Introduction

How do you greet someone? How do you respond when someone asks how you are? I am all about the blessings of God. It is nothing for me to say, “Blessings to you!” Or if asked how I am, I respond I am blessed. This is always true, it doesn’t matter how I am feeling that day, I am blessed. I have a friend who adds, “I am blessed and highly favored.” We begin to see how highly favored Ruth is in Ruth 2.

Reading and Assignment

Ruth 2: 4-7, Leviticus 19: 9-10, SOAP Ruth 2:7

 

Scripture

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” (Ruth 2: 7, KJV).

Observation

Ruth to glean in the field owned by Boaz. We meet a kind Boaz, he is her kinsman. Boaz is following the law by letting her glean the field. A sheave is a bundle of wheat and barley. She was not lazy, she worked the field from morning until evening.

Application

If you are struggling to make ends meet, are you using local resources like a food bank? Are you giving to the poor? Are you seeking God and his direction for your life? Ruth became a humble servant not afraid to work. Are you working as hard as you can?

Prayer

Father God, thank you that you meet the needs of your servants. Lord, let us be humble and not worry about pride, if we need help, let us use whatever resources are at our disposal. Lord, Ruth worked hard providing for her mother-in-law and herself. Give us the strength to do what we need to do and what is right. Let us claim the verse of trusting in the Lord with all our hearts. Help me to help others, help me to see where I can help. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Conclusion

In reading the commentaries, the scripture starts with a customary greeting. We see God as a sovereign God. There were laws in the land to not glean to the corner of the fields but to leave sheaves for the poor to come along behind the reapers and gather wheat and barley. Naomi was not that old but we see Ruth working from morning until night to provide food for both of them.

Just as I share that I am blessed when I meet others, Naomi was blessed in spite of her circumstance of losing her husband and sons. How about you are you blessed?

Share two ways God has blessed you? Will you obey the Lord’s commands?

A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day:” (Deuteronomy 11:27 KJV)