Let's talk a little today about what makes a "gentleman". Thackeray puts it pretty eloquently in Vanity Fair:
"Perhaps [gentlemen] are rarer personages than some of us think for. Which of us can point out many such in his circle--men whose aims are generous, whose truth is constant, and not only constant in its kind, but elevated in its degree; whose want of meanness makes them simple: who can look the world honestly in the face with an equal manly sympathy for the great and the small? We all know a hundred whose coats are very well made, and a score who have excellent manners, and one or two happy beings who are what they call, in the inner circles, and have shot into the very centre and bull's-eye of the fashion; but of gentlemen how many?"
From chapter 62 ("Am Rhein") page 613-614.
I have been very blessed in this life to have a true gentleman for a father and now a true gentleman for a husband.
From the time I was born, this man has cared for my physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. He taught me to be respectful to all people and to never tolerate disrespect from men. He has always told me that I'm beautiful, and he took me on lots of dates to teach me what to expect from a man and to never accept anything less than that. Most importantly, he introduced me to Christ and taught me God's Word from the time I was very small. My dad has been the most consistent person in my life. I have never heard him preach something from the pulpit that he does not live out daily in his personal life. I cannot possibly thank God enough that this man is my father.
Ruth is one of the shortest books in the Bible, but I think it contains the story of one of the most noble gentlemen in history. This man Boaz took care of Ruth, a poor, widowed, foreigner, with no thought of himself or what he might gain by providing for her. Then, when Ruth actually came to him to ask for his aid, he did not rest until he was able to meet her request. This is a beautiful love story, and I would encourage you to read it. It's very short and you could finish it in less than half an hour. I'm so thankful for God's Word and how it has power and authority to instruct me in every area of life. Ultimately, my father could teach me what to expect from a man because he learned it from God's Word. My husband knows how to treat me in a way that glorifies God because he learned it from God's Word. What an indescribable gift!
Have you read the book of Ruth? Who do you think are some of the greatest Biblical or historical gentlemen? Do you have true gentlemen in your life?
I have been very blessed in this life to have a true gentleman for a father and now a true gentleman for a husband.
From the time I was born, this man has cared for my physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. He taught me to be respectful to all people and to never tolerate disrespect from men. He has always told me that I'm beautiful, and he took me on lots of dates to teach me what to expect from a man and to never accept anything less than that. Most importantly, he introduced me to Christ and taught me God's Word from the time I was very small. My dad has been the most consistent person in my life. I have never heard him preach something from the pulpit that he does not live out daily in his personal life. I cannot possibly thank God enough that this man is my father.
Almost 3 years ago now, I married this man. He is now the one caring for my physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Throughout our marriage, he has displayed every aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit toward me consistently and lovingly. Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Gentleness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Self-Control. This man never fails to point me back to Christ and the Scriptures. This man never fails to tell me I'm beautiful. And this man never fails to hold me when I cry. I am so thankful that I waited for Cody, and I cannot begin to thank God enough that this man is my husband.
I was reading Ruth yesterday and this topic of gentlemen came to my mind when I read this verse about Boaz:
"Then [Naomi] said, 'Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today.'"Ruth 3:18 (NASB)
Ruth is one of the shortest books in the Bible, but I think it contains the story of one of the most noble gentlemen in history. This man Boaz took care of Ruth, a poor, widowed, foreigner, with no thought of himself or what he might gain by providing for her. Then, when Ruth actually came to him to ask for his aid, he did not rest until he was able to meet her request. This is a beautiful love story, and I would encourage you to read it. It's very short and you could finish it in less than half an hour. I'm so thankful for God's Word and how it has power and authority to instruct me in every area of life. Ultimately, my father could teach me what to expect from a man because he learned it from God's Word. My husband knows how to treat me in a way that glorifies God because he learned it from God's Word. What an indescribable gift!
Have you read the book of Ruth? Who do you think are some of the greatest Biblical or historical gentlemen? Do you have true gentlemen in your life?
We are studying the book of Ruth in our Bible study at work! I love that story for so many reasons. Boaz is truly the hero and the gentleman. I also admire Ruth because of Boaz' statement: "all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence." Ruth 3:11
ReplyDeleteYeah, what a blessing Ruth was to Naomi. She was so faithful to her. Several years ago I read somewhere that based off Ruth 1:18 ("When [Naomi] saw that [Ruth] was determined to go with her, she said no more to her."), some scholars think that Naomi literally stopped speaking to Ruth on their journey back to Bethlehem. As in, gave her the silent treatment. If that's true, it makes me admire Ruth even more for sticking with her. Have you discussed that possible aspect in your study?
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