V7PC Ruth Devotional Week 2

Chance or Chosen? Day 8

Read: RRuutthh 22::11--33

After arriving in Bethlehem, things did not get any better for Ruth andNaomi. It appeared that they were not being taken care of those in thecity, so they somehow needed to get food in order to survive. For thesecond time we see the loyalty and devotion of Ruth as she tells Naomito let her go into the fields to pick grain.

We see from the text that Ruth “happens” upon a field belonging to Boaz,a wealthy relative of good standing. She could have picked any field toglean (follow after the workers and pick leftovers) and “as it turnedout” ended up in his. It is clear from the way the story unfolds that Goddirected her steps. Matthew Henry points out, “Many a great affair isbrought about by a little turn, which seemed fortuitous to us, but wasdirected by Providence with design.”

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When we go about our daily tasks, such as filling up for gas orbuying groceries, we rarely stop to think whether it is God’sprovidence directing us in our steps. But if we truly trust in oursovereign God we must see Him working in every detail of our lives.

DDaa ii ll yy CChhaa ll ll eennggee

Think about the places you have been or difficult situations you haverecently endured. Tell yourself that God has you there for a reason;that He is directing your steps. Do you believe it?

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Pray that you will trust God with the details of your life. Ask that Hereveal His plan to you and use you in a powerful way for His Kingdom.

Behold Boaz!Day 9


This passage begins with the Hebrew word for “behold,”, indicating theimportance of what follows. Here, we see Boaz’s entrance heralded bythe text. Boaz did not have to come and visit the fields, as he hadforeman or servant overseeing the work on his behalf (vs. 6). Despitethis, Boaz knew his workers, whom he greeted with “Jehovah be withyou,” and he also knew the poor who gleaned behind the workers.

When he saw Ruth, he asked who she belonged to; historically, it wouldhave been rare to find a single young woman of marriageable age. Theoverseer explained that Ruth was Naomi’s daughter, but did not stopthere, taking time to commend her character to Boaz. Ruth had everylegal right to glean behind the workers (Dt 24:19-21), but still asked forpermission. And once given permission, she worked faithfully all day.


When Ruth is read carefully, it is impossible to miss God’ssovereignty in the story. Ruth “happens” to end up in Boaz’s fieldas he “happens” to visit and takes notice of her. Scripture shows usthere is no such thing as a chance meeting.

DDaa ii llyy CChhaa ll ll eennggee

You are called to love your neighbor, care for your family, and reachthe lost. Think about who God has intentionally placed in your life foryou to interact with as a believer. Do you make the best of theserelationships for His Kingdom, or let opportunities pass you by?


Pray that you would see every meeting with every person as anordained opportunity to pray, serve, and love.

Favor Found Day 10


Boaz legally had to let Ruth and others like her glean behind the workers.He also felt he was responsible for her as a relative of his. But Boaz wasnot content to simply do the bare minimum. Instead, he went above andbeyond what was required, revealing his character as a righteous man.

First, he told Ruth to stay in his field, where she would be provided forwithout having to look other places. He also told her to stay with hisservant girls. This meant that Ruth had a front-row seat to the best ofthe leftover harvest as she walked with the servant-girls who bound thegrain. Boaz also told his men to leave Ruth alone, keeping her safe frompotential verbal and physical abuse. Finally, he gave her permission todrink from his own water jars whenever thirsty, instead of having totravel back to the local Bethlehem well. He truly provided for her.


Boaz was already acting as Ruth’s kinsman redeemer even though hewas a relative of Naomi. Boaz’s care for Ruth is a picture ofChrist’s redeeming love for His people. Both go beyond what isexpected to provide and care for the needy.


If you truly believe that God provides your daily bread, sustainingyou on Him alone, how should this motivate you to care for those inneed around you? Because you are redeemed by Him, you shoulddesire to, in turn, show His love to those who need redemption!


Pray that you will find rest and contentment in the redemptive work thatChrist has done and the many blessings He has given to you. Pray thatGod will provide you with contentment with what you have and faith thatall your needs will be met by your heavenly Father.

Refuge of the LordDay 11


It feels good to receive praise for a job well done. When weaccomplish a task, like gaining a promotion, graduating from highschool or college, or performing amazing athletic feats, we wantrecognition. Being honored is not bad in and of itself, but if we fail tohumbly understand that our blessings come because of thefaithfulness of God, our perspective is blurred.


What do you hope people notice about you so that you feel honored orappreciated? Take some time today to confess to God that you arethankful He has blessed you and that He is your refuge in spite of thepraise of others.


Pray that you will humbly seek refuge in the Lord God Almighty, that,in spite of the praise of man, you will rest in His love for you, displayedso powerfully in the work of Jesus Christ.


Ruth accepted the praise of Boaz, but did so humbly. As a foreigner in astrange land, Ruth knew that her situation was tenuous at best; yet, shecontinued to provide for Naomi and herself in spite of her circumstances.In verse 13, Ruth told Boaz that she desired to continue to find favor inhis eyes, in spite of her poor standing.

Boaz saw something very different than a poor foreign girl. Instead, hepointed out her hard work, difficult decision to leave home, and the careshe had shown Naomi. He asks that the Lord may bless her, to repay whatshe has done. This rich reward was not to come because of her work, butbecause of who she taken refuge with, the God of Israel. By doing the thingsBoaz praises her for, Ruth is displaying faith in her God, revealing that shehas truly made Naomi's God, her own. She trusted the Lord (1:16).

Place of Honor Day 12


Boaz acted as redeemer for Ruth throughout the entire story. His carefor her is a clear picture of Christ's love for His people. In the same waythat all believer's will one day sit at the great feast in heaven, Boazinvited Ruth to sit with him and the workers and eat her fill. This wasboth unusual and unexpected.

In addition to inviting her to eat, Boaz once again reminded his workersto gather in peace. His earlier words told the workers to keep herphysically safe; here he tells them to avoid any kind of verbal abuse.Finally, he goes above and beyond his legal duty when he tells theworkers to pull some of the actually stalks (the good stuff) out of thebundles and leave them on the ground for her. Boaz made Ruth's burdenlight and her work fruitful in spite of having no obligation.


Psalm 23:5 tells us that God prepares a special place for us at Histable where our cups will overflow. Ruth reminds us that we have aredeemer who cares for us and loves us in spite of our problems andpain. His yoke is easy and His burden light (Mt 11:30).


As you deal with the problems and struggles of your life, do you doso with a temporal or eternal perspective? In other words, are youconcerned about being fulfilled here and now, by what this world hasto offer, or do you look forward to the feast in heaven, where allyour needs will be provided for and you will dwell with yourredeemer forever?


Pray that you find your peace in the Lord today. That regardless offrustrating situations or difficult decisions, you will trust in Hisprovision and love for you.

Puzzle Pieces FallDay 13


Up to this point, Ruth had had no idea that she was working in the fieldof a relative. God has directed her steps along the way and Ruth hadfaithfully and diligently worked all day. When she returned home, Naomiwas astonished; for someone who followed the threshers in the field,Ruth had an incredible amount of food.

Ruth told Naomi where she harvested and Naomi revealed that Boaz was aclose relative. She asks God's blessing on him twice for his great kindness.She also points out that he is one of their kinsman-redeemers. Accordingto Levitical law he was one of the few who could redeem the inheritanceof one in poverty (Lev 25). Thus, the puzzle pieces fall into place,showing God's hand clearly driving Ruth and Naomi towards redemption inspite of Naomi's bitterness and Ruth's lack of knowledge of a foreign land.


With seven billion other people on earth, it is amazing how we often“bump” into people we already know or have a connection with. Inthese moments, we often say, “small world, isn't it?” We fail tosee that God is orchestrating our lives and the people we meet arenever by accident.


Who has God placed in your life that you fail to see as part of Hispurpose? Do you have neighbors, co-workers, or family you ignoreor fail to pray for or share God's love with? Think about one personyou “ran into” today that God may be directing your way to giveyou an opportunity to live out the Gospel of Christ.


Pray that you would see every person you interact with as a providentialencounter. Pray knowing that you have been called with a purpose to loveyour neighbor by showing the love of God to those you meet.

Settling into Routine Day 14


It was a common practice for the poor in Ruth's day to move from fieldto field, gleaning to find the best of the leftover harvest. Because of thekindness of Boaz, however, Naomi determined it was best if Ruth stayedat his field until the end of the harvest. Ruth had been granted safety, aplace with his workers, and extra grain left just for her.

So Ruth continued to glean with the women of Boaz until the harvests werefinished. She also continued to return to Naomi every night, providing forher dutifully. In all this, Ruth lived up to her promise from 1:16. WhereNaomi went, she went and where Naomi stayed she stayed. The Israeliteshad started to become her people, and their God was certainly her God. Aschapter 2 closed, Ruth was now in a position to be noticed regularly byBoaz. Her character and devotion would not escape his eyes.


What is interesting about Ruth is that in the middle of herfascinating story she fell into a daily routine where she continued tolabor faithfully. As we go about our own daily routines, do webelieve we are being used by God for a purpose even in the midst ofa repetitive cycle of a job, school, exercise, or caring for children?


Think about your life right now as one thread in a grand tapestry Godis weaving together. How can you, even in the midst of a routinewhere you feel like you do the same thing every day or week, bringhonor to God and love those around you?


Pray that God would use you powerfully in the midst of normal andaverage circumstances to further His Kingdom and bring Him glory, thatin spite of going about the same daily tasks, you have passion, zeal, andjoy from the Lord.

Ruth – a Devotional and Prayer Guide

RRuutthh SSeerrmmoonn SSeerriieess AAvvaaii llaabbllee OOnnll iinnee

You can listen online to the book of Ruth sermon series by Pastor MarkBates. Visit our website at www.v7pc.org and locate the “RecentMessages” window in the lower right hand corner of the homepage. Each

of the sermons in this seriescan be found in the “Archives”section. If you missed asermon, or would just like tolisten to one again, this is agreat way to continue yourstudy of the book of Ruth.

The website is also a great wayto stay in touch with what’shappening at Village Seven.

SSuubbssccrr iibbee ttoo tthhiiss DDeevvoott iioonnaall aanndd PPrraayyeerr GGuuiiddee

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V7PC Ruth Devotional Week 2