#36

“I will give you treasures of darkness and hidden riches of the Secret Place, that you may know that I, the Lord, Who calls you by your name, am the God of Israel.”  Isaiah 45:3

“The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied…”All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character.”  Ruth 3:10a,11b

“A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
And lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
All the days of her life.
A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned,
And let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”  Proverbs 31:10-12,30b-31

Let’s remember who Boaz is:  he is a very successful farmer and shrewd businessman; he is wealthy; he has risen above his circumstances (being born from a prostitute) to become well-respected in the city; he is kind to his fellow townspeople, as well as to his servants; he is a generous man; he strives to do the right thing and do it expediently; he is a sensitive man; he is a man of his word; he is responsible and full of integrity; he is a man of noble character; and he is Naomi and Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer.

Boaz is also a middle-age bachelor, and I would just imagine he would have been quite a catch for any of the local girls.  Looking through that list of qualities, who wouldn’t want a spouse like him?  However, in a society where marrying in the teen years was the norm, he had never found the right one. 

Until Ruth…he had given her a job and throughout the time she had worked for him, he definitely had taken notice.  I am sure Ruth was beautiful to behold, and Boaz had heard his fellow townsmen talk at the local gathering place—the city gate…and word was she was a woman of noble character. 

Noble:  Possessing high moral qualities; Possessing outstanding qualities of Army strength.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…”  Proverbs 1:7a ---And abundant life follows wisdom.  “Hard work, respect for spouse, foresight, encouragement, care for others, concern for the poor, and wisdom for handling money.  These qualities, when coupled with the fear of God, lead to enjoyment, success, honor and worth.”  NIV Life Application Study Bible

“…the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the Word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”  Luke 8:15
These qualities lead to a great life.  These qualities lead to a blessed life.  These qualities lead to a favored life.  These qualities lead to an abundant life. 

“…he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”  2 Timothy 2:21b

The Lord bless you…because all of your fellow townspeople know you are of noble character.