July 22, 2008

Boaz's Admiration for Ruth's Behavior

Read Ruth 2:4-16

Now, understand that Naomi had a relative on her husband's side named Boaz. And

if the Bible were written today it would read, "Boaz -- THE MAN! We read that

he was "a man of standing."  In other words, he was THE man! He had it all: faith,

property, a bit of cash, and a dab of power. And as it just so turns out that Ruth

ends up in one of his fields gleaning grain from the harvest. And guess what? Boaz

notices her right off. Could it have been because of her hard work or maybe her

great attitude? Because of what she had done for Naomi? Sure it was! But I also

think it was because she was a great looking, olive-skinned, dark-haired, middle-

eastern gal. Whatever it was, Boaz broke with custom to make sure Ruth was

well taken care of during the harvest. See, when Ruth went out in the fields, God

provided for her. If we're waiting for God to provide for us, maybe we should

consider this: he may be waiting for us to take the first step to show just how great

our need is. Just like Ruth did.

Ruth's task, though menial, tiring, and probably a bit degrading, was done faithfully

and with diligent care.  Let's consider this.  What is our attitude when we have been

given a task that may not be up to our true potential? The task may be all we can

handle or may just simply be the work God wants us to do. Or, in Ruth's case, it

may be a test of character that can open up new doors of opportunity. Her life

exhibited such qualities as hard-working, loving, kind, faithful, and brave. All of

these qualities gained her a good reputation that was very attractive to Boaz. He

went far beyond the intent of the gleaner's law in demonstrating his kindness and

generosity. Not only did he let Ruth glean in his field, he also told his workers to

let some of the grain fall in her path. Out of Boaz's abundance, he provided for

the needy. Just think for a minute -- how many times do we go out of our way to

provide for the less fortunate?

I've tried to reach out to some of those less fortunate in the form of the Kairos

prison ministry program. Each year we spend one extended weekend with selected

inmates followed by monthly reunions.  It's been a remarkable blessing in my life

in the fact that so many of these guys are searching for God and they just don't

know how to come to him. Kairos brings God into the prison system through

ordinary guys like me. And what I get in return makes me feel somewhat guilty.

To see how God moves and works in that type of environment is nothing short of

awe-inspiring, uplifting, and spiritually moving. And it always seems that a weekend

or a reunion occurs just when I need some renewal. I guess I look at it this way: I'm

going out into the field, working for a harvest, and just when I get beaten down or

start to backslide, God once again lifts me up. He's looking after me just like Boaz

was looking out for Ruth. If we demonstrate the qualities of Ruth with steadfast faith

and trust in God, and take some initiative by going out for the harvest, we too will be

looked after in the form of eternal life.

                                                                                     Oren Reedy