SOAP 05/07/2015; Ruth 2:16

Today's reading: Ruth 2

S) "¹⁶ Also you shall purposely pull out for her some grain from the bundles and leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her."

Ruth 2:16 (NASB)

O) Ruth had gone to glean in the fields of Boaz. Gleaning was the practice of following behind harvesters, and picking any remaining crop that they missed (either that was dropped, or not even picked). God had long since commanded that the Israelites should only go through crops to harvest a single time, and that anything left should remain so that the poorest among them could glean from it. And so, this is where Ruth was. She and her mother-in-law, Naomi, we're both widows, and this was their only means for food. Naomi told Ruth to go see what she could glean, and as Ruth was doing so, she found favor in the eyes of Boaz.

A) This verse is a picture of the grace of God. The story of Ruth and Boaz has a great many allusions to the relationship we have with Christ as the bridegroom of the church, His bride. In this verse, I clearly see how His grace is evident in the way He met the needs of Ruth and Naomi. Then, on top of meeting their minimum need for food, God blessed Ruth above and beyond that, through the kindness of Boaz. It is humbling to remember that this is how God views me, as part of His church, the bride of Christ. He meets my needs, always, but then He also blesses me above what I need. He favors me. He doesn't do the minimum, He does the maximum. He does the most possible, as long as it is still good for me. He disciplines, and allows me to endure storms, etc., but through all of that God favors His servant with as much as possible - as long as it is still good for me.

P) Father, I am humbled by Your grace. I want to reflect this same favorable attitude. Help me to reflect Your grace and love toward others, that they would see the lovingkindness and compassion that You have for them. Open eyes to see and ears to hear, so that they can be drawn to repentance. Help me to remain thankful and humble, in light of Your favor and grace. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.