by John O’Malley
“Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens” (Ruth 2:13).
Ruth knew in her heart that she had not only found a place of bounty, but also a benefactor. She left that morning from Naomi’s place and desired a field to glean and a benefactor that would be gracious. Certainly the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings she had come to trust, had led her to this place of provision and protection.
Previously, she could not understand how she had come to find grace in Boaz’s eyes. Boaz made her aware of why she had found grace in his eyes. You may recall, Boaz revealed that he was touched by her compassion, conviction, and conversion.
Ruth’s response was in the form of a request. She replied, “Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord.” Tenderness and humility were woven into her statement. Ruth had received Boaz’s grace; yet now she was requesting that she find favor in his sight.
Initially, the careful reader of God’s Word may wonder why Ruth’s reply to Boaz came in the form of a request. Ruth’s request was not an indication of her failure to grasp the meaning of Boaz’s reply. Ruth did understand the essence of what Boaz said. Ruth’s words were merely an indication of her heart’s desire and her soul’s devotion.
Ruth desired in her heart that whenever Boaz’s eyes met hers, she find favor in his sight. She never wanted to fall out of favor with Boaz. Having favor in Boaz’s sight became Ruth’s chief priority. Her request for favor in Boaz’s eyes was not of greed, but rather of graciousness.
The prayer of Ruth’s heart declared her wish to find favor in his sight all the time. Ruth’s heart was certainly devoted to the cause of Boaz’s fields. She merely wanted Boaz to be pleased with her forever. Boaz had promised Ruth that she could anticipate the blessings of the Lord in her heart and in this harvest field.
Ruth’s request, robed in meekness, reveals a wonderful example for believers today. Our hearts should be stirred by Ruth’s simple request. Certainly we have found grace in God’s eyes for our salvation. We know He has redeemed us and given us His protection and promise.
Do all of our activities and attitudes meet with His favor? Do all of our labors and our earnestness in accomplishing our tasks meet with favor in His sight? Is our Eternal Boaz pleased with all we do for Him? May every divine glance toward our work in the harvest fields be pleasing to our Eternal Boaz.
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