Ruth 2:10-23

In this portion of Ruth, we learn that Boaz has just offered Ruth access to his fields for gleaning, protection as she works and water whenever she is thirsty.  She humbly acknowledges that she does not have the standing of even one of his servant girls being that she is a foreigner and not an Israelite.  Yet, Boaz affirms Ruth by informing her that he has heard of all that she has done for Naomi.  He then speaks a blessing over her life asking for the LORD, whose wings she has come to take refuge under, to richly reward her and repay her for all she has done.  Boaz invites Ruth to his table and allows her to enjoy her fill.  She returns home to Naomi with leftovers from her meal as well as all she has gleaned from the fields.  Ruth relays whose field she has worked in to which Naomi responds with utter joy, revealing that Boaz is in fact one of “our kinsman redeemers”.  Naomi then encourages Ruth to continue working in Boaz’s field where she will remain free of harm and Ruth gleans until the barley and wheat harvests are completed.

This text points to three of many wonderful applications in our lives:

• Humble yourself.
• Give out of your wealth AND your poverty.
• Dine with your Kinsman Redeemer.

Jesus is our paramount example of humility.  The following verses from John are just a fraction of what the Bible has to offer regarding Jesus’ attitude concerning Himself and the humility that He displayed while on earth.

• “The Son can do nothing of Himself.”  -John 5: 19
• “I do not accept praise from men.” -John 5:41
• “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” -John 6:38
• “I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father taught me.” -John 8:28
• “I am not seeking glory for myself.” -John 8:50

It stands to reason that if God in the flesh lived a life in deference to His father, we likewise should live in submission to God, yielding our thoughts, plans and actions to those that would be in accordance to His will for our lives.

This life of entire self-abnegation (self denial or self sacrifice), of absolute submission and dependence upon the Father’s will, Christ found to be one of perfect peace and joy. He lost nothing by giving all to God. ~Andrew Murray

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less. ~C.S. Lewis

Do we really believe that we will lose nothing by giving all to God?  Just imagine, we too, can experience perfect peace and joy in total surrender and in deference to God and His plans for us.  If Jesus, Himself, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped and made Himself nothing, taking on the very nature of a servant (Philippians 2:6-7), shouldn’t we embrace humility and clothe ourselves in it?  Colossians 3:12 begins by saying we are God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved.  I am convinced that if we do not at some level grasp God’s vast love for us and see that we are undoubtedly chosen by Him for a purpose on this earth, we will be hard pressed to clothe ourselves in humility and the other wondrous qualities described.

Clothe yourselves with humility because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. -1 Peter 5:5 

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. -Colossians 3:12

What does humility look like?  Below is simply a short list of qualities that are often displayed in the life of someone who is humble.

• Selfless
• Doesn’t demand his/her own way
• Listens kindly for understanding
• Non-judgmental
• Doesn’t speak, act, or think of oneself as superior to anyone
• Answers gently
• Willing to yield the right to be right
• Compassionate
• Gives others the benefit of the doubt
• Forgiving
• Looks for the best in others
• Gracious & Merciful

“Really great men have a curious feeling that the greatness is not of them, but through them. And they see something divine in every other man and are endlessly, foolishly, incredibly merciful.” ~John Ruskin

Do we search for the divine in others, assuming the best and expecting the best, thereby seeking to imbue mercy in every interaction?

We see that Boaz gave out of his wealth by giving of his crops and his protection physically as well as his protection from shame.  He also invited Ruth to dine at his very table.  Ruth shows us an example of one who gave out of her poverty by giving her faithfulness, loyalty and willingness to forego all that was familiar to assist Naomi in her venture back to her homeland.  Ruth also gives in her willingness to work steadily to provide food for the two of them.  It is remarkable to see that God assures us of the following:

You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion… ~2 Corinthians 9:11

With this in mind, we must ask ourselves: what talents, strengths, gifts, and material possessions do we possess, in excess, that God is calling us to use generously to care for others?  Conversely, what is difficult, challenging or something we lack that God is asking us to dig deep and give away?

Lastly, we are invited to Dine with our Kinsman Redeemer.  The Hebrew word “Goel” which means “to redeem” is where we get the word Kinsman Redeemer.  We find a form of this word 23 times in the book of Ruth.  This “Goel” must be the nearest male blood relative.  As I contemplated the word redeem, I looked up the definition on Merriam-Webster’s website and found the following description.  As you read it, imagine God’s role in your life as the Ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer and what He has done and longs to do for you.

• to free from what distresses or harms
• to free from captivity by payment of ransom
• to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental
• to release from blame or debt
• to free from the consequences of sin
• repair, restore
• to make good; to fulfill

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me. ~Revelation 3:20

God will not force His way into your life.  You are an active part of your relationship with Him as you must be willing to open the door and allow Him entrance into your life.  It’s fascinating that He says, “He will come in and eat with us”.  He could’ve said, I will come in and talk with you or walk with you or any other number of things.  Yet, God created us with 6000-10,000 taste buds and with a body that needs food and enjoys food.  Beth Moore has said that Jesus eagerly desires to dine with us.  He wants us to focus, tarry and be earnest in prioritizing time with Him.  We are promised in Psalm 16:11 that He will fill us with joy in His presence.  We have a God who longs for intimacy with us.  He has created us to have a relationship with Him, to dine with Him, to converse with Him and to listen to Him.  He is inviting each of us to the table of the King of Kings, each and everyday.  Will you join Him?