Boaz Serves as a Model of Kindness and Generosity
Boaz is well-known as one of the heroes in the book of Ruth, but he was much more than that. Thousands of years later, he still serves as a model of kindness and generosity. He also was an ancestor of Jesus Christ, Savior of the world.
The name Boaz has been translated as "lively," "quick," or "nimble." He was a wealthy landowner in Bethlehem, which figured into the prophecies of the coming Messiah (Micah 5:2).
When Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi returned to Bethlehem from Israel following a famine, Naomi sent Ruth to glean in the fields for grain. Both women were widows. Under the law, landowners were required to leave grain along the edges of their fields for the poor to harvest.
Boaz noticed Ruth and was protective of her. In fact, everything in the story presents him as a soft-spoken, gracious man. He dealt fairly with his workers and they loved him for it.
As a relative of Naomi's dead husband Elimelech, Boaz had the authority to take care of Ruth, if a closer next-of-kin failed to do so. Boaz sought that man out at the city gate and asked him to fulfill his responsibility by buying Naomi's land. At first the man agreed, then declined when he learned marriage to Ruth was part of the agreement. The man did not want to endanger his own heritage by having his sons assume Ruth's dead husband's rights.
Then Boaz assumed his right as next in line, buying the property and taking Ruth as his wife.
Boaz was a kinsman-redeemer, a relative who had a duty to his family under levirate marriage laws (Deuteronomy 25:5). Symbolically, he was also a type of Christ, who paid a price to redeem Ruth. He volunteered for that act, motivated by love.
Boaz's Accomplishments:
Boaz was a rich landowner. He had acquired property around Bethlehem and had many people working for him.
Boaz's Strengths:
Integrity stands out as Boaz's finest quality. He could have taken advantage of Ruth but did not. The conversation at the city gate showed he had earned the respect of the elders of the village. In addition, he was compassionate, going out of his way to help Ruth
Hometown:
Bethlehem
Life Lessons from Boaz:
- Kindness is a godly quality. God calls us to love our neighbor; Boaz put that command into action.
- Integrity pleases God. Boaz conducted his personal and business dealings with consideration for others. His honesty caused God to bless him with a son, Obed.
- Obedience is a way for us to show God how much we love him. In following God's laws, Boaz went beyond mere duty to a spirit of selflessness.
References to Boaz in the Bible:
The book of Ruth; 1 Chronicles 2:11-12; Matthew 1:5; Luke 3:32.
Occupation:
Wealthy farmer and landowner.
Family Tree:
Relatives: Elimelech, Mahlon
Mother: Rahab
Wife: Ruth
Son: Obed
Grandson: Jesse
Great Grandson: David
Descendant: Jesus Christ
Key Verses:
Ruth 2:11-12
Boaz replied, "I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge." (NIV)
Ruth 4:11-12
Then the elders and all those at the gate said, "We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. Through the offspring the LORD gives you by this young woman, may your family be like that of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah." (NIV)
(Sources: Everyone in the Bible, William P. Barker; The Complete Bible Dictionary, T. Alton Bryant, Editor; International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, James Orr, General Editor; The Bible Knowledge Commentary, John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck)
Jack Zavada, a career writer and contributor for About.com, is host to a Christian website for singles. Never married, Jack feels that the hard-won lessons he has learned may help other Christian singles make sense of their lives. His articles and ebooks offer great hope and encouragement. To contact him or for more information, visit Jack's Bio Page.