Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.” Ruth 2:8-9
Boaz, the Ordinary Witness
Ever thought that Biblical heroes just had more opportunities to do amazing things for God than we do now? I mean, how often are we anointed to be a judge or king over a nation, put into a position to interpret a ruler’s dream, need to build a big boat to save humanity and all the animals, etc.? This week’s witness was an ordinary businessman.
Boaz was an unmarried landowner and businessman when he enters the Biblical narrative. In fact, Boaz’s story is often overshadowed by the stories of the women who came into his life. Even the book he is featured in is called Ruth (I recommend reading through this quick book. It is only four chapters and it is one of my favorites!)! However, Boaz is an incredible Biblical example of how living a righteous life of integrity can bring about amazing results in the purposes of God.
The Protector
Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi return to Naomi’s home in Israel after the death of their husbands in Moab. Ruth has to go out to the fields with the poor beggars and glean the dropped the grain behind the workers in the field. In the fields of some men, Ruth would not have been safe from the men working or the landowner. However, Boaz makes sure that Ruth will be safe and protected as well as provided for while gleaning in his fields.
Integrity
Ruth and Boaz find out that he is actually a relative of Naomi’s and it is his family right to marry Ruth and assume the inheritance of Naomi’s family. Every step of the way, Boaz acts with integrity, even going so far as to offer Ruth and the inheritance to a closer relative who does not want to marry her. Boaz ends up marrying Ruth, treating her with respect and honor all throughout their relationship. They have a son, Obed, who is the father of Jesse, the grandfather of King David, and an ancestor of Jesus the Messiah.
ACTION STEP:
You may be thinking: “Boaz’s story is great, but he probably had a perfect childhood and all the breaks went his way. He was set up for success, so he just naturally became this righteous example.” Actually, Boaz was the son of Rahab, the prostitute who helped the spies when the Israelites entered the land of Canaan. She was a foreigner who lived among the Israelites, married one, and lived as an Israelite wife and mother. Boaz probably suffered some bullying, ridicule, and mistreatment because of who his mother was. Yet, he overcame how others viewed his background and grew into the man of integrity we read about today.
Is there something in your past that you feel has disqualified you from being a hero of the faith? Do you feel that you are not special enough to do great things for God? This week’s action step is to surrender those feelings to God and realize that He wants you to live the life He put in front of you in order to bring glory to God!
Please post your thoughts and pics under Week 4 in the Facebook group @DevoInAction (https://www.facebook.com/devoinaction) or post on Instagram and tag me @devoinaction! #diawitnesses
PRAYER:
Dear God, We may not feel special, but thank You for using us anyway. Help us to see ourselves the way that You see us. Help us to live our ordinary lives with Jesus at the center. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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