Bible Text: Ruth 2:1-23 | Preacher: Pastor Joe Ricchuiti | Series: Ruth, When God is in Control

1.  Boaz, in addition to being a relative of Naomi’s dead husband, is described as being a man of outstanding character and qualities.  Boaz qualities as portrayed in the book are:

-he spoke the language of faith, God was a regular part of His life

-his servants knew his commitment to God

-her cared about other people, especially the poor and needy (widows, the fatherless, aliens), he followed God’s plan to provide for those in need by opening his field to the gleaners (Leviticus 19:9,10; Deuteronomy 24:19-22).

-he treated others, including his workers, with respect

-he was protective of those who gleaned in his field

-he provided for Ruth’s physical and emotional protection, though, except for her reputation, she was a stranger to him. 

-he was a man of integrity, morality, and generosity

2.  Ruth took the initiative to go into the fields, to glean behind the harvesters, to provide for herself and Naomi.  She knew the Word of God, trusted herself to God’s protection, and spared Naomi the humiliation and the difficult and dangerous work of gleaning. 

3.  Ruth trusted her way to God (she went out) and God directed her to the field of Boaz.  In what appeared to be chance choices, God overruled and directed her.  This is a good example of how God leads His people.  If we are committing our way to the Lord daily (in the Word and prayer), confessing known sin, yielding control to the Holy Spirit, we can make decisions, expecting God to lead us into His will. (Proverbs 3:5,6)

4.  Resource mentioned  Twelve Things I Want My Kids to Remember Forever by Jerry B. Jenkins.