Overview:

The story of Boaz in the Bible illustrates the importance of being whole in various areas of life, including being emotionally, spiritually, relationally, financially, and physically whole. Boaz's connections with others were an important aspect of his wholeness, and he recognized the importance of respecting and valuing those connections. In the story, Boaz waited for the kinsman redeemer of Ruth to come to the town gate, and when he arrived, Boaz sat with him and explained the situation with Ruth and the property. Boaz's financial integrity and responsibility earned him the respect of the town elders, and he did not try to hide or manipulate anyone. In the end, Boaz married Ruth, and her life was blessed because she trusted God again.

This week, we conclude our look at Boaz and how he showed wholeness in various areas of his life. Previously, we explored how he was both emotionally and spiritually whole. Boaz also was relationally, financially, and physically whole. In the case of Boaz, being whole meant that he recognized the importance of interconnections with others. One sign that someone is broke (separated into parts…not just financially struggling) is the lack of connections in their own life and their inability to respect the connections that you have in your life.

Ruth 4:1 illustrates some of Boaz’s connections. It says that he went to the town gate, the traditional place where men took care of personal, business, and legal affairs.

Boaz patiently waited for the kinsman redeemer of Ruth to come along, “Meanwhile Boaz went up to the town gate and sat there. When the kinsman-redeemer he had mentioned came along, Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So, he went over and sat down.”

The town gate was also a place of honor. The fact that Boaz was able to sit at the gate without hesitation or intimidation indicates that like the other town elders, he was also highly respected because of his financial integrity and responsibility. Boaz then followed the tradition of having ten elders witness the proposed property transaction.

He did not try to hide or manipulate the kinsman redeemer or ask for a “hook up” in secret.

Boaz then completely explained the situation with Ruth and the property. He did not conveniently leave out any detail, nor did he lie about anything. The bible says in Ruth 4:5:

Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi and from Ruth the Moabitess, you acquire the dead man’s widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead
with his property.

In the end, the other kinsman redeemer declined the proposal and Boaz soon married Ruth.

Had Boaz not been connected or comfortable with his connections with others, he might not have responded to Ruth. Even though he was significantly older than Ruth, he did not use that as an excuse for him to not do what she’d asked him. We don’t know what exact physical shape he was in, but he seemed fairly active throughout the story.

In this fascinating love story, we see so much: a woman whose life is tremendously blessed because she trusted God again. For those of us over 50 and trusting in God, we have to believe that he is more than the God of a second chance. We also have to trust and believe that he is also the God of “again.” As we trust God again, as we put faith in God again, as we seek him again, we will be amazed at the wonderful things he will do in our lives.

Shewanda Riley is a Texas -based author who can be reached at preservedbypurpose@gmail.com or you can follow her on Instagram @shewandawrites.