by John O’Malley
“And said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?” (Ruth 2:10).
Although Ruth had responded from her heart and with humility, her first recorded words to Boaz in the inspired text are in the form of a question. She could not understand how she had garnered this kind of interest from such a gracious and powerful man. She asked, “Why have I found grace in thine eyes?”
Ruth, from a prostrate position, spoke softly to Boaz. She enquired why she found grace in his eyes. She felt unworthy even to speak with him. Certainly before Ruth’s question of “why” was uttered, she reflected in her heart over the packages of grace that Boaz had presented to her since his arrival from Bethlehem-judah. In a single moment of time, she reviewed her unwrapped presents of Boaz’s grace. Listen to her thoughts:
“Look at all the presents of grace that have been unwrapped! Boaz spoke to me when he could have ignored me. He called me “daughter” when everyone else called me “damsel.” He recognized me as an Israelite and not as a Moabite. Boaz granted me full and unhindered access to his fields. He arranged for me to stay by his maidens when he could have easily left me to fend for myself. Boaz sought to protect me from the young men that might have caused me harm. He gave me his vessels from which to drink. He even gave me someone to draw it out for me.”
In only two verses, Boaz unwrapped seven presents of his grace. Boaz gave Ruth acknowledgement, adoption, acceptance, access, assurance, asylum, and affection. Ruth does not know what is about to happen in her life. Boaz has not exhausted his supply of grace for Ruth, God’s Gentile gem. Ruth will find in the days ahead that there is grace yet uncovered for both her home and her heart.
Our Eternal Boaz presented us the same seven presents of His grace when we accepted Him as Saviour. Our Boaz acknowledged us when we were yet sinners. Our Boaz adopted us as His own when no one else could help us. He called us sons, when we were sinners. He accepted us and acquired acceptance for us with the Father through His blood. Like Ruth, we were Moabite by birth; and now, by grace through faith, we are His children.
Our Boaz gives us full access to His power, promises, and provision. Our Boaz gives us the assurance of His presence wherever we go. Our Boaz provides asylum from those who would harm and hinder us. Our Eternal Boaz reveals His affection for us by leaving us vessels of supply and servants to serve.
Friend, although Ruth may have thought she had unwrapped all of Boaz’s presents of grace, she would find there were yet presents of His grace to be unwrapped in the days to come. Jesus, our Eternal Boaz, has not exhausted His presents of grace for His children. The longer we walk with Him, the sooner we will discover that each day He has presents of grace to be unwrapped.