the closer kinsman did not wish to exercise his duty toward Ruth.  He refused, wanting to protect his own inheritance.  They performed the legal exercise of removing the man's sandal and, thus, Boaz was free to marry Ruth.

In order for the LORD to redeem us and make us part of His family, He first had to become a near kinsman.

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."  "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."  (John 1:14,12)