A Greater Love Story
Have you ever noticed that the most popular love stories often end in tragedy? Romeo and Juliet and Withering Heights come to mind when I think of tragic love stories. However, when we look at the love stories found in the Bible we see that they often begin with tragedy but end with hope. Look at the story of David and Bathsheba as one example. On a basic level, we can see that the love stories found in the Bible can be used to show that God will provide for us even when we are at our darkest point. However, just like most of the stories found in the Bible; there is a greater meaning. Today I want to take a look at a love story found in the Bible that ranks up there as the greatest love story of all time, not just for the people involved but for the deeper meaning that it possesses. This is the story of Ruth and Boaz.
Ruth’s story begins in tragedy, her husband has passed away leaving her a widow. In order to provide for herself and her mother-in-law Naomi, Ruth worked in the field which the reader finds out later is a relative of Naomi named Boaz. Ruth won the heart of Boaz through her loyalty to Naomi, after all Ruth was a foreigner to the land and yet she worked steadily to provide. Ruth could just have easily left Naomi as her sister-in-law did and gone back to her family. Recognizing this, Boaz told her to work in his field where he could offer her protection. Not only that, but Boaz told the other workers to leave her some grain as was commanded in Deuteronomy 24:19, “When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.” He did this to ensure that they would be fed and did it in such a way that Ruth would not be embarrassed about her situation.
In time, we find out that Boaz is a kinsmen redeemer. What this means is that if a man dies without an heir, his land and property would be available for his closest relative to claim. In the case of Boaz and Ruth, there was another man who could have claimed the land belonging to Naomi’s husband and sons, however, he was not willing because that would also mean that he would marry Ruth and raise children in her husband’s stead. This relative did not want to do this because he did not want to cause issues within his own inheritance with the children he already had. And so the relative declined being the redeemer, allowing Boaz to take his place.
Now you may be wondering why I am bringing up Boaz and Ruth. In the eyes of the world, their story doesn’t rank up with some of the others. However, their story is of great importance. You see, as I had already mentioned Ruth and Boaz’s story has a deeper meaning for there is One who is a redeemer to the whole world. That is Jesus Christ. His love for mankind and to do the Father’s will allowed for Him to be born of a virgin and live a perfect life. All so that He would be able to lay down that life and redeem anyone who is willing to follow Him. Jesus Christ is the redeemer of this world and He loves everyone. If you ever look at the genealogy of Christ, you will see another important aspect to Ruth and Boaz’s story. They are in the bloodline of Jesus Christ. Boaz, a Jew, married a foreigner who willingly came to a land that was not hers but still honored those around her. Jesus Christ came to earth and with His death and resurrection those who are born again realize that they are foreigners in this land. We are simply waiting for our Redeemer to return for us.
Seek the truth and encourage one another,
Alex