Meat for the Hungry

“And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.” (Ruth 2:1 KJV) Boaz, whose name means in him is strength, was a kinsman or relative of Elimelech, connected by blood, marriage, or origin. However, in describing Boaz, God uses the Hebrew word chayil, pronounced khah’yil and translated wealth. Strong’s gives the probable definition of chayil as a force, whether of men, means, or other resources and the King James Version portrays Boaz as a mighty man of wealth. This indicates Boaz had not only money, but power and great respect in Bethlehem.

Ruth 1:1 :   “Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land…” Think for a moment about what you would do as a farmer, a husband, and a father of two ailing sons, when no rain has fallen for a year or more. You have a good size field, but crops don’t grow without rain. Irrigation would be an alternative if water weren’t so scarce. You’ve sold everything of value except your field. But, even if it were to rain this moment, it would take months for crops to grow. How did drought and famine happen in a place whose names literally mean “House of Bread and Praise”? Moreover, how can you let your children and wife die of starvation? Today you take your final trip to town where you will fight the crowds and use the little money you have left to buy a meager food ration. Still, this will last only a short time and then what. What would you do?