by John O’Malley
“And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she showed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man’s name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz” (Ruth 2:19).
It would have been easy for Naomi to reflect upon the disasters that had entered through the door of her home since their departure from God’s will more than a decade before. Naomi knew God’s hand of discipline could not only touch her husband and children, but she knew it could affect others as well.
Naomi was not ignorant of Ruth’s desire to search for a place of provision. Naomi knew when Ruth left that morning that “the odds” would be against her. Throughout the day, Naomi could have wondered about Ruth’s welfare. “Would she find a field where she could glean? Would she be accepted in that field? How much grain would she be able to bring home for their sustenance? Where would the God of Israel lead her daughter-in-law? How would she be accepted? Whom would she meet? What would happen?” They were living in troublesome times. Many in their region lived according to the laws of their own creation and not their Creator’s laws. “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25).
Naomi’s response reflected her day of pondering and praying for her precious daughter-in-law. Ruth’s arrival with such an abundant bounty of grain prompted Naomi’s reaction of two questions and one blessing for their newfound benefactor. Such responses define the thought “Grace after knowledge.”
Ruth’s benefactor took knowledge of her. After he learned of her family, her fate, her frustrations, her flaws and even her faith, he showed her grace. Knowing Ruth’s inadequacies, he still showed her his grace. He could have ignored her, but he invited her into his field and his family. He could have rejected her, but he opened his heart and harvest field. He could have despised her, but he offered her provision and protection. He offered grace after he took knowledge of her. Boaz showed grace after he took knowledge of Ruth’s cause, condition, and country.
This very thought should thrill the heart of every convert from the land of Moab. You were once flawed, far from God, and a failure. Our Eternal Boaz took knowledge of you and even after that, He showed His grace. He knew whom we were, what we were, and where we were, and He loved us anyway. He knew us, yet He loved us. What generosity! What goodness! What grace!
Let your meditation this day be as Naomi’s: “Blessed is He that did take knowledge of me!”