Amid the dark era of the Judges, God’s light shines through in the second chapter of Ruth. Initially centered around Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth, the narrative now expands to the broader community and introduces us to Boaz. The darkness of the Judges’ time had become personal for Ruth and Naomi, but God’s intervention in their dire circumstances is evident. In the book of Ruth, we witness God’s transformative work, not just in changing our circumstances but in changing our hearts and bringing us to faith.
Ruth, the Moabite, demonstrated her faith and initiative by asking Naomi’s permission to go to the field and glean among the ears of grain. Her faith was rewarded when she found herself in the field belonging to Boaz, a relative of her husband’s. Boaz, a man of integrity and compassion, showed kindness to Ruth and provided her with water. Ruth’s gratitude was evident as she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, thanking him. Boaz, in turn, praised Ruth for her faithfulness to her mother-in-law and faith in God, demonstrating the importance of faith and gratitude in our relationship with God.
Ruth’s faith led her to act despite the conditions against her. She did not wait around complaining about her difficulties. With genuine faith, Ruth found the goodwill of a wealthy landowner and, ultimately, the Lord. God wants us to be conformable, not comfortable. He works in the daily affairs of His people, and when we reflect His character through our interactions with others, we bring glory to Him. Obedience in everyday life pleases God.
Boaz, a man of integrity, protection, compassion, and generosity, stood out among the men of his day. His character mirrored some of the critical attributes of godliness and served as a foreshadowing of Christ. Boaz’s grace, like Jesus’ grace, was evident in his interactions with Ruth. His kindness, displayed in perfect timing, was a testament to divine providence. The presence of God permeated Boaz’s life, underscoring the reality of God’s care for His people.
Let us learn from Ruth and Boaz’s examples and strive to reflect God’s character in our daily lives. May we act with faith, gratitude, integrity, and compassion toward those around us, bringing glory to God through our interactions. Let us remember that even in the darkest of times, God’s light can shine through, and His transformative work can change our circumstances and our hearts.
Debbie Swindell 