Year 1, Day 284: Ruth 2

Let me begin this blog post today with a simple statement: the Laws of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul.  (Psalm 19:7)

{For any of you who like male a capella groups, listen to the song “More Precious than Gold” from Acapella found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hneZSw4BKQ}  

The Law

Perhaps you are wondering why I would be posting this quote while speaking to the second chapter of Ruth.  Well, let me give you two passages to look up: Deuteronomy 24:19-22 and Leviticus 19:9.

Both of those passages deal with harvest time and how the land owner is to treat the product of the ground.  The directive is for the landowner to treat the ground with humbleness, leaving leftover produce for those who are not able to have fields of their own.  Just as we freely receive the grain from the ground, we should be freely willing to give of that which we did not make to those who could also not make their own.  These laws are about being humble before our God and before others.

The People God Can Use

These laws also set up the avenue for Ruth to meet Boaz.  No, God did not make these laws so that Ruth and Boaz would meet.  But God used these laws to bring Ruth and Boaz together.  God knew Boaz was a humble servant because he gleaned his land properly.  God new Ruth was a humble servant because she chose her spiritual welfare over her material welfare.  God sees two people who are willing to be humble and knows that they are two people that He can use to bring about the line of David and eventually the line of His own Son.  God doesn’t require great people, or wealthy people, or even highly educated people.  God simply requires humbleness.  God desires that we put our ways aside and adopt His ways.

Notice, however, Boaz’s generosity continues above and beyond the call of the law.  Boaz lets Ruth glean behind his gleaners, but he also invites her to partake from his water that his servants have drawn.  He invites her to his table to eat with his reapers.  He encourages his own young men to be generous to her.  In summary, Boaz invites her into his community.  Boaz could have simply allowed the law to reign and let her be on her way after taking from his field.  But this is not so.  Boaz sees this poor woman and gives her a community into which she finds welcome.  This is not just law, but also grace.

What Attracts other People of God

What is it that draws Boaz to Ruth in the first place?  Sure, this story sounds like a Hallmark Channel story of love and this is the beginning stages of flirtatiousness.  And perhaps there was some inherent physical attraction here.  But that is not what the Bible tells us.  The Bible indicates that what draws Boaz to Ruth is her willingness to follow the Lord of the Hebrew people and to be devoted to her mother-in-law.  (Ruth 2:11-12)  It is Ruth’s humble nature that draws the eye of the humble Boaz!

We can learn from this for sure.  Do you desire to have humble friends?  Be humble; those in the world who are humble will recognize it and be drawn to you.  Do you desire to have moral friends?  Be moral, those who are moral in the world will recognize it and be drawn to you.  This can be said for many things.  Given that this is in the midst of a love story, I can’t help but make a bold claim for those looking for love in this world.  If you are looking for a loving and humble spouse, be the characteristics that you wish to find in a spouse.  Those who embody the characteristics you portray will be drawn to you and you will recognize them.  The key to finding a loving and humble spouse is not luck – it is embodying those qualities yourself!

Favor and Blessing

Now look at Naomi’s response to Ruth’s work and Boaz’s generosity.  In giving away a small portion of what God had given him, Boaz receives Naomi’s favor and her blessing!  Boaz receives a gift that he could have never received except through his humbleness.  Naomi’s blessing is worth far more than the few pieces of grain that he gave up.

The Player Behind the Scenes

But there is one more thing that we haven’t spoken of.  Besides Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz there is one more player in this story.  God is there.  God directs Ruth to a field where she will be cared for.  He directs Ruth to a place where she will not be abused or assaulted.  God directs her to a place where she won’t have to “pay” for the right to glean from the field.  God is with Ruth, He is with Boaz, and He is with Naomi.  God is with those who humble themselves before Him.

<><