Authentic Manhood預覽

The Accidental Legacy

Over this last week, we have looked at different stereotypes of authentic manhood, but we started by looking at one specific man: Boaz.

Boaz is a wonderful man to follow. The only glimpse we get of his life is in the three chapters in which he appears in the book of Ruth. By this time, he was a successful businessman, an eligible bachelor, and was well-known and respected by the people of Bethlehem. But it’s his character that comes through in this story.

Boaz:

·Blessed his workers (Ruth 2:4).

·Protected Ruth when she was a stranger (Ruth 2:8-9).

·Defended Ruth in front of the other men (Ruth 2:15-16).

·Spoke into Ruth’s character (Ruth 3:11).

·Honored his family lineage (Ruth 3:12).

·Honored the customs of his people (Ruth 4:1-10).

And how do the people respond to him?

·His workers bless him (Ruth 2:4).

·Naomi is excited to hear his name and feels hope for the first time in a long while (Ruth 2:20).

·Naomi trusts him with Ruth (Ruth 2:22).

·He gets his future mother-in-law’s blessing (Ruth 3:1-4).

·The elders of Bethlehem bless him and his family (Ruth 4:11-12).

Not bad for a guy who we know little about. But there is one other piece of his story we know.

In Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus Christ, Boaz is listed as the son of Salmon, who was married to Rahab (Matthew 1:5). That’s right! Boaz’s mother was Rahab, an outsider who didn’t fit in, but somehow, Salmon met her, loved her, and married her. I guess it’s not surprising how Boaz turned out, as the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.

While we are looking at Boaz, we also need to see Salmon and how being a man of authenticity means passing on the right things to the next generation. Salmon did this, not knowing it would lead to Boaz, Ruth, and eventually the Messiah.

So, whether it’s your kid, grandkid, step-kid, neighbor kid, church kid, or any other kid in your life, what legacy are you passing on to the next generation?

Because a man of authenticity builds something good that will outlast even him.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for having a plan for me and my family. Help me to be a man who passes Your good on to the next generation. Amen.

Reflection: As you take stock of how you’ve grown as a man, what aspects and characteristics do you want to pass on to the next generation? Now, go do that!

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