1 Tim 5:2 Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

Boaz lived out this scripture even before it was written. He treated Naomi as his own mother and Ruth with purity. He was a man that even vulnerable woman could trust. We live in a world that takes advantage of those who are defenseless but Boaz went above and beyond in treating people with honor and respect.

1) Boaz - a man worthy of emulation.

He was the kind of man we would want our daughters to marry and the kind of man we would want our sons-in-law to imitate.

Ruth 2:8-9
8 So Boaz said to Ruth, "My daughter, listen to me. Don't go and glean in another field and don't go away from here. Stay here with my servant girls.
9 Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the girls. I have told the men not to touch you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled."

Boaz asked about Ruth and found out she was a hard working woman who had stood by her mother-in-law.Knowing she must be afraid, he put her at ease and referred to her with a term of endearment -'My daughter". This established the boundaries for the relationship at that point.

Through his words he made her feel:
a. Secure -stay here and work alongside the other women.
b. Protected - from the other men - he may have had his doubts about the, men but let it be known that they were not to lay a hand on her.
c. Respected - by thinking of details and giving her specific direction on what to do if she felt thirsty.

Ruth 2:22-23
22 Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, "It will be good for you, my daughter, to go with his girls, because in someone else's field you might be harmed."
23 So Ruth stayed close to the servant girls of Boaz to glean until the barley and wheat harvests were finished. And she lived with her mother-in-law.

Naomi realized Boaz was a good man, who honored his responsibilities. She was grateful and urged Ruth to follow Boaz's advice of staying close to the women. Reflect: What must I do to imitate the spirit and heart of Boaz?

2) Boaz - His life matched his doctrine

Ruth 3:7-13
7 When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down.
8 In the middle of the night something startled the man, and he turned and discovered a woman lying at his feet.
9 "Who are you?" he asked. "I am your servant Ruth," she said. "Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer."
10 "The LORD bless you, my daughter," he replied. "This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.
11 And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character.
12 Although it is true that I am near of kin, there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I.
13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to redeem, good; let him redeem. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. Lie here until morning."

It is night and Boaz discovers Ruth lying down near his feet. He commends her for not running after the younger men and refers to her as a woman of noble character. In keeping with his words he continued to maintain a boundary.

What does this say about Boaz?
a. He was consistent in his conviction.
b. He did not let circumstances dictate or use them as an excuse to compromise.
c. He knew Naomi and Ruth were struggling and blessed her with six measures of barley.

His righteousness would have strengthened their faith in the God who cares for widows.

Ruth 4:13-16
13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. Then he went to her, and the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.
14 The women said to Naomi: "Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel!
15 He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth."
16 Then Naomi took the child, laid him in her lap and cared for him.

At the start of the book Naomi is desolate. As the end draws near, Naomi is holding a child in her arms. The women noticed and praised God for Boaz and the new baby - Obed. This was no ordinary son. Through Obed we see Jesus come into this earth.

Reflect: How can my example influence and impact people in a similar manner?