Come Home for Christmas
Friday, December 8, 2006
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Ruth journeyed to a land she had never seen with Naomi, in order that she might worship You as her God. My I be willing to go wherever You lead me today, and do whatever it is that You call me to do. Thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit, who empowers me and gifts me to live out the life You have given me with courage, commitment and compassion. Bless my reading of Your Word today. Imprint its message on my mind and heart, that I may live it as I go about this day putting You first in all that I am and do. These things I pray in Jesus’ name.
God’s Word Today
Ruth 2:1-23
Now there was a wealthy and influential man in Bethlehem named Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi's husband, Elimelech. 2 One day Ruth said to Naomi, "Let me go out into the fields to gather leftover grain behind anyone who will let me do it." And Naomi said, "All right, my daughter, go ahead." 3 So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech. 4 While she was there, Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters. "The LORD be with you!" he said. "The LORD bless you!" the harvesters replied. 5 Then Boaz asked his foreman, "Who is that girl over there?" 6 And the foreman replied, "She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi. 7 She asked me this morning if she could gather grain behind the harvesters. She has been hard at work ever since, except for a few minutes' rest over there in the shelter." 8 Boaz went over and said to Ruth, "Listen, my daughter. Stay right here with us when you gather grain; don't go to any other fields. Stay right behind the women working in my field. 9 See which part of the field they are harvesting, and then follow them. I have warned the young men not to bother you. And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well." 10 Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. "Why are you being so kind to me?" she asked. "I am only a foreigner." 11 "Yes, I know," Boaz replied. "But I also know about the love and kindness you have shown your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. 12 May the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully." 13 "I hope I continue to please you, sir," she replied. "You have comforted me by speaking so kindly to me, even though I am not as worthy as your workers." 14 At lunchtime Boaz called to her, "Come over here and help yourself to some of our food. You can dip your bread in the wine if you like." So she sat with his harvesters, and Boaz gave her food – more than she could eat. 15 When Ruth went back to work again, Boaz ordered his young men, "Let her gather grain right among the sheaves without stopping her. 16 And pull out some heads of barley from the bundles and drop them on purpose for her. Let her pick them up, and don't give her a hard time!" 17 So Ruth gathered barley there all day, and when she beat out the grain that evening, it came to about half a bushel. 18 She carried it back into town and showed it to her mother-in-law. Ruth also gave her the food that was left over from her lunch. 19 "So much!" Naomi exclaimed. "Where did you gather all this grain today? Where did you work? May the LORD bless the one who helped you!" So Ruth told her mother-in-law about the man in whose field she had worked. And she said, "The man I worked with today is named Boaz." 20 "May the LORD bless him!" Naomi told her daughter-in-law. "He is showing his kindness to us as well as to your dead husband. That man is one of our closest relatives, one of our family redeemers." 21 Then Ruth said, "What's more, Boaz even told me to come back and stay with his harvesters until the entire harvest is completed." 22 "This is wonderful!" Naomi exclaimed. "Do as he said. Stay with his workers right through the whole harvest. You will be safe there, unlike in other fields." 23 So Ruth worked alongside the women in Boaz's fields and gathered grain with them until the end of the barley harvest. Then she worked with them through the wheat harvest, too. But all the while she lived with her mother-in-law.
Reflecting on God’s Word
How can we recognize God’s favor in our lives?
We need to become aware of the times and ways that God arranges things for your good. “Chances” are we have received far more of God’s favor than we recognize.
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
Ruth 2:4, NIV, reads: 4 Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, "The Lord be with you!" "The Lord bless you!" they called back. Note “Just then.” God has placed Boaz where He wanted him to be. This is not luck or chance – this is God at work!
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
Read Ruth 2:5-7. What is Ruth asking for?
Ruth asked for more that she is entitled to. She is asking to gather from the harvest – not from the leftovers. Holy boldness in action!
Understanding God’s Purpose for Us
Boaz’ response in verses 8-9 is another example of God’s favor. Boaz gives Ruth permanent work and he also provides protection. Ruth is also welcome to the fresh water supply.
What is Ruth’s response to Boaz? (Verse 10).
What is Boaz’ response to Ruth? (Verses 11-12).
How does God continue to pour out his favor on Ruth? (Verses 13-16).
Ruth showed up at the field in the morning unemployed with little prospect for making life better. She gets hired, given permanent status, some nice benefits, and a great lunch!
Ruth received God’s favor. She recognized God’s hand at work and was thankful.
Applying God’s Word to Our Purpose
Naomi recognizes God’s favor. Thirty to fifty pounds of grain and food leftover from lunch. She breaks out in praise to God. (Verses 20-23).
Naomi knows that Boaz is a family (kinsman) redeemer. He had the responsibility to see that Naomi’s husband’s property was retained in his family. It could also mean in some cases that he was required to marry the widow of the relative to insure that a child would be born to carry on the family line. The family redeemer literally held the future of the family in his hands. It was his responsibility and his opportunity to “redeem” or buy back the family’s heritage.
Naomi has moved from bitter to thankful. She recognizes God’s favor.
Stop counting on “luck.” Take time today to embrace the living God who delights in giving His grace and favor to His faithful children.