Built to Last

The story of Ruth and Boaz in the book of Ruth is one of the most fascinating and interesting love stories I have ever read, and one of the greatest love stories ever written. It begins with Ruth going through a difficult time in her life. Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, returned to Bethlehem from Moab, where they had been living. Naomi’s husband and both sons, one of whom was Ruth’s husband, had died, leaving the women penniless and without a male protector. Ruth had just lost her husband, and her mother-in-law was sending her back to her own country, but Ruth did not want to leave Naomi. She cleaved to her mother-in-law, begging her to let her stay. She was willing to do whatever she was asked to do; she just did not want to go back to her own country. She was prepared to worship the God that Naomi worshipped and also serve Naomi’s people.

I have never seen such a wonderful bonded relationship between a mother-in-law and a daughter-in-law. We have often heard unpleasant stories of family feuds among in-laws, but this was a very special relationship designed and planned by God. So Ruth went with Naomi to her country, and while she was there, she got a job picking barley in the field. One bright and sunny afternoon, Boaz, the property owner, decided to pay a visit to his servants in the fields because he wanted to make an assessment of his business and see if everything was working according to plan. While he was there looking around and observing everyone, his eyes beheld this beautiful and attractive young lady. He turned to one of his commanding officers and asked, “Whose young woman is that?” (Ruth 2:5). Boaz was a handsome, wealthy, influential, and God-fearing man. He was always caring for his people. He would offer help to those who needed it most. He was a good man. Though Boaz was a Jewish man of power, he was humble enough to respect a converted Gentile woman who was now in a community with his people. Boaz was fascinated by her great qualities and character. He admired her courage, devotion, kindness, and unwavering loyalty to Naomi (Ruth 2:11).

After everything that Ruth went through, she needed someone who was going to love and care for her, and Boaz was the ideal man. He proved himself to be a great provider. Every wife needs a husband who is going to provide for her and his family one who does not make excuses but does what must be done. In many African tribes when a man asked for a woman’s hand in marriage, the first test he had to pass was that of a provider for his family. The bride’s parents would send him out to hunt for a certain animal that was not very easy to catch, and he had to bring it back to his future bride’s parents’ home and prepare them a meal. That was a strong indication to them that he would be able to provide for his family.

Boaz was also a protector of his people. They felt safe with him as their leader. Your husband or the man you plan to marry must show that he is a protector. Boaz was a man of fervent prayer. He constantly sought God for guidance and help. He was a liaison between God and his people. Your mate must love God and must be a praying husband who never gets weary of launching out before God in prayer. Boaz was a redeemer. He was a kinsman redeemer. In the Bible, the kinsman redeemer is a male relative who, according to various Jewish laws, had the privilege or responsibility to act on behalf of a relative who was in trouble, danger, or need. The Hebrew term (go el) for kinsman redeemer designates one who delivers or rescues or redeems property or person (Exodus 6:6). This was the kind of husband that Ruth wanted.

Boaz even considered himself blessed to be wanted by a woman who he believed could have gone after a younger man (Ruth 3:10). Ruth could not understand why this man found such favor in her. Boaz’s kindness and admiration for her was overpowering to the point where she asked him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” (Ruth 2:10). Ruth was probably reflecting on her past with all the things that she had been through; now she was getting so much attention from this man. She was a widower and foreigner in this land, away from her people. She was not even a virgin because she was once married, neither was she Jewish, so her chances of marrying this man were very slim. The odds were not in her favor according to the order of the day. She was a servant working in the field. Her past was telling her she was not worthy of such a man. She might have been thinking she did not deserve all this attention. You too might have endured a bad marriage or been in a very difficult relationship that you had to walk away from. Your experience may be the reason why you are where you are now; or maybe it was nothing you did that caused you to go through what you went through. Nevertheless your past often stands out as a reminder of how unfortunate you are. You may be thinking, like Ruth, that you don’t deserve all the attention that you are getting now, that he is too kind to you and you don’t deserve it. I want to challenge you to understand that God knows your heart; it is time to let go of the past so you can embrace what God has in store for your future. Boaz did not look on Ruth’s past; he already knew who she was and what she had been through. Yet he looked beyond all that and saw the beauty within her. He fell in love with Ruth and asked her for her hand in marriage.

Here is the fascinating point of this story. Ruth was not focusing on being married to anyone nor was she concerned whether or not someone would find her attractive. All of her energy and focus was on getting to know the God Naomi served. Ruth found her prince charming in a place where no one thought she would. She found her Boaz without even looking for him. I am most certain that there were other beautiful woman there that Boaz could have chosen, but he chose Ruth. What God has for you is for you, and no one can claim what is rightfully yours. She could have returned to her own country and married anyone for the sake of not wanting to be alone, but she decided to take up residency in a place far from her homeland. It was God’s plan. Boaz and Ruth got married and soon had a son named Obed. Naomi’s misfortune turned to joy as she became a grandmother.

Your Boaz is coming; he might not be the one you are looking at right now, and he might be in a place where you did not even think you would find true love. God has a very unique sense of humor. His ways are far above our ways, and He exceeds our expectations. He never makes a mistake. Just don’t settle for Mr. Bozo when God has a Boaz waiting for you. The moment he lays eyes on you, he will know you are the one.

It is very frustrating to have high expectations for something and not have it come true. I think we can all relate to this statement, but it is magnified when it is in correlation to relationships. Both men and women know what they want in a relationship, yet they often settle for a partner who does not fit what they were looking for. It takes patience and faith to wait on God, especially for what your heart truly desires. You have to put your trust and faith in Him and believe He will give you the desires of your heart. You must know the plan that God has for you. When God created you, He already knew your future, so don’t lose faith. Trust in Him. What most people do out of frustration and desperation is substitute Mr. Right for Mr. Right Now and Mrs. Right for Mrs. Right Now. You should not have to settle. To get the best that God has to offer, you have to wait for it. It may be delayed, but I can assure you it will not be denied.