Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon with Boaz from the Bible

The popular game "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" is a fun way to connect any Hollywood actor to Kevin Bacon within six steps. But what about connecting a biblical character to Kevin Bacon? Let’s try it with Boaz, one of the main characters in the book of Ruth.

Step 1: Boaz and Ruth
Boaz is a wealthy landowner who takes notice of Ruth, a young widow who is gleaning in his fields. According to Jewish tradition, Boaz and Ruth were married and became the great-grandparents of King David.

Step 2: King David and Bathsheba
King David, the famous ruler of Israel, is a descendant of Boaz and Ruth. But David’s story takes a scandalous turn when he sees Bathsheba bathing on a rooftop and becomes infatuated with her. He arranges for her husband to be killed and takes Bathsheba as his own wife.

Step 3: Bathsheba and Solomon
Bathsheba later gives birth to Solomon, who becomes one of the wisest and wealthiest kings of Israel. He builds the first temple in Jerusalem and has many wives and concubines.

Step 4: King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba
Solomon’s wisdom and wealth attract the attention of the Queen of Sheba, who comes to visit him and test his knowledge. Legend has it that she gives Solomon a box of spices, which he uses to create the fragrant incense used in the temple.

Step 5: The Queen of Sheba and Queen Makeda
The Queen of Sheba is also known as Queen Makeda in Ethiopian tradition. She is said to have had a son with Solomon, named Menelik I, who becomes the first emperor of Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church claims to possess the Ark of the Covenant, which they say was brought to Ethiopia by Menelik I.

Step 6: Emperor Haile Selassie and Bob Marley
Emperor Haile Selassie is a descendant of Menelik I and is considered a messianic figure by the Rastafari movement. Bob Marley, one of the most famous Rastafarians, wrote and performed songs that praised Haile Selassie and called for social justice.

And finally, Kevin Bacon…

Step 7: Bob Marley and Kevin Bacon
Kevin Bacon may not seem to have any connection to Bob Marley, but in fact, Bacon’s father, Edmund Bacon, was a renowned urban planner who worked in Philadelphia. In the 1960s, he collaborated with architect Louis Kahn on the design of the federal courthouse in downtown Philadelphia, which includes a mural by artist Barnett Newman. Newman was also commissioned to create a series of lithographs based on his mural, and one of the lithographs was purchased by Bob Marley.

Bible Verse: "May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge." – Ruth 2:12 (NIV)

This verse is spoken by Boaz to Ruth, praising her for her kindness and loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi. Boaz promises to take care of her and provide for her, under the protection of God’s wings. It’s a beautiful image of God’s love and provision for his people, and a reminder that even in difficult times, we can find refuge in him.