A wealthy landowner spotted a young woman in one of his fields. Not an uncommon sight. Yet what he did turned something common into one of history's greatest stories.
The woman was a foreigner, the widowed daughter-in-law of a woman who returned to her dead husband's hometown to survive. Two widows, broke, penniless, grubbing for anything to eat.
The landowner, Boaz, had money. He had influence. He had reputation. The young widow, Ruth, was a poor, vulnerable, exposed immigrant. Desperate, she went to
Boaz's field to follow his workers, picking up scraps to help her and her mother-in-law survive one more day.
One day, Ruth met Boaz in his barn. For Boaz, it was opportunity. He had privacy. He had power. He saw the easy road. The common road. The road of appetite. He could use Ruth like a hand towel—use her, wipe his hands, throw her away.
But Boaz was not like other men. Boaz's identity was not just being male. Boaz was a real man.
A weak man would have seen Ruth as someone to use. Boaz saw her as someone to help.
Boaz chose honor. He chose the hard road because the hard road was the holy road.
He protected Ruth's reputation. He guarded her dignity. He blessed her courage.
Then he went to the city gate and publicly, legally, and righteously, covered her with his name, with his position.
Boaz acted with excellent character. Excellence is doing what is right in God's sight.
Mediocrity is doing what is expedient to the flesh.
“But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness… see that you excel in this act of grace also.” 2 Corinthians 8:7 ESV
Boaz went against what was common to produce what was excellent.
He did not allow culture to define him or create his conduct.
He did not allow opportunity to corrupt his character.
He did not allow Ruth's vulnerability to influence his flesh.
He stayed true to his faith in God.
He was willing to endure ridicule to do what God would bless.
And his decision changed history.
Boaz married Ruth, who became the great-grandmother of King David, from whose lineage came Jesus. One small decision—huge generational impact.
One choice for honor that echoes through the ages.
Maybe you're watching your fields ... perhaps in your own barn, and temptation is hitting strong. Maybe the decision seems difficult. Maybe compromise looks easy.
Maybe the common road is appealing. Maybe the honorable road feels lonely.
Honor takes courage, obedience under pressure.
Choose honor.
My dad taught, "A man who honors God privately will show it by making good decisions publicly." Honor is the naturally ordered result of spiritual courage.
Boaz chose honor. Boaz acted with courage. Boaz decided to do right. God built a legacy through him.
Choose the road of honor. That is where real men walk. That's how men leave a legacy.
Your brother and ally,
Paul Louis Cole
