Scripture
Ruth 1:8
Ruth 2:2, 8-20
Ruth 3:7-11
There are two words in Ruth that appear three times each. These words are themes throughout the story. They are “favor” and “kindness.” The word, “favor,” appears three times in chapter 2 alone. This word in Hebrew, means favor, grace, charm, acceptance. It is usually translated as either favor or grace in the 69 times it’s used in the Old Testament.
The first time we see it in Ruth is in 2:2 when Ruth asked Naomi if she could go out to the fields to pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes she found favor. Then, we see that she did find favor with Boaz. The 2nd time we see this word is in 2:10 when Ruth asks Boaz, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner.” Then, he blessed her and she said to him in verse 13, “May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord.”
So, Ruth hoped to find favor in someone’s eyes, then she did find favor in Boaz’s eyes, and she hoped to continue to find favor in his eyes. That favor and grace Boaz showed her was such a beautiful thing. He saw her, he cared for her, he welcomed her in, and he made sure she was safe and provided for. She didn’t deserve any of that, she was a foreigner, but Boaz went above and beyond to care for her.
We too find favor in the eyes of God. He doesn’t just do the bare minimum to care for us, but he goes above and beyond to do so. He sees us, cares for us, welcomes us, provides for us, and more. Boaz is a great example of God’s heart towards us. Do you believe that you find favor in God’s eyes? Well, it’s true.
The second word, “kindness,” in Hebrew, means goodness, kindness, faithfulness, and it is used 251 times in the Old Testament. The first time we see this word in Ruth is in 1:8 when Naomi prays that the Lord would show her two daughters-in-law kindness, like they have shown to their husbands and to her. The second time is in 2:20 after Ruth told Naomi what Boaz had done for her and how he had taken care of her. Naomi said, “He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead.”
Then, the third time it’s used is in 3:10 after Ruth essentially proposes to Boaz and he told her, “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.” The earlier kindness was in reference to Ruth going with Naomi and leaving behind her home. Now, she is showing him kindness by choosing him instead of going after someone younger.
So, Naomi prayed that the Lord would show Ruth kindness, like she showed to her husband and to her. Then, she was shown kindness by Boaz in how he cared for her and provided for her. Finally, Ruth showed her kindness to Boaz by choosing him over other men. God ultimately showed Ruth his kindness through Boaz.
God often does that—he uses other people to reflect his kindness and love and favor to others. We can’t do that perfectly, of course, but he uses us to reflect him and his heart. Here, he used Boaz to reflect his heart to the outsider, the widow, the poor, the hurting. If you find yourself hurting, lonely, grieving, or more—look at who is around you and who God might be using to show you his kindness and his favor. Similarly, who could you show kindness and favor to as a reflection of God’s heart?
Prayer
God thank you for your kindness and favor that you lavish on me every day, even when I don’t see or realize it. Open my eyes to who you are using to reflect that in my life. Also, open my eyes to who I can show kindness and favor to in order to reflect your heart to others.
Questions/Journal Prompts
Feel free to use these questions as a guide as you journal and/or pray.
1. Have you ever had someone show you favor, like Boaz did to Ruth; going above and beyond to care for you?
2. Who in the past week has showed you kindness?
3. Who is someone you could show kindness and favor to as a reflection of God’s heart for them?
Songs to listen to
Spend some time listening to these songs, reflecting on the words, and sitting with Jesus.
“No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus” by Steffany Gretzinger https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wapXZkU-jFM
“Goodness of God” by Bethel Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f4MUUMWMV4
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