Tag: noble character

-Devotion by Liam Johnson (MN)

Boaz has become my favorite man in the Bible, and Ruth 2 highlights the big reasons why.

Ruth 2 opens by describing Boaz as a “man of noble character” (Ruth 2:1), but the first thing we see of Boaz is far more telling. Look how he greets his employees in Ruth 2:4,

Later, when Boaz arrived from Bethlehem, he said to the harvesters, “Yahweh be with you.”
 

“Yahweh bless you,” they replied.

Upon hearing that Ruth is gleaning from his field, he finds her, and further shows his noble character. He learns about her first from his chief servant in Ruth 2:5-7

⁵ Boaz asked his servant who was in charge of the harvesters, “Whose young woman is this?”

⁶ The servant answered, “She is the young Moabite woman who returned with Naomi from the territory of Moab. ⁷ She asked, ‘Will you let me gather fallen grain among the bundles behind the harvesters?’ She came and has been on her feet since early morning, except that she rested a little in the shelter.”

Then when he goes to Ruth,

⁸ Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Don’t go and gather grain in another field, and don’t leave this one, but stay here close to my female servants. ⁹ See which field they are harvesting, and follow them. Haven’t I ordered the young men not to touch you? When you are thirsty, go and drink from the jars the young men have filled.”

And while it’s good to isolate how to be a good Godly man from Boaz, we can also pull a bit of being a good Godly woman from this chapter, when he answers a question from Ruth in 2:10-12

¹⁰ She fell facedown, bowed to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor with you, so that you notice me, although I am a foreigner?”

¹¹ Boaz answered her, “Everything you have done for your mother-in-law since your husband’s death has been fully reported to me: how you left your father and mother and your native land, and how you came to a people you didn’t previously know. ¹² May the Lord reward you for what you have done, and may you receive a full reward from the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.”

But Boaz continues showing generosity by giving her dinner before sending her home, and dinner for the week by sending barley home with her (Ruth 2:15-18)

Here’s a few more examples of being a godly man or woman from throughout the Bible:

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

13 Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. 14 Do everything in love.

Psalm 112

¹ Hallelujah!

Happy is the person who fears the Lord,

taking great delight in his commands.

⁴ Light shines in the darkness for the upright.

He is gracious, compassionate, and righteous.

⁵ Good will come to the one who lends generously

and conducts his business fairly.

⁹ He distributes freely to the poor;

his righteousness endures forever.

His horn will be exalted in honor.

Micah 6:8

Mankind, he has told each of you what is good

and what it is the Lord requires of you:

to act justly,

to love faithfulness,

and to walk humbly with your God.

From Ephesians 5

¹⁵ Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise— ¹⁶ making the most of the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 

Reflection Questions:

Ruth 2 is a chapter that is filled with positive examples for improving yourself in any relationship you’re in. Both as an example in how to be yourself, but also in creating expectations for those with whom you want a relationship (whether friend or romance). Are there any ways you can improve in yourself to be a better friend or partner or spouse? Is there any way you can better help your friend be a better friend or partner be a better partner?

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven,

Thank you for the demonstration of your love in Jesus

Please guide us to being the best person we can be

And help us to seek to be ever better

And to always seek you first