Ruth 2: 4-10
4 Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, “The LORD be with you!”
And they answered him, “The LORD bless you!”
5 Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?”
6 So the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered and said, “It is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. 7 And she said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ So she came and has continued from morning until now, though she rested a little in the house.”
8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not go to glean in another field, nor go from here, but stay close by my young women. 9 Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Have I not commanded the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn.”
10 So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?”
And they answered him, “The LORD bless you!”
5 Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?”
6 So the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered and said, “It is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. 7 And she said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ So she came and has continued from morning until now, though she rested a little in the house.”
8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not go to glean in another field, nor go from here, but stay close by my young women. 9 Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Have I not commanded the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn.”
10 So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?”
Now we step back into the book and Ruth and we pick up with the day that Boaz and Ruth met. Notice how Boaz comes into the scene. Now you have to recognize this to appreciate Boaz. He walks up to his employees and says “The Lord be with you” and they reply “The Lord bless you”. Scripture clearly shows us that Boaz is a man who serves God. Now I know not everyone that says Lord is a servant of God, but you can see in these scriptures he is a man of character and compassion. I believe he is loved by his people and his employees. Boaz is different and what I mean by this is he is set apart from the average fellow. God’s people need to be set apart. We do not need to affiliate with things that hinder others from obtaining the gospel.
This is what God expects from us. We are to be set apart in all walks of life to honor Christ. Peter said that we are a royal priesthood and a peculiar people. Today many church people are religious and act the same as everybody else. We have somehow mixed American philosophy into Church principles in the name of religion. We need bigger houses so let’s build bigger Churches. We need fancier clothes so let’s make fancier sanctuaries. Am I opposed to nice Church buildings? Absolutely not, but I will tell you God wants the temple to be honorable, and Paul said that we and our “bodies” are the “Temple of God” not a building. Also I have noticed how we honor American ways in the name of patriotism and conservatism. This is not being set apart it is being a good southern American Christian. Some preachers sound more like a Republican running for office than a messenger of the true God. Don’t get me wrong we ministers need to rebuke corrupt political matters that are a danger to the flock of God but I endorse no man only Christ Jesus! I use to serve the Republican god but now my allegiance is to Christ alone! Conservative churches who love to sing the praises of America are no different than Liberal churches promoting their liberal platforms. When Jesus was asked about paying taxes or tithing he said “give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto the Lord what is the Lord’s”. I think Christ wants us to be concerned about the Kingdom. Everything else is just noise and a distraction. If it is not about saving souls then it is nothing more than vain religion.
Now look at verse 5 Boaz is saying “Who is that”? I have a feeling she was one good looking lady. Now picture this. Ruth though she is a Moabite she is more than likely dressed like a Jewish girl. Remember she told Naomi I will make your people my people and your God my God. She took on their customs and was not dressed like a heathen. I think even though she is dressed as widow in common clothing she was beautiful. Why does that matter? Well the reason it matters is because this entire scene is a picture of us. You see as I said earlier in one of my post Boaz is a “type of Christ” which means he is an illustration found in scripture that portrays the Savior’s image. In this picture we see an image of Christ glancing over into the field and the Church catches his eye. Now the Church isn’t First Baptist or whatever is on the sign as you probably know it is all who believe. Not only is he seeing believers he sees all who will believe also. You see Jesus died for all humanity, but only those who believe become joined with him. Christ pursues us with his love. The scripture said that “while we were living in sin and pleasure Christ died for us”. Have you ever chased someone? Have you guys ever thought man she is pretty and I am going after her, or maybe you gals have said that boy is going to be mine! Well that is Christ for men and women all over the earth today. The Bible says that “He first loved us”. You see Christ sees you as beautiful! This is why Ruth is pretty because we are beautiful in his eyes and we have caught his attention.
Wow isn’t Gods word moving! I told you no Hollywood script could write this. Check out my next post to see more about the story of Ruth.
Jesus Saves,
RR
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