Christian unity teaches respect for the whole Body of Christ. The ancient Hebrews learned ways of doing things and the necessity of valid transactions; this gave the early Christians a format from which they could move forward in the faith. Repect was at or near the top of the list. The characters of Boaz, the elders, Naomi, Ruth, and the others in our passage evidence this in ways that do not seem to be present in today’s striving for equality. Could they have known something that we don’t? As one reads and studies this passage the answer becomes "Yes," arrived at in an unhurried manner. Indeed, to have identical salaries, position, titles, membership in the same clubs, does not automatically mean persons repect each other.

In its far-reaching influence, Christian unity at its best is pe…