Years ago, my wife and I lived in Colorado…south of Denver. We needed to drive to her Grandmother’s funeral in Iowa, but we were to pick up her parents in Nebraska on the way. We were unable to leave until the late evening / early morning hours. The plan was to drive to Nebraska and then let my Father-in-law drive the rest of the way. We had a very full day, loaded sleeping children into the car, and began our 4 hour drive. Before we reached the highway, my sweet tired pregnant wife was fast asleep, and I was already nodding. I drove for about an hour, reached the north side of Denver, pulled onto highway 76, still 3 hours from our destination, and could not keep my eyes open no matter what I did. So, I pulled over. We eventually reached Nebraska and our relief driver, but we realized one thing that night – we would never again attempt to drive through the night!
In our sleep-deprived culture it appears many people question the value of rest. Some even cut back on their sleep to carve out time for exercise. For what it’s worth, you burn around 70 calories per hour simply sleeping. That means a good 8 hour night of sleep approximates a 5 mile jog.—(Source: Saturday Evening Post, September/October 2000)
Our society has a struggle with being able to truly rest! If it’s not work – then it’s family. If it’s not family – then it’s projects around the house. If it’s not projects – then it recreational activities…and the list goes on! Even more importantly than physical rest, we must practice spiritual rest. The believer must rest in God’s guidance, wisdom, and perfect way.
If you have your Bible or an online connection, please turn to Ruth 2:4-10.
1. The Arrival
Boaz wasn’t around when Ruth came to the field…she didn’t know it was his field!
Dr. William L. Pettingill the well-known Bible teacher and author of many books, at a meeting of the Philadelphia Fundamentalists made a penetrating remark on the subject of God’s will. "Most people," he said, "don't want to know the will of God in order to do it; they want to know it in order to consider it." It often takes time to learn just what God wants us to do in any particular matter, but once we know His purpose we ought not to delay in at least beginning to carry it out by His grace. And when obedience is prompt? Well, the songwriter says it this way, "when we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way!" (Source: Sunday School Times).
Ruth didn’t know what the full outcome of following God’s way (gleaning) would yield. However, although the path would be bumpy and hard, God provided all that was needed. God’s way is perfect…down to the finest detail!
Also, don’t miss this…Boaz greets his laborers – “the Lord be with you.” Boaz has good management / labor skills. This is consistent with how we know Boaz in the rest of the book of Ruth. Boaz is a kindhearted and generous man to his hired help, as well as a complete stranger (Ruth). Much to learn from here, but simply said, kindheartedness and generosity are character traits the Lord has for us all (part of His way for us). How well are we following His way when it comes to these kinds of character traits?
2. The Approach
Whose damsel is this? Boaz notices Ruth. Basically, it is similar to, “Wow. Who is this woman?!!” Boaz is drawn to Ruth at the very beginning.
A park ranger at Yellowstone National Park was leading a group of hikers to a fire lookout. The ranger was so intent on telling the hikers about the flowers and animals that he considered the messages on his two-way radio distracting, so he switched it off. As the group neared the tower, the ranger was met by a nearly breathless lookout, who asked why he hadn’t responded to the messages on his radio. A grizzly bear had been seen stalking the group, and the authorities were trying to warn them of the danger.
Any time we tune out the Holy Spirit or ignore the warnings of the Bible we put ourselves and those around us in danger. (Source: 750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers, and Writers, Craig Brian Larson)
Ruth was in danger. She needed protection. The servant says it is the Moabite woman that came back with Naomi. Boaz has been away…he now sees her and wants to know who she is. Perhaps the servant thought Boaz may not have approved of Ruth being there -- so the servant says she “asked this way” (v. 7). Boaz makes his thoughts clear in 2:8-9. Boaz basically says, “Ruth, don’t go anywhere else…stay right here to glean. I have even told the young men to not touch you!” Boaz fully extends his protection to Ruth.
God watches over Ruth and protects her and meets her financial, physical, and relational needs generously.
3. The Acclaim
Ruth (v. 10) falls on her face and bows herself down to the ground. She asks Boaz why she has found grace in his eyes. This is a sincere question. Ruth was prepared for ridicule from the Israelites – not grace! She is overwhelmed by this grace (receiving something you don’t deserve). When was the last time your took the opportunity to overwhelm another with grace…just a small glimpse of the massive grace you received from Jesus?
Lenny Skutnik had no intention of being a hero. The staffer at the Congressional Budget Office in Washington was having an ordinary winter day when Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the 14th Street Bridge over the Potomac River shortly after takeoff. Those who survived the crash faced death as the plane sank in the icy waters.
A helicopter dropped a rescue line to one of the survivors, but she was too weak to hold on. Lenny Skutnik saw what was happening and dove into the water. He swam out to her and pulled her back to shore, saving her life. Two weeks later, President Ronald Reagan invited Skutnik to attend the State of the Union address, and in describing the accident said: “We saw the heroism of one of our young government employees, Lenny Skutnik, who, when he saw a woman lose her grip on the helicopter line, dove into the water and dragged her to safety.” (Source: Presidential Voices, Allan Metcalf)
Why did Lenny show that lady such favor? Simply because he saw she needed help. Why did Boaz show such grace to Ruth? Because Ruth was beautiful? Because she had strong character and was now following the one true God? Because Boaz was taken with her? Perhaps all or some of these; however, one thing is clear when it comes to Boaz: he was a good, godly man who wanted to do right. How so?
We see later he never thought Ruth would desire him as a husband because he was much older than her.
We also see that Boaz didn’t have the judgmental, negative spirit toward a Moabite woman. Instead, he chose to protect her and honor her.
Why have I found grace in God’s eyes? It is not because I am attractive or incredibly holy. I cannot merit the grace of God! I receive the grace of God because He loves me and has chosen me!!
5 Steps to Take When Following God in Hard Times
…in addition to prayer and Bible reading:
1. Take one step at a time (Psalm 137:23; 119:105)
Don’t rush ahead out of impatience (Psalm 27:14)
Don’t lag behind out of fear or laziness (Phil. 3:14; 4:6-7)
2. Saturate your heart with truth (John 17:17)
It is easy to become confused when you embrace “fake news” (anything that doesn’t line up with the truth of the Bible), popular opinion, and fear.
Truth clarifies and affirms the next steps you need to take.
3. Don’t doubt in the darkness what you came to believe in the light.
Remember Jesus is the light and Satan is the liar. (John 8:12, 44)
Remember, we need to walk by faith and not by sight. (II Cor. 5:7)
4. Remember, God is in control. He has His goodness in mind for you! (Gen. 50:20; Prov. 19:21; Prov. 21:1)
Sometimes, what is good for me, is hard for me.
Access God’s grace by faith. (Rom. 5:2)
5. Live like your “hard time” is temporary, but that heaven is eternal. (II Cor. 4:18)
Believer … child of God … rest in God’s guidance, wisdom, and perfect way.