Boaz

Boaz

 

Our society promotes the image of a “prince” riding a white horse and rescuing “damsels” in distress. After all, Prince Charming rescued Snow White, Rapunzel, Cinderella, and the list of princesses goes on and on. I wanted a man to come rescue me and the boys. There is a story in the Bible about a woman named Ruth. I always loved that story, even as a little girl. Ruth’s husband dies. In Biblical times, if a woman lost her husband to death, then the brother of the husband is to marry the woman. However, Ruth’s husband’s brother was also dead. Her father-in-law had also died.

Ruth leaves with her mother-in-law (Naomi) to the land of Judah. There she meets an attractive landowner, Boaz. He was a relative of Naomi’s dead husband. Ruth gathered grain in Boaz’ fields after the reapers (workers). Boaz noticed Ruth and gave her favor. He told his workers to leave grain for her, not to touch her, and give her water as she needed. Ruth pursued Boaz by waiting until he was asleep, removing the blanket off his feet, and lying down at his feet. Boaz woke up and found Ruth there. He inquired what she was doing there, and her response was “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer” (Ruth 3: 9). Boaz and Ruth marry. Their union becomes part of the direct family line, geology of Jesus. I prayed for a man to come be my “redeemer”, my Boaz. Thus, that mindset would cause me so much harm; through tears and heartbreak, I would continue to learn only God could be my redeemer. While God did unite Ruth and Boaz and it is a beautiful love story, God wanted me to rely on him.

As women, we often fall into unhealthy relationships in moments of frailty. As one author put it,

“While waiting on YOUR Boaz, don't settle for ANY of his relatives; Broke-az, Poor-az, Lying-az, Cheatin-az, Dumb-az, Downlow-az, Cheap-az, Lockedup-az, Good-for-nothing-az, Lazy-az, Crazy-az or Married-az and especially his THIRD cousin Beating-yo-az. PLEASE...wait on your BOAZ and make sure he RESPECTS yo AZ.”

So many of us (me included) in moments of rejection, weakness, and hurt run to a man. The Bible is clear, God wants us to run to him. Psalm 147:3, “He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 121 states, “I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

 

Take time today to search your heart. Who or what have you ran to? Lord, forgive me for all the times I run to something else to comfort me instead of you. 

 

Learn more about the Ruth in the book of Ruth in the Old Testament.