In Ruth 2, we find the young Moabite woman, Ruth, taking great risks in following her mother-in-law, Naomi, to Bethlehem. Ruth is a foreigner in a hostile land, she is a widow without protection, and she is facing a life of poverty. Upon her arrival in Bethlehem, Ruth goes to glean in the fields, or gather grain leftover by the harvesters. Gleaning was God’s providential welfare system. Ruth gleans in the fields of a man named Boaz, who just so happens to be a relative of her late father-in-law. Boaz, out of compassion and obedience to God’s laws, provides food for Ruth and also promises his protection. Through Boaz, we see God’s faithfulness to Ruth and his providential hand of blessing upon her.
In v.7, Boaz takes notice of Ruth’s diligence
“She went into the field and has worked steadily from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.”
- God rewards those who are diligent/work hard
The act of gleaning was God’s way of providing for the poor. However, gleaning wasn’t simply a handout. People had to come and work hard and collect the grain for themselves. We live in a society that has somehow gotten the idea that the world owes them something…the church owes them…or even God owes them. We live in a world of get rich quick schemes, people looking for the fast track to success. They want the reward without putting in the effort. However, God rewards those who are diligent and work hard. Boaz first recognizes Ruth for her hard work. The blessing followed.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 – “For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”
In v.11, Boaz recognizes Ruth’s selflessness/generosity in her relationship with Naomi
“I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before.”
- God rewards those who are generous/selfless
We are by nature selfish people. We rarely give unless we can be sure to get a return on our investment. Ruth left everything. She left her home, her family, a life of comfort. She risked poverty and her physical well-being. She did it all to care for Naomi. Boaz recognized her loyalty, selflessness, and sacrifice. He informed her that God was sheltering her and rewarding her for her acts of generosity.
Proverbs 11:25 – “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”
In v.10, Boaz takes note of Ruth’s humility
“she bowed down with her face to the ground. She exclaimed, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”
- God rewards those who are humble.
Ruth felt undeserving of such a blessing. She took on the posture of humility…the posture of a beggar. We need to recognize that everything that we have is a gift from God. The home in which we live, the clothes on our back, the food on our plate all comes from Him. He doesn’t have to give us anything. We deserve nothing. In her humility, Ruth found God’s favor.
Psalm 147:6 – “The Lord sustains the humble, but casts the wicked to the ground.”
**Do you recognize God’s blessings in your life? Take some time today and humble yourself before God and thank Him for all that he has blessed you with. Don’t ask for anything. We spend enough time doing that. Instead, offer up a heartfelt prayer of thanksgiving to Him.**
**Understanding that all you have is a gift, God desires for you to live a life of generosity. This week, be intentional in the way you go about your days. Look for opportunities to extend blessings to those around you, expecting nothing in return.**
