AMAZING GRACE
Ruth Chapter 2:1-13
The Book of Ruth is the eight Book in the Bible. In biblical numerology eight is the number for NEW BEGINNINGS. As we look at Ruth we see in her life the amazing grace of God that transforms not only her being but her circumstances. That's what God's grace does, transforms your life and circumstances. Boaz is a type of Christ and Ruth a type of who we were and are as Christians.
THE AMAZING GRACE OF GOD
A) She Was Rejected
Notice in verse two that she is called and identified as “Ruth the Moabitess.” When Boaz asked his servant who the stranger in his field was, the servant answered, “It is the Moabite woman” (Vs.6). We might say that someone is from Canada, Mexico, etc, and not think anything about it. But to a Jew, to say that one was from Moab, had serious significance. God had said, "An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever” (Deut.23:3) The Ammonites and the Moabites, because of their wickedness, were subjected to disgrace by God and the nation of Israel. They were not permitted to hold any office among the Israelites.
Nationally Ruth was a member of a race that was judged and condemned by God. It was a nation and people under condemnation. It was a nation and people that were divinely rejected. Ruth in type is a picture of us all before God saved us. We all were sinners under condemnation. Because of our wicked state and life, we were cut off from a Holy God. We were under the wrath and judgment of a Holy God.
Paul described our condition in Ephesians 2:2-3, "Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."
Paul tells us that we were Satanically dominated. We walked according to the course of this world and according to the prince of the power of the air. We lived under Satan's control and lived according to Satan's commands. We were also spiritually disobedient. The spirit of disobedience worked within us. We were rebellious to God's Word; we were resistant of God's ways, and we were resentful of God's will. As well, we were sensually depraved. We lived our lives fulfilling the lusts and desires of the flesh and mind living lives that were immoral, wicked, and carnal. Furthermore, we were sequentially damned. We were as a result, by nature children of wrath. We were individuals under the condemnation and wrath of God. We were no better off than Ruth, she was no worse off than us. We were all sinners under condemnation.
Yet, we see that:
B) She Was Received
Ruth was first called a Moabitess, but now notice how she was addressed in verse 8: “Then said Boaz unto Ruth, ‘Heart thou not, my daughter?” Boaz didn’t receive her as a foreigner, but as family. He called her “my daughter,” not a Moabitess. The law rejected her, but Boaz received her.
Is this not the story of us all. We were condemned and without hope, but by God’s amazing grace, we have been accepted in the beloved. We were sinners, but by grace we are saints. We were children of wrath, but now we are the children of God. Once we had no hope, but now we have a blessed hope. Once we were rejected, but now we are received. God can take a poor worthless, devastated hell-bound sinner, condemned by God, wash him in the blood of Jesus Christ and make him a son of God. We call that grace! John said, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God" (I Jhn.3:2) That's God's amazing grace. Paul said, "He hath made us accepted in the Beloved" (Eph.6). That's God's amazing grace. Peter said, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy" (I Pet.2:9-10).
Ruth was a Moabitess, but to Boaz she was a daughter. She had been rejected, but now she is received. Instead of getting what she deserved she found grace. How amazing the grace of God.
2. THE ABUNDANT THE GRACE OF GOD
In Ephesians 2:7, Paul spoke of the "exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." In Ruth we see the exceeding riches of grace that were shown to her by Boaz. When we talk about the grace of God, we speak of all that has been given to us by God. Paul said, "For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God" (II Cor.4:15). Grace is abundant in our life.
How is grace abundant in our life? First, think with me of how grace brings:
A) Direction In Our Life
Notice in verses 8-9, that Boaz said to Ruth, "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." She receives words of guidance and direction from Boaz. Grace brings into our life the blessing of guidance and direction. Before we were saved we were like a ship on a stormy sea without a captain or compass. But when we were saved, by grace, a Captain stepped on board and we are guided by His divine compass. We read in Psalm 32:8, "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye." We also read in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Yes, grace, brings direction into our life's.
B) Protection For Our Life
Notice verse 9, "Have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee?" Boaz was concerned that others might take advantage of Ruth. From what we know of Ruth, she was a very attractive woman. But Boaz made sure that she would be safe. God is watching over our lives. He is the keeper of our soul and guard of our life. We have this promise in Psalm 121:5, "The Lord is your keeper." There is a God in heaven that watches over His own. In the abundance of grace we find protection.
C) Satisfaction To Our Life
Notice again in verse 9, "And when thou art thirsty, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn." Under God's welfare program she could glean in the field, but that was about it. Yet, Boaz told her that she could drink of the water that was provided for his workers when she was thirsty. He said, "If you get thirsty, you satisfy your thirst." The abundant grace of God has brought satisfaction to our life. Before we were saved we were like workers laboring under the hot, burning sun, without a drop of water to quench our thirst. But grace has provided for us water to quench that thirst and satisfy our longing.
The answer to direction in life, protection for life, and satisfaction to life is the personal experiencing of God's abundant grace.
3. THE ASTOUNDING THE GRACE OF GOD
Everything had happened so fast. One day she didn't know where the next meal was coming from and the next day her life is blessed beyond comprehension. Notice how her experience of grace affected her.
First, it was all:
A) Overwhelming To Her Heart
Notice verse 10, "Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?" It was more than she could believe. All she could say was, "Why?" I submit unto you that there is nothing anymore overwhelming to the heart than what God has done for us in Christ." The truth is, we were all a mess. There was nothing in us or about us that deserved God's love. There was nothing in us that merited God giving His Son to die for us on a cross. In the state and condition we were in, we should have been in hell.
It is overwhelming to the heart to realize that God would love us, save us, and make us His own child. In the word's of the songwriter, "And it's all because of God's amazing grace."
If we are so undeserving, then why? Notice verse 11-12, "And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed 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. 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." She had experienced the kindness and grace of Boaz because she had embraced the people of Israel and had trusted the Lord God of Israel.
Paul said in Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." The amazing and abundant grace of God is experienced when by faith one puts their trust in the Lord. It is not because we earn it, deserve it, merit it, achieve it, but because we put our trust in the Lord as Savior and Lord. Still, it is overwhelming to the soul!
B) Overflowing From Her Heart
Notice verse 13, "Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid; though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens." Overflowing from her heart was a desire to please Boaz. She wanted to find favor in his eyes. A desire to please God is the proper response to God's grace.
As we continue looking at the story of Ruth we see her enjoying sweet communion with Boaz. She is growing in her knowledge of Boaz, becoming more acquainted with him, and getting closer to him. Paul expressed the passion of his life in Philippians 3:10, "That I may know Him." Knowing Christ is what spiritual growth is all about. It is becoming acquainted with Christ. It is getting closer to Christ. Communion and fellowship with Christ is an essential step in this process and in the matter of spiritual growth. Grace brings growth!
