July 26, 2023
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Reading along with us in Ruth? Here’s today’s reading:
Ruth 2 (NIV)
Ruth Meets Boaz in the Grain Field
1 Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz.
2 And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.”
Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” …..Continue Reading
Things are looking up both for Naomi and Ruth now. Such kindness from Boaz. I can see God showing up for his chosen people and even for Gentiles.. Praise the Lord!
Ruth showed mercy to Naomi and now Boaz shows great mercy to her! God is protecting and providing for these women even despite Naomi’s reaction to Him amidst her trials.
Love this story of God’s constant love and protection over us even when we are pushing Him away. He draws us to Him like Pastor always says through our choices or in spite of them.
Ruth 2 Ruth was a hard worker, she was faithful, and kind. She got right to work taking care of Naomi, and Boaz saw what she had been doing and he watched over her, protected Ruth and made sure she left with food everyday. It’s a good example of seeing how God works in our daily lives when we have faith in him, there are no coincidence in life you can see in this second chapter how God is working in their lives, how he orchestrates their daily living.
So God continues to orchestrate His plan as the humans in our story make their choices to deal with their circumstances. Ruth shows her character by doing the work that Naomi can’t do and she works hard doing it. It just so happens, as God would have it, that she ends up gleaning in the field of a wealthy relative of Naomi…one even charged through the death of her husband to take care of her. Boaz shows the kind of man he is by discovering who Ruth is and then recognizing her for the sacrifices she has made for the sake of Naomi and for the hard work she has done. He then becomes the expression of the blessings he wishes on her by providing for her more than would be expected. Jewish law told landowners not to glean to the edges of their fields and to leave it for the poor….but Boaz does more than that for Ruth. As Ruth shares the events and the bounty of the day with Naomi, she begins to see the plan unfolding and the great benefit that Ruth ended up where she did. Isn’t it comforting to know that God is willing to work the same in our lives? There is nothing better than our godly efforts blessed and guided by His hand!
Ruth 2
I love the foreshadowing of God allowing gentiles into the fold. Naomi’s faith reminds me of the Gentile woman we encountered in Mark. She was asking Jesus to heal her daughter and and he remarked that it is not good to give bread reserved for children to the dogs. She responds saying, “yes Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” In our story, Naomi is giving permission to glean the leftovers. And she is given even more than expected.
Looking back to the book of Ruth you can see the providence of God in not only Ruth`s life but also Naomi and Boaz. They may not had been fully aware of His guidance but it was there. But Boaz did notice the Lord`s blessing on Ruth. Naomi thought the Lord had forsaken her because of her losing her husband, and two sons. But she still had her two daughters in law and then only Ruth who was not leaving her. So she decided to go home where she had family and the love of her God. In God`s providence Naomi felt that she should go home. Perhaps the thought came from God and she just thought that it was her thought. God does lead us at times like that. I remember years ago in my own life as a pest control technician when I was treating for termites. When I did the termites I planned my own day of what jobs to do and in what order. One day while in Mass. I decided to go a different route. II thought it was my idea until I got home that night that if I went the route that I always go I would of had been in a major truck and car crash. The Lord spared me. Then with Ruth she just happens to find the right field. There is no just happens with God. The three key people in this story are people with different backgrounds but have the love of God and God truly loves them. Yesterday when I was thinking about them, they are people with strong character and love of God. Because of this they desire to do what is right and follow God. I realized the many good character traits that they had. Ruth`s are love of God and Naomi; determined to not give up; faithful to God and Naomi; hard worker; compassion toward Naomi; humble toward God, Naomi, and Boaz; grateful toward Boaz; and God. Boaz loves God; sees God`s providence of Ruth; faithful; protector of Ruth, Naomi; hard worker; knew his people that worked for him; wisdom from God. Naomi loved God; compassion toward her daughters; hard worker; taught Ruth well as a mother in law would try to teach spiritual things to her daughters. There is probably more but that is all I can see. I am sure that if we look back at our lives we can see how God has guided us. God is omniscience[ all knowing], 0mnipresence[ everywhere], and omnipotence[ all powerful.] Thank God that He is. May we ever be aware of His work in us.
Boaz goes above and beyond in taking care of Ruth.
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.”
Boaz takes notice of Ruth because of her kindness to Naomi. He encourages her by saying “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.” And isn’t it amazing that Ruth chooses Boaz field to glean from for, as Naomi states, “That man is our close relative; he is one of our guardian-redeemers.” God is doing his work to restore what was broken, and he will do something far greater, establishing the line of his Son, the Messiah.