Day 6- Ruth 2:14-23

Day 6 – Ruth 2:14-23

Opening Prayer: Abba, Father, may I be satisfied with You as I eat the bread of life and drink Your living water.

 Read: Ruth 2:14-23

In your 4R journal:

• Record: After reading this short story, what verse stood out to you?
• Respond: Write a short prayer of praise in response to what God has shown you.

Verse fourteen opens with Boaz orchestrating their first date, although they did eat with the harvesters. He offers Naomi some bread dipped in wine vinegar. Imagine Ruth, sitting among the reapers with the smell of sweat and roasted grain surrounding her. With stolen glances she tries to understand Boaz’s intentions. He passes her some grain and, for a moment, their hands touch. She quickly looks down as her cheeks fill with color. “…and she ate and was satisfied and had some left over” (Ruth 2:14b).

Reflection:

• When have you been surprised by an undeserved blessing?

“When she rose to glean, Boaz instructed his young men saying, ‘Let her gather among the sheaves and don’t reprimand her. Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don’t rebuke her’” (Ruth 2:15-16).

Boaz was smitten from the moment he saw Ruth. Some might call it love at first sight but it seems better defined as divine matchmaking. This is encouraging because it reveals God’s love for Naomi and Ruth and His constant presence and care for them, especially when circumstances were dire. It stirs up the truth in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (NIV).  This story gives me hope because it’s my story, and God reveals Himself as my redeemer.

My Verse: Ruth 2:18, “And she took it up and went into the city, and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. She also took it out and gave Naomi what she had left after she was satisfied” (NASB).

My Response: Oh Lord, May I always be satisfied with You! You have rescued me from an uncertain future and blessed me beyond measure!

Did you catch the fact that Ruth gave Naomi what she had left after she was satisfied? The Spirit works that way too. When we fill up in God’s presence and receive His love, we are soul-satisfied and have plenty of overflow-love for others.

Reflection:

• What does your time with God look like? Do you linger until you’re full?

Not surprisingly, Naomi was dumbfounded when she heard all that Boaz had done for Ruth. Then, it struck her. There was something much bigger happening. In fact, God had provided a Kinsman Redeemer!

Yet, the author keeps reminding us that Ruth is a Moabitess––that she doesn’t belong, doesn’t deserve the blessing and shouldn’t even be there. In fact, but for the grace of God, it’s true. Therefore, Ruth is a picture of every lost person who “just so happened” to glean in the field of their redeemer. Undeserving and yet blessed beyond imagination. May we receive the blessing as Ruth modeled, and worship.

“May the Lord reward your work and may your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.” (Ruth 2:12 NASB)

The next step:

When the Spirit leads, in the comment section below, chose a response to share:

• When have you been surprised by an undeserved blessing?
• What does your time with God look like? Do you linger until you’re full?

Or

• Share your 4R Response