Read Ruth 2:4–9
EVERYBODY LOVES A BABY!
Sometimes Christians can struggle with worshipping a Saviour who arrives
as a baby. After all, newborn babies aren’t renowned for having much
personality! Imagine an older child who, on seeing everyone fussing over
their new sibling, says, ‘But it’s just a baby!’
Perhaps we wonder how we can really worship someone whose character
we don’t see at Christmas. If so, today’s passage in Ruth might help us...
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
You only get one chance to make a first impression. Boaz, Naomi’s distant
relative, does not disappoint: ‘Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and
greeted the harvesters, “The Lord be with you!” “The Lord bless you!” they
answered’ (v. 4). What an entrance!
We’ve been told Boaz is a ‘man of standing’ (v. 1), but this is evidently
more than power and wealth. How many employers greet their workforce
like Boaz does? And how many get such a hearty response in return?
See too how Boaz’s first words aren’t drawing attention to himself or
ushering commands to his workforce. He speaks first and foremost of the
Lord, hardly a common trait at this point in Israel’s history.
HE’S THE MAN!
Boaz then spots a new face in his field and asks who does this girl ‘belong to’
(v. 5). This may seem an odd phrase to us, but Boaz is essentially checking
that Ruth has someone taking care of her.
And compare how Boaz speaks of Ruth to how his workers describe her.
Boaz’s manager speaks about Ruth as if she is ‘one of them’, highlighting her
Moabite heritage (v. 6). But Boaz speaks directly to Ruth, with words full of
dignity, care and gentleness: ‘My daughter, listen to me...’ (v. 8). (This
probably also suggests Boaz was older than Ruth.)
Consequently, Boaz urges Ruth to stay, and he promises she’ll be safe and
looked after (v. 9). As we might say, this is the kind of man you’d take home
to your mother – and I’m sure Naomi would agree!
JOY OF EVERY LONGING HEART
We know this was a time when God’s people really needed a king (Judges
21:25; Ruth 1:1), but we know the character of this king mattered even more.
In Boaz, we’re being given the profile of all that a leader could be. This is a
man who takes God’s word seriously (for example, about gleaning); treats
individuals with dignity; speaks unashamedly of God; and offers provision
and protection to others. Why would we look any further than Boaz?
And for us as Christians, this points us forward to King Jesus, who
perfectly ‘colours in’ Boaz’s outline. A dip into any of the gospels shows us
Jesus’ kind and gracious kingship. Yes, Boaz shows us Christlike character,
but he also gives us a glimpse of Christ himself.
REFLECTION
Spend some time marvelling at Boaz’s character, then ‘look through Boaz’ to
his great-great-great-(and so on)-grandson, Jesus, and compare him with some
of the leadership we see in the world around us. How much do you consider
the character of Jesus at Christmas? Whilst worshipping a baby may seem
strange, knowing his character shows us why he’s worth making a fuss over!
Listen to ‘Come Thou Long Expected Jesus' by Shane and Shane
Discipleship
Discipleship