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Home » Sage Words » Boaz

Like Boaz

By Paula

And when she rose up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. Ruth 2:15

 

Boaz was a wealthy farmer, and his fields were full at harvest time.
We are surrounded by people whose circumstances have left them with needs and little recourse.

Boaz was generous. The law required that farmers allow gleaning. He offered more than just his castoffs.
We can go beyond what is expected in our interactions with other.

Boaz had great compassion. He used his resources to care for others.
We must not shame or question the motives of those who are in need.
But sometimes, we are more like Ruth.

Poor. Alone. Isolated. With few other options. Maybe with others depending on us.
God is kind. He is generous. He calls us to His table. He offers His riches.
And He will never shame us in our need.

Because we have often been like Ruth, shouldn’t we seize the opportunity to be more like Boaz?

 

 

Filed Under: Monday Meditations Tagged With: Boaz, compassion, Ruth

Study Tip: Ruth

By Paula

 

wheatThe book Ruth is like the Huckleberry Finn of the Bible. Huck can be read and enjoyed by fourth graders, middle schoolers, high schoolers, and college students. But it's also the subject of deep discussions in university halls and by literary critics. Each group of readers gains a deeper appreciation of the book as they mature. They begin to see the deeper themes and symbolism wrapped in a seemingly simple story. 
 
That's the way it is with Ruth.
 
With just four short chapters, it's easy to give it a cursory read, and come away satisfied by a story of God's provision in hard times. My Sunday school boys appreciated the story of the "hot foreign chick" loyally returning to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law, leaving behind a life of idol worship. 
 
This summer I read, The Gospel of Ruth: Loving God Enough to Break the Rules by Carolyn Custis James, and it gave me a greater appreciation for the depth of the story. (I recommend it.) The greatest challenge readers face when studying the book Ruth is understanding the ancient Near Eastern customs described. However, if history is not your thing, here are a few ideas on how to approach this little book.
 
Choose an individual – Naomi, Ruth or Boaz – and follow the story from his or her perspective.
 
Some questions to consider:
  • How does God care for His people?
  • How does God make a place for outsiders/ foreigners? For widows? How then should we as believers care for them?
  • What is redemption and how does Boaz portray Christ's redemption?
  • What types of love are manifested?
  • BONUS: How is Ruth a Proverbs 31 wife?  
 
How about you? What have you learned from the book of Ruth?
 
 
 
 

 

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Filed Under: Book study, Study Tip Tuesday Tagged With: Bible study, Boaz, Naomi, Ruth

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