How to Be A Man: The Lesson of Boaz

Men want to leave a legacy:  Not just sons or grandsons who have their names -but men of power and grace of whom they can be proud. David, the grandson, of Boaz was such a man.  David, this son of Obed led his nephews to be leaders of mighty men:  "In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed him " (1 Chronicles 20:6-7).

David is described as a man after God’s heart. What happened that Obed,his father, did not recognize God’s call on David's life. He was raised at least partly by Naomi. That may answer some of the questions, but Obed did something right because David knew his God. But let's start at the beginning with the first honorable man in this story: Boaz.

Who taught Boaz how to be a man? How to honor a woman’s reputation?  How to care for the widow? How to manage his servants with grace and kindness? To be a man who keeps his word? His reputation proceeds him as a promise-keeper;  community members recognize and characterize him as diligent, straight-forward, and even shrewd when necessary. Gentle and generous. Wise and careful.   Boaz, this man of standing (Ruth 2:1) causes Naomi to proclaim, "The Lord bless him!” Naomi declares of Boaz, “He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead” (Ruth 2:20). She adds, “That man is our close relative; he is one of our kinsman-redeemers” (Ruth 2:21). 

A true leader is one who commands respect in the gate, in whose speech lies no duplicity- a godly man who fears the Lord: "Meanwhile Boaz went up to the town gate and sat there. Boaz took ten of the elders of the town and said, “Sit here,” and they did so. Then he said to the kinsman-redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our brother Elimelech. I thought I should bring the matter to your attention and suggest that you buy it in the presence of these seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, do so. But if you will not, tell me, so I will know" (Ruth 4:1).

“I will redeem it,” replies the closest kinsman. Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi and from Ruth the Moabitess, you acquire the dead man’s widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property.” At this, the kinsman-redeemer said, “Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it.” (Ruth 4;,3-6).

The other male relative sought his own gain. If marrying Ruth would devalue or threaten his inheritance, he had no interest in helping the widow.  Yet, Boaz acted as the kinsman redeemer: "So the kinsman-redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it yourself.” And he removed his sandal.Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, “Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion and Mahlon. I have also acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from the town records. Today you are witnesses!” (Ruth 4:8-11).When Boaz took off his shoe, he began to walk in Elmilech’s shoes – to fulfill responsibilities to Naomi and Malchon’s widow.

Today, we are God's witnesses that Y'Shua redeemed you from our desperate situation and gave you a new inheritance. Because you are now a member of Christ's family, you can leave behind generational curses and limitations and embrace Christ's future for you. God knows the plans He has for you, plans to bless you and prosper you, and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11,13).

 

Here's to your new future,

M.J.