Ruth Week 3: A Kind Master
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
A Gracious Master
Ruth 2:4-9
Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, “The Lord be with you!”
“The Lord bless you!” they answered.
Boaz asked the overseer of his harvesters, “Who does that young woman belong to?”
The overseer replied, “She is the Moabite who came back from Moab with Naomi. She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.’ She came into the field and has remained here from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.”
So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me. Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.”
Talk about divine providence at work!! There was no "accident" that Boaz came out from the city at the same time Ruth was gleaning in his field! This is when we get to see God’s grace at work through Boaz.
Did it stand out to you in our scripture today how attentive and gracious Boaz greeted the servants in his fields? I noticed right away that Boaz was a man of God who led his team of harvesters with a kind spirit and passion. He truly wanted everyone to enjoy the blessings of the Lord. He was engaging and encouraging. He didn’t waste any time recognizing that a new face (Ruth) needed his attention. He then took the initiative to begin including her in the fields and provided direction and protection for her. Just as Boaz was gracious to Ruth, and all his servants, Christ is gracious to us and provides wisdom to direct our daily lives.
We should stand in awe and assurance that our sovereign God and leader is involved in every detail of our lives even though we may not always see His hand, sense His presence or "feel" like He is aware of what we are currently going through. Ladies, just think about it…..each one of us stands out in the crowd, just like Ruth did to Boaz. God sees our face and knows just what we need before we even ask. He knows us so well. Remember- He knows every hair on your head (Luke 12:7). In spite of what we do and all of our sins, our God still speaks to us in His grace. He speaks the word of salvation and gives guidance for our daily lives.
For further reading: Ephesians 2:1-10; 1 John 4:19; 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Oh, Heavenly Master, you are so good to us. You call us out of a crowd and fill each one of us with your grace, day after day. You know our every desire and every need. Let us proclaim Your worthiness and receive Your gift of grace with humble, grateful hearts.
In Jesus’ sweet name, I pray. Amen.
