The Blessings Of Grace Series

THE BLESSINGS OF GRACE

Text: Ruth 2:8-14

Introduction

1. “Grace is the very opposite of merit…Grace is not only undeserved favor, but it is favor, shown to the one who deserved the very opposite” (Harry Ironside).

2. So far, Ruth has stayed with Naomi, her mother-in-law, even when asked not to. She has gone to a foreign land and shown her character. But did she deserve grace?

3. Read Ruth 2:8-14

Transition: Let’s go along with Ruth and see her…

I. Undeserved Blessings

A. You may have noticed that so far in the Book of Ruth, we have talked a lot about grace.

1. Two weeks ago, we talked about, “God’s Grace in Our Grief,” last week we talked about “The Field of Grace,” and today we are talking about the “Blessings of Grace.”

2. But what do we mean when we talk about grace? Grace is God’s unmerited favor, and a display of His power that we don’t deserve and could never earn.

B. We can see that plainly in the in this section of Ruth. In vv. 8-9 it says, “Boaz went over and said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Stay right here with us when you gather grain; don’t go to any other fields. Stay right behind the young women working in my field. 9 See which part of the field they are harvesting, and then follow them. I have warned the young men not to treat you roughly. And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well.”

1. Boaz approaches Ruth and calls her “my daughter.” This is here to remind us that Boaz is much older that Ruth.

2. He tells her not to go into the other fields, but to stay in his fields and work alongside his servant girls.

3. Now, honestly, she could probably have gotten more grain is she went to other fields, but as we shall see, Boaz’s plan was to see that she is provided for.

4. Another thing that he does to show he plans to look out for her is he tells his male workers not to harm him her.

5. Next, Boaz tells Ruth when she gets thirsty to help herself to water that the men have drawn from the well. This is unusual, because in their culture, it was the women who drew water for the men, and as a foreigner, she was not entitled to drink their water.

6. So, here we see Ruth getting privileges she was not entitled to and could never earn. In other words, she is receiving grace. Grace like we receive from Jesus!

C. Ruth acknowledges his kindness to her in vv. 10-12, where it says, “Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.” 11 “Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. 12 May the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”

1. Ruth fell at his feet, which was a display of gratitude and respect, and expressed her unworthiness as a foreigner to the grace she was receiving.

2. In fact, the Hebrew word translated foreigner, comes from a word which means “to recognize.” In other words, she is saying “I am nothing and don’t deserve this kindness you’re showing me.”

3. Now, Boaz agrees with Ruth. Notice that he says, “Yes, I know.” He agrees that she is not entitled to these blessings.

4. Then Boaz uses one of the biggest words in the Bible, the word “but.” The word “but” is huge in the Bible. In many cases it is used to show how we don’t deserve the kindness of God, BUT He gives it to us anyway.

5. Then Boaz goes through a list of reasons why he has showed her this undeserved kindness. He had heard about the kindness she had shown Naomi since the death of her husband, and how she had left her family and came to a land as a complete stranger.

6. But most importantly she had come to faith in Yahweh, the one true God.

7. The phrase “under whose wings you have come to take refuge,” means that you have come under his protection based on the covenant that God has made with His people.

8. As a result, Boaz asks the Lord to reward her for what she has done.

D. In v. 13, Ruth replies to Boaz’s kindness by saying, “I hope I continue to please you, sir,” she replied. “You have comforted me by speaking so kindly to me, even though I am not one of your workers.”