by John O’Malley
“Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?” (Ruth 2:5).
Boaz’s question to his servant revealed not only his concern for Ruth, but also his character. Boaz knew that since the Garden of Eden, God has placed every woman under the authority of a man. He knew that Ruth was under either her father’s authority or her husband’s authority. Boaz did not want to contemplate anything further until he knew under whose authority she lived. Boaz’s questioning of his servant reveals that he was a man of spiritual integrity, identity, and insight.
Indeed, Boaz wanted to know about Ruth’s authority because he was a man of integrity. During the time in which Boaz lived, every man did what was right in his own eyes. Boaz would not be numbered amongst those who lived, labored, and loved solely for selfish reasons. Boaz’s heart remained steeped in the old ways of Israel. Though Israel had no ruler, Jehovah ruled Boaz’s heart and home.
Boaz wanted to know about Ruth’s authority because he identified more with God’s ways than the world’s ways. God’s ways were immersed in his heart. If Ruth had a man in authority over her, then he wanted to know it. He was determined to be right in his transactions with mankind. Boaz was committed to being identified with the old ways.
Boaz’s inquiry of his servant reveals that he was also a man of spiritual insight. Ruth’s arrival in his field spawned the question, “Whose damsel is this?” He knew that she was there, but he wanted to know how she got there. He knew that Ruth was there, but he wanted to hear her story. He was not content to think that things simply happened that way. Boaz’s question reveals his concern and his character.
God chose Boaz to guide and guard Ruth. God’s selection of Boaz was not misplaced. Boaz was a man who had both concern and character. We need men to fill the role of Boaz today in their homes. Men of spiritual integrity, identity, and insight are needed to guide and guard their homes.Every home must have a Boaz, and the Boaz of the home must lead his family in a Biblical direction.
Modern ways of thinking have infiltrated and seemingly absorbed the Biblically defined roles of women. Asking Boaz’s question in most Christian homes today would seem out of place. We have allowed our children to select their life’s mate with only regard to concern and with little regard to character.
In every generation, society has attempted to update Bible ways. Society has “upgraded” the old ways with ways that seem right in their own eyes. Sadly, Christians quickly capitulate to every societal upgrade. What most people do not realize is that an upgrade in society is really a downgrade in spirituality.