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Guided into the field of favour

Guided into the field of favour
Ruth 2:1-23 NIV.

In Chapter 1, Ruth shows kindness to Naomi, demonstrating God’s love for her in her time of suffering. Chapter 2 shows how God used the kindness of a close relative, Boaz (v20), to reward and favour Ruth for her faith—“taking refuge in God.”

  • Ruth took refuge in God…
Earlier in Chapter 1, we saw that Ruth, a Moabite widow, insisted on returning to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law (1:4-5, 1:16-18, 1:22), although Moabites were enemies of Israel (Judges 3:12). So why this decision? Aside from her love for her mother-in-law, Chapter 2 shows that Ruth had “come to take refuge” in God (v12).

She found faith in God and declared to Naomi, “…your God my God” (1:16). This declaration meant a different way of living, so rather than stay in Moab—where God is rejected, she returned with Naomi to live in Bethlehem—the house of bread, where God provides. (v23).

  • And found favour with Boaz…
While in Bethlehem, Ruth went gleaning, and “as it turned out” (v3), she was gleaning at the field of Boaz—a guardian-redeemer (v1, 20). So who is a guardian-redeemer?

A guardian-redeemer is a protector and provider of the family, they have various duties: to redeem the property of their kinsman and keep it in the family (Lev 25:23-34); to redeem a poor relative who sold themselves as a slave (Lev 25:35-55); to seek justice for the murder of his kinsman (Num 35:9-34) and to extend the family line of their kinsman’s childless widow (Deu 25:5-10).

The rest of the chapter shows us that Boaz is a very capable guardian-redeemer: He is prosperous (v1-3), pious (v4), a protector (v5-9, 22), principled (v11-12), and a provider (v14-18, 21). So, as a guardian-redeemer, Boaz can extend the family line of Ruth (v1, 20). And Ruth just found favour with him in his field (v10, 13), which she extends to Naomi (v11, 14, 19, 23).

All these great qualities that Boaz demonstrates towards the widows, Ruth and Naomi, points to God—whom the Bible describes as the protector of widows (Psalm 68:5, ESV) and the redeemer of Israel and all who take refuge in Him (Psalm 34:22, Isaiah 43:14).

Ruth’s story shows us that when we (anyone, Israelite or Moabite) put our trust in God “as it turns out”, our lives are guided by God who redeems us in Christ Jesus for an eternal reward, ultimately, in a better field like that of Eden (Revelation 22:1-3).

Reflect & Pray
How does it encourage you to know that God guides your life? What should the blessings of God’s favour cause you to do?
Thank You, Father, that through Jesus, you have redeemed us, and You guide our lives daily into fields of favour through this life and into the next, amen.

God bless you exceedingly,
Sam.
“The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” Psalm 37:23-25 NLT.
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