Hey Guys!
Today’s post on Godly Relationships will delve
deeper into Ruth Chapter 2.
For the initial post on this topic-click here!
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Ruth 2:6-12 (NIV)
6 The overseer replied, “She is the Moabite who came back from
Moab with Naomi. 7 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.”
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 the
women who work for me. 9 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.”
10 At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She
asked him, “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.”
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1.
PRESENCE: Now the overseer here
replied to Boaz’s question about who Ruth belongs to –because Boaz had noticed her presence. When you
walk with God-He makes you stand out: let
your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and give glory
to your Father in Heaven. (Matt. 5:16)
The overseer knew Ruth’s
history and explained it to Boaz; he also described Ruth’s request-this shows-you should not be afraid to ask: don’t block your blessings because of fear
of asking: ask and it shall be given unto you. (Matt. 7:7) And just because you’ve asked does not mean
the answer will come in a manner that you expect. Ruth was not aware of
Boaz’s query as to her status-she was as of yet unaware of him. Hence men and
women of God, keep doing your thing-allow God to present you to your destiny
helpers-allow Him introduce you. God
used the overseer to introduce Boaz to Ruth without
her knowledge! Isn’t that just beautiful? So go about your Father’s
business and let His presence speak for you.
2.
PERSISTENCE: Ruth was persistent-she
gleaned from morning till now and only
took a short rest. Are you still gleaning? In other words, are you still
going about the last instruction God gave you? Are you faithful where He has
placed you-He who is faithful with little
is faithful with more. (Luke 16:10).
Its interesting as well
that Ruth was there from morning and clearly it is no longer morning-as the
overseer said “till now”. God may have placed you in the same position for a
couple of seasons-and you think it is stagnancy but its not-Boaz met Ruth in
that field-God has placed you in a position where He has arranged for you to
meet certain people-don’t be impatient-it is true that hope differed makes the
heart sick (Prov. 13:12)-and some of you in tarrying have become sick with
expectation and exhaustion-but rely on the Spirit so you can run and not faint
(Isaiah 40:31)-keep about your Father’s business-you can take a short rest but don’t make it a permanent one. Ruth took
a short rest-that did not mean she was not persistent-so don’t be too hard on
yourself-you may be tired and need rest-but the operative word here is it
should be short. And since
she was faithful with little, she was
given more.
3.
INTRODUCTION: Boaz introduced himself
to Ruth. He introduced himself in connection with her actions. So what are your
actions saying about you? How you act is how people will react to you. Ruth was
a hard worker and Boaz addressed her with the respect and proper context
pertinent to her situation. So what does your situation say about you? Does it
describe you as a hard worker? Or as lazy? As troublesome? Or adept? It’s
really important because this is what introduces you and this affects how
people address you. Boaz addressed Ruth as a hard worker-he told her not to
glean-not to look-anywhere else but to stay where she was. Some of you are
worried about where your next rent/food/clothing/opportunity is going to come
from-but God sends you a Boaz Blessing at the right time! So keep being
faithful and He will meet all your needs. (Matt. 6:34)
4.
RECOGNITION: Ruth was recognized by
Boaz-he said he had told the men not to touch her-hence she was now recognized
in her position-she was given importance in the field. Keep about what God has
told you to do-recognition is God’s expression of His favor over you. Ruth
received recognition-she was favored. She was also given access. With recognition
comes access. Ruth was given access to water that was already filled. When
God’s favor is on you, abundance is the fruit. Ruth was working before but now
she has been given permission and recognition on the field and has been blessed
with access-when you go where the LORD
sends you-He gives you recognition and He blesses you with access because you
have been obedient. So follow His Spirit.
5.
RESPECT: Ruth was humble. A lot of people bungle the
blessings they have received with pride. Remember: those who praise themselves will be humbled. (Matt. 23:12.) She
recognized the favor-she bowed her face
to the ground-does your posture suggest respect or arrogance? As I said
before actions are important. She asked Boaz why she had received such
favor-hence she recognized that this was favor-and she also recognized she had
been set apart-because she was noticed although she was a foreigner. And Boaz
responded in accordance with her deeds-the Word says faith without deeds is
dead. When you act in line with faith-your deeds will speak for you. Ruth’s
deeds spoke for her-and paved the way for the respect she received from Boaz
that led to her recognition and favor.
What people fail to
realize is following God will cost you-whoever loses his life will gain it,
whoever gains his life will lose it-find bible verse-it requires commitment,
effort and consistency. And that is what Ruth did-she left everything and made
a covenant with Naomi-and she was recognized for it.
And to show the extent
of his respect for her Boaz prayed for her-this is important on so many levels
but I want to tackle it here in the context of relationships. This was a Godly
connection as I have been describing-when someone has been sent of God-you will
hear the language of His presence-in this instance-it was prayer. The fact that Boaz prayed for Ruth is confirmation that not
only was he a man of God but he was a man that recognized God’s presence-which
for singles is important as a man/woman of God should carry His fragrance. But
also, it shows his heart. Actions always show people’s hearts. So how do those
around you react to your good/bad news? Boaz reacted to Ruth’s past with a
prayer-some people respond in judgment. That
shows you how you are positioned from their perspective. Respect requires
mutual recognition. Ruth recognized Boaz’s kindness and Boaz recognized Ruth’s
sacrifice.
How are you recognized?
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God Bless,
Tolu.