“Finding Grace” - 1/16/25
When Ruth went to Boaz’s field (Ruth 2:3), Boaz noticed her (v. 5). Regardless of why Boaz noticed her, once he did, he approached Ruth, telling her to stay and glean in his field and go nowhere else (Ruth 2:8). In short order, Boaz promised Ruth protection and provision while she was in his field (Ruth 2:8-9, 14). His response to Ruth reminds me of David’s praise for the Lord in Psalm 23. Reading this psalm, we see him praising God for protection and provision in his life, just as Boaz promised Ruth.
Ruth’s response to Boaz was to ask why she had “found grace” with him (Ruth 2:10). She mentions this again in verse 13. When we study the word grace, that picture of protection, of provision, literally a “surrounding” of someone, is implied in the word. It is like the phrase “circling the wagons” (an image of the old West). When the wagons were “circled,” whatever was inside the circle was protected. Thus, it was with Ruth. As we read of Boaz’s intentions for protection and provision, we see Ruth calling it “grace.” Why was Boaz showing favor or grace to Ruth? Boaz stated that her reputation for caring for Naomi had impressed him (Ruth 2:11-12, 14).
This moment between Boaz and Ruth offers us a profound insight into our relationship with God (Rom. 15:4). Boaz’s grace towards Ruth (Ruth 2:10, 13) was not a one-sided act. It was a response to Ruth’s actions (Ruth 2:11-12). In a time when many seek to separate God’s grace from our actions, we need to understand that our actions matter to God (Jas. 2:18-26). His grace “encircles” us, but we must also act to accept His grace. Both God and man play a role in this. God does not impose His grace on anyone against their will.
Notice that “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Gen. 6:8) because he “walked with God” (Gen. 6:9). Noah’s obedience alone did not cause him to earn anything. Yet through his action, we see God’s protection, His grace. Similarly, Boaz’s grace was not extended to Ruth because she had “earned” anything in that field; she was a widow, after all. Working in the field earned her nothing. In like manner, men do not “earn” God’s grace today. Ruth’s hard work for Naomi inspired Boaz’s grace toward her. Similarly, God extends His grace toward us as we make our feeble attempts to please Him.
Jesus told His disciples, “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do” (Lk. 17:10). Christ expects us to obey Him (Heb. 5:9; Matt. 28:20). However when we have done all we can do, we are still “unprofitable” to God! Though we act out of love for the Lord (I Cor. 16:14), God’s grace is necessary for us to go to Heaven (Eph. 2:5, 8-10).
Boaz’s grace towards Ruth was not a reward for her efforts but a response to her willingness to do what she could (e.g., Mk. 14:8). Similarly, God’s grace “encircles,” “surrounds,” or “is extended” to us because we cannot make it on our own (Jer. 10:23). At the same time, God’s grace teaches us to “live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:12). We cannot divorce God’s grace from our actions.
Like Ruth, we may often find ourselves asking, “Why?” (Ruth 2:10). “Why does God care about me?” “Why has God extended grace to me?” “Why am I even alive?” While we may never fully understand the answers to these questions, we can always be thankful for God’s grace and mercy, which give us another day on Earth to try again (Rom. 2:4). Let us be active to the best of our abilities in the Lord’s “field” (Matt. 13:38; Jas. 2:26) and praise God for His grace, which He generously extends to us.
- Jarrod M. Jacobs