Boaz

Boaz (Hebrew: בועז) is a major figure in the Old Testament Book of Ruth, belonging to the tribe of Judah. Boaz was a relative of Naomi’s late husband, Elimelech. As recorded in Scripture, he was a wealthy and devout man. We can see from the Bible that his very first words when meeting his servants were, “The LORD be with you!” (Ruth 2:4). Furthermore, when he met Ruth, he said, “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!” (Ruth 2:12). This shows that he was a man who relied closely on God.

When a person relies closely on God, God will surely bless them with an abundant life. Boaz lived during the period of the Judges, a time when idolatry was prevalent and famine was widespread. Yet, Boaz firmly held to the truth that Yahweh is the true God. His fields yielded abundant harvests, indicating that his life must have been blessed by God.

Boaz observed the Law given through Moses; he managed his fields in a way that allowed the poor and vulnerable to glean grain. Boaz “saw” Ruth, a foreign woman, and her relative Naomi, both of whom were on the brink of death—widows, penniless, without inheritance in Israel, and without children. So, he took pity on them and extended a helping hand. He not only permitted Ruth to glean but also allowed her to eat bread and drink water with his workers, and even instructed his servants to deliberately leave extra grain for her. Boaz became a refuge for her and her mother-in-law, Naomi.

When it came time to redeem Naomi’s land rights, Boaz first offered the obligation to a closer relative to marry Ruth. When that relative declined, Boaz personally fulfilled the obligation and married Ruth. Boaz cleared Ruth’s deceased husband’s debts, thereby restoring the deceased husband’s ownership of the property. Later, they had a son named Obed, who continued the family line, ensuring that the deceased’s name remained on his inheritance.

Whether it was Boaz or Ruth, their union was a divinely arranged match. And the greater blessing was their descendant, David, who became the great king of Israel and received God’s favor to establish an eternal covenant. The ultimate result of this eternal covenant is that Jesus Christ, the “King of kings” and “Lord of lords,” descended from their lineage and brought glory to God the Father!