Boaz, A Man of Kindness, Humility and Faithful to God

A few weeks ago, I shared the story about Naomi and Ruth in my series of godly women. This week, we will continue with their story and learn about the man who came to the aid of these women. May I introduce you to Boaz?

Family tree of Boaz

Boaz was from Bethlehem. He was born in the Tribe of Judah, so his grandfathers were Hezron, Perez, Judah, Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham.

Boaz’s father was Salmon, Elimelech was Salmon’s brother, and his mother was Rahab, the prostitute who hid and protected the spies in Jericho.

Who is Boaz?

We meet Boaz in chapter 2 of the Book of Ruth. Boaz is a wealthy landowner and businessman who may have been a member of the Sanhedrin, though there is some debate about this position because his mother is a Gentile.

When I read this story, I always pictured Boaz as a young man; however, he was probably in his mid-to-late 80s, and Ruth was in her 40’s. Many also believed that Boaz was a widower and had no children.

Boaz is a respected community man known to be generous and gracious to everyone.

Boaz follows Jewish Law.

Gleaning is a process in which landowners have an obligation to provide poor and marginalized people access to the means of production (in Leviticus, the land) and to work it themselves. Unlike charity, it does not depend on the generosity of landowners.

Landowners were to leave the edges of their fields unharvested through this Jewish law so that the poor or foreigners could work and be provided for.

Boaz followed this law and because he did a widow and was able to glean in his fields and provide food for herself and her mother-in -law.

Boaz meets Ruth

Early one day, Boaz goes to check his fields. He greets everyone and then goes to speak to his head servant. Boaz has noticed a new face working in his field and wonders who she could be.

The servant tells Boaz it is Ruth, the Moabite woman, Naomi’s daughter-in-law. Then, she tells him she asked to glean in their field and has been working all morning.

Boaz goes over to Ruth and says, “Hello.” He then instructs her to stay in his fields and go to no other place and to stay close to his young women as they work.

Then Boaz tells Ruth that whenever she is thirsty or hungry, she is to go and get water and food from his servants. He tells her not to fear his men because he has instructed them to leave her alone.

A threshing floor proposal

Each day, Ruth worked in Boaz’s fields. Ruth had told Naomi about Boaz and his kindness towards her. Then Naomi told Ruth that Boaz was related to them and that he could redeem their family.

Naomi devised a plan for Ruth to remind Boaz of their family connection; if he chose, he could redeem Ruth and Naomi and carry on their family name.

Ruth obeys and goes to the threshing floor to wait for Boaz. After he fell asleep, she went to him and uncovered his feet. When he woke during the night and found Ruth there, he showed her kindness and said to her.

‘And he said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman. And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the Lord lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning. Ruth 3:10-13

Boaz redeems Ruth

Before morning came, Boaz woke Ruth so she could leave before being seen. Then he filled her arms with barley to take back to Naomi.

After Ruth leaves, Boaz goes to the city gate. Soon, the closer relative comes, and Boaz calls to him. He then gathers ten elders to sit with them and witness the transaction.

Boaz explains to the other relative about Naomi and how he could redeem her and her husband’s land, but he would also have to redeem Ruth, her daughter-in-law.

The other relative turns down the offer and gives it to Boaz. Then, in the elders’ company, Boaz agrees to redeem Naomi and marry Ruth to carry on the family name.

Boaz and Ruth’s family

Soon after Boaz and Ruth marry, she becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son, and they named him Obed. Through Boaz, Naomi has been redeemed, and her family’s name is restored.

Obed grows up and has a son named Jesse, and his son is named David. Several years later, another Son is born to this family line, and He will be our Kinsman Redeemer, Jesus.

Lessons we can learn from Boaz

We can learn so much from Boaz. He was wealthy and influential, yet he showed kindness to everyone, including the young widow Ruth. Then, even though he didn’t have to, he provided for Ruth and Naomi.

Boaz was a man of humility. He agreed to redeem the family land and to marry Ruth, knowing that the firstborn son would not carry his name.

Jesus, our Kinsman Redeemer

Redemption is the core theme of Ruth and Boaz’s lives, foreshadowing Jesus’s redeeming love.

In Ruth, we see ourselves. Through sin, we have been separated from God and have lost our inheritance. We have no way or ability to redeem ourselves. Ruth was also in this position.

Through Boaz, we can see Jesus. Only Boaz met the requirements of the kinsman-redeemer for Ruth. Only Jesus meets the criteria to be our Kinsman Redeemer.

By showing favor to Ruth, Boaz redeemed and restored her inheritance. Jesus shows His favor to us, redeeming us and restoring our inheritance.

Boaz was willing to redeem and restore Ruth, just as Jesus longs to redeem and restore each of us. We can see how much Jesus loves us through Boaz and Ruth’s lives.

Are you ready to have Jesus be your Kinsman Redeemer?

For more study

Ruth

Leviticus 19: 9-10

Matthew 1: 1-17

Resources

https://www.bible.com/bible/59/RUT.3.10-18

Gleaning (Leviticus 19:9-10) | Theology of Work. https://www.theologyofwork.org/old-testament/leviticus-and-work/holiness-leviticus-1727/gleaning-leviticus-19910