Becoming A Worthy Man

Becoming a Worthy Man

Ruth 2:1

Rev. Brian Bill

June 15-16, 2024

I came across a quote by G. Michael Hopf which I can’t get out of my mind: “Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.” It certainly seems like we’re living in hard times right now. I wonder how much of that has to do with the weakness of men today. At the same time, I’m thankful for the growing number of strong men I see who are growing as faithful fathers during these hard days.

For instance, the National Center for Fathering has recently declared a “fatherhood awakening,” citing evidence that men are rediscovering what it means to be a father. A recent Pew Research Study revealed 85% of dads with children under 18 say being a parent is the most important aspect of who they are as a person. More than 75% of men say they would trade rapid career advancement for more time with their families. The author of another study writes: “We found that today’s dads spend more time, provide more care, and are more loving toward their kids than ever before.”

For some of you, Father’s Day is difficult because your dad is no longer here or has dropped the ball somehow. The U.S. Census Bureau reports we have become a fatherless nation as nearly 1 in 4 children live without a father in the home. Some of us have been blessed with tremendous models of what fatherhood was meant to be: a reflection of our relationship with our Father in Heaven. But there are others who have been ignored, neglected, abused, or abandoned. And for you, Father’s Day is anything but happy.

I sincerely hope that you will allow our Heavenly Father to meet what is lacking in your life. May you experience the truth of Psalm 68:5: “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling.”

Since there is a lot of confusion in our culture today about the definition of a man, it’s important for us to understand what a man is. In addition, it’s critical for men to have a model to follow.

One of our four men’s groups is our Thursday Night study called “BetterMan,” led by Nino Saldivar. Recently, this group dug deep into the definition of a man because it’s hard to become what you can’t define.

• A real man courageously follows God’s Word.

• A real man loves and protects God’s woman.

• A real man excels at God’s work.

• A real man betters God’s world through his children, his church and his community.

I’m reminded of what King David passed on to his son Solomon right before he passed away as captured in 1 Kings 2:2: “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 says, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”

To help us see how to be strong men who act like men, I want us to draw some life lessons from a dude named Boaz who models what it means to be a worthy man. We’re introduced to Boaz in the Book of Ruth.

As a way to help familiarize us with this brief book, I’ve asked our Youth Assistant Micah Kongkousonh to share a summary which centers on Boaz’s role. You may recall that Micah shared a summary of this book on Mother’s Day as we focused on Ruth and Naomi.

The book of Ruth is one of the great love stories of all time. It is a romantic drama of a destitute young Moabite widow who marries a wealthy and compassionate Israelite named Boaz.

Ruth’s devotion to Naomi and her decision to forsake Moab for the people of Israel and their God allowed God to use Ruth strategically to further His covenant purposes. The second chapter records Ruth’s sovereign meeting with her future husband and family redeemer, Boaz. Ruth “happened to come upon a portion of land belonging to Boaz,” but God leaves nothing to chance. Boaz was a noble man and a relative of Naomi’s late-husband and owner of the field that Ruth was working in. Upon learning Ruth’s identity as the Moabite who clung to Naomi, Boaz did everything in his power to assist her considering it repayment from the Lord for her sacrifice. He instructed Ruth to remain on his property as he had instructed the workers to leave extra barley for her and to not bother Ruth. In protecting and providing for Ruth, Boaz already sensed his responsibility to his relative, Naomi. When Ruth returned and told Naomi of what had happened, Naomi recognized Boaz as their family redeemer and as a worthy man.