January 4, 2022
My Beloved in Christ , I greet and bless you in the name of our Creator, Maker, and ever unforgettable Lord Jesus Christ. The blessed word that the Lord has given for you today is from the book of Ruth 3:10,11, He said, “May ADONAI bless you, my daughter. Your latest kindness is even greater than your first, in that you didn’t go after the young men, neither the rich ones nor the poor. And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you everything you say, for all the city leaders among my people know that you are a woman of good character.”
From the above context we learn that Boaz blesses Ruth and shows kindness to her. The conduct of Boaz calls for the highest praise. He attempted not to take advantage of Ruth; he did not disdain her as a poor, destitute stranger, nor suspect her of any ill intentions. He spoke honourably of her as a virtuous woman, made her a promise, and sent her away with a present to her mother-in-law. Boaz made his promise conditional, for there was a kinsman nearer than he, to whom the right of redemption belonged.
Naomi asked Ruth to behave wisely with her distant relative, Boaz who was the owner of the field in which Ruth went to glean barley and wheat till the end of the harvest season. Ruth behaved well as she was instructed by her mother in law. Therefore she found grace in the sight of Boaz. And Boaz answered and said to her, “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before. The Lord, repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.” Ruth had shown much love to her husband while living and dying, and to her mother-in-law, in leaving her country Moab, and kindred to come with her into a strange country, Bethlehem, and in labour to support her, as she had done, all which was great kindness, but the kindness she now showed exceeded all the former, in that she was desirous, according to the law of God, to build up her husband’s family, to marry the next near kinsman, even
though an old man, to raise up seed to the name and memory of her husband.
Now Boaz mentions this as an instance of her virtue, and of her great respect to her husband’s family, that a woman of such amiable qualities, virtuous, young, and beautiful, who doubtless might have been married to a young man in her own country, or in Israel, but chose to marry the nearest of kin in her husband’s family, to perpetuate his name and memory. When Ruth left her home and followed her mother in law to Bethlehem she did not expect that God would give her another opportunity to live her life. Though she had returned as a widow, to Bethlehem, God rewarded her for her faithfulness towards her mother in law. Moreover she accepted her God as her God and the people of Naomi as her people. This pleased the Lord. Though she was a young Moabites woman a forsaken widow, Boaz did not despise her, nor did he underestimate her in any way. Instead he called her blessed. God will bless you too and give you another opportunity to live your life provided you remain faithful to your parents or you’re in laws. God who sees you in secret will bless you outwardly. God Bless you.
prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. Heavenly Father, thank You for showing to us the unique character of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz. You helped them to be honest and faithful to each other. Enable us to learn from them the art of good behaviour. Kindness, long suffering and bearing with one another. Reward us too, as You rewarded Ruth and Boaz and Naomi.
In Jesus Name We Pray.
Amen.
