The Book of Ruth ~ Devotion Eleven

"What's the Buzz?"

We pick up the story of Ruth from the question she asked Boaz after he had been so kind to her. We find it in verse 10 of chapter 2. Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.”

Ruth humbled herself before the master of the grain field that she was harvesting grain for her and Naomi. She knew that he had the power to prevent her from gathering the food she so desperately needed. She knew her position before him.

Ruth 2:11-13 (NLT) “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. May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”

     “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.”

I love how Scripture tells the story of Ruth. We get a clearer and clearer picture of this special woman. Boaz obviously noticed her. The story of Naomi’s return with this Moabitess had spread all across town. He’d heard the buzz about Naomi’s companion who happened to be a foreigner. Now he comes to work and sees her resting in his shelter after picking up left-over grain from his barley fields.

We’ve all heard stories about people and have been curious to see what all the chatter was about. When we come face-to-face with the subject matter we can either satisfy our curiosity or keep quiet and believe what we’ve heard. Boaz decided to talk with Ruth and find out for himself.

We've all "heard things" and have even helped with the spreading of the "news." Why do we do this? Are we satisfying our need to know more? Is it ok to add to the chatter? This is what the Bible says:

Proverbs 18:8 (NLT) Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.

Ephesians 5:6-7 (NLT) Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.

Psalm 19:14 (NLT) May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Boaz asked Ruth about herself. He told her the good things that people had said. Isn't that what we should do? Shouldn't we go to the subject of idle chatter and find out the truth?

Apparently Boaz was impressed with Ruth because she had been faithful to her mother-in-law. He knew she was a foreigner but he didn’t allow this to prejudice him towards her. Instead of holding her nationality against her, he instead looked at her actions and her heart.

So many times we judge people by where they come from, how they look or what we have heard about them. But how often do we give them a chance without judgment. You’ve heard the saying, “You can’t judge a book by its cover?” Well, in this case, Boaz decided to read the book instead of just reading the cover.

Boaz could have ignored Ruth. He could have thrown her off his property. He could have had her arrested. Instead, he offered her kindness. He had heard things about her but waited to find out for himself just who she really was.

Colossians 3:12 (NLT) Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Women (I think we can add men) have the tendency to judge people (especially other women) by the things they have heard, the way a person looks, how they act around others, etc. I've done it. I've believed what others have said and not given that person a chance. (Am I the only one here?) I've been the one to judge and tell others about things that I have no right to talk about. These are questions we should all ask ourselves and then have an honest chat with our God.

Earlier in chapter 1 we read about how Ruth chose Naomi’s people and especially her God. She wanted what Naomi had ~ a people to call her own and a God that was strong. Boaz was again showing Ruth how kind his God was. He offered a blessing on Ruth. We read it in the second half of verse 2:12. “May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”

Wow, instead of sending Ruth away, Boaz blessed her. I’m almost positive Ruth was quite nervous and even afraid around Boaz. She didn’t know how he would respond to her. So when he was through blessing her and showing her kindness, Ruth responded with grateful words.

Ruth 2:13 (MSG) She said, "Oh sir, such grace, such kindness—I don't deserve it. You've touched my heart, treated me like one of your own. And I don't even belong here!"

Ruth knew her place. She knew she didn’t deserve the good and kind treatment from Boaz. How grateful she must have been. We too should be grateful for finding good and kind treatment from God through His Son Jesus. Boaz reflected the goodness and kindness of God to her. Ruth received this from him even though she knew he didn’t have to show it to her.

Our relationship to Jesus is similar. He touches our hearts and treats us like His own. We don't deserve His kindness ~ His forgiveness ~ His love. But, Jesus gives it freely to those who ask.

Ephesians 2:6-7 (Contemporary English Version) God raised us from death to life with Christ Jesus, and he has given us a place beside Christ in heaven. God did this so that in the future world he could show how truly good and kind he is to us because of what Christ Jesus has done.

We are all beggars before we come to Christ. He's the Master who gives to those who humble themselves and ask Him to help them. The whole Book of Ruth tells a story of God's kindness and provision. We were foreigners in His land and now we are part of His family. Wow! We need to really stop and think about the generosity of the One who loves us most and knows us without having to listen to what others say about. He doesn't give any credit to idle chatter. (Whew that's a big relief!)

Oh Lord, thank You for all the kindness You have given me even though I don't deserve it!