It seems so minor…

Ruth 4:13,14 – “So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son. And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.”

Obed. He may not be the most famous person in all Israel, but in the eyes of those closest to Boaz and Ruth, he certainly was famous. He was a child of blessing. 

Ruth was a woman of Moab. She had married an Israelite and was barren for the 10 years (or so) that she was married to him. And then, he died. Long story short – when Naomi, her mother-in-law, decided to go back to Israel, Ruth went with her. She left her family, her country and everything she had ever known to follow Naomi. She trusted Naomi and in some way (although it’s never mentioned), I believe she trusted God. When they got to Israel, Ruth’s reputation proceeded her. Everyone knew what she had done, what she had given up and what all those sacrifices showed about her character. No need for Ruth to brag or put on an act – everyone already knew. 

And then there’s Boaz. He was a godly man from the get-go. He showed kindness to everyone. He was fair and honest. He was compassionate. He was a man of integrity. 

To bring you up to speed on this verse, Boaz procured Ruth as his wife in a legal and binding agreement that was wrought in truth and honesty. And because Ruth chose God’s way in her life and because Boaz demonstrated God’s principles in all he did, God blessed them with a son. And that son, Obed, was in the lineage of David and, therefore, in the lineage of Christ. How cool is that!

My point is this – you never know how far your obedience will reach. You have no idea the impact you are making on some person’s life that you may never know or meet. I mean, think about it – the obedience of Ruth and Boaz has impacted my life – not only in reading and studying about them in the Bible, but most importantly, because of Jesus. That’s enough to get those glory bumps going (goose bumps)! 

Don’t think that your random acts of kindness or just following God’s principles are something minor and unimportant. They are incredibly important! You may be changing the life of someone important with your “minor” acts of obedience. Be that change. See the forest, not just the trees. 

Ruth

Ruth 2:8-12 – “Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn. Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger? And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.”

Ruth, probably one of the greatest love stories ever written. I have noticed that when I get ready to start another Bible study, I always come here first. I just love the story of Ruth and Boaz. There is so much in the book of Ruth. So many spiritual truths and examples of character and devotion.

Ruth had a choice to make. Her husband had died. His brother had died. His father had died. It was a tough time. Naomi, her mother-in-law, was encouraging her to go home to her family. She had no more to offer her. But Ruth chose to stay with Naomi. She chose to go to Bethlehem with Naomi – a place she had never been. These were people and a God that she was not familiar with – she had to be somewhat frightened. Yet, she chose to make Naomi’s people, her people and Naomi’s God, her God. And what a decision that turned out to be.

When Naomi and Ruth get to Bethlehem, people start talking. News spread through town that Naomi was back and she had brought her Moabite daughter-in-law with her. It was highly unusual – so, of course, everyone talked about it.

Naomi and Ruth were both widowers. They had to provide for themselves. They needed food. Naomi told Ruth to go and glean the fields – pick up what was dropped while they were harvesting. And she did. God led her to Boaz’s field.

Boaz had heard about Ruth and her devotion to Naomi. He was impressed with her character. He was intrigued by this woman who would choose to come to a foreign land with unfamiliar people rather than go home to her family.

Ok, let’s stop there for just minute. Let me say this – everyone is watching you. They are watching what you do, how you do and why you do it. You may think that you can pull the wool over people’s eyes, but my friend, you are sorely mistaken. You actions are crystal clear to the people you around, at least they will be at one time or another. Ruth went with Naomi out of a pure heart. She desired to stay with Naomi for no other reason than she loved her. And Boaz knew that. He could tell by the way she reacted to him. He could see her humble heart. Sooner or later, you actions will reveal the true intent and purpose of your heart.

Because Ruth’s heart was pure, God blessed her. He made sure that she was protected and fed. He made sure that it was Boaz’s field where she went to glean. He knew that one day, Boaz and Ruth would be together.

Following The Lord is not always easy. It may require sacrifice. It may require getting out of your comfort zone. It may require you to make choices that you never thought you could make. But when you follow Christ with a pure heart, nothing but blessings will follow. You may have to look closely for them at times, but they are always there.