PROVIDENCE, PROVISION, AND PROTECTION
Boaz and Obed From name to name, from story to story, we are treading the journey laid out before us in Matthew 1:1-17. Names and subsequent stories are vastly important for they lead us forward to their ultimate end, their complete culmination in Jesus Christ! Today we meet Boaz (son of Salmon and Rahab) and Boaz’s son, Obed, where we find waiting a strong portrait of Christ Redeemer! We will awe at God’s working of circumstance that may at first glance seem small but would accomplish the good He planned all along…
Charting our way through the course of Israelite history, we have seen Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We viewed Jacob’s twelve sons father the tribes of Israel, setting our scope to trace his fourth son, Judah. Following Judah’s son, Perez, we traversed through another five lives – Hezron, Ram, Amminidab, Nahshon and Salmon. Here we glimpsed Israel, crossing a Red Sea with Moses, bidding goodbye to bondage, wandering in the wilderness, receiving the law, building the tabernacle, and, at last glance, crossing again a body of water. Just as God parted the Red Sea, so he withheld the Jordan River for the passage of His people, this time into the Promised Land! After Joshua’s death and the conquest of Canaan came a period of Judges (300 years leading up to the reign of Israel’s first king, Saul). Marred by rebellion, compromise, and apostasy, Israel, at its lowest, would be overshadowed by God’s provision and providence. Without a leader or king, God’s people acted each according to how they saw fit (see Judges 17:6, 18:1, 19:1, ). After settling in Canaan, Israel too easily forgot their God who brought deliverance, associating themselves with the morals, idols, and pagan practices of the Canaanites surrounding them. During this period, God raised up from within them a series of twelve Judges, including Gideon and Samson, through whom He fended off foreign oppression and brought restoration to His people desperately in need of it. It is within these years we find the context for the next leg of our journey, picking up with the lives of two men, Boaz and Obed. We find their story in the book of Ruth. (It will be hard for me to keep my hands out of the life of Ruth herself, but my best I will do. Revisit her we will in weeks to come along with the other four women mentioned in Matthew 1:1-17.) By way of a quick introduction, however, Ruth, a gentile from Moab, married the son of Elimelech and Naomi of Bethlehem. After Elimelech’s death and the death of her sons, Naomi (whose name means happiness) traveled back to Bethlehem, where we discover Ruth’s choice to follow. Taking great risk in following, Ruth found provision and protection waiting in Bethlehem. His name? Boaz. He, a relative of Naomi’s husband Elimelech, was a wealthy man. Ruth, gleaning grain in his field, captured his attention. He acted in kindness, extended protection, and, as you know, married Ruth. As we walk, we will find in Him over and over a picture of virtue, of generosity, and most importantly of redemption. In the second chapter of Ruth, we glean snapshots of Boaz’s character through his dealings with others, with Ruth and his servants. Specifically, in Ruth 2:4, we find Boaz, during what would have been a very busy time, greeting the servants reaping barley, when, I believe, he did not have to. Look closely and see that verse 5 mentions he had in place a servant over those reaping. Regardless, Boaz came directly to them and spoke to them. I also think it worth noting their words of exchange. Boaz, in greeting, said, “May the Lord be with you.” In turn, they replied, “May the Lord bless you.” At first glance, this might not impress you. It didn’t me, but the further I thought, the more I realized just what this brief exchange revealed about Boaz and his relationship with his servants. Clearly, he genuinely cared about his affairs, even down to the most minute person involved, and, even more remarkably, they reciprocated respect right back to him! It is true that these may have been typical greetings, but coupled with Boaz’s upstanding character and actions we find throughout the book, I see them as more. Dig a bit deeper and without doubt find evidence of this: their understanding of God’s providence, provision and protection. They were still recognizing God; their greetings to one another had everything to do with pointing back to Him as source and sustenance! Truly throughout the entire book Boaz dealt respectfully with his servants (he later provided plentiful food for his servants after their work), and I believe he truly held concern for their lives, above and beyond all he was required as master.
Once again a message for our lives we have found. As I write, my heart breaks for all the ways we, myself guilty as the next, have become flippant in our promises, hiding behind what has become nothing more than rote for us. “God bless you.” “I am praying for you.” How easy it is to pass these expressions from our tongues without acknowledging what we really mean and, for that matter, meaning what we say! Boaz greeted his servants kindly. Without hesitation, they responded in the same manner. What can we say about their relationship? If nothing else, that it was genuine. They meant what they said. How simple a thought! How much more should we do the same? Yes, Boaz extended his favor, and, as we will see, he would do so again for another, this time providing so much more than he could have ever imagined…
A few verses later, Boaz inquired about the stranger in his field, Ruth. Taking care for her provision, he proved his character to great extent once again. By law, Boaz was required to leave behind the gleanings of harvest for the poor [see Leviticus 19:9]. His dealing with Ruth left no question that he fulfilled beyond what was required of him. He instructed Ruth to glean in his field only (we later read she gathered an ephah of barley, a bushel, the abundance thrilling Naomi). He took special care that no harm befall her. More personally, he invited her to eat alongside him and his servants. He praised Ruth’s courage for leaving her homeland, for coming to a strange people, and for caring for her mother-in-law in such a way. Then he prayed that God would reward her and that she would find refuge under His wings. Once again, Boaz recognized God as provision and protection. As I studied, I couldn’t help but wonder if he knew then that he would be the vessel through whom God would answer. Maybe he did. Quite possibly he wished it to be so. After all, he had taken notice of Ruth immediately and acted on her behalf. Nonetheless, God did answer and had plan in mind for bringing these two as one. I love that His ways are not ours. I love that, while Boaz may have wished it to be so, he really had no idea just what God was doing. God would accomplish His purpose for and most incredibly through them. Because He did, we are children of God, accepted under His wings with provision of grace abounding!
At the end of chapter 2, Naomi, upon hearing Ruth gleaning in Boaz’s field, declared praise of Boaz for providing and recognized him as a kinsmen redeemer. Before we explore this in depth, slow the pace with me and recognize here the providence of God. Just as Jacob happened upon Laban’s well, so we have here Ruth happen upon the field of Boaz. God had been working out His plan; we have yet here another example of His hand in the midst of what must have seemed like ordinary circumstance. Naomi praised Boaz, but ultimately she recognized God, declaring that God had not withdrawn His kindness from her. In verse 20, we see her describe Boaz as kinsmen redeemer. Admittedly, I have heard this concept but, as I began to study, realized I never understood. I am astounded at just how this idea of kinsmen redeemer points directly to Christ! I am regretful that I missed it, yes, but so thankful that He didn’t! Then again… He never does!
Just as we saw in the story of Judah, custom (in Boaz’s case law) held the nearest male relative responsible for redeeming a family member destitute in circumstance. While we in our day may think it strange the Mosaic Law and all its requirements, understand that, in this instance, continuing on a family line would have been regarded as vital! Because of Boaz’s relation to Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, Boaz was qualified to marry Ruth. I can see in light of this context why Naomi, after the death of husband and two sons, was truly destitute and also why she, with the birth of her grandson, was fully restored. She recognized Boaz’s encounter with Ruth not as a chance meeting in a field but most clearly the providence of God! He was to be kinsman redeemer to a heartbroken widow and her Moabite daughter-in-law! Chapter 3 holds a rather interesting exchange between Boaz and Ruth. Boaz, exhausted from harvest, slept beside his grain pile. In the middle of the night, he woke to find Ruth lying at his feet. In a way foreign to us, she deliberately proposed to him, declaring him kinsmen redeemer. Again a testament to Boaz’s character, he did not, in any way, demean her for her actions or declare her intent impure. In fact, in verse 10, Boaz noted this kindness greater than her first (to return with and care for Naomi). He saw before him a Moabite woman willing to marry into Naomi’s family, this time in a land new and unknown. Maintaining all fashion of honor and chastity, Boaz declared Ruth virtuous, agreed, and promised marriage, albeit conditional upon a third party. (Unbeknownst to Naomi, Boaz was not the nearest relative and by law, the nearest kin retained first right). Just as before, we find high caliber in Boaz’s character. I love that he did not leave Ruth in rejection or send her packing to the other relative. He promised rather to take care of the matter himself! Sending her off with a cloak full of barley, likely all she could carry, Boaz accepted her request with intent to fulfill his promise. He remains for us a portrait clear of another who accepts and welcomes freely all who come to His fountain of grace!
Remarkable the story of Boaz and Ruth, but most striking is the resemblance it holds to Jesus Christ, our Once-and-for-Always Kinsmen Redeemer. Riches of grace He lavished on us when we were helpless in our own estate. Because of His great love for us, His blood spilled and covered our sins even while we were in the midst of them! Amazingly, bought with His blood, our curse removed, He earned on our behalf redemption eternal! Just as Boaz redeemed Ruth and restored the family of Naomi, so also Christ has redeemed and restored us into His family! What love is this that makes us eternal heir and beloved child? Only His. How can we do anything but praise?
In chapter 4, Boaz, intent upon settling Ruth’s request, gathered at the gate the court, ten elders, and Naomi’s closest relative, who held full right to act as kinsmen redeemer. At first request, the relative agreed to redeem the property, but upon hearing he would also have to marry Ruth, he quickly declined. Funny that after walking with Boaz through the last two chapters, I can almost feel the lump that no doubt jumped from stomach to throat and back again as the relative agreed and then, much to Boaz’s relief, declined. With a customary exchange of a sandal (interesting stuff, huh?), Boaz could legally marry Ruth! After a blessing from the court and elders, Boaz fulfilled his promise.
With the birth of their son, Obed, we find Boaz and Ruth’s story culminate in complete restoral. More clearly, we find, through God’s hand of provision, protection and providence, Naomi’s life turned full circle and Obed, her grandson, the tangible result! Her family line restored, the neighbor women recognized God as source, saying “Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a redeemer today” (Ruth ). Pause here with me in wonder, once again. Out of Bethlehem would come another child born of the tribe of Judah for whom all of heaven would rejoice. These women certainly could never have fathomed their words would one day ring true in such a mighty way! Obed father to Jesse, Jesse father to David, and David King through whom would come Christ – Promise and Provision poured on a cross offering redemption sweet! Do you, above all else, know Him today? Christ remains willing, and amazingly wanting, to restore and to redeem. We have reason to rejoice – Blessed be the Lord who has not left us without a Redeemer! You have to know that I am barely able to stay within my seat as I write! With my praise music blaring and my laptop willing, I am beside myself, not because of me but all because of Him! (I never intended to include this, but as I was sitting here writing about God’s providence, Selah’s song Bless the Broken Road began playing. The parallels come naturally and you are on the receiving end today if reading…) I can’t help but wonder about Naomi, her heartbreak and pain flooding over into panicked desperation, and about Ruth, her courage mixed with the fear of unknown, traveling from Moab back to Bethlehem. With spent emotion, their journey led them straight to where God desired them to go, the field of Boaz, relative of Naomi and one who would redeem and restore. I wonder what they spoke of on their journey, and, even more, I have to wonder if they imagined they would be so blessed by a road seemingly so broken....
Psalm 138:8 says, “The Lord will accomplish what concerns me.” I love that, but further still I love the promise that He is holding my hand while and wherever I go because, admittedly, I so desperately need it. Psalm 73, a favorite of mine, tells me that He is continually with me, that He has taken hold of me, and will, with His counsel, guide me and receive me one day unto glory! With that, any road, broken or not, I can know that God near me is my good! Reason enough to rest even when circumstance pains or situation screams I should believe just the opposite. No, His ways are not ours, but be assured He knows you, is fully acquainted with your doings, bears daily your burden, and is beyond able to accomplish all that concerns you… even when the broken road feels nothing more than broken.
Found in the book of Ruth, twisting through four chapters, we find over and over one word, redeem, declaring for us message incredible. I love that the story’s context resides in the period of Judges – not because of the disparity of God’s people and certainly not because of their apathy or rebellion, but simply because in midst of all despair, God’s promise is upheld through the most humbly miraculous circumstance! When all else must have seemed hopeless, who would have guessed God would have set two women upon a journey with reward only He could ordain waiting? His ways are not ours…and they continue to astound. On a small scale, we journeyed with Boaz as kinsman redeemer, but, amazingly, just as those before, his story led us straight to Him! What truth remains is this: God has dealt bountifully with you. Return, my friend, to rest. Still and settle in your Once-And-For-Always Kinsman Redeemer who with selflessness bought your redemption!
Return to Rest
Settled you are though restless you feel
His Hand to stay! His Promise real!
Let Him have all of you
Be still and know; His peace so true!
Free you are though trapped you feel His yoke to trade! His offer real!
Liberty through Him rings whole His plan complete; Set free your soul!
Return to rest, soul tossed about, Return to rest, settle in and out
He has dealt bountifully with you
So still your spirit. Return to rest…
Sheltered you are though battered you feel His anchor holds! His Power so real!
Through the storm, amid the waves
His hand holds; His hand saves!
Beloved you are though lost you feel His child you are! His cross so real!
In Him know you have a place
Find Him now! Claim His grace
Return to rest, soul tossed about, Return to rest, settle in and out
He has dealt bountifully with you
So still your spirit. Return to rest…
“Return to rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.”
Psalm 116:7