OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTER SKETCH BIBLE STUDY TEMPLATE

For this assignment, you will be studying the life of one of the characters from Courageous Faith. You will use a template developed from Chapter 36 of Everyday Bible Study in order to complete this character-sketch Bible study. You will seek to discover what can be learned from the character you have selected when we purposefully study his or her life using the technique of observation, interpretation, correlation, and application.

I. Observation of old Testament Character Sketch Bible Study Template

Step One: Choose a person to study.

            For this character-sketch Bible study I will be studying: Boaz

 Step Two: Identify and list all the Bible passages on the person. You may find it helpful to use a Bible dictionary, Bible handbook, or a study Bible. Remember that some Old Testament characters are mentioned in the New Testament. 

All the Bible passages about Boaz (Youngblood, Bruce and Harrison):

·         Luke 3:32 

·         Matthew 1:5

·         1 Kings 7:21

·         Chronicles-1 2:11

·         Chronicles-1 2:12

·         Chronicles-2 3:17

·         Ruth 2:1

·         Ruth 2:3

·         Ruth 2:4

·         Ruth 2:5

·         Ruth 2:8

·         Ruth 2:11

·         Ruth 2:14

·         Ruth 2:15

·         Ruth 2:19

·         Ruth 2:23

·         Ruth 3:2

·         Ruth 3:7

·         Ruth 4:1

·         Ruth 4:5

·         Ruth 4:8

·         Ruth 4:9

·         Ruth 4:13

·         Ruth 4:21

 Step Three: Read through each passage, making general observations based on first impressions. List (in complete sentences) at least 10 general observations from the Bible passages on your character.

1.      Boaz was a wealth mighty man and came from the Elimelech family, even though he was wealthy, but he was not materialistic or selfish (Ruth 2:1).

2.      Boaz came from Bethlehem, and he is the guardian of his family (Ruth 2:4).

3.      Boaz gives the command to his young men, a hard-working, and a strong man as well (Ruth 2:15).

4.      Boaz has honest morals, kind, and sympathetic (Ruth 3:7).

5.      Boaz was the husband of Ruth (Ruth 4:13).

6.      Boaz was the son of Salmon and Rahab (Matthew 1:5).

7.      Boaz was the father of Obed (Luke 3:32).

8.      Boaz was the pillar on the north, and he has close relations with God (1 Kings 7:21).

9.      Boaz was Naomi’s late husband (Matthew 1:5).

10.  Boaz revives the family of Elimelech by marrying Ruth (Ruth 4:9).

Step Four: Ask the key questions and observe other structural or grammatical elements.

Observations related to “Who?”

Boaz was the son of Rachab and Salmon and known as a wealthy man in Bethlehem. He was also belongs to the Elimelech family, and he was the husband of late Naomi. Later on, he paid attention to Ruth, which was Naomi's widowed daughter in law. Ruth was pick up grain in his fields. Boaz learned about the complicated situations in her family and also the loyalty of Ruth to Naomi. As a result of this, Boaz started to keep a caring eye on her which made Ruth approached and ask him to marry her. Boaz agreed with that, and by marrying Ruth, he recovers the lineage of Elimelech as well as secured the patrimony to Naomi’s family. From his marriage with Ruth, Boaz gains a son named with Obed.

Boaz was also known as the prince of the people at that time; he individually managed the grain's threshing on his field. The approaching together of Boaz and Ruth is considered as a result of God’s prudence. Boaz was defined to be superior to his town and people. The role that described him in the story is as a kinsman-redeemer. And by acting as a kinsman redeemer intended for the Elimelech family, Boaz is considered as a resemble type of God (Douglas and Tenney 223).

Observations related to “What?”

What Boaz said to the elders, and also to the entire people? Ye [are] witnesses this day that I have bought all that [was] Elimelech's, and all that [was] Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi (Ruth 4:9.)

What actually did God want to show from Boaz? God has shown the redemption by the picture of Boaz by being a kinsman redeemer for the Elimelech family (Longman 551).

 Observations related to “Where?”

The observations related to “Where?” is where Boaz meet Ruth? And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on the part of the field [belonging] unto Boaz, who [was] of the kindred of Elimelech (Ruth 2:3).

Boaz met Ruth when she was gleaning grain in his field in Bethlehem. 

Observations related to “When?” 

When was Boaz born into the world? Boaz was born into the world in 1380 and turned out to become a wealthy and successful man who always has a close relation and communicate with God.

When did Boaz marry Ruth? Boaz married Ruth at 1283 after he got interested in her when he found her pick up the grain on his fields. The marriage was stimulated by the approach of Ruth to Boaz which asked him to marry her.

When was Obed born into the world? Obed was the son from the marriage between Boaz and Ruth. He was born in 1213, and he was the grandfather of David. David would be the person where Jesus will descend on him (Watson 121).

Observations related to “Why?”

I believe that the reason which made the story of Boaz and Ruth in the Bible is to show us the actual example of a kinsman redeemer then we will able to get a proper understanding about the image of Jesus for the humanity. And I also believe that God wants the human to see the union of Boaz and Ruth as a real example of how God really pays attention, loves, as well as he redeems every single human being, especially the ones who have the feel as though life has wasted the entire promise and purpose as well (Brand, Mitchell and Staff 1393).

Step Five: Construct a timeline that details the life of your Bible personality.

Boaz was born in 1380 from the parents Salmon and Rachab. He also is known as a wealthy man in Bethlehem and he was a member of Alimelech family who had shifted to Moab with his wife Naomi along with his two sons who eventually died in Moab. Boaz met Ruth who was a widowed daughter in law of Naomi, when she was picking up the grains in his fields. He has interest in her then decided to marry her in 1283. From Ruth, Boaz has a son named with Obed who was born in 1213 and will be the lineage of Jesus since Obed was the grandfather of David, and David will be the person where Jesus descends on.

II. Interpretation of old Testament Character Sketch Bible Study Template

Step Six: Determine what Biblical wisdom can be gained from this character. Carefully look through your general observations based on your first impressions, your deeper study, and your timeline. What biblical wisdom can you gather about your character? Write out five elements of Biblical wisdom that can be understood from your character. Provide a concise explanation of each of these elements.

A.    Boaz has shown the good manners of a real gentleman. This was proven from his gentle and caring behaviour for the unfortunate gleaner, and how gentle he was when dealing with Ruth when she requested for his protection. The spirit of a real gentleman as the good manners and caring of God.

B.     Boaz showed how she accepted Ruth while he could have rejected her if we consider that Ruth was a Moabite. With this way, Boaz has resembled God which shows poise to anyone who decides to follow His way.

C.     Boaz showed how he is responsive to the people who have trusted him. This wasproven when Ruth put herself under the protection of Boaz. This manner resembles on the manner of God who always opens his arms for anyone who trusts on Him.

D.    The story of Boaz has presented us that God always keeps his promise to the humans who are true to Him in the situation where all the people have rejected him.

E.     Boaz has proved his loyalty to his duty which has given by God. This shown on how he accepted Ruth and made himself responsible for all the matters that was convoluted in the justification of her rights.

III. Correlation of old Testament Character Sketch Bible Study Template

Step Seven: Ask, “How does this character’s life reflect other truths found in the Scriptures?” List and explain three truths from this person’s life that fit within all of the Bible. Your explanation must note how these truths fit the framework of God’s Word. 

A.    The truth that there is no race on human beings. This was proven on how Boaz which came from Israelite could gather with Ruth who was a Moabite with the help of God. Therefore, human beings should not classify and separated themselves with races among them 

B.     The truth about sin and restoration. This was proven when Elimelech has left his family in Bethlehem and God plans Boaz to redeem Naomi and Ruth in order to secure the lineage of Elimelech.

C.     The trust of God and all His plans. Boaz has trusted his life to God, and God has blessed him with made him a wealthy man and also blessed him with Ruth which will make him become a kinsman redeemer and a part of the lineage of Jesus.

Step Eight: Ask, “How does this character’s life point me to Jesus?” List and explain 3 ways the life of your character can point to the person and work of Jesus Christ.

A.    The life and lineage of Boaz lead to the life of Jesus Christ due to Boaz’son Obed was the grandfather of David, and God promises that Jesus would descend from David.

B.     By being Ruth’s kinsman redeemer, Boaz redeems the lineage of Ruth. This is the same case as Jesus redeems the entire human beings with died on the cross.

C.     Boaz was willing to pay the price for Ruth without anyone forced him. This is the same way how Jesus Christ has the willingness to die on the cross for the human’s sins.

IV. Application of old Testament Character Sketch Bible Study Template

Step Nine: What points of application can be made using the Four Common Questions? List and explain 1 point of application for each of the Four Common Questions. 

A. The question of duty

Boaz has the feeling that God has settled his duty to become the protector and also the kinsman redeemer of Ruth. And he was able to fulfil his duty to protect Ruth with became her kinsman redeemer. Boaz showed his highest prise by attempted not to take any advantage from Ruth as he did not disregard her as an unfortunate and fulfilled his duty to become her protector and redeemer.

B. The question of character

The character of Boaz could be defined as a noble person along with the integrity inside him. This is proven by how he was offering the kinsman rather than his own choice to make clear

about his exclusive privileges to redeem the land which was belong to Elimelech that would include his two wives, Naomi and Ruth. And he also has proven himself as a real kinsman redeemer by marrying Ruth.

C. The question of cause 

Boaz was made it to endure his lineage as well as the lineage of Ruth by marrying her and from that marriage, Ruth gave birth to Obed which was the grandfather of David into this world. This situation has proven how Boaz has fulfilled what was became the plan of God and his duty which God has made for his life which is to become the part of the lineage of Jesus into this world 

D.    The question of discernment 

Boaz was made it to discern throughout the loyalty of Ruth along with the promise which has been made by Ruth to Naomi before, which proved that she was really worth to be redeemed and also protected as well. It was evident to Boaz’s discerning eye. In Ruth 2: 12, he activates within the essence of discernment of her correlation with God at the time when he told her about her relationship with the Lord which described as,“under whose wings thou art come to trust.” (Krstovic 1003)

  References of Work Cited of old Testament Character Sketch Bible Study Template