Ruth 2:11 And Boaz answered and said to her, It has been fully revealed to me all that you have done with your mother-in-law after the death of your husband. And you left your father and your mother, and the land of your birth, and came to a people which you had not known before.
This verse records the response of Boaz. Ruth had been elevated by this man in the presence of everyone at that house. She had no idea why this man should bestow that degree of kindness in her direction. Why, she asks, have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou should take knowledge of me, a stranger?
And Boaz answered and said unto her, It has been fully revealed to me all that you have done....
Where can we go with this? Can we go to Jesus as He watched the widow give all her substance of two mites to the treasury of God's Temple? She did not go unnoticed; no, the King Himself was watching. It was fully revealed to Him. She did not know Who was watching her that day, yet He commended her and we have that in our Bibles.
And what about you? He has the full report. How will it be for you when you stand before the Throne? Will He tell you how you fed Him when He was hungry? How you clothed Him or provided shelter for Him from the weather? Will He tell you of the times you visited Him and comforted Him? Or will He say something different? Perhaps you have not properly represented your Father. Maybe your actions reveal you to be something other than an ambassador for Christ.
I fear that there are too many Christians by name, who are really about their own names. How will it be for those who go through life looking for their own blessing? Will they name it and claim it at the feet of the King in the presence of His holy angels? Or will they be singing a different tune: If only I had known it was You, Lord! I would have given my right arm! If only had known! as they are carried off to the everlasting fire.
Boaz had the full report on Ruth. It was a good report.
Ruth 2:11 And Boaz answered and said to her, It has been fully revealed to me all that you have done with your mother-in-law after the death of your husband. And you left your father and your mother, and the land of your birth, and came to a people which you had not known before.
The full revelation of what Ruth did for one person reached the ears of him whose name means Strength. What one person has God placed in your path, and you have the power to be a blessing to that one person? He will have the full report of what you did, or did not do. Is Ruth an example or what?
What Ruth did, she did since the death of her husband. Before Ruth could do the works, there was a death, and that death involved her own flesh. For two, Scripture tells us, shall be one flesh.
This goes deeper, for the flesh to which she was joined and became a part of was under the Law. And that flesh died. Then began her works, for which she would be praised and rewarded by him whose name means Strength.
And you left your father and your mother, and the land of your birth, and came to a people which you had not known before.
This looks familiar. Didn't Jesus say something like that one time?
Mar 10:28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
Mar 10:29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
Mar 10:30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Ruth 2: Why have I found grace in thy sight?
Ruth 2:10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thy sight, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?
She fell down. She bowed before him whose name is Strength (Boaz).
Ruth will be this man's bride. We already have the whole story. We know how it ends. But right now, this man has bestowed unexpected kindness on her behalf. She is not of his people. She is a stranger on his turf. Less than a stranger, she is from Moab: marked by the LORD.
Deuteronomy 23:3 An Ammonite or a Moabite shall not enter into the assembly of the LORD; even to the tenth generation shall none belonging to them enter into the assembly of the LORD for ever:
23:4 because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.
It was her love for her mother-in-law Naomi that brought Ruth to Bethlehem. And it was her love that moved her to glean the fields after the reapers to provide food.
Ruth was not about Ruth. Ruth wasn't looking for her blessing. Ruth was about Naomi's well being. She cared for Naomi, even to the point of her own loss. Ruth emptied herself. She is about to be blessed. She isn't looking for it.
Why have I found grace in thy sight?
How many times have I asked that question to Him whose name is Strength? Yet grace is extended to me. And it is extended to you. Like Ruth, we come into His presence as strangers. Less than strangers, we are marked. Worse than the Moabites who desired to curse God's people, we came as rebels and enemies of God Almighty Himself.
Yet grace is extended.
And when we say yes to God, we feel that we are so smart for making the right choice.
Later we may come to realize who actually did the choosing. And then, how can you not ask:
Why have I found grace in thy sight?
And again, as saved; yet a failure by human standards, how much less by God's standards?
Why have I found grace in thy sight?
She fell down. She bowed before him whose name is Strength (Boaz).
Ruth will be this man's bride. We already have the whole story. We know how it ends. But right now, this man has bestowed unexpected kindness on her behalf. She is not of his people. She is a stranger on his turf. Less than a stranger, she is from Moab: marked by the LORD.
Deuteronomy 23:3 An Ammonite or a Moabite shall not enter into the assembly of the LORD; even to the tenth generation shall none belonging to them enter into the assembly of the LORD for ever:
23:4 because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.
It was her love for her mother-in-law Naomi that brought Ruth to Bethlehem. And it was her love that moved her to glean the fields after the reapers to provide food.
Ruth was not about Ruth. Ruth wasn't looking for her blessing. Ruth was about Naomi's well being. She cared for Naomi, even to the point of her own loss. Ruth emptied herself. She is about to be blessed. She isn't looking for it.
Why have I found grace in thy sight?
How many times have I asked that question to Him whose name is Strength? Yet grace is extended to me. And it is extended to you. Like Ruth, we come into His presence as strangers. Less than strangers, we are marked. Worse than the Moabites who desired to curse God's people, we came as rebels and enemies of God Almighty Himself.
Yet grace is extended.
And when we say yes to God, we feel that we are so smart for making the right choice.
Later we may come to realize who actually did the choosing. And then, how can you not ask:
Why have I found grace in thy sight?
And again, as saved; yet a failure by human standards, how much less by God's standards?
Why have I found grace in thy sight?
Monday, May 18, 2009
Ruth 2, Continued: Ruth and the Law
Deuteronomy 23:3 An Ammonite or a Moabite shall not enter into the assembly of the LORD; even to the tenth generation shall none of them enter into the assembly of the LORD for ever;
It is very important that we keep that passage from the Law in mind as we consider Ruth's situation. Ruth was a Moabitess, making her a woman marked by the Law. She was probably shunned.
Yet Boaz says:
Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn. Ruth 2:8-9
Boaz essentially tells Ruth that so long as she stays in his fields, she will be taken care of. Ruth is overwhelmed. And her response is perfectly natural:
Rth 2:10 And she fell on her face and bowed to the earth, and said to him, Why have I found grace in your eyes, that you should notice me, and I a foreigner?
We are not from heaven. We are of the earth. Here and now as we experience the grace of God through our own Kinsman (He became one of us), we can become overwhelmed upon contemplation of our own unworthiness and His choosing of us in spite of ourselves. Falling down before Him is the natural thing to do.
Today we know in our hearts that we belong to Him. But today we walk by faith, and fail Him all too often. Today we see in that glass darkly. How will it be for you on that Day when you literally stand before the throne of the King? How will it be for you when He declares His favor toward you at that time after all is said and done? I'll tell you how it will be: You will fall down.
Deu 23:3 An Ammonite or a Moabite shall not enter into the assembly of the LORD; even to the tenth generation shall none of them enter into the assembly of the LORD for ever;
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Perez, Hezron, Aram, Aminidab, Nahshon, Salmon: That's ten generations in the assembly of the Lord; or genealogy of Jesus Christ who is Lord. And as certain as God is to His Word, there will be no Moabite found there. But in the first Fourteen Generations listed in the 1st Chapter of Matthew, we find that a Moabite entered in. At number 11: and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth
It is very important that we keep that passage from the Law in mind as we consider Ruth's situation. Ruth was a Moabitess, making her a woman marked by the Law. She was probably shunned.
Yet Boaz says:
Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn. Ruth 2:8-9
Boaz essentially tells Ruth that so long as she stays in his fields, she will be taken care of. Ruth is overwhelmed. And her response is perfectly natural:
Rth 2:10 And she fell on her face and bowed to the earth, and said to him, Why have I found grace in your eyes, that you should notice me, and I a foreigner?
We are not from heaven. We are of the earth. Here and now as we experience the grace of God through our own Kinsman (He became one of us), we can become overwhelmed upon contemplation of our own unworthiness and His choosing of us in spite of ourselves. Falling down before Him is the natural thing to do.
Today we know in our hearts that we belong to Him. But today we walk by faith, and fail Him all too often. Today we see in that glass darkly. How will it be for you on that Day when you literally stand before the throne of the King? How will it be for you when He declares His favor toward you at that time after all is said and done? I'll tell you how it will be: You will fall down.
Deu 23:3 An Ammonite or a Moabite shall not enter into the assembly of the LORD; even to the tenth generation shall none of them enter into the assembly of the LORD for ever;
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Perez, Hezron, Aram, Aminidab, Nahshon, Salmon: That's ten generations in the assembly of the Lord; or genealogy of Jesus Christ who is Lord. And as certain as God is to His Word, there will be no Moabite found there. But in the first Fourteen Generations listed in the 1st Chapter of Matthew, we find that a Moabite entered in. At number 11: and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Ruth 2 Continued: Boaz speaks to Ruth
After listening to the reaper supervisor and finding out the exact identity of this person Ruth, Boaz is smitten.
Rth 2:8 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:
Rth 2:9 Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.
He does not want to lose this one! He charged her not to glean any place else! In the presence of all, he took her from the place of gathering whatever was left after everyone else was finished, and placed her alongside his own maidens. Boaz promoted Ruth. He lifted her up.
The young men present heard his words: they were not to lay a hand on this one. And if she got thirsty, they were to provide her drinks.
God recognizes those who seek Him. He knows those who glean the fields after the reapers. He asks if we hear Him (faith cometh by hearing). And if we hear Him, will we do what He tells us, and abide? Will we stay close by His maidens? He has charged his angels not to harm us. In fact, they will serve us. They are ministers to the heirs of salvation.
Hebrews 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Rth 2:8 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:
Rth 2:9 Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.
He does not want to lose this one! He charged her not to glean any place else! In the presence of all, he took her from the place of gathering whatever was left after everyone else was finished, and placed her alongside his own maidens. Boaz promoted Ruth. He lifted her up.
The young men present heard his words: they were not to lay a hand on this one. And if she got thirsty, they were to provide her drinks.
God recognizes those who seek Him. He knows those who glean the fields after the reapers. He asks if we hear Him (faith cometh by hearing). And if we hear Him, will we do what He tells us, and abide? Will we stay close by His maidens? He has charged his angels not to harm us. In fact, they will serve us. They are ministers to the heirs of salvation.
Hebrews 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Friday, May 1, 2009
Ruth 2:5-7: Who is this woman?
Rth 2:5 Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?
This is close to a parable of Jesus Christ in Matthew 22 regarding the king and the wedding feast. Someone is present that the king does not know. In that case, the outcome for the stranger was not desirable.
So here we have Boaz (the meaning of his name is disputed, but it likely carries with it a meaning of strength, or force), asking the reaper supervisor about this strange woman. She was there at the house with the reapers.
Interesting.
Will you be with the reapers at the harvest? Will you be found among the angels in the mansion of Him whose name is Strength? And if during this time of rest, you are found there, what will be said of you?
Rth 2:6 And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:
When Moab was born, he was so named because Moab means, of his father. Ruth (companion) accompanied Naomi (my delight). Would it be wonderful to be said of you are of the Father? Have you been a true companion to the One whose name is My Delight?
Do these verses overflow or what?
Rth 2:7 And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.
Here is where we know about the house that was there that I mentioned earlier.
Here we get what Ruth told the head reaper as he relates to Boaz what she said. Being among the poor, she asked for the leftover and forgotten sheaves, which were also hers by God-given right.
There is a message here for those who get left out and for those who go unnoticed. There is a Companion, who is of His Father, and is also the Father's Delight. He specializes in seeking out such as these. Do you qualify?
1Cor 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
1Cor 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1Cor 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1Cor 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
This is close to a parable of Jesus Christ in Matthew 22 regarding the king and the wedding feast. Someone is present that the king does not know. In that case, the outcome for the stranger was not desirable.
So here we have Boaz (the meaning of his name is disputed, but it likely carries with it a meaning of strength, or force), asking the reaper supervisor about this strange woman. She was there at the house with the reapers.
Interesting.
Will you be with the reapers at the harvest? Will you be found among the angels in the mansion of Him whose name is Strength? And if during this time of rest, you are found there, what will be said of you?
Rth 2:6 And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:
When Moab was born, he was so named because Moab means, of his father. Ruth (companion) accompanied Naomi (my delight). Would it be wonderful to be said of you are of the Father? Have you been a true companion to the One whose name is My Delight?
Do these verses overflow or what?
Rth 2:7 And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.
Here is where we know about the house that was there that I mentioned earlier.
Here we get what Ruth told the head reaper as he relates to Boaz what she said. Being among the poor, she asked for the leftover and forgotten sheaves, which were also hers by God-given right.
There is a message here for those who get left out and for those who go unnoticed. There is a Companion, who is of His Father, and is also the Father's Delight. He specializes in seeking out such as these. Do you qualify?
1Cor 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
1Cor 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1Cor 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1Cor 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
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