Boaz and Ruth

The other day as I read through Ruth 2 and 3, I wrote down different things that stood out about each of these two individuals as they relate to each other and their surroundings. 

Boaz: his name means fleetness

Vs. 1 Boaz is a man of standing (NIV) or mighty man of wealth (KJV)- This lets me know that he was highly respected in Bethlehem and older...it would take time to acquire much wealth and his father would have likely passed on his wealth to him as well. 

Vs. 3 Boaz is a land owner. Not only does he own fields, he is wealthy enough to have servants and hired supervisors to watch over the work of his servants. 

Vs. 3 Boaz is a relative of Elimelech.

Vs. 4 Boaz is well respected by his employees and he speaks kindly to them. 

Vs. 5 Boaz knows who works for him and belongs in his fields and who is out of place...he asks, "who is that young woman, who does she belong to?" 

Vs. 8 Boaz is respectful and kind in the language he uses to out-siders. He addresses Ruth as "my daughter." 

Vs. 9 Boaz expects his fields to be safe, he protects Ruth by telling the men not to treat her harshly. 

Vs. 8-9, 14-15 Boaz is generous to Ruth, he tells her to stay in his field and gather behind his servant girls, he tells her to drink water from the jars the men have filled, he offers her a meal at dinner time, he also tells the men to pull out some extra heads of barley for her to pick up.

Ch. 3:12 Boaz reassures Ruth that he will take the steps necessary to see that she is cared for.

These are my observations of Ruth thus far...Ruth means friendship.

Ch. 1:4 Ruth is Moabite and she is a widow (vs.5).

Ch 1:6 Ruth is Naomi's daughter-in-law

Ch. 1:16-18 Ruth is loyal to Naomi at all costs-even to the point of death. 

Ch. 2:2 Ruth takes initiative to care for her mother-in-law. She asks Naomi if she my go gather food to provide for their physical needs. 

Ch. 2:5 Ruth is a young woman. 

Ch. 2:7, 15, 17-18 Ruth is a hard worker...she worked all day in the field, threshed all that she collected during the day, then had to carry it back home to Naomi. 

Ch. 2:10 Ruth is respectful of Boaz and shows her thankfulness in response to his kindness

Ch. 2:12 Ruth takes refuge under the "wings" of God by returning with Naomi to Bethlehem. 

Ch. 3:3-5 Ruth is obedient to Naomi when she tell her what to do in order to request marriage from Boaz.

Ch.3:9 Ruth proposes that Boaz fulfill the role of Kinsman Redeemer by marrying her. 

3:10 Ruth did not run after the the young men...rich or poor, she followed the custom of the Jewish law that required her to marry within her husbands family. 

3:11 Ruth was a virtuous woman and the community knew she was a woman of noble character.