We continue the preaching series on minor characters in the Bible. Last week, I preached on Sarah from the Abraham/Isaac story and the mother of the two son's in the prodigal story. This week, I preach on Boaz in the Ruth story. You may notice that last week the focus was on the women in two stories where the women are not given much play, and this week the focus is on the man in a story that usually focuses on the woman, Ruth. It's kind of fun to explore the story from a different vantage point.
Ruth's faithfulness to Naomi and trust in Naomi's god to provide for her when she comes as a stranger back to Israel sets the stage for her to be part of the lineage that will lead to King David and Jesus (a mentioned in Matthew's genealogy). But it is Boaz whose actions invite her into the family, so to speak.
I also am fascinated at how Boaz did not do away with the traditions and boldly declare that this Moabite woman would become his wife. Instead, he worked the system, received the correct permissions to marry Ruth, and then acted. Not sure what to do with that, but I find it fascinating.
A focus on gleaning might provide an interesting insight as well. As Ruth joins the gleaners, those who cannot take care of themselves basically, Boaz notices her and helps her. I suppose we ought to credit Ruth for gleaning and Boaz for noticing.
What do you think of Boaz?
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