Ruth 4: 1-4 AMPC “ Meanwhile Boaz went up to the town gate and sat down there just as the guardian-redeemer he had mentioned came along. Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down. Boaz took ten of the elders of the town and said, “Sit here,” and they did so. Then he said to the guardian-redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our relative Elimelek. I thought I should bring the matter to your attention and suggest that you buy it in the presence of these seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, do so. But if you will not, tell me, so I will know. For no one has the right to do it except you, and I am next in line.” “I will redeem it,” he said.”

We are coming back on this same passage that we studied last month to draw more light from it as the Lord leads. The interesting thing that we learned last time is that Boaz was not afraid to lose Ruth by telling the truth to the man who was next to kin and had the right to buy the land that Naomi was selling and also redeem Ruth. He manifested genuine love by positioning himself in such a way that Ruth and Naomi could get the very best that they rightfully deserved. He did not hide the truth from this guy. He was conscious of the honour and advantages that this man who was next to kin would get if he agreed to buy that land and marry Ruth. But still, he told the truth. We should not hide the truth from somebody when we know that it is going to help them out of a difficult situation, make a way for them to be blessed or contribute to their elevation. The Bible says in John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” The truth has the power to carry us and position us in a realm where we are secure, protected, healed, elevated and glorified. Jesus is the only Way to heaven, the only Truth that set us free from the bondage of sin, and He is the only true life that delivers us from spiritual blindness and carries us in God’s presence (John 14: 6).

There was no envy, no jealousy, no bitterness at all in Boaz’s attitude. In 2 Timothy 3: 1-4 (AMPC) we read:

“But understand this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]. For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane. [They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); [they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good. [They will be] treacherous [betrayers], rash, [and] inflated with self-conceit. [They will be] lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God.”

This passage speaks of itself and depicts a reality that we are confronted with in our days on a daily basis. We see none of these things in Boaz’s behaviour and we want to reflect on his attitude to conduct ourselves in a godly manner.

The love of Boaz for Ruth compelled him to be as clear as crystal in this issue, to step by the side and allow Ruth’s blessing to flow towards her freely. His love for her imposed on his conscience to be real and honest, trusting God Almighty to work out everything for the very best. Boaz was not shaken in his faith. And this is exactly the reason why he was blessed afterwards and greatly recompensed for his righteous spirit and attitude. Boaz actually presented a gift to his fellow brother and gave him the possibility to take his responsibility as a kinsman. He was given the chance to do what is right in God's sight and he had to take a decision. Boaz did not try to influence him in taking a decision that would be at his (Boaz’s) own advantage. He just told him the facts in the presence of some eyewitnesses. He was not pretending because he knew that his reputation was at stake. He was not going to sacrifice his reputation at the altar of selfish desires. He was willing to assume his responsibility so that he could continue to be a respectable person and a reference in terms of integrity in the town of Bethlehem. It was very important that he remained trustworthy, not only because of the God he served, but foremost because of the people around him that he was leading and who were looking up to him as a mentor and leader. His light had to continue to shine at any cost because the next time he was going to meet Ruth and Naomi, he had to be able to look at them in the eyes without any feeling of guilt or remorse. The Bible says that the name of the Lord is blasphemed among those who do not know God because many of those who call themselves children of God do not walk and live accordingly (Romans 2:24). They are not blameless as God expects them to be. In 2 Timothy 2: 19 we read that whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord should depart from iniquity. Our lifestyle, our speech, our outward appearance and everything about us, even the secret thoughts of our hearts, must reflect the holiness and the righteousness of the God we profess to serve. This is how we can keep our robes clean for the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As we consider Boaz’s concern to do the right things for Ruth, as we behold his commitment, the swiftness of his act and his blameless attitude, we see the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth and the redeemed of the Lord, His Church. Jesus Christ is concerned with our well being and He takes counsel with Himself to draft good plans for our lives. That is the reason why Isaiah calls Him the Counselor (Isaiah 9:6). He does not need anybody’s advice to do the right thing for us. The Word of God tells us in Jeremiah 29: 11 AMPC “For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.” While we are anxious about the various situations we encounter in life, just as Ruth was, our Redeemer wants us to know that He is working out everything for our good, turning even the bad situations that may occur in our lives to bless us. He manifests His tender love, His goodness and His divine wisdom in our lives each time we wake up to see the light of the day. The Bible says that He rejoices over us with gladness and singing, and His banner upon us is love (Zephaniah 3:17; Song of Solomon 2:4). Boaz was making arrangements for his beloved Ruth to be well on this earth and never lack anything anymore. Our heavenly Father unveiled a glorious plan for our wellbeing, happiness, joy, security, good health, on the cross of Calvary. He said that He came so that we may have life and have it in abundance (John 10:10).

Yes, He cares for His sheep and gave His life for them. Not only are we given the assurance of His presence, mercy and goodness that will follow us all the days of our life here on earth, but He has also promised to take us with Him so that we will spend eternity with Him in His glorious kingdom as His Bride. When He came down on earth with His secret and perfect plan of salvation, he came as a vulnerable baby who would go through all the stages of human growth, so that He could be our perfect Defender, Advocate and Protector because He understands our conditions. In this month of December where the whole world will be celebrating the birth of the Savior of mankind, let us think about the perfect gift that we can bring to God in order to make Him happy and spend eternity with Him: our hearts. (À suivre) md