Ruth’s Journey
“Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjuda went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. “
- Ruth 1:1 (KJV)
“In the days when the Judges ruled:” This account begins in the closing days of the Judges, a 400 year period of general anarchy and oppression when the Israelites were not ruled by kings, but by periodic deliverers whom God raised up when the nation sought Him again.
Notable among the Judges were Gideon, Samson, and Deborah. Each of these were raised up by God, not to rule as kings, but to lead Israel during a specific challenge, and then to go back to obscurity.
“The days when the Judges ruled,” were actually dark days for Israel; the period was characterized by the phrase everyone did what was right in his own eyes as we see in the following scripture passages from The Book of Judges:
“In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”
- Judges 17:6 (KJV)
“In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day all their inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel.”
- Judges 18:1 (KJV)
“And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.”
- Judges 19:1 (KJV)
“In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”
- Judges 21:25 (KJV)
“A certain man of Bethlehemjuda:” In these days, a man from “Bethlehemjuda” left the land of Israel to “sojourn in the country of Moab,” because of famine. Bethlehem was a rich agricultural area, the city name means "House of Bread,” but times were tough, so he went to the pagan land of Moab.
To do so, he had to hike through the desolate Jericho pass, through the Judean wilderness near the Dead Sea, going across the Jordan River, into the land of Moab. This was a definite departure from the Promised Land of Israel, and a return towards the wilderness from which God had delivered Israel hundreds of years before. These were clearly steps in the wrong direction.
“A famine in the land.” God specifically promised there would always be plenty in the land if Israel was obedient. Therefore, “a famine in the land,” meant that Israel, as a nation, was not obedient unto the Lord as we see in The Book of Deuteronomy:
“And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full. Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; And then the Lord's wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the Lord giveth you.”
- Deuteronomy 11:13-17 (KJV)
“Went to sojourn:” This means to leave with the intention to return. The next verse tells us the name of the man was Elimelech and his intention of short visit turned into ten, tragedy-filled years, and Elimelech never returned to Israel. The name Elimelech means "God is king,” but he didn't really live as if God was his king.
Christian brothers and sisters, remember, God is always King of His Kingdom and to His subjects, no matter who currently holds the seat of power!
God bless!
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Ruth 1:2-5: Tragedy In Moab
“And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.”
- Ruth 1:2-5 (KJV)
“And Elimelech, Naomi's husband died:” When Elimelech and his family came to Moab, they did not find life easier. Elimelech soon died, and his wife Naomi was left to care for their two boys, Mahlon and Chilion.
It is hard to say that this was the direct hand of God's judgment against them. It is sometimes difficult to discern why tragic things happen. What is certain is that the change of scenery didn't make things better. We sometimes think we can move away from our problems, but find we just bring them with us. No matter where you go, you bring yourself with you - so the same problems can continue in a different place.
“And they took them wives of the women of Moab:” Mahlon and Chilion grew, and took wives among the Moabite women, named Orpah and Ruth. Again, this was not in obedience to God; God commanded the Israelites to not marry among the pagan nations surrounding them.
“And Mahlon and Chilion died: “As time went on, “about ten years,” Naomi's sons died. So now there were three childless widows, Naomi and her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth.
Biblical and historical scholars tell us that to be a childless widow was to be among the lowest, most disadvantaged classes in the ancient world. There was no one to support you, and you had to live on the generosity of strangers. Naomi had no family in Moab, and no one else to help her. It was a desperate situation.
Christian brothers and sisters, who do you turn to when you are in a crisis situation?
When in doubt, turn to God!
God bless!
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Ruth 1:6-7: The Three Widows Head Back To Judah
“Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited His people in giving them bread. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.”
- Ruth 1:6-7 (KJV)
“She had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited His people.” From distant Moab, Naomi heard that God was doing good things back in Israel. She wanted to be part of the good things that God was doing.
Our life with God should make the non-saved come to the Lord, and those that have strayed come back to Him just by looking at our life. Our walk with the Lord should be something that makes others say, "I want some of that also!"
“She went forth out of the place where she was:” This set Naomi apart from many others people. Many hear of the good things God is doing in the lives of others, and only wish they could have some of it, instead of actually setting out to receive it. Naomi could have stayed in Moab all of her life wishing things were different, but she did something to receive what God had to give her.
Christian brothers and sisters, what have you done with the things God has given you? Do you know if you receive His gifts fully, you will be blessed with so much more?
God bless!
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Ruth 1:8-9
“And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.”
- Ruth 1:8-9 (KJV)
“Go, return each to her mother's house:” By all common sense, this was the wise thing to do. Orpah and Ruth had stronger family ties in Moab than they did with Naomi, so it made sense for them to stay in Moab instead of going to a new land, Israel, with Naomi.
“The Lord deal kindly with you … The Lord grant that you may find rest:” With these words Naomi freely blessed them. She prayed that they would remarry, “each of you in the house of your husband.”
Naomi describes marriage as a place of rest: “The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband.” God intends that each marriage be a place and source, of rest, peace, and refreshment in life.
“Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.” This emotion shown is evidence of the real relationship of love between Naomi and her daughters-in-law.
“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
- 1 Corinthians 13:13 (KJV)
God bless!
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Ruth 1:10-13: Naomi Pleads With Her Daughters-in-law
“And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people. And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me.”
- Ruth 1:10-13 (KJV)
“Are there yet any more sons in my womb:” According to the laws of ancient Israel, if a young woman was left widowed, without having had a son, then one of her deceased husband's brothers was responsible for being a "surrogate father" and providing her with a son. Naomi here says that she has no other sons to give either Orpah or Ruth.
“The hand of the Lord is gone out against me:” This obviously weighed heavily on Naomi's heart and mind. She felt that the calamity which came upon her family came because they were disobedient, probably in leaving the Promised Land of Israel and marrying their sons to Moabite women. Perhaps Naomi felt a particular guilt; perhaps she was the one who pushed to move out of Israel, and who pushed to marry off the sons.
“The hand of the Lord is gone out against me:” Despite this feeling, Naomi is going back to the land of Israel, and going back to her God. Though she felt that “The hand of the Lord is gone out against me,” she did not grow bitter against God. She returned to Him in repentance, knowing that the answer is drawing closer to Him, not going further from Him.
Naomi didn't accuse God of doing something wrong against her. She acknowledged His total control over all circumstances. It was actually an expression of trust in Him. If Naomi was bitter or angry against God, she probably would have gone another way - further from the God of Israel, rather than back to Him. Instead, she showed that she trusted the sovereignty of God, and knew that despite her personal calamities, He is a good God who blesses.
What Naomi could not see is that the hand of the LORD would go out for her shortly! There is never reason for us to despair if we believe, “The hand of the Lord is gone out against me:” If we will return to Him, His hand will go out for us again! Naomi had no idea, not the slightest, of how greatly God was going to bless her in a short time.
Remember, God always has a plan!
God bless!
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Ruth 1:14: Orpah Stays In Moab
“And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.”
- Ruth 1:14 (KJV)
Both Orpah and Ruth felt deeply; both loved Naomi; both were anxious about the future. But a choice had to be made, and Orpah chose to stay in Moab, while Ruth “clave unto” Naomi.
“Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.” There comes a place in our following after God where it comes down to doing. Ruth and Orpah both felt the same feelings but Ruth did differently than Orpah.
Some are content with feeling Christian feelings, with feeling a love for God, with feeling a love for His Word, with feeling a love for His people. But what will you do? We are glad God that didn't just feel His love for us, but that He shows His eternal love every day in every way:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
-John 3:16 (KJV)
“Orpah kissed her mother-in-law:” What happened to Orpah? Of course, we don't know. But men have always concocted traditions to make up for what they don't know. Jewish traditions say this request of Naomi came four miles outside of Moab; and that Orpah shed only four tears over the thought of parting from her mother-in-law Naomi. But the rabbis go on to say that in recompense for the four miles that she went with Naomi, Orpah gave birth to four sons, Goliath and his three brothers.
Christian brothers and sisters, remember, parting here on earth is painful, but if those who say ‘goodbye’ to each other are saved, they will be reunited in heaven!
God bless!
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Ruth 1:15-18: Ruth's Statement Of Faith
“And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.”
- Ruth 1:15-18 (KJV)
“Behold thy sister-in-law is gone.” Naomi did what she could to discourage Ruth from coming with her back to Israel. It wasn't that Naomi didn't want Ruth to come, but she didn't want a fair weather friend either.
“Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people.” This was a noble, even outstanding, friend-to-friend commitment. But Ruth's commitment to Naomi went even further: “thy God my God.”
This was more than change of address. Ruth was willing to forsake the Moabite gods she grew up with, and embrace the God of Israel. She was deciding to follow the Lord. This Gentile woman, once far from God, had drawn near to Him.
“Thy God my God,” meant that Naomi's relationship with God made an impact on Ruth. This is striking, because Naomi did not have an easy life. She had been widowed, had lost both her sons, and believed that she had caused each calamity by her disobedience. Yet she still honored and loved the Lord.
People should be able to look at your life, just as Ruth looked at Naomi's, and say "I want your God to be my God." Your trust in God, and turning towards Him in tough times, will often be the thing that draws others to the Lord.
“Thy God my God:” Ten years of Naomi's compromise in Moab never made Ruth confess her allegiance to the God of Israel. Yet as soon as Naomi stood and said, "I'm going back to the God of Israel, I'll put my fate in His hands" Ruth stood with her. If you think you will persuade your friends or relatives to Jesus by your compromise, you are mistaken. Perhaps you are sincere, but you are mistaken. Only a bold stand for Jesus will really do it.
“The LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.” Ruth had little knowledge of the true God, the God of Israel, but she knew He was a God of fairness and justice, so He could be called upon to hold Ruth accountable to this promise.
Christian brothers and sisters, God promises us many things if we follow Him. What promises have you made to Him and are you delivering those promises, because we know He is a promise keeper, not just a promise maker!
God bless!
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Ruth 1:19-21: Naomi And Ruth Return To Bethlehem
“So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.”
- Ruth 1:19-21 (KJV)
It was a long walk from Moab to Bethlehem, and the trip was mostly uphill. We can imagine along the way, Ruth asking her mother-in-law Naomi all about the God of Israel and the land of Israel.
“All the city was moved about them:” Bethlehem was just a large village; everyone in the village would have known everyone else, and remembered those who had left years ago.
“Call me not Naomi, call me Mara:” The name Naomi means "pleasant"; the name Mara means "bitter." Naomi used this to tell the people of Bethlehem that her time away from Israel, her time away from the God of Israel, had not been pleasant, it was bitter.
Naomi wasn't a phony. She wasn't going to go home, pretend everything was fine, and be "pleasant." She was going to be honest, and say "Here I am and my life has been bitter."
“The Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me.” Naomi was not afraid to see the hand of God in all her calamity.
Naomi knew that the tragedy that came into her life was not because of fate, chance, or blind fortune. She felt the tragedies were an example of God's affliction because she could not see the end of His plan. But she knew there was a sovereign God of heaven, and didn't think she had just run into a string of "bad luck."
In the midst of all these bitter circumstances, Naomi was not bitter against the Lord. We can imagine one of the villagers asking, "Naomi, if God has dealt very bitterly with you, if the Lord has brought you home empty, if the Lord has testified against you, then why have you come back?" And she would have said, "Because I want to get right with Him again. Things have been terrible, and the answer isn't in going further from God, but in drawing closer to Him."
Not every reacts to trials the way Naomi did.
Christian brothers and sisters, how do you react to the trials in your life? There is always a reason why you are being tried, and more important a way out of your misery:
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV)
God bless!
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Ruth 1:22: Naomi Returned
“So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.”
- Ruth 1:22 (KJV)
Naomi came back repentant and honest. She has felt that “the Almighty has afflicted me.” But in the coming chapters, it will be shown the Almighty will bless her. If only she could see it!
Now “they came to Bethlehem:” It would have been easy for Naomi to focus on what she had lost. She had lost a husband, two sons, and one daughter-in-law. She had lost all kinds of material possessions. All she had left was one daughter-in-law, Ruth. But through that one thing she had left, God was going to bring unbelievable blessing into her life.
All the good that happens in the future chapters begins her: With Naomi's godly repentance and honesty. It will make a difference not only in her life, but in the life of her daughter-in-law Ruth, and in the destiny of the nation Israel.
Christian brothers and sisters, as it has been since Ruth and Naomi’s day, it is possible for God to accomplish amazing things! If we turn towards Him, not only in our feelings, but also in our actions he will give us everything we need.
God bless!
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In The Book of Ruth, Chapter 2, we look at Ruth’s work as a gleaner, as she gleans in Boaz's field, who is Naomi's kinsman.
“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)
“Naomi had a kinsman:” Naomi was related to this man Boaz through her deceased husband, Elimelech. We don't know exactly how he was related, but he was.
“A mighty man of wealth:” During the time of famine, when Elimelech, Naomi, and their whole family had left the Promised Land and went to Moab, Boaz had stayed behind, and God provided for him. In fact, God made Boaz a mighty man of wealth.”
Naomi and her family made a choice ten years before and it was a choice made in a hard time, a time of famine. But they didn't have to make the wrong choice they did. The people of Bethlehem had not perished from hunger. They were still there. And they were blessed more than Naomi's family.
Sometimes we justify wrong choices because of difficult circumstances. But God will strengthen us, and bless us, to make the right choice, even in difficult circumstances.
“A kinsman:” This introduces an important word in the book of Ruth. To say that Boaz was a kinsman was more than saying he was a relative; it was saying that he was a special family representative. He was a chieftain in the family.
God bless!
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Ruth 2:2-3: Ruth Happens Upon Boaz's Field
“And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter. And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.”
- Ruth 2:2-3 (KJV)
“Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn:” Keep in mind these words from The Book of Leviticus:
“And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God.”
- Leviticus 19:9-10 (KJV)
Farmers in Israel were told they should not completely harvest their fields. They were commanded to "cut corners" in harvesting, and always leave some behind. Also, if they happened to drop a bundle of grain, they were commanded to leave it on the ground and to not pick it up.
This was one of the social assistance programs in Israel. Farmers were not to completely harvest their fields, so the poor and needy could come and glean the remains for themselves. This is a wonderful way of helping the poor. It commanded the farmers to have a generous heart, and it commanded the poor to be active and work for their food - and a way for them to provide for their own needs with dignity.
Ruth, on her own initiative, set out to glean in the fields to support her and her mother-in-law Naomi. This showed a wonderfully hard-working spirit in Ruth, and it was spiritual also, she would not have been more spiritual to sit back at home and pray for food.
“Her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz:” It says that Ruth happened to come to that place and certainly, that is how it seemed to her. But it was not how it actually came to pass. Ruth came to that field because God was guiding her.
This shows us some of the wonderful way that the invisible hand of God works. If Ruth would have stayed home and waited for a "spiritual" feeling, she probably might have waited a long time, and still probably would have gone to the wrong field. Instead, Ruth experienced the very natural moving of the supernatural hand of God.
Many times when we are really walking in the Spirit, we can only see the invisible hand of God by looking back. If we spend too much time trying to look for His hand ahead of us, we can make problems for our self.
God bless!
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Ruth 2:4-7: Boaz Learns Of Ruth
“And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The Lord be with you. And they answered him, The Lord bless thee. Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this? And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab: And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.”
- Ruth 2:4-7 (KJV)
“The LORD be with you!” This shows us something of the heart and character of Boaz. Apparently, his workers loved him and had a good relationship with him. You can often tell the real character of a man in authority by seeing how he relates to his staff and by how they think of him.
“And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather." As the supervisor reported to Boaz, he told of Ruth's submissive attitude. There is a sense in which the gleaning was hers by right, as we know from these words in The Book of Leviticus:
“And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God.”
- Leviticus 19:9-10(KJV)
However, instead of quoting scripture, she kindly and properly asked for the right to gather in his field.
“So she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now:” Ruth may not have known it, but she was under inspection. The supervisor was looking at what kind of job she did and he was impressed that she did a good job. And the fact that she did a good job was important, because it made a good impression on Boaz.
Christian brothers and sisters, never forget, we are under inspection also. At times when we don't know it, we are being watched by others to see how we will walk with God. And what they see will make a difference.
God bless!
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Ruth 2:8-9: Boaz Speaks Kindly To Ruth
“Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.”
- Ruth 2:8-9(KJV)
“Abide here fast by my maidens.” These were Boaz's female field workers, who tied together the cut stalks of grain. Boaz told Ruth to stay close to them, so she would be well taken care of.
“Go not to glean in another field.” God was blessing Ruth already and all because He guided her to Boaz's field. Boaz knew that if Ruth stayed in his fields, she would be blessed and find many things, including; companionship among the young women, protection; “have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee.” In Boaz's field, Ruth would find refreshment: “when thou art athirst.”
The kindness of Boaz was wonderful. At this time, we have no indication of a romantic attraction between Boaz and Ruth and we have no idea how Ruth looked. Even if she was pretty, she was probably pretty ragged from a whole day of hard work. Yet Boaz extended this kindness to her.
We find it pretty easy to be kind to others when we can see a potential pay-off from the investment of our kindness. Yet true kindness is shown when we extend ourselves to others who, as far as we can see, have nothing to give us.
Christian brothers and sisters, never forget all the things The Lord has given us that we will never be able to repay!
God bless!
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Ruth 2:10-13: Ruth Thanks Boaz For His Kindness
“Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger? And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.”
- Ruth 2:10-13 (KJV)
“Why have I found grace in thine eyes:” Ruth's attitude was wonderful. Some of us would have said, "Well it's about time someone noticed! I've been working hard all day. Now God will give me the blessings that I deserve. We never see Ruth asking why all the hard things have come upon her in life. Instead, she asks why this good thing has come. This is a significant difference in attitude.
“Seeing I am a stranger.” This was constantly on Ruth's mind. She was a Moabitess, and not an Israelite. She knew that on the basis of national background, she didn't belong. This made Boaz's kindness to her all the more precious.
The Bible says that we should be kind to the strangers among us, but this also applies on another level. Since our society is no longer structured around the family, for many people, their most important circle of association is their friends. Sociologists call this "tribalization." We become part of a little "tribe," a little circle of friends. The command to love the stranger means that we should not only associate with those of our own tribe, and that we should always welcome those outside of our tribe.
“It hath fully been shewed me:” This is a dynamic of small-town life; everybody knows everybody else's business. Yet it also shows that Ruth's devotion to Naomi mattered; it was noticed.
“The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” Fittingly, Boaz encouraged Ruth as if she were a new convert to the God of Israel. In many ways, Ruth stands as an example of a new convert. She put her trust in the God of Israel. She has left her former associates. She had come in among strangers. She was very low in her own eyes. She found protection under the wings of God.
Significantly, though these words were said to Ruth, they were also a prayer unto God for Ruth. Christians should pray for one another, especially older Christians should pray for new converts.
“The Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” Boaz especially knew of Ruth's commitment to the God of Israel. This was his way of showing kindness and encouragement to a young believer in the Lord.
“Under whose wings:” This is a beautiful picture. Look at the following scriptural pictures of the trust and security of a mother bird and her fledgling in The Book of Psalms:
“Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings.” -Psalms 17:8 (KJV)
“How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.”
-Psalms 36:7 (KJV)
“Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.”
-Psalms 63:7 (KJV)
“Let me find favour in thy sight:” This was a very polite way of saying "thank you" to Boaz. Ruth was almost overwhelmed by his kindness, and was polite enough to say "Thank you."
Christian brothers and sisters, when is the last time you honestly thanked Our Lord and Savior for all the wonderful things He gives?
God bless!
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Ruth 2:14-16: Boaz Continues To Show Favor To Ruth
“And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left. And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.”
- Ruth 2:14-16 (KJV)
“Dip thy morsel in the vinegar:” Perhaps now, we see the first hint of a romance. Boaz showed great kindness and favor to Ruth at mealtime. It would be enough to have just invited her, but he also invited her to share fully in the meal, even the privileged dipping.
“She did eat, and was sufficed, and left.” Ruth also may be awakening to some romance towards Boaz; she kept some back. She did not eat all that was offered to her, meaning that she didn't want to seem like a greedy eater in front of Boaz, and that she was sensible enough to take some home to Naomi.
Ruth was satisfied, because she answered the generous invitation of Boaz. She was not one of the reapers, but “she sat beside the reapers,” and ate as if she was one of them and “she ate and was sufficed.” In the same way, those outside the Kingdom of God and its promises can sit among the reapers, at the invitation of Jesus, and by faith they can eat and be sufficed.
“Let her glean even among the sheaves:” This was more generous than the command in The Book of Leviticus:
“And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God.”
- Leviticus 19:9-10 (KJV)
Boaz would allow Ruth to take some from among the already gathered sheaves of grain.
“Let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her.” This was also beautiful. Boaz wanted to bless Ruth, but he didn't want to dishonor her dignity by making her a charity case. So he allowed some grain to fall, supposedly on accident, so that she could pick it up.
Christian brothers and sisters, we see Boaz as a “Christ Type.” Has anyone blessed your days? What have you done to thank them?
God bless!
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