Pause and Consider
07.21.21
Boaz
And now my daughter, fear not; I will do to you all that you require: for all the people of my city know that you are a virtuous woman. (Ruth 3:11)
We have been talking about Ruth and how she chose the grace of God. She left her pagan home and nation to follow Naomi and her God, the one and only true God.
She also manifested the grace of God in her life. She was faithful to Naomi, working diligently and sweetly at the humbling task of gleaning. While in the fields, she met Boaz, her employer, discovering that he was a near kinsman to her late husband.
Ruth displayed the grace of God in the manner of her life, and also in the purity of her life. She had been warned about the danger of being alone in the fields. Boaz had promised to look after her, which he did, but Ruth also kept herself from the desires of the flesh.
We are now in Ruth 3. Several weeks have passed. The barley and wheat harvests have come and gone. Ruth has been a faithful worker, and, Ruth and Boaz have had time to get acquainted.
Boaz, as a near-relative, was in a position to marry Ruth and take her land back from those who had possessed it while the family sojourned in Moab.
But Boaz was perhaps a Norwegian bachelor. If he was interested in Ruth and in helping her redeem her property, he was rather slow about letting her know. So, at the guidance of Naomi, Ruth took the initiative. The approach she took was part of Jewish custom and was in no way immoral. Sleeping one night at Boaz’ feet, he arose in the morning quite startled. Ruth quietly reminded Boaz of his obligation as a kinsman-redeemer.
Boaz understood that Ruth was proposing to him. He was grateful for her purity. She had kept herself for him. She had approached him in the manner of custom. When Boaz spread the bedclothes over Ruth, this was not for intimacy, but was a symbol of protection. He would protect Ruth going forward if he were able to do so.
But there was a problem. Though Boaz was a close relative of Naomi, there was one who was closer. Boaz would have to approach this man to see discover his intentions in the matter. Ruth departed back home. Now she could only wait.
While we wait until next week to see what happens in our love story, we will dwell on how Boaz is a perfect example of a kinsman-redeemer. This person must possess three qualities.
First, he must be a close relative. We are not given the exact genealogy, but it is made clear that Boaz and Naomi’s husband were related in some way, perhaps cousins.
Second, he must be able to redeem. As a man of means, he could afford to marry Ruth and raise up their first son to possess an inheritance that he himself would never inherit, though it would take great time and expense.
Second, he must be willing to redeem. Boaz, in his slow quiet way, loved Ruth. He would do everything in his power to redeem her.
Isn’t this a picture of the Lord Jesus? He became flesh to be like us. He is the Creator and Ruler of this world, and is thus able to redeem us. He loves the world to such a degree that He came to this earth and died in our place. Jesus Christ wants to redeem you. He is able to redeem, and He longs to redeem. Redemption comes to us as we repent of our sin and place our trust in Him alone. Please call upon Him today!
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