January 17 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

Christian parents pray that their children may be introduced to godly partners. Boaz is introduced to Ruth as a man of faith. As he enters his field to see how the reapers are doing, he says: “The LORD be with you.” When Boaz turns his attention to Ruth he continues speaking the language of faith. He says, “The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.” Boaz does not utter a pious wish or say what we will often say, “I wish you all the best.” Boaz knows that he will be an instrument in the Lord’s hand to bring this woman under God’s protective care. Boaz knows the Lord, who had said to his forefather, Abraham, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” (Gen 15:1) Abraham’s blessing was that he would receive offspring, land and above everything else, the Lord’s protection.

Boaz comforts Ruth with the same promises of God. Experience taught him that it is the Lord who watches over those who join the covenant community from a different background. He learned this from his mother Rahab! His own mother was a foreigner who had experienced the Lord’s protection among His covenant people (Josh 6).

Ruth hopes someone will show her the mercy and grace of the Lord in the land of the covenant. She finds that grace with Boaz. Boaz knows from the Word of God, as he heard it from his mother: the Lord will give His reward to those who live by faith and who believe His promises. Ruth left her father, mother and native land and came to a people she did not know. Having first confessed, “Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God,” she, in obedience to the law of God, comes to the fields to find what is reserved for the poor and oppressed, for widows and aliens.

Choices made in obedience to the Lord will be blessed. A woman of faith meets up with a man of faith. Through these human and ordinary means the Lord provides divine protection under the shadow of His wings.