“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.” (Ruth 2:12)
When our
children were small, we would say, “How much do you love me?” We taught them to spread their arms way out
and say, “I love you this much!” How
much does God love you? Jesus spread His
arms out on the cross and said, “I love you this much!” The second chapter of Ruth illustrates this wonderful
truth—the romance of redemption. The
romance of Boaz and Ruth picture how God’s love reaches out to us, wins our
heart, and brings us into salvation.
All
through the story of Ruth we see God writing the plot line in His providence
(2:1-3). There are no dramatic miracles
recorded in the book, yet we observe God’s mighty hand directing all the
circumstances. Ruth—from the human
perspective—just happens to wind up gleaning grain in the field of Boaz, right
where she needed to be. This was not
luck, she was led—the sovereign Lord orchestrating the events. That a famine came, a family moved to Moab,
three funerals brought Naomi and Ruth back to Bethlehem, a field was selected
that belonged to their near kin Boaz, each event was a link in the chain to
bring Ruth to the man who was her redeemer.
With God there are no accidents, just appointments. Looking back at how we came to faith in
Christ, the direction of God to get us to redemption is a testimony to
providence.
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.” (v.2)
She sought favor—or as we might say, she was seeking grace. Grace is God’s favor given to the
undeserving. Ruth fit that
category. She was a Moabite—a Gentile outside
the covenant relationship of God with Israel.
She was a poor widow unable to meet her own needs. That is representative of our spiritual state
before meeting our Redeemer (see Eph.2:1-14).
When Ruth meets Boaz, everything will change (v.4-16)! His name means strength. He gave to her what she could never provide
for herself. Boaz was man of power and possessions—his wealth was
abundant. Jesus is our Boaz—the Redeemer
who is worthy and wealthy. Ruth wasn’t
looking for Boaz, but Boaz saw her and took the initiative. That is what grace does. It sees us, seeks us, summons us, and
sustains us. She came under the wings of
God (v.12). That is a wonderful place to
abide! Are you there?
When Ruth
returns and shares her amazing story, Naomi rejoices (v.17-23). She blesses the Lord because she recognizes God
is at work. Ruth brought home an ephah
of grain—equivalent to what a working man might collect in ten days! She didn’t return with a little, but with
abundance! That is the nature of
grace! When Naomi discovers that it is
Boaz’ field where Ruth gleaned, she is overjoyed. The man can be their redeemer because he is
their relative! Thus it is that the Son of
God became the Son of Man, that the sons of men might become the sons of
God. That happened in the incarnation—and
the place of our Redeemer’s appearance?
Where Ruth met Boaz—in Bethlehem!
Blessed Redeemer!
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