FOUND IN THE FIELD OF GRACE
Text: Ruth 2:1-7
Introduction
1. Even in our most ordinary moments, God is weaving together His plan.
2. God’s providence is often seen through the faithful obedience of His people in ordinary circumstances.
3. How do we see God at work when nothing miraculous seems to be happening?
4. In Ruth 2:1–7, there are no parting seas, no thundering voices from heaven—just two widows trying to survive, and a young woman going to work in a field. And yet, God is deeply present.
5. Read Ruth 2:1-7
Transition: Let’s walk through the field of Grace and uncover how God moves through humble obedience and quiet faithfulness.
I. God Begins to Work Even Before We See It.
A. As Ruth and Naomi’s journey continues, a new character emerges that will take a major role in the rest of the story. In v. 1 we read, “Now there was a wealthy and influential man in Bethlehem named Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi’s husband, Elimelech.”
1. The first thing that we learn about Boaz is that he is a wealthy and influential man.
2. This is an important factor because, remember, Ruth and Naomi were both widows, and in their culture, it was difficult for them to make a living. It required people of means to provide for them, and Boaz qualifies in this matter.
3. However, he’s not just wealthy, he was also influential, and that could mean many things. But in this context, it means that he was a man of character.
4. He was respected in the community, and he was a person who would be trusted to do the right thing.
5. The second thing we learn about him is that he was a relative of Naomi’s husband.
6. You’ll notice that it clearly states that he is Elimilech’s relative and not Naomi’s.
7. Why is this important? It means that he qualified as a “kinsman redeemer.” What in the world is that? You may have never heard of one of those before, and there is good reason for that because there is not even an equivalent word in English for the Hebrew word that is used here.
8. But in their culture, it referred to an adult male blood relative who served as an advocate of someone in the clan who found themselves in an unfortunate or difficult situation.
9. They were required to step in and rectify this situation, especially when it came to property, persons, or seeing the lineage of the clan continued. Sound like anyone we know?
B. As the story continues, in v. 2 it says, “One day Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go out into the harvest fields to pick up the stalks of grain left behind by anyone who is kind enough to let me do it. Naomi replied, “All right, my daughter, go ahead.”, Ru 2:2.
1. Ruth asks Naomi for permission to go out and gather grain behind the harvesters and pick up the grain that they left behind.
2. “When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop. 10 It is the same with your grape crop—do not strip every last bunch of grapes from the vines, and do not pick up the grapes that fall to the ground. Leave them for the poor and the foreigners living among you. I am the LORD your God. (Lev. 19:9-10).
3. This principle, known as gleaning, was a form of social justice and mercy to provide for the less fortunate members of society.
4. It was also a way for farmers to trust in God's provision, even while leaving a portion of their harvest behind.
5. The same law in Deuteronomy also connects this practice to the Israelites' own history of being slaves in Egypt, reminding them to have compassion on the less fortunate.
6. Unfortunately, not all Israelites followed this law, and remember, this was during the time of the Judges when they were disobeying God’s laws.
7. But, regardless, Naomi thinks this is a great idea and grants Ruth permission to do it.
8. Also notice how Naomi refers to Ruth, she affectionately calls her “my daughter.”
C. Next, we learn in v. 3, “So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech.”
1. So, Ruth goes out into the field, and “as it happened.”
2. Now, I say it like that because I don’t believe in luck or blind chance, rather, I believe in the providence and grace of God.
3. Things do not just happen, but God’s hand leads and guides us.
4. Tina and I moved here and bought a house ten minutes away from the church. And Oostanaula needed a new pastor. Coincidence? I don’t think so!
5. The entire story of the Book of Ruth is about God’s almighty hand leading and directing the events in Ruth and Naomi’s lives.
6. I believe that the writer of Ruth is showing us that God’s providence can even be seen in the events of life that seem accidental.
7. If you look at this story through those lenses, you will see that God led her to Boaz’s field.
D. Next, we see Boaz himself entering the scene. In v. 4 we read, “While she was there, Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters. “The LORD be with you!” he said. “The LORD bless you!” the harvesters replied.”
1. Boaz was coming from Bethlehem to see how the harvesting was going.
2. He greeted his workers with a typical Jewish greeting, “the Lord be with you!”
3. This greeting, although it was typical, shows Boaz’s character. In one sense, it shows that his faith was important to him.
4. Second, it shows that he cared about his workers. Imagine going into work, and your boss looks at you with a smile on his face says, “the Lord be with you!” I’d imagine you would fall over in shock!
5. But you might also think, “wow, what a nice boss!”
6. Apparently, Boaz’s workers felt the same way because they responded, “the Lord bless you!”
E. Now, look at what happens in vv. 5-7, it says, “Then Boaz asked his foreman, “Who is that young woman over there? Who does she belong to?” 6 And the foreman replied, “She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi. 7 She asked me this morning if she could gather grain behind the harvesters. She has been hard at work ever since, except for a few minutes’ rest in the shelter.”
1. Suddenly, Ruth catches Boaz’s eye and he asks his foreman, “who’s that young woman? Who does she belong to?”
2. At first, we could assume that Boaz finds Ruth attractive. He had never seen her before in his fields and wants to know more about her.
3. But even more importantly, he wants to know about her family and clan. Remember in their culture family lineage was important.
4. His foreman says that she’s the Moabite woman who came back with Naomi.
5. Notice two important things mentioned about Ruth’s character. First, she’s respectful: she asked if she could glean in the fields. She didn’t just go in and take stuff, as if she entitled to it, but rather she asked permission.
6. Second, she’s a hard worker. The foreman says she’s been working hard all day except for a few minutes break in the shelter.
7. This shelter was probably like a lean to covered in leaves to provide the workers some rest from the heat of the day.
8. So, a short rest there was to be expected. Therefore, according to the foreman, she was a good person.
Transition: Now, let’s look at…
II. Seeing God’s Grace in Everyday Life
A. When life feels uncertain, remember: God's provision may already be on the way. You just haven’t met your "Boaz" yet.
1. “This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.” (Is. 48:17)
2. If you are here this morning, and you feel like God is not hearing your cries for help and your prayers, remember that God’s timing is not the same as yours. You may not see it yet, but His help is already on the way. (Come on somebody!)
3. Trust me, God hears you, He sees your anguish, He feels your pain and frustration.
4. But you are already in your field of grace, and God’s help is on the way!
5. “He may not come when you want Him, but He’ll be right there, I tell you He’s an on-time God!”
B. Faith isn't passive—it steps out. What field is God calling you to work in, even when it's hard or unseen?
1. “But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” 28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. 31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” (Matt. 14:27-31).
2. Now, many people read this text and criticize Peter for doubting.
3. But what they miss is Peter was the only one who got out of the boat! He took a step of faith into a storm and the unknown.
4. Sometimes, I think we miss the field of grace because we are too afraid of stepping out by faith into what God has us.
5. It would have been really easy for me to say to God, “You want me to Pastor a little Methodist Church in the country? I think I’ll pass!”
6. But if I had done that, I would have missed the greatest blessing of my preaching ministry.
7. Get out of that comfortable boat you’re in and step into your field of grace!
C. As you are stepping out into your field of grace, let people see the light of Christ in you.
1. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matt. 5:14-16).
2. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world,” so, don’t hide your light, but rather let everyone see it.
3. Ruth stepped out into her field of grace, and people saw more than the fact that she was a foreigner. What they noticed more than where she came from was her character. They saw what kind of person was inside of her.
4. She let her light shine, and she found grace!
5. Let people in your field of grace see the light of Jesus shinning out of your life. You might be the only Bible some people ever see!
Conclusion
What’s the point preacher? God’s hand of grace shows up in ordinary places through faithful people. As you step out in faith into your field of grace, God is going to work a miracle that is going to amaze you.
