S: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth%202:%201-13;&version=31;
O: In this passage I am aware that me, the reader, needs to have some understanding of the culture during this time period so that I can fully understand what type of a person Boaz was. Unfortunately I lack the understanding of the social culture of the time so I don't have a real solid picture of Boaz from this passage alone. I will talk about both points of view and then close with what I feel is the more accurate picture.
Boaz greets his workers with a blessing of having the Lord at the side of his workers. Then the workers greet him back with blessing from the Lord to Boaz.
- So, from this passage one argument can be made that this was simply a standard greeting of the master and his workers just like so many of us in our time ask "How are you doing" without a real desire to get into the details of how the person is really doing. Along this same line one could also say that Boaz is feared by his workers for whatever reason and that they respond to him with a kind jester out of fear. This point of view creates a tyranny sort of personality for Boaz.
- Then there is the point of view that the first greeting Boaz makes to his workers means he wishes for the safety of the workers as well as the peace and love of God in their lives. The greeting back to Boaz from the workers are a sign of love and respect to their employer. This point of view shows a positive, caring, respectable, and God loving personality for Boaz.
- In my walk with Jesus I believe the second is a more accurate depiction of what sort of person Boaz is with his workers.
Boaz asks about Ruth and her background and then shows kindness and favor towards her.
- One argument I see that can be made (no matter how likely or unlikely) is that Boaz was stricken by Ruth and wanted to keep her near and in his field because of his lustful feeling towards her.
- The other side of this is that Boaz, upon hearing the background of Ruth and all that Ruth is doing and going thru for Naomi, realizes that he has in his presence a sort of diamond in the rough and he respects this and he chooses to help in whatever way he can. He shows favor towards Ruth because of the type of person she is.
- Again, I believe the second view to be more accurate. Knowing where this story leads and what role Roth and Boaz play in the lineage of Christ I can argue that no relationship that is based on lust would have any logical purpose for a parable of a blessed relationship that leads to the birth of Christ. In my experience God can and does turn bad situations in to good so an argument could also be made that a lustful relation has been turned into a good thing for the purpose of God but this argument would falsify itself in that this type of situation would not condemn wicked ways but would almost excuse them stating that whatever motive one has makes no difference, God will use it for good. It's much to complicated for this to be a situation out of lust vs respect. God is a God of love and I believe that he would always use love as a tool for teaching.
The above is as much of a summary that I could do with all the thoughts that I had on this passage. It's great to read and thing and learn how important certain words are and how they can really change the meaning of a passage as well as a story line.
I once came upon a quote that read, " All words must be there for a purpose" -Youssef El-Mansy
One of my favorite quotes as it challenges me everyday to work on my communication skills and try not to be lazy with my communication.
To close on my observation I find that to me, Boaz is a man of high standing and is respected for his good nature, compassion, caring, fairness, and love. I believe that his kindness to Ruth is pure and God sent.
A: The way I would lie to apply this to my life is to continue to pursue being more of a man of God and of Gods own heart. To continue to grow in my caring and respect of all people no matter what their walk in life. I am also reminded that every little aspect of the way I choose to live my life is a ministry to God in itself as my life, weather it's an open book or not, is still observed by many and each person I encounter can take a little something away from that encounter with me and as I grow closer with God I want those little bits of experience that folks take from me to all be pointing to love. God is love. So I want my life to point more and more towards God.
P: Kind father... Thank you for your patience with me. I appreciate how quickly you have worked in my life over this last year but I also thank you for how you have worked in my life without me know all the years before. I ask that you continue to make me into the man that is reflective of your heart and your spirit. Help me to deal with the desires of the flesh as I work on my relationship with you. Help me to trust that you will provide me with what I need to deal with these desires in this life and help me to know the difference between what you provide and what is mearly temptation that will pull me farther from you. I often wonder Lord why I am so different from so many people around me and I ask God that you keep delusions of grandeur from clouding my purpose in you. I take a humble stance and I ask that you strengthen my in my humbleness even more. I also ask that you help me with my communication in that I improve on that... that I take the time to communicate well... with all people. I thank you so much for being a God who I can come to when I need you as well as just for fun and love. Amen.
