Ruth 2 New King James Version (NKJV)
Ruth Meets Boaz
2 There was a relative of Naomi’s husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech. His name was Boaz.
2 So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.”
And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.”
3 Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.
4 Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, “The Lord be with you!”
And they answered him, “The Lord bless you!”
5 Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?”
6 So the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered and said, “It is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab.
7 And she said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ So she came and has continued from morning until now, though she rested a little in the house.”
8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not go to glean in another field, nor go from here, but stay close by my young women.
9 Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Have I not commanded the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn.”
10 So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?”
11 And Boaz answered and said to her, “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before.
12 The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.”
Do we think about the fact that Ruth was not the only young woman who was gleaning in Boaz's fields? She probably wasn't the only attractive woman gleaning or may not have been particularly attractive at all.
Ruth was where God wanted her to be as a reward for her faithfulness and as a part of His divine plan.
Although few of us would admit it but most, if not all, of us have been guilty at some point of judging who was worthy and who was not. The story of Ruth is a reminder to us that we must be very slow to judge and avoid being as arrogant and stiff-necked as the Jews of old.
Let's take a closer look at the story of Ruth and some of the characters God chose to use in bringing to us the fulfillment of the promise of salvation.
The Boaz who saved Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, was the son of Rahab, the unlikely heroine of Joshua's day.
Joshua 2:1 New King James Version (NKJV)
Rahab Hides the Spies
2 Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there.
Boaz was a man who was in compliance with the law of God.
Leviticus 23:22 New King James Version (NKJV)
22 ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field when you reap, nor shall you gather any gleaning from your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the stranger: I am the Lord your God.’”
Boaz was a man of substance and, therefore probably a great catch for any of the young virgins already in his hometown yet it was a widow who caught his eye.
Ruth was a woman with a sterling reputation, a reputation for faithfulness and loyalty.
11 And Boaz answered and said to her, “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before.
God placed it on the heart of Boaz to recognize and reward her faithfulness.
12 The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.”
Think about this situation. If you were in a position of influence in the life of Boaz what would have been your advise to him? Would you have been accepting of this stranger? Would you have judged her as worthy of his attention, especially since his position gave him many options.
Matthew 1:5 New King James Version (NKJV)
5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse.....
Ruth was a part of God's “Divine Connection”. Would you have been one who tried to interfere with the plan through arrogance and self-righteousness?
Hebrews 4:12 New King James Version (NKJV)
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Father God, we pray that we use every opportunity You bring to glorify Your name and be in Your will. Let us be slow to judge and ever willing to lend a helping hand.
May God Forever Be A Blessing in Your Life!!!
