Wings of Refuge
Lessons I'm Learning from Boaz
Most of the book of Ruth, two-thirds to be exact, is written in a dramatic literary style. It is a refreshing drink of cool water in the midst of some dark times in the Old Testament, and in this way I have to come see it as a sparkly little gem. Attractive on its face, yes, but also pure through and through, like a perfect diamond. The more we examine it, the deeper we fall into the loving arms of God and the profound lessons he desires to teach us.
One such lesson happens when we first encounter with Boaz, a wealthy landowner in whose field Ruth ends up working. Boaz sees Ruth, and immediately takes time to acknowledge her presence, praise her for her courage and faith in deciding to journey with Naomi, and asks God’s blessing of her. He says to her:
May the LORD reward what you have done! May you receive a full reward from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge. -Ruth 2:12
Boaz’s response stuns me. In a time when workers and women were certainly not always treated with respect or given proper dignity, Boaz shines like the aforementioned sparkling gem: his heart is full of Godly love and oriented toward genuine service. From this orientation of his heart, his workers, and Ruth, feel at home. They are respected, safe and cared for.
Boaz’s response make me think: how often do my own responses look like this? Do I approach my relationships with a heart oriented toward heaven, so as to witness the sparkling and beautiful nature of God? Because if I do this, others will see. They will see Him dwelling in me, and through me, despite all my many flaws.
Obviously, because I am a human, I do not do this as much as I’d like. But I do have the desire to do it. I want to be so full of His light and love that others around me see the rays of God’s love, and are encouraged to seek and find refuge under his wings.
And when the enemy whispers to me that this is a trite and ridiculous notion, and that I have high ideals and low energy to make them happen, I am reminded of Boaz.
Boaz, who lived his life shining the light of God’s goodness on others.
Boaz, who ran a business and provided for his workers and lived a very full life and still took time to really see who was in front of him and bless them.
Boaz, a man of virtue, steadfast strength, and a holy heart.
And so I pray: Lord, help me be a Boaz to someone today.
Is there someone in your life who has been your ‘Boaz?’ Or have you experienced God working through you in amazing ways to be a blessing to others? I’d love to hear about it!