Welcome to The Diligent Woman Podcast.
In Season 5 study along as Angela explores the lives of the Men & Women from Scripture: Learning to Live from the Great Cloud of Witnesses.
In today’s episode spend some time considering Boaz from the book of Ruth. Come along and find encouragement to trust in God in every season of life.
What stands out to you from Boaz’s story?
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Today we finish our look at the people in Ruth’s story.
You can hear Naomi and Ruth’s parts of the story in episode 516 and 517. I will link to them in the show notes as well. Let’s focus on the man in the story, Boaz.
Boaz enters our story initially as the owner of the field where Ruth begins to glean barley (Ruth 2:3).
Boaz comes from Bethlehem, presumably, to inspect his fields (Ruth. 2:4).
First thing to notice is how respectfully he addresses his reapers. It may have been a common greeting, but it certainly is a respectful one. It also indicates a like-mindedness between him and his workers.
Boaz notices Ruth in his field and asks about her. The reapers give a report of who she is and how she came to be with their gleaners. Boaz tells Ruth to be sure to stay in his fields, stay with his maids and to drink from the water that is drawn by his servants. In short, he provides for her protection and her every need while she is working to provide for herself and Naomi.
I also find it interesting that upon learning that she is a kinswoman by marriage, he does not offer to just take care of her and Naomi. He doesn’t tell her to go home and let him send grain to her as she needs it. He does nothing to stop her from working, he simply makes her work easier. This is actually very respectful. He is honoring her efforts, as we learn later he is honoring family connections without crossing potential barriers, and he isn’t creating a sense of entitlement for Ruth. There is nothing condescending in the way he speaks to her. In fact, when she asks why he is being so kind to her, a foreigner, Boaz goes on to commend her for her choices, her willingness to work, and for choosing to trust God (Ruth 2:11-12).
Boaz goes on to make sure that Ruth eats well and then directs his servants to allow her to glean further into the field than would be normal for a foreigner who is seeking charity (Ruth 2:15-16).
Boaz’s kindness and good character is impressive.
Ruth goes home and tells all of this to Naomi. Naomi sees the hand of God in the blessings from Boaz and encourages Ruth to do as he says until the end of the harvest, which will be several weeks yet (Ruth 2:22-23).
When the harvest is finally coming to an end, Naomi starts to plan for how to provide for Ruth’s future. She encourages Ruth to make it clear to Boaz that she is putting herself under his authority and trusting him with her life.
When Boaz discovers Ruth sleeping at his feet, he is touched that she has chosen him, who is older, over a man closer to her in age (Ruth 3:10). Boaz promises to determine her prospects so her path forward will be clear.
He again protects her by stopping the gossiping among his servants. Boaz does not want to do anything that will harm this young woman’s reputation as a “woman of excellence” (Ruth 3:11, 14).
The next morning he sends her home with more grain. Now it is time for Naomi and Ruth to wait and see what Boaz will do.
In Ruth 4, we see Boaz’s character highlighted again. This man is very careful to abide by the law, but he is also clever. He isn’t flippant about making sure of the situation for Ruth, the widow of the son of Elimelech.
He shows wisdom in starting with the property that is in question. The man who has the first claim is quick to say he will redeem the land that was Elimelech’s. Boaz says, “But wait” - the land also comes with the widow of Elimelech’s son and sons will need to be raised up for the deceased’s inheritance.
Now, this closer relative now hesitates about redeeming the property and lives in question. If he were to take on Ruth and to raise up sons, but to the name of the deceased rather than his own, it would interfere with the inheritance he currently holds. He tells Boaz that he cannot redeem them so Boaz may do so if he chooses as is his right as next in line.
Boaz then makes it very clear to everyone present what has happened. There is not going to be a question about his right or Ruth’s reputation in regards to all of this. Boaz declares that he is taking on all the property of Elimelech, Mahlon and Chilion, he will marry Ruth, the widow of Mahlon, and will raise up sons so the family name can continue. All the witnesses acknowledge the exchange and wish Boaz well with his new family.
Boaz marries her and the Lord blesses her with a son!
It is noted in Ruth 4:14 that Boaz is just as much Naomi’s redeemer as he is for Ruth. The women pray that he will be a “restorer of life and a sustainer of your old age” because of his relationship with her good daughter-in-law, Ruth. God has provided for both of these women through this godly man, Boaz.
Take a look at 1 Timothy 3:1-7, the qualifications of those who would be Elders in a congregation:
Above reproach
Husband of one wife
Temperate
Prudent
Respectable
Hospitable
Able to teach
Not addicted to wine or pugnacious
Gentle
Peaceable
Free from the love of money
Manages his own household well
Not a new convert
Good reputation outside of the congregation
I don’t know that enough attention is given to Boaz as an example for men of all ages. It is common to hear, “Grow up to be a Joseph! Grow up to be a David!”
Absolutely, quality examples for young men. But Boaz is an example of a man of wealth, business, and reputation in the area who is also a man of godly character. Abraham is not the only wealthy man to follow after God!
Boaz was kind when he didn’t have to be. Ruth was already being blessed by him through gleaning the corners of his fields. He was doing all the law required of him.
Once he knew her relationship to him, he technically didn’t owe her anything because she was someone else’s responsibility, technically.
He could have been kind but dismissive.
He didn’t have to protect her life and her reputation by giving her a safe place among his own maidens.
He didn’t have to provide her with extra food. She was working hard. Paying her the rightful amount of what was ground from her gleanings would have been enough.
Boaz was an altogether godly man.
He is an excellent example of the kind of man who is capable of leading others in godly living. Boys - it CAN be done. God makes no expectations that are not possible to meet. Be a Boaz.
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