Today’s Passage: Ruth 4:7-10

The 1967 song, “The Look of Love”, begins with these words- “The look of love is in your eyes, a look your smile can’t disguise”. 

As a pastor, I have had lovebirds of all ages sit with me as part of pre-marital counseling. We’ve all seen it, that “look of love”. 

Today, Boaz, who we might think is someone simply keeping the Law, is sitting at the city gate. I am wondering, does he have that “look of love”?

I do think he is a lovebird. Here’s why.

In the Book of Ruth there are some tidbits around this process of marrying your brother’s widow. It is technically called a levirate-marriage. Donald Atkinson in The Bible Speaks Todaynotes that “This levirate duty did not always imply full marriage. In the case of Judah and Tamar there was no marriage”. (p.115).

What that tidbit points out is that Boaz is apparently not required to marry Ruth.  Yet, he has time and again been going beyond the letter of the Law. Now, he immediatelydeclares he will marry her. Boaz loves Ruth!

There is much we do not know about Boaz and Ruth. There are some indications there is an age difference, but we don’t know much. We don’t know how many other conversations they may have had over the course of the harvest. We could make a list of things we might be curious about regarding their relationship.

What we do know is that Boaz loves Ruth. 

The scene at the city gate is not one of a candlelight dinner with roses and violins, it does nonetheless have that look of love. 

This “look of love” has many “looks”. We see it when wedding vows are exchanged. We see it when a parent holds their newborn child. Yet, we must be careful not to only see it in moments that, while sweet, are sentimental.

The “look of love” is found at hospitals. It is found at funerals. It is found in the classroom and in the workroom. Yet, beyond episodes and events, we see this “look” elsewhere. 

Consider Boaz’ determination. It culminates at the city gate. Yet, his determination has been on display for some time. Consider Ruth’s steadfastness, and even longsuffering. This behavior is how we know of Ruth’s great love for Naomi.

Consider Jesus, though he was in the form of God…Philippians 2:5-9.

What people in your life have demonstrated this “look of love” to you? Thank God for them. How might you be demonstrating the same for others?