“Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.” “Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.” “I hope I continue to please you, sir,” she replied. “You have comforted me by speaking so kindly to me, even though I am not one of your workers.””
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Ruth‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT

Boaz is an interesting man. Being that he was a rich man of means, you would think he would be depicted as someone aloof and removed. Yet here we see that with his riches and his authority, he gives to Ruth something more important than money. He blesses her with kindness. This kindness doesn’t come in the form of a job. He certainly could’ve offered her that. He doesn’t give her equity. Instead, he treats her well at her station. He gives her security to live her station well. From his response to Ruth’s reaction to his security, we can see that this wasn’t a simple moral motion. It was an instinct, so much as it was a discipline. Boaz had honed his power and position as an instrument with which to live out his character. In this case, he was empathetic. Instead of seeing Ruth as a foreigner and godless woman, he viewed her as a struggling person, willing to make sacrifices among God’s land and people. He gave her the humanity that is often stripped from people in her position. This is an important picture of how we ought to use power and position. The spirit of the age is to remove these things completely. But the biblical model is to hone them into useful tools for Gods work toward loving each other. Would that we could all be like Boaz.

Boaz’s Character: A rich and powerful man who uses his position to bless others with kindness and empathy.

Boaz’s Kindness: Provides Ruth with security and treats her well, recognizing her struggles and humanity.

Power and Position: Biblical model suggests honing power and position as tools for loving others, contrasting with the modern tendency to remove them.