Someone’s choice of spouse can have a big impact on their life, as evidenced over and over again in the Bible. One of the most unique case studies for this dramatic impact is the life of Ruth. Little is known about her first husband, but a great deal more information can be gleaned about her second husband Boaz.
Though he is not the central focus of the narrative, Boaz is a key figure who models healthy and Biblical masculinity, faithfulness to God, and serves as a kinsman redeemer for Ruth and Naomi, making him a Christophany - an image and precursor of Jesus Christ.
From his relationship with Ruth, to his decision to pursue her – even his heritage makes him an intriguing, godly man whose life is worth understanding. For many Christians today, Boaz represents a man of good character.
While Boaz is introduced in the second chapter in the Book of Ruth, his background is given in 1 Chronicles as part of the lineage of David, the future king of Israel. It records that a man named Salmon was his father, and that Rahab was his mother. It is generally believed this Rahab is the prostitute from Jericho who rescued the Hebrew spies. She had faith in the God of the Hebrews, and the Bible says, “By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies” (Hebrews 11:31). Because of her actions and her faith in the Lord, she survived the Battle of Jericho. It also means that Boaz was not of purely Hebrew descent.
When Jesus came to earth, He fulfilled centuries of promises, dying on the cross to become the way that all people could be redeemed from their sins. Jesus will return as a king, reign over the earth in the millennium reign, and forever in the New Heaven and the New Earth as prophesied in the Book of Revelation. Because Boaz was only a genetic Hebrew on his father’s side, Jesus had gentile blood, a way for the Messiah to be for all people, not just the Jews.
Without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Boaz’s name could have been lost to history. God chose to honor Boaz as the father of Obed in the Book of Ruth - probably written by the prophet Samuel - in the Chronicles, and in the Gospel of Matthew.
Sources
Block, Daniel I. The New American Commentary An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of the Holy Scriptures Judges and Ruth Vol. 6. Nashville: B&H Publishing, 1999.
Commentary on the Whole Bible: Genesis to Revelation
The Distressing Days of the Judges.
Bethany Verrett is a freelance writer who uses her passion for God, reading, and writing to glorify God. She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. She has a blog on graceandgrowing.com.
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