Boaz - A Righteous Man Series

Further evidence of God’s providence in action is found at the beginning of ch. 2. "Now Naomi had a kinsman on her husband’s side, a prominent rich man, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz." Our narrator tells us this at the beginning, to alert us to the fact that even in the midst of tragedy, God is at work. In fact God has been preparing for this moment for many years. Back in the days of Moses, God had made laws that allowed for the poor to glean in the fields after the harvesters had been through, prohibiting the harvesters from going back over the field to pick up the bits they’d missed. That way those who were poor, who didn’t own any land, could get enough grain to live on. And he’d provided a safeguard for women like Ruth, to ensure that they wouldn’t be left destitute and without heirs in the case of their husband dying, through the institution of the kinsman-redeemer who would marry her and give her an heir.

And so God’s providence moves on. Ruth is out gleaning, as it turns out, in Boaz’ field and again, just by chance, Boaz happens to call in to check on his workmen. It’s like something out of a movie. The poor widow who’s given up everything to care for her mother-in-law. The rich and handsome grazier. Their eyes meet and the electricity flies. He has to know who this strange woman is. She hurries home at the end of the day to tell Naomi all about this wonderful man who’s been so kind to her. And Naomi again sees the hand of the Lord at work, but this time for their good. She says of Boaz "Blessed be he by the LORD, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!" Naomi’s faith has been tested, but now it springs back to life. The sky has been dark, but now she can see a patch of blue, a sign perhaps that the storm clouds are going and the sun will shine again after all.

But first the main actors have to do their parts. God has done his, now it’s up to Ruth and Naomi and Boaz. Naomi recognises what’s needed. She understands God’s provision for his people, particularly widows like Ruth. So at the start of ch 3 she explains it to Ruth. She tells her what to do. She’s to go to Boaz in the middle of the night and lie down with him at the foot of his sleeping mat. And notice how she’s to get ready. She’s to wash and anoint herself, and put on her best clothes. Nothing’s changed has it? Spray on Chanel No 5. Put on that slinky red number. And make sure you catch him unawares. Wait until he’s had a few drinks and is in a relaxed mood. Then you can act. Do you get the impression Naomi knew what she was doing?

So Ruth goes down to the threshing floor, waits for Boaz to lie down and fall asleep and then lies down at his feet.

Which brings us to Boaz. Now from what we’ve read up to this point in the story, we have something of an idea about Boaz’ character. What comes out in his dealings with Ruth in ch2 is that he’s a man of principle. A righteous man. Even before he appears on the scene, you see a hint of what Boaz is like. The way his workmen treat Ruth is an indication of how their boss would treat her. The fact that his servant girls are allowed out in the fields to glean shows that Boaz took God’s law seriously and made sure his workers did too. But his treatment of Ruth when he hears how she’s been looking after Naomi, makes it even clearer. He wants to reward her for her faithfulness to Naomi. He appreciates the sacrifice she’s made and the fact that Ruth has bound herself to the people of God and he wants to repay it somehow. He shows real concern for her welfare and safety. He gives her the protection of his workers. He offers her food at lunch time, and even tells his harvesters to leave her some extra stalks of grain to gather, and not to stop her even if she picks some stalks out of the standing sheaves. It’s an act of a generous man isn’t it?