Quote for the Day
“I’ve been told all about what you have done …”
Today's Prayer
This week pray that those on the road will seek out others to give God’s reward. Pray that God will give strength and insight to those traveling. Pray that those at home will continue to praise God for his strength and His Love.
Ruth 2:1-12
Ruth 2:1-12 (NIV)1 Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, from the clan of Elimelech, a man of standing, whose name was Boaz. 2 And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” 3 So she went out and began to glean in the fields behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she found herself working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech. 4 Just then Boaz arrived from and greeted the harvesters, “The LORD be with you!” “The LORD bless you!” they called back. 5 Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, “Whose young woman is that?” 6 The foreman replied, “She is the Moabitess who came back from with Naomi. 7 She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.’ She went into the field and has worked steadily from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.” 8 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 my servant girls. 9 Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the girls. I have told the men not to touch you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.” 10 At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She exclaimed, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me-a foreigner?” 11 Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband-how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. 12 May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD , the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
Message
Last week we saw the character of Ruth continue to unfold. This week let’s begin to explore the character of Boaz. Boaz is a man with property. In fact, he owned enough fields to employ many people. We are told he is a “man of standing”, a statement which most likely referenced his knowledge of Scripture and his godly character. All these add up to a man of spiritual influence and wealth, a combination not often seen in their world (or ours for that matter). What was Boaz really like? Look to the relationship with his workers. He comes to the fields to give them God’s blessings…and they respond back with the same. He had a strong relationship with those around him. He notices Ruth, the new girl, gleaning. This is like the CEO taking notice of the new janitor. He not only notices, but also asks how she is as a worker and about her background. He sees her character and IMMEDIATELY rewards her for it and protects her. Remember, this job Ruth was doing could also be considered dangerous, and in many cases she might have been forced off or hurt by others. Boaz saw her godly character and rewarded her for it. He does not hesitate at all. Do you take the time to see God’s character in others, AND then reward them for it? This week take the time to see whom God wants to reward through you.
