Build up One Another in Love
When we read the Book of Ruth, we often put our focus
on Ruth and Naomi, who supported each other through love. In fact, we should
not overlook Boaz, who built up others in love. During the time of the Judges,
when society and morality were both corrupt, Boaz was able to live a life of
loving testimony. He was an empathetic person who delighted in helping others
and carried out the righteousness of the Law.
1.
Kindness to his
servants: :Just then Boaz arrived from
2.
Benevolence to
Ruth: Boaz could strictly follow the law of God. He cared for the poor,
orphaned and widowed, and had compassion on aliens and the helpless
(Deuteronomy 24:17-19). When Boaz found out about Ruth・s love for her
mother-in-law and faith in God, he expressly favoured and administered to Ruth,
commanding his servants not to mistreat, embarrass or rebuke her, and providing
food, water and protection for her (Ruth 2:8-9, 14-16) He also said comforting and
encouraging words to her: :May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May
you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you
have come to take refuge.; (Ruth 2:12) When Ruth followed her mother-in-law・s
instructions and went down to the threshing floor at night, Boaz did not exert
his dominance and take advantage of her. Rather, he promised to act according
to the Law, and fulfill his duty as a near kinsman (Ruth 3:10-13). Compassion
and benevolence to people are attributes of God. Boaz had compassion on and was
benevolent to Ruth, who relied on God. He too is listed in the genealogy of
Jesus Christ.
3.
Righteousness to
near of kin. According to the requirements of the Law, Boaz fulfilled
righteousness towards a widow that was near of kin by redeeming the land for
his deceased kinsman. He was also not concerned with the impact on his own
estate, and willingly married the wife of Mahlon, the Moabitess Ruth, in order
to maintain the name of the dead man with his property, so that the name would
not disappear from the town records (Ruth 4:10). Boaz paid the ransom for a
dead man, in order that the family of the dead could be built up again. He has
also become a personification of Christ in God・s plan of salvation.
Boaz was full of loving kindness, and carried out the
righteousness of the Law. Jesus Christ is greater than Boaz, for He was kind
towards those who were ungrateful and evil, and interceded for those who
oppressed Him. Furthermore, He paid the ransom with His own life for the enemy
who died in sin and iniquities. :But when the time had fully come, God sent his
Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might
receive the full rights of sons.; (Galatians 4:4-5) Since we have become the children
of the Heavenly Father, we should treat each other with loving kindness, and
build up one another in love.
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