A Lesson Learned From Ruth

Ruth 2:8-12 Then Boaz said to Ruth, "Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn." Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, "Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?" But Boaz answered her, "All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!"

I was reading Ruth last night, and several things struck me that never seemed to do so before. I love how no matter how many times you read through scripture, God can always teach you more!

So when Boaz ensures special treatment for Ruth, she asks why. His answer has nothing to do with her appearance or her service to him in any way. In fact, she would have technically been considered "unattractive" no matter how beautiful she was simply because she was a foreigner. Men might have lusted after her, but very few would have wanted to care for her. And as to her service, she's basically just picking up left behind grain from his fields since her and her mother-in-law have no men left to provide for them.

The one thing that he cites that makes her worthy of his mercy and generosity was her character. Ruth could have taken another husband after her first died and left her mother-in-law, Naomi, to care for herself. No one would have thought lesser of her for it. But instead of leaving Naomi without hope, she sojourned with her to her native land. Ruth knew that she would most likely be despised there and that they would both be without income; and unless someone from her husband's clan would redeem her, they would be shut out from Naomi's people.

Boaz knew what kind of risk Ruth took to care for Naomi; and that revealed tons about her character. Ruth was loyal and must have had a great sense of integrity. She was obviously hard working as well. It took a fair amount of work for Boaz to redeem Ruth, but it was well worth it for a woman of such great character!

In our culture, we look for a fun, attractive mate whose company we tend to enjoy. But in general, character is not something of great value. People are encouraged to sacrifice good character, integrity and even morals to be successful. Every morning, we get up and prepare our physical appearance for the day. But how much time to spend each day preparing your character for whatever comes your way?