WHAT MANNER OF MAN ARE YOU? – BOAZ

“…have I not commanded the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn.” – Ruth 2:9b

REFERENCE:

RUTH 2:5-12

Boaz met Ruth when she came to glean in his field; he inquired about her and discovered she was Naomi’s daughter-in-law. Boaz did not use his position or status to take advantage of her, considering she was at his mercy as a female foreigner. He chose to go about it the right way, following due process in making her his wife. He is one of the privileged men in the genealogy of Christ. Let us examine the man Boaz.

Source of Power/Wealth: Boaz was not born into wealth. He worked hard to build his wealth from scratch and became a man of influence. He stayed back in Bethlehem when others left for greener pastures, working through a famine until his business and influence grew in the community. Resilience and hard work can build you a business empire in hard times.

The Scope of Power: Boaz’s power and sense of responsibility were also evident in the community. It seemed he was a member of the parliament (elders at the gate), where they made laws and adjudicated matters of the state. He ran his personal business and also served his community. Boaz was a hardworking and busy man.

Use of Power: Boaz used his power to serve people. He maintained a simple lifestyle. Boaz was generous and kind to his workers and even ate with them. He fed strangers, led by example, and followed protocol (in redeeming Ruth); he never felt he was above the rules.

Work-Life-Family Balance: He married late; perhaps his focus on building his business made it difficult for him to marry as a young man. He built his business before building a home (wisdom), although this choice would mean he would have few ‘active’ years with his children. However, he chose a wife based on abiding virtues of godliness, kindness, diligence, loyalty, and character. He married Ruth and stayed committed to her (a rarity today).

Relationship with God: There is no record in the Bible that he prayed to God or that God spoke to him. However, his lifestyle and character revealed God. He was a man of integrity who played by the Book (to redeem Ruth), trusted God, and would not push his own way forward. His lifestyle so modeled Jesus’ that Jesus is referred to as ‘Kinsman Redeemer,’ after Boaz.

Boaz represents a man of character, integrity and kindness. He was a good man, a model-man.

PHOTO QUOTE

ADDITIONAL STUDY:

Leviticus 19:13 & Lamentations 3:27

PRAYERS
Lord, make me a man who finds his definition in You and not in my wealth or position. Make me sold out to your will and purpose so that I am heavenly-minded and of earthly use. Help me build a legacy of men and women who are God-centric and led by the spirit; not pressured to walk in the ways of the world or let the world squeeze them into its mold. Make me a man who lives for the city with foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Amen.