Redeeming Ruth: Grace in Our Luck Ruth Chapter 2

      

      The story of Ruth is a beautiful story of God’s redemption and grace. It started on a very bad note. The story starts with Elimelech (God is my King) and his wife Naomi. They have two sons that sound neat, but mean Sick and dying. But the story gets better. As last week illustrated sometimes life sucks! But as bad as life is God is greater!

      Ruth chapter 2 starts with a conversation. In fact, most of the book is a conversation because it is focused on two lonely women and women talk a lot! Naomi and Ruth are both starving and Ruth request permission from Naomi to go and work.

      They have no food. They’re flat broke. Usually your husband, your father, your sons, are your, sort of, protector, defender, and they have no husband, no father, no son. They’re all by themselves. They’re flat broke. They’re getting hungry. There’s no money in their pocket. There’s no food on the shelves. The fridge is bare. Ruth looks at her mother-in-law, says, “I’m asking your permission to go out in the fields and glean.” And she, in faith, she in faith is trusting, “When I get out there, God’s gonna give someone a heart for me and you, and we’ll find favor in their eyes.” This is faith. She’s saying “I didn’t move all the way from Moab to Bethlehem and give my life to the Lord for the Lord to let me down. I’m gonna go out there and he’s gonna introduce me to somebody who’s gonna take care of us, give me a job, give me dinner, give me something. Do I have your permission to go glean?”

 

      Ruth goes out to glean in the fields in verse 3. Gleaning is the Hebrew Equivalent of Food Stamps, the Hebrew welfare system. It was not intended to be permanent but a means for the impoverished to work their way out of poverty. It was not always a secure position. There was some danger in going out to the field as an attractive, young, foreigner. As a Moabitess she had no rights and the times she lived in where dark.

      It just happened that she was directed to glean in the fields of Boaz. As Christians we don’t believe anything happens by accident. God’s sovereignty is evident in this passage. His hand of providence is evident in the events of Ruth. And if we are willing to see it, God’s providential hand in our circumstances. Suffering is momentary and we must be willing to go out and take actions when God opens a door.

      Boaz was an upstanding member of society. God lead Ruth to Boaz’s field to glean; because he was a worthy man. This phrase is often times describe a man of war, a man of wealth, and a man of wherewithal. Boaz is a man’s man. He was a chivalrous man who was a protector, provider, pastor. He loved and feared God had a job then approached Ruth.  He was a good man and a great boss. He prayed for, blessed, and supported his employees.

      Rich or poor, we should strive to serve like Ruth and give like Boaz. We are like Ruth in our Christian life. We have all been through a period where we were helpless in

our sins and in need of redemption. Boaz portrays a picture of Christ to us. God cares for His people and desires to work things out. There are many people who have a socialistic view of Christianity and have adopted Robin Hood theology; who essentially believe that the rich are sinful and the poor are righteous. But in this story we see two people on two separate ends of the economical spectrum both live very righteous lives. 

Bo'az demonstrates that true charity does not rob from one in order to give to another. Those who work for their money deserve to enjoy the benefit of their labor. The law required that Bo'az provide a portion to assist those in need. But He went above and beyond that and moved from the law to grace. That is true charity and a picture of God's love for us.

      On the other hand there are those who think that financial wealth is an indicator of spiritual blessing. This is what’s called prosperity theology. And it couldn’t be farther from the truth. Rich or poor have nothing to do with the work of God. He uses all of the above. He invites us to be generous people, freely we have received freely we give. God calls us to himself.

      I invited you to Jesus. I invite you to his mission. I invite you to be people of grace and generosity and lavish favor and kindness. I invite you to the kingdom lifestyle of Jesus. If you don’t know him, you need to. He gave salvation as a gift. Just, don’t come to him with hands full. Come to him with hands empty, as Ruth came to Boaz, and he will exceed all expectations. Confess your sin, and the Lord Jesus Christ will forgive you. Trust Him for he works all things out for your good and his glory