Boaz — A Picture of Jesus

A Man Who Feared God

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Boaz is one of the kindest men in the Bible. He shows us what a godly man looks like at work, with money and power, around people who could never pay him back.

A man of worth. Boaz was “a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech” (Ruth 2:1). He had land, workers and a good name in Bethlehem.

His family. “Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab” (Matthew 1:5). Boaz's own mother was Rahab, a woman from Jericho who trusted the God of Israel. “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish” (Hebrews 11:31). Boaz grew up in a home that knew God welcomes outsiders.

God at work. Boaz greeted his reapers, “The Lord be with you!” (2:4). He did not keep his faith for special days. He spoke of God in the field.

Respect for workers. His workers answered, “The Lord bless you!” (2:4). People who worked for Boaz were glad to bless him back.

Eyes that noticed. Boaz saw a stranger and asked, “Whose young woman is this?” (2:5). A busy, important man took time to care about one poor woman.

A protector. Boaz told the young men not to touch Ruth (2:9). He used his power to keep a weak person safe, not to push her around.

Generous with what he had. He invited Ruth to his table and had grain dropped for her on purpose (2:14-16). He gave more than the law asked.

Fair with money. Boaz was rich, and he used what he had to bless others. God gives us good things so we can share them.

Careful with her feelings. Boaz said, “do not reproach her” and “do not rebuke her” (2:15-16). He did not want Ruth to feel ashamed for being poor.

A man who prayed. Boaz asked the Lord God of Israel to reward Ruth (2:12). He pointed her to God, not to himself.

Work for the Lord. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23). Boaz's field was a place where people met God's kindness.

What we learn. A person who fears God is kind to the weak, honest at work and generous with what God has given. Boaz was a good man, and Jesus can make us like that too.

What to do. This week, notice one person others overlook. Say something kind to them, and pray for them by name.

Boaz lived in the days of the judges, when “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). He shows what faith looks like with money and power in hand.

Gibbor chayil (2:1). The phrase gibbor chayil (say: gib-BOR KHAH-yil) can mean a mighty warrior, a man of wealth or a man of strong character. In Boaz all three fit. The same word chayil will describe Ruth as a virtuous woman in 3:11.

Rahab's son. “Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab” (Matthew 1:5). Boaz's mother was a Canaanite who was saved by faith (Hebrews 11:31). Boaz knew from his own family story that God's grace reaches past the borders of Israel.

A greeting with God's name (2:4). “The Lord be with you!” uses YHWH (say: yah-WEH), God's covenant name. In a dark time, Boaz's workplace was shaped by worship.

Power used rightly (2:9). “Have I not commanded the young men not to touch you?” The strong protect the weak instead of using them. That is the opposite of what happens again and again in Judges.

Generosity past the law (2:15-16). The law required leaving corners and gleanings. Boaz commanded grain to be pulled from the bundles. Love does more than the rule requires.

Dignity guarded. Two commands, “do not reproach her” and “do not rebuke her,” protect Ruth from shame. Boaz's help never made her feel small.

A blessing that points upward (2:12). Boaz prays that the Lord would reward Ruth. He does not set himself up as her rescuer. Later he becomes the answer to his own prayer.

Fearing God. Proverbs calls the fear of the Lord the beginning of wisdom. Boaz's fear of God showed up as kindness, honesty and self-control.

Riches used well. Paul told Timothy to command the rich “not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17). Boaz trusted God more than his wealth, so his wealth became a way to bless a widow.

A good man, not a perfect one. Boaz was a sinner who needed God's grace like everyone else. His goodness is a gift from God, and it makes us long for the perfect Redeemer.

Application. Ask God to make you a person of chayil, strong in character. Use whatever strength you have, a voice, a skill, a seat at the table, to protect and bless someone weaker.

Our Greater Boaz

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Many Christians see Boaz as a picture of Jesus. Boaz was a real man in a real field, but the way he treated Ruth points ahead to the way Jesus treats us.

From Bethlehem. Boaz lived in Bethlehem. Many years later Jesus was born there: “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

In His family line. “Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king” (Matthew 1:5-6). Jesus came from the family of Boaz and Ruth.

He notices outsiders. Boaz saw a foreign widow at the edge of his field. Jesus “has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

A place at His table. Boaz said, “Come here, and eat of the bread” (Ruth 2:14). Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger” (John 6:35).

More than enough. Boaz had grain dropped on purpose. Jesus gives even more: “And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace” (John 1:16).

Safe under His wings. Ruth came under God's wings for refuge (Ruth 2:12). Jesus said He longed to gather His people “as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings” (Matthew 23:37).

Rest for the weary. Ruth worked hard all day. Jesus says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Our close relative. Boaz was family to Naomi and Ruth. Jesus became human so He could be our family: “He is not ashamed to call them brethren” (Hebrews 2:11).

Strangers welcomed. Ruth came from Moab, yet she was welcomed into God's people. Jesus welcomes people from every nation who trust Him. Peter said, “in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:35).

Greater than Boaz. Boaz was a good man, but he was not sinless. Jesus “was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

He gave Himself. Boaz gave grain. Jesus gave His life: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). A ransom is a price paid to set someone free.

Risen and coming. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and on the third day He rose again. He is alive today and welcomes everyone who comes to Him.

What to do. Ruth came to Boaz's field with empty hands. You can come to Jesus the same way. Thank Him that He noticed you, and trust Him as your Savior.

Boaz is called a goel (say: go-AYL), a family redeemer, in Ruth 2:20. Many Christians see him as a picture of Jesus our Redeemer. The facts behind that picture are plain in the New Testament.

Bethlehem. Boaz's town became the birthplace of the Messiah (Luke 2:4-11). The house of bread produced the Bread of life (John 6:35).

The family line. Matthew 1:5-6 names Boaz and Ruth in the line of David and of Jesus. God placed a Moabite widow and Rahab's son in the Savior's own family tree.

Grace before asking (2:8-9). Boaz offered protection, water and a place before Ruth asked for anything. “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

Table fellowship (2:14). The outsider sits with the household and is satisfied. In Christ, “you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).

Grace for grace (2:16). Grain falling on purpose pictures God's generous, intentional grace. “And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace” (John 1:16).

A redeemer must be family. Only a relative could act as goel. So the Son of God became human: “God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).

Where the picture falls short. Boaz was a sinner. Jesus was “without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Boaz paid with silver and grain. Jesus redeemed us “with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19).

A ransom. Jesus came “to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). A ransom is the price paid to free a captive. The cross was the price, and the empty tomb shows the price was accepted.

The nations welcomed. Ruth the Moabitess at Boaz's table points ahead to the gospel going out to the nations. Peter learned that “in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:35).

Seeking the lost. “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Boaz noticed one stranger. Jesus seeks people from every nation.

Application. If you trust Christ, you belong to His household. Come to Him empty-handed, rest in His grace, and treat others the way your Redeemer has treated you.

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