Boaz's Example: Reflect God's Character

Boaz was flattered by Ruth's kindness in seeking him out. He blessed her for it: "Blessed are you of the LORD, my daughter," he said (Ruth 3:10a). And he added, "You have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning" (v. 10b). This is a reference to Ruth's kindness to Naomi in not forsaking her. It pleased him that she turned trustingly to him rather than to a younger man, "whether poor or rich" (v. 10c). It is increasingly clear that Boaz interpreted Ruth's bold actions as a request for marriage.

Boaz comforted Ruth as he promised to do all that she requested of him: "And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request" (v. 11a). He told her that everyone in Bethlehem knew that she was a woman of noble character ("a virtuous woman," v. 11b). The same phrase is found in Proverbs 31:10, which says, "Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies." It might be said that Ruth was well known as a Proverbs 31 woman! No greater compliment can be made. So Boaz assured Ruth that all would know there was nothing wrong in the fact that she had come to him with the request to marry him.

In verse 12, Boaz told Ruth, "It is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I." He went on in verse 13 to say, "If he will perform the duty of a close relative for you—good; let him do it. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the LORD lives!" No one was compelled to act as the "kinsman-redeemer." However, because there was another who was first in line to act as such, Boaz, being a true man of God, would check out the situation and then, if appropriate, would be Ruth's "kinsman-redeemer." He would strictly follow God's Word. Truly a man reflecting God's character. Ruth couldn't ask for a better man.

Ruth remained at Boaz's feet till morning, but arose to leave before daybreak with Boaz's encouragement, lest it be known that "a woman" had spent the night there (v. 14). He knew that if it became known, people might assume the worst, and Ruth's reputation, as well as his own, might be ruined. But before she left, Boaz filled her shawl with "six ephahs of barley" (v. 15), most likely a simple gift reassuring Ruth that, as a man of God, he will provide, which also served as a message for Naomi.

Upon returning home, Naomi inquired as to what had happened and Ruth filled her in (v. 16). She said, "These six ephahs of barley he gave me; for he said to me, 'Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law'" (v. 17). These are the last recorded words of Ruth in the book. The message? Her "empty" days were about to end.

The final verse of the chapter is another great statement concerning the character of Boaz: "Then she said, 'Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day'" (v. 18). On learning what had happened, Naomi advised, "Sit still" (NKJV, KJV), or "Wait" (NIV), "until you find out what happens" (NIV). Literally, "Wait until you find out how the matter will fall." She was convinced that Boaz was the kind of person who would not rest untill the matter was settled that day—the matter of the right of the nearer kinsman. The final chapter will prove she knew her kinsman well. Boaz was truly a man of God. He was a man who knew God, trusted God, and walked with God, following His every lead. He was a man who reflected God's character.

In addition, Naomi's advice to "wait" (v. 18), reveals a stance of faith—a confident, expectant belief that only God could bring about the fulfillment of the "kinsman-redeemer" for Ruth. She would trust Him.

Missionary John Paton never forgot his father's deeply ingrained habits of daily devotions. Day after day, he would hear his father praying in the next room of the little cottage where he lived, and even as a boy of six, he noticed the bright countenance his father perpetually wore. He later said that while the outside world might not understand the light on his father's face, "we children knew that it was a reflection of the Divine Presence in which his life was lived." ("A Reflection of the Divine Presence," Nelson's Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations, & Quotes, [Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, 2000], 377)

That is a description of Boaz; a man whose life was a reflection of the Divine Presence. When you learn to follow God's lead, your life will be one of following God's Word, trusting in God's protection, and reflecting God's character, His divine presence. May those three characteristics describe you. Amen.