SCRIPTURE: Ruth 2
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She exclaimed, “Why have I found such favour in your eyes that you notice me–a foreigner?” [Ruth 2:10] The book of Ruth is a teaching story, and God uses the main character to show His people the kind of humility, love and obedience that He wanted from them. Sadly, they often missed this. And so God would use people like Ruth to make His point. Ruth had no right to expect the favour and attention of Boaz. As a woman, and a foreigner, she was a likely candidate for neglect or abuse. Boaz assures her that he will favour her, and protect her from the men. Ruth is shocked.
Again and again Jesus was struck by the lack of faith of the Jews, and the faith and humility of the non-Jews. One example is when he healed ten lepers, and only one – a non-Jew – returned to thank Him. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” [Luke 17:17-18] When He was in Nazareth, anticipating that His own people would reject Him, Jesus reminds them how God showed grace to non-Jewish people [Luke 4:23-30] because God’s people would not receive Him. Jesus is surprised by the great faith of the centurion, unlike any of the Jews, and talks about how the non-Jews will share in the forever feast with Him, but many of the Jews will not [Matthew 8:8-12].
God shows His favour to all people, but not all people receive it. And often, the ones who ignore it the most are His own chosen people. He does not choose them because they are better, or because He likes them better, but in order to be His missionaries to everyone else, to share His blessing with all people. Instead, God’s chosen people often forget the calling, and only delight in the privilege. Somehow they begin to think they deserve God’s favour – after all, they are God’s chosen ones.
Ruth models a more appropriate response – humility and gratitude. ‘I do not deserve Your favour God, but thank You for giving it to me!’ This humility and gratitude ought to characterize all of our responses to God. This is the faith that impresses Jesus, that opens the way for God’s blessing.
PRAYER:
Lord, I do not deserve Your favour any more (or less) than anyone else. Thank You for being so good to me, help me to follow Your example, and be good to others, whether they deserve it or not.
Ruth was a person of industry, looking after the needs of her mother-in-law. Working as a foreigner in the land was scarey but she found favour in the fields of Boaz. He was good to his workers and also to foreigners who came to reap behind the harvesters. Boaz practised hospitality to all, even going out of his way for that hospitality. Ruth also recognized the favour with thankfulness.
All what I have is not my own, but a gift from the Lord. How do I practice hospitality? How do I share of the abundance the Lord has given to me. Willingly or . . . Lord, help me to be a blessing to those around me this day share of Your love and goodness by acts of kindness and goodness willing. Without excuses. Without expected returns. But with a willing heart of Kingdom service.
Not what these hands have done
can save this guilty soul,
not what this toiling flesh has borne
can make my spirit whole.
Not what I feel or do
can give me peace with God;
not all my prayers, and sighs, and tears
can bear my aweful load.
Thy work alone, O Christ,
can ease this weight of sin;
Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God,
can give me peace within.
Thy love to me, O God,
not mine, O Lord, to Thee,
can rid me of this dark unrest,
and set my spirit free.
Thy grace alone, O God,
to me can pardon speak;
Thy power alone, O Son of God,
can this sore bondage break.
I bless the Christ of God,
I rest on love divine,
and with unfaltering lip and heart,
I call this Saviour mine.