Title: "Finding Grace"
Introduction: Both Ruth and Naomi were saying these words, "Why me?"
Naomi was saying these words in bitterness. She wanted to be called Mara. Bitterness leads to depression and depression stays home. Note that Naomi had enough strength to walk from Moab to the land of Israel, but she could not walk from her front door to a nearby field to glean in the harvest! The only thing that a depressed person feels good about is feeling bad for themselves.
Ruth was also saying, "Why me?" But her words were meant in praise. She could have been just as embittered as her Mother-in-law, but she left there cottage and sought to find grace. A humble person will find grace. The "Why me?" Of Ruth was a statement likened unto this: "Why is it that God has been so good to me?" She was asking Boaz, "Why have I found grace in your sight?"
In meditation to that question, let me provide for you a four point outline that surely must have been upon the mind of Boaz in response to the question asked by Ruth.
1. You have chosen my Father.
(Ruth 2:12) The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
Note that Ruth had left the idolatrous worship of the people of Moab and learned to trust in the God of Israel. It takes a common faith in Christ in order for people to seriously consider a relationship or marriage together. "Except the Lord build the house, they will labor in vain." Psalm 127:1
2. You remind me of my Mother.
(Mat 1:5) And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
Boaz could have said to Ruth, "I have been waiting for someone like you all of my life! You remind me of my Mother, Rahab."
Rahab had been outside of the house of Israel too. She had come to know and to trust in the God of Israel in much the same manner as Ruth had done.
Tradition tells us that Boaz was a middle aged man and still single at the time that he meant Ruth. Ruth was the mirror of his mother’s image.
3. You have become my sister.
(Ruth 2:11) And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been showed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.
Boaz did not treat Ruth like a target for his male ego. He wanted to protect Ruth. He gave strict instructions to his men not to defraud her. She was to be treated with dignity and respect.
4. I love you. I want you be my wife!
While it was true that Boaz was a kinsman redeemer and had the weight of law to do the right thing by Ruth in marrying her, I can assure you that the law alone was not his reason for marrying Ruth. It was love. Through the many weeks of harvest, they had sat together side by side during the noon time meal. Their love grew.
It is also true that I have been saved from the penalty of the law by the means of the redemptive work of Christ. But let us not forget that it was love that placed Christ on the Cross. (Rom 5:8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Ruth asked the question, "Why have I found grace in your sight?" The answer of Boaz? Because you have chosen my heavenly Father, you remind me of my earthly Mother, you are now of spiritual sister, and because, I love you. Will you marry me?"
And this wonderful message portrays for us the truth of the gospel. May we tell others of the amazing grace that they too can find in Christ!
