Exceptional Bible CharactersSample

Boaz was a Jewish landowner who happened to be related to Naomi, a widowed and desolate Jewish woman returning home with her foreign daughter-in-law, Ruth. He watched Ruth and saw her faithfulness to Naomi, and to God, and acted to help them... Hold on. Yes, we mostly read the book of Ruth with an emphasis on Ruth – and rightly so! But Boaz, too, is an exceptional character. Boaz noticed Ruth. He watched over her gleaning in his fields, he provided for her beyond reasonable expectation, and she cried out, ‘Why have I found such favour in your eyes that you notice me – a foreigner?’ (Ruth 2:10). Naomi exclaims likewise, 'Blessed be the man who took notice of you!' (2:19). Boaz acknowledged Ruth with honour; he understood her. He provided for her, protected her, and redeemed both her and Naomi, at personal cost and risk to himself. In the same way, God notices, loves, and redeems each of us. Jesus is our redeemer (Galatians 3:13), as Boaz was Ruth's.

Question: Is your experience of relationship with God reflected in Boaz's relationship with Ruth? Do you feel that God notices you, provides, protects and redeems you? Do you, like Ruth, feel unworthy of this notice?