Zakar

Boaz: What A Zakar Man Looks Like

“Boaz was a man of noble character.” Ruth 2:1

And that is a hugely important point because he lived in the time of the judges when the people had no king, no spiritual leader, and everyone did as they saw fit; or essentially everyone did whatever they wanted and became their own gods. Honestly, this sounds a lot like the culture we find ourselves in. So to have a man of noble character who takes his faith seriously makes Boaz a standout character in the Bible!

Boaz is a landowner and farmer. He has workers under him. And when he goes out to them as their overseer, he blesses them: ““The LORD be with you!” “The LORD bless you!” they answered” (Ruth 2:4). Boaz uses YHWH, the personal name for God that was given to Moses in Exodus 3 to bless his workers! He has a personal relationship with God and leads his business accordingly.

Then Boaz notices a foreign woman working in his field and inquires about her! It is the Moabite (foreign) widow Ruth that came home with Naomi! Boaz goes out to her and tells Ruth to stay in his field to glean or collect grain. Boaz welcomes her to drink from his wells and invites her to be under his protection. He tells his works to not let anyone harm her. As a foreign widow her safety was in serious jeopardy! And he gives her extra food to take home. Boaz provides and protects for this vulnerable woman. And even when she comes to him alone at night all dressed up, he acts with integrity and does not take advantage of her.

Then, when Ruth asks that he redeem her family, he promises to do it ASAP. First thing in the morning Boaz goes to the city gates where all the civic business takes place, and Boaz buys Naomi’s family property, which requires him to marry Ruth, which he does gladly! In ancient Israel this was the role of a kinsman redeemer. Boaz a man of good standing in the community who loves YHWH sacrificially spends to redeem this woman to bring her under his protection and provision. And the LORD blesses their union. Their son Obed is the grandfather to King David whose line eventually produces Jesus the promised Messiah and Redeemer of the whole World!

  • How does Boaz represent a Zakar man well? (Zakar means (1) to remember with an action of loyalty, and (2) a man who is responsible for his family, and for civic and religious duties).
  • Boaz is a protector, a generous provider, humble and willing to serve a widow, faithful to do the right thing! How are these masculine traits? What are other godly masculine characteristics?
  • Are there any steps you could take in your life to become a kind of man like Boaz, a man of good standing and noble character?