Today's blog is based in the entire 4 chapters of the book of Ruth. I want to share some of the characteristics of Boaz and that while on the surface this seems like a simply story of amorous love, it is in fact so much deeper than that.
When I considered what I am currently going through I really had to stop and ask God why He would give me this word to share at this time. But He reminded me that His ways are not my ways and His thoughts are not like mine. His ways and thoughts are as different from mine as the heavens are from the Earth so with that said, all I can do is be obedient.
I am going to give some information about the story and then some specifics about Boaz and the general significance of this story. When I started writing this blog I thought it was going to be a romantic story about a woman waiting on a man of God and from God, but as I write it out God is revealing to me even now that this story was more about redemption and restoration than anything else. What seems on the surface to be a sweet love story is really a powerful reminder of how God moves people and crafts events in order to establish His will not just for our present but so that He can provide us with a hope and a future. This reveals that God does know the plans that He has for us.
What I first found interesting is how the scripture makes note that Naomi and Ruth make their way back to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley season. I asked God to reveal the significance of this to me. He shared with me through my research that this was very significant because the Jewish tradition celebrated three major harvests. The first was the barley harvest and this harvest which coincided with the Passover represented the over comers. Barley was the grain of the poor man, yet it was the first crop given to the Israelites after their deliverance from Egypt; therefore, it had and has tremendous importance and significance.
So Boaz grew barley. And as the well known story goes, Ruth finds her way to the land of Naomi's kinsman, Boaz. Ruth sets out early in the morning and begins to glean the barley that is left over after the harvesters take the best. Her intention was to somehow find favor with Boaz.
In her gleaning efforts, Ruth indeed catches the attention of Boaz and we see that he becomes genuinely concerned with Ruth's well being. This is the first characteristic of Boaz. He advises those that work his land to allow Ruth to glean with the other young women and to even leave a little bit more. He then advises them not to bother her. So then Boaz provides Ruth a level of protection.
Boaz then addresses Ruth directly and lets her know to stay with the young women and to follow them where ever they glean. He also lets her know that he has covered her with his protection so we see that Boaz comforts Ruth. Boaz was also impressed by Ruth and her dedication and loyalty to Naomi. Boaz fed her and allowed her to rest with his other maidservants.
Chapter 3 finds Naomi educating Ruth on how she should present herself to Boaz. I found it quite interesting that Naomi knew the habits of Boaz, where he would be and what he'd be doing, but that revelation is perhaps for a different day. The important thing here is that Ruth benefited from Naomi's wisdom and experience. Naomi advised Ruth to go to the threshing floor where Ruth would find Boaz. Ruth had been instructed to uncover Boaz' feet and to lie there until she received instructions from Boaz. She obeyed.
When Boaz awoke from his sleep he was startled to find Ruth, but Ruth went into action and carefully followed the instruction of her mother-in-law. She advised Boaz of who he was to her and subtly reminded him of his responsibility. Again Boaz praises Ruth for her dedication and loyalty. Boaz showed respect for Ruth and allowed her to continue to rest. Boaz was concerned about Ruth's reputation and advised her that she should leave before anyone would recognize her. Before she left Boaz gave Ruth more barley and he promised to uphold his duties to her and to her mother-in-law. Boaz explained to Ruth what he planned to do and Ruth returned to Naomi with a promise.
Boaz wasted no time, but sought to redeem Ruth and Naomi. We see from Boaz' interactions in chapter 4 that he was a man of integrity and he sought to do things in order. He had shared with Ruth that there was a relative that was closer to Naomi than he was and that he would have to allow this relative the opportunity to redeem the land owned by Naomi. From this passage we see that Boaz respected Ruth's value. His strategy for dealing with the closer relative was wise. He first advised that there was land to be redeemed. I think he wanted to find out what the relative would do. He didn't immediately share that Ruth was part of the bargain. So we see that for Ruth, Boaz took a risk. The other relative wanted the land, but then Boaz said to him, "Well there's more than the land, you must marry the widow of the deceased relative and carry on his name." Maybe it was the way Boaz said it, but the other relative did not want any part of that deal so he agreed to forgo his rights to redeem the land.
So the remainder of chapter 4 indicates to us that Boaz was concerned about Ruth's future as he vowed to restore the name of his deceased relative through marrying Ruth and providing offspring.
Some other characteristics of Boaz:
Boaz had means and the authority to carry out the commands that he gave concerning Ruth's safety.
Boaz had ownership and he was responsible.
Boaz was generous.
Boaz was patient.
Boaz was honest.
Boaz took a risk for Ruth.
Boaz was wise.
Boaz was available. Part of the reason that the other relative was afraid to redeem the land was because he would have also had to have redeemed Ruth and he was afraid that would mean that his own inheritance would be ruined. So we see that Boaz was available and did not have this fear or concern.
As a result of Ruth's loyalty and obedience and of Boaz' actions, the lineage of King David and of our Savior Jesus Christ remained in tact.
This story of love, redemption and restoration reflects God's care for us-His people. We may find ourselves in a dead situation. God wants us to remain loyal to Him. He wants us to stay in position and to listen. He wants us to hear and to obey the word. In doing this, we will be rewarded. He will bless us to find ourselves in a place of restoration and redemption.
Today consider your situation and consider all that Ruth did. Have you remained loyal and obedient? If so then expect God to provide you a Boaz to restore and to redeem you not just for your present situation but also for your future.
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