Reminder: Naomi was stuck in a foreign land. She was now a widow, and a mother-in-law to two women. One of those women (Orpah) left. But one remained (Ruth). Both Naomi and her daughter-in-law were women of courage, of endurance, of tried faith.

Follow Me: Ruth did not rest; she was industrious. She asked her mother-in-law Naomi, “Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain” (Ruth 2:2 ESV). Why? Enduring faith in the providence and goodness of God.

And what do you know? A character of redemption, a man who came from Bethlehem, owned the field. Boaz was his name. He took notice of Ruth’s industriousness (Ruth 2:5-7). In short, he saw. This character of redemption (Boaz) took notice of the faithful servant (Ruth). That’s rather important.

Ruth’s Response:

¹⁰ Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” ¹¹ But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. ¹² The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” ¹³ Then she said, “I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not one of your servants.” (Ruh 2:10-13, ESV)

Humility Precedes Honor: This widow, Ruth, was not only noticed by the character of redemption (Boaz) but also provided for.

But in the bigger picture, the humble servant of God is being provided for by the ultimate Redeeemer (the Lord).

Ruth knew herself to be a nobody. She described herself as “a foreigner” (v. 10), a “servant” (v. 13).

Encouragement: God delights in exalting the broken and humble.