I love the book of Ruth. The story of a daughter-in-law who, against all odds and tough circumstances, stuck with her mother-in-law. Even though their husbands had both died, Ruth had found a changed life through God with her in-laws, and she had no desire to go back to her own family and her old ways. I’ll be honest, though, I’ve heard many people teach and preach out of the book of Ruth, but I have not heard many lessons expounding on the life of Boaz. Ruth was an amazing example of faith and loyalty for us to follow, but Boaz was such a vital part of Ruth’s story! Truthfully, Boaz is a vital part of all of our stories, as he is in the family lineage of Christ. I want to share a few things with you that I learned from Boaz in my studies last week…
Boaz: A picture of God’s provision
Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.
Ruth 2:9
In Ruth 2:9 we see that Boaz provided Ruth with food, water, and protection. Isn’t this just like God? He promised to supply all our needs. But notice, Boaz told Ruth to go reap her food and to go get her water. Likewise, God never promised he would just drop what we need in our laps. We are required to work for what we have.
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
Boaz: A picture of God’s blessings
And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.
Ruth 2:14
In 2:14 we see that, because of Ruth’s faithfulness in the little things, and to reward her hard work in spite of her less-than-ideal circumstances, Boaz bestows extra blessings on her. She gets to enjoy a meal she doesn’t have to work for and she didn’t have to create from scratch. God will heap extra blessings upon his faithful children today, too. Another thing – if we read further in this chapter, verse 18 tells us that not only did Ruth get her fill of the bread and parched corn, but she had leftovers to bring home to her mother-in-law! Christ came into this world to give us abundant life. He doesn’t want his children to just “get by”. He wants to bless us abundantly! He also desires that we be faithful in the work we are called to do.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 10:10
Boaz: A picture of God’s love
And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.
Ruth 2:16
We see in verse 16 that Boaz makes Ruth’s work easier for her. He initially had allowed her to simply collect whatever grain the reapers accidentally dropped, or what they missed when they were finished reaping. Now he has instructed his reapers to leave some handfuls of purpose behind so she may glean the good grain along with whatever “leftovers” she finds. Ruth had found favor in Boaz’s sight. He loved her, and wanted to bless her life, and make things easier for her simply because of his love. This sounds like God! He loves us, and doesn’t want us to bear our burdens alone. He wants to make things easier for us. When we take on ONLY what HE has for us in this life, that burden is a much lighter one to bear than taking on everything WE want to accomplish. Stop putting so many expectations on yourself, my friend! Be faithful to the things God has called you to, and lay down the rest at the feet of Jesus.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:30
