It is exciting to learn about this mixed marriage between an Israelite man and an Arab woman which produced a family of Kings. Meeting Boaz must have been a challenge! Here we learn about a wealthy bachelor, an in-law who was surprisingly competent to become the head of household. Without knowing it at the time, he would later be forever grateful to God for a new family.
It was late one night in Bethlehem; the wealthy Boaz was sleeping near his barley fields during harvest time. To his surprise, he woke up to find a widow under the covers at his feet. It was Ruth, freshly bathed and dressed in her best clothing. This was part of her mother-in-law’s plans and acceptable Jewish custom to remarry a widow to a kinsman-redeemer. The family tree grew through Boaz who admired Ruth and helped her survive. They later married and became the parents of Obed, the father of Jesse and grandfather of King David. Solomon, the wisest man on Earth followed and much later Jesus Christ appeared as the King of Kings.
God helps us to create or maintain a family lifestyle despite inheritable inconveniences. We can always trust God to provide for our needs and to show us great things that we never imagined possible! How can this happen? There is safety in following His word when countless problems face us. Trust God, obey and wait on Him as our redeemer. As we celebrate this Father’s Day let us thank God for the indescribable gift of love from the fatherly men in our lives.
Happy Father’s Day!
Mrs. Gladys McElmore, a resident of Norfolk’s Middle Town Arch Community, is a New Journal and Guide Freelance Contributor on religion. She is a native of Essex County, Va.