Ruth 3: 10-15
10“The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is
greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger
men, whether rich or poor. 11And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do
for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of
noble character. 12Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our
family, there is another who is more closely related than I. 13Stay here for
the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your
guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as
surely as the Lord lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.” 14So she lay at
his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he
said, “No one must know that a woman came to the threshing floor.” 15He also
said, “Bring me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he
poured into it six measures of barley and placed the bundle on her. Then he
went back to town.
Title: The Guardian-redeemer
Message: A wise and a virtuous man,
such describe Boaz. He was in the position to take advantage of the situation
for first and foremost, he had the wealth. Secondly, Ruth willingly came and
offered herself as a wife to him, yet he never did. Instead, he blessed Ruth,
expressed his appreciation of her act, told her honestly that there’s another
kin who rightfully deserved to become her husband, and instructed her to stay
where he was for safety and not for anything else. No wonder, he’s the Messiah’s forefather. His
were attributes that are worth the emulation of every man.
Promise to Claim: “Whatever you do, do your
work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord
you will receive the reward of the inheritance It is the Lord Christ whom you
serve” (Colossians 3:23-24). Boaz
performed kindness and wisdom neither to become famous nor to gain more wealth,
rather to practice what God has instructed. Thus, he gained his people’s
respect and God’s favor.
Command to Obey: Let us do good not for our
own benefit but to fulfil God’s commandments. Serve not for fame and wealth but
for God.
Warning to Heed: God despises selfishness
and conceit.
Application: I will keep in mind Boaz’s
examples and sees to it that I teach my children the values he
demonstrated. I will make them aware
that women must be valued and treated with respect. I will instruct them never
to take advantage of any woman who will come their way.
