Series: Ruthless
Message: Breaking the Status Quo
Preacher: Jessyka Albert
Refresh: Open with prayer. Read or listen to Psalm 36:5-12.
Read: Ruth 2:8-16 — As you read in the ESV translation, note 1-3 insights that arise.
Reflect: In these verses, we see the character of Boaz. He shows Ruth “hesed,” a Hebrew term meaning lovingkindness, or a kindness that cannot be repaid. Through the acts and generosity of Boaz, Ruth is seeing the love and care of God. While she admires his character, he responds back admiring hers. He has seen that she has given up everything to take care of Naomi and has taken refuge under the wings of a foreign God who she is quickly becoming more acquainted with.
She says to Boaz in verse 13, “I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not one of your servants.” The author of Ruth is extremely blatant with foreshadowing the future of Ruth. We saw before the introduction of Boaz, before he and Ruth even met. Now, in verse 13, we see God slowly revealing to Ruth that although by “modern standards” she is not one of His servants, He will still comfort her and deal kindly with her.
Boaz feeds Ruth’s physical hunger, while God is feeding her spiritual longing for Him. In every event of Ruth’s story, God is at work leading and guiding her. He has a plan for her life. In his novel of this world’s salvation, he begins writing in Ruth as a key character.
Recalibrate:
Respond: Pray for growth.
Research: Learn more about Boaz by reading the genealogy in Matthew 1, and his mother, Rahab, in Joshua 6.