Read Ruth 2:10–13
HE’S MAKING A LIST…
A couple of years ago, a video did the rounds on social media of a young boy
getting warned by his dad that his bad behaviour would put him on Santa’s
naughty list. The kid gets visibly affronted by this and responds with comical
indignation: ‘Well, Father Christmas is not being very nice to me!’
Whether or not your household ‘does Santa’ (I’m not opening that can of
worms!), many people imagine God as a kind of cosmic Father Christmas.
Perhaps we feel we need to be on our best behaviour because otherwise God
will ‘find out who’s naughty or nice’.
But thankfully, the gospel is much better than Santa – and Ruth chapter 2
is going to help us see why!
WHY WOULD YOU NOTICE ME?
God has led Ruth to Boaz’s field, where she has encountered his stunning
generosity. In response, Ruth asks Boaz a question, which takes us to the
heart of the gospel. Bowing her face in humble disbelief, Ruth asks, ‘Why
have I found such favour in your eyes that you notice me – a foreigner?’ (v.
10).
It’s sometimes said that we live in an ‘entitlement generation’. Look at the
way that Christmas lists turn into Christmas demands, or how festive
gatherings can quickly boil over as someone takes offence at the slightest
remark.
And maybe this entitlement can spill over into how we approach God.
But not so with Ruth. For a start, she knew she was at the bottom rung of
the ladder in terms of her cultural social standing: a widow, a foreigner and,
worst of all, a Moabite. She was an outsider to God’s covenant promises and
so she bows her face (v. 10).
So why had Boaz noticed her? Boaz’s answer seems intriguing. He
acknowledges how Ruth has treated Naomi (v. 11) and then he blesses her,
‘May the Lord repay you for what you have done’ (v. 12).
Is Boaz suggesting Ruth has earned his kindness, a bit like how we think
about Santa? Is Boaz just rewarding Ruth’s actions with bundles of grain,
rather than sacks of coal?
MEEK SOULS WILL RECEIVE HIM STILL
Boaz is pointing out that ultimately Ruth has received blessing because she’s
turned and trusted in the Lord. His description of Ruth’s actions even evokes
memories of Abraham’s faith (v. 11).
And don’t miss the wonder of Boaz’s final remark: ‘May you be richly
rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come
to take refuge’ (v. 12). It’s the imagery of a baby bird seeking protection
under the wings of their parent. But, of course, in such a scenario we praise
the provision and security of the parent rather than the efforts of the
juvenile!
Likewise, Ruth has humbly come in repentance and faith to the Lord.
Consequently, she is now enjoying a taste of the gracious blessing found
under his wings. As such, we praise God for his kindness, rather than pat
ourselves on the back.
REFLECTION
Tese wings of refuge find their ultimate fulfilment in Jesus Christ. As we
humbly come to him, turning and trusting in his mercy alone, we find a safe
and secure place – even amidst the craziness of Christmas. Spend some time
reflecting on how the gospel is much better than Santa! Are you ever tempted
to try and prove your own worthiness instead?
Listen to ‘The Unbelievable’ by Sovereign Grace Music
Discipleship
Discipleship