Ruth Chapter 3: Verse 11 (NIV-UK)
And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.
John Chapter 1: verse 12(NIV-UK)
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
Boaz’ description of Ruth as a “woman of noble character” got me thinking. It’s perhaps a more old-fashioned description that might not be used in today’s modern language. But having looked up some dictionary definitions and also some bible concordances, I have come to the conclusion that it’s a description that we should aspire to, if we are seeking to be followers and ambassadors of Jesus.
Oxford dictionary references list two different definitions for the word “noble” as an adjective –
- belonging by rank, title, or birth to the aristocracy.
- having or showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles.
People might think perhaps that in the context of the description in Ruth, that the first one about rank, title and aristocracy is irrelevant. I think not. Ruth’s marriage to Boaz meant that she became the grandmother of David, Israel’s famous King. And as for us as followers of Jesus – we have been given the right to become children of God, which in my view is the highest rank we can aspire to. But if the first option fits, then we must also aspire to reflect the qualities of Christ and thus fit the second description.
That does not mean that being of noble character makes us weak or soft, or someone that can be taken advantage of. I think that it means exactly the opposite. Proverbs chapter 31 describes a “wife of noble character” as being strong, wise, entrepreneurial, hardworking, dignified, respectful, faithful and fair. A pretty amazing list I would say, which need not be solely the characteristics of a godly wife. I would suggest this describes the qualities of any Christian who seeks to emulate the example set by Jesus Himself. Food for thought indeed.
Dear Lord,
Ruth was given the honour of being part of the ancestry of David, and ultimately Jesus Himself. I know that I cannot aspire to such characteristics solely on my own strength but I ask that You would continue to work in me so that I can reflect the character of Jesus Himself as befits a child of God. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.