Daily Devotional

“There was a relative of Naomi’s husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech. His name was Boaz” (Ruth 2:1). 

It’s been a staple of Hollywood movies, British theatrical comedies, and more than a few television series: A rich widower, preferably with young children, hires a nanny with whom he falls in love, marries, and they live “happily ever after,” as the fairy tale sentence goes. The story is even better when the widower starts out as a gruff, preoccupied man who comes to value the nanny for the way she deals with the kids, then finds himself being more considerate and family oriented in the process. 

That’s not the story of Boaz, of course—Ruth was married to the son of Naomi, a distant relative of his—but perhaps you can get the sense of how transforming Boaz’s kindnesses were. Here were two people, Naomi and Ruth, who were utterly destitute, during a time of famine. Naomi’s other daughter-in-law gave up and returned to her people, but Ruth affirmed that having married Naomi’s son, she would remain loyal to his family and his mother. 

Still, there was way too much “month left over” at the end of the money for the pair. Ruth was dispatched to essentially beg for food—picking up the leftovers that fell to the ground in Boaz’s fields. It was tough work and more than a little humbling. Anyone who saw you knew why you were there. And picking up grain didn’t make for a varied diet. 

Boaz noticed Ruth, was increasingly kind to her, and took on the role of “kinsman redeemer,” purchasing the family’s land and ensuring that the name of Mahlon, Ruth’s deceased husband, would continue. From their marriage came Jesse, father of David, and, ultimately, Jesus. 

One act of kindness on Boaz’s part had eternal consequences. You might not be called upon to marry someone who’s destitute, but what could you do today to help another person who is in need? 

Loving Father, make me an instrument of aid and comfort where I can do so.