THE PERFECT COUPLE

So now, my daughter, do not fear. All that you say, I will do for you; for all my people within the gates of the city know that you are a woman of excellence. Ruth 3:11

There is an old saying about couples, “Opposites attract.” This seems to be especially true for Boaz and Ruth. They were about as opposite as can be. Boaz was rich; Ruth was poor. Boaz seems to have never been married; Ruth was widowed. Boaz grew up in Israel; Ruth grew up in Moab. Boaz grew up serving Yahweh; Ruth had grown up worshipping the Moabite gods. So how is it possible that these two different people could have fallen in love?

Let me offer two thoughts. First, they could love each other because they both had surrendered their lives to God and His Word. My wife and I have determined that in our marriage we each want to “magnify Yahweh with me and let us exalt His name together” (Psalm 34:3). We have a united goal in life - to glorify God together. We believe that we can more effectively accomplish this by living together instead of living independently. Boaz and Ruth had that same commitment to love God together.

Secondly, Boaz and Ruth were mature beyond their years. Boaz shows this through his willingness to not marry Ruth should the closer relative decide he wanted to. (v. 12) - How many of you would be willing to lose your fiancée if a law which nowhere else in Scripture was practiced prevented it? Ruth, in turn, showed her maturity by accepting Boaz' decision. The point is clear. True love always does what is right even if it means waiting. Yes, they were different. But when it came to their maturity in keeping their commitment to God, they were united.

Philip Moeller