God Blesses the faithful
Yesterday we looked at the Moabite woman Ruth as she set out in the fields, working long hard hours just to meet the physical needs of herself and Naomi. She was content to put in the work in order to reap the harvest of her labor.
The owner of the field is a wealthy man named Boaz who noticed the new hard-working woman. He was so impressed that she asked his foreman about her. After the foreman
explained that Ruth had been out there all day with very little rest, Boaz felt compelled to bless her.
Ruth 2:8-14 “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 young women working in my field. See the part of the field they are harvesting and follow them. I have warned the young men not to treat you roughly. And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well.’
Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. ‘What have I done to deserve such kindness?’ she asked. ‘I am only a foreigner.’
‘Yes I know,’ Boaz replied. ‘But I also know about everything you have done for 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. May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.’
‘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 one of your workers.’ At mealtime Boaz called to her, ‘Come over here, and help yourself to some food. You can dip your bread in the sour wine.’ So she sat with his harvesters, and Boaz gave her some roasted grain to eat. She ate all she wanted and still had some left over.”
Boaz’s blessing to Ruth was clearly motivated by his shared devotion to the Lord in wanting to bless her for things only the Lord sees and knows. Boaz brought her safety in the field, gave her direction, water, and food presented with great generosity and kindness. Because of Ruth’s faithfulness and hard work in going God’s way, God then blessed Ruth through Boaz with even more blessings than what we read today (stay tuned).
Questions:
What are some of the ways Boaz blessed Ruth?
Why did Boaz even want to give Ruth these things?
Who has shown us kindness even when we don’t feel as though we deserve it? (JESUS!)
What has God blessed you with?
How can you be a faithful steward of the blessing God has given you today?