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’s reply reveals her inward struggle to grasp Boaz’s offer of grace. She stated to Boaz, “I am not like one of your maidens.” The words were spoken from Ruth’s heart as she considered herself in light of the others in the field who were working for Boaz. Her comments to Boaz were accented by her amazement at his desire to extend favor and exhibit friendliness.
The last phrase in the verse deals with Ruth’s amazement with Boaz’s offer of fellowship. Ruth knew her chief obstacle from fellowshipping with Boaz came because of her Moabite birth. She looked at the others and saw herself inferior because they were Israelites by birth. Ruth could never change her birthplace. She could not change her background. Ruth could not begin life again to fix her Moabite birth. Ruth’s heart swelled with emotions that could hardly be conveyed with words.
The story of Boaz and Ruth is a story that began in distant lands, but whose happy ending would take place in the Promised Land. Their meeting was not by chance. They met because our Eternal Boaz brought them together. Ruth was aware that she could not start her life over again to become more acceptable to Boaz. Boaz’s offer of fellowship to Ruth gave her the opportunity, not to start her life over, but to make a new future.
Boaz, our principal character, desired to fellowship with a girl from Moab. There were many handmaidens he could have chosen to bring into his fellowship. Why would one of the original inhabitants of Ephratah, now called Bethlehem-judah, want to fellowship with Ruth? Boaz could have chosen anyone, and he still chose Ruth above all others. Boaz’s choice left Ruth with recognition of her own inadequacy and an appreciation of his fellowship
Like Ruth’s beginning, the believer’s life began in a distant land. We were born far from Jesus Christ. Sin separated us from His righteousness. Our Eternal Boaz sought us out and brought us to Himself. There was nothing we could bring to the relationship; we were marred by sin. Even with our marring and mistakes, He still offered us His favor, His friendship, and His fellowship.
Words fail in each believer’s attempt to describe God’s goodness. He saw us, He loved us, and He forgave us. The truth of God’s offer of forgiveness and His desire to fellowship with us should make our heart rejoice each day. Although our Eternal Boaz knows about our sin’s marring, He still says, “You are forgiven, and it is forgotten forever.”
Our Eternal Boaz desired you. He moved heaven and earth to fellowship with you. Draw near to Him this day in your prayers and in His Word. Take time to recognize His covering of compassion in your life. Reflect on His goodness and the grace He offered you. Although you are marred by many things, He will always love you!