IN THE FIELD OF GRACE
Ruth 2:4-17
Lesson 5
Part 1
Introduction: As I was getting ready to start typing this lesson from Ruth, I was thinking how much a person could get out of one book of the Bible. If a person tries to say that this Book is boring or cannot find anything, then they are not studying. As a pastor, I realize that one of my greatest responsibilities is to feed the flock. (1st Peter 5:2- “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind”)
Ruth is not a lazy person. She is willing to take a job that is on the bottom of the list of jobs in order that Naomi and herself would have food to eat. They may not have the best food with this job but they had food. Many times in today’s society, people don’t want these types of jobs because they don’t want to start at the bottom and work up. They want to start on the top. We run into another principle that we can see in the book. Ruth’s motive was not in this area but it is perfectly illustrated in this book. 1st Peter 5:6
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of
God, that he may exalt you in due time”
She was searching for food, favor and fulfillment. She got
a job as a gleaner and ended up in part of the field that belonged
to Boaz. Boaz is type of the Lord Jesus. As we start this section
of chapter two, we will start seeing it clearly.
The first three verses, we saw the finding by grace and in these verses we will be see in the field of grace. Just before getting into the lesson, I feel that we need to be reminded of what the definition of grace is. Grace is the favour and graciousness shown by God to guilty man. It stands in contrast to law AND also to works and to desert or reward. The grace of God is vouchsafed to the saints all along the way. We find nearly all the Epistles commence and end with the invocation of grace on the churches: whereas when individuals are addressed MERCY is added. The different aspects of grace and mercy have been thus set forth: "Grace refers more to the source and character of the sentiment; mercy to the state of the person who is its object. Grace may give me glory; mercy contemplates some need in me. Mercy is great in the greatness of the need; grace in the thought of the person exercising it."
I. HIS CONSIDERING WORK Vs. 4-7
“And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee. Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this? And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab: And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.”
A. He Is Present In His Field Vs. 4-5a
Hebrews 13:5
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Matthew 28:20
“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
There is a thought occurs here. In the house of Boaz the only prominent person was Boaz. No prominence, honor, or distinction was given to anyone but Boaz. Even the servant who was "set over the reapers" is left nameless in our text, because he is really not important. He as only a servant! So it is in the house of God. Only one Person is recognized here. Only one name is honored in God's house. Honor, recognition, and pre-eminence are given to no man but the God-man, the Lord Jesus Christ. We call no man "holy" or "reverend", because no man is. That name belongs only to our God. Psalm 111:9
“He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.”
This is one of the reasons why I don’t put the prefix “Rev.” before my name. I am not the “holy father” either. I am simply a pastor only by the grace of God and His calling to my life.
1. His Present Is Personal. Revelation 2:1
“Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks”
He has the right to walk in the midst of the golden candlesticks. He has the right to examine the churches and point out the problems in the church. He has the right to be honored above all. Colossians 1:16-18
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
He shows diligence by being in the field. He could have just left it to the man in charge of the reapers. Boaz was a man of great detail, yet looking after a large estate. He wasn't lazy. He didn't expect to pay somebody to do the things he ought to do. He came from Bethlehem and left his ease to look after his estate. This is the right thing to be done. If we continually leave our overseeing to others, we soon won't have anything to oversee.
Laziness brings me to a thought that should be explored somewhat. First I want to give a few verses of scripture that deal with laziness or as the Bible calls it slothfulness or being a sluggard.
Proverbs 18:9
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Proverbs 19:15
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Proverbs 24:30-31
I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
Ecclesiastes 10:18
By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
Romans 12:11
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
2nd Thessalonians 3:11
For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
Hebrews 6:12
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Without getting off the beaten path too far, let me make some comments in regards to laziness, slothfulness or being a sluggard.
Proverbs 20:4
“The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
If you look at a lazy man, you will find his nature to be one of inactivity and insult. It was laziness that brought down the man who was after God’s own heart, David. His inactivity caused him to go for a fateful walk.
You can see his posture. It found in one of the verses that we just used.
Proverbs 18:9
“He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.”
When you waste the talents and such, you are actually insulting the Lord with that waste.
What is the future of the sluggard? It is two fold. It leads to bankruptcy and a tragedy. To hide in laziness will lead inevitably to bankruptcy in every area of our lives.
Boaz was not lazy. He came to his field to check out what was being done.
2. His Presence Is Pleasant. We should note the gracious greeting between Boaz and his servants. What is interesting is the interchange between Boaz and his people! Think how much better a workplace would be if this interchange would be a normal everyday event. Think how much more peaceful workplace would be if the Lord was involved.
Jesus never brings strife or trouble, but always the breath of Heaven and the fragrant breezes of glory. Psalm 16:11
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
If there is trouble or strife, it is our sinful flesh that brings it.
B. He Is Perceptive Concerning His Field.
Vs. 5b-7
Our heavenly Boaz misses nothing that transpires in His field.
Proverbs 15:3
“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”
Matthew 10:29-31
“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
The Lord's eyes are on His church and He misses nothing that happens. But, He is also interested in the individual. Why is this? Let’s look at two truths in this passage that shows why in the life of Ruth.
1. His Perception Is Personal. Vs. 5b
“Whose damsel is this?”
Ruth caught his eye. Why? We are not told for sure but he noticed someone new in his field.
Jesus loves the individual. You have caught His eye. He cares about you.
Jeremiah 31:3
“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.’
Romans 8:38-39
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
As I was pondering this thought that Jesus loved the individual, my mind ran to the book of John. This gospel is full of individuals that Jesus loved and showed an interest. Let’s turn to book of John for a few minutes.
· Chapter One- Peter John 1:35-42
“Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.”
· Chapter three- Nicodemas
John 3:1-7
“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”
Before going further, we are in the third chapter of John. Look at the most quote verse in the Bible. John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
I remember the first time that verse was bought alive to me. I even remember the day. It was May 10, 1972. My pastor read that verse just like it is written. He said that the world was a big place. It is. We have over five billion people in this world now. But that night my pastor read the verse this way. “For God so loved Mike, that he gave his only begotten Son, that Mike believeth in him Mike should not perish, but Mike have everlasting life.” That day I saw myself as an individual who Jesus was interested in. He was so interested in me that if I had been the only sinner in the world, He would have came to die in my place. But the good news is that He died for all our sins. How do we get this salvation? We get it by coming to Him. John 6:37
“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”
That sounds like He is interested in the individual. Once you come to Him, you got to call on Him to save you.
Romans 10:13
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
He still has the power to save to the uttermost.
Hebrews 7:25
“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
That is a really good postscript. Let’s continue our journey through the pages of the book of John.
· Chapter four- woman at the well
Time will not permit us to read this entire chapter. Jesus had to go to Samaria. Why? There was a woman that we going to be at the well at noontime. Jesus knew her need and He was the fulfillment of her need. After she met the Master, she runs and tells others. Before long a town is impacted for the Lord Jesus.
· Chapter five- man at the pool of Bethesda
John 5:1-9
“After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.”
· Chapter six- the feeding of the five thousand
Who is the individual here? It is the lad that brought his lunch to Jesus. Jesus took his lunch and used it mightily for the glory of God.
· Chapter Eight is the woman caught in the act of adultery.
John 8:1-11
“Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”
· Chapter Nine is the blind man made whole.
· Chapter eleven is the raising Lazarus from the dead.
· Chapter twelve is the anointing of the Lord Jesus by Mary. Look at verse three.
“Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.”
Anyone that was in that house had the odor of the spikenard on them. This is what happens when Jesus comes into a life. People will know the difference.
2nd Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
· Chapter thirteen is the account of Judas and Jesus last encounter before Judas betrayed him. This is Judas’ last chance to keep from going to hell.
· Chapter eighteen is the account of Jesus with Pilate.
· Chapter nineteen is the account of His mother and her future.
· Chapter twenty is the account of Mary Magdalene after Jesus’ resurrection.
· Chapter twenty-one is the account of Jesus restoring Peter.
This is fourteen persons that Jesus spent time and showed interest. But that is past and it is important. But presently, Jesus is interested in you.
2. His Perception Is Powerful. Ruth 2:6-7
“And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab: And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.”
Boaz knew about her background, her activities and her motives. Jesus knows everything there is to know about us, and yet He still loves us and desires to be with us. This is amazing. He calls us saints and we are so sorry. He calls us friends and we are such failures. That is grace, pure and simple.
What does he know about Ruth? According to the servant, he tells her that she was a foreigner. But if I read this correctly, he tells Boaz that she is not lazy. She has worked hard that day. There may have been some respect from this servant’s word perceived.
Conclusion: This section we have seen Boaz coming on the scene. But we can see Jesus in this man’s life. What does Jesus know about us?
Hebrews 4:13
“Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”
1st Samuel 16:7
“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
Jesus knows you better than you do. Jeremiah 17:9-10
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”
In the next lesson we will be seeing Boaz’s commanding work.
Pastor Mike Walls